GMS Newsletter Sponsored by PTA
Week of April 14th, 2025
This week at GMS
Click here to see the complete GMS website calendar for more events and details
MONDAY, April 14
2024-25 Special Education and Section 504 Family Empower Hour - More information can be found here.
TUESDAY, April 15
STAAR Science Test (8th Grade Only) NO VISITORS
Band Solo & Ensemble Festival 4:00-8:00pm @ GMS Band Hall & Band Aux Rm
(Students perform solo at their appointment time.)
Wednesday, April 16
STAAR Social Studies Test (8th Grade Only) NO VISITORS
Band Solo & Ensemble Festival 4:00-8:00pm @ GMS Band Hall & Band Aux Rm
(Students perform solo at their appointment time.)
Band Young Artist Competition 6:30-7:30pm @ GMS Cafeteria
THURSDAY, April 17
STAAR Social Studies Makeup Test (8th Grade Only)
FRIDAY, April 18
❗NO SCHOOL/Staff Development Day❗
SATURDAY, April 19
SUNDAY, April 20
🐰HAPPY EASTER
MONDAY, April 21
AISD Professionals Appreciation Week Begins
AISD After School Professionals Appreciation Week Begins
AISD Volunteer Appreciation Week Begins
2024-25 Special Education and Section 504 Family Empower Hour - More information can be found here.
AISD Choral Festival Rehearsal 10am-6:30pm @ AISD Performing Arts Center
AISD Choral Festival Performance 7:00-8:00 @ AISD Performing Arts Center
TUESDAY, April 22
☕Principal's Coffee Talk 2:15pm-3:15pm via Google Meets☕ - RESCHEDULED from 4/8
STAAR Science Makeup Test (8th Grade Only)
AISD Links
UPCOMING AT GMS & BEYOND
Staff Appreciation Lunch - Final One
The final staff appreciation lunch will be April 24th please click on the image below or on the link provided to sign up! Let's show the GMS Staff some GMS LOVE!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094EAEAF2AA46-56235308-gorzycki#/
🐅🐅🐅🐅TIGER CAMP-INCOMING 6th GRADERS🐅🐅🐅🐅
Hello incoming 6th graders! Here is the flyer for Tiger Camp 2025: https://docs.google.com/.../1inVT1azrai5AwCabQkr3.../edit...
The registration link is on it.
When you submit the form, another link comes up to pay the $10 fee. It may say that your session is expired. PLEASE CLICK ON THE "START AGAIN" BUTTON - the link works.
BLOOD DRIVE at GMS
You can schedule your blood donation appointment here.
The image above is linkable but you can access the link here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_r5yyeo2z-ND_ryNYZPHNgAKD02YevIPl-dar-x2eLloBhw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawI_BQdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYJkVbrS62peRgqNyCM6RP_S1gxREp6oZ88O2i0BaqVVT8hKNJFmWV_gWg_aem_RXzBoUmiRLfP_tIv3Cud7Q
WELCOME TO GMS
Please welcome Gorzycki's new School Resource Officer, Bill Sinor. Welcome to the GMS family.
SUMMER CAMPS & MORE
If you have any trouble linking to the payment portion of the google doc you can access that here.
STEM SUMMER CAMP for 8th Graders Only (Rising 9th Graders)
The Summit STEM Fellowship is a virtual summer program bringing together top rising 9th-12th grade students around the world. As a Summit STEM Fellow, students learn from top mentors at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT and explore diverse opportunities and career pathways in STEM. The fellowship is 10-15 hours per week, and events take place in the evenings and weekends to accommodate students’ summer schedules. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. To learn more and apply, please visit www.summitstemfellowship.org For any questions, please email info@summitstemfellowship.org.
MindPop Summer Arts Experiences
Attention 8th Grade Tennis Athletes
If you are interested in trying out for tennis at Bowie please see below.
BOWIE CAMPS - Girls Basketball/Volleyball or Combo
We are doing combo camp options again this year for incoming 3rd-8th! Camp is 60% full after one week. You can register for combo or just one on our website! https://bowiegirlsbasketball.org/camps-and-events/
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Bowie Baseball Camp
Bowie Baseball summer youth camp registration is OPEN! Register online at bowiebaseball.org/store
Bowie Silver Stars Summer Camp
The Silver Stars will be hosting a Summer dance camp June 16-June 19 for (incoming) kindergarten to 9th grade. Registration is open at silverstars.org
⚽⚽⚽MENS SOCCER CAMP⚽⚽⚽
Bowie Basketball Camp
Save the Date Bowie Basketball Summer Camp
June 16-19 & July 14-17
Registration Link will be posted by the end of March!
