In this issue:

Communicate with our School via Rooms

2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures

The "Big Three" and Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness

AP and IB Exam Schedule

Black History Month Events

2026-2027 Student Ambassadors

P/SAT Practice Sessions at GWHS

Beware of Phishing Scams

Registration for BOLT Summer Camp is Now Open

Yearbooks

Black History Month Cookout

Pi Day is Coming

Donations Needed for P/SAT Testing

Prom Chaperone Help Needed

GWHS Landscape Committee Updates

GWHS Food Pantry Usage

Spring Sports Tryouts

Spirit Wear

Weekly Athletics Update

Click Here for This Week's Athletics Events

Click Here for GWHS's Bell Schedule

February 16

Presidents Day/No School

February 27

Professional Development Day/No School for Students

Communicate with our School via Rooms

Denver Public Schools has transitioned to a communications platform called Thrillshare for all its communications, which works with the NEW, free DPS app! This means teachers, staff and coaches are now able to message (SMS or email) families directly, or through the DPS app! To facilitate the smoothest communication possible with our school and your student's teachers, be sure to follow these easy steps:

• Download the FREE Denver Public Schools (DPS) app (available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store).

• Click "Rooms" at the center bottom of your screen.

• Enter your email or phone number that you provided when you registered your student for school in Parent Portal, and choose to sign in with a one-time access code.

• You will receive a one-time access code to the email or phone number you just entered.

You should now be connected with all Rooms to which your student has been added!

2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures

New for the 2025-2026 school year, all student absences will be reported using the online attendance tool in your Parent Portal. Instructions for how to enter a student absence notification through Parent Portal can be found here in ENGLISH, SPANISH and ARABIC. Please review the entire GWHS Attendance Policy HERE. The GWHS Attendance Policy contains important information regarding attendance requirements, interventions for chronic absenteeism, and more. Please note, any request for an early student dismissal after 3:00pm but before the end of the school day cannot be processed.

The "Big Three" and Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness

Colorado Department of Education, with the direction of and guidance from the Colorado Legislature and State Board of Education, is developing updated expectations for post-high school success, These three Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness indicators will ultimately lead to shifting graduation requirements, starting with the Class of 2029, in order to ensure every graduate of a Colorado public school is prepared for further education and/or workforce success. Read more HERE.

AP and IB Exam Schedule

Check the AP and IB exam schedule HERE for any conflicts between AP and IB exams. Keep in mind IB will not move exams except for medical emergency. Questions about IB exams? Contact IB Coordinator Mr. Hildner at thad_hildner@dpsk12.net. Questions about AP exams? Contact Dr. Bolz at joseph_bolz@dpsk12.net or AJ Romero at amanda_romero@dpsk12.net. 

Black History Month Events

February is Black History Month, and we have some exciting events to recognize its importance, starting with a Spirit Week. Spirit Week theme days are available HERE, so start planning now! There will also be a community cookout, so sign up to share some delicious food by clicking HERE. We will also be hosting a talent show, sign up now to attend auditions by clicking HERE. Click HERE for the full Black History Month events schedule.

2026-2027 Student Ambassadors

Are you interested in being an ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year? Sign up now by clicking HERE for a QR Code! There will be a mandatory informational meeting; the date is TBD. You must sign up to be considered for the ambassador position. 

P/SAT Practice Sessions at GWHS

Level Up Your P/SAT Prep!! Starting Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5, GWHS will be offering P/SAT practice sessions during lunch in room 137. February sessions will be every Wednesday and Thursday; March sessions will be every Tuesday and Thursday. Bring your lunch, bring a friend, and pop in for small-group or one-on-one PSAT test prep support. All skill and grade levels welcome — we’d love to see you there!

Beware of Phishing Scams

GWHS has had several reports of students receiving emails, reputedly sent by DPS, titled "Denver Public Schools, Act Now." These emails ask students to reset their student password via a link, and to respond with their personal email and password. Another scam email students are received is offering "Exciting Part-Time Administrative Assistant Opportunity!" These are phishing emails and should be deleted. Students should not click on any of the links from an unknown sender, and students should never provide personal information to unsolicited or unknown persons asking for that information. Questions? See Mr. Embleton in room 323.

Registration for BOLT Summer Camp is Now Open

BOLT is a camp for students in grades 10 through 12 that teaches students about the diverse careers available in biomedical engineering and STEM. Campers will learn about what biomedical engineering is, dive into the theory of design and general engineering principles, and get a sneak peek of cutting-edge research taking place at the Anschutz Medical Campus. There will be several hands-on activities to introduce and demonstrate concepts in circuitry, prosthetics control, and tissue engineering. Registration and Applications are now available! 

**Session I: June 8 through 11 - REGISTER HERE

**Session II: June 15 through 18 - REGISTER HERE

**Session III: June 22 through 25 - REGISTER HERE

Time: 8:00am to 4:30pm with 1-hour lunch break

Cost: $1075 (scholarship applications due February 15)

Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, 12705 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora

Supplies: Lunch and all supplies are provided

To apply for a scholarships, submit your application HERE.  Deadline to apply for a scholarship is February 15.  We will award 5 scholarship seats per session and scholarship decisions will be made by March 15 and if you have already registered, your registration will be refunded. 

