In Focus

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

• Wear BLUE and/or PINK tomorrow! See today's email

• Pink Out Game & Tailgate: Friday, Sept. 6

• Red Cross Blood Drive: Sept. 11

• Picture Make-Up Day: Sept. 26

• Homecoming Week: Sept. 30 - Oct. 4

• Homecoming Dance: Saturday, Oct. 5

• Fall Break: Oct. 10 - 14

• LS Teacher Conferences: Oct. 15 (no school for LS only)

Over the summer, books in "The Commons" were moved into the Lower School Library to make room for the new Learning Center area. The Lower School Library now has a middle school fiction section, an upper school fiction section as well as a middle/upper nonfiction section. Middle and upper school students are still able to checkout with our circulation system. Visit the library and check out a newly added book for middle and upper school or reread one of your favorites. Come and explore these new library areas—your new favorite book is waiting!

GWA's Library and Writing Center are thrilled to host a special event with best-selling author Allie Millington! Millington, celebrated for her captivating storytelling, will share her inspiring writing journey and process with our eighth-grade English classes, our upper school book club, and literary magazine staff.

Millington will introduce her latest book, Olivetti, a heartwarming tale praised by Tom Hanks in The New York Times. This charming story celebrates the strength of family, the power of friendship, and the magic of sharing our stories.

These students will have the unique opportunity to hear from Millington firsthand and witness her own Olivetti typewriter as they dive into the fictional world of Olivetti. Plus, she will be signing books at the event!

Mrs. Reynolds’ K4 class had a special visitor last week as they studied the letter “O.” Their puppet friend, which the kindergarteners aptly named “Dog,” showed up to class and introduced the book, “Commotion in the Ocean.” Dog also brought materials for a special snack that went along with the ocean-themed story.

Dear GWA Families,

At George Walton Academy, we are more than just a school. We are a community where friendships are built, passions are discovered, and traditions are cherished. From inspiring coaches and the arts to special events like the Senior-First Grade Program and Ice Cream Social, GWA is a place where memories are made that last a lifetime.

The Annual Loyalty Fund helps sustain this vibrant community by closing the 7% gap between tuition and our operating budget. This year’s goal is to raise $900,000 to ensure that GWA continues to provide these exceptional experiences for our students.

Last year, your support helped raise $820,000, which funded important initiatives like free staff lunches, new lower school math and reading curriculums, Wi-Fi upgrades, and staff insurance coverage. Your contributions keep our community thriving.

Please consider making a donation or signing up for a recurring pledge. Every gift, large or small, helps us continue to be more than just a school.

Click HERE to make your gift.

Thank you for being a part of what makes GWA so special!

Warm regards,

Britton Ryan

Director of Development

Security is a top priority at GWA. Changes that have occurred for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows:

• All GWA families that enter the campus should have a GWA decal on the windshield of their car. All guests arriving without a windshield decal on their vehicle must sign in with the gatehouse attendant at the entrance gate.

• All students who drive to school should have a student decal displayed on their windshield.

• Visitors may need to provide a valid form of identification, such as a state-issued driver's license or employment identification (delivery and work-based visitors).

• Families with a decal on their car can sign in at the front gate or report to the main office to sign in and get a visitor's sticker to be on campus. All visitors must sign in and have a visitor’s sticker.

GWA families and visitors to campus should not leave cars parked (and unattended) in the narrow lane between The George and the cafeteria pick-up breezeway. This is a congested area for traffic, especially in the afternoon during aftercare pick up, cheerleading practices, and sports activities taking place in the two gyms.

As the signs on location state, no cars are to be parked in this lane. Thank you for your cooperation.

As part of our huddle assembly on Monday, Sept. 9, middle and high school students will hear about and sign the George Walton Academy Honor Code as a grade level to acknowledge and commit to being students of honor and integrity. In accordance with the Student Family Handbook (see below), all middle and high school students will dress professionally for this day.

Professional Dress Days

All MS and US students will dress professionally on Honor Code Signing Day, Veterans Day, and any other “special” day communicated by the administration. Professional dress for boys requires school uniform pants, a button down shirt, belt, and a coat or tie. Professional dress for girls requires dress pants, knee-length skirts or dresses, and blouses. Dresses and blouses must have sleeves and may not have cutouts.

We are excited about this new tradition and ask that everyone please adhere to the professional dress guidelines.

This week’s Club Expo in The George gave middle and upper school students a first-hand look at the plentiful clubs and student-led organizations offered during the school year. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and sign up during the hustle and bustle of the annual Expo event. From Gavel Club, Recycling Club, Bible Bulldogs, Pickleball, to Middle School Debate Club and so much more – there is a club for every student and plenty of ways to get involved, learn something new, meet new friends and serve the community.

Freshmen and advisors had a great time at the freshmen retreat at Camp Blue Ridge. Within their new advisory groups, they participated in team building activities through the ropes course and other exciting activities. It was a great start to the year for our freshmen!

We are introducing our first FALL book fair! To ensure smooth checkout - be sure to set up your student's eWallet! It works just like an online gift card. You can start shopping online starting September 20- October 3. Visit this link for more information! To volunteer during the book fair, please click here.

Join us tomorrow, September 6, for our Pink Out Tailgate as the Bulldogs take on The King's Academy in their first Region match up! The tailgate kicks off at 6 p.m., with food available for purchase from Stripling’s. The tailgate will be located in the Nicholson Center in anticipation of Friday’s weather forecast.

Wear your pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness and help us cheer on the Dawgs at the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. There will be special Pink Out giveaway items for all kids, a bounce house, obstacle course, and hair tinsel available for purchase. All profits from the hair tinsel booth will be donated back to GWA!

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled evening with family and friends while supporting a meaningful cause. Let’s pack the stands in pink and show our Bulldog pride as we raise awareness for breast cancer and support our team!