BOWIE Football Information for Incoming Freshman
Hey Dawgs - anyone missing those Friday Night Lights? Mark your calendars - it's coming!
Registration for Weight & Conditioning and Freshmen Football Camp will be available soon on www.bowiefootball.org
SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS
GIRLS TRAINING ACADEMY
We are dedicated to helping young girls achieve their goals and develop a lifelong love of movement. We offer a range of programs, designed to improve overall fitness, build confidence, and foster a healthy lifestyle. Our experienced coaches provide personalized instruction and guidance to help each girl reach her full potential in a supportive community environment. Click on the photo below or the link provided to signup and get more details. www.girlstrainingacademy.com
LET'S CELEBRATE
Band Players of the Week
Congratulations to our latest round of Gorzycki Middle School Band Principal Players of the Week!
Put your hands together for the following GMS Band Members:
Drumroll please….
Olivia A. from Honors Band!
Alina A. from Symphonic Band!
Nico A. from Concert Band!
Dylan D. from beginner percussion class!
Bennett R from beginner trumpet class!
The above mentioned students were chosen as Principal Players because they always follow our GMS acronym:
Give 100%
Manage Yourself
Show Respect
Join us in congratulating our Principal Players for this week!!
Thank you for being outstanding members of the Gorzycki Band!! Kudos!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to our CAP10 GMS Runners
Congrats to the Gorzycki Cap10K runners today! They won fastest middle school! These kids are so impressive. Thanks to Coach Sindt for organizing this.
Health Room Reminders
Health Room Information
Rules and Reminders for the Health Room
1. Resting in the health room is for 15 minutes only unless you are going home due to illness or injury. After 15 minutes, students must either go back to class or contact their parent to go home.
2. No cellphones/electronics allowed in the health room unless you have been given permission to call/text a parent.
3. The health room staff will not provide notes for students to not participate in PE/athletics. Notes must come from a parent or doctor.
4. The health room staff cannot provide ANY medications to students unless they have been provided by the parent and have a doctor's order. (This includes cough drops.) We do not have any medications in the health room except emergency medications.
5. Students are not allowed to self carry and self administer medication. Do not call your parent and ask them to "drop off" medicine for you in the front office. If your parent is bringing medication, they will need to hand it directly to you.
6. The health room staff does not provide snacks, bottled water, or ice to eat. Please bring your own snacks and water bottles.
7. If coming to the health room during passing periods, please check in with your next teacher first to obtain a pass.
Join the PTA
JOIN PTA!
Join the GMS Parent Teacher Association! Quick and easy, click the link below to join today!
Annual Dues: $10/individual, $5/staff
Then, like and follow our page! Members will receive a PDF of their membership card via email.
https://www.tigerpta.org/join-pta?fbclid=IwAR12yu0g6p97GWOwFsAv1PemVEISrOuYiH2BSlsz1cX3bghOwH00A7LnDBs
TIGER MART IS OPEN
Tiger Mart, Gorzycki's PTA-sponsored student store, is OPEN and ready to prepare your student for a great year.
What's Tiger Mart? Tiger Mart is the PTA-sponsored student store open daily during student lunches. We carry spirit swag for the entire family, strength and conditioning shirts, and miscellaneous school supplies. We are also where you can purchase your student's gray PE shirts. At least 1 PE shirt is required for all students, but we parent volunteers recommend having a couple on hand.
How can we shop? You can shop online at any time or students can shop in-person with cash or credit card during their lunch hours. Online purchases are available for student pickup 3 school days after the order is placed. Tiger Mart will also be open for in-person parent shopping on Locker Night (Thurs 8/22, 4-5 pm) and Back-To-School Night.
Where do Tiger Mart profits go? Right back into GMS! Our student store is a rolling fundraiser and all proceeds benefit Gorzycki students.
STAY CONNECTED
COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS
- Sign up to receive notifications for the Gorzycki Middle Campus Community Course at: https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/111130
- Follow the OFFICIAL GMS Facebook Page: Gorzycki Middle School
- Catch up with the latest student stories, events and news. It's everything Austin ISD, in your pocket. If you haven't already, download the app! You can find it on your phone in your app store via Google Play or Apple App.
- For Android
- For Apple
PRINCIPAL COFFEE TALKS
The first Principal Coffee Talk will be held Tuesday, September 10th at 2:15PM.
- Coffee talks will be held via Google Meets - link to be provided.
- You can find all the dates of all the Coffee Talks here.
DONATE
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Download the Box Tops for Education app and start scanning your receipts! Every little bit counts and adds up quickly for GMS. How do box tops raise money for your school, click here to read more. GMS contact: fundraising@tigerpta.org
POPCORN FRIDAY DONATIONS NEEDED
GMS Popcorn Fridays needs your help. All donations go towards appreciating the GMS teachers with popcorn, drinks and snacks. Please contact Kelly Granger at popcorn@tigerpta.org if you would like to donate.
