In Focus @ GWA

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

• Winter Sports Senior Night: Thurs., Feb. 8
• MS Dance: Fri., Feb. 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., cafeteria
• Spring Sports Photo Day: Tues., Feb. 13
  
• Admissions Testing/No school for HILL ONLY: Feb. 15
• Yearbook Deadline: Feb. 16 (see below)
• Winter Break: Feb. 16 - 19
• K3 - K5 Musical Performance: Fri., Feb. 23 @ 9 a.m.

GWA continues to provide resources for need-based tuition assistance. If you wish to apply for assistance or learn more about the program, please click HERE.

We are excited about all that the upcoming school year has in store. Space in each of our divisions is limited and interest in our school community is at an all-time high. Your spot for the upcoming school year is reserved through continuous enrollment, however; if your student(s) will not be attending GWA for the 2024-25 school year, please contact Cari Bailey (cbailey@gwa.com) for the cancellation form BEFORE February 15. Enrollment cancellations after tuition is entered in FACTS will be charged an Early Withdrawal Fee of $1,500 per student.

This is National School Counseling Week which is a great time to share the ways we support our students in achieving their goals. The school counseling team works in collaboration with parents, teachers, and administration to ensure that all of our students have the tools they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and in their future careers. If you want to learn more about our school counseling program, please reach out to athomason@gwa.com or rward-bayse@gwa.com. We are here to partner with YOU!

Amber Thomason, Middle/Upper Counselor

Rebecca Ward-Bayse, Lower School Counselor

We were thrilled to host Dr. Marsha Richardson from the University of Pennsylvania to speak with our students and faculty about the importance of Black History Month and why we dedicate a month to recognize the accomplishments of Black Americans. Dr. Richardson attended our middle and upper school advisory assembly and shared the value of knowing each other’s stories and being open to having conversations to improve understanding of various perspectives and backgrounds. On Thursday, Dr. Richardson visited K5 - fifth-grade and led a discussion on the importance of Black History Month and treating each other with kindness and respect. Our lower school students shined with their knowledge of notable Black Americans and asked the best questions! We are so grateful to have been able to share her experience and knowledge with our students and staff.

We want all of our students to feel safe, learn to effectively navigate the digital world and advocate for their own personal space. When students are safe and protected, they are better able to focus on their academics and future aspirations. These conversations can be difficult and we want to help give you the tools to have them at home.

Detectives Alicia Chandler and Kristilee Cavoretto will be joining us for a conversation with our middle and upper school parents on Feb. 12 at 6:15 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn more about some of the dangers in our community and the internet and give you words to help your children stand up for their personal space.

Counseling will follow up with an age-appropriate lesson and we will send more information out in a separate email. Please reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have to athomason@gwa.com. We hope you find this to be a valuable resource!

The three winners (all GWA students) of the annual Monroe Museum History Contest received their awards last Friday. The overall topic for the research project was farming and industry in the city of Monroe throughout its history. Several area schools participated in the contest. Congratulations to the following eighth-grade students:

1st place - Kelsey Johnson (Alonzo Herndon)

2nd place - Delia Gill (Monroe Cotton Mill Village)

3rd place - Landon Shannahan (Deere Acres)

Pictured (left to right): Monroe Museum historian Steve Brown, Monroe Museum Board President Thomas Moore, Landon Shannahan, Delia Gill, Kelsey Johnson, GWA Head of School John Marshall, GWA eighth-grade teacher Johnny Griffin.

George Walton Academy is the recipient of a $2,500 Walton EMC School EmPOWERment Grant for Can’t Escape Learning. Thanks to this generous grant, George Walton Academy will purchase 10 Breakout EDU kits, along with online access, to enhance our curriculum.

Breakout EDU is a cutting-edge approach to learning that captivates students through immersive, puzzle-based experiences like those found in escape rooms. Breakout EDU is not just a game; it's a powerful educational tool that fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Students work collaboratively to solve a series of challenging puzzles that are carefully crafted to align with educational objectives. These puzzles are both fun and educational, requiring students to think outside the box and apply their knowledge in creative ways. By using this approach, we aim to captivate students' interest, promote active participation, and deepen their understanding of various subjects.

