In this issue:
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
Updated Tardy Policy Effective February 10
Awards Night on February 6
Mandatory April Testing Schedule, Attendance Requirement for Prom, and Prizes!
2025 AP and IB Exam Schedule
Celebrating African American Heritage Month
Spirit Week This Week
Seniors - DSF Financial Aid Workshop
Seniors - Before Prom
Juniors - Optional SAT Essay Opt-In Window
Girls Golf Interest Meeting
Girls Tennis Interest Meeting
Boys and Girls Track and Field
Join the GWHS PSAT and SAT Bootcamps!
Campus Prep SAT Prep Course
Yearbook Orders
2025-2026 Student Ambassador Signups
Builders Wanted
School Store and Coffee Bar Now Open
Monday and Friday Dress Days
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
Before Prom Help Needed
Support GWHS While You Shop at King Soopers/Kroger
GWHS Landscaping Committee Updates
Weekly Athletics Update
Click Here for This Week's Athletics Events
Click Here for GWHS's Bell Schedule
February 7
Assembly Schedule
February 14
Professional Development Day for Teachers/No School for Students
February 17
Presidents Day/No School
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
Denver Public Schools has transitioned to a new communications platform for all its external communications. In order to ensure your student is receiving important school-based communications (including the Weekly Roundup), be sure your student has opted-in through Student Portal. Instructions are HERE.
Updated Tardy Policy Effective February 10
Starting February 10, GWHS will be implementing an updated tardy policy. Please review policy rationale and details HERE.
Awards Night on February 6
We're so proud and excited to honor our Patriots and their academic achievements. Patriots and family members, please join us for Awards Night THIS Thursday, February 6 at from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the Auditorium! If you are expected to receive an award, you will be notified by e-mail this week, so please be sure to check your @dpsk12.net inbox before Thursday. Please be sure to arrive at 5:00pm for check-in. We look forward to enjoying the evening with our Patriots and their families!
ASSESSMENT – MANDATORY APRIL TESTING SCHEDULE, ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT FOR PROM, AND PRIZES!
All students in grades 9 through 11 are required by Colorado Department of Education to complete annual assessments for state and federal accountability. Our testing schedule is as follows:
On Wednesday, April 2, all grade 11 students are required to take CMAS Science. There will be a regular Wednesday odd-block day schedule for students in grades 9, 10 and 12.
On Monday, April 14, all grade 11 students are required to take the SAT. There will be no school for grades 9, 10 or 12.
On Tuesday, April 15, all grade 9 students are required to take PSAT 9, and all grade 10 students are required to take PSAT 10. There will be no school for grades 11 or 12.
Starting Tuesday, February 18, please note the following attendance and assessment participation requirements to attend Prom (please note the attendance requirement has been revised):
All grade 10 students who are invited by a grade 11 or 12 student to attend Prom must not have more than four (4) unexcused classes, and must attend the PSAT 10.
All grade 11 students must have no more than four (4) unexcused classes, and must attend CMAS Science and the SAT.
All grade 12 student must have no more than four (4) unexcused classes.
If you do not want your student to participate in these assessments, you must complete an opt-out through Parent Portal no later than February 28. Instructions are here in ENGLISH, SPANISH and ARABIC.
Because we are proud of the hard work our students put in to these assessments, we want to celebrate them with giveaways and food! On April 14 and 15, students who are testing should arrive early to enjoy a catered breakfast. Each testing room will have prizes to give away (gift cards, small toys and more!), and there will be prizes raffled off each day – attending your mandatory testing day is your automatic entry! Grand prizes in previous years have included a Nintendo Switch Lite, Beats Studio Pro headphones, a PlayStation 5, AirPods Max and a $250 GOAT gift certificate - we will announce this year's prizes soon! Mark your calendars now, and be sure not to miss your testing day!
2025 AP and IB Exam Schedule
Please review the 2025 AP and IB exam schedule HERE. Students who have a direct conflict between an AP and IB exam need to contact our AP Coordinator, Mrs. Hunter, in room 214, and our IB Coordinator, Mr. Hildner, in room 112 as soon as possible.
