I hope everyone is staying safe and adjusting to this new "learning at home" situation. 

As we finish our third week of learning at home, GMS is identifying students that are completing the VLOs and those that aren't.  Even though GMS has 100% of our students accessing Blend, not all are completing the VLOs.  We have learned from several parents already that they thought their child was doing them.  Remember that you can check your child's assignments by having them show you their grades. 

Just a reminder that along with the VLOs the district has put together the "Learning at Home" website.  Not only is there great learning opportunities but there are great websites like PBL students can use. 
https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/aisd-learning-at-home

I have enjoyed hosting my Principal Coffees.  The next one is Monday, April 27th at 1:30.  Please make sure you RSVP. 

Remember to review the Gorzycki Middle Campus Community Course in Blend.  GMS has posted several learning outcomes from students in this course.

It is supposed to be a great weekend, enjoy the nice weather. 

I am running short on pictures for my blog.  If you have any pictures of your child learning right now, please send them to me!  I hope these links work.

The first one is one of our 8th graders making mask extenders.
 https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/austin-8th-grader-on-autism-spectrum-3d-prints-solution-to-medical-mask-ear-strain/

This one is a 6th grader with a great new recipe. 
https://aisdskylink-my.sharepoint.com/personal/bonnie_reedy_austinisd_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fbonnie%5Freedy%5Faustinisd%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FAttachments%2FGavin%20Sewell%20World%20Culture%27s%20cooking%20video%2Emov&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fbonnie%5Freedy%5Faustinisd%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FAttachments&originalPath=aHR0cHM6Ly9haXNkc2t5bGluay1teS5zaGFyZXBvaW50LmNvbS86djovZy9wZXJzb25hbC9ib25uaWVfcmVlZHlfYXVzdGluaXNkX29yZy9FYmozMHRxMVcxNUttMEF4SWhVd2dsY0JUR0g1MUNKVkNyN2MzNmZlSjNVVjhBP3J0aW1lPThSSlM3eFBqMTBn

After the Principal Coffee on Monday, Ms. Prepster created a video tutorial on how to organize your Blend Dashboard.  It is super helpful especially for families with multiple school-aged children.  The link can also be found in the Gorzycki Middle Campus Community Course.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QMIzMGmW8floRrmqXELkj_FQPzsmEL6C/view

The District device rollout is still happening.  GMS hears about a few more each day.  Please email anna.garza@austinisd.org if you haven't received one by Monday.

If you haven't registered your child for the next school year, please do so now.  This can all be done online.  Related to registration and next year, please remember that students must be immunized and that the school must have that documentation.  More information can be found on our website at https://www.gmstigers.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=188417&type=d&pREC_ID=staff

Remember to always check both the GMS website and Gorzycki Middle Campus Community Course for the most updated information.

Have a great weekend.

Have you ordered your 2019-2020 yearbook?  If not, more information can be found on www.gmstigers.com

GMS is expecting...Remi has grown-up!  Stella is having a kid (baby for those that don't know a baby goat is called a kid!)

GMS is trying to communicate in lots of ways right now.  We apologize for duplicate messages but feel that is best during this time.  

www.gmstigers.com 

This is the Gorzycki website.  It will always have the most updated information.  Right under the photos are links to the GMS newsgroup.  Subscribing to this creates an email list for the school and another way we send messages out. 

If you continue to scroll down the page to the News & Announcements section, you can see all recent postings.  

You can also subscribe to the school Twitter and Facebook sites as well.  

BLEND is the other mode of communication.  You can find a link to BLEND on our website if you don't already know how to get there.  Almost all teachers are now posting VLOs in BLEND.  The GMS goal is to have all teachers doing this by the end of April.  

Gorzycki Middle Campus Community is a course you should have.  If you can't find it, check your list of courses, and add it to your dashboard.  I am beginning to post announcements there too.  (I am learning BLEND also.)

