In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
April 25, 2019
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Field Day: April 26
- Lower School Early Dismissal: April 26
- Spring Dance Performances, Fairyland: April 26
- Piano Recitals: April 28
- Band Spring Concert: April 30
Congratulations to GWA’s valedictorian Grace Hanson and salutatorian Tatiana Bolds. The honor of valedictorian is bestowed upon the student with the highest cumulative upper school GPA. The salutatorian is recognized as the student with the second highest cumulative GPA. Traditionally, the salutatorian is the opening speaker at graduation and the valedictorian presents the keynote address...Read More.
Why participate in a student exchange program?
By Femke Côté, Associate Head of Curriculum and Global Studies
Many of us will never have the opportunity to spend time living as a member of a stranger’s family – in fact, many of us may never want to. But what if that experience could be reciprocal? You could stay with your new friend, and then someone from his or her family could stay with you? This is the type of opportunity that our upper school students have in their time at GWA. Having established partner schools in Barcelona, Spain; Metz, France; and Johannesburg, South Africa, students have more opportunities than ever to get out of their comfort zone and experience life from an entirely different perspective while developing their soft skills and gaining global perspectives...Read More.
Student Trip of a Lifetime To Croatia
Where: Croatia
When: June 8-16, 2020
Cost: $3,990 – includes airfare, all accommodation/transportation costs, excursions, medical insurance, all breakfasts and some dinners
Who: Upper school students (must have completed freshman year by May 2020)
Why: Croatia is perhaps one of the most unique countries in Europe, and sits on the opposite side of the Mediterranean as Italy. The country is known for its incredible natural beauty and cinematographic history, hosting one of the HBO's most popular shows Game of Thrones. George Walton students and trip leaders will embark on an experience of a lifetime, zip-lining across the Cetina River, exploring the famous Plitvice Lakes, sea kayaking on the island of Hvar, and touring the famous historical structures that made Game of Thrones what it was!
For more information, or to register, go to https://travefy.com/trip/gjfc6kkx7ark7uwxgdfb6uuxtjrv2.
Questions? Contact Femke Côté at fcote@gwa.com.
As the new lower and middle school computer science instructor, Mark Gasaway will bring his experience in teaching and developing technology curriculum to GWA. For the past ten years, he has served as an instructor and chaplain for Covenant Christian Academy where he specialized in teaching engineering, robotics, coding, and business technology. He also designed a summer camp program for elementary and middle school students that focused on science, technology, reasoning, engineering, arts, math, and service - as well as instruction in how to apply that knowledge. Mark says his goal is to "motivate and inspire students to think critically and embrace technology, while providing them the skills to compete in a global and ever-changing society."
With master's and bachelor's degrees in English and extensive experience in teaching language arts, grammar, writing, composition and literature, Patricia Fissette will launch and oversee GWA's new Writing Center this fall. "I love teaching students how to become engaged readers and writers using language foundations as an anchor within that engagement," said Patricia. "Besides simply focusing on literary analysis, my classes require students to think about writing in genre, relationships between authors and their audience, and how we form language through the communication of these real-world constraints."
George Walton Academy is piloting a phone app that’s designed to make it easier for you to access school information. We invite you to use one of the following links to download the app and check it out. We would love to hear back from you as we fine-tune this app. Please send any feedback to Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com so we can make it an effective tool for our families.
iTunes App Store Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-gwapp/id1458384466?ls=1&mt=8
Google Play App Store Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.me0adc58f412.www
This app is free for parents thanks to the support of our Corporate Partners. We have just launched our enrollment for 2019-2020 Corporate Partnerships and have added several new features including a link to our Corporate Partners on the new app! We will also feature a bi-monthly digital flier where partners may advertise sales, discounts or specials. Be on the lookout for our new Corporate Partner directory at the first of the year that contains a calendar of important dates and will be provided free of charge to our families. For more information on how to be a corporate partner, check out our brochure: https://bit.ly/2UPwGBE
On the app you will see a Dawgs 360 button. It is not active yet. If you are a Dawgs 360 member, please continue to use your current app until the end of the year.
Christy Ellerbee Joins Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Christy Ellerbee has joined the board. Christy is an attorney and principal of Ellerbee Consulting, a government and legislative consulting firm. Christy and her husband Sean also own and operate The Ellerbee Insurance Agencies in both Monroe and Greensboro. Christy is an Exclusive Financial Specialist concentrating on Life, Retirement and Benefits.
Christy serves on the NG3 Board and volunteers as a huddle leader for GWA. She is active on the steering committee for JH Outback Northeast Georgia. Most recently, Christy served on the Georgia College and State University Alumni Board of Directors, as well as on the boards for the Walton County Chamber and the Walton County Boys & Girls Club. Christy is an alumna of the 2013 Leadership Georgia class and served as a 2015 Leadership Georgia Program Chair. Christy attends First Baptist Church of Monroe with her family where she serves with Sean as a Sunday school teacher for high school students. Christy and Sean have two children who attend GWA: Ben in eighth grade and Jackson in tenth grade.
