
In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy

August 31, 2023
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Yearbook Price Increase: after midnight TONIGHT
- School Holiday: Sept. 4 (Labor Day)
- Club Expo: Sept. 6
- Probe College Fair: Sept. 7
- Pink Out Game (vs. John Milledge): Sept. 8
- MS/US Curriculum Night: Sept. 12
- Dawgs Unleashed: Sept. 18, 19, 30 (see below)
- Yearbook Picture Make Up Day: Sept. 20
- School Holiday: Sept. 22 (Rutledge Day)
A Leading College-Preparatory School
George Walton Academy has long been known for its touching school traditions, nurturing family values, character education, and award-winning athletics and arts programs. GWA is a close-knit community that truly develops the whole child.
Strong extracurriculars and character development, grounded in the Judeo-Christian ethic, matter, and yet the foundation of GWA as a leading college-preparatory school is cemented by its academic program. The performances in the Class of 2023 reflect a prep school blessed with superior teachers, who are unapologetically rigorous in preparing students for college and higher learning:
· 100% acceptance by Class of 2023 into a four-year college or university.
· A school-record 90% of students taking AP (Advanced Placement) courses earned a passing score of > 3.
· $4.4+ million in college scholarships earned (not including the HOPE or Zell Miller scholarships).
· SAT and ACT scores higher than the state and national averages.
· 62% of recent graduates who applied to Georgia Tech and UGA were accepted.
In a dauntingly complex, challenging world that will change faster than we adults can imagine, it is essential that we teach young people today how to think more than what to think. As a wise educator once told a parent, schools should prepare students for their own future, not for our past. Tomorrow’s jobs and workplace are impossible to envision, but the skills and qualities for success are timeless: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and citizenship. At GWA, the 5 C’s are fundamental to who we are and how we develop our young people for lives of purpose and service.
John D. Marshall
Head of School
The Doctors Are In
The third grade was turned into a bustling Place Value Hospital, where students not only learned about place value but also actively engaged in diagnosing, treating, and solving various place value challenges. Their activities included: diagnosing number “patients” by using the value of each digit’s place to identify a symptom, using “x-rays” - they matched numbers shown in blocks of ten to their respective standard form, and they performed “surgery” to piece together digits in the correct format. Lastly, in the “pharmacy” department, our doctors sorted medicine bottles based on whether the numbers they represent are greater than, less than, or equal.
The transformation into the GWA Place Value Hospital brought an extraordinary level of engagement and excitement into our learning environment. Students are not only grasping the abstract concepts of place value but are also actively applying their knowledge to real-life scenarios. As educators, we couldn't be prouder of the dedication and enthusiasm our students have shown during this grade-level activity.
Staying Afloat
Our third-grade STEM class is learning the steps in the scientific method. They began with a question, “Can you mold shapes out of clay that will float on water?”
Each student thought of three shapes they believed would float and then tested their molded designs. If the initial three shapes were not able to float, they were challenged to think of what they see in a real life setting that does float. Eventually, students realized that “a boat” will float on water. Next, they created boat-like shapes, making sure the walls would not allow water to flood the boat. Each student persevered and was able to craftily design a boat using clay that was able to float on water.
Welcome, Parents!
The evening will begin promptly at 6 p.m. with a welcome from Mr. Marshall in the cafeteria. Parents will rotate through their child’s seven class periods with a stop in The Commons. Teachers will be providing content information as well as tips for success in their courses. We look forward to seeing our middle and upper school parents!
The Place for Academic Reinforcement and Coaching
The PARC is off and running with it’s sixth year of student support. Our mission is to support all levels of learners. The PARC is committed to providing opportunities for students to discover their personal learning style and/or learning differences to reach their academic potential. Our goal is to equip our students with the learning strategies and skills necessary to be successful, life-long learners.
The Peer Tutoring Intra-ship Program is one component of the PARC program. Peer tutors are available to middle and upper school students during select study hall periods. Lower school peer tutors assist teachers with classroom activities and small group instruction. Please click HERE for peer tutor availability.
Along with our peer tutors, we look forward to a great “One Dawg” year at GWA.
For more information on the PARC, please check out our webpage HERE.
Doretta Power, PARC Director
Up For the Challenge
The GWA ninth-grade class embarked on an adventure retreat to the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Camp in Covington. Led by their advisors, Mrs. Croft, Mrs. Quinlan, Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Meeks and Mrs. Grimsley, students participated in teambuilding activities designed to improve their communication and critical thinking skills. Each group enjoyed lunch with their advisor and geared up for the most challenging part of the day – the mud obstacle course. With two groups competing at a time, they made their way through a wild muddy course that required grit and cooperation to complete. The day wrapped up with an overall win by Mrs. Grimsley’s group and only one shoe forever lost to the mud pit. Our ninth graders demonstrated teamwork, confidence, and determination while stepping out of their comfort zones and into the murky Georgia mud. This experience also gave the freshman class an opportunity to build relationships within their advisory groups as they begin an exciting first year in upper school. Great job, ninth grade (and advisors)!
Don't Miss Out!
We’re just three weeks away from 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. Please contact Jenna Johnson regarding sponsorship opportunities and contact Elizabeth McDonel with any questions.
The Bulldogs Head to Social Circle
Follow the Dawgs to Social Circle High School this Friday for a match up with the Redskins.
Tickets are $8 on GoFan and $10 cash at the gate. Click HERE to purchase online. Let's GO Bulldogs!
Abstract Creations
Lower school art students explored what it means for an artwork to be abstract, and used this as inspiration for their own work. They used the lines of their names, plus colors, shapes, and patterns to fill their space. Students also explored the process of wax resist by painting over their crayon lines to see what happens when wax and water interact. They were able to realize connections that can be made between art and science!
College Fair on Campus
The George Probe College Tour is coming back to GWA on Sept. 7 in the Nicholson Center from 9 - 11 a.m. This event is an annual program of college fairs to provide higher education access for Georgia high school students. Hundreds of colleges nationwide attend Probe yearly, reaching thousands of high school students in the state.
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. (www.ersnell.com).