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

• Senior Art Show: TONIGHT @ 6 p.m.
• Letter Jacket Order Day: May 13 (see below)
• Senior Mentor Breakfast: May 17
• Senior Banquet: May 17
• Middle School Awards: May 18
• Upper School Awards: May 19
• Baccalaureate: May 20
• Graduation: May 21
• Exams (8-11): May 23 – May 26
• Class of 2023 Parent Meeting: May 24
• K5 Graduation: May 25
• 5th Grade Graduation: May 26
• Last Day of School: Early Dismissal May 26

We are pleased to announce our Class of 2022 valedictorian Noah Hicks and salutatorian Anna Swope. Noah will attend the California Institute of Technology and Anna will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall. Congratulations to Noah and Anna on their outstanding achievements!

We are counting down the days to the Class of 2022 baccalaureate and graduation. Please note that tickets are required for field seating for both events (tickets have been sent to seniors). Stadium seating is first come, first served. Don Williams Stadium will open at 6 p.m. for baccalaureate and 8 a.m. for graduation.

In fourth grade, students learn how to use and convert units within the customary system and metric system, as well as when to use which unit in certain situations (a building project uses inches and fractions of inches while painting a football field would use yards). "I want to provide my kids real-world opportunities to see how math is used outside the classroom and show them how building something from scratch accomplishes that," said teacher Emily Griggs. "Additionally, this project takes a full week, so seeing something through without instant gratification is a really good benefit for the kids."

First graders recently visited the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary. Their tour guide talked about their role in animal rehabilitation and why it's important not to domesticate wild animals. The group also learned about each animal including what they like to eat, how they play, and how they ended up at the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary.

The 2022 yearbook presentation did not disappoint. Editor-in-Chief Maddy Marable introduced the theme, “Together We Illuminate” and explained that the staff wanted to celebrate the community at GWA. She said that “although we each have our own individual talents that make us shine, Together We Illuminate.”

The senior yearbook dedication went to K5 teacher, Ms. Stacy May. Senior Taylor Grossman said, “Though you may be up on the hill, your presence on campus is far-reaching, and it never fails to impact us. We couldn’t imagine what our GWA experience would be like without you in it. The Class of 2022 loves you even more than we did 14 years ago.”

Mr. Cole also received a special award for Innovation in Education. Yearbook advisor Mrs. Jones highlighted some of the contributions he has made to the school over the years, starting with his work on the yearbook and going through some of the interesting classes he’s taught and the ways he’s made the school more beautiful and affected the lives of his students. The award was sculpted by art teacher Mr. Jameson.

The presentation ended with a special video featuring photos and videos taken throughout the year. Here is the link to the video: https://vimeo.com/709092025.

GWA will be presenting artwork from our seniors and photography students on Thursday, May 12. The show will take place in the downstairs gallery of the Fine Arts building from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Anyone unable to make the opening will be invited to enjoy the show Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. Please stop by and visit with the artists and enjoy an exhibition showcasing our students' impressive drawing, painting, and photographic talents.

Our fifth-grade band and chorus students performed before a crowd of family and friends in last week’s Spring Concert. The chorus, directed by Mrs. Debbie Dyer, sang upbeat songs including, “It’s All Good” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” The fifth-grade Bullpup Band played several selections on brass, woodwind, and percussion under the direction of Dr. Tyler Jones, assisted by band directors Lindsay Castro and Christian Smith. Congrats to our fifth graders!

The third- and fourth-grade music classes and fourth-grade recorder class presented a performance called “A Music Mosaic.” The music classes sang songs about America including the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless the USA.” They played bucket drums for “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and bells for “God Bless America.” The recorder class played selections from their music book that added a monster-like feel to some of the more traditional songs. Parents and friends were delighted to spend the morning listening to patriotic and fun music from these talented students.

Get ready to cheer on our Lady Dawgs this Saturday in the GHSA State Finals! Tickets should be purchased at gofan.co. Go Bulldogs!

Mia Berry has signed to continue her cheerleading career and her studies at the College of Charleston. Congratulations and all the best, Mia!

