In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
October 4, 2018
Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/GeorgeWaltonAcademy/
Twitter: @georgewalton
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Coffee with Admin: Oct. 4
- Fall Break: Oct. 8-9
- Order Yearbook Pictures by: Oct. 15
TESTING SCHEDULE:
- PSAT 8/9 Testing - eighth and ninth grades: Oct. 10
- PSAT Testing - 10th and 11th grades: Oct. 10
- Iowa Testing - seventh grade: Oct. 15 - Oct. 19
- Iowa Testing - first, third, and fifth grades: Oct. 22 - Oct. 26
A Spotlight on Fine Arts
By Brian Cole, Fine Arts Department Head
Our first ever dance showcase is quickly approaching. On Nov. 30, the GWA dance ensemble will be performing their adaptation of the "Nightmare Before Christmas." Their performance will be a mixture of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance, showcasing the talents of our middle and high school students.
Collaboration is a good label for our Art department for the beginning of the semester...Read More.
A "Forceful" Experiment in Physics
Upper school students in Dr. Bae's physics class explored the principle of applied force using a rather unconventional object--an SUV! The experiment allowed students to examine the "force multiplier effect" by pulling an SUV uphill, which simulated a car ditched in a trench. The SUV was tied to a nearby tree with a strap and...Read More.
The Reading Race Continues Throughout Lower School!
Pictured above are the top girl and boy from each grade level who had the highest number of Accelerated Reader (AR) points for September. These winners are selected based on the total of number of AR points earned during September. Monthly winners’ names are displayed in the lower school library and on the lower school library blog each month (www.gwalsl.blogspot.com). Fantastic work readers!
Pictured above:
Front Row: Addie Trinh, Landry Atkinson, Oliver Reid, Ryver Bailey, Benton Yeater
Back Row: Caleb Eubank, Phillip Akin, Addie Belle Hayes, Maisen Rogers, Nancy Bailey
Inspiration with a Twist
Through a unique combination of humor, magic and juggling stunts, this year's Secio speaker, Mark Robinson, delivered a relatable message of inspiration to our upper school students. He advised students to set their goals high, treat others well and enjoy each phase of their lives. Laughter filled the room when Mr. Robinson made Walker May’s twenty-dollar bill appear to burn and then magically reappear. He impressed students by juggling a bowling ball, an egg and an orange to illustrate balancing issues in life that carry different weights. Mr. Robinson gave a crowd-pleasing performance and offered well-received words of wisdom!
Faculty Spotlight
Connect With Your GWA Community
Flaunt Your GWA Pride!
A Dawg Day You Don't Want to Miss!
The 2018 Dawgs Unleashed Fall Festival is right around the corner! Join us for a fun-filled and exciting day, packed with a variety of fall activities for all ages--and it's open to the public, so spread the word! Vendor booths include an assortment of unique offerings from jewelry to hair bows, sweet treats to BBQ, and everything in between! Kids can bounce the day away in the jump zone, play games, and even sport a crazy hairdo or creative face paint, compliments of our very own GWA upper school student club members! Click here for further details and to register.
Dawgs Unleashed upcoming events:
Oct 15: Golf Tournament (sold out)
Oct. 16: Tennis Tournament (spots still available)
Oct. 20: Fall Festival, Scary Scurry Kids Run and 5K Run!
Beware! Dancers on the Prowl
Calling for some Doggone Good Volunteers and Donations!
The Dawgs Unleashed team is working hard behind the scenes and we need your help! We are in search of the following:
-Items for door prizes
-Large prizes for event winners
-Small items to go in swag bags
-Volunteers for the Road Race and Fall Festival
Please email Elizabeth McDonel at emcdonel@gwa.com if you can provide an item from one of these categories or are available to volunteer!
Lady Dawgs Climbing to the Top!
La-crossing Over into a new GWA Sport
The George Walton athletic department is full speed ahead with expanding into new sports, and lacrosse is certainly generating steam! The on-campus skills instruction clinic has been underway for four weeks now, and participants have enjoyed the opportunity to learn the basics of lacrosse from a true expert. "Coach Mitchell does a fantastic job teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse. The kids, both boys and girls, have a great time and he keeps it moving fast and fun for everyone!" said David Boyle, a parent of one of the participants in the clinic.
Join us for FREE lacrosse instruction clinics right here on GWA campus! Sessions will continue on Saturday Oct. 13, Oct. 20, and Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please note that there will be no clinic on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Support the Dawgs and Join in on the Festive Theme Night!
Calling All Fifth and Sixth Grade Hoopsters!
GWA will be offering youth basketball for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls. Sign ups will be in the cafeteria on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. Please bring the following documents at the time of registration: copy of birth certificate, most current report card, registration and concussion forms, and a check for $100 made out to GWAYB (this includes registration fee and insurance). Click here to access the forms. If you do not currently have a sports physical on file with the school for this school year, you will need this as well. Uniforms will be handled separately. Please email Jason Hill at jhill@stilllumber.com with any questions.
Vaping: A Hazardous Habit
A Senior Adventure to Remember
Show Your American Pride!
Swing Your Partner Round and Round!
A Matter of Perspective
Is this Rubik's Cube playing tricks on you? Students in Mrs. Sims' middle school art class are putting their creative minds to the test to learn about perspective. They are working on projects that demonstrate linear perspective and anamorphic perspective, which play on illusions. Linear perspective is the practice of drawing objects using vanishing points to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Anamorphic perspective is a distorted form of perspective that when the object is viewed from the single correct point it is perceived as three dimensional.
Eight graders, Reese Baker and George Zupko worked together to create an anamorphic drawing of a giant Rubik's Cube. If you stand in the correct spot the object appears to be three dimensional. However, if you view the Rubik's Cube from the wrong position it will look completely distorted.
#freebreakfast
A group of George Walton alumni, who are attending the University of Alabama, recently had the opportunity to grab breakfast at a local spot with Dr. Dolan...Read More.
Standardized Test Tips for Parents
By Lindsey Bailey, Lower School Counselor
Suddenly it is October and almost time for standardized testing. Standardized tests are a useful tool for schools and families, but they can also be an added source of stress for parents and students. Here are some tips to help you ease the burden on your student so he or she can focus on doing their best:
- Mark testing days on the calendar and inform your student several days ahead of time, especially if they have difficulty with changes in schedule...Read More.
Mark your calendars for these important upcoming events!
Dawgs Unleashed Golf Tournament: Oct. 15
Dawgs Unleashed Tennis Tournament: Oct. 16
First and Second Grade Fall Musical: Oct. 18
Dawgs Unleashed Road Race and Festival: Oct. 20
Yearbook Picture Retakes: Oct. 30
Dawgs 360 Bonfire: Nov. 1
Senior Night at Varsity Football Game: Nov. 2
Today's In Focus is Proudly Sponsored by New London School of Driving
New London School of Driving is offering all five driving classes over Thanksgiving break through a Driver's Education Camp. Click here for more information regarding the camp. To learn more about London School of Driving visit the website at www.newlondondriving.com.
Interested in advertising through our Corporate Partnership program? Contact Jeanie Beach at jbeach@gwa.com or call 678-635-3812.