Weekly Newsletter | August 14th, 2021

Dear Spartan Families,

Huge kudos goes to Jennifer Cape, the leadership team, and teachers to find the bugs in the Curb system and pull together to execute the revised pick-up plan on Friday; I am sure everyone appreciated getting through the car line faster. The Lower School side finished at 4:30 pm, an hour earlier than Thursday, and Upper School not long after. Again, we are so grateful to the family community for your patience with us. Please watch for further communications to come out as we further refine the process, but it should continue to improve each day.

Furthermore, as for morning drop-off, until the routine gets perfected, NO STUDENT WILL BE COUNTED TARDY as long as they are in the drop-off line by 8 am. Parents should note that if the carline cones have been moved and faculty went inside, parents need to park and sign their students at the front desk.

The practice of habits has begun! The message from faculty to students has centered around choices. In just three days, Kindergarteners have started to learn the habits of self-control, pencil grip, and following 2-3 step directions. 1^st – 4^th has carried the torch by reestablishing those habits after a long summer. 5^th and 6^th graders have been ushered into the world of moderate autonomy and lots more choices, while 7^th & 8^th graders are settling into a raised level of rigor. We have set the standards and expectations high for all students, but we are committed to shepherding each student through the journey to virtuous habits, which tends to be a bumpy one in the best of circumstances. Teachers and administrators are committed to staying in close communication, so please reach out if you ever have a concern.

Thank you for choosing to let us partner with you in training and educating your children. We are humbled by the trust you place in us – to him, that much is given, much is expected.

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year, where every day is a good day to be a Spartan!

Blessings,

Headmaster Trinette Keffer

Lower & Upper School Parent Summits

Quick Links for the School Year

Linked below are documents containing valuable information for this coming year.

Families can also head to the GHWH website for additional parent resources.

Campus Safety Update

Be assured that the administration of Great Hearts Western Hills is in daily communication with our regional leaders to ensure safety in the coming year. In partnership with us, please take these action steps:

Families should about the Great Hearts Texas Safe Return policies we have put to practice.
We are currently under a mask mandate for individuals two years and older. Linked here is our Visual Face Coverings Guidelines.
Please be prepared to receive emails concerning contact tracing in your scholar's grade or section.

Campus Operations Updates

Mealtime Update

If you have received an email about a negative balance for Mealtime, please disregard it. Our Great Hearts Texas Lead Office is working to correct this error.

Early Pick Up

The cut-off for picking up your child early from school is 2:30 p.m. Valuable instructional time is lost when you pick up your child before 2:30 pm It is also a disruption to the classroom. If you have an appointment that you need to get to before 4:00 pm, we recommend picking up your scholar before 2:30 pm.

Pick-Up Carline

All families with Upper School scholars and Lower School siblings go to the Upper School to pick up all their children together.
All lanes (A or B) at Lower School are accessible for families who have all Lower School children.
Please, place your placard on the dash, so it is clearly visible for our faculty to see.

Community Investment

Community Investment is the parent support that keeps our school running! It directly impacts teacher pay, facilities, and so much more. We receive near $1,700 less per scholar than students at the neighboring districts. If you would like to support the academy at $100 per scholar, now is the time! Please remember that any amount is meaningful in supporting your scholar.

Gifts will run from July 2021 to June 2022. So if you would are interested in making a gift or setting up a monthly donation for the 21-22 school year, you may do so here! Reach out to Ryan Travis, our Director of Community Engagement & Academy Giving, with your questions about Community Investment.

The PSO Corner

There are so many opportunities to volunteer! However, every school year, volunteers must have a new background check on file. Please click the link below to access the form and return it via e-mail at info@greatheartswesternhills.org or in-person to the receptionist at the GHWH Lower School.

Click to download Background Check Form

For specific questions about volunteering or parental involvement at the school, you can contact the PSO leadership at ghwhpso@gmail.com.

PSO Facebook Group

The PSO Facebook Group is one of the best ways to stay up-to-date on important news from Great Hearts and the Parent Service Organization.

Remember, as a parent or guardian here at GHWH, you are already officially part of the PSO. So join the Facebook group today if you have not already.

We are building a legacy at Western Hills. Please consider giving to the Community Investment Campaign to support our scholars and faculty.

Click here to donate today!

Estamos construyendo un legado en Western Hills. Considere donar a la Community Investment Campaign para apoyar a nuestros académicos y profesores. ¡Haga clic aquí para donar hoy, por favor!