In this issue:
Communicate with our School via Rooms
2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures
2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy
Fall Testing Dates
AP Exam Registration
Homecoming Events
Homecoming Spirit Days
Homecoming Dance Tickets
Seniors - Register for the DSF Financial Aid Workshop
Seniors - Colorado Free Application Days
Hispanic Food Festival
Yearbooks
SAT Prep Course at DU (or Live Online)
School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open
Homecoming Dance Chaperones Needed
BESS Survey
Healthy Choices, Bright Futures
Support the GWHS Food Pantry
GWHS Food Pantry Usage
Weekly Athletics Update
Click Here for This Week's Athletics Events
Click Here for GWHS's Bell Schedule
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.
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:
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!
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.
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.
Seniors - Colorado Free Application Days
To inspire more Coloradans to continue their education, all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado and several private institutions will allow students to apply for free from Tuesday, October 7 through Thursday, October 9 as part of Colorado Free Application Days. By waiving application fees — a common barrier to higher education — Colorado Free Application Days aims to improve access to further education and training. Visit the Colorado Free Application Days webpage for more information.
Hispanic Food Festival
Share your Hispanic heritage through food! Sign up with the QR code in this FLYER to bring an authentic dish to share with students on Wednesday, October 8. Questions? Please ask Mr. Washington or Coach Finesilver.
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.
SAT Prep Course at DU (or Live Online)
There will be another high-quality SAT prep course this fall, hosted at the University of Denver and taught by a Harvard grad. There is also a live online version of the course. You will choose between the in-person and virtual courses. Both courses are open to juniors and seniors.
27-hour comprehensive course, including three proctored practice exams
Starts in October and runs for seven weeks
Taught live by a 99th percentile expert instructor
Costs $155-$175
Campus Prep has provided these popular courses at the University of Denver for the past seven years and has been the official SAT provider for the Boulder Valley School District. Students who complete the course often increase their score by over 200 points. Click HERE to see the schedules and to apply for the course. Questions? Email admin@campusprep.org or call (877) 805-2521.
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.
Homecoming Dance Chaperones Needed
Patriot families, we are in need of chaperones for the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 4 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Please click HERE to sign up for one of the shifts (or both). Any help is greatly appreciated! Questions? Contact Ms. Kristi at kristi_paukstis@dpsk12.net.
BESS Survey
This school year, all Denver Public School students will complete universal behavioral and emotional health screening using the Behavior and Emotional Screening System (BESS). This is an online tool that takes approximately five minutes to complete and consists of 28 questions for the student to answer. During school registration, parents and guardians had an opportunity to opt their child out of completing the Student Self-Report Form of the BESS.
GWHS will be facilitating students in completion of their Student Self-Report Form of the BESS Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 24th (with make-ups the following week).
Parents/guardians have the right, upon request, to review the items on the BESS. This is completed through a phone call, video call, or in-person meeting with their child’s school. Due to copyright, school teams are not able to send a copy of the questions home prior to screening. If parents/guardians would like to confirm or revoke their opt-out decision, please do so by calling our Main Office.
Healthy Choices, Bright Futures
Healthy Choices, Bright Futures is coming to Bruce Randolph School on Tuesday, October 21 from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Families will hear a powerful story from a mom about fentanyl awareness, learn tools to talk about prevention at home, and connect with community resources. Dinner, childcare, and interpretation provided. Families may be eligible to receive gift cards. More information about the event and additional resources can be found on the FACE website or in this FLYER. Click HERE to RSVP.
Support the GWHS Food Pantry
In conjunction with our generous donors and in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, the GWHS Food Panty continues to provide weekly access to nutritious food for community members experiencing food insecurity. We are currently serving over 90 families each week.
GWHS Food Pantry Usage
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.
Weekly Athletics Update
Patriots excel in the classroom and on the field! Click HERE to read our Weekly Athletics Update.