Pictured (left to right): Kathy Joiner (Walton EMC), Marsha Shumate (Walton EMC), GWA teacher Denise Schnieders, GWA Head of School John Marshall, Kathy Ivie (Walton EMC).

Former police officer Jon Spear and Judge John Ott visited Mr. Wilson's AP U.S. Government class this week. Mr. Spear discussed the legal aspects of warrants and requirements for legal searches and seizures of property from the perspective of law enforcement officials, while Judge Ott discussed the philosophy of the American legal system and how criminal and civil trials are conducted in Georgia. Thank you to Mr. Spear and Judge Ott for sharing their wealth of knowledge with our students!

Each year at our Gala, we randomly select a lucky winner who receives their choice of any of our four amazing trip packages offered as part of this year's raffle. Each raffle entry is $100 and no more than 200 tickets will be sold.

You can learn more about each trip- please click below:

-Mediterranean Cruise
-Jackson Hole, Wyoming
-British Columbia, Canada
-St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Click HERE to purchase your entries!

2024 Lucky Dawg Gala & Benefit Auction individual & table tickets have officially gone on sale. There are a limited number of tickets available, and they have sold out quickly each year — so go ahead and secure yours while you can. We are excited for an evening of celebration in support of our amazing students, school & community! CLICK HERE for tickets.

The George Walton Academy Lucky Dawg Gala & Benefit Auction this year will take place on:

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Beginning at 6 p.m.

at the Factory at Walton Mill

Monroe, GA

Whether you plan to attend the actual event or not, each year we host a public Silent Auction for our entire GWA community during the two weeks prior to the Gala, culminating on the night of the event. As we finalize all of the items, experiences, and packages to be included, we're asking: do you have something special you'd be generously willing to donate for our silent auction?

Whether you own a business, have a personal talent or have items you'd be willing to include, all donations are appreciated — in fact, we love creative and unique ideas.

Our deadline for silent auction donations is Friday, February 9. We've received some great items thus far, which we'll begin promoting in the coming weeks. Thanks for your consideration!

CLICK HERE to donate to our Silent Auction!

Questions? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com.

The impact of students participating in cultural exchange programs are far-reaching. Communities, schools, students, and families are all part of the ripple effect. GWA students Annalise Digby and Trace Wilson recently returned from their time in Spain. They attended St. Paul’s School Barcelona, lived with their gracious host families, and immersed themselves in Spanish culture. This experience brought families together in a unique way and has resulted in friendships that will be cherished for years to come. Click HERE for parents’ perspectives on this exchange as the parents of Annalise, Trace, Sofia and Aritz share their thoughts.

Four GWA wrestlers placed at Saturday’s GIAA State Meet and overall the GWA team qualifiers placed 11th out of 28 teams.Congratulations to the following Bulldogs:

• Adam Denhardt: 2nd - 132 lbs.
• Evan Newsom: 6th - 144 lbs.
• Caden Harvey: 6th - 126 lbs.
• Brody Hamman: 6th - 190 lbs.

Please click HERE for the spring sports (plus youth wrestling and middle school swim) photo schedule. Contact coaches for details.

Time is running out to reserve your yearbook. Click HERE to buy one online today! If you aren't sure if you've purchased a yearbook, be sure to check this list. Contact Liz Jones at ljones@gwa.com if you think you purchased a book, but aren't on the list!

A huge congratulations to Nolan Gray, on saxophone and London Clark, on trombone, for representing GWA at this year's Middle School District Honor Band! These students passed the District Band in-person audition performing five memorized scales, performing a solo and doing a sight reading example they have never seen before, for a panel of judges. They, along with other great young musicians from our District, came together and performed this past Saturday! Way to go, Band Dawgs! We are very proud of you!

Pictured left to right: Nolan Gray, Mr. Ian Cornelius, our new Assistant Band Director, and London Clark.

As part of our Black History Month unit in Lower School Art, students in third grade had the chance to meet and chat with artist Reggie Laurent! They heard all about his life growing up, how he became an artist, and what his artistic process is today. They were able to ask him questions about his art and life as well. Students created collages alongside Laurent, in his signature style. It was an amazing, informative, and uplifting experience for all of the third-grade artists!

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by NG3. (www.ng3.org).