NEWSLETTER QUICK LINKS:
Next Week 12/14-22
What I’m Diggin’ Tell Me More - Podcast
Gift-Wrapping Workshop with Mrs. Oesterreich 12/16
Spring Break Trip Update
Parents Only Secret Santa Exchange on 12/20
5K Run/Walk with Santa Photos
I Hate Shakespeare - Tickets for 12/18 & 19
Coyote Shoutout Tamara Pincus
GWCS Foundation - Giving
Ask Charley! - Technology Support
Weekly Song Recommendations with Amelia
Pro-Tip: Blue Letters = Links - Happy Clicking!
SATURDAY, DEC 14
Coyote Robotics Qualifier Tournament with Mr. Lindner at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, VA - Go Coyotes!
monday, DEC 16
Regular class schedule - First Period Gym thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
Amazing Days during 7th period from 2:22 pm - 3:15 pm
Gift-Wrapping Clinic with Mrs. O at 2:22 pm — an amazing Amazing Day option! (info)
Theatre Dress Rehearsal with Mr. Goldie from 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Deadline: Parents-Only Secret Santa Sign Up - Midnight Monday! (info)
TUESDAY, dec 17
Regular class schedule - First Period Gym thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
Office Hours during 7th period from 2:22 pm - 3:15 pm
History in Movies - cancelled this week!
Theatre Dress Rehearsal with Mr. Goldie from 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
WEDNESDAY, DEC 18
Regular class schedule - First Period Gym thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
What’s Happening Wednesdays during 7th period from 2:22 pm - 3:15 pm
Coyote Robotics with Mr. Lindner from 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Theatre Performance Night! I Hate Shakespeare 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (info)
THURSDAY, DEC 19
Regular class schedule - First Period Gym thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
Office Hours during 7th period from 2:22 pm - 3:15 pm
Theatre Performance Night! I Hate Shakespeare 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (info)
FRIDAY, DEC 20
Regular class schedule - First Period Gym thru Dismissal from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
Parents-Only Secret Santa Gift Exchange - Ms. Warden’s Classroom at 2:30 pm (info)
Dungeons & Dragons with Hartly from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
SATURDAY, DEC 21
Coyote Robotics with Mr. Lindner from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
GWCS ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR - UPDATED DAILY
Mr. Parisi is Diggin’ Tell Me More…
I am very late to the party, but I have been watching “Tell Me More,” an interview show hosted by Kelly (no relation) Corrigan. Corrigan talks with thinkers, scientists, artists, and students about a wide variety of topics. She is curious, funny, down-to-earth, and eager to go beyond the superficial. Some of the far-ranging topics and guests have included a discussion about writing with author Nick Hornby; performing with David Byrne; life and sports with coach Steve Kerr; tech, business, and education with professor Scott Galloway; journalism and politics with anchor Judy Woodruff; big-wave surfing with Bianca Valenti; “Grit, Self-Perception, and Optimism” with MacArthur winning psychologist, Angela Duckworth; “God, Science, and Well-Being” with W. Kamau Bell; “Innovation in Service of Social Needs” with student scientist Gitanjali Rao; and “Resilience” with Colonel Greg Gadson.
Corrigan has a humanity-forward approach that is moving and hopeful and energizing. Her conversations reinforce the power of storytelling as a way to connect with others and make sense of our own experiences. The show highlights the significance of sharing our stories and listening to the stories of others, bringing people closer and fostering empathy and understanding. Check it out.
Mr. Parisi
English & Math Teacher
parisij@gwcommunityschool.com
Every week in the WYNK a staff or faculty member shares something they are ‘diggin’! It may be a music artist, a museum, a hobby, a book, a tech tool, a current event, a recipe, a game, a fun fact… you name it - we dig it!
Gift -Wrapping Workshop…
come one - come all!
Join us for yet another Amazing Day this Monday, December 16th at 2:22 pm for a gift-wrapping workshop in Ms. Warden’s classroom #4! Bring your presents to wrap—paper and bows will be provided. All are welcome. Mrs. Oesterreich (Matthew’s mom) will also introduce us to Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts with fabric.
No Spring Break School Trip This Year…
But There's Always Broadway!
Thanks so much to all of the parents who completed surveys regarding spring break travel. We will not be able to offer a spring break trip this year. No, it was not due to analysis paralysis, rather these trips need to be planned one year out. We are not planning on rescheduling at this time.
Stay tuned for details about our annual March ‘Broadway or Bust’ trip to NYC in a future WYNK.
Happy Accident Secret Santa…
Attention Parents: This One is for and from YOU!
You know when you hit send prematurely? Well, that's what happened with Hartly's Secret Santa email on Wednesday. That Secret Santa is for students only and is being organized via email.
Several parents emailed me to ask if they were invited to participate, so why not? This is a parents only Secret Santa! Sign up on the Google Form to engage in the holiday cheer. Spending limit is $25, and we will exchange gifts in Ms. Warden's classroom on Friday, December 20th at 2:30 pm. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. (No gift cards allowed!)
WHO: GWCS Parents!
WHAT: Secret Santa Gift Exchange
SIGN UP DEADLINE: Midnight Monday, Dec. 16th
NOTIFICATION: Check your email on Tuesday, December 17th to see who you will be buying a gift for - as a Secret Santa. No gift cards.