Celebrating African American Heritage Month
We are excited to announce that the 2025 African American Heritage Month theme is “African Americans and Labor," recognizing the invaluable contributions of Black workers, innovators, and leaders throughout history. Throughout February, we will highlight these contributions through school displays, daily announcements and social media features. We will also host special events to celebrate and honor African American culture, history, and achievements. Stay tuned for more details, and join us in learning, celebrating and honoring the rich legacy of African Americans in the workforce and beyond!
Spirit Week This Week
Spirit Week is this week!
Monday, February 3: Rainbow Day! Wear your brightest rainbow colors and show yoru support for our LGBTQ+ community.
Tuesday, February 4: White Lies Day! Wear a t-shirt with a funny "white lie" written on it (remember to keep it school-appropriate!).
Wednesday, February 5: Pink Out Day! Wear as much pink or red as you can.
Thursday, February 6: Celebrity Day! Dress like for favorite celeb.
Friday February 7: Clash of Classes! Wear your class colors; Freshman wear yellow, Sophomores wear white, Juniors wear green, and Seniors - wear your overalls!
Seniors - DSF Financial Aid Workshop
The DSF Financial Aid Workshop is Wednesday, February 5 from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the GWHS Cafeteria. During this workshop, students and families will sit down 1:1 with a financial aid expert to complete their FAFSA or CASFA application. Students must pre-register for the event and will select one of four one-hour time slots (3:00 to 4:00pm, 4:00 to 5:00pm, 5:00 to 6:00pm or 6:00 to 7:00pm). Click here for more information and to register! It is extremely important to:
Read all information on the registration page.
Have both student and parent(s) create StudentAid.Gov accounts (here) BEFORE Sunday, February 2. If you do not create your accounts with sufficient time, you may not be able to complete the FAFSA at the workshop.
Arrive on time for your appointment with your 2023 tax documents, StudentAid.Gov account login credentials, and a charged computer.
Questions? Contact Hannah Minturn at hminturn@denverscholarhip.org or visit the Future Center.
Seniors - Before Prom
Seniors, join us at GWHS for the Before Prom party Friday, February 7 from 6:00 to 9:00pm (please note this is a new time) to find out the theme and location for Prom! There will be food, drinks, a bouncy obstacle course and more.
Juniors - Optional SAT Essay Opt-In Window
All juniors are automatically registered by Colorado Department of Education and required to take the SAT without Essay for free at GWHS on Monday, April 14. Juniors who want to add the optional Essay to their SAT registration may do so from Monday, February 3 through Monday, February 17. To add the Essay to your SAT registration, click HERE during the Essay registration window and complete the form. For more information about the optional Essay, click HERE.
Girls Golf Interest Meeting
Do you want to learn a sport you can play for a lifetime, spend time outdoors, and make friends all across DPS? Join girls' golf! We are having an interest meeting in Ms. Mitchell's room, Room 30, on Thursday, February 6 at lunch. Hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Coach Mitchell in room 30.
Girls Tennis Interest Meeting
Any girls interested in playing tennis this spring, please attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, February 4 at lunch in room 131. We will discuss the upcoming season and the things needed to ensure you are ready to play on Monday, February 24 when the season begins. Questions? Contact Coach Anderson in room 131.
Boys and Girls Track and Field
Track and Field season is here! The official first day of practice is Monday, February 24. As a reminder, all athletes must have a valid physical that does not expire until June 2025 to participate. Visit the GW Track and Field website (linked HERE, and on Schoology) for details about registration, practice times, meet schedules and coaches' information. Questions? Contact Mrs. Crawford in Room 112E.
Join the GWHS PSAT and SAT Bootcamps!
Are you preparing for the P/SAT? Looking for strategies, test-taking tips, and hands-on practice? Join GW’s P/SAT Bootcamps to boost your confidence and improve your scores! Bootcamps run Wednesday, February 5 through Saturday, April 5; click HERE for the bootcamp schedule. Questions? Contact Ms. McFarland.
Campus Prep SAT Prep Course
Starting in February and running for seven weeks, Campus Prep is offering an SAT prep course to juniors and seniors. The 27-hour comprehensive course is hosted at University of Denver, and includes three proctored practice exams. The cost is $155 to $175; students who complete the course often increase their score by over 200 points. Click HERE to see the schedules and to apply for the course. Questions? Email admin@campusprep.org or call (877) 805-2521.
