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Weekly Roundup November 11, 2025 |
Weekly Updates from George Washington High School | |
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In this issue: Communicate with our School via Rooms 2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures Why Attendance Matters Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule PSAT Score Availability Audition for the Spring Musical
Seniors - Panoramic Photo Community Celebration! Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Restroom Etiquette Yearbooks School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open HKCS Survey IB Information Night Match Goal Surpassed! Thank You for Supporting the GWHS Food Pantry GWHS Food Pantry Usage GWHS Landscape Committee Updates Denver Leaf Drop Upcoming GWHS Basketball Events Spirit Wear Weekly Athletics Update Click Here for This Week's Athletics Events
Click Here for GWHS's Bell Schedule |
November 24 - November 28 Thanksgiving Break
December 15 - December 17 Fall 2025 Final Exams December 18 - December 19 Course Competency (by invitation only) December 22 - January 5 Winter Break |
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.
Why Attendance Matters
It is imperative your student is in school, on time, every day, for every class. When students are not in class, they not only miss valuable learning and development opportunities, but they can experience long-term impacts that ultimately can hinder their on-time graduation. Please take a moment to read DPS's important information HERE regarding the multiple consequences of absences, chronic absence versus truancy, and how and when to handle keeping your student home for illness.
Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule
Please find the Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule HERE. Please note we do not allow requests to modify final exam dates, except in extreme cases (student hospitalization, etc.). As a reminder, every day and every class is critical to every student learning. We ask that you plan your holiday travel so as not to interfere with instructional days around Thanksgiving or Winter Break.
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PSAT Score Availability All students who completed their PSAT assessment Tuesday, October 14 or Wednesday, October 15 will be able to check their scores through their College Board accounts starting Thursday, November 6.
Audition for the Spring Musical
Come audition for the spring musical! If you have interest in performing on stage, join us for auditions on Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19 after school in the GWHS Auditorium. All abilities welcome! We are looking for new members to our acting troupe, and encourage anyone who is interested to try out. The musical, "Urinetown," is a hilarious comedy with great music. All levels of skill and experience are welcome! Click HERE for more info and to sign up to audition.
Seniors - Panoramic Photo
Senior Class Panoramic Photos will be taken Thursday, November 20 at 9:00am in the GWHS Gym. This is the ONLY time pictures will be taken of the whole Senior class, so please make sure you don't miss out on participating! All ordering is done online HERE. Remember when ordering that all laminated photos come with a 5-year money-back guarantee! Order the BOTH package, with the formal and funny photos laminated, and automatically save 20%! Please email the photographer, BestClassPicture@gmail.com, if you have any questions.
Community Celebration! Students, let's celebrate like Patriots! Be sure to be on time to school Friday, November 21 for some fun times and big surprises! Trust us, you won't want to miss out on this event - see you then!
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy
The DPS Seal of Biliteracy is a prestigious award for students in grades 11 and 12, recognizing proficiency in two or more languages. It enhances college and job applications by showcasing biliteracy skills on transcripts, resumes, and in interviews. Bilingual graduates benefit from increased job opportunities, higher earning potential, and stronger community connections. Best of all, it’s FREE, and all DPS students, regardless of the language, are eligible to apply. You can earn the seal in the following languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Mandarin Chinese. Click HERE for more information.
DPS students can earn the Colorado Diploma Endorsement for Biliteracy, too! Complete all graduation requirements Demonstrate proficiency in English. Students must complete one of the following: SAT 470, AP English 3 or IB English 4 Earn an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in all High School English Language Arts courses
Demonstrate proficiency in additional language(s). Students must complete one of the options above.
Complete your APPLICATION by Monday, December 1! Questions? Email (khari_wallace@dpsk12.net) or visit Mr. Wallace in Success Center Room 112F.
Restroom Etiquette Patriots, remember our restrooms are shared spaces, and how we treat them affects everyone. Please:
Respect the space. Restrooms aren’t hangout spots (gross, actually). Use them for what they’re meant for — and then head back to class.