My Principal Coffees is another place.   There will be one April 13th, April 27th, and May 11th at 1:30.  Please be on the look at for an email.  RSVP is required for attendance.  

As always I am here to answer questions, just send me an email.  I will answer them as quickly as I can.  cathryn.mitchell@austinisd.org

Remember tomorrow is a student holiday.  Sounds kind of weird to say.  But teachers are attending virtual trainings and might not be available.  

Finding things to celebrate right now is difficult.  So, for those that celebrate Easter and Passover, enjoy the time.  For all others, find something to celebrate this weekend.  

Stay dry, healthy and safe.

Hi Tigers,

I thought I would share with you what my new learning environment looks like. Obviously, with everyone learning from home we need to set up a place at home where we can do that.  Starting on April 6th, your teachers will post Virtual Learning Opportunities (VLOs) for you.  We want you to complete them.  Teachers will be keeping track of who is completing them and who isn't.  Feedback will be provided. We want to make sure everyone continues to learn, even if it is from home.  Please check your teacher's websites at www.gmstigers.com  this will tell you what to do next.  If you have any questions, please send them an email.  All of our email addresses are on the website mentioned above.  

The counselors are continuing to provide help as well.  Please review their monthly newsletters on ways to touch base with them. https://www.smore.com/de3us

Remember that the educational system is changing quickly.  Plans we have today might change tomorrow.  Please stay connected to Gorzycki so that you know the changes that are happening.  www.gmstigers.com

is the best place for communication as well as the district website at www.austinisd.org

Have a great weekend. 

I know these aren't the best pictures, but thought you might like to see some of your teachers!  

We have spent the week learning how to teach online.  We are all at different places with this idea of virtual learning, myself included.  Additionally, like many of you, we are now having to learn how to teach our own students while working at the same time all from home.

This week all of our EXCEL teachers have sent out communication to their EXCEL students.  This has been done through student emails.  GMS wants to maintain our interactions with students, especially in this new learning environment.  I have heard from teachers that your children have already sent them examples of learning that have already done.  

Please know that lessons/activities/enrichment will begin.  Our goal at GMS is April 6th and I feel confident most of the staff will reach this goal.  This learning will be different and flexible.  We understand that as of right now not everyone has technology.  (I do think this will change soon).  For right not, don't worry about grades.  We will be in contact with you, once the district has finalized how grades will be determined.  

I am hoping to keep my Principal Coffee next Thursday, but maybe at a different time.  Please be on the lookout for an invite.  

Obviously,  the best way to contact GMS staff is through email.  Teacher websites at www.gmstigers.com are being updated daily.  Like you, I receive that daily 6:00 email for those teachers that I have subscribed to.  I encourage you to subscribe to those accounts if you haven't.  On these sites, teachers have set office hours and current learning expectations, and the best method to use to contact them. The counselors are also available and sent information out yesterday on how to contact them.  

Our primary goal right now is to connect with our students and their families.  As we move forward, please let me know if you have any concerns.  I will do my best to help resolve these issues.  

Stay safe and healthy,

I just love all the artwork...

Day of Dance Bowie, Bailey and Gorzycki Dancers...

One week left, all lost and found items will be donated.  Please stop by and take a look.  There are lots of items.

Please make sure you have registered your child for the next school year.  This is a yearly process.

Have you completed the parent survey?  I actually review your feedback.  Please complete it.  

Don't forget to set your clocks forward tomorrow.  Have a great weekend. 

Students in Mrs. Reedy World Culture class completing their island research project.

Students in Ms. Mielk's class completed projects on selling a country.

 Last week I posted self-portraits for second-year art students.  This is from 6th grader!  Mrs. Grizzle says even I could do it - obviously, she hasn't had me in class.  

8th graders are attending a career fair on Monday.  

PAWS for Fun is Tuesday for 7th graders, Wednesday for 8th graders, and Thursday for 6th graders.  This is a celebration for students who complete all their work, have good attendance and behave appropriately.  

Next week is also Basketball tournaments, 

Have a great weekend.