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

• Pre-game Tailgate: Aug. 23 @ 6 p.m.
• Fall Sports Parent Meetings: Aug. 26 & 27 @ 7 p.m.
• Parent Social PreK-3 - First: Aug. 27 @ 6 p.m.
• Mandatory Substitute Meeting: Aug. 28 @ 9 a.m.
• Ice Cream Social: Aug. 29 @ 6:30 p.m.

Dear Bulldog Families and Friends,

George J. Hearn III was George Walton’s first Chair of the Board of Trustees. As George Walton Academy begins its 50th year of serving this community, we salute all those who have come before us to build such a remarkable place of teaching and learning. From its humble but determined beginnings, GWA has evolved to be a leader in independent school education. This year saw a record number of applicants as well as the lowest attrition level since the school started tracking these statistics. We do in fact “gain strength by continuing” as stated in our school motto, “Vires Acquirit Euendo!”

Building on the virtues noted in Judge Hearn’s letter, those of respect, patriotism, courtesy and self-discipline, George Walton provides challenging instruction, engaging experiences, and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity and purpose. Stay tuned – we’re just getting started! It is a great time to be a Bulldog!

Dan

Senior Ben Howard is hosting Dainfern College (South Africa) student James Reeder through Sept. 12 following a six week stay with a host family in Johannesburg in early summer. James is currently on school holiday, however he will be taking some classes while on campus. He will also get a chance to enjoy Student Life activities and senior events. James and Ben became fast friends and the two intiated plans for his visit to the United States. We are thrilled to have James spend time with us and be an honorary Bulldog!

Are you ready for a Costa Rican adventure in Summer 2020? An adventure immersion trip has been organized for June 13-20, 2020. The trip includes a tarzan swing, whitewater rafting, zip lining, snorkeling, a cacao plantation, an active volcano, a fiesta, and many birds and animals native to Costa Rica. The trip will include staying in hotels, a rainforest lodge, and ocean bungalows!

This trip is open to middle school (rising 6th grade in 2020 also!) and high school students. Parents are also welcome, but not required to attend.

There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in Señora McElveen’s room (Science building room 904). Please attend if you are interested in the trip. If you are unable to come to the meeting, but would like information, please email amcelveen@gwa.com.

GWA invites all high school students and their families to travel on an international educational opportunity to Portugal and Spain in Summer 2020!

We will be hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5 to provide more details about this opportunity and answer any questions you may have. There is limited space on the trip and enrollment will open at the end of the meeting.

Meeting details are here. Please RSVP if you are interested in learning more - even if you cannot make it!

Are you a high school student interested in traveling with GWA to Croatia in June 2020? Come to the interest meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30pm in the Upper School Commons to hear about the itinerary and get more details. This trip is open to all high school students in the 2019-2020 school year, and promises to be the trip of a lifetime! Questions? Contact Femke Côté at fcote@gwa.com.

George Walton Academy and the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Scholarship Program, through a state-approved Student Scholarship Organization (SSO), helps Georgia taxpayers redirect a portion of their state tax liability to George Walton Academy and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit. Funds received from the program are made available for qualified applicants in the school’s existing financial aid program.

Help Deserving GWA Students at No Additional Cost to You:

• Your participation helps deserving students attend George Walton Academy
  
• This program is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit toward your Georgia taxes, and you may claim a deduction on your federal income tax return.
  

Please contact Jessica Otts at jotts@gwa.com for details.

Don’t have time to visit the Dawg Shop? Shop online for a variety of GWA gear: polos, hoodies, spirit wear and more! This is a great option for busy parents and out of town relatives to still represent and support GWA. The store will be initially open for a two week period. Click to link to shop!

https://gwas2019.itemorder.com/sale?read_message=true

We are continuing to enhance the GWApp and we invite GWA families and faculty to download it for easy access to website information- including athletics, dining information, announcements, Dawgs 360 information and more. Download the GWApp from the Google Play and Apple Store or click the links below.

iTunes App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-gwapp/id1458384466?ls=1&mt=8

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.me0adc58f412.www

We are excited to have Writing Center Director Mrs. Fissette on campus this year. She will be a valuable resource for any student wishing to improve their college essays (and who doesn’t want to do that!). She will host a College Application Information Session on August 28 and 29 in the Writing Center during study hall periods, 3rd - 6th and 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Students may also schedule an individual appointment. Meet with Mrs. Fissette and make your college essay stand out!

