GMS Newsletter Sponsored by PTA

Click here to see the complete GMS website calendar for more events and details

MONDAY, May 26

Memorial Day - ❗NO SCHOOL❗

TUESDAY, May 27

Yearbook Distribution @ GMS Commons

7th Grade BINGO - 2:15pm-3:50pm @ GMS Cafeteria

GMS Band "Scale Wars" Reward Party 4:00-5:30pm @ GMS Gym

WEDNESDAY, May 28

6th Grade BINGO - 2:15pm-3:50PM @ GMS Cafeteria

Band Practice Party 4:30-6:30pm @ Altitude

THURSDAY, May 29

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

7th Grade End of Year Fun Day 1:45pm-3:00pm

8th Grade Pool Party 10:30am-11:30am @ Lifetime Fitness

FRIDAY, May 30

SUMMER bBREAK BEGINS - ❗NO SCHOOL❗

School Site

School Calendar

Daily Announcements

Bell Schedule 24-25

GMS PTA LInk

AISD Links

Parent Portal

AISD Calendar 24-25

Bus Stop Finder

School Cafe

In case you didn't read Principal Tanner's End of Year Letter, sent via email on Friday, we have included it in the Newsletter above, she included a link to this Signup Genius. Several days/times, some in person and some on Zoom, to meet with her for a roundtable. We wanted to highlight this important community event so your voice can be heard if you have concerns. You can click on the link below to signup for a session.

"Parents and caregivers of Gorzycki Middle School students are invited to sign up for a small group roundtable session with Principal Tanner to share their stories, offer suggestions, and ask questions about how bullying and racism will be addressed at the school. Your voice matters—this is an important opportunity to help foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive school community for all students."

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BAEAD29A2F9C25-56672352-gorzycki?useFullSite=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawKSs0RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlfsD_UyYTpD1lLBXMtOSzqp7wB_1QtP6FysuANmkgmGYxFashp8DYlW9CVt_aem_WnNNePBIp7RG6nLKKZD3kQ#/

Thank you to Bala Smiles for being a part of our Partners in Education!

At Bala Smiles, our mission is to empower children, adolescents, and adults of the South Austin community with confident and beautiful smiles through the highest quality orthodontic care. We take pride in utilizing state-of-the-art technology and techniques to create an enjoyable patient experience that results in a smile transformation that lasts a lifetime. Come see why we're the recommended braces & Invisalign provider!

https://balasmilesortho.com

7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryout Form-Click to sign up!

7th Grade Volleyball Sign Up Form

7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts will take place August 20-21st, 2025 @6:40am. (Yes, this is the 2nd and 3rd day of school!) Side gym doors (by the track/tennis courts) will open at 6:30am and all girls trying out should be checked in and ready for tryouts by 6:40am. All girls trying out must have a current AISD AISD Physical Forms turned in as well as all UIL forms UIL Forms completed in order to tryout.

Physicals can be turned into Coach Lindberg prior to tryouts either before the end of the school year, if attending summer camp or on our Girls Physical Turn In Day Friday, August 15th from 11-1pm in the GMS gym.

There will be 3 Squads this year: A Team-most advanced, B Team-intermediate, C Team-developing

Please contact Coach Lindberg if you have any questions. lisa.lindberg@austinisd.org

Go Tigers!

8th Grade Volleyball Tryouts

Hi there Volleyball Families,

We are excited to announce that volleyball tryouts for the upcoming season are just around the corner!

Please note the following tryout dates:

8th grade tryouts will be held immediately after school on Tuesday 8/19 (first day of school) & Wednesday 8/20 until 6:00PM.

Below, I have attached this upcoming season's sign-up form. Please fill out the google form if you are planning on having your child tryout for 8th grade volleyball this year. This sign-up form will also be used for reference on how we'll send out all future communications.

Please make sure to have all UIL required forms completed before the 1st day of school, in order to participate in tryouts.

These forms include:

• an updated physical on the 2025-2026 AISD form. If you do not have the packet that we passed out during the school year, please print a copy HERE . Please do not use a form from the Dr's office as they can be outdated, and the District will not accept these.

• Rank One online forms which can be found here - Online Forms

  - Online forms should be completed asap. Please do not wait to complete even if you haven't gotten your physical done. Athletes will not be added onto the tryout list until they are completed

Additionally, please note we will be having a physical/paperwork drop-off on Friday, August 15th from 11AM-1PM. We will be set up inside the gym, use back doors by the bus drop-off​*

Please fill out the form at your earliest convenience.

8th Grade Volleyball '25 Sign Up

For more information contact:

8th Grade VB Coach Peña - joanna.pena@austinisd.org

7th Grade VB Coach Lindberg - lisa.lindberg@austinisd.org

Thank you!

Joanna Peña

P.E./Athletics

Gorzycki Middle School

Gorzycki 2025 Cross Country Sign Up!

