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Set 12th US Curriculum Night & Raising Cane's Spirit Night
Sept 14th Curriculum Night
Sept 20th Big Give Kick-Off Tailgate
Sep 22nd Circus Maximus (Mentor/Mentee Event)
Sep 29th 6th Grade Coffee with the Headmaster
Oct 2-6th Upper School Spirit Week
Oct 9-13th Parent Teacher Conferences and Fall Break
| 23-24 Calendars Available! Click the links below to add our campus event calendar to your personal calendars: | |  |
Covered in this Newsletter | |
- Headmaster Letter
- US Curriculum Night & Volunteer Training
- Open Lunches
- The Big Give 2023
- Nurse's Corner
- Upper School Housekeeping
- The Academy Advisory Committee
- Free or Reduced Lunch Application
- The Music Nook
- Intramurals
- Athletics
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Advocacy Corner
- SmugMug
Please remember to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see all of this week's content.
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Dear Spartan Families,
Thank you so much for your patience with us as we experienced water outages this past week, not only Thursday but late Friday afternoon, that required us to cancel two home volleyball games. I have asked the district directors of operations to help us work with SAWS to be sure that there is better communication from them and to help us understand why it has been a problem. SAWS is reporting that due to such dry conditions, there are higher incidences of water breaks in SA. Currently, we are assured that all is as it should be for school on Monday morning.
We have rescheduled our PSO Info Night (5:15-5:45 pm) and Curriculum Night which was originally scheduled for last Thursday, to Tuesday, September 12. We look forward to seeing all our parents there as we host you for a mock school day that starts with registration (5:45-6pm) and a short assembly in the gym starting at 6pm. Each parent will receive their student’s schedule and House sticker. After the assembly, parents will follow their student’s schedule of 8-minute classes and 2-minute passing periods. The evening will wrap back up in the gym with a House competition led by our House Governor, Dean and Student Mentors. Every parent who comes will earn points for their student’s House, meet their student’s teachers, and get to visit with other parents.
Please do not miss this opportunity to walk in the shoes of your Upper School scholar!
Best,
Trinette Keffer | Upper School Headmaster
Great Hearts Western Hills
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Upper School Curriculum Night | Thursday, September 12th, from 6-8 PM (Volunteer Training at 5pm)
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Are you smarter than a GHWH Upper Schooler? Come and walk in the shoes of your Upper School Spartan student!
Curriculum Night is an annual event designed for parents/guardians to visit their child's school and experience a typical school day. Upon arrival, attendees will be welcomed in the gym before proceeding to each of their child's classes. During each class, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to participate in a mini-lesson with the teacher. The event will conclude with a House Assembly.
Schedule of Events:
*Overflow Parking will be available at the Petco lot adjacent to Lower School
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5:00 to 5:45 pm -- US Volunteer Training in the gym
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5:45 to 6 pm – Doors Open, and parents will receive their child’s schedule and a “House Patch.”
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6:00 to 6:20 pm – Welcome
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6:25 to 7:15 pm- Lessons in Classrooms
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7:30 to 8:00 pm – House Assembly
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PS--Every parent who comes earns their student’s house points towards the House Cup!
Upper School Volunteer Training
Thursday, September 12th (prior to Curriculum Night) at 5 PM in the Gym
Become a Volunteer!
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Complete the Volunteer Interest Form, so we know where to plug you in
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Sign and Return the Confidentiality Form by emailing ghwhinfo@greatheartstxschools.org)
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Complete an Online Background Check
- Attend either the in-person Volunteer Training on September 12th from 5:00 to 5:45 PM in the Gym or the online 23-24 Volunteer Training.
*Please note:
- Even if you have completed it before, you must submit another Background Check and Confidentiality Form to volunteer for the 2023-24 School Year.
- If you have already attended to LS volunteer Training this year and completed all your necessary forms, this training is not necessary BUT a fantastic opportunity to hear about the ways you can serve our Upper School!
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*You can find details and volunteer opportunities on the Official PSO Website or email the PSO leadership directly with your questions at pso@greatheartswesternhills.org
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How you can help us:
- Please be sure to have your scholar in their classes when attendance is taken each day at 9:30 AM. Doctor appointments made after this time are ideal.
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Open Lunches at Upper School | |
Parents/guardians of scholars in grades 6th through 10th can accompany their scholar during their lunch period on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Parent/guardian must sign up for a slot prior to visiting for lunch. This will ensure that there is enough seating available for scholars and their guests on that day.
*Please read the Lunch Guidelines before RSVPing
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We are so excited to announce that on Wednesday, September 20th, our campus will kick off the start of the Big Give with a Tailgate at the entrance gate of the Middle School and JV Football home games! Come for free food, activities, football, and to "get your Give face on" while donating to our campus.
But what is the Big Give?
The Big Give is a 24-hour day of giving that will take place from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 9/20, to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 9/21. These donations, made through the Big Give's website, benefit our Community Investment campaign and will enable us to secure facility updates such as a new shade structure near the gym, increase security on campus, purchase athletic equipment, and so much more.
No gift is too big or too small! Last year, our goal was $40k, and over 250 Spartan families rallied to raise over $40k by the night's end. This year, we are aiming for 100% participation. So, all families who donate will receive a thank you decal and be entered into drawings for NEW Spartan Swag!
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Hearing and Vision, Tuesday, September 12th | |
Hearing, Vision, and Acanthosis screenings will be conducted for all 3rd, 5th, and 7th graders on Tuesday September 12, 2023. Please be sure to send your scholar with their glasses, contact lenses and/or hearing devices.
