George Washington High School
In this issue:
October Count Day
Assessment - PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 9 and Accuplacer
Chronic Absenteeism
AP Exam Registration
Seniors - Panoramic Photo
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Application
School Store and Coffee Bar Now Open
Monday and Friday Dress Days
Superintendent's Student Cabinet
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
The GWHS Food Pantry Needs Your Support
Weekly Athletics Update
Featured Highlight!
October Count Day
Tuesday, October 1 is October Count Day as designated by Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This is the day CDE uses to establish school demographics, free and reduced lunch counts, instructional programming availability and distribution of school finances. It is critically important all students are in attendance on this day so that each student is included in our count for budgeting.
Assessment - PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 9 and Accuplacer
On Tuesday, October 15, all students in grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT/NMSQT. There will be no school for students in grade 9 or grade 12. See the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide HERE.
On Wednesday, October 16, all students in grade 9 will take the PSAT 9. Additionally, all grade 12 students who need to demonstrate competency for graduation in English and/or math will take Accuplacer. There will be no school for students in grades 10 or 11, or students in grade 12 who have demonstrated competency for graduation. Grade 12 students, watch your DPS email for information, or speak with your counselor regarding competency. See the PSAT 9 Student Guide HERE.
All students will need to bring their DPS-issued Chromebook on their test day. Students, be sure your Chromebook charged before test day. If you do not have a DPS-issued Chromebook, visit Mr. Embleton in room 323. If you do not have a Chromebook charger, be sure to bring your Chromebook to Mr. Embleton in room 323 for charging at the charging station.
If you do not want your student to participate in assessments for the 2024-2025 school year, parents/guardians must complete an Assessment Participation Exemption Request through Parent Portal. Click HERE for more information about assessments and the opt-out process. Guides in ENGLISH and SPANISH are available.
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. Remember, every minute matters! Be sure your student is in school, on time, every day.
AP Exam Registration
AP students, as a reminder, if you are taking an AP exam in May 2025 you must pay for your AP exam(s) HERE. Each exam is $103; a $10 per exam late fee begins Friday, October 25 and all AP exams must be paid for by Friday, November 8. After you have paid for your AP exam(s), you must also place your exam order by joining your AP Classroom for each AP exam you plan to take. Questions? Click HERE for the AP exam registration process and some FAQs.
Seniors - Panoramic Photo
Seniors, your Senior Class Panoramic Pictures will be taken Thursday, November 14 in the Gym. Remember - this is the ONLY time pictures will be taken of your whole Senior class, so don't miss out! All ordering is online; click HERE to order. Remember when ordering: all laminated photos come with a 5-year money-back guarantee, or order the "both" package with the formal and funny photos laminated and automatically save 20%! Click HERE to be entered into the contest! Questions? Email BestClassPicture@gmail.com.
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Application
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 due Friday, November 1. Questions? Contact seal_of_biliteracy.groups@dpsk12.net.
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!
Superintendent's Student Cabinet
The DPS Superintendent Cabinet is a collection of students from across district-run and charter schools that meet monthly. The Cabinet establishes youth/adult partnerships in district-level activism. The first Superintendent Cabinet meeting for the 2024-2025 school year will be Tuesday, October 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, in-person. If interested in participating, please complete this registration FORM by Friday, October 11. For more information, check out this FLYER.
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
Join our Principal, Dr. Davis, for casual conversation and school updates during Doughnuts with Dr. Davis on Friday, October 4 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 (note the change from the first Tuesday morning of every month), so be sure to watch the Weekly Roundup for reminders.
The GWHS Food Pantry Needs Your Support
Our GWHS Food Pantry relies on the generosity of volunteers like you to keep shelves stocked and bellies full. From sorting donations to helping with distribution, every bit of help makes a difference. Give back to your community and sign up to volunteer today! Click HERE to sign up for a time that works for you - there are multiple roles and time slots that need filling, as well as support roles (are you a grant writer?). Together, we can ensure no GWHS family goes hungry!
Weekly Athletics Update
Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our weekly Athletics Update.
Featured Highlight!
GWHS is extremely proud to announce its five National Merit Scholarship Program Semi-Finalists from the Class of 2025! GWHS boasts the second-most National Merit Semi-Finalists of any DPS high school. Our National Merit Semi-Finalists are (from left to right): Luca McMurray, Charles Camp, Kate Taylor, Caroline Mabey and Samuel Holland.
Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October of their junior year (for information regarding this year's administration, please see above). The 16,000 National Merit Semi-Finalists are the highest-scoring students in each state, representing less than one percent of each state's high school seniors.
September 27
Teacher Workday/No School for Students
October 8-9
Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30 to 7:00pm)
October 10
Teacher Workday/No School for Students
October 11 - 14
Fall Break/No School
October 15
PSAT/NMSQT (grade 10 and 11 students; no school for students in grades 9 or 12)
October 16
PSAT 9 and Accuplacer (grade 9 and select grade 12 students; no school for students in grades 10 or 11)