In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
August 26, 2021
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- V Volleyball vs. Grayson: TONIGHT @ 5 p.m.
- Ice Cream Social: TONIGHT @ 6:30 p.m. (followed by pep rally)
- V Football vs. Stratford: Aug. 27 @ 7:30 p.m. (Youth Night)
- Yearbook Portraits: Aug. 31 & Sept. 1
- Cheer Showcase: Sept. 1 @ 5:30 p.m.
- School Holiday: Monday, Sept. 6
- Red Cross Blood Drive: Sept. 10
- Curriculum Night: Sept. 21
Naming Names
Students in Mrs. Gahan’s American Sign Language 2 class each have a new name! With help from Mr. Mike Gahan, they received their individual name sign or ASL name - one that reflects something special about their personality, interests or personal characteristics. The carefully chosen names related to everything from hockey to world travel, an Irish first name and even dimples!
Learning Skills
Our third graders are reviewing concepts from last year in Mr. Gasaway's Technology class. In the process they are learning to problem-solve and develop solutions. Additionally, students are learning to collaborate with their classmates and think critically about solutions for problems. These skills are utilized in technology class for coding and robotics and may be applied to other disciplines.
Join the Literary Team!
Have you heard about our amazing GWA Literary team and are excited to join? Have you heard about our amazing literary team and have no idea what it is, but want to know more?
Literary is a great way to get involved with fellow students, represent your school at both the region and state levels, and hone your public speaking, essay writing, or singing skills. As part of the literary team, you can choose to speak on important national and international topics, write essays from different perspectives, show off your acting skills, or impress with your singing ability. The literary team competes against other schools in our region, and those who qualify compete against other schools in our state.
The GWA Literary team was region runner-up last year...and this year we plan to bring home FIRST PLACE!
Join us on Friday, August 27 in the Commons during high school break to find out more information. If you can’t make it, email Mrs. Noll at cnoll@gwa.com
The First Performances
Before the written word, stories were shared in casual settings, like around a campfire. These stories were often recollections of real life occurrences, at least when they were first told. Life experiences were shared and passed down, often changing as they went from teller to teller. Although the first written record of a theatrical performance was found in Egypt dating back to 2000 B.C., it is widely thought that these types of gatherings around a campfire are the “first performances” that triggered the start of theatre.
In our Introduction to Drama class, students gathered around a “campfire” to tell stories about their life, creating different traits for each character in their story. They were then challenged to re-tell a story someone else shared to show how stories can change over time.
Alexandra Callaway – Upper School Math Teacher
Please help us welcome Alexandra Callaway to GWA. Alexandra attended Georgia College where she earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching – Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership, and a Bachelors in Mathematics. She has taught in the Gwinnett County school system for the past seven years and will be teaching upper school math, AP Statistics and Algebra I. “As a George Walton Academy alumna, I know that GWA has a great community and I am excited to be ‘back home’ and to raise my daughter in this environment,” said Alexandra. “I love students to experience math and see the connection to our world outside of the classroom.”
We Need YOU!
Your contribution to the Education Tax Credit program benefits GWA, our families, and you the taxpayer/donor. Your participation contributes to the financial well-being of the school, better offerings and continuation of great programs for all of our students, and you get to take the 100% state tax credit. The win-win-win trifecta!
There are close to $16 million in 2021 tax credits still available, but these won’t last much longer. Participating now will mean that your payment will be due around the end of October or early November (60 days after receiving approval from the DOR). Don’t wait! We need you NOW! Please contact Jenni Cole if you have any questions, or if you need any help in completing the tax credit application. Help us reach our goal for GOAL!
Click HERE for more details and the tax credit application.
Shopping Rebates
Please click HERE for details or visit gwa.com (under Support).