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

· Soccer Sign-up/Parent Meeting: Oct. 24 @ 6 p.m.

· Beta/NHS Induction: Oct. 25 @ 9 a.m.

· V Football at Athens Christian Oct. 25 @ 7:30 p.m.

· GHSA One Act Competition at Riverside: Oct. 26 @ 9 a.m.

· Youth Basketball Parent Meeting: Oct. 28 @ 5 p.m.

· Junior Parent College Meeting (Mandatory): Oct. 29 @ 6:30 p.m.

· Dawgs 360 Halloween Parties: Oct. 31

· T-Shirt Design Contest Deadline: Oct. 31

· Yearbook Senior Page Deadline: Oct. 31

· Fall Sports Senior Night: Nov. 1

· Student Holiday: Nov. 4

“It is nice to be back on campus again,” said former coach Ron Bradley as he looked over the football field while attending Tuesday night's 50 on the 50 event. “The campus looks great. The school was a blessing to me and my family.”

As part of our continued celebrations of George Walton Academy's 50th anniversary, Dawgs 360 hosted this special evening event. It brought together guests from across the decades at GWA, from founding Board of Trustee members, to early faculty and staff, to new families, all sharing in the celebration of the school- its legacy, its growth and its future. It was a great night to mix and mingle and swap stories. Guests enjoyed live music provided by the Lost Horizon band featuring GWA’s own Brian and Maggie Stephens, Lane’s BBQ tasty barbeque and delightful homemade desserts by Rosemary Haggerty, Maggie Stephens, Vickie Rollins, and Robyn Harden.

Guests were also treated to a spectacular sunset on what was a wonderful evening of camaraderie. GWA extends a special thank you to Nicole Manry for chairing the event and to all the volunteers who helped make the night a success.

By Mark Mittrulescu, GWA Senior

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability which refers to a number of symptoms that result in people having difficulties with specific language skills. One in five students in the nationwide school population experiences some form of dyslexia, making it quite common. Dyslexia simulations came about in the 1980’s as a project by the California State Department of Education to better inform others about children’s struggles with dyslexia. On October 8, George Walton Academy’s faculty held a dyslexia simulation of their own. The simulation provided a hands-on experience to increase awareness of the difficulties a dyslexic individual encounters. Along with its main goal, the simulation strives for people to gain greater empathy, and for me it did just that. My experience at the simulation was eye opening to say the least. The simulation showed faculty members, fellow students, and me the true frustration a student with dyslexia may encounter daily.

As a peer tutor, I encounter many types of students, and I strive to accommodate my lessons to each one. The simulation helped me as a tutor to better help students with dyslexia. As we went from room to room to experience different types of challenges, I began to feel empathy for students with learning differences. It was difficult to go through the stations, from listening to one voice in a crowd of many, to covering my hand with a paper and using only a mirror to trace shapes, letters, and numbers. The simulation helped to me gain a better understanding of the obstacles students with dyslexia face, and I encourage everyone to become more informed on this topic.

Would you seat explorers Ponce de Leon and Cortés next to each other at a dinner party and why? This is one of the questions Mrs. Croker’s seventh-grade students had to consider for a recent project to wrap up their unit on the Age of Exploration and Expansion. Her class divided into groups and worked together to create the ideal seating arrangement for a party of 12 explorers, accounting for their commonalities in the process. They also put together a complete dinner menu- including foods that were available during the time period as well as newly discovered cuisine. They presented posters to the class explaining their seating chart and describing the menu details.

By Laura Nabors, Associate Director of College Counseling

We are in the trenches of the first semester. The college counselors know that students have a full load on their plate balancing academics, sports, fine arts, a social life, church, time with family, chores, and/or a job. Students should have a few tests and quizzes under their belt in their classes. This is a friendly reminder to keep the HOPE alive for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships and take a healthy look at their grades and standardized test scores.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can go to GAFutures to check their HOPE GPA progress report. Current freshmen’s first HOPE GPA report will be processed in June when this school year’s grades are finalized. If your student needs help accessing their GAFutures account or viewing their HOPE GPA progress report, please send them to Mr. Terrell or Mrs. Nabors.

