In Focus

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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800

• Ice Cream Social: TONIGHT @ 6 p.m.
• HOCO t-shirt deadline: Aug. 31 (see below)
• Yearbook Portraits: Sept. 1
• LS Curriculum Night: Sept. 3
• Aftercare Closing at 5 p.m.: Sept. 3 (see below)
• School Holiday: Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
• Beyond the Bell Classes Begin: Sept. 8 (details below)
• Homecoming Week: Sept. 14-19
• Honor Societies Induction: Sept. 16
• Homecoming Parade/Pep Rally: Sept. 18
• Early Dismissal (all grades): Sept. 18
• Homecoming Dance: Sept. 19
• MS/HS Professional Dress Day: Sept. 23
• MS/HS Honor Code Signing: Sept. 23

• 9th/10th Family College Night: Sept. 23

CLICK HERE for 26-27 Important Dates

Ninth-grade Biology students have been learning how to design controlled experiments. To put their knowledge into action, they set up a lab pitting dry bread against wet bread in a race to grow mold, asking, "What is the effect of moisture level on the rate of mold growth?" While they've monitored the surface of their bread on a daily basis, some students have also learned about the variability of biological systems - seeing no mold growth at all has been disappointing to a few, especially when other students' pieces of bread are 100% covered with a white, blue, red or yellow fuzz! The lab culminates with performing statistical analysis and graph-building, bringing the students full-course through the experimental design process.

Our seventh-grade Life Science students kicked off their scientific method studies with a fun and memorable Bean Boozled Lab! Students used their senses to make observations, develop a hypothesis, collect data, and draw conclusions - all while facing the challenge of identifying mystery jellybean flavors. From delicious to downright disgusting, the activity had students laughing, thinking, and learning. It was a fun way to discover that science is all about asking questions, testing ideas, and learning from the results!

GWA second graders are bringing Georgia’s geography to life as they explore the state’s five geographical regions. To review what they have learned, students are creating hands-on maps using different materials to represent the unique topography and facts of each region.

Dots represent the plateaus of the Appalachian Plateau region, while green crinkle-cut paper illustrates the high ridges and low valleys of the Ridge and Valley region. Chocolate chips mark the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Sour Patch Kids represent the Piedmont, home to Georgia’s largest population. Sand brings the Coastal Plain to life, highlighting its sandy soil and coastline.

This hands-on activity is helping students connect geography, facts, and creativity as they build maps they can see, touch, and remember!

Lower School Curriculum Night will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 in the cafeteria with a brief presentation. Following the presentation, parents will visit their child’s homeroom for a curriculum night presentation from the teacher. Families with multiple children are encouraged to stop by the other student’s classroom afterward to pick up any information.

We kindly ask that children not attend Curriculum Night so that the teachers can provide parents with their full attention and important information about the school year.

If you are unable to attend, please let your child’s teacher know and they will provide you with the information.

A quick update for Curriculum Night: Aftercare on Sept. 3 will be closing early at 5 p.m. We are ending care a bit early so families can get students settled at home and our teaching team can prepare for a great evening. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you there!

A GWA favorite event is TONIGHT - starting at 6 p.m.! We will be serving up the tasty treats in the courtyard and breezeway until 7 p.m. when we shift to the football field for more Bulldog fun and games! We hope to see you there!

Co-hosts Matt Reynolds and Logan Beer kick off the season with a look at all the excitement happening around GWA - from Friday night football and new stadium lighting to Youth Night, the Champions Club, the Middle School Mega Relay, student retreats, and what’s new in the dining hall with Chef Will Angel.

Catch up on the latest from Bulldog Nation and get ready for a great year at GWA!

CLICK HERE below to listen to the newest episode of One Bulldog Drive or find us on Apple Podcasts.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Each year, students from around the world gather at their schools for a unified time of prayer. This year's See You at the Pole will be held on Sept. 23, at 7:15 a.m. on the football field. All students, faculty, staff, and GWA families are invited to attend SYATP. We chose this location because we hope to have so many people that we fill the entire track around the football field...and maybe the field itself!

In preparation for SYATP, we invite families to pray for the following:

• students all over the world
• our nation
• our school
• our families

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, or want to know how you can help out, please contact Corrie Beth Noll at cnoll@gwa.com

The GWA middle and upper school student councils brought high energy to this week's Huddle with the kickoff of the LEADWELL initiative - a program built to empower every student to lead and thrive through five essential pillars: leadership, wellness, character, service, and mentorship.

Yearbook portraits will be taken by Watermark Photography on Sept. 1. Please make an effort to attend school dressed in proper uniform polos on this day. Photo galleries will be emailed to parents.

Take advantage of our afterschool enrichment opportunties! GWA offers on campus dance and taekwondo classes for students (age 5 and older) starting in September.

• To sign up for Beyond the Bell classes, please email Lisa McDaniel at lmcdaniel@gwa.com.
• Classes begin Sept. 8, 2026.
• CLICK HERE for more details including cost.
• Students must be registered before Sept. 14 to participate. Spaces are limited - sign up today!

