Create, Explore, Problem-Solve, Innovate, Express Yourself and Have Fun!

GWCS AP® Computer Science Principles

Teacher:  Dr. Cox

AP® Computer Science Principles (APCSP) was specifically designed by the National Science Foundation and the College Board to attract diverse students to computing and unleash their creativity, leveraging the power of computer science to make the world a better place for everyone.

In APCSP at GWCS, we spend the first semester learning the principles that underlie the internet. We explore computing innovations, their impact on society, and the data privacy and security concerns that come with using the internet. In the second semester, students learn about abstraction and algorithms while coding in Javascript, creating web apps which reflect their own interests and priorities.

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Above are a few screenshots from a student-created app. Early in the second semester, students are learning how to make their apps engaging by including elements such as buttons, images and sounds. You can use the app yourself  - click here.  

Learn more about this APCSP course at:
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-principles

GW Community School
AP® Computer Science Principles
Caroline Cox, Teacher
January 19, 2018

Spotlight on Senior Seminar

gwcs ENGLISH Senior Seminar

TEACHER:  Mr. Pereira

One of the greatest things about being an English teacher at GWCS is the Senior Seminar. This class, taught every two years, focuses on an area of literary interest and covers it in depth, more like a college seminar than a typical high school English historical survey course. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to teach classes on Hamlet, Sea Adventures, Postmodern Literature and even a glorious class on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As a teacher I appreciate Senior Seminars because they allow me to explore my own passions and interests with my students. They also allow me to construct classes based on the interests of my students. 

This year I am teaching Honors African-American Literature; although this is a subject I have long been interested in, the reason I'm teaching it is because, over the last few years, I noticed students responding with particular enthusiasm to the African-American authors we read in American literature. In fact, I had some students specifically ask for this class, so it's been such a privilege to be able to teach it to them! We have been diving deep into the history and different varieties of African-American literary and cultural expression, from song lyrics to philosophy, short stories to speeches.  

Something special happens in a classroom when students know not only that the teacher has a personal connection to the material, but the class was created with them, specifically, in mind. Every class at GWCS affords possibilities for that kind of engagement, but Senior Seminar is my personal favorite. 

GW Community School
English Senior Seminar
Daniel Pereira, Teacher
January 4, 2018

The Actor's Nightmare

a director's contemplation of the process

The joy of producing a theatrical performance can hardly be matched by any other human endeavor. It is so satisfying to be on stage, to feel the pressure, to feel the anticipation of the audience, to hear the laughter and the applause, to screw up one of your lines and then fix it without anyone (outside of the cast) knowing how close the show actually came to disastrous humiliation. It is absolutely exhilarating!

It is also a great joy to work with energetic, dedicated, theatre-loving students who give their best efforts to make the performances at GWCS excellent! The cast of The Actor’s Nightmare were all GWCS stage veterans. Delia, Lizzie, Anne, Nick and Jack all worked together in last year’s production of My Three Angels, and most of them have done other GWCS productions as well.

If you have never helped produce a play, you are missing out on one of life’s great experiences. I don’t want to give away all of the theatre department secrets, but you should, at least once in your life, know what it’s like to do a halfer, a part-swap, a greenroom gossip, and a theatre-styled Chinese take-out!

As the play slowly becomes a distant memory, and the students slowly (very slowly) stop saying their lines at random times and in random places and for no particular reason, there is really only one thing left to ponder: What will the spring performance be, and are you going to get involved in its production?

GW Community School
Richard Goldie, GWCS Theatre Director
December 15, 2017

The Actor's Nightmare Program including Actor Bios:

GW Community School Theatre
One-Act Play Performance:
The Actor's Nightmare
December 13, 14, 15, 2017

FOOD for OTHERS

COMMUNITY CARING & EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT

Ms. Kohler's Holistic Health Science class went to Food for Others Food Bank on Thursday, December 14, 2017 to donate 319 pounds of food! The entire school participated in contributing the donated goods. Food for Others supports 90,000 Fairfax County families who have been diagnosed as food insecure (unsure of where their next meal will come from).

A doctor's office in Burke, Virginia has started a pilot program partnering with Food for Others to prescribe a food prescription for families in need. Ms. Kohler's Holistic Health Science class got a personalized tour of the facility and had a private Q and A session with the director! It was truly an educational and heartwarming experience.

Thank you to all the GWCS families who contributed to this Food Drive.  Your generosity is especially appreciated at this time of year.

Food for Others Food Drive
Ms. Kohler's Holistic Health Science Class
December 14, 2017

Reflections from an Alumni Parent, 14 Years Later

Dear Friends of GW Community School,

I'm the parent of a 2004 GWCS graduate.  My son started late in his freshman year after a long struggle with social anxiety.  He had always loved school, but was having trouble going.  Finding GWCS gave him his life back, and he thrived!  It was a place where he could be challenged academically, take part in extra curricular activities and feel part of a community.  My shy son got involved in Student Government and Theatre productions and he traveled to Costa Rica and Spain.  He went on to get into several colleges.  He's now completing his fellowship in pediatric pulmonology, and is a husband and father.  The amazing teachers, and the welcoming and supportive environment made all the difference in the world to my son, and I continue to be incredibly thankful that we found this school.

