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

• FAFSA opens for seniors: Oct. 1 (details below)
• Homecoming Week: Oct. 3 - 7 (see below)
• 6th Grade Class Trip Meeting: Oct. 4 @ 6 p.m. in cafeteria
• RenWeb Webinar: Oct. 4 @ 6 p.m. (see below)
• LS Parent/Teacher Conferences: Oct. 4
• LS Early Dismissal: Oct. 4, no aftercare
• Early Dismissal : Oct. 7, LS 11 a.m., MS/US 11:30 a.m. Buses depart 11:40 a.m., no aftercare
• Senior Stone Mountain Trip: Oct. 12
• PSAT (Grades 8 -11): Wednesday, Oct. 12
• Dawgs Unleashed Events: Oct. 15, 17 & 18 (see below)
  
• Yearbook Picture Make-up Day: Oct. 17
• Fall Break: Oct. 20 -21

It’s not too late to participate in our exciting Dawgs Unleashed events! Whether you want to run, walk, swing a racquet or club – join us for this epic series of events and support our Dawgs 360 mission to improve the student experience at GWA for all students! Spots are available in the tennis and golf tournaments (but space is limited for golf). The guaranteed t-shirt deadline has passed, but shirts will be reserved in the order that late registrations are received, and we still have good quantities on hand. Click HERE for details and registration.

Dawgs 360 is looking for never-ending smiles and encouraging cheers! Can you help us cheer on the Dawgs Unleashed runners and support our tournament golf teams? Contact Elizabeth McDonel at emcdonel@gwa.com to join the fun! Go Bulldogs!

We are pleased to provide an update as we move forward in the search for GWA’s next Head of School. The Search Committee has met several times to discuss the process and identify priorities. Highly-qualified leaders from the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) came to our campus on September 9 to meet with focus groups comprised of students, alumni, teachers, administrators, parents and Board members. These constituents provided input on the qualities, experience, and skills they feel are important for the next Head of School to possess. GISA presented this feedback to the Committee at their meeting on September 26.

Applications for the position are being accepted through September 30 and the Committee will meet in late October to determine which candidates to interview. Ultimately, the Committee will identify two to three candidates who will be selected for in-person interviews to be held in early November. A recommendation will be made to the Board of Trustees before their November meeting and the Board expects to announce the new Head of School in early December.

As we’ve previously reported, we have installed more cameras, monitors, and a door locking system to provide even more campus security this year. Additionally, GWA conducts regular safety drills to ensure our students, faculty, and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency. We have successfully completed our fall series of tornado, fire, and lockdown drills. We will conduct all three drills again in the winter and spring. These drills are one element of our overall campus safety plan. They ensure everyone understands proper procedures so they can quickly and instinctively react to any emergency situation that may arise.

Mrs. Quinlan’s AP Computer Science Principles students are beginning their unit on App exploration, design, and coding. They will utilize rubber duck debugging protocol - a method used by some computer scientists to help with coding. Students have adopted their rubber ducks and will sit them next to their computer while coding. They will verbally explain what the code is supposed to do (to their rubber duck), going through it line-by-line to potentially find any errors as they talk through their code.

On Monday, Mr. Jones' the sixth grade hosted Diamond Del's Gem Mining Adventure. This is an extension of the rocks and minerals unit being covered in class. It's an opportunity for students to gain experience with the process of identifying and classifying fifteen different rocks and minerals. Students had the chance to learn panning, one of the many ways used to separate minerals from the less desirable mining ore without leaving campus.

Third grade students visited Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Georgia. Students participated in herpetology, lake ecology and team building classes. They were able to enhance their knowledge of living and non-living things, producers and consumers, food chains and reptiles with hands on experiences. Students ended their experience with a hike to the Rock Eagle Effigy Mound.

Check out the planned dress-day themes and get ready for a fun-filled Homecoming Week! All grades will participate in all dress up days, but please note that lower school will have Camo Day (not Anything But a Backpack) on 10/4. Homecoming Week festivities:

• Homecoming Pep Rally: Friday, October 7, 9:15 - 10 a.m.
• Powder Puff Football Game: Friday, October 7, 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. (football field)
• Homecoming Game, GWA vs. Riverside Military: Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
• Homecoming Court presented and the queen is crowned at halftime
• Homecoming Dance: Saturday, October 8 in the Nicholson Center, 8 -11 p.m.

By Amanda Jackson

Our fall youth teams are thriving this year! Our 3rd/4th tackle team is undefeated this season and our 5th/6th grade team is looking to clench 3rd place with victories in the next two games. Our flag program is bigger than ever with a total of four flag teams. All of the kids have been hungry to play and excelling on the field. Our cheer program travels to just about every game to give the boys the encouragement they need. What an awesome time to be a Bulldog!

K5 students recently had a special guest in Mrs. Dyer’s music class. Dr. Heston McCranie, teacher for city schools of Decatur (Beacon Hill Middle and Decatur High), gave an interesting and fun presentation on the cello, viola, and violin. The highlight of the program was the cello duet between Dr. McCranie and Maisie Yoder (GWA student and 5 year-old daughter of GWA History teacher, Luke Yoder and Dr. McCranie). The conclusion of the piece was met with hearty applause!

Not going to lie, this is not one of the most exciting reads our department will share with you this year. However, it could be the most important information that we want to share with all parents and current high school regarding financial aid. The College Counseling Department is here for you! Here’s what you need to know going into October.

The Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens this Saturday, October 1, 2022, for current seniors and their parents. The FAFSA is the financial aid form the federal government uses to determine the estimated family contribution (EFC). It is necessary for accessing financial aid such as grants, federal student loans, and work-study funds. Current seniors and parents are encouraged to complete this form for FALL 2023 – applying sooner is better to qualify for as much financial aid as possible. READ MORE...

Now that school is well underway with some grades in the gradebook, we wanted to offer a RenWeb demonstration on how to access your student's grades, see lesson plans, and review comments. This tool can help you to stay up to date and proactive with your students performance. George Walton Academy strives to have a strong partnership with our students and families because this helps our students to reach their goals and potential. We hope that this is a tool that helps strengthen that partnership. Please join us on Tuesday, October 4 at 6 p.m. if you have any questions on RenWeb use and navigation. This will be an online event and you will receive an email with the link to join. Hope to see you then!

With well-protected national reserves and an unparalleled diversity of wildlife, Costa Rica is the jewel of Central America. The Arenal region showcases a volcano, hot springs, and a broad range of flora and fauna. In Monteverde, tour the greenery of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest, then in Manuel Antonio National Park, and keep your eyes open for sloths, toucans, and howler monkeys. Middle and upper school students are invited to explore a nine-day adventure immersion trip this summer (July). Spots are limited and are filling up fast! Fundraising opportunities are available. Please email Mrs. McElveen at amcelveen@gwa.com for more information or to sign up!

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Sugarloaf Wealth Management (www.swmllc.com). Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Mike Elmankabady melmankabady@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.