In this issue:
Communicate with our School via Rooms
2025-2026 Student Absences Policy and Procedures
2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy
Class Meeting Slidedeck
Fall Testing Dates
Student Prescription Medications
Chromebook Distribution
Long-Form Improv Club
Elite Patriot Dance Team Tryouts
Seniors - Register for the DSF Financial Aid Workshop
School Store "Patriots' Snack'n Print" Now Open
Back to School Night
Passive Permission for Ninth Grade Suicide Prevention Programming
GWHS Food Pantry
P.E. Waiver Update
Weekly Athletics Update
Featured Highlight!
Click Here for This Week's Athletics Events
Click Here for GWHS's Bell Schedule
September 9
Activities Fair
September 9
Back to School Night
September 22
Staff Professional Development Day/No School for Students
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.
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.
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.
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.
Long-Form Improv Club
Dream of becoming a comedian? Need a stage for your comedic talents? Want to become a comedy writer? Learn all those skills by joining the Long-Form Improv Club! Sign up at today's Activities Fair. Questions? See Mr. Wylde in room 210.
Elite Patriot Dance Team Tryouts
Patriots, do you have the talent, energy, and school spirit to hype up a crowd? The Elite Patriot Hip-Hop Dance Team is holding tryouts on Monday, September 15 and Tuesday, September 16 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the Cafeteria, and we want to see what you’ve got! If you're interested or just want to learn more, stop by our table at the Activities Fair today. Meet the team, ask questions, and get ready to be a part of something amazing! All current GWHS students are welcome. Click HERE for more info and a QR code to register for tryouts. Questions? Contact Coach Jones.
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.
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.
Back to School Night
Mark your calendars and plan to join us TONIGHT, 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 complete the opt-out form HERE.
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 tonight from 5:00 to 7:00pm!