WRAP: Each gift should be wrapped and labeled for who the gift is for but NOT who the gift is from. Remember, it’s a secret! We will guess during the exchange.
GIFT EXCHANGE: 2:30 pm Thursday, Dec. 19th in Ms. Warden’s classroom #4. Cookies and Hot Cocoa will be provided.
The Survivors of the 5K Run with Santa…
Sunday, December 7, 2024
A big thanks to everyone who came out to the Run with Santa 5K! It was an amazing time, for an amazing cause. Student -make sure to check in with Mr. Connelly to log your community service hours. I can't wait to see you at the next 5K.
Mr. Connelly
connellytp@gwcommunityschool.com
The GWCS Players Present:
A Comedy by Steph Deferie
Did you get your tickets? We are almost SOLD OUT for both nights!
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Did you get your tickets? We are almost SOLD OUT for both nights! ---
reserve your seats and buy tickets… it’s a Two Step Process:
TWO PERFORMANCE NIGHTS:
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
7:00 pm / $12 per ticketThursday, December 19, 2024
7:00 pm / $12 per ticket
DRESS REHEARSAL VIEWINGS:
There will be an opportunity for a handful of people to attend dress rehearsals on Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th. If you are interested - talk with Mr. Goldie.
Questions? Contact:
Mr. Goldie
goldiera@gwcommunityschool.com
We Love & Appreciate Our Parent Involvement…
A huge Coyote Shout-Out to Tamara Pincus, certified sex therapist and mom to Ophelia, for leading an Amazing Day AMA (ask me anything) on sex education! Tamara created a safe space for students to get accurate information beyond the typical FLE. We are excited to welcome her back soon for round two.
A Reminder For Our Fabulous GWCS Community
Tis the Season of GIVING
As we approach the end of 2024 and think about what we’re grateful for, we hope you’ll consider the GWCS Foundation for any charitable gifts. Every contribution is tax deductible, and has a direct and immediate impact on each and every GW Community School student. Please click here if you would like to make a donation.
Reminder: Take a minute to check your company's matching gift program to see if your employer will match your donation and double your impact.
Thank you again for your generous support. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!
Andrea Spiegel on behalf of the GWCS Foundation Board
Requesting Parent Support…
Turtle Care advice NEEDED
We are desperately seeking a couple of parents to help advise us on turtle care. Ideally, this parent could come in once a week for just a few minutes and direct us on best practices, next steps, and how to improve our turtle habitat. PLEASE email Alexa if you can help. wardenac@gwcommunityschool.com
Introducing Jira…
TECHNOLOGY ISSUES OR QUESTIONS?
CHARLEY IS HERE TO HELP!
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Charley Petty
GWCS Intern
pettyca@gwcommunityschool.com
https:/tinyurl.com/askcharley
Weekly Song Recommendations…
with Amelia
Hello, this is Amelia Schmutz! I am a junior at GWCS, and I write this section of the WYNK on song recommendations. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to talk to me at school or email me your top recommendations and favorite songs for a future WYNK.
MY
RECOMMENDATION
“Come to Me” - Björk
Recently I have had the album “Debut” by Björk on a constant repeat. She has some of the most powerful vocals I have ever heard which seem to come so natural to her. When I first heard her music, it was like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It is as if her musical inspiration comes from a place that no one on earth does. One of the things that I love about Björk’s music is that she rarely uses guitar in her songs. Rather, she uses percussion, strings, and other electronic sounds.
“Come to Me” starts with soft, sensual vocals saying lyrics like “Come to me. /I'll take care of you. /Protect you.” This is accompanied by a punchy bass and shimmering strings. The verse breaks to the chorus to her belting in a soft yet powerful tone “You know that I adore you. /You know that I love you.”
GWCS RECOMMENDATION
“Somewhere Only We Know” – Keane
Recommended by Jocelyn Adamoli (Charlie’s Mom)
“Somewhere Only We Know” feels like the climax of a movie where a person is longing for someone, and the couple finally gets together. Lead singer Tom Chaplin told The Guardian “My mum and dad ran a school, and we used to sit in the grounds as teenagers…hanging out. I always thought about that place when I sang the song.”
The song starts with an upbeat tune and is very piano driven. As the percussion builds to an emotional peak, Tom Chaplin’s vocals offer a melancholy plea for something just out of reach. “Oh, simple thing, where have you gone? /I’m getting old and I need something to rely on.”
NEW RECOMMENDATION
“Still In Love” – Chezile
Chezile released the single “Still In Love” on December 6, 2024 and has an incredible story about his rise to fame. “Just a few months ago, I was homeless, moving from motels to Airbnbs.” After his song “Beanie” became a major hit, his life has radically changed.
“Still In Love” has calm beats with sweet vocals. While listening you will be transported to an etheral, beautiful place of love. His lyrics are so pure and make you feel safe. “I'm still in love with you. /Like a fool. /Was I not enough for you? /Is there something I can do?”
Chezile is definitley someone to keep on the radar.
SHOW YOUR COYOTE SPIRIT…
ORDER GWCS SPIRIT WEAR TODAY!
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