Class Descriptions/Schedule:

Dance

Get ready to leap, spin, and perform! Join us for exciting dance classes that build skills, confidence, and creativity — all in a fun, supportive environment. Students will also have the opportunity to perform in our winter and spring performances!

Class Schedule:

Mondays
Ballet/Jazz | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | K5–1st Grade

Tuesdays
Hip-Hop | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | 2nd-5th Grade

Wednesdays
Competition Dance Team | 2:30–4:30 p.m. | 2nd–5th Grades
(By audition/invitation only – see Mrs. Wiggins for details)

Thursdays
Ballet/Jazz | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | 2nd–5th Grades

Taekwondo

Students of all ages are invited to join Mr. Benji Lalaian, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, to learn about one of the most popular martial arts in the world! Learn how to kick, punch, strike, and block among many other things that will help you improve your ability to defend yourself! You’ll learn how to improve your endurance, flexibility, focus, and respect level all while getting an excellent workout! The classes will include many different exercises, games, situational defense lessons, foam swords, and an opportunity for a belt promotion at the end of each semester!

Classes are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (beginning Sept. 8 & 9), both at 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up are welcome.

Back by popular demand - we are doing a second run on the 2026 Ice Cream Social t-shirt. They are on sale now! CLICK HERE to order yours today!

Our 2026 Homecoming t-shirts are on sale now! CLICK HERE or visit the Dawg Shop page to order. The online store closes at midnight on Aug. 31. Shirts will be delivered to GWA and distributed.

Homecoming Week is just around the corner, and GWA is getting ready for a week of school spirit, creativity and fun! Join us for our school-wide dress-up days and show off your Bulldog pride. We can’t wait to see everyone’s creative looks throughout the week!

Scholastic Images will be on campus to assist students with ordering their class rings, letter jackets, graduation announcements, and grad packages. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the available options and place their orders in person.

Scholastic Images will be on campus:

• Date: Friday, August 28
• Time: During lunch 11:50 - 12:20
• Where: Cafeteria

Get ready for the return of GWA Friday night lights as the Bulldogs face Valwood this Friday! All are invited to the pre-game tailgate in the courtyard and all youth football players and cheerleaders will be celebrated before kickoff. Please CLICK HERE for the details on Youth Night activities. Go Bulldogs!

We’re thrilled to announce The Champions Club’s Second Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 21st at The Georgia Club!

This is your chance to enjoy a fun day of golf, fellowship, and competition—all while supporting our student-athletes. Team spots are limited, so don’t wait—reserve your spot today!

Event Details
When: Monday, September 21st
Where: The Georgia Club
Format: 4-Man Teams
Entry Fee: $800 per team

⏩ Register here: https://gofan.co/event/6832484?schoolId=GA5020

Hole Sponsorships and Title Sponsorships are available!

Thank you for your incredible support of The Champions Club and our student-athletes. We can’t wait to see you on the course!

The GWA XC team hosted more than 500 runners on Saturday at the GWA Invitational. The Bulldogs had several top 10 finishes and time improvements on our tough home course.

Top 10:

Gage Wasileski - 1st place, varsity boys

Ashley Fields - 3rd place, MS girls

Emma Konik - 4th place, varsity girls

Tad Avery - 5th place, MS boys

Daniel Islas - 6th place, MS boys

Congratulations to Phillip Akin, Carter Delp, Nolan Dibble, Emma Konik, Chloe Bettner, and Ashley Fields for dropping significant time from this same meet last season. Carter was the most improved, dropping nearly 4 full minutes.

Way to go, runners and thank you to all of our parent volunteers. Next race will be at Athens Academy on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Congrats to our varsity softball team on last night’s 5-4 win over BCA! Game highlights include:

• Khyler Hannay: 3-3, 2 doubles, a triple, a walk and 2 RBI’s.
• Maddie Carter: 7 innings pitching and the win

The Lady Dawgs face ACS at home on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4:45 p.m. Go Lady Dawgs!

The middle school volleyball team beat LCA 2-1 on Monday at home. This brings the team to 3-0 so far this season. Next week, they play at home Monday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. in the George vs. Clarke MS, Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. at Lake Oconee Academy, and Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m. at Westminster Christian Academy. Good luck, middle school volleyball!

Be sure to check out the upcoming games for middle school, JV and varsity sports by accessing the Bulldog Athletics calendar on gwa.com for the most up to date event information. Our fall athletes have been training throughout the summer months and would appreciate your support as they compete at home and on the road. Go Bulldogs!

After 19 years of caring for George Walton Academy, custodian David Arnold - affectionately known to generations of Bulldogs as “Mr. David” - has retired!

Mr. David was much more than a familiar face at GWA. He took great pride in caring for GWA’s campus and, even more importantly, cared deeply for our students. He also shared his love of cooking and grilling through some legendary “Super Dave Specials” at the concessions stand, including chicken wings, fried okra, chili and vegetable soup.

For nearly two decades, Mr. David was a beloved part of the GWA family and he will be fondly remembered.

Please join us in thanking Mr. David for his many years of service to GWA and wishing him a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement!