INTRODUCING WAVE TIMES FOR CARLINE
In an effort to further make the pick-up of your student(s) at the end of the school day quick and easy for all of our families, beginning this coming Monday, August 23rd, we are instituting wave times for our families to follow. 

Wave times are our best option to prevent vehicles from spilling out of our parking lot back onto Ingram and Midhurst Roads and will significantly reduce the amount of time a family has to sit in the parking lot. Carline Waves are already common practice for families at other Great Hearts campuses that have found it very helpful to plan all after-school activities with assurance.

To determine the most effective wave times, we calculated how many cars represent each child/family at each grade level and then tried to group students in a way that allowed our youngest and most tired scholars out the doors first. Please be assured that students who have a later wave time will not be idle but will be using this time to read quietly and work on homework with a teacher present. GHWH now has over 1100 students. Each vehicle that arrives before the assigned wave time will add an unnecessary amount of vehicles to the parking lot and therefore hold up traffic.

Wave times work best when everyone in our community abides by them. If you are not at your appropriate wave time, you may be asked to re-queue inline or park. Therefore, it will be necessary for every driver to do their best to plan arrival at or within the wave time designated to their student(s).
If you have any questions concerning traffic or your particular wave time, please reach out to Mrs. Arredondo criselda.arredondo@greatheartswesternhills.org for the Lower School lot and Mr. Griffin Graylyne.griffin@greatheartswesternhills.org for the Upper School lot.

Additionally, we would like to note that Missed Carline is for families of scholars who did not arrive in time in the Pick-Up area. This is a time for parents to remain in the car and scholars must immediately load into their vehicle.

Thank you for partnering with us in our pursuit of excellence at GHWH, where every day is a good day to be a Spartan!


Blessings,
Headmaster Trinette Keffer
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 Operations Updates
Curriculum Nights - POSTPONED
Out of an abundance of caution during the current surge in COVID-19 in San Antonio, the Curriculum Nights scheduled for Sep 7 & 8 will be postponed until later this Fall semester.

Additional House Patches
For those who did not receive their total 5 patches, house patches are now available for pick-up at the Receptionist of the Upper School. Those who would like to purchase additional patches may do so online and pick them up with the Upper School Receptionist

Lunchtime Parent Visits
Under current COVID-19 mitigation procedures, no parent or grandparent may join their scholars as lunchroom visitors, with the exception of parents who are serving as lunchtime volunteers (please contact ghwhpso@gmail.com for lunch duty volunteer opportunities).
Nurse's Corner
7th Grade Immunizations
For Parents of all current 7th Graders for Fall of 2021-22 School Year

The state requires 2 immunizations of Texas for all the Grade Students. They are:
  • Meningococcal Conjugate MCV4
  • Tdap

If your student has received these 2 vaccinations, please provide a copy to the school nurse as soon as possible by either dropping off a copy or emailing them to our new Upper School Nurse, Monique Marsh.

Great Hearts, by state mandate, is required to have these vaccinations. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nurse Marsh!
Fall Intramural Season
Our Fall Intramural Season begins September 7th! This season will comprise of Girls Volleyball and Boys Flag Football. Registrations will open on August 23rd through Register My Athlete and families will pay fees through the Configio program. There will be a $100 fee per season for each student that covers the price of a t-shirt, special events and will help cover coaching and other necessary costs. Student-athletes must be eligible to participate by maintaining passing grades, passing a physical examination (see forms registermyathlete.com), and demonstrating excellent moral choices in the classroom and during practice. 

Practice Schedule for Volleyball & Flag Football
  • Mondays & Wednesdays: Houses Oakenshield & Baggins
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: House Pevensies & Reepicheep
  • 5/6th Grade Teams: 3:45-4:45 pm
  • 7/8th Grade Teams: 4:50-5:50 pm
 
We are currently looking for coaches and referees! who share our vision of teaching fundamental skills, have an inclusive team building and motivational approach, and are familiar with the Great Hearts athletic philosophy. Please reach out to me with any questions you have at Elizabeth.disney@greatheartswesternhills.org.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Disney
Athletic Director GHWH
Campus Safety Updates
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 familiarize themselves with the latest mitigation procedures outlined by Great Hearts Western Hills.
  • For further reading, please read the Great Hearts Texas Safe Return policies we have put to practice
  • Be prepared to receive emails concerning contact tracing in your scholar's grade or section.
We are building a legacy at Western Hills. Please consider giving to the Community Investment Campaign to support our scholars and faculty.

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!
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.
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.

Lower & Upper School Parent Summits