In Focus

August 13, 2026

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

Key Deadlines & Dates

Sign Up for Champions Club: see below for sign up link
Ice Cream Social T-shirt Deadline: TONIGHT at midnight (see below)
First Spirit Wear Day: Friday, Aug. 14
Fall Sports Photo Day: Monday, Aug. 17 (details below)
First MS/US Late Start Wednesday: Aug. 19
Senior Retreat: Aug. 18 - 20
Freshman Retreat: Aug. 20 - 21
Ice Cream Social: Aug. 27
Yearbook Portraits: Sept. 1

CLICK HERE for 26-27 Important Dates

*Please note: All ATHLETIC EVENTS will be listed on our website calendar but not in the FACTS calendar.*

Welcome Back, Bulldogs!

We are thrilled to have our students back to campus for an incredible year of learning, growth, engagement - and of course, plenty of fun! Go Bulldogs!

A Tasty Tradition

Our Ice Cream Social is just around the corner, and we need your help! We have volunteer opportunities for just about everything, and we'd love for you to sign up if you're able.

Please CLICK HERE to view the sign-ups below and see where you can help.

Order By August 13!

Ice Cream Social tees are on sale now! CLICK HERE to order yours today!

Carpool Reminders

Lower School Carpool:

· Morning Carpool 7:30 - 7:55 a.m.

· Afternoon Carpool 2:30 - 3 p.m.

· Windshield decals will not be necessary this year.

· Anyone arriving at the carpool line after 7:55 a.m. will be asked to drive around to the front office to check their child in.

· You are not permitted to let your child out at the carpool line if there is not a school employee present.

· Any children not picked up by 3 p.m. will be taken to aftercare.

Lower School Carpool Dismissal - PIK MY KID

The safety of our students is always our highest priority. To enhance the security and efficiency of our afternoon dismissal process, Lower School will be implementing a new carpool dismissal system called PIKMYKID for the upcoming school year. Parents are required to download the app, create an account, and register their child. If your location services are on for the app, you simply need to come through carpool and it will announce your arrival. If your location services are off, you will need to log into the app and announce your arrival.

LS Carpool Etiquette

Enter the parking lot from Michael Etchison and take an immediate right following the parking lot around to get into the carpool line.
Refrain from using your cell phone in the carpool lane.
Have your child unbuckled and ready to hop out of the car.
Car doors will be opened for our youngest students. Students in grades 4-5 can get out of the car without an adult opening the door.

Middle/Upper School

· Morning Carpool:: 7:30 - 8 a.m.

· Afternoon Carpool: 3:05 - 3:25 p.m.

· Windshield decals will not be necessary this year.

All Middle and Upper School students should be dropped off and picked up in front of the main building.
All cars should enter through the Spring Street entrance to campus.
Any students who drive to school should enter through the gate on Michael Etchison and park in the designated student parking lot.
Any students arriving after 8 a.m. should report directly to the front office to check in.

Ready to Sign Up for Aftercare?

Registration is now open for the upcoming school year! Visit the GWA Afterschool Program page to learn more and register.

Who: Students in K4–8th grade

When: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.
Please note: Aftercare is closed on early dismissal days and school holidays.

Flexible Care Options: Families can choose regular daily care or use Aftercare on an as-needed basis.

Daily Activities: Students receive a snack and have time to play outside, work on homework, read or draw.

Location: Students meet daily at the Hill Playground. Pickup is at the Music Box.

Cost: There is a one-time $25 family registration fee, plus $10 per hour, per student.

Beyond-the-Bell Classes Are Returning!

Fun and engaging Beyond-the-Bell classes will be returning this school year. The GWA team is putting the finishing touches on the offerings and will share more details soon. Stay tuned!

Let’s Get Ready to Rock!

The GWA Marching Bulldog Band has been working hard and is ready to rock the 2026 season with its new show theme, “Those About to Rock…We Salute You!”

This year’s show will take audiences on a musical journey through the world of rock and roll, featuring selections from legendary artists including AC/DC, Queen, Kansas, Van Halen, Boston and The Beatles.