If you are an incoming 7th or 8th grade boy or girl and are interested in running cross country next fall, please fill out the following form. If you have any questions please contact Coach Sindt

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCpMa1fRNH8GLpV-jiHxYWYR-hmAJjHIm-a2utZLQSfT5s7g/viewform

Physicals Flyer Bowie 2024-25.pdf

Hello Gorzycki Families,

Physicals for next school year were passed out during P.E./Athletics classes today (4/17). If a student is not in a P.E./Athletics class or was absent today, please have them come by the gym to get a packet.

Athletics Physicals are required for the following:

• Anyone trying out for a school sport next year

• Any student taking Strength and Conditioning class

• Bowie Strength and Conditioning Camp (only current 6th graders and anyone who did not turn in a physical for this school year. Current 7th and 8th graders who turned in a physical this year do not need a new one for summer activities)

The updated forms are also available to download on the AISD Athletics site - https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms

Any physical dated before April 15th, 2025, will not be accepted for next school year. The physical must be completed on the 2025-2026 AISD form, not on a physical form provided by the doctor. We recommend making a copy for your own records.

Parents will fill out the 1st page (Medical History) and both the parent/guardian and athlete need to sign. The second page will be filled out by the Dr performing the physical.

In addition to the physical being handed in, there are also two online forms that must be completed before your student is eligible to participate. These forms can be found at https://austinisd.rankonesport.com/ and they normally become available on May 1st for next school year, but this date can change. Please do not wait to complete the online forms. This is the most common thing that is not completed before a tryout that can cause an athlete to miss a day.

Once your child completes their physical, please have them hand it in directly to their grade level coach for next year or the coach for the first sport that they will need it for. These can be turned in now for next school year.

Please do not try to turn the physical into the front office. They will not accept them. Only a coach can collect a physical.

Current 6th grade girls - Coach Lindberg

Current 7th grade girls - Coach Pena

Current 6th grade boys - Coach Fourmy

Current 7th grade boys - Coach Neary

This year Bowie will be offering an opportunity to get a physical at the HS. Please see the attached flyer and message below from the Bowie trainer Pablo Riera. This is a great opportunity to get your athlete's physical completed early and have them all set for next year's sports seasons.

We will be hosting Physicals at Bowie for $15 per student and wanted to extend the invitation to all the GMS athletes. It will be open to them on Monday so please get the word out!

Thank you,

Pablo D. Riera, LAT, ATC

Athletic Trainer

James Bowie High School

Lastly, AISD will also provide an opportunity for a free physical. If you are interested in this, please have your child ask for a free physical form that needs to be filled out and returned. Participating student athletes must return the medical forms to the coaches by Friday, May 2nd. The parents and the student athletes must sign forms in ALL the appropriate places before the coach will accept the form. This includes a completed medical history (first page of the packet), athlete contact information, and both parent and student signatures along with the form. No late forms will be accepted.

The Free Physicals will take place on Wedesday, May 14th at CommUnity Care SE Health & Wellness Center. More information will be available with specifics for those who sign up and turn in paperwork .

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Neary (eamonn.neary@austinisd.org) or Coach Lindberg (lisa.lindberg@austinisd.org)

Next Level Urgent Care is offering $10 physicals until the end of May. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Please take your AISD form to be filled out. There are multiple locations in Austin.https://www.nextlevelurgentcare.com/locations/city/austin-tx/page/2/

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.

If you have any trouble linking to the payment portion of the google doc you can access that here.

https://www.mindpop.org/summer-arts-experiences

Athletes we have a great opportunity coming to Austin! The @btg.industries is presenting a summer speaker series for middle, high school and college athletes and the theme is Building your brand and why it’s important to start now. Visit their website at beyondthegameindustries.com for more information.

This athletic camp for girls is a great way for beginners to get introduced to the fast-paced game of lacrosse and for experienced players to improve their skills and learn about the Bowie High School Lacrosse program. The game of lacrosse continues to be the fastest growing sport in the United States. Daily snacks and Gatorade will be provided to each camper as well as a camp shirt.

Cost: $150 Early Bird Discount for online registrations through May 20th. After that, the fee increases to $175.

Ages: Rising 3rd Grade through 12th Grade girls

Camp Location: Bailey Middle School, 4020 Lost Oasis Hollow, 78739

If you are interested in trying out for tennis at Bowie please see below.

Bowie Baseball summer youth camp registration is OPEN! Register online at bowiebaseball.org/store

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⚽⚽⚽

Save the Date Bowie Basketball Summer Camp

June 16-19 & July 14-17

Registration Link will be posted by the end of March!

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

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

Earlier this week we found out that our Beginning Gorzycki Middle School Band was selected as of winners of the “Exceptional Musicianship Award” at the Texas Lutheran University BandFest!

bands performed over the course of days, so this means only % of the bands received this designation.

Way to go Tiger Band! The future is bright!!

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

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.

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.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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**
3. 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

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!

Gorzycki Middle School

7412 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin TX 78749 Phone 512-841-8600 Fax 512-841-8601