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now available through Friday, March 20. Please click HERE for ordering information.

Black History Month Cookout

We’re inviting parents and community members to help make our Black History Month Cookout special by bringing a dish to share. The Cookout is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at 3:30pm at GWHS. Your support helps us celebrate culture, community, and connection! Please take a moment to fill out this quick FORM if you’re able to contribute. Thank you for supporting our students and school community. 

Pi Day is Coming

Pi Day is coming! Because Pi Day is on a Saturday this year, we will be celebrating on Friday, March 13. We need donations of circular treats! If you can donate::

** Donations: donations made through MySchoolBucks by clicking HERE.
** Treats: your favorite circular treats dropped off at school! While we accept both homemade and store bought donations, we appreciate ingredients (especially allergens) listed on homemade goodies! If you plan on sending in goodies, pleae email Dr. Bolz at joseph_bolz@dpsk12.net.
** Time: we need some volunteers to help organize and serve our treats on Friday, March 13. If you can donate some time (even if it's just an hour), email Dr. Bolz at joseph_bolz@dpsk12.net

Help us make this a Pi Day to remember!

Donations Needed for P/SAT Testing

One tradition we hold here at GWHS is to support our students with their state-required P/SATs by providing a breakfast before the exam, snacks during testing, and prizes for each room to distribute to students who are working hard! Here's where we need your help - we would love donations! Those can include:

** Breakfast items donated for our morning "grab and go" each day
** Snacks for testing classrooms (please consider packs of around 30 as most testing rooms are around 30 students)
** Small prizes we can give to students (e.g., candy, fidget toys, rubber ducks, and whatever your student thinks would be a great small prize!)
** Donations made through MySchoolBucks by clicking HERE.  

For any donations you want to send in to the school, we ask that you get those in before Wednesday, April 8. Please address them to Dr. Bolz in room 321.

Prom Chaperone Help Needed

Prom will be held at the Denver Aquarium on Saturday, May 9 from 7:00 to 11:00pm. The main portion of Prom will be located in the ballroom and lounge on the first floor of the Aquarium, but students are also able to visit the entire venue until 10:00pm. Due to the large venue space, we are in need of 30+ chaperones for the full four hours. Please see this FORM to sign up to chaperone this once-in-a-lifetime event! 

GWHS Landscape Committee Updates

* Come on by for our next meeting at Tessa Delicatessen (Colfax and Ivy St.) today, February 3 at 6:00pm! Help us hash out some amazing plans ahead including our popular Go Green Day in the spring! 

* Join us for "Digging and Doughnuts" on Saturday, February 28! Come savor delicious donuts while lending a hand to beautify our grounds! Meet us in the GWHS Community Garden, located just up the hill from the South Parking Lot. In case of bad weather, be sure to check our WEBSITE for any cancellations. We can’t wait to dig in with you!

* Act today and become a part of GWHS's future! Leave a lasting legacy by purchasing a personalized tree plaque or brick dedication HERE! Your contribution not only honors your connection to GWHS but also supports the Landscape Committee in enhancing the beauty of our school's grounds.

Questions? Want to join or simply help? Contact Barb DeSarro at bwdesarro@hotmail.com.

GWHS Food Pantry Usage

The GWHS Food Pantry provides FREE food and hygiene items for students, faculty, and staff.

• When: Every Wednesday, 3:30pm

• Where: GWHS Sub Basement Room 003

• Bring: Your own reusable bags, if you have them

You will not be required to pay, put in volunteer hours, attend service, or participate in any type of program to receive food. The GWHS Food Pantry does not to engage in discrimination, in the provision of service against a person because of race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a protected veteran. All clients will be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. Questions? Contact gwhs.food.pantry@gmail.com.

Spring Sports Tryouts

Tryouts and official practices for CHSAA-sanctioned high school spring sports will begin on the following dates:

**Monday, February 16:  Boys Volleyball and Boys Swimming and Diving (Presidents Day)-  Please check your facilities for availability. 

**Monday, February 23:  Girls Lacrosse, Girls Golf, Girls Tennis, Girls Soccer, Track and Field, Baseball, Boys Lacrosse.

To be eligible for tryouts and official practices for the 2025–2026 school year, parent/guardians must complete the following for their student:

**Submit a completed registration through the Arbiter platform

**Submit the Pay to Play fee through the Arbiter platform

**Please upload a copy of the current physical exam to the Arbiter platform or provide a copy to the Athletic Director

Effective July 2025, CHSAA will only accept the official CHSAA Physical Exam forms as valid documentation.

PPE Form - ALL PAGES 1-4

PPE Form - ALL PAGES 1-4 - Spanish

**A transcript review for eligibility 

**An approval from the High School Athletic Director

Students who have not met these requirements will not be permitted to participate in tryouts, practices, contests, and/or team activities.

Spirit Wear

Before spring sports start, don't forget to purchase your Patriots spirit wear! Click HERE to see all the amazing clothing and gear on offer. Show off your school pride!

Weekly Athletics Update

Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our Weekly Athletics Update.