In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
November 17, 2022
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Deadline to Donate Canned Goods: TOMORROW
- Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 21 - 25
- One Act Play: Nov. 30, Dec. 2 & 3 (see below)
- GWA Preview Day: Thursday, Dec. 1
- Christmas Dance Show: Thursday, Dec. 1
- Christmas Tree Program: Friday, Dec. 2 @ 9 a.m.
- Gingerbread Christmas: Sunday, Dec. 4 (see below)
Go Beyond Groundbreaking
As we broke ground on a new gymnasium this week, we made an important statement: George Walton Academy is committed to creating the best environment and opportunities for our students.
As part of the Go Beyond campaign, this gym will provide much-needed space for our student athletes. Without it, we are unable to provide all the space our wrestling, competitive cheer, basketball, and volleyball players need. They give their all and it’s up to us to make sure they have the facilities they need to do their best.
The vast majority of GWA students play at least one sport and it’s important we ensure they have the ability to pursue that passion. We know that student athletes build important life skills through participation in sports: confidence, team building, discipline, critical thinking, and the ability to overcome obstacles. They deserve access to facilities that enable them to develop these skills. We want to reward them for their hard work and challenge them to go even further.
And we will be going even further, too. Once the gym is built, we will be able to transform the existing middle gym into a space for learning and performing. From classrooms to space for the band, piano, and dance, this facility will provide space for students to explore and grow their talents.
None of this would be possible without the tremendous support of our GWA community. Thank you to everyone who has given to this campaign. Your support makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
Help our classes get to 100%!
During the month of November, students and teachers have come up with incentives for their classes to receive if they can get to 100% family participation towards the Annual Loyalty Fund. The rewards are fun and creative, like Mrs. Padgett's class, which will receive a "yes day" from their teacher, who can't say no to any reasonable request the students make for an entire day.
The reality is that giving to the Annual Loyalty Fund does so much more than simply filling in a class thermometer. As GWA continues to grow and enhance our student experience and academy offerings, it is the Annual Loyalty Fund that allows our plans to become reality.
Gingerbread Christmas
Our annual Gingerbread Christmas community event is just around the corner! Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and will include photos with Santa, a mini-parade, s'mores and hot chocolate by the campfires, Christmas crafts, a Christmas devotional and the "Comedy & Carols" show presented by JH Ranch at 6 p.m. The public is invited to join us for an evening of family fun!
This year we will have a Gingerbread House Contest for GWA faculty, staff, students and their family members (there is no registration fee) and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. Click HERE for the details.
Prospective parents for rising Pre-K3 through 11th-grade students are invited to join us for Preview Day on Thursday, Dec. 1 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required, click HERE to sign up. We will begin with a general presentation followed by campus tours. We can’t wait to meet our prospective families and share all that GWA has to offer! Please help us spread the word about this upcoming opportunity to learn about the school we love!
Not Just Java
Coach Beer’s Business and Marketing class is managing the operation of the Java Dawgs on-campus coffee shop for its second consecutive year. Class members work together as they rotate between specific roles including financial manager, distribution manager, and delivery and kitchen team members. As in the “real-world” students understand that enhancements to their business are key. While general operations for ordering and delivery have remained the same, students are developing new menu offerings including milkshakes, smoothies, flavored coffees, and breakfast food items. Java Dawgs has moved to a fresh and exciting space on campus, operating out of the newly remodeled middle gym concession area.
Student empowerment is a major focus this year as class members work to drive sales, introduce new menu items and boost profits by making ingredients such as ice cream and whipped cream from scratch. Junior Zoie Hamman commented, “Java Dawgs is an exciting way to learn about business and marketing because we get to make the coffee and monitor our sales.” The shop is averaging 50-60 orders per day and students take pride in their work as they demonstrate entrepreneurship with real-life applications. Go Java Dawgs!
Hands-On Learning
Over the past several weeks sixth grade has been investigating the building blocks of a hurricane and other weather systems. On Monday, our sixth graders took a field trip to the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford. Students had an engaging day analyzing and predicting possible solutions for real time meteorology and hydrology scenarios. Students also had the opportunity to see how animals adapt to changing weather conditions and their environments.
Thanksgiving Parade
Mr. Gasaway’s K5 technology classes read “Balloons Over Broadway,” by Melissa Sweet. It is the true story behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the iconic parade. Students created their own Thanksgiving parade using robots they programmed and balloons decorated with colorful notes showing what each student was thankful for, including family, friends, pets and home.
Playoffs Tomorrow Night!
Get ready to cheer on the Dawgs tomorrow night in Macon! Admission to the game is $12 for adults and $8 for students. Children 5 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. They will accept cash and cards at the gates. The game will be streamed on the NHFS network. There is no charge to watch, and the link is below.
Sights Set on State
Best of luck to our GWA Clay Target Team (left to right) - Evan Newsom, Landen Briscoe, Jackson Rutledge, coach Kevin Smyrl, Jordan Smothers, Philip Smyrl, and Caleb King as they head to Savannah to compete in the GIAA Clay Target State Championship on Friday and Saturday! Go Bulldogs!
Signing Day!
GWA senior Colt Ratliff committed to play baseball at the collegiate level with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. He plans to study physics and electrical engineering. Congratulations to Colt!
Making Waves
Our GWA swimmers enjoyed a strong showing at last Friday's meet at Georgia Tech. The highlights include:
- Jake Stout - 2nd in the 500 Free
- Boys Varsity Medley Relay team - 1st
- Jett Davis - 1st in the Boys 50 Free
Swimming at GWA has become a true "family affair' with five different sibling groups competing on the team - Timothy, Anthony and Bethany Pham, Bella and Blake Weimer, Morgan and Jett Davis, Blaise and Constance Trinh and Nicole and Emily Chmielewski. Way to go, Bulldogs!
Down on the Farm
Mrs. Dyer's K5 music students gave an animated performance of "Down on the Farm" this morning before a crowd of family and friends! The audience was able to join the fun and do the "chicken dance" along with the performers. Great job, K5!
In the Spotlight
Be sure to catch one of the upcoming performances of the upper school one act play, "Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll & Hyde Play." The following show times (in the auditorium) have been announced:
- Wednesday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.
Support the Empty Stocking Fund
The Walton County Empty Stocking fund provides food for 375 local families. Please help them provide support for our neighbors and send in your canned goods by November 18. Collection barrels have been placed around campus and if we collect 1000 cans, we will have a dress code free day.
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by Bulldog Kia (bulldogkia.com). Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Mike Elmankabady melmankabady@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.