George Washington High School
In this issue:
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
Chronic Absenteeism
Fall 2024 Final Exams Schedule
Seniors - ASCENT Program Application is Open
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Application Still Open
Yearbook Purchasing and Submissions
School Store and Coffee Bar Now Open
Monday and Friday Dress Days
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
Colorado Gives Day
GWHS Food Pantry - Thanksgiving Boxes
GWHS Alumni Game
GWHS v. East Foundation Game
Weekly Athletics Update
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
Denver Public Schools has just 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.
Chronic Absenteeism
Any student who misses 10% (the equivalent of one to two days per month) or more of the time enrolled in school is considered chronically absent, as defined by state and federal policy. This includes both excused and unexcused absences, as well as suspensions, and also includes late arrivals and early pick-ups. Because absenteeism is calculated by the minute, some families recently received a DPS communication regarding their student's chronic absenteeism despite not having missed full days of school. Fact: students with high attendance (above 90%) in ninth grade are more likely to stay in school and graduate with their peers.
Fall 2024 Final Exams Schedule
Please find the Fall 2024 Final Exams Schedule HERE. Please note we do not allow requests to modify final exam dates, except in extreme cases (student hospitalization, etc.).
Seniors - ASCENT Program Application is Open
Interested in a free year of college? The ASCENT application is open! Learn more about the DPS ASCENT program HERE. Apply for ASCENT HERE. Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) allows students to attend college full-time for one year at no cost through a 5th year of high school program. Students accepted into the ASCENT program attend one of the participating ASCENT schools (Metro, ACC, CCA, CCD, EGTC, FRCC, PTC, and RRCC) beginning in the fall after their senior year of high school. To be eligible for ASCENT, a student must: have earned 9+ college credits by passing CE/DE courses and AP/IB/CLEP exams; meet all high school graduation requirements; be college-ready in English and Math (not for EGTC and PTC); be in the Class of 2025; and apply for FAFSA/CASFA. The DPS ASCENT team provides students with wrap-around advising services including academic, social-emotional and financial support throughout their first year of college to support the critical transition from high school to college. Student admission to ASCENT will depend on order of requirements completed, financial need and fit for the program. The sooner a student submits all required documents, the better chance they have of receiving an ASCENT slot. Questions? Contact your counselor.
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Application Still Open
The DPS Seal of Biliteracy is an award for graduating high school students who prove proficiency in reading, speaking, listening, and writing in English as well as another language. It's a prestigious award that communicates to colleges and employers that you are biliterate. The Seal appears on your official transcript after graduation. Recipients also receive a sticker to affix to their diploma and an honorary cord to wear at graduation. Students may automatically earn the award by demonstrating additional language proficiency through World Language tests taken in high school, but by filling out the application HERE you specifically identify yourself to DPS as a candidate for the Seal of Biliteracy. Applications to earn the Seal in May 2025 are still open - apply today! Questions? Contact seal_of_biliteracy.groups@dpsk12.net.
Yearbook Purchasing and Submissions
Yearbook purchasing and submissions are open! Click HERE for information on how to order your yearbook, submit a senior portrait, and order a baby ad dedication. Yearbook ordering is open through March 10; senior portraits and baby dedications are due no later than January 3.
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 (periods 3 and 6), Tuesdays (period 2), Wednesdays (period 3), Thursdays (periods 2 and 6) and Fridays (periods 2, 3 and 6). 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, November 22 from 8:00 to 8:30am in the GWHS Community Room (note: this event has been rescheduled because Friday, November 8 was a snow day). 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.
Colorado Gives Day
Colorado Gives Day is easily the best day to support the clubs and activities at GWHS! From now through Tuesday, December 10, every donation you make will be boosted with a $1M+ Incentive Fund, made possible by Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Plus, if you set up a new monthly donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly donation up to $100. This is a fantastic opportunity to double your impact and support clubs and programs at GWHS. You can choose to donate to a specific club/program or to the Be Inspired Annual Fund. Click HERE to donate today! For the option of monthly giving, choose Monthly Giving and your donation will be matched automatically. Thank you for your support, and for helping to make this Colorado Gives Day the most successful yet!
GWHS Food Pantry - Thanksgiving Boxes
The GWHS Food Pantry is proud to offer Thanksgiving boxes for families in need. We are offering two types of boxes: (1) Traditional Thanksgiving Meal (turkey, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, instant mashed potatoes, gravy mix, canned sweet potatoes, fresh or canned vegetables), or (2) Thanksgiving Alternative (chicken breast, tilapia, PAN white corn arepa flour, cooking oil, rice, dry black beans, fresh or canned vegetables). To receive a delivery, a family member must be home at the time selected. We will call the day before your delivery to confirm that you will be home at the selected time. Baskets may also be picked up at the GWHS Food Pantry during regular distribution on Wednesday, November 20 from 3:30 to 5:30pm. If you would like to receive a Thanksgiving box, please submit a Thanksgiving Box Request HERE. Signup ends Monday, November 18.
GWHS Alumni Game
Join us Friday, November 22 on Chauncey Billups Court at 4:00pm for an action-packed night of basketball and performances! We'll host Green vs. White basketball games (girls and boys), cheer squad performances, and special appearances by mini cheer and mini basketball teams! Click HERE to purchase tickets; adults are $10, and students are $7. All proceeds support the GWHS girls and boys basketball teams. Click HERE for more information and a QR Code for tickets.
GWHS v. East Foundation Game
Come to Chauncey Billups Court Saturday, November 23 at 1:00pm for our annual GWHS v. East Foundation Game. Click HERE to purchase tickets; adults are $10, and students are $7. All proceeds support the GWHS girls and boys basketball teams. Come show your school spirit and support our team!
Weekly Athletics Update
Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our weekly Athletics Update.
November 25 - 29
Thanksgiving Break