In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
January 6, 2022
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Admissions Testing: Jan. 14, No School for K3-K5 ONLY
- MLK, Jr. Day: Jan. 17, School Holiday
- Red Cross Blood Drive: Jan. 28, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Yearbook Deadline: Jan. 31 (see below)
Real-World Learning
Don’t be surprised if you run into one of our junior or senior students over the next few weeks as they work in many local businesses and professional offices. GWA students are gaining real-world experience and on the job training while serving as interns for a host of organizations – including Carter Watkins Associates (architectural firm), Ashley Hills Pet Center, American Trilogy (retail shop), Schutt Sports, district attorney’s office (Walton/Newton counties), Hodges Family Dentistry, and the Atlanta Hawks organization. We look forward to sharing more about our students’ experiences over the next two weeks and we are grateful for everyone who has partnered with us to provide an internship and mentor our students!
Cafe Gahan
All American Sign Language students in Mrs. Gahan’s ASL I class completed their performance exam by participating in a restaurant role play exercise. After dividing into groups and determining the waiter and customer roles, students were required to use only ASL throughout the exam. After looking over the menu, customers signed their orders and chatted in ASL while waiting for their food. Waiters took orders, added up the bills and signed the total amount owed by their customers. This performance exam was a great way for students to wrap up the semester and their unit on food and money signs.
Time is Running Out!
Go to Jostens.com to reserve your copy of the 2022 yearbook today! January 31 is the last day to order.
Dealing with Uncertainty
So far 2022 is not what I expected, but then again, neither was 2021 or 2020. I don’t know about you, but I find myself struggling with the uncertainty of the pandemic. When will it end? When will life go back to normal for good? Will it be the normal we used to know? Will my family all survive? We are weary from nearly two years of this pandemic with no clear end in sight. In my search for some tools to help, I found a wonderful article from HelpGuide* with 5 tips to help you deal with uncertainty. It is worth reading if and when you feel hopeless about the pandemic. My favorite tips from the article were to focus on the things you can control, accept uncertainty as a normal part of life, and challenge your need for assurance.
No matter what 2022 brings, I am certainly blessed that I get to work with your amazing kids.
Happy New Year!
Lindsey Bailey
Lower School Counselor
*HelpGuide also has a great Coronavirus Mental Health Toolkit, a detailed article on the benefits of exercise for your mental health, and a wealth of other free articles and resources for your health.
Welcome, Ashley Kirkpatrick!
Having served as our summer camps coordinator and as a substitute – GWA parent Ashley Kirkpatrick is no stranger on campus. She has started working full-time this week in the front office following Vickie Rollins’ retirement. Ashley and her family have been a part of the GWA family since 2019. She has three boys that attend GWA - Trey (eleventh grade), Mason, (ninth grade) and Emmett (seventh grade). Ashley and her husband Kirk are both graduates of Clemson University and originally from South Carolina. She has been a substitute teacher in Gwinnett County since 2014 and has been subbing at GWA since enrolling her family. When not at GWA, Ashley enjoys spending time at their family farm in Covington.
GWA Hoops Update
The Bulldogs head to Athens tomorrow night following a sweep against Loganville Christian Academy Tuesday night on the home court! The Lady Dawgs trounced their opponent with a final of 50-10. Game highlights include Ashley Hill with 14 points, 7 rebounds and Leila Mathis contributing 12 points. The team stands at 8-4 on the season and 1-0 in the region.The boys also earned a definitive win over the Lions – finishing 67-36! The top scorers were Noah Hicks with 23 points, Reese Gelsthorpe added 13, and Kennedy Johnson contributed 12. The boys are 8-2 for the season and 1-0 in region play. Go Bulldogs!