In this issue:

Communicate with our School via Rooms

2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures

Why Attendance Matters

Activities Fee

Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule

ACCESS Testing - Monday, January 12

Audition for the Spring Musical

Seniors - Panoramic Photo

Community Celebration!

Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Deadline Approaching!

Return Your Loaned Chromebook and Charger

Restroom Etiquette

Yearbooks

School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open

COLORADO GIVES DAY

HKCS Survey

Shop With a Patriot

Match Goal Surpassed! Thank You for Supporting the GWHS Food Pantry

GWHS Food Pantry Usage

GWHS Landscape Committee Updates

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

January 12

ACCESS Testing for MLLs - No School for Non-Testing 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.

 

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.

 

Activities Fee

To help support our Student Council in planning and hosting important school events such as Homecoming, Prom, and other class activities, we will be assessing a $15 class fee for each student starting in January. This contribution helps ensure we can continue providing memorable and well-organized events for all students. Thank you for your support and partnership in making these experiences possible and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule

Please find the Fall 2025 Final Exams Schedule HERE. Please note we 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. 

 

ACCESS Testing - Monday, January 12

On Monday, January 12, all MLL students will take ACCESS, a state-required test that progress monitors students' English language acquisition. Students will receive an email to their @dpsk12.net accounts the week of January 5 with their testing room assignment. Students should arrive at GWHS no later than 8:30am with their fully-charged DPS-issued Chromebook and their charger. We'll order pizza for all testing students! There will be no school for students who do not take ACCESS. Questions? Ask your ELD teacher.

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 Deadline Approaching!

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.

 

Return Your Loaned Chromebook and Charger

Students, have you borrowed a loaner Chromebook or charger? If so, please return your loaner Chromebook or charger to Mr. Embleton in room 323 before Winter Break. Chromebooks that are not returned will be considered lost/missing/stolen and a $400 charge will be added to your MySchoolBucks account. Chargers borrowed and not returned are $28, and will also be added to your MySchoolBucks account. Questions? Please see Mr. Embleton in room 323. 

 

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.

Colorado Gives Day

Let's gear up for Colorado Gives Day and make this one the best yet for GWHS! From Saturday, November 1 through Tuesday, December 9, every donation you make is boosted with a $1M+ Incentive Fund, thanks to Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. The more we raise, the bigger our share. Plus, if you set up a new monthly recurring donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly gift up to $100! It’s an exciting opportunity for you to double the impact of your continued support.

You can choose to donate to a specific club/program or to the Be Inspired Annual Fund. Click HERE to donate today! Thank you for your support, and for helping to make this Colorado Gives Day the most successful yet!

 

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.

 

Shop With a Patriot

GWHS is hosting its annual event, "Shop With a Patriot," to support local families in our community. We will be taking elementary students shopping for holiday gifts to give to their family, giving out holiday meal baskets, all while enjoying a magical winter wonderland experience. We need your help to make this experience as special as possible. Please click HERE for a QR code or other ways to donate towards our goal of $4,000. 

 

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:

  • Via Colorado Gives

  • Via Zelle to GWHS.Food.Pantry@gmail.com

• Volunteer your time, which is just as valuable:

  • Sign up HERE.

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.

 

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.