The Marching Bulldogs invite the GWA community to rock out with them all season long and cheer them on as they bring this exciting show to the field.

Leading the Way!

The Band's Top Dawgs Leadership Team and Section Leadership Team recently traveled to the mountains of North Georgia for their annual Band Leadership Trip. The group stayed at the Sky Valley mountain home of band parent April Mealor, whose continued generosity has made the trip possible once again.

GWA extends a special thank-you to April for opening her home to the students and providing a memorable setting for the team to grow together and prepare for the season ahead.

This year’s Top Dawgs Leadership Team includes:

Band President Jon Terpstra
Band Drum Major Nolan Gray
Band Vice President Carrie Ann Plyler
Band Sergeant Harrison McClellan

The Section Leadership Team includes Nate Simon, Braxton Perkins, Jack O’Shanic and Dylan Carter.

Throughout the trip, the new section leaders participated in leadership games, student speeches, group discussions and hands-on training. The experience gave students an opportunity to develop their leadership skills while building relationships and preparing to guide their fellow band members throughout the upcoming season. With a dedicated group of student leaders ready to lead the way, the band is looking forward to an excellent season ahead.

A Unique Exchange Opportunity for 7th & 8th Graders

GWA seventh and eighth graders have an opportunity to make this school year truly unforgettable. A few final spots are still available for the school's Spain Exchange Program, offering students the chance to experience life and culture in Barcelona while building meaningful international connections.

How It Works

The exchange begins in October, when participating GWA students will host a student from St. Paul's School in Barcelona for two weeks. Students will have the opportunity to share their daily lives, introduce their exchange student to GWA and the local community, and begin building a friendship.

In January, GWA students will make the return trip to Spain during Winter Term. Each student will stay with their host family and experience everyday life in Barcelona while also exploring the city and its culture.

Your Destination: Barcelona

Located on Spain's Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is known for its art, architecture, history and culture. Through the exchange, students will partner with St. Paul's School and experience the city not simply as tourists, but as exchange students living with local families.

Why Participate?

1) Students will have the opportunity to experience daily life in another country and gain a broader understanding of Spanish culture and the world.

2) The program offers a chance to practice Spanish in real-world settings, communicate with native speakers and build language skills.

3) Hosting an exchange student and later staying with a host family creates opportunities to build friendships that can last well beyond the trip.

4) Students will experience Barcelona's distinctive architecture, landmarks and culture, including opportunities to visit sites such as the Sagrada Família and enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine.

5) An international exchange experience can help students stand out as they pursue future opportunities in high school, honor societies, college and beyond.

Students in seventh and eighth grade who are interested in participating are encouraged to learn more and reserve their place for an unforgettable year of international friendship, cultural discovery and adventure. Contact Mrs. McElveen at amcelveen@gwa.com for more information.

Sports Photo Day Details

The final fall sports photo day scheduled for this Monday, Aug. 17 (youth sports, band and makeups). CLICK HERE to access the tentative schedule.

Watermark Photography is our photography company. They will photograph all individual photos separately and they will put them together as teams in post-processing. There is not an additional makeup day for sports photos. The photos will be taken in the LOWER SCHOOL LIBRARY (in the building across from the clock tower). Please arrive a few minutes early and be dressed in uniform from head to toe! This includes shoes! Your coaches may have specific guidelines about what colors to wear or accessories – make sure to reach out to them with any questions.

For any questions, please reach out to the photography company - support@photographybywatermark.com

Cheer on the Dawgs!

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!

Softball Earns a "W"

On Monday, our varsity softball team won 5-4 over Piedmont Academy with senior Khyler Hannay starting the game off with a solo home run! Congratulations and best of luck against Tallulah Falls today!

Join The Champions Club for 26-27!

Support GWA athletics and enjoy exclusive benefits with your Champions Club annual membership. Choose the level that’s right for you:

Young Alumni (under age 24) & Grandparents – $100

-Admission for two to all regular season home athletic events

-Champions Club car decals (2)

Bulldog Level – $300

-Admission for immediate family (parents and children) to all regular season home athletic events

Golden Bulldog – $1,000