GAMS Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

We are off and running! Welcome back to another exciting school year at Gettysburg Area Middle School! We’ve had a fantastic start, with students and staff diving into new schedules, meeting new teachers, and settling into their classrooms with great energy.

A huge thank you to all the families who joined us for our Back-to-School Night events—you showed what it means to Be Here and Be Involved. Your support makes all the difference!

Our school fundraiser is officially underway, and you’ll find more details in this newsletter. Thank you in advance for supporting GAMS and the Warrior Way!

Together, let’s make this year one where we all choose to Be Here, Be Involved, Be Committed, and Be Kind!

It’s a Great Day to be a Warrior!

Kristy Caywood

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Sept 7 - No School, Labor Day

Sept 9 - Beginner Band/Orchestra Orientation Meeting, 6pm

Sept 21 - No School, Professional Development

To view sporting events, click here: Gettysburg Warriors

To view the district calendar, click here: GASD District Calendar

MAIN OFFICE REMINDERS

Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!

All Chromebook and UA fees have been posted to your students account.

Payment can be made in the following methods:

1. Online in GASD Web Store

2. Cash or Check at GAMS.

Any questions, please call Mrs. Cico at 717-334-6254 option 3, ext 5260

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

Your child's school counselor is here to provide support for you and your child throughout their middle school experience. Communication between home and school is vitally important. Please contact us if you have any concerns. Some of the areas that we can assist are:

Academic concerns
Behavioral concerns
Peer or social concerns
Self-esteem or other internalized concerns
School avoidance
Grief and loss
Access to the clothing closet, with clothing and other supplies that have been donated for GAMS students
Referrals to outside supports, such as mental health supports if requested by the family

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a voluntary program that is available to offer additional supportive services to students experiencing academic, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties that may pose barriers to school success. Students may be referred to SAP by parents/guardians, school personnel, peers, or they can refer themselves. If your child is referred for SAP, we will ask for parent/guardian permission before proceeding. If permission is obtained, trained SAP team members (counselors, administrators, a teacher, and other mental health professionals) will meet to discuss your child's needs, and offer services to address those needs. Services may include an individual mental health assessment, conducted by our mental health liaison from True North Wellness, at no cost to the family. If you would like more information about the Student Assistance Program, reach out to your child's school counselor directly by phone or email.

Mrs. Swogger

Counselor for:

6th Gr (last names A-K only)

8th Gr (All)

Email: vswogger@gasd-pa.org

Mr. Musser

Counselor for:

6th Gr (last names L-Z only)

7th Gr (All)

Email: jmusser@gasd-pa.org

NURSE'S NOTES

GASD Web Store

GAMS FUNDRAISER

Gettysburg Area Middle School's fundraiser runs from 8/26 - 9/15. Our goal is to raise $25,000.00 for student initiatives, class activities, and school events.

Here are the quick steps to support our school in less than 10 minutes from your phone!

1. Join the fundraiser by scanning the QR code on our fundraising flyer or go to www.shopfund.com & enter our school’s name

2. Add your Student’s Name & Profile Picture

3. Add at least 10 contacts/supporters (25 is the goal)

4. Shop & Support your student

To find a list of all the prizes they can win and more information, see the fundraising flyer that was sent home with students on 8/26. Thank you for doing your part to make our fundraiser a success! Go Warriors!

RUTH'S HARVEST

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We would like to extend an opportunity for your child to participate in a program sponsored by the churches of Gettysburg, Gettysburg Area School District, and several other community organizations called Ruth’s Harvest. The program will start at the end of September for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Ruth’s Harvest program provides your child with a bag of nutritious food and snacks for the weekend. If you elect to participate in this program, your child will pick up a bag each week at the end of the day on Thursday or Friday in the main office during dismissal. Please know that both the school and the organizations involved with this program will take every precaution to ensure that the identity of the students participating in the program will remain confidential.

If you would like to take part in the program, please complete and submit the form here: Ruth's Harvest Program. If you choose to cancel your participation at any point, please contact our office at 717-334-6254 Option 3.

Yours in education,

Gettysburg Area Middle School