In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
October 7, 2021
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- V Softball at Wesleyan: Today @ 5 p.m
- Early Dismissal: Oct. 8 - all grades (see below)
- V Football vs. Athens Christian: Tomorrow night @ 7:30 p.m.
- Homecoming Dance: Oct. 9, 8 - 11 p.m., Nich. Center
- Dawgs Unleashed Golf: Oct. 11
- Dawgs Unleashed Tennis: Oct. 12
- PSAT (grades 8 - 11): Oct. 13
- Senior Stone Mountain Trip: Oct. 13
- 1st & 2nd Grade Musical Performances: Oct. 14
- Dawgs Unleashed 5K & Fun Run: Oct. 16
- Fall Break: Oct. 21 & 22
- Yearbook Picture Make Up Day: Oct. 26
Due to the abundance of rain this week and the chance of more rain on Friday – we will move our school day homecoming festivities indoors to the Middle Gym. Please see the schedule of events below. We look forward to celebrating our homecoming traditions with the entire student body! Go Bulldogs!
- 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Homecoming Court Recognition
- 9:00 – 9:20 a.m. Presentation of LS + MS Banners, and HS Skits
- 9:20 – 9:25 a.m. GWA Band + Cheerleaders
- 9:25 – 9:30 a.m. GWA Majorettes
- 9:30 – 9:40 a.m. GWA Competition Cheerleaders
- 9:40 – 9:45 a.m. GWA Band + Cheerleaders
- 9:45 – 9:50 a.m. K-12 Pep Rally Game
- 9:50 – 10:00 a.m. Recognition of 2021 Fall GWA Varsity Teams
- 10:00 – 10:05 a.m. Dismiss Lower School
- 10:05 – 11:30 a.m. Powder Puff
Dismissal Times for Carpool:
- Lower School 11:00 a.m.
- Middle/High School 11:30 a.m.
- Buses Depart 11:40 a.m.
Winter Term Preview
One of the many unique experiences that our upper school students enjoy is our winter term which kicks off the second semester following Christmas holidays. During this three-week time period, our students have opportunities to participate in internships, travel, or unique campus experiences beyond their traditional curriculum. One of the primary goals of the winter term is to provide opportunities for students to try something new or step outside of their comfort zone to experience something different or new.
Due to the current health uncertainties, many of our travel opportunities have been put on pause for this school year. However, our internship opportunities and on-campus experiences are gearing up and we are preparing to provide amazing options for our students this year.
Our internship program, which is open to juniors and seniors, provides the chance to experience life in the real world outside of the traditional hallways of the school. In the past, students have experienced the world of business, medicine, law, fashion, education, and much more. Whether students recognize and confirm a previously held passion, or they realize that they may want to explore other avenues, the internships are an invaluable experience.
Students who remain on campus will have a new experience this school year. Unlike previous years in which students signed up for classes based on seniority, this year’s group will be divided randomly into four pods of students. Teachers, who have already been divided into groups and have begun planning will lead each pod through a three-day experience focused on a specific theme, some of which will include off-campus field trip opportunities. By the end of the three-week winter term, each pod of students will have rotated through the teacher groups and experienced a total of four different three-day experiences.
Regardless of the opportunity that each student chooses, winter term will undoubtedly allow students to experience something new and take advantage of opportunities that are unique and valuable.
Matt Reynolds
Dean of Students
Winter Term Principal
Playing with Statistics
AP Stat students have been exploring two-variable data by collecting a sample of data and utilizing the data to make reasonable predictions. Using cars, students took a sample of different distances to pull back the car and see how far it would travel. Next, they had to decide how far to pull their car back to land on the finish line. With the Barbies, they took a sample of how far the Barbie fell with each additional rubber band and made a prediction of how many rubber bands were needed to give Barbie the best bungee jump of her life!
Becoming Better Writers
In fourth-grade writing class, students are learning the characteristics of strong writers which in turn produce strong writings. They have been discussing how good writers use a “hook” like onomatopoeia, amazing facts, questions, and dialogue (just to name a few) in their introductions to reel in the reader. Students have also learned that good writers use transitional words or phrases to connect a sentence or a paragraph to another to keep the story flowing. Good writers also create sensory images to help the reader visualize or create a picture in their minds of what is happening in the story. And finally, they have learned that good writers end their stories with strong endings that leave their readers loving the piece. In the pictures you see them practicing these lessons as they used cutouts for setting, characters, and events in a story. They were asked to include hooks, transitional words, sensory images, and strong endings in their pieces. We can't wait to read their upcoming fiction stories and see their improvements.
Final Countdown
Procrastinators welcome! There is still time to sign up for all Dawgs Unleashed events as a participant and/or a volunteer. Go to our website (under Events tab) or click link below for details and registration. Day of registration for the road race is 7:30 a.m. by the Nicholson Center. Contact Elizabeth McDonel at emcdonel@gwa.com with any questions.
College Prep
Juniors & Parents,
Please mark your calendars! Mr. Terrell and Mrs. Nabors will be hosting a mandatory College Preparation Meeting in the cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will end no later than 7:30 p.m. We ask that every junior and at least one parent be in attendance. We will review college admission guidelines, timelines, testing, the application process and much more to make sure your family is completely informed and prepared for the upcoming college application process.
If you have conflicts, questions or concerns, please email Mr. Terrell at jterrell@gwa.com.
Dining In at GWA
We are very fortunate to have comprehensive dining services on the campus this year. FLIK Dining is a committed partner and is working hard to provide meal options best suited to the preferences of our student body. They are using the feedback from our recent dining survey to adjust their menus and offerings. As they continue this process, please refrain from outside food deliveries during the school day.
On a Roll!
By Coach David Schnieders
The varsity volleyball team continues their successful season with recent wins over Greater Atlanta Christian, Cherokee Bluff and Athens Christian. A total team effort led by the senior players is key to the progress they have seen. Captain Delaney Sims is a multi-talented player, contributing in all areas for the team and her teammates feed off her energy. Kelsey Gasaway is the primary setter but can also adjust, when needed, to an attacking roll at the net. Abby Wright and Catherine Atkinson anchor the middle blocker position and have done a wonderful job blocking and transitioning to score points. Hadley Schneiders is a serving specialist who can support the team with multiple aces, and she supports as a secondary setter when the team morphs their offense. Liz Jahns, Abagail Mack, and Cidella Sims offer flexibility and contribute their skills in many areas both at front row net play and back row defense. Lastly, our defensive specialist Reese Behnke has locked down that back row with excellent serve receive, passing and defense.
We look forward to competing in the Region Tournament on Oct. 12 and moving on to State!