In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
January 21, 2021
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & dates
- Red Cross Blood Drive: Jan. 29
- GWA Open House: Sunday, Jan. 31
- Re-enrollments Contracts Posted: Feb. 1
- Winter Break: Feb. 12 & 15
Preparing for Next Year
Greetings from the Admissions Office. Our busiest season is upon us and already, classes for the 2021-2022 school year are nearing capacity. We currently have DOUBLE the number of applications than we had in January 2020. Interest in our school is at an all-time high and even COVID can’t stop the amazing things that are happening at GWA! The following are a few friendly reminders as we prepare for re-enrollment:
1. Our office is hosting another Prospective Family Open House on Sunday, Jan 31. Due to COVID, we will offer several sessions between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Appointments are required, and while limited, space is still available, so please consider inviting a friend, family member or co-worker who is interested in learning more about our school. Reservations can be made by visiting gwa.com. Please let me know if you have someone you’d like for us to personally invite.
2. Re-enrollment contracts for all students in good standing will be posted in each family’s ParentsWeb account under the “Apply/Enroll” tab on Monday, February 1. Please be sure that your contact information is up to date in ParentsWeb and that all accounts are current by February 1. If you have questions about account balances, contact Jenni Cole in the Business Office.
3. Completed contracts and a tuition payment selection for the 2021-2022 school year are due by March 1 to hold each student’s spot for the upcoming school year. Remember that this is the last year you will have to complete re-enrollment as we are transitioning to continuous enrollment. Contact our office if you have questions or concerns.
Continue to share our news with your friends and family. Current families are our greatest marketing tool. What a GREAT time to be a Bulldog!
Best,
CARI
Top Notch
Stress Less
Stress management is an important tool for students and utilized effectively can help teens feel healthier, happier and more productive in their daily lives. Many of our Winter Term courses offer students a means to deal with stress through relaxation, physical movement, and mindfulness.
In Dr. Hutcheson’s Meditation, Mindfulness and Neuroscience class – students are learning about the science of mindfulness and practicing meditation. Mrs. Steele’s class, Journaling for Self-Discovery, shows students how to improve and support their own well-being through journaling. Yoga students, both boys and girls, are learning to use breathing techniques and movement to cleanse the mind and improve physical health. Mrs. Maddox is sharing a variety of stress management options for students in her “stress-free” class – including journaling, and essential oils.
These courses help students to understand the connection between mind and body as they learn methods for dealing with stress. Hopefully, they will adopt some of these techniques to use now and in future.
Well-Mannered
Mrs. Kirk’s students (and invited guests) enjoyed an English afternoon tea during their Etiquette for Young Adults class today. The table was properly set with linens, tableware, silverware, an assortment of savory and sweet finger foods as well as English tea with cream and sugar.
In addition to etiquette skills, this Winter Term course has given students the skill set needed to handle a variety of social situations with confidence and poise.
Signs of Winter
With winter weather photos displayed on the TV – Mrs. Gahan used an interactive game to teach her American Sign Language eighth-grade students new vocabulary. If a classmate received a tossed “snowball” they had to answer a question using signed words related to a given winter weather term. The game continued with every student getting a chance to participate, including one student who was in class via Zoom.
Powerful Words
Bulldog Buckets
Join the Team
All students in grades six through twelve interested in becoming a member of the GWA clay shooting team should contact Brian Stephens for more information or to sign up.
SAVE THE DATE! Spring sports photos will be taken during the day on February 10 and 11. More details to follow.
Youth Track Registration Begins
Youth track registration is now open and will close on Friday, Jan. 29. Please use the link below if you would like to register your child. Youth track will include boys and girls, grades 1st-5th. Practices will be on Monday, Tuesday and Friday after school at GWA from 3:00-4:00 p.m. (Lower school students will be picked up from their class and walked down to the track by Grace Martin).
The registration fee is $100. Please make the check out to George Walton Academy and send it in to the front office. You can also drop the check off in the Athletic office at any time. Track meets will be held on Saturdays and will start the third weekend in February. Please contact Grace Martin if you have any questions.
Raffle Tickets on Sale!
Three Trip Raffle tickets are now available. Purchase a ticket HERE for a chance to win a trip to Austin, Texas, Scottsdale, Arizona, or Cortona, Italy.
Only 135 tickets will be sold! One ticket for $100. Six tickets for $500. 13 tickets for $1,000.
Enjoy an Exquisite Charcuterie Experience!
Enjoy an intimate picnic for two while you watch the live stream or gather with a small group of friends to help celebrate and support the evening. Picnic baskets with delicious charcuterie morsels will be provided for pick up by Epting Catering & Design along with bottles of bubbly or wine. Sponsorships and baskets are available for purchase now..
Purchase your basket HERE.
GWA will host the Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Jan. 29, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Nicholson Center. All students under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form in order to donate. A COVID-19 antibodies test is included with all blood donations. Please be sure to sign up online at redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-Red-Cross, or via the Red Cross Blood Donor App. You must enter the sponsor code GWA. Due to Covid-19, the Red Cross ONLY accepts donors who have a scheduled appointment. A photo ID (with date of birth) is required for all donors. Please contact Wrynn Carson with any questions.
Help Us Spread the Word!
Share the Warmth
Let's Dance!
Beyond the Bell DANCE classes are now being offered for lower school students. The cost for each class is $65/month.
- K4/K5: Monday, 3:15-4:15 p.m., KDANCE Combo Class
- 1st /2nd Grade: Tuesday, 3:15-4:15 p.m., Combo Class
- 3rd-5th Grade: Wednesday 3:15-4:15 p.m., Combo Class
- 2nd-5th Grade: Thursday, 3:15-4:15 p.m., B-Boyz Breakdance and Hip-Hop Class
For detailed class descriptions and to learn more about dance teacher, Genie Wiggins, please click HERE.
Email Stacy May at smay@gwa.com with any questions or to sign up.
Academic Planning Consultations for Freshmen and Sophomores
By Jon Terrell, Director of College Counseling
In an effort to help students and parents plan accordingly for a student’s academic high school career and the college application process, this year the college counseling office will be offering academic consultation meetings to any interested freshmen and sophomore students (and parents) in the upcoming weeks. These meetings do not guarantee a specific schedule or course load for the upcoming school year but are intended to strategically plan for courses that would best serve a student’s needs and abilities in the future. The College Counselors always defer class recommendations to current teachers, as they see and work with students on a daily/every other day basis. However, we feel it is beneficial to discuss options and possibilities. We would welcome the opportunity to sit with your family and help discuss what classes or subjects can benefit a student the most as well as best prepare them for the future. College applications will not be a focal point of these meetings as we do that during the fall of junior year and requirements can change year to year but we will include the information when beneficial and necessary. A formal email will be sent out in the next three weeks.