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I'm writing you today to ask for your support of GWCS.  I know there are many more stories like mine out there, and many more kids who need a place like this.  It's not easy to run a small school.  Year after year, the staff and teachers have made it work.  I am starting an alumni campaign to connect past parents and students with the school, to invite them to stay involved and to help support the efforts of the staff and teachers of GWCS.  My goal is to help keep the school running for many more years so as to help many, many more kids like ours.

HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH AND SUPPORT GWCS:

  • EXPLORE the school's wonderful website at gwcommunityschool.com. 
     
  • FOLLOW the GW Community School on Facebook.  Follow what's happening at the school by sending a friend request to the 'Goldie Warden' Facebook page and check in with alumni on the GWCS Alumni Group.
     
  • SUPPORT the school and its many programs by going to www.gwcommunityschool/support-us.  Here are a few ways you can help:
    • Annual Auction Fundraiser:  This is a VIRTUAL Auction - no need to leave the comfort of your home to support the school and score some great finds.  The Auction will run March 6 -15, 2018.  Donate items and/or bid on auction items. 
      Visit the Support Us page on the school's website for more info.
    • Direct Donations:  If you'd just like to donate directly, you can do so from the
      Support Us page of the GW Community School website or by mail.*
    • Shop through Cause Network.  Sign up on your computer or download the app for your phone and make purchases through the site to support the school!  Details on the Support Us page of the GWCS website!

I'm sending letters this year because I don't have many emails.  If you'd prefer me to use email to get in touch with you, please send me yours.

Thanks for reading my letter.  I hope you will consider joining me in helping this amazing school so they can continue to help kids like ours for years to come.

Sincerely,

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Jean Abood
2004 GWCS Alumni Parent
jeanabood@mac.com

*Because of the school's tax status, donations are not tax decuctible but are needed and appreciated very much!

GW Community School
2004 Alumni Parent
Letter Sent December 2017

3-2-1 Blastoff

One of our newest GWCS students immediately embraced the school value of Intellectual Curiosity by conducting a live rocket launch for the GWCS staff and student body. Mark had spent all summer constructing his four foot tall hammer and sickle red rocket. He is an expert at rocketry and was extremely enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and experience with the school. The launch took place at Kings Park on a beautiful windy day. The initial launch only went five feet high but Mark quickly determined it was because the engine he had in place was too old. Mark opened a packet of new engines and enabled the setup again with fresh wadding paper, igniter, and plug. He attached the alligator clips with the battery as we all stood back for a countdown. 3-2-1 blastoff!  The launch was successful! The rocket flew high in the sky above forest tree level to all of our delight.  Special thanks to Mark for taking the time to share this out-of-sight experience with his teachers and classmates!

Julia Kohler, GWCS Science Teacher
 

GW Community School
3-2-1 Blast Off with Mark
December 6, 2017

Coyote Robotics Battle at the FTC Northern Virginia Qualifying Tournament

GWCS Robotics Team 3749 Bionic Penguins had a tough day with a robot that did not really do the job at the FTC Northern Virginia Qualifying Tournament on Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Haymarket, VA.  Team 965 started slow and was in last place out of 24 teams after losing their first two matches, but finished strong in 8th place.  They were asked to join the 4th seed in the elimination round but fell to the 1st seed (and eventual champion).  Team 965 was the recipient of the Rockwell Collins Innovation award.  The team's fine explanation of the Relic lifting mechanism, and the success they had in using it, impressed the judges.

Thanks to all who came out to support us.  We still had a fun time, including line dancing to YMCA during down-time!  Our next competition is January 6, 2018 in Newport News, VA.

Want to learn more about Coyote Robotics?  Contact:

Gary Lindner
GWCS Coyote Robotics Coach & Math Teacher
lindnergt@gwcommunityschool.com

GW Community School - Coyote Robotics
FTC Northern Virginia Qualifying Tournament
December 2, 2017

It's the 7th Annual... Heritage Feast!

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All of us at GWCS are truly thankful for our coyote parents, grandparents, students, siblings, teachers and alumni.  Everyone in our community plays an integral part in creating an upbeat,  safe and challenging environment in order for learning, exploration, and growth to take place every single day.  We lean on each other, we learn from each other, we "Smash" with each other, and today... we feast together!  

We are particularly thankful for the 75+ GWCS parents, grandparents, students, siblings, teachers and the 25+ alumni who attended our 7th Annual GWCS Heritage Feast!  Best Heritage Feast yet!  Why was it the best?  Because sooooo many people came, and ate, and visited, and hugged, and reminisced.  The hum of voices and the spark of laughter in the cafe was the perfect way to start our holiday break.    

