George Washington High School
In this issue:
Communicate with our School via Rooms
2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures
2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy
Fall Testing Dates
Student Prescription Medications
AP Exam Registration
Homecoming Events
Homecoming Spirit Days
ASVAB Testing
Homecoming Dance Tickets
Seniors - Register for the DSF Financial Aid Workshop
Yearbooks
School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
GWHS Food Pantry
P.E. Waiver Update
Weekly Athletics Update
September 29 - October 4
Homecoming Week
October 8 - 9
Family Conferences
October 13
No School
October 14
PSAT/NMSQT (grades 10 and 11; no school for grades 9 or 12)
October 15
PSAT 9 and Accuplacer (grades 9 and select grade 12 students; no school for grades 10 or 11)
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.
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.
Fall Testing Dates
On Tuesday, October 14, all students in grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT/NMSQT (which is the entrance assessment for the National Merit Scholar competition for students in grade 11). There will be no school for students in grades 9 or 12. On Wednesday, October 15, all students in grade 9 will take the PSAT 9, and students in grade 12 who need to demonstrate competency for graduation in math and/or English 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, check with your counselor if you are unsure whether you have met competency for graduation.
If you do not want your student to participate in PSAT 9 or PSAT/NMSQT, please follow these INSTRUCTIONS to complete an Assessment Opt-Out Form through Parent Portal.
Student Prescription Medications
As we begin the school year, our school nurse, Ed Prout, would like to remind families of a few important health guidelines:
Please bring any medications your child will need during the school day to the Nurse’s Office.
If your child would like to self-carry their medication, a completed self-carry form is required (available in the Nurse's Office).
All medications (both in the Nurse’s Office and self-carried) must have a current doctor’s order on file.
If you have any questions, feel free to call our Nurse's Office at 720-423-8635.
Additionally, GWHS hosts a Denver Health School-Based Health Center, fully staffed to provide a range of medical services. Students can make appointments once a Parental Consent Form is completed.
AP Exam Registration
AP students, as a reminder, if you are taking an AP exam in May 2026 you must pay for your AP exam(s) HERE. Each exam is $103; a $10 per exam late fee begins Friday, October 24 and all AP exams must be paid for by Friday, November 7. 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 HERE. Unless you have completed both steps for each AP exam. you plan to take, your AP exam registration is incomplete. Questions? Click HERE for the AP exam registration process and some FAQs.
Homecoming Events
Get ready for Homecoming Week! We have so much excitement planned:
Monday, September 29: Senior Parking Lot Painting (4:00pm; South Parking Lot) and Senior Sunset (6:45pm; South Parking Lot)
Tuesday, September 30: Teacher v. Student Kickball (3:45pm; Baseball Field)
Wednesday, October 1: Field Day (2:40pm; Turf Field)
Thursday, October 2: Patriot Puff Game (2;40pm; Turf Field) and Bonfire and Tailgate (6:30pm; Softball Field)
Friday, October 3: Pep Rally (during school) and Homecoming Game (7:00pm; All City Stadium)
Saturday, October 4: Homecoming Dance (7:00pm; see ticket info below)
Homecoming Spirit Days
Be sure to join in the fun of Homecoming Week with the following Spirit Days!
Monday, September 29: Character Day! Dress your favorite movie or television character.
Tuesday, September 30: Teacher v. Student Day! Teachers dress like students, and students dress like teachers.
Wednesday, October 1: White Lies Day! Wear a white lie written on your t-shirt.
Thursday, October 2: Frat Day! Dress like a frat bro.
Friday, October 3: Pink Out! Support breast cancer awareness by dressing in all your pink.
ASVAB Testing
Students, are you curious about your future career options—whether in the military, college, or the workforce? The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is your chance to explore your strengths and discover career paths that fit you best. ASVAB will be offered at GWHS:
Test Date: Wednesday, September 24
Location: GWHS Library
Time: Testing is from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Arrive early!
The ASVAB is free, and there’s no military commitment required to take it. It’s simply a great tool to help you understand your skills and plan for life after high school. Click HERE for more information. Questions? Contact any JROTC instructor in the JROTC rooms (rooms 12 or 32).
Homecoming Dance Tickets
The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, October 4 from 7:00 to 10:30pm. Tickets are $25 and are now available on MySchoolBucks. Remember, you must have 90% attendence to attend the Dance. Guest forms are available HERE, in the Main Office and in your "Class of" Schoology group, and must be turned in to the Main Office no later than 2:30pm on Wednesday, October 1.
Seniors - Register for the DSF Financial Aid Workshop
All students graduating this year and planning to attend college in the 2026-2027 school year are strongly encouraged to complete a financial aid application. If you and/or your family would like support in this process, registration is now open for this year's DSF Financial Aid Workshop at GWHS. This event is put on by the Denver Scholarship Foundation and will take place in the GWHS Cafeteria on Tuesday, October 7 from 3:00 to 7:00pm, with four one-hour time slots available. We will have expertly trained staff and volunteers assigned to work with students and families one-on-one to complete their financial aid application. Please read the information on the sign-up page carefully and in its entirety. Questions? Come by the Future Center in room 113, or email Hannah at hminturn@denverscholarship.org. To pick your time and register for the workshop, click HERE.
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
Our school store, "Patriots' Snack'n Print," is now open. We are located in the connector hallway on the second floor next to the Library. Our hours are:
Monday: 10:30 to 11:00am (period 3); 1:15 to 1:40pm (period 5)
Tuesday: 9:30 to 10:00am (period 2); 2:00 to 2:30pm (period 6)
Wednesday: 10:15 to 11:05am (period 3); 12:35 to 1:35pm (period 5)
Thursday: 10:30 to 11:00am (period 2); 2:30 to 3:00pm (period 6)
Friday: CLOSED
We offer snacks, soups, drinks, a full espresso bar and custom print services. We accept Apple Pay, Cash, and all major credit cards. Be sure to ask your teacher to assign a hall pass in IC when you visit.
Doughnuts with Dr. Davis
Join our Principal, Dr. Davis, for casual conversation and school updates during Doughnuts with Dr. Davis on Friday, September 26 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 last Friday morning of every month, so be sure to watch the Weekly Roundup for reminders.
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.