Academic Eligibility from High School

HOPE Scholarship

· 3.0 or higher HOPE GPA as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) in core curriculum courses (English, math, science, world language, and social science)

· Minimum of 4 rigor courses. READ MORE...

Last night our communities gathered for our first ever FCA Fields of Faith event. GWA, Monroe Area, and Social Circle Schools came together in the stadium to worship, listen to student led testimonies and hear a great message from Senior Pastor Chuck Allen. The stands were filled with about 350 participants of all ages to listen to a message of hope, encouragement and the challenge to all be who God has called us to be. More than 30 decisions of commitment were made as we all were encouraged to walk in a different light in today’s world. Thanks to GWA FCA, Clay Dobbs, and many local churches for their work behind the scenes to make this purposeful event happen.

The final deadline to submit content for a senior page in the yearbook is Oct. 31! The online ad creation software will close at midnight, so don’t delay!

There are two options for creating page layout:

• Create your senior yearbook page online at yearbookordercenter.com for $100.

OR

• Have the staff design the page for you for $150 (make check payable to GWA). Send in a labeled envelope with the senior’s first and last name, attention Mrs. Jones, to the front office:

- Pictures (high resolution digital pictures on a USB drive – preferred - or physical photos to be scanned)

- Typed text (in a digital format so we can copy and paste – you can email or include on the USB drive)

We suggest using no more than 15 photos on your page, but we can design the page with more or less photos if you want. If you use the online ad creation software, the limit is 10 photos.

Mrs. Dyer’s first and second grade music students have been busy preparing for today’s performance of “How I Became a Pirate” a stage adaptation of the book by Melinda Long. Many auditioned for parts and learned lines, songs and dances. Lower school musicals are a great introduction to the performing arts for our younger students and the shows are always well-attended by families and friends. Thanks to all who contributed to today’s production including Mrs. Scott for playing the part of “Gypsy” the parrot.

Please submit your original, patriotic artwork to the front office by the end of the school day on Oct. 31. The winner will be announced at the Veterans Day Program and the winning shirt design will be available for purchase in the Dawg Shop starting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The contest winner will receive a free shirt!

All proceeds will go to Folds of Honor, an organization that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. To learn more about Folds of Honor, go to foldsofhonor.org.

Please contact Ashley Short at ashort@gwa.com or 678-635-3859 if you have any questions.

Our Annual Loyalty Fund is in full swing! Participation is growing each day. We are excited for the possibilities that the Annual Loyalty Fund provides for our students. When you participate in the Annual Loyalty Fund, you are immediately impacting opportunities for our students through their sports teams, clubs, and academic experiences. By offering your support early in the school year, you are insuring that those funds are available for use this school year. Every aspect of school life is impacted by the Fund. From bus use on field trips to increased technology in the classrooms, the possibilities are endless!

Family participation also matters when it comes time for our staff and students to write for grants. Grantors are always interested in the amount of parent participation that our school experiences. When our families are deeply invested in school life, the grantors are more likely to believe in the mission of our school.

Every dollar amount matters in the life of George Walton Academy! Please join us in our 50 Days to GWA-Stronger than Ever campaign.

Give online HERE

*monthly options available*

Pledge online HERE

Attention tennis players of all levels (even beginners)! Please join us each Tuesday at 5:10 p.m. on the tennis courts next to the track field, to play tennis. Nearby parking is accessible from McDaniel Street. This event is open to all ages and to the community at large, so feel free to extend an invitation to family and friends. Hope to see Tuesday! Questions? Call/text Justin at 404.998.1857.

The GWA varsity softball team plays Eagles Landing Christian Academy in the Elite Eight GHSA State Tournament today at 2 p.m. in Columbus. If the team wins- they will play again at 8 p.m. today. Otherwise, they will play at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Go Lady Dawgs!

Good luck to our varsity cross country team as they get set to run at 4:30 p.m. today in the 1A Private - Area 2 Championship at Tallulah Falls. Go Bulldogs!

GWA fall sports are heading into their final games and playoffs! Click the calendar link above to check out upcoming sporting events. GO BULLDOGS!

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