In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
September 6, 2018
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
FAQ: Flex Block, Advisory, and Study Hall
By Michael Clancy, Director of College Counseling
If you had a child in middle or upper school last year, you've probably noticed the change to his or her schedule for this school year. Not only does school start 15 minutes earlier and end 15 minutes later, but the timetable on Thursday and Friday differs from Monday through Wednesday. You may have heard references to “Advisory” or “Flex Block” and wondered what that's all about. And then there's the introduction of study hall for all upper school students, not just juniors and seniors. So, let's break it down:
Why BLOCK SCHEDULES?
The practice of extended class periods or “block schedules” is nothing new. In fact...Read More.
Ready 4(H) Some Fun!
4-H is officially underway for 2018-2019! GWA fifth grade students will meet with Walton County 4-H Agent, Cassandra Hainsworth, each month and develop leadership, citizenship and life skills through project work, group activities and club meetings. Fifth grade students will go on their annual two night field trip to the Jekyll Island 4-H Center in April. What a great program for our young students to "learn by doing!"
Congratulations, Super Readers!
The reading frenzy is well underway in the lower school library and classrooms. Shown in this photograph are the top girl and boy from each grade level in first through fifth grade who had the highest number of Accelerated Reader points for the month of August. Accelerated Reader...Read More.
Dawgs 360 Does It Again!
Your Dawgs 360 Team is hosting valuable programs and events to benefit your family!
Parent Socials (all from 6-7 p.m. in the cafeteria)
Sept. 6: Ninth and 10th Grades
Sept. 12: 11th and 12th Grades
"Why do middle school students act like that?"
Parent Event
Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium
Guest Speaker: Dr. Catherine Bagwell, Professor of Psychology
Tailgate Party
Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at the GWA Courtyard
Join us for a season kickoff tailgate party with food and music before the big game!
Want to join Dawgs 360?
Sept. 30: Membership drive ends!
This is your passport to volunteering and supporting student life at GWA!
Dawgs Unleashed
Oct.15: Golf Tournament
Oct. 16: Tennis Tournament
Oct. 20: Fall Festival, Fun and 5K Run!
CROSSing the Finish Line Strong
Individual Results:
Girls: Eliza Malcom--sixth, Rae Maddox--18th, Graham Lucas--19th, Callie Ward--23rd, Thea Bergan-Antonsen--26th, Emmie Mitchell--47th
Boys: Noah Hicks--17th, Parker Houck--19th, Joe Brown--25th, Jamie Jacoby--43rd, Will Bailey--45th, Dominic Williams--55th
Watch GWA Sports Anytime, Anywhere!
GWA is excited to announce that our fall sporting events including football, volleyball, and softball will be covered by the HiCast Sports Network. We're putting the games in your hands so you can watch live or on-demand using your mobile device or computer, and save and share your favorite game highlights. Watch Anytime. Anywhere. On any device. Check out this video demo to see the HiCast Sports App in action.
Join the HiCast Sports Network and try it free for the first hour, then just $9.99/month for a single user pass, or $14.99/month for a family pass (up to four family members) to watch GWA home games, and save and share as many game/match highlights as you like. Share the Moments That Matter™ with the people who matter most.
Who Will Capture the Crown?
Congratulations to our 2018 GWA Homecoming Court!
12th Grade: Caroline Hart, Rae Maddox, Chloe McGraw, Sydney Senical, and Taryn Shelnutt
11th Grade: Melissa Gish and Ashley Carter
10th Grade: DoriLord McCullers and Claire McNulty
Ninth Grade: Graham Lucas and Anna Swope
Mark your calendar to join us for the crowning of the 2018 Homecoming Queen on Friday, Sept. 14 at the varsity football game.
Homecoming Tickets on Sale
Homecoming is right around the corner! Student Council is selling tickets during break in the cafeteria until Sept. 11 for $10 each. Tickets at the door will be $15 each. The dance is Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8-11 p.m. in the Nicholson Center, for upper school students only. This year's theme is "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead- Mexican Holiday).
Homecoming T-shirt Delivery
A Distinctive Front Entrance
Coach Don Williams - A Lasting Legacy
When asked what Coach Don means to him, Class of 2004 Devin Shivers said: “Coach Don is the epitome of a coach. He is one of the most gracious leaders of young men you will ever find. Coach Don not only expected, he also inspired his players to do the right thing on and off the field and to always carry themselves with dignity and integrity. The life lessons and experiences I took away while being on the George Walton football team continue to play a vital role in my life both personally and professionally. Coach Don has impacted a lot of young people throughout his coaching career and I am fortunate to be one of those impacted.” Devin was a part of the 2003 football team that went on to win the State Championship with a 14-0 record.
By Lynn Robinson, Middle and Upper School Counselor
Middle Schoolers are very special people. They are unique, fun, humorous, inventive and unpredictable. Let’s face it, life with them is rarely dull. The unique challenges they face only occur during the “tween” years, making life seem pretty tough. Everything about them is changing. They are physically growing faster than their minds can adjust. They are wondering who they are and if they are normal, and they are asking the big question, “Am I a child or a teenager?” It’s enough to drive the students, and their parents, crazy.
I do have good news for GWA parents. Help is on the way...Read More.
Upcoming University Visits
Open to ALL upper schools students. Parents are also welcome to drop in.
Sept. 12: Mercer University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Sept. 13: Penn State University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Sept. 18: Reinhardt University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Sept. 19: Oglethorpe University during lunch in the Cafeteria
Sept. 19: Davidson College, NC during break in the Upper School Media Center
Sept. 20**: Walton County Probe Fair
Sept. 24: Emory University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Sept. 24: Georgia College during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 2: Florida Polytechnic University during lunch in the Cafeteria
Oct. 4: Young Harris College University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 4: University of Alabama, Birmingham during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 4: University of Alabama, Huntsville during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 12: Furman University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 12: Mary Baldwin University VA during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 16: Auburn University during break in the Upper School Media Center
Oct. 16: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa during break in the Upper School Media Center
**Mandatory for all juniors. Space available for up to 40 seniors. Not open to freshmen and sophomores. A registration form will go out on Friday.
Schedule for September 14 early dismissal day:
8:15-8:30 - Introduce players, cheerleaders, and coaches
8:30-9:30 - Powder Puff Games
9:45-10:00 - Line up for the parade
10:00 - Parade and Pep Rally starts
11:30 - K4 – fifth grade dismissal
12:00 - Sixth – 12th grade dismissal
Buses run at 12:10 p.m.
No lunch will be served and no aftercare provided on this day.
Today's In Focus is Sponsored by PURETALK
Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.