George Washington High School
In this issue:
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures
2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy
Class Meeting Slidedeck
Upcoming Building Security Drills
Chromebook Distribution
Softball Interest
Girls Basketball Interest
Back to School Night
Passive Permission for Ninth Grade Suicide Prevention Programming
GWHS Food Pantry
P.E. Waiver Update
Weekly Athletics Update
Featured Highlight!
September 9
Activities Fair
September 9
Back to School Night
September 22
Staff Professional Development Day/No School for Students
Set Your Student's Communication Preferences
Denver Public Schools has transitioned to a communications platform called Thrillshare 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.
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.
2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy
Please review the GWHS cell phone policy for the 2025-2026 school HERE. “BELL TO BELL, NO CELL.” This means cellular devices may NOT be used during instructional time, including in classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. Devices must be in the classroom storage holder or put away, as determined by the teacher.
Class Meeting Slidedeck
During the first week of school, all students attended a Class Meeting based on their current grade level. Please review the information shared with them in this SLIDEDECK for important school policies and procedures.
Upcoming Building Security Drills
Per the office of Safety and Security at Denver Public Schools, we are required to conduct several security drills on a regular basis. We have outlined below the different kinds of drills we practice, and the frequency with which to expect them.
LOCK-DOWN AND LOCK-OUT: A Lock-DOWN occurs when there is a perceived threat inside our building. We teach our students and staff “Lights, Locks, Out of Sight,” which means that all classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students and staff are moved out of sight. A Lock-OUT is when there is a perceived threat in close proximity to our school. We lock all exterior doors and no one is permitted to enter or exit our building. Business proceeds as usual inside the school building. When: Once a semester, within the first 30 days of each semester. We are not notified in advance of when DPS Safety and Security will conduct these drills.
BUILDING EVACUATION: This entails a complete evacuation of the building in case of a fire or other similar danger. When: We are required to practice the building evacuation once a month, with the first drill happening within the first two weeks of school.
SHELTER IN PLACE: This is used in case of a tornado. We move all students and staff into the hallways and away from windows and sit with our backs to the wall. When: Once a semester.
Chromebook Distribution
All students are required to check out a DPS-issued Chromebook, for classroom and assessment use (all state-mandated assessments are administered through apps available only on DPS-issued Chromebooks). If you haven't checked out your Chromebook yet, be sure to visit Mr. Embleton in room 323 this week before school, during lunch, or after school. Questions? Email dale_embleton@dpsk12.net.
Softball Interest
The GWHS softball team needs players. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced softball player, there is a spot for you! Everyone will play, and there are not cuts or tryouts. Please reach out to Mr. Arellano or Mr. Netherton if interested.
Girls Basketball Interest
If you are interested in playing girls basketball during the winter sports season, please visit Coach Wallace in room 112F or email him at khari_wallace@dpsk12.net.
Back to School Night
Mark your calendars and plan to join us Tuesday, September 9 from 5:00 to 7:00pm for our Back to School Night in the GWHS South Courtyard! This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to meet your Patriot's teachers, learn about our curriculum and programs, and ask us any questions you may have. We will have local vendors there as well so you can see who is part of our GWHS community!
Passive Permission for Ninth Grade Suicide Prevention Programming
Teaching students about mental health wellness and how to care for themselves is important. Feelings of sadness and depression appear to be happening at a much earlier age, and adolescence can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. Risk factors such as depression and self-injury can be treated. While not every student will experience these feelings, they may be able to help a friend in need. Each year, schools teach students how to identify risk factors for depression and how to ask for help from a trusted adult. Classroom lessons also include information on Safe2Tell Colorado. Programming is implemented in grades 5, 6, 9 and 12.
This year, on Wednesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 11, our school will implement Erika’s Lighthouse Suicide Prevention Curriculum with our grade 9 students. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in this programming, please contact Suzi Stein-Shevell at sssheve@dpsk12.net for an opt-out form.
GWHS Food Pantry
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.
P.E. Waiver Update
Please click HERE for important information regarding waivers for the Physical Education credit requirement.
Weekly Athletics Update
Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our Weekly Athletics Update.
Featured Highlight!
Over the summer, two of the many hand-painted murals decorating the GWHS campus received some amazing glow-ups. Check out the before and after photos HERE, and don't forget to experience the murals in-person during Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 9 from 5:00 to 7:00pm!