In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
April 2, 2020
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Welcome to The Dawg Show!
Looking for something to do while you are practicing social distancing during Spring Break? Brush up on your talents and plan to participate in our digital talent show!
Showcase your talents in one of the five divisions and yes, this is open to adults too! Let’s make this fun!
- Lower School Individual
- Middle School Individual
- Upper School Individual
- All Age Family / Siblings
- Faculty / Staff / Parent
Rules for participation: Use your imagination and show us your talent (be creative – just please make sure it is appropriate and no people or animals are harmed in your act). Act cannot exceed two minutes. Please keep up the good work with social distancing – the only group acts accepted will be of families or siblings. Deadline to upload your video is Wednesday, April 15. Winners will be announced at a later date to be determined.
Click HERE to upload your video.
Questions? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com.
#gwadowhatyoucan
By Brian Cole, Associate Head of School, Fine Arts
I was inspired by a post I saw on Instagram of an individual printing 3-D face masks to donate to healthcare workers. Seeing what this single person was doing with one printer at home, I thought about how much I could do with the resources we had sitting idle at the school. We have recently purchased 3 PRUSA printers that were designed and built by Josef Prusa. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak and the shortage of protective wear for medical professionals, he designed and developed an open-source face shield that anyone with a 3-D printer could produce. He also compiled a list of best practices to keep the shields sanitary to keep cross-contamination from occurring.
As many people know, these shields are not only useful to hospital workers and other first responders like police officers and firemen, but they are also needed in nursing homes, dentists' offices or even by grocery store staff. I will continue to produce masks as long as there is a need. Right now, just doing what you can goes a long way in helping others.
If you have found a way to make a difference during this challenging time, please share with us on social media and use the hashtag #gwadowhatyoucan.
While you are shopping for essentials, a portion of your purchase could go to GWA! Yes, a portion of your toilet paper, bag of flour or hand sanitizer purchase could actually help GWA. Did you know Amazon, Publix, Kroger, and Office Max will give George Walton Academy a portion of the proceeds of your purchases? Please register your shopping accounts by following the directions HERE. Then, designate GWA as your community partner and confirm at check out!
Here to Help
Do you have a technology question or issue? Check out our new tech support page and the information it provides to help resolve the majority of issues experienced by students/families and teachers. If you need additional assistance, please email tech@gwa.com.
The PARC is Open!
GWA PARC programs are virtually here to support our students during digital days!
· Students - please reach out to the peer tutors for support. Email a request to meet and they will quickly respond. Click HERE to access a list of peer tutor email addresses and availability. If link is not accessible, please email Mrs. Power.
· Parents - please feel free to email Mrs. Power at dpower@gwa.com with any questions or concerns during this unique learning time.
Why Worry About Things We Can’t Control?
By Lindsey Bailey, Lower School Counselor
The past few weeks have felt like years. Everything is different. Gas is cheap, my co-workers are my dogs, the internet is my frenemy, and my biggest fear (aside from catching the virus) is running out of toilet paper. The worst part of this COVID situation is the utter lack of control that I have over any of it. We are all experiencing heightened levels of anxiety these days due to a number of stressors like working from home, digital school days, fear of loved ones getting sick, financial stress, cabin fever, endless news updates, cancelled vacations, etc. Most of these things are out of our control, yet we spend a great deal of time fretting about it.
One way to manage this anxiety is to focus on the things you can control and let go of the rest. I recommend doing this with a pen and paper. Start by creating two circles, one inside the other. Label the inner circle “In my control...” and the outer circle “Out of my control…” Fill it up accordingly with everything on your mind, sorting each thought by what you can and cannot control. READ MORE...
Online College Prep
By Laura Nabors, Associate Director of College Counseling
Digital learning is not just confined to classroom subjects. There are a plethora of online resources to take advantage of in the world of college prep and admissions. Here are some useful tools available to GWA upper school students.
-GWA Scholarship Database - https://sites.google.com/view/gwascholarships/home
-Khan Academy for SAT Prep - https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
-ACT Academy - https://academy.act.org/
Spring is a great time for underclassmen to take advantage of college campus tours and now is no exception. Check with your colleges of interest to see if they are hosting any virtual admission events. Many universities now have virtual tours so you can explore campuses from the comforts of your own home. Before you get started, check out this article by US News - "How to Make the Best of a Virtual College Tour" :
-https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
-https://www.youniversitytv.com/category/college/
As always, your GWA college counselors are here for you. Don't hesitate to reach out with your questions via email or phone 706-389-0297.
Thanking Our Heroes
GWA NHS and Beta Club members have teamed up with Chaco to send letters to healthcare workers. Chaco, the sandal company, has converted some of their factory operations to aid in the production of protective masks for healthcare workers. Click HERE for more information about Chaco's effort. Our students in NHS and Beta Club have written and mailed notes of encouragement that will accompany masks they will be receiving from Chaco.
There will be no picture pick-ups on Friday. Due to the statewide shelter in place order starting tomorrow, our photographer will not be able to open to distribute spring pictures as we had planned earlier in the week. Please just wait until the order is over and we will set a new time to get you the pictures.
Come to the Book Fair!
Have your kids read every book in the house? New reading materials are just a click away! The GWA Scholastic Book Fair runs through April 14. All orders will ship to your home (orders over $25 ship free). All purchases will benefit our school. Happy Reading!
Click HERE to shop!
Riley Shubert Signs with TMU
Staying Fit
Cheerful News
Majorette Sign-Up Information
It’s time to sign up for the 2020 Mini Dawgs (K4-2nd) and Dawgettes (3rd-5th) squads! Information packets were sent home with your daughters on Friday, March 13, entailing costs and important dates (including the April 17 deadline for dues). If you are interested in signing your daughter up to twirl next fall, please click HERE for details.
Guest Appearance
Middle school drama students enjoyed meeting special guest, Lindsey Franxman, today's during class. She is Miss Orlando 2020 and a Resort Operations Assistant for The Walt Disney Company. She just completed her 2nd Annual “Theatre In Our Schools” campaign and joined the group online to share her personal and professional journey. Miss Franxman explained how theater has shaped her life and hosted a lively Q&A.
Creative Kids
Mrs. Carver’s lower school art students have been busy creating projects that include Matisse inspired collages, one-point perspective drawings, art selfies, collecting objects in primary colors, learning about symmetry and making art videos on their devices. Great job, Bulldogs!
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by T.L. Williams. Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.