In Focus @ GWA

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

• Pink Out Game (vs. John Milledge): Sept. 8
• MS/US Curriculum Night: Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
• Dawgs Unleashed: Sept. 18, 19, 30 (see below)
• Yearbook Picture Make Up Day: Sept. 20
• School Holiday: Sept. 22 (Rutledge Day)

In U.S. Government, students are learning about the first 10 amendments written in our Constitution. They have been analyzing the given rights and freedoms of U.S. citizens. The assigned project required them to step out of their comfort zone and create a sitcom that explained one of the amendments. Once they met with their groups, wrote a script, and practiced their lines, they acted the scene out in front of their classmates. The audience had to guess which amendment was being described in their sitcom without giving away too much information.

Students in the eighth grade have been working on writing narratives. They had complete creative license on their genre and topic.

It was such a pleasure to hear all of the unique, creative stories as students took to the podium. After hearing all of their stories, students wrote a note to the student whose writing they enjoyed the most. Additionally, faculty and staff were invited to stop by and listen, giving the class an opportunity to brush up on their public speaking skills.

Students in Mrs. Garbach’s seventh-grade science classes are using the scientific inquiry process to test whether the mass of a paper airplane affects the distance that it travels. Students built their own planes, adjusted each to manipulate the mass and then flew them to measure the distances.

Last week, K3 students had fun learning all about apples. They enjoyed an apple tasting and graphed their favorite apples, learned about the life cycle of an apple, had applesauce and apple juice, painted with apples, ate apple cookies, turned the kitchen area into an apple orchard, and finished the week by making individual apple pies with vanilla ice cream. When asked about the apple pies, Baleigh Hamman said, "They were incredible!"

With over 20 student clubs and organizations offered this year, GWA middle and upper school students have a myriad of opportunities to follow their interests, explore something new, achieve membership in an honor society, serve their community and lead their peers. From Book Club, Garden Club, NHS, and Gavel Club to Pickleball, Interact Club, and so much more, extracurricular options are an important part of GWA student life and make the student experience well-balanced.

It's almost time for our long-awaited Dawgs Unleashed events! Click HERE for sign up forms and further details. There is a limited supply of t-shirts available. The registration cost includes eligibility for raffles, trophies, and prizes. Contact Elizabeth McDonel with any questions.

Juniors and parents, please mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sept. 20. Mr. Terrell and Mrs. Nabors will be hosting a mandatory College Preparation Meeting in the cafeteria that evening at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will end no later than 7:30 p.m. We ask that every junior and at least one parent be in attendance. We will review college admission guidelines, timelines, testing, the application process, and much more to make sure your family is completely informed and prepared for the upcoming college application process. If you have conflicts, questions, or concerns, please email Mrs. Nabors at lnabors@gwa.com.

We look forward to meeting with everyone!

- The College Counseling Office

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors amongst adolescents worldwide. In honor of this week and in the spirit of spreading awareness, we will have a speaker on 9/13 during advisory for our Upper School students. The message will be one of hope, future, and resilience and God's hand in healing. We encourage all of our students to attend, however, if this message is a difficult one for your family, please email me at athomason@gwa.com and we can opt your student out of this assembly. Our purpose in addressing this issue is to ensure that all of our students are healthy and thriving so they can do their absolute best academically. I hope you can partner with us in this, and have these hard conversations at home with your students. I will be available for check-ins with any students who may need it.

Amber Thomason

Middle/Upper School Counselor

Support the Dawgs as they face John Milledge Academy tomorrow night and go PINK! Tickets may be purchased at GoFan (click HERE) or at the gate - cash only. Go Bulldogs!

The 2024 Georgia GOAL campaign is well underway! It is time for all of us to take control of our taxes and use this opportunity to support George Walton Academy in 2024! Many of you have been supporting GWA's Georgia GOAL campaigns for years, and we encourage you to APPLY NOW for your 2024 contribution today. For others, the following information (click HERE) is designed to help to understand the program and how it is helpful to GWA.

Please join our campaign to strengthen our school's ability to support families that need some assistance to take advantage of the excellent George Walton Academy education that we offer this community. If you have any questions, contact Johnny Green at jgreen@gwa.com.

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Athens Orthopedic Clinic (www.athensorthopedicclinic.com).