In Focus @ GWA

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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton

• Grandpirates Day: March 18 (early dismissal)
• Prom: March 18
• LS Book Fair: March 21-25
• SAT Test: March 23
• College Panel: March 24 @ 6:30 p.m.
• GWA Open House: Sunday, March 27
• MS Improv Showcase: March 30
• Spring Break: April 4-8

Fifth graders in Ms. Lovett’s social studies class are learning about the history of World War II. They discussed how Americans at “home” supported the war effort by planting victory gardens, having scrap drives, rationing gasoline, and food, buying war bonds, and encouraging women to work in factories and shipyards. Students made their own propaganda posters to reflect those made during wartime to show how citizens could help their country.

This week, the class discussed the Navajo code talkers and the role they played in helping the Allied forces win the war. Students became “code breakers” as they worked in small groups on translating messages written in the Navajo language to English using a translation chart. The class thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of decoding the hidden messages and learning about the secret mission and operations of the Navajo code talkers.

GWA fifth-grade STEM classes are bringing a piece of World War II history to life by planting seeds in their own Victory Gardens using our campus greenhouse. In social studies, they are learning about many aspects of the war including the role of the home front and the efforts of citizens to grow fruits and vegetables at home to prevent food shortages and show patriotism. Students planted lima beans, peppers, cucumbers, okra, squash, and more. They will track the growth of the plants over the next several weeks.

The STEM project has evolved to include a STEAM (art) project with fifth graders creating their own victory garden banners in Mrs. Carver’s class.

Join us on Monday, March 21 to learn about our Barcelona student exchange program for the 2022-2023 school year. This is for rising 9th and 10th grade students, one parent should attend, and students are not required to attend. Please contact Femke Côté at fcote@gwa.com with any questions.

Visit the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts to view the Elementary Student Art Show - including works by GWA lower school students. The exhibit closes next Thursday with an evening reception.

Grab dinner at Zaxby's next Tuesday, March 22 and 10% of the proceeds go directly to the Monroe Junior Service League scholarship fund. Three scholarships will be awarded to senior girls at Monroe Area High School, Walnut Grove High School, and George Walton Academy. Be sure to mention MJSL at checkout!

By Luke Yoder

Last Saturday, the GWA History Quiz Bowl team traveled to the University of Georgia to compete in the statewide History Quiz Bowl tournament. Three teams representing GWA competed against tough teams from across the state over the course of the entire day. Attendees included Cassie Culver, Noah Hicks, Luke Lewis, Keith Mims, Michael Mealor, Brady Boyle, Jack Boyle, Ada Hicks, Matthew Shackelford, and Ty O’Lenick. Our top varsity team played very strong, fighting their way to a second-place overall finish in the tournament - runners-up for the entire state! Our second varsity team emerged with a winning record as well, allowing GWA to qualify an additional team for nationals. GWA will now be taking three teams (two varsity and one JV) to nationals. This is our biggest group yet!

GWA students also had success at the individual level. Cassie Culver placed third overall in the varsity division and Brady Boyle earned fifth place in the JV division. Both Cassie and Brady will be competing at the individual level at nationals as well. Congrats and good luck at nationals!

GWA upper school students watched their classmates portray the real consequences of drunk driving during this morning's simulation exercise. We are grateful to the Monroe Police Department, EMS, and Mr. Casey Bradley for making this event possible. Thank you for helping our students understand the seriousness of poor decisions and the real dangers of drinking and driving as we get ready for the prom tomorrow evening.

The shipment from Scholastic is in and we have a huge selection of books to match any student's interest and reading level. The lower school book fair kicks off on Monday in the lower school library with plenty of volunteers on hand to help students find their favorites. Happy reading!

We can't wait to welcome our grandparents and special friends on Friday, March 18! Be sure to check your invitation for event times and details.

Good luck to Hailey Wudtke, Taylor Jesel and Olivia Colon as they compete in the IEA Zone Four Finals at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina this weekend. They will compete against skilled riders from across the Southeast and look to advance to National Finals in Pennsylvania next month.

GWA tennis had a winning week on the home courts with victories over LCA (girls 5-0, boys 4-0) and Grayson (girls 4-1). The girls' team stands at 9-0 on the season! Congrats, to our tennis teams, and good luck at Prince Avenue today!

Youth Cheer registration is open! Please use the link below that pertains to your cheerleader to sign up. Please see additional information below about uniform fittings and registration fees.

• Link for K5-2nd Grade- click HERE

• Link for 3rd-4th Grace- click HERE

• Link for 5th-6th - click HERE

1) Uniform fittings for K5-6th grade cheerleaders. You do not have to attend both fittings. Please choose one:

· Monday, March 28, 5-7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

· Wednesday, March 30, 3-5 p.m. in the Nicholson Center.

2) Registration will be due at the uniform fitting. Registration is $75 and checks will need to be made out to GWA. All of the gear below will be purchased through Varsity (vendor) at the fitting.

We will accept check, cash or credit card. Please be prepared to pay for:

K5-2nd grade prices:

· Uniform ($114)

· Skirt only ($73.95)

· Poms ($32.50)

· Cheer Shoes ($58.95)

3rd-6th grade prices:

· Uniform ($170.50)

· Poms ($32.50)

· Cheer Shoes ($58.95)

Please contact Grace Martin or Michele Bowen with any questions concerning youth cheer. The information above may also be found on our website.

Grace Martin- gmartin@gwa.com

Michele Bowen- michelebowen85@yahoo.com

Youth football registration is open to students who attend GWA and also students who do not attend GWA. If you know someone who is interested in playing youth football at GWA and would be a good fit for our program, then please send them the links below. They must send a current report card and set up an interview with our coaches and athletic director. Please use the link below that pertains to your player to sign up.

• Link for K5-2nd Grade Flag- click HERE.

• Link for 3rd & 4th Grade Tackle- click HERE.

• Link for 5th & 6th Grade Tackle- click HERE.

Sign Up Requirements:

1) Coaches will need to have a current physical form from your child's doctor on file by July 1, 2022.

2) Jersey fittings for Tackle will be after school on March 28 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

3) Please pay the registration fee ($50) by check. If you have a jersey from last year that can be used, you will only pay the registration fee. The school will order jerseys. See jersey prices below:

Flag jersey- $35 (Please make the check out to GWA for $85- jersey and reg. fee)

Tackle jersey- $70 (Please make the check out to GWA for $120- jersey and reg. fee)

4) Additional items for Flag:

• Cleats, black athletic shorts, mouthpiece is optional.

5) Additional items for Tackle:

• Matte black helmet (school provides decal), pads, black football pants, cleats, mouthpiece

Any parents who are interested in coaching a flag team or helping coach a team, please contact Grace Martin at gmartin@gwa.com. This information is also availbale on our website.

Please let your friends and neighbors know about our upcoming Open House (and about all of the amazing opportunities we offer at GWA!). They can visit the website to register for the event - it is our last Open House for the school year and spots are filling up fast!

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Minerva Beauty, Inc. (www.minervabeauty.com). Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.