Lindsey Bailey, our Lower School Counselor, and I are looking forward to working with you and your students this school year.

Often parents wonder what school counseling is and what school counselors do. School Counseling has a specific niche’ in the school community. We are not teachers (although we do sometimes have lessons with students), and we are not administrators. We are well-trained educators, who help students be more successful in and out of the classroom. We are available to talk with students who may be having a rough time or who want to share with us their hopes and dreams for the future.

Mrs. Bailey and I help parents, too. If you have any questions about the school or the school community and you do not know who to ask, start with us. We can get you to the right person. If you need to schedule a parent-teacher conference, we can set that up for you. Also, in association with the College Counselors and Dawgs 360, we sponsor “The Counselor Chats,” four hour-long parent programs which focus on topics of concern or interest.

Mrs. Bailey and I are here to help. Please let us know what we can do for you and your student.

Lynn Robinson

Middle and Upper School Counselor

Director of School Counseling

Student Life will host its annual Club Expo on Sept. 11 during flex block. Check out the many clubs and organizations GWA has to offer. From Socratic Circle to the Recycling Club- there is something for everyone. What a great way to get involved and make friends!

The annual Ice Cream Social is one of our favorite traditions and our favorite way to welcome new families to GWA! This year we will have special birthday cakes for our 50th anniversary made by GWA faculty and staff.

Dawgs 360 and Student Life are happy to announce dates for this year's parent socials. We invite all parents to join us in the cafeteria for an opportunity to meet new families, reconnect with parents and learn about the exciting events we have planned for the new school year!

Parent Socials:

Tuesday, August 27, 6 - 7 p.m.

Pre-K3 – First Grade

• First-grade parents should arrive at 6 p.m. to learn about our senior/first grader tradition
  
• PreK-3 thru K5 parents should plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m.
  

Sunday, September 8

• Second - Fifth Grade - 2 - 2:45 p.m.
  
• Middle School - 3 – 3:45 p.m.
  
• High School - 4 - 4:45 p.m.

Our Dawgs Unleashed events are just around the corner and it's time to sign up. The Fun Run begins at 1:30 p.m. and the 5K begins at 2:00 p.m. with a new route from our campus to downtown Monroe. Click HERE to register for the 5K and Fun Run, click HERE for the golf tournament and HERE to play in the tennis tournament.

Get ready Bulldog fans! Our first home football game is tomorrow, so let's fill the stands! The evening kicks off with a 6:00 pm tailgate in the courtyard. Dawgs 360 and Student Life will provide free hot dogs and drinks while DJ Kelly Bellah spins the tunes! Don't miss the chance to root for our Bulldogs, listen to our award-winning band, cheer with our cheerleaders and watch the majorettes perform. See you at the stadium!

Congratulations to Jackson Ellerbee and Colby Bell on being named to The Walton Tribune Elite 11! Way to go, Bulldogs!

Our volleyball players are thrilled to have use of the newly installed beach volleyball court (adjacent to the baseball field). This offers a great option for conditioning and training throughout the year. Thanks to everyone involved in making this possible!

It’s time to sign up fall lacrosse! The season runs Sept. 8 – Nov. 3. Practice begins Aug. 28 and will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 – 6 p.m. with games on Sunday. The cost is $150 and players need to supply their own equipment. Please contact Coach Scott Jackson at sjackson@gwa.com with any questions. Click the link provided to sign up (for grades 1-12). Go Bulldogs!
http://bit.ly/gwalaxsignup

GWA fall sports are off to a great start! Click the calendar link above to check out upcoming sporting events. Go BULLDOGS!

Please share the news! All GWA alumni are invited to our first-ever GWA Alumni Weekend! The fun begins Friday, Sept. 27 with a pre-game tailgate in the newly renovated cafeteria- complete with catering by The Varsity, a DJ, campus tours and displays of GWA memorabilia. We will host a party on Saturday night at The Wayfarer in downtown Monroe. The festivities will include a live band, Mexican fare from Silver Queen and cocktails. Make the weekend complete by running in our Dawgs Unleashed 5K on Sunday afternoon. Attire is casual for all events.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to celebrate 50 years of preparing students for lifetime success! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reconnect with your GWA classmates and friends!

To purchase your tickets, please click the link provided. Be sure to enter t-shirt size/sizes.

http://bit.ly/gwaalumniweekend

To sign up for the Dawgs Unleashed 5K, please click HERE.

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Element Funding. Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.