In Focus @ GWA

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

• Admissions Open House: Sun., Feb. 4 @ 2 p.m.
• 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
• Winter Break: Feb. 16 - 19
• K3 - K5 Musical Performance: Fri., Feb. 23 @ 9 a.m.

The George officially opened on Wednesday, Jan. 31. With the dedication and grand opening of our new gym and athletic facility, students have a brand-new space on campus where they will continue to develop new interests, explore their passions, strengthen their abilities, build character and be challenged to GO BEYOND. The Betty and George J. Hearn, III Center (to be called “The George”) is named after one of our school founders, George Hearn. Additionally, the courtyard area is named the O’Lenick Courtyard for the O’Lenick family. Thank you to all the donors who contributed to the Go Beyond Campaign as we bring this exciting phase of our initiative to fruition.

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 soft 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.

GWA will kick off Black History Month with a special visit from Dr. Marsha Richardson from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Richardson will be talking about the importance of Black History during our advisory on Feb. 7, will be engaging in discussions with our faculty, and will be visiting the lower school on Feb. 8. We are excited to welcome her to our school next week and hope that she will bring a new perspective to the topic of Black History. Please click here to learn more about Dr. Richardson.

First graders enjoyed engaging hands-on classroom STEM activities while learning about science and developing their “soft skills.”

Mrs. Franklin's first-grade class worked together during their gumdrop challenge. This activity was to encourage cooperation and basic problem solving skills while building the tallest tower using the gumdrops and toothpicks. This activity not only promotes STEM skills but also enhances social skills such as teamwork and communication.

Miss Henry's first graders have been studying the weather. Students learned about the four types of precipitation including rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Parents from Miss Henry's class volunteered to help with three STEM activities. Students made fake snow with baking soda and hair conditioner, designed snowmen with big and small marshmallows, and played a Reindeer challenge with marshmallows.

National School Counseling Week kicks off on Feb. 5. This is a week to recognize counselors all over the country and to bring awareness to what our school counselors do for our students every day. The biggest role of a school counselor is to identify and break down barriers to student success in the classroom. We want every student to meet their full potential not just at GWA, but in their futures. Stay tuned to learn more about the school counseling role!

Amber Thomason, Middle/Upper Counselor

Rebecca Ward-Bayse, Lower School Counselor

We want all of our students to feel safe and 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 lower school parents on Feb. 5 at 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium. 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. They will return on Feb. 12 at 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium to address our middle and upper school parents.

Counseling will follow up with an age-appropriate lesson and we will send more information out about that 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!

We will be starting up study skills sessions again for second semester. This is open to any student in grades 8-11 who wants an extra place to study, a group to study with, and tips to help make studying more effective.

• Who: 8th - 11th Grade
• Where: Middle School - Mrs. Byrd's Room, Upper School - Mrs. Crabtree's Room
• When: Tuesdays during break

If you are interested in having your student join, please reach out to Amber Thomason athomason@gwa.com.

Four GWA students traveled to France during the month of January where they experienced French culture, attended Saint-Denis International School and lived with their host families. To learn about their time abroad and how they benefited from this global exchange with our partner school in Loches, France, click here.

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 GWA Swim Team who concluded their swim season at the GIAA Varsity State Championship and Middle School Invitational on Saturday with 27 swimmers qualifying for the meet at Georgia Tech.

The varsity team finished 4th out of 20 teams with combined scores, Boys finishing 3rd and Girls finishing 5th. Notable swims include - boys varsity relay finished 4th in the medley relay narrowly missing 3rd place by .09sec, and 5th in the 200 freestyle relay and girls varsity relay finished 5th in the medley relay and 6th in the freestyle relay.

Individual highlights include:

• Anthony Pham finished 1st in the 100 backstroke claiming his first HS State Champion win. He finished 4th in the 200 freestyle, and 4th in the 500 freestyle.
• Morgan Davis placed 2nd in the 50 freestyle, 3rd in the 100 freestyle, and 5th in the 100 breaststroke.
• Jake Stout finished 4th in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke narrowly missing 3rd by .2 sec. He also finished 7th in the 100 butterfly.
• Baylor Lingner placed 9th in the 100 backstroke.
• Sarah Digby placed 11th in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

The middle school team finished 6th out of 23 teams. Notable swims include - girls MS relay finished 4th in the medley and 6th in the freestyle relay and boys MS relay finished 9th for both the medley and freestyle relays.

Individual highlights include:

• Jett Davis finished 3rd in the 50 backstroke, 4th in the 50 butterfly, and 5th in the 50 freestyle.
• Maci Gray finished 3rd 100 freestyle, 4th in the 50 backstroke, and 5th in the 50 freestyle
• Bethany Pham finished 3rd in the 50 backstroke, 4th in the 50 butterfly, and 10th in the 100 IM

Congrats again to all our state swimmers! We also want to send a special congratulations to our graduating seniors Jake Stout, Baylor Lingner, Sarah Digby and Ashley Martin. You will all be greatly missed!

Best of luck to our GWA wrestlers who will be competing this weekend at State (Riverside Prep) in the following weight classes:

126- Caden Harvey

132- Adam Denhardt

138- Nate Sharp

144- Evan Newsom

150- Carter Hicks

175- Kaleb Chasse

190- Brody Hamman

285- Robby Perkins

Starting Feb. 5, we will have student volunteers grades 8-12 from our Junior, Beta, and NHS clubs that will come and do homework with our aftercare students. These students will volunteer Monday-Thursday to help students get their homework done. This is something that is only available to our students who stay for aftercare. If you would like to have your student complete their homework with our student volunteers, please reach out to lmcdaniel@gwa.com or athomason@gwa.com and can make sure they finish their homework before playing on the playground. We hope this will be a benefit for your student and family. Homework help may depend on the availability of our volunteers.

Artwork from over 60 lower school artists will be on display at the Monroe Walton Center for the Arts starting on Feb. 24! Put it on your calendars now so you can stop by and see the amazing work students have put so much effort into. You can view the art show during MWCA open hours from Feb. 24 through March 14. There will be a closing reception on the evening of March 14. If your student has work in the art show, you will get an invitation to the closing reception letting you know time and details! Thanks so much for encouraging your kids in their artistic adventures, we are having so much fun creating masterpieces!

Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Monroe First Methodist Church. (www.monroefirst.church).