In Focus @ GWA

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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800

• Exam Make Up Day: Friday, Dec. 15
• Early Dismissal All Grades: Tomorrow, LS 11 a.m., MS/US 10 a.m. MS students may stay in MS gym from 10-11 a.m.
• Buses Depart at 11:05 a.m. tomorrow
• Christmas Break: Dec.18 - Jan. 3
• Faculty Return: Jan. 3
• Students Return: Jan. 4
• Kindness T-shirt Deadline: Jan. 7 (see below)
• Upper School Winter Term: Jan. 4 - 12
• School Holiday: Monday, Jan. 15 (MLK Day)

Dear Bulldog Family,

This holiday season, I am grateful for many wonderful things about this special school. In no priority or order of importance, what follows are some meanderings as fall semester winds to a happy close:

- The annual Christmas Tree Presentation and this week’s GWA bands concert remind us that music is one of God’s amazing gifts. Band Director Christian Smith and gifted understudy Alex Aull ‘19 and their fifth grade – senior musicians shined brightly, bringing holiday smiles to a packed Nicholson Center on a chilly night in Walton County. Our mission as a school is to develop the whole child; a thriving music program is integral to that mission.

- The short list of students who are failing courses entering final exams speaks to the impact of superb teachers as well as a learning support program (the PARC) that ensures every child, no matter ability or learning style, has a chance to succeed academically at GWA. Thanks to PARC Director Doretta Powers for her grace-filled, empathetic leadership.

- We are a community of patrons who understand that giving back matters. Your generous support this fall for the Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Georgia GOAL) and the Annual Loyalty Fund reinforces that a private school will flourish because everyone in the family pitches in. Thank you for stepping up and doing your part for GWA!

- I am looking forward to the Winter Term Capstone Learning Experiences (CLE) in the Upper School come January. For those students staying on campus, they are in for an intellectually stimulating and broadening set of life experiences, led by our staff, including engaging in community service activities to support the underserved in Monroe.

- Last, especially at this time of year, we embrace the Judeo-Christian values that provide the foundation of who we are and all that we aspire to for our children. GWA graduates are prepared not simply for the intellectual challenges of college and the work force; they are prepared for lives of integrity, purpose, and service. Developing a young person’s character is central to the mission of our school.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are grateful to you for sharing your children with us and being a vital part of the George Walton Family.

In Him,

John D. Marshall

Head of School

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Mr. Lowe’s eighth-grade Health class wrapped up their unit on the dangers of vaping with a visit from guest speaker Piedmont Walton Hospital EMS Director Todd Braswell. Mr. Braswell shared statistics from studies conducted over the last 50 years on the long-term effects of tobacco use and explained that same information regarding vaping is still unknown. He discussed the influence of peer pressure and the reports of vape use in the United States by children as young as age five. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and Mr. Braswell shared stories from his experiences in the emergency room.

Congratulations to Mr. Christian Smith, student teacher (and GWA alum) Alex Aull, Jon Swarner (The Grinch), and our band students on outstanding performances during Tuesday night’s 25th Annual Christmas Concert – The GWA Bands – Deck the Halls with Music! Songs performed by the fifth-grade Bullpup Band, sixth-grade Jr. Bulldog Band, GWA Concert Ensemble and GWA Symphonic Winds included holiday favorites like Jingle Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Sleigh Ride. Bravo, Bulldogs!

On Wednesday, the GWA Fifth Grade Chorus presented their Christmas concert, "Sounds of the Season," led by Corrie Beth Noll. The chorus performed traditional Christmas carols, told the story of Jesus' birth through song, and celebrated the joy and fun of Christmas through new favorites like "Elf on the Shelf." A special thanks to all the parents for their support, and to Jenny Duke and Sharon Ferrell for lending a helping hand!

“At GWA, our students and parents are given the opportunity to experience amazing trips like the fifth-grade Charleston trip that extend learning beyond the classroom. Through these experiences, the bonds between students, teachers, and parents grow stronger and develop into that GWA 'family feel' that is so hard to find anywhere else!”

- Tracy Lovett, Jere Lin Hutter, and Kim Gunnin

Ensure engaging experiences for our students by supporting the Annual Loyalty Fund! Gifts made by midnight on December 31 can be part of your 2023 tax deductions! Click HERE to make your gift or use Venmo (@GWAcademy), Google Pay, Cash App or Zelle (use email: BusinessOffice@gwa.com).

Our second graders have been challenged this month to show the true meaning of the season - and that is giving. They have brought in new pajamas for foster children (donated through Jambos), sang Christmas carols around campus and made Christmas cards and goodie bags for our wonderful staff at GWA. We hope that they have learned the joy of giving this season!

Each January, George Walton Academy participates in the Great Kindness Challenge. This is a week in which students participate in various acts of kindness to remember the positive impact that kindness can have. Last year, we started our first t-shirt sale in which proceeds go to a local charity that our school community votes on. We are continuing our t-shirt sale and plan to wear them on campus during Spirit Wear Friday Jan. 26 as we end The Great Kindness Challenge. Our shop will open tomorrow, Dec. 15 and continue through Jan. 7 (to be picked in the Dawg Shop the week of Jan. 22). This year, our lower school students from the Kids Who Care Club helped to create the t-shirt design. Please support this wonderful cause and remember to vote for your charity when you place your order! Click HERE to purchase.

Exciting news! We are gearing up to welcome international exchange students from CUAM Mexico! We need GWA families to host these students and be a part of our amazing cultural exchange opportunities. Please note: The exchange with the basketball players from Saint-Denis has been cancelled. Here are some details regarding the CUAM exchange:

• GWA families are needed to host 10 (8th & 9th grade) students from CUAM Mexico Preparatory School
• Approx. dates: Saturday, April 27, to Sunday, May 5.

If your family is interested in hosting an exchange student, please contact Cecile Gervais at cgervais@gwa.com. These opportunities provide an enriching experience for both the international student and their host family.

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by GARS Incorporated (www.gahvacr.net).