Yearbook Orders
Be sure to purchase your yearbook early by clicking HERE. Order now before prices go up! All yearbooks must be ordered online; there will not be extras for sale in person.
2025-2026 Student Ambassador Signups
If you are interested in being a Student Ambassador for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year please click HERE and complete the form. Ambassadors will have a mandatory initial meeting (date TBD). To receive the 2.5 credits for being an Ambassador, students must complete the required 60 hours of school service.
Builders Wanted
Do you like building and construction? The Patriot Players are looking for some additional students to help work on building the set for our upcoming musical, "Mean Girls." We meet after school and some Saturdays, but we can also work with your availability. Talk to Nacho in Room 213, or swing by the theatre after school to get more information!
School Store and Coffee Bar Now Open
The School Store and Coffee Bar items are available for delivery during our open hours, which are Mondays (period 3 from 10:40 to 11:00am, and period 6 from 2:10 to 2:30pm), Tuesdays (period 2 from 9:40 to 10:00am), Wednesdays (period 3 from 10:30 to 11:00am), Thursdays (period 2 from 10:30 to 11:00am, and period 6 from 2:30 to 3:00pm) and Fridays (period 2 from 9:40 to 10:00am, period 3 from 10:40 to 11:00am, and period 6 from 2:10 to 2:30pm,). Scan the QR code, fill out your items in the form with your name and room number, and your items will be delivered to your classroom during the period of your choice! Please be prepared to pay with credit card or ApplePay when your delivery arrives, and confirm before you order that your teacher allows deliveries. Click HERE for the form and QR code.
Monday and Friday Dress Days
Every Monday this school year, wear your gear that represents your post-high school plans! This can be anything from a college hoodie to a mechanic's worksuit - just be creative and represent your goals! Every Friday this school year, wear your greenest GWHS gear to show your Patriot pride!
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
Join our Principal, Dr. Davis, for casual conversation and school updates during Doughnuts with Dr. Davis on Friday, February 7 from 8:00 to 8:30am in the GWHS Community Room. Dr. Davis would love to answer your questions and hear your thoughts about our GWHS community. Dr. Davis will host a Doughnuts with Dr. Davis event the first Friday morning of every month, so be sure to watch the Weekly Roundup for reminders.
Before Prom Help Needed
Parents and guardians, we are looking chaperones and donated food/drinks (e.g., individual servings of chips, cookies, sodas/bottled water or other snacks) for the Before Prom party Friday, February 7. Any donations can be brought to the Main Office before February 7. Chaperones can sign up HERE.
Support GWHS While You Shop at King Soopers/Kroger
Did you know you can support GWHS Patriots Care just by doing your regular grocery shopping? It's easy with the Kroger Community Rewards program! No cost to you, but lots of benefit to our school. Here's how to link your King Soopers/Kroger card to GWHS:
Create or sign in to your digital account: Visit www.kroger.com and create an account or sign in to your existing one.
Link your card:
Sign in to your digital account.
Search for JR498 (our organization code)
Select GWHS from the list and click "Save".
Shop and earn: Every time you shop at King Soopers/Kroger and use your linked card, you'll be helping our school earn a portion of Kroger's donation pool.
It's that simple! Support the Patriots with every swipe of your card. Thank you for your support.
GWHS Landscaping Committee Updates
** Student and Community Volunteer Days: Help beautify our campus! Mark your calendars to help on Saturdays, February 8 and February 22, from 12:00 to 2:00pm. Meet in the GWHS Community Garden up the hill from the South Parking Lot. In case of inclement weather, check our WEBSITE for cancellations.
**Next Committee Meeting: Join us Tuesday, February 11 at 5:30pm at Tessa's Delicatessen on Colfax and Ivy. All parents, students, teachers/staff and GWHS friends are welcome!
** Buy a Brick: Dedicate a lasting gift to your 2025 graduate or loved one with a customized, engraved brick that will be installed at the north GWHS archway entrance path. Tree dedication plaques are available, too! All contributions benefit the GWHS campus through the GWHS Landscape Committee. Order yours today by clicking HERE!
**Questions? Email Barb DeSarro (bwdesarro@hotmail.com).
Weekly Athletics Update
Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our weekly Athletics Update.