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Next Week 9/4 - 9/9
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MONDAY, sept. 4
NO SCHOOL | LABOR DAY
TUESDAY, sept. 5
NO GYM | Normal Class Schedule
Advisory thru Dismissal from 9:15 am - 3:15 pm
WEDNESDAY, sept. 6
First Day of Gym & Afterschool Activities (8th Period Electives) | Normal Class Schedule
THURSDAY, sept. 7
Normal Class Schedule
1st Period at Audrey Moore thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
7th Period: Office Hours & AP Extension
Theatre Club from 3:15 - 4:15 pm (Please note: Theatre meets on Tuesdays normally)
FRIDAY, sept. 8
Normal Class Schedule
1st Period at Audrey Moore thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
7th Period: One Love & Amazing Days
SATURDAY, sept. 9
Robotics Kick-Off Party from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
GWCS ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR - UPDATED DAILY
First Period: Personal Fitness, Basketball, & Hiking Club
This week, students selected their choices for First Period after speaking with their advisors. Please discuss with your student what their choice was, and click the button below for more info on personal fitness options!
Eighth Period: GWCS Clubs & Electives
Click the button below to read descriptions of the GWCS elective classes and clubs. Most of these electives and clubs meet once per week during 8th period – but not all, and the best place to confirm times and dates is on the GWCS Calendar. We encourage all students to try at least one (or more). An elective is a class which means attendance is taken and grades and credit are earned. Clubs are more casual, and students do not earn grades or credit. So, come out and kick around a soccer ball, contribute to the GWCS Yearbook, experience history through HIM, build a robot, or maybe venture into acting, photography, sports, or hiking. Explore the variety of electives and clubs GWCS has to offer!
A First Week for the Records!
We want to thank all of our coyote families for making this the best first week ever! Thank you for the first day gifts, whether it was our beautiful flowers or birthday gifts for Alexa and Elizabeth; thank you for your patience and flexibility as we adjusted schedules to fit students into their best-suited classes; and most of all, thank you for sharing your kids with us!
See some of our highlights from our first week below!
From the desk of Ms. Alexa Warden:
email sent 8.30.23
Hi all!
Thanks so much for all the smiles, well wishes, patience, and grace this week as we start the school year. We've made a few changes to individual student schedules, fiddled with the bell schedule, and remain nimble as we take these changes in stride (in true Coyote fashion).
We've had a few questions about 7th period classes. Hopefully, this email will provide a little clarification.
The good news? You don't need to sign up for anything! All students have been assigned to groups. All programming will be offered to all students. However, for the first semester, one half of the student body will complete CERT training while the other takes part in SLAY. Then, in the second semester, these groups will flip. CERT group 1 will receive a training schedule tomorrow.
The 7th period schedule will look like this:
What are these cryptic classes you ask? Read on.
One Love:
"Love is the most important thing in our lives, yet we are taught very little about it. One Love is on a mission to change that. One Love empowers young people with the tools and resources they need to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and bring life-saving prevention education to their communities."
One Love uses short films to reach and teach 4th grade through college-age students about healthy and unhealthy relationship behavior. Learn more at joinonelove.org and all of these resources are free! All community members are encouraged to dive deep into the website.
These workshops offer essential insights and tools to build stronger connections, navigate challenges, and promote emotional well-being. Elevate your relationships and enhance your life through the wisdom of One Love.
Amazing Days:
Unleash your curiosity and dive into a world of limitless possibilities with our thrilling hour-long Amazing Day classes. These one-of-a-kind sessions are your passport to exploring an array of captivating subjects, all led by expert teachers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. Each week students will choose from several Amazing Day activities—everything from how to change a tire to how to paint like Basquiat, how to use Excel to how to eat a pomegranate, how to play cribbage to how to play the stock market. Simply put: Amazing.
Amazing Days are also a great opportunity for students to request a teach to supervise an hour-long event like a jam session, a game of Dungeons and Dragons, or a trip to the park.
Office Hours:
Office Hours offer a valuable opportunity for students to connect with teachers, peers, and advisors. Whether you need extra help understanding a concept, want to engage in peer tutoring, seek guidance from advisors, or tackle homework in a focused environment, Office Hours have you covered. This dedicated time ensures you receive personalized support, enhancing your learning experience and helping you achieve your academic goals.
In the world of Office Hours, both guidance and autonomy thrive. While teachers and advisors often assign students, the power to initiate rests in your hands too. If you're seeking assistance, don't hesitate to request a meeting with your teachers. To find your designated Office Hours, consult the big board in the LGIR or check Teams. This efficient system ensures you're always in the loop about where you'll be for the day.
AP US History/Government ExtensionAn extra extension class for students who wish to take the Advanced Placement (AP) version of US History or Government is designed to provide a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. AP courses are college-level classes offered in high school, and they culminate with an AP exam that can earn students college credit if they receive a high enough score.
CERT:
Equip yourself with essential life skills in our Youth CERT program, proudly sponsored by FEMA and led by Mr. Corrigan and Mr. Lindner. Classroom exercises will be led by CERT Team Trainers. Designed exclusively for middle and high school students, this dynamic course empowers you to become a capable responder during emergencies.
What You'll Learn:
Preparedness: Build emergency kits, create communication plans, and stay ready for unexpected situations.Practical Skills: Master first aid, light search and rescue, and fire safety through hands-on training.Teamwork: Develop leadership and communication skills while working effectively in a team.Global Perspective: Understand disaster management on both local and global scales.Expert Insights: Learn directly from experienced responders and community leaders.Certification: Earn an official FEMA certificate and gain confidence to make a real impact.
Once you have completed CERT training, you are eligible to take additional classes at the Fire Training Academy in Fairfax!Learn more about CERT here.
SLAY:
SLAY stands for Student-Led Activities, Yay!
Unleash your creativity, leadership, and teamwork in our Student-Led Activities course. Join small groups to plan and execute events, starting from community service projects and progressing to larger celebrations like spirit week, homecoming, and Heritage Feast. Develop essential skills while making a meaningful impact.
What You'll Experience:
Creativity: Design captivating activities that inspire.Teamwork: Collaborate closely for harmonious teamwork.Leadership: Guide your group towards successful execution.
Why Choose Student-Led Activities?
Skill Amplification: Learn event planning, organization, and communication.Expression: Infuse your unique personality into each event.Real-World Experience: Gain project management insights for future success.
The Student-Led Difference:
Shape events that matter, witness growth, and achievement.
High School Headphone Policy
Using Headphones:
Please refrain from using headphones during class to encourage participation and collaboration.
You can use headphones during breaks, or for breakout work, but keep the volume reasonable and be aware of your surroundings.
No headphones in hallways and during school events.
Try Earplugs!
Instead of headphones, try using earplugs to reduce noise while staying engaged.
We highly suggest Loop Experience EarPlugs - Amazon Link Here!
Consideration for Others:
Be respectful of classmates' need to learn and concentrate.
Guidance and Monitoring:
Teachers and staff will remind you about these guidelines.
Misuse may lead to temporary headphone confiscation.
Let's create a focused and inclusive learning environment at GWCS!
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