Posted September 13, 2022
LOCKDOWN/LOCKOUT DRILL
Per the office of Safety and Security at Denver Public Schools, we are required to conduct several security drills on a regular basis. On Thursday, September 15 at 2:00pm we will practice the following drills:
LOCK-DOWN AND LOCK-OUT: A Lock-DOWN occurs when there is a perceived threat inside our building. We teach our students and staff “Lights, Locks, Out of Sight,” which means that all classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students and staff are moved out of sight. A Lock-OUT is when there is a perceived threat in close proximity to our school. We lock all exterior doors and no one is permitted to enter or exit our building. Business proceeds as usual inside the school building. When: Once a semester, within the first 30 days of each semester.
BUILDING ENTRANCES
In an effort to further ensure community security and safety, starting Monday, September 19 all students are asked to utilize only the doors to the Main Office (off Monaco) or to the North Lobby to enter our school building.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES
For the 2022-2023 school year, our goal is a daily attendance rate of 93%. To best facilitate continuous and effective instruction, especially in light of over two years of interrupted schooling, we ask that families partner with us to ensure students are on time and ready to learn. Of course, if your student is exhibiting any symptoms of illness and/or has tested positive for COVID-19, please keep them at home in accordance with DPS guidance.
When reporting a student absence, please use the following guidelines:
** Call 720-423-8642 or email attendance_georgewashington@
** To request your student be released early from school, call or email no later than one hour before your requested release time. No early releases will be allowed after 3:20pm.
Additionally, students are required to be in-seat immediately following the end of each lunch period. Students who are not in-seat at these times will be marked tardy. A pattern of tardies after lunch may result in the loss of off-campus lunch privileges for individual students or entire grades.
RTD TO SHIFT TO MOBILE APP
DPS will soon begin having eligible students who ride RTD use a mobile app, as opposed to paper tickets. The mobile app will be available to eligible students beginning in mid-September for an October rollout. Eligible students will be encouraged to use the mobile app in October, November and December. After Winter Break, DPS RTD access will be fully mobile, expecting all eligible students to use their smartphones instead of paper tickets. Later this month, DPS will provide further information about the mobile app and how to access it.
HOMECOMING WEEK ACTIVITIES
Homecoming week is here – let’s celebrate our Patriot pride!
Monday, September 12: Senior Sunrise at 6:00am near the Softball Field. Seniors, come enjoy some breakfast with your friends as you watch the sunrise.
** Spirit Day: Anything But a Water Bottle! Bring your daily dose of H2O in the most unique container you can muster.
Tuesday, September 13: Class shirt designing from 4:00 to 5:00pm outside the North Lobby. Bring a shirt or overalls, and we will provide materials for you to design the ultimate ‘fit to show off your Patriot Pride! Remember, freshman wear yellow, sophomores wear white, juniors wear green, and seniors – it’s finally time for those white overalls!
**Spirit Day: Work Day! Dress for the job you want, or the job you have.
Wednesday, September 14: Super Bowl Game and Tailgate from 3:15 to 5:00pm on the Turf Field. Juniors and seniors will play a game of flag football while Varsity football players cheer them on from the sidelines. If you signed up to play, there will be an informational meeting in room 26 on Thursday, September 8 during lunch (lunch will be provided).
**Spirit Day: Celebrity Day! Is that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the hallway? Did I see Selena Gomez in period 2?
Thursday, September 15: Senior Park and Art from 8:00 to 10:00am in the South Parking Lot. Seniors, come and create some amazing artwork in a parking spot of your choice!
**Spirit Day: Pajama Day! Time to be snuggly and fuzzy.
Friday, September 16: Fall Pep Rally at 2:45pm in the Gym. We will be on a Pep Rally Schedule.
**Spirit Day: Clash of the Colors! Freshmen wear yellow, sophomores wear white, juniors wear green and seniors wear black.
Saturday, September 17: Homecoming football game at 11:00am at All City Field against Kennedy High School. Homecoming Dance (“Enchanted Forest”) from 7:00 to 10:00pm in the GWHS South Courtyard. Tickets are $25 and will be available for purchase at MySchoolBucks September 6 through 16.
Questions? Contact Ms. Kristi.
GIRLS BASKETBALL MEETING
If you are interested in playing girls basketball this season, we will have a meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at 3:10pm in the Hall of Fame Room. Questions? Contact Mr. Wallace in Room 112F (in the Success Center).