An extra loud shout-out to all of the Coyote families who contributed the never-ending variety of delicious foods, desserts and drinks and for the parent volunteers who set up before and cleaned up after.

Click Here to read an earlier post about how the Annual GWCS Heritage Feast was started.

GW Community School
Annual Heritage Feast
November 21, 2017

GWCS Spirit Week and Homecoming 2017

*  SPIRIT WEEK  *  BASKETBALL GAME  *  HOMECOMING DANCE  *

We may be small, but we've got spirit and nothing shows our spirit better than lots of photos!

SPIRIT WEEK...

Students and teachers showed their school spirit all week simply by being awake enough each morning to look through their closets and choose an outfit according to each day's school spirit theme!

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Boys Varsity Basketball Game...

GWCS vs. The Lab School:  The Coyotes took on the Dragons in their annual Homecoming game.  The lead changed hands several times but in the end, the Coyotes came up three points short.

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Homecoming Dance...

Dancing in the Streets

Approximately 40 students and teachers danced and ate the night away to DJ Muntu's smashing club mix and energizing light show.

Special Thanks...

A round of applause for the following parent volunteers who spent hours setting up and decorating for the Homecoming Dance!  Our volunteers brought Ms. Warden's neon vision to life and electrified the students with an atmosphere of FUN!  

  • Linda Campbell
  • Kathy Mohs
  • Nancy Lawton Cronin
  • Jennifer Schulman
  • Barbara Katz
  • Kim Dwyer
  • Melissa Morgan
  • Julia O'Grady

Huge hug for Mr. Muntu - our DJ extraordinaire and part-time French teacher!  Muntu's music, energy and lights kept the party going all night long!

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GW Community School
School Spirit Week & Homecoming
November 13-17, 2017

Coyotes Contemplate Caterpillars, Chrysalis... Butterflies

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Teacher:  Ms. Kohler

In our AP Environmental Science class students completed a primary consumer and producer lab where they nurtured larva into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies. Students kept their larva in aerated containers and provided them with mallow to nibble. Every day, for two weeks, student’s tracked (1) the weight of their enclosure/larva and habitat (larva, container, lid, food, cloth) and (2) length of their caterpillar, along with other qualitative notes. Students observed their caterpillars growing, but the weight of their enclosure would decrease each day. They learned this was due to respiration. The caterpillars were eating the mallow, breathing, and from the second law of thermodynamics, some energy was lost as heat from the enclosure being an open system.  Once the chrysalises were formed, they waited a few days to move them to the mesh butterfly habitat (shown below) for safe emersion. After the butterflies emerged they were moved to the beautiful clear tank that mimics their natural habitat. In this lab students also learned about energy pyramids, the food web, Gross Primary productivity, Net Primary productivity, and biomass. Fun hands on learning!  

GW Community School
AP Environmental Science Classes
Ms. Kohler, Teacher
November 10, 2017

The American Shakespeare Center Marathon

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GWCS’s 6th annual fall trip to Staunton, VA was a rip-roaring success! Students saw not one, not two, but four plays performed by the actors with the American Shakespeare Center at the stunning, and historically accurate, Blackfriars Playhouse. Three Shakespeare plays (The Fall of King Henry, Love’s Labour Lost, and Much Ado About Nothing) and one musical (Peter and the Starcatcher) were separated by shopping sprees in downtown Staunton, delicious meals from local restaurants, a tour of the Blackfriars Playhouse, an acting workshop with the students, and restful nights at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

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But wonderful as Staunton was for a backdrop, most impressive of all was the ASC’s remarkable marathon of plays. And as if masterpieces of theater performed virtuosically in an intimate setting was not enough, the actors also played acoustic covers of modern pop songs prior to each show and during intermissions.

In all, the weekend was rich, educational, and thoroughly entertaining for fifteen GWCS students and six teachers.  

GW Community School
Annual Shakespeare Trip to Staunton
November 3-5, 2017

Coyote Howl-O-Ween

Coyotes came out in full force to show their spirit on Halloween. Creative, crafty, and sometimes cryptic costumes were worn by students and teachers alike. As has been the case for many years now, Ms. Warden’s costume perplexed; but Kian, Nick, Delia and Olivia confounded us too with their witty and unique costumes. Mattie, Noah, and Zach were easily identified as a very true to life Daphne, Fred, and Shaggy; and Ethan and Evelyn were both very well turned out as the chef from Ratatouille and a minion. Too many great costumes to name!

A new tradition was set with our 68 minutes of fun schedule, and of course it wouldn’t be a Coyote Halloween without the always awkward and sometimes downright disturbing donut eating contest. Delia can now add Donut Eating Winner to her title of Lettuce Lord.

We regrouped the party after school and screened It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Mr. Goldie’s favorite The Mothman Prophecies. Yup, one heck of a Howl-O-Ween.

GW Community School
Halloween Party
October 31, 2017