In this issue:
Assessment - PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 9 and Accuplacer
Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up
RTD Zero Fare for Youth Initiative
Homecoming Week
Seniors - Upcoming College Fairs
Juniors and Seniors - Seal of Biliteracy Application
School Store and Coffee Bar Now Open
Monday and Friday Dress Days
SAT Prep Course Through Campus Prep
Climate Champions Grant Program
Mini Cheer Camp
Peru Summer 2025 Travel Meeting
New Girls Head Soccer Coach Meet and Greet
GWHS Grow Club Veggie Harvest
The GWHS Food Pantry Needs Your Support
American Furniture Warehouse Store Rally for GWHS
Weekly Athletics Update
Featured Highlight!
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 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.
Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up
Student drop-off and pick-up will be in front of the school (off of Monaco Parkway) or in the Lower South Lot (off of Leetsdale Avenue). The Lower South Lot (off of Leetsdale Avenue) is the recommended lot for drop-off/pick-up to alleviate traffic along Monaco Parkway. If the North Lot is used for drop-off, students will need to enter through door 1 (off of Monaco Parkway), and will not be admitted through the North Lobby. The gate into the North Lot to/from Monaco Parkway will be closed, and Virginia Avenue will be the only access point for the North Lot.
Student entrance will be allowed only through the Main Lobby (off of Monaco Parkway) or the South Courtyard doors 3 (East) or 8 (West). This allows us to fully monitor entrances to improve safety.
RTD Zero Fare for Youth Initiative
RTD is excited to announce that the Zero Fare for Youth initiative, which allows anyone 19 years or younger to ride RTD services at no cost, has been permanently extended! This initiative not only fosters independence among young people but also helps to reduce traffic congestion, lower pollution levels, and contribute to healthier, cleaner communities. Qualifying individuals don’t need to sign-up for anything; they just need to show their student or government-issued ID to the bus operator or train crew member to verify they are eligible. Click HERE for more information on the initiative.
Homecoming Week
It's Homecoming Week! Join in our Spirit Days and show your Patriot pride:
Tuesday, September 17: Duo Day (twin your fit with a friend!)
Wednesday, September 18: Western Day (wear your cowboy hat, boots, and anything western!)
Thursday, September 19: Anything But a Backpack Day (bring your belongings in anything except a backpack for the day!)
Friday, September 20: Clash of the Classes Neon Edition (freshman wear yellow, sophomores wear pink, juniors wear green, and seniors wear their overalls with a touch of any neon color!)
And don't forget to enjoy our amazing week of activities!
Tuesday, September 17: Movie Night on the turf field at 7:00pm. The movie is "Tangled."
Wednesday, September 18: School Bake Sale after school in Pikes Peak Lobby. Mandatory lunch meeting in room 26 for anyone playing in the Junior vs. Senior Patriot Puff game (pizza will be provided).
Thursday, September 19: Junior vs. Senior Patriot Puff game at 3:45pm on the turf field.
Friday, September 20: Morning Pep Rally (we will be on an assembly bell schedule). Tailgate after school in the South Courtyard (food and games will be provided). Homecoming football game is at 7:00pm at All-City Stadium.
Saturday, September 21: Homecoming Dance at GWHS from 7:00 to 11:00pm. Live DJ and light show! Tickets are $25 on MySchoolBucks, and must be purchased no later than Friday, September 20. To enter the Homecoming Dance, students must bring a proof of purchase (e.g., a screenshot from MySchoolBucks of their paid ticket, or a printed copy of their receipt) and their student ID.
Seniors - Upcoming College Fairs
Seniors, don't miss these upcoming College Fairs! These are great opportunities to learn about schools and meet admissions representatives.
Virtual Financial Aid Workshop: Learn the basics of the college financial aid process. Wednesday, September 18 from 5:00 to 5:45pm. Register at StriveFair.com.
Out-of-State College Fair: Monarch High School on Wednesday, September 25 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Register HERE.
Out-of-State College Fair: Denver South High School on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Register HERE.
In and Out-of State College Fair: Mountain Vista High School on Saturday, September 28 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Register HERE.
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 is now open multiple times per week. Hours are posted on the store door and will soon be on the GWHS website. We offer snacks, soups and a variety of drinks for your enjoyment - come see us! Please wear your ID and have your teacher enter the School Store option in IC Hall Pass.
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!
SAT Prep Course Through Campus Prep
Campus Prep is offering a 27-hour, comprehensive SAT prep course to juniors and seniors this fall. Students may select between an in-person course University of Denver, or a live online course. Students who take the course often see a 200-point increase in their SAT score. Courses cost $155 - $175. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Climate Champions Grant Program
The DPS Sustainability Team is excited to encourage applications to the Climate Champions Grant Program! This program provides funding for student-led climate action projects at the school level. This program also provides students the opportunity to solve real-world challenges within their community, develop leadership skills, and engage in project-based learning that will foster innovative and creative solutions to climate change. This is the second year of the Climate Champions Grant Program. Review the application packet and note that pre-application is due Tuesday, October 22 and the application is due Tuesday, December 3.
Projects must be student-led and based at a DPS school.
All grade levels can apply.
Project teams can request up to $25K in funding.
Questions? Email the DPS Sustainability Team at dept_sustainability@dpsk12.net. Looking for Inspiration? Here are climate action projects that were funded last year.
Mini Cheer Camp
Future Patriots, come join our GWHS Patriot Cheerleaders for mini cheer camp and help them cheer on our team to a homecoming victory! Mini cheer camp runs Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18 from 5:30 to 7:00pm, with a halftime performance at the homecoming game at All-City Field on Friday, September 20! Mini cheerleaders get a cheer bow, t-shirt and one game day ticket. For more information and to register, click HERE.
Peru Summer 2025 Travel Meeting
GWHS will be hosting a trip to Peru in summer 2025! Come hear all the details, including the itinerary, activities, academic opportunities, the cost of the trip and EF’s risk-free enrollment period at our virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00pm. The meeting will take place on Google Meets and you must RSVP to receive our meeting link. Please click HERE to register for the meeting ASAP to save your seat! There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
New Girls Head Soccer Coach Meet and Greet
Girls interested in playing soccer and their guardians, come meet our new head girls soccer coach, Shaunay Vafeades! Coach Vafeades will be in the GWHS Library Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30pm to introduce herself and her plans for the girls soccer program.
GWHS Grow Club Veggie Harvest
The GWHS Grow Club invites you to help harvest veggies for the school cafeteria from the school garden. We will be picking tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, raspberries, etc. Please join us in the community garden weekly on Tuesdays at 7:30am and Thursdays at 8:45am; come even if you only have a few minutes before school. Mark your calendars; we will be harvesting starting this week then every week after, as weather allows or the harvest ends.
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!
American Furniture Warehouse Store Rally for GWHS
Visit any American Furniture Warehouse location from Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 22 and mention code GWHSDPS; 2 to 4% of your purchase price will be donated to GWHS! Click HERE for more information.
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 20
Homecoming Game - All-City Field
September 21
Homecoming Dance
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)