AP EXAM REGISTRATION
AP students, register for your AP exam(s) today! Click HERE to pay for your AP exam(s). Then, check your payment confirmation page and email for join codes you’ll use to order your AP exam(s) at MyAP.CollegeBoard.org. You must complete both steps to finalize your AP exam order. AP exams are $101 each. A late fee of $10/exam starts November 1, and AP exam registration closes November 10. Register today!
Questions about free/reduced lunch? Ask Ms. Vigil.
Questions about financial assistance (non-F/RL qualified)? Ask Mr. Harris.
Questions about exam registration? Ask Ms. Hunter.
UNIVERSITY REP VISITS
Beginning Tuesday, August 30, we will be hosting university representatives in the Future Center in Room 113. To register, go to www.maialearning.com, login with your DPS credentials, select “Universities” and then “Events” and “Actions –> Attend.” We have 35 visits confirmed already, and more scheduling every week, so please continue to check Maia Learning Events to see a complete list and get registered for upcoming visits. This is a great way to learn about different schools and programs and connect with the people directly responsible for making admission and scholarship decisions.
SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR GRADE 9 STUDENTS
Educating our students about how to care for themselves and friends is an important task. Students are most likely to talk to their friends when having a problem, and some students entering adolescence experience a rollercoaster of difficult emotions. Depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression is a leading risk factor for suicide, and is treatable. In addition, self-injury has become a growing problem among youth. While not every student will experience these feelings, any child may find themself in a position to help someone who does. To proactively address these issues we are offering multiple prevention training programs that align with depression awareness and suicide prevention. These programs include the Signs of Suicide Program for grade 9 students. This program was developed by a highly-regarded nonprofit organization and has been used by thousands of schools nationwide since 2000. It has proven successful at increasing help-seeking behaviors by students concerned about themselves or a friend (American Journal of Public Health, March 2004). Our goals include:
If you do NOT wish your grade 9 child to participate in our Signs of Suicide programming, please complete this FORM by September 13. The program will be presented on Wednesday, September 14 and Thursday, September 15.
HOMECOMING DONATIONS
Help make this homecoming memorable by supporting Student Leadership with donations for decorations, food, and swag. Donations can be made through MySchoolBucks by clicking “School Store.”
BASEBALL FUNDRAISER
Support our Patriots baseball program and enjoy some delicious barbeque! Click HERE to place your order for the Seventh Annual Follow the Smoke fundraiser on Saturday, September 17 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Choose from amazing entrees and sides, all available for preorder and pickup at GWHS.
TRAVEL TO PERU IN JUNE 2023
Big news, GWHS families: your student has the opportunity to travel to Peru with our wonderful school psychologist, Ms. Stein-Shevell, and a few other GWHS teachers in June 2023! Ms. Stein-Shevell be going over all the details in an info session on September 21 from 6:00 to 7:00pm in the GWHS Library. Travel is so much more than just planes and trains! Your child will gain new perspectives, develop a sense of independence, and build skills for the future through this experience. If your student is already enrolled on this tour, there is no need to come to this meeting. Don’t forget to RSVP to the meeting HERE for more details about this amazing 2023 trip.
FAMILY/TEACHER HOME VISITS
Family/teacher home visits are a way for GWHS staff to engage and connect with your family outside of school hours. If you would like to connect with a GWHS staff member, please complete and return the parent request postcard in ENGLISH or SPANISH to Jasmine_Locks@dpsk12.net. We look forward to getting to know your family!
CAREER COACH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
GWHS is looking for volunteers to help our students learn about careers that don’t necessarily require a four-year college degree, including careers in cosmetology, auto mechanics, culinary arts, construction, massage therapy and more. If you are interested in helping our students learn about career options, please complete this FORM.
FAMILY VOLUNTEERS WELCOME
GWHS loves family support! Please complete this interest SURVEY to indicate areas in which you are able to offer a helping hand.
WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE CLUB
The Women’s Self-Defense Club is partnered with Colorado Krav Maga with the intention of teaching high school girls how to be aware and defend themselves. Four hands-on training sessions will be offered throughout the year, and an information session will be held on September 19 in Room 212 during lunch. The first hands-on session will be September 26, 4:15 to 6:15pm in the GWHS Cafeteria; the other three will be offered in December, March, and May. The sessions are free for all GWHS students and staff, and Colorado Krav Maga will be offering and recommending discounted teen classes at their location. If you want to sign up and bring a friend or family member who is not a GWHS student or staff member, we ask for a $5 donation. Visit Colorado Krav Maga’s YouTube channel or Instagram site for additional information. Questions? Call 720-651-1554.
ATHLETICS WEEKLY UPDATE
Patriots perform highly in academics and athletics! See our weekly athletics update HERE.