PROCESSES & PROCEDURES
UPDATED: SCHOOL TRAFFIC PLAN
Arrival: During the morning arrival and after school pickup, vehicles approaching the front of the school will be channeled into two lanes of traffic, the inside lane closest to the school and the outside lane closest to Slaughter (the middle lane will be blocked off so that students can safely walk up to the crosswalk). Buses will drop students off at the awning in the back of the school. Afternoon dismissal for car riders will be in the front of the school. Parents arriving early for pick-up will be expected to park in one of the two lanes behind the crosswalk. Parents will queue up behind designated markers. Parents are to stay in your vehicles.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Arrival: The building is open from 7:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Tardy Bell rings at 8:20. Upon arrival, 6th grade students will report to the cafeteria. 7/8th grade students will report to the Commons. Students are to sit on the floor in the Cafeteria/Commons area. Students must be supervised in the building outside of school hours.
Dismissal:. Students who stay for an activity/tutoring session should remain in their designated area with the Gorzycki staff member in charge of the after school activity. Parents should pick up their child within 10 minutes of a given activity ending time. Failure to be picked up in a timely manner may result in restrictions from after-school activities.
AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP PROCEDURES
Please follow the GMS procedures for arrival and dismissal from school. We ask that student pick-ups occur in the loop in front of the school. Stopping to pick up students on Slaughter is NEVER acceptable. To help reduce some of the congestion, we ask that if you are turning left on Slaughter after picking up your child, you enter the school using the left two lanes. If you are turning right on Slaughter, please use the right lane for student pick-up. This will help reduce the changing of lanes when leaving campus.
GMS also asks that you not use Allerton Avenue for student pick-up. GMS is trying to be good neighbors and the parking issue after school is creating very unsafe situations.
Parents and caregivers are not permitted to move the orange cones.
LOCKERS
All grade levels were issued lockers and a combination lock. Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms or in the cafeteria; students need to keep their backpacks in their lockers. Students can carry Chromebooks and notebooks to class in a Chromebook case.
MEDICATIONS ON CAMPUS
ALL MEDICATIONS ON CAMPUS REQUIRE DOCTOR'S ORDERS in addition to a parent authorization form. This means that all prescription and over-the-counter medications require a doctor's order and will not be allowed on campus at all without it. In the past, the prescription label on the bottle served as an MD order but AISD has changed the policy and now requires the MD order. Students are not allowed to self-carry ANY medication without doctor's orders and parent authorization.
DROPPING OFF ITEMS AT SCHOOL
In order to assist students with self-responsibility and to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum, GMS does not make deliveries nor do we contact the student while they are in class to let them know that their item was dropped off. You may tell your student before school that you will be dropping off an item or you can email their teacher. The student will then have to pick it up from the front office. (delivery exceptions are contact lenses or glasses).
PERMIT TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY
When students leave school early, written permission from a parent or guardian is required. Please follow these steps:
- The student must bring the note to the front office in the morning to receive a pink slip. Students who need to leave school early must be picked up before 3:15 due to traffic and parking availability.
- The student will show the pink slip to the teacher when it is time to leave; the teacher will allow the student to go to the front office for parent pick-up. **Without a pink slip, students are not allowed to leave class**
- Parent/guardian(s) must sign the student out in the front office before leaving campus. Please bring your photo ID.
REDUCED-PRICE MEAL SIGN UP
We encourage families who currently have reduced-price status to complete an AISD meal benefits application at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD to ensure their eligibility through the entire school year.
Breakfast:
- Full Price: $2.00
- Reduced-price: FREE
Lunch:
- Full Price: $3.50
- Reduced-price: $0.40
Students are welcome to all Athletic events. Please remember that students are to be picked up from the event 10 minutes after the game is over. This is NOT a set time and can be anywhere from 8:00 - 9:00. Students who are not picked up on-time will not be allowed to attend future events.
GORZYCKI PARTNER PROGRAM
The PTA works diligently to provide resources for our students, teachers and staff, but we can be more successful with the help of our many partners in the community! The Gorzycki Partner Program enables your business to have significant exposure and visibility in our community while providing vital funds to support our students. This opportunity is available to all businesses and families. Contact Susan Crum at partners@tigerpta.org with questions.
The PTA would like to thank the businesses that support our school!
BENGAL PARTNERS
MALAYAN PARTNERS
SIBERIAN PARTNERS
TIGER PARTNERS
Gorzycki Middle School
7412 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin TX 78749 Phone 512-841-8600 Fax 512-841-8601