Orders for letter jackets from Scholastic Images may be placed on Friday, May 13 during break and lunch in the cafeteria.

Spring football is underway! Come out for an afternoon of exciting 7 vs. 7 competition this Friday! Lower school begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by middle school and varsity. Concessions will be OPEN! Hope to see you there- Go Bulldogs!

Our varsity football players will hold a Spring Showcase next Wednesday on the practice field located near the baseball field. Come out to support our Bulldogs!

Congratulations to our GHSA All-Region baseball and soccer players! Well done, Bulldogs!

We are excited to have Katie Dickerson join our middle school team next year! She will teach sixth-grade social studies. Katie graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and holds a master’s degree from Walden University in elementary reading and math.

Katie is excited to be a part of the GWA community as a parent and as an educator. Katie commented, “Witnessing how dedicated the teachers, staff, and administrators are to EVERY student’s success and well-being makes me want to be a part of that. I look forward to joining the sixth-grade team and helping my students mature and evolve during this important time in their life as they enter middle school.”

We are thrilled to have sixth-grade math teacher Cara Walker join our middle school faculty for the upcoming school year! She earned her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from John Carroll University. Cara commented, “I knew when I visited GWA for the first time this fall, that it was a special place and a school I wanted to be part of. I am thrilled to join an educational community that prioritizes the developmental, academic, and social needs of its learners. I can't wait to work with sixth graders growing the confidence and conceptual understanding of my young mathematicians.”

GWA is pleased to welcome Jessica Garbach to our school as a new seventh-grade science teacher and as a parent. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Charleston and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia State University. Jessica is excited to join a school that is smaller and “feels more like family.” She adds, “I graduated from a private high school and I am thrilled to be able to bring my children to George Walton where they will have those same opportunities and experiences that I had.”

GWA is participating in our first-ever Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts garden tour. The tour takes place Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. More information is available at https://www.monroewaltonarts.org/garden-tour-information.html .

Tickets are now available; buy over the phone - 770-207-8937 or drop by in person at the art center. Please note that if you buy over the phone, you must come by the center to pick up your wristband-ticket and Guide Map. Ticket price: $30.

If you are only interested in visiting the GWA garden, feel free to drop in any time on May 14, free of charge.

GWA activities don’t stop when the school year ends! Our camps begin May 31 and run through July 25. Check out the exciting camp offerings for Summer 2022!

Click HERE for complete details and registration. Please contact Ashley Kirkpatrick with any questions.

• 3D Design with Mr. Gasaway
• Basketball Skills Camp with Coach Lamonique and Coach Grace
• Basketball w/ Coach Reynolds
• Build the Future (3D city software) with Mr. Gasaway
• Christmas in July Camp with Mrs. Scott
• Cooking Camp with Mrs. Gervais
• Craft Camp with Mrs. Scott
• Crochet Camp with Mrs. Feinstein
• Dot and Dash Robots with Mr. Gasaway
• Draw, Paint, Create Art Hosted by The Sketch Pad
• English SAT Prep Rising 11th – 12th grades
• English SAT Prep Rising 9th – 10th grades
• Flight 2050 (Learn about aviation) with Mr. Gasaway
• Girl’s Youth Basketball with Coach Hines
• LEGO Camp with Mrs. Power
• Melty Bead Camp with Mrs. Scott
• Minecraft and Video Game Camp with Mrs. Bellah
• Mission to Mars with Mr. Gasaway
• New London Driving classes
• Outdoor Sports Camp with Ms. Shupe
• Princess Camp with Mrs. Bellah
• Reader’s Theater with Ms. Shupe
• Soccer Camp with GWA Soccer Coaches and Players
• Stay and Play with Ms. May (Offered all weeks camp is offered)
• SUMO Robot Camp with Mr. Gasaway
• Tennis Camp with Coach Chiara
• Theater Basics Camp with Ms. Gerhardt
• Wrestling Camp with Coach Sperin
• Youth Football Camp with Coach Beer
• Youth Cheer Camp

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