Keep it clean. Flush, wash your hands, and throw paper towels in the trash, not on the floor or in the sinks. Leave it how you’d want to find it. Be mindful of others. Others may be waiting. Don’t crowd the stalls, take photos, or block the entrances. Take care of school property. Vandalism, graffiti, and damage to fixtures mean restrooms need to be closed for repairs — and take away from everyone’s access.
Make smart choices. No vaping, smoking, or filming — these actions can lead to disciplinary consequences and loss of restroom privileges.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are now available through March 20, 2026. Senior portraits and baby dedications are due no later than January 3, 2026. Please click HERE for ordering information.
School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open
The school store has a new name! We will soon post a sign for the "Patriots' Snack 'N Print." Hours are posted on the store door and are subject to change. We are happy when you come to our store, but please remember that it is also a class. Please treat the space and people in it with the same respect you would give if you were visiting someone else's class as an invited guest. Help us keep the store open and a welcoming place for everyone.
In addition to our normal snacks and coffee, we currently have earrings created by Leslie Acker of the GWHS faculty for cancer awareness. Proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Foundation and other cancer research institutions. Earrings are $3 each. We also now offer custom print services including T-shirts, stickers, banners, signs and more. Please consider us for your custom printing jobs. |
HKCS Survey
The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey ("HKCS") will be held at GWHS on Thursday, November 20. Questions will take less than one class period to complete. Responses to the HKCS are anonymous and serve to inform the State of Colorado on programs and policies that help youth thrive. Additional information regarding HKCS may be found in this LETTER.
Students are not required to take the HKCS. To opt-out your student, please complete this FORM. If you wish to give your student permission to participate, no action is needed. Questions? Please refer to the HKCS FAQs.
IB Information Night
GWHS's IB Information Night is Wednesday, November 12, from 5:30 to 7:00pm in the GWHS Library (please note the location change from the Cafeteria to the Library). If you are a GWHS family of a ninth or tenth grader, come gather information and get your questions answered about the IB from our principal, the IB Coordinator, and a panel of GWHS IB seniors. We look forward to sharing the benefits of our IB Program with you! Match Goal Surpassed! Thank You for Supporting the GWHS Food Pantry
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we are thrilled to announce we have completely maximized the $10,000 matching gift! Your donations, combined with the match, have brought in approximately $22,000 in vital resources for our community! Your overwhelming support during this Thanksgiving season ensures that more families will have food on their tables.
While reaching this milestone is a tremendous victory, the need for our services does not stop here. Our work to ensure no family goes hungry is ongoing, and every single donation helps us sustain this critical support. Please consider continuing your generosity to help us through the winter months and beyond. Donate, and help us continue to nourish our community: Volunteer your time, which is just as valuable:
Thank you again for your dedication and for helping us make our community stronger.
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.
GWHS Landscape Committee Updates The date for our next committee meeting will be announced soon - stay tuned! We can’t wait to dive into all the amazing plans ahead.
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.
Denver Leaf Drop
The Denver LeafDrop program allows residents to drop off fallen leaves and pumpkins for composting at sites until Friday, November 21. Compost created through Denver's LeafDrop Program is made available to Denver residents for free in the spring! Leaves, branches and pumpkins can also be added to compost bins. Trash customers can sign up for free compost service by clicking HERE.
Upcoming GWHS Basketball Events
We’re excited to announce three upcoming events to support our GWHS Boys and Girls Basketball Programs! These events help raise funds for our teams and build community pride—come out and show your Patriot spirit!
Friday, November 21 at 5:30pm: Girls Basketball Foundation Game v. Denver South High School
Denver South High School Gym
This is our girls’ first Foundation Game of the year, and proceeds will directly support their program. Click HERE for tickets.
Friday, November 21 at 4:30pm: Annual GWHS Alumni Game
George Washington High School Gym
Join us for this annual community favorite as we welcome back our Patriot alumni and celebrate GW basketball! Click HERE for tickets.
Saturday, November 22 at 1:00pm: Boys and Girls Basketball Foundation Games v. East High School
George Washington High School Gym
Come support both programs as our Patriots take on East High School in their additional Foundation Games. Click HERE for tickets.
Spirit Wear
With holidays coming up far too quickly, 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. |
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