Counselor's Corner
Gorzycki Middle School
Our New Journey
Figuring it out together
GMS counselors and the whole staff and faculty at Gorzycki Middle School miss seeing each one of you! We miss your faces, the energy in the hallways and cafeteria, your silly jokes and sweet concerns. We are all charting new territory - you, as students, your teachers and we, the counselors, are all in this together and I think we make an excellent team. Change can be tricky and challenging but you are not alone. We will find exciting and interesting new ways to connect with, care for, educate, engage and motivate you. We will be available when you need to talk during the day, are feeling stressed or sad, need help with something or just want to share good news. The virtual counseling office will LOOK different, but we are still here for you!
Now, close your eyes, take three deep breaths and know that this is going to be ok and YOU are going to be ok.
Love,
GMS Counseling Dept :)
Student gmail
As the school facilitates continuous learning opportunities for our students , we want to be sure that all GMS students know their AISD gmail address and know how to check their gmail. Please ask your student:
1) Do you know your AISD gmail address?
2) Do you know how to check your AISD gmail account?
If not, view the videos below on how to find it.
If you can not find a gmail address after viewing the videos below, you may have opted out of having an AISD gmail address assigned to your student. If you think this may be the case, and you now want an AISD gmail address, contact the counseling secretary, Emily Heckroth for help (contact info below).
You've got mail!
In talking with some students and parents, we found that some students had indeed replied to the original email, but we never received their response, either in BLEND or in Outlook. We determined that these students had opened the BLEND message in their student Gmail accounts (since it sends them a notification), and had replied to the BLEND message directly from their Gmail accounts. Unfortunately, BLEND and Gmail aren't playing nicely and those messages are not being received by teachers.
Moving forward, if students receive a message in BLEND, please have them log onto BLEND and reply to the BLEND message via BLEND instead of responding to Gmail. My hope is that all these things will start to smooth out once we get going with their Virtual Learning Opportunities. Let's keep the lines of communication open and the frustration levels as low as possible while we all learn a new way of doing things.
Thank you!
Let's keep in touch - our contact info is below
Patti Hodges 6th grade counselor
Carrie Ryan 7th grade counselor
Corinne Oh 8th grade counselor
Sarah Parnell Wellness counselor
512-841-8613 for non-urgent voicemail messages only
Office hours: M-F 2-4
Emily Heckroth Counseling secretary
512-841-8612 for non-urgent voicemail messages only
Office hours: M-F 10-12
What are office hours?
We are always available via email, but if you need a quick reply or have a more urgent matter, we will be readily available during these times. We are able to check voice mail remotely, and you may leave a non-urgent message outside of office hours and expect a reply within 24 hours. Email, however, remains the best way to stay in touch during this time. Thank you!
What does Gorzycki counseling look like online?
How are you coping right now?
We'd really love to know how you all are! Send us an email and let us know your Wellness Scale number. Please reach out soon if you are in the 1-4 range.
Parents/Guardians,
Use this scale for yourselves or to check in with your students throughout the day.
Need more ideas about what to do all day?
Find fantastic activities in the link below! When you feel bored or unsure of what to do, ask yourself, have I done something today for...
My Brain
My Body
My Home
My Creativity
My Earth and Community
My Family and Friends
https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/aisd-learning-at-home/free-online-resourcesSuicide prevention
Another very helpful resource is MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) also called Integral Care 512-472-4357. Put their number in your phone for quick access 24/7. They are prepared to dispatch mental health counselors to your home should you need help in a mental health crisis. Services include mental health support for up to 90 days and care plans to help keep people safe. Clients are also connected to other Integral Care programs and local resources for ongoing care and recovery support. MCOT also works with police and EMS. You can also text TX to 741741 to connect to their Crisis Text Line for 24/7 crisis support via text.
https://integralcare.org/program/mobile-crisis-outreach-team-mcot/
Please DO NOT leave a voicemail or send an email about a mental health crisis - contact the above resources right away for immediate care, then let us know so we can follow up and continue to support your student with their mental health recovery and connect you with other outside services as needed.