“Christy and Sean have both been very involved with GWA over the years. They have helped with fundraising and have volunteered at all levels,” said Darrell McWaters, Chairman of the Board. “We are glad to have Christy as part of the leadership team for GWA.”
Thursday, May 2 is the National Day of Prayer, and GWA would like to do its part in praying for our country, community, school, and its leaders. This year’s theme is love one another just as Jesus implores us to in John 13:34, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” All students, parents, faculty and staff are invited to join us before school at 7:30 a.m. in the Courtyard for a time of prayer as millions gather in prayer across the nation.
Best of the Best
Celebrating Poetry
In correlation with April as National Poetry Month, the ninth graders have been busy reading and interpreting poetry. They have recited either Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” or Hughes’ “Dream Deferred.” For many who participated in the Poem in the Pocket activity, the students found it both challenging and gratifying as they selected the “right” ones. On Monday, April 22, published poet Terisa Traylor shared her writing experiences and some of her own poetry. Identified as one of Washington’s Best Emerging Poets, she reveals, “Poetry is the way I relate to the world. It has helped me navigate the hardest and happiest times of my life and apply my perspective to parts of the world that overwhelm me.” Perhaps one of the most entertaining assignments has been building a poem collaboratively with their peers. We also honored William Shakespeare, a renowned poet, on April 23 with a birthday cake.
College Application Boot Camp
Laura Nabors, Associate Director of College Counseling
This summer, GWA is hosting its first College Boot Camp designed for rising seniors who want a jumpstart on the college application process. It is especially helpful for students who have a busy fall schedule (e.g. athletes), those who would like to apply “early action” or “early decision,” and those who are hoping to receive financial aid and merit scholarships. Students will master the Common Application, write and polish essays, create effective resumes, complete a student profile for NCAA & NAIA (if appropriate), confer with college reps and much more. The course will be co-taught by a college counselor and English teacher with a combined 30 years in education. We encourage students to take advantage of this program so they will be prepared for the college admissions process.
July 22-26, 2019, 12:30-3:30 p.m. The program fee is $225.
Paint Your Path
GWA Field Day 2019 is tomorrow and we can’t wait! The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. on the football field – rain or shine! In the event of any severe weather we will move inside. Go RED! Go BLACK!
GWA Hosts Relay for Life
We invite our entire community to get involved: volunteer, donate, honor a loved one affected by cancer and help raise awareness and funds to fight cancer. To be part of this life-changing event, CLICK HERE to access the registration form, or contact Director of Dawgs 360 Elizabeth Mcdonel at emdonel@gwa.com for more information.
Survivor Dinner: GWA is partnering with First Baptist to host this special dinner on Friday, May 3. If you are a cancer survivor and/or know someone who is, please email Elizabeth McDonel by April 26 to receive an invitation to dinner.
Honor Your Loved One: If you would like to honor a family member or friend with a picture during the survivor dinner program, please email your picture, name, and in honor or in memory of to telesa.kendall@walton.k12.ga.us
Dedicate a Luminaria: Light up your community and honor every life touched by cancer. Dedicate a Luminaria to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who has overcome cancer. Dawgs 360 is selling Luminaria Bags at the price of two for $10. If you are interested in purchasing bags, please CLICK HERE to access the order form. You may contact Elizabeth McDonel at emcdonel@gwa.com for more information. If you would like a student from our art department to decorate your bag for you, please let her know.
100 volunteers are needed on May 3! We are in need of volunteers in different areas, from unloading to loading tents, traffic coordinating, joining or starting a team, helping at the survivor dinner, as well as providing and driving golf carts! If you are interested, please email emcdonel@gwa.com
We need YOU!
Opportunities for Involvement:
Relay for Life Volunteers:
Set- Up: Fri., May 3 from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. & 4 - 6 p.m.
Host/Hostess’ for Survivor Dinner Clean- Up: 11 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Golf Carts and Drivers: Fri. May 3
Teacher Appreciation Week:
Week of May 6 - 10
We need breakfast bakers, mailbox treats, desserts for appreciation lunch and small tokens of appreciation! Please click HERE for more information regarding Teacher Appreciation Week.
Please email Elizabeth McDonel at emcdonel@gwa.com to get involved!
Creative Collaboration
Outdoor Art Gallery
Our Visual Arts programs are thriving, and we are constantly looking for different areas to showcase our student’s artwork. The addition of a new outdoor photography gallery in the breezeway near the seventh grade classrooms has provided new and unexpected exhibition space for our students. “I’ve been here long enough to remember when the breezeway was dark and full of lockers. Adding new lighting and artwork makes the space a lot more inviting,” said tenth grader Natalia Chapar.
The Visual Arts department will continue to display new student work throughout the year. We also like the fact that our students' artwork will be accessible to anyone on campus, even after hours during other programs and sporting events.
Calling All Upper School Volleyball Players!
Middle School Basketball Tryouts
MANDATORY UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETING
On Thursday, April 25 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. there will be a MANDATORY athletic meeting for all rising upper school students and their parents who plan on participating in a GWA athletic program during the 2019-2020 school year. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria. Areas that will be covered include general information- “The Dawg Way,” strength training, recruiting and team parents.