The tests conducted to evaluate your child's vision and hearing are screens; they are not diagnostic. This means that if your child fails a screen, it is necessary for him or her to be evaluated by his or her primary care provider to determine whether there is a problem. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being, we are pleased to announce that Great Hearts Texas has recently implemented an Unassigned Stock Epinephrine Program. Click here to read more about the program from our Director of Health Services.
Link to pdf: https://texas.greatheartsamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2023/08/Epi-parent-letter.pdf
Link to Health Services: https://texas.greatheartsamerica.org/academy-life/great-hearts-texas-health-services/
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Upper School Housekeeping |
Dismissal Cut-Off
The Upper School carline ends at 4:10 PM. Scholars who are not picked up at this time will be placed in the Homework Club and will be charged $1/minute.
Please review the following wave times-
3:30-3:40 PM Upper School Students Only
3:40-4:00 PM Upper School Students with Lower school siblings
4-4:10 Homework Recovery/Detention
Teacher Tutoring
Tutoring has begun! All teachers have their tutoring times posted on their classroom doors. Teachers offer tutoring during morning break and by appointment.
| Scholars can find this station around the corner from the kitchen in the gym (across from the Coach's office). |
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Academy Advisory Committe | |
The Academy Advisory Committee, or AAC, is composed of parents who nominated themselves for appointment, our two Headmasters, the Director of Community Engagement, and two additional faculty. The committee uses their semesterly meetings as opportunities for the school leadership and parent stakeholders to exchange valuable insight and discuss goals concerning campus safety, facility improvement, culture, and communication. This is a vital way our school leadership is able to share and hear our community's voices in these areas.
To that end, AAC meetings are open to the public. Though non-AAC attendees may not contribute during the meeting discussion, any family with relevant concerns, ideas, encouragements, or valuable insight can contact the AAC members listed on our website and request that they bring them to the committee's attention. The next AAC meeting is September 18th at 4:30 PM in the Upper School Library.
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Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch! | |
Great Hearts participates in the Free & Reduced Lunch (FRL) Program. Your family may qualify for breakfast and lunch meals at a minimal or no cost. You can submit an application at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?lang=English
This state application is still required even if you applied and qualified for preliminary assistance with the campus over the summer.
If you have any questions, please email Meals@GreatHeartsTXSchools.org
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Please Note: 9th-grade students who are taking music first semester will need a 1” black 3-ring binder.
Welcome! This list of SA Music Performances is just a snapshot of the opportunities for live music in SA. I am hoping it will encourage families to attend performances and experience the beauty of live music! If you are interested in a different genre of music performance, please reach out to me so I can share those opportunities.
Mrs. Lewis, kathryn.lewis@greatheartstxschools.org
Music Instructor, Upper School
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It is GAME WEEK! We have our first round of games for both flag football and volleyball!
Flag football's first game is on Wednesday, September 13th at 5 pm.
Our first volleyball game is on Friday, September 15th at 4:30 pm, Baggins vs. Oakenshield!
The second game of the night is Pevensies vs. Reepicheep at 5:30!
Please come out and support your house!
Here is the updated and FINAL practice schedule for both sports.
Flag Football:
Monday and Wednesday from 4:15-5:15
Volleyball:
Pevensies and Reepicheep will practice on Monday from 4:15-5:15 and Wednesday from 5:15-6:15
Baggins and Oakenshield will practice on Tuesday from 4:15-5:15 and Thursday from 5:15-6:15
Intramural Volleyball families, just a reminder for the practices held from 5:15-6:15: You will need to pick up your scholars in Carline and then drop them off in front of the gym before practice starts. If your child is already signed up for Athenaeum or Homework Club, they may stay there until practice starts. Please let me know that your scholar is doing that so I can inform you who is in charge.
Also, please make sure your scholar brings a water bottle to practice.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Boring. hannah.boring@greatheartstxschools.org
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Athletics Shoutouts:
MS FFB remains undefeated 3-0
Good luck to our XC team at the GH meet on Saturday 9/9! We look forward to hearing about your accomplishments!
Upcoming Athletic Competitions:
Monday, September 11th
MS FFB vs. GHLO – 5:30 pm – Home
HS Girls VB vs. GHFH – 5:00 pm – Away
Agoge Girls VB vs. Scenic Hills Christian – 6:00 pm – Home
Tuesday, September 12th
MS & HS Volleyball Pictures 3:15 pm in the gym
Wednesday, September 13th
MS FFB vs GHFH – 5:30 pm – Away
HS FFB vs. Lighthouse Public – 6:00 pm - Home
Saturday, September 16th
HS FFB @ Southwest Preparatory School NW – 10:00 am – Away
Cross Country – Speedsters Cross Country Classic @ Walter E. Long Park (Austin, TX)
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Parent Service Organization | |
The transformative education offered at Great Hearts Western Hills will only be possible through the generous and passionate commitment of a Parent Service Organization (PSO).
Upcoming Events
September 12th - Spirit Night - Raising Canes, 8915 Potranco Rd, from 12 pm - 8 pm
September 21st - PSO General Meeting for Upper and Lower School Families, Lower School MPR at 6 pm
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Upper School Library Volunteers Needed | We're excited to get the library open and available to our scholars and we need your help. | |
Care and Concern Comittee -- Items Needed! | Care & Concern is asking for help with lunches, click on the Signup Genius link for more info: | |
Daily School Lunch Volunteers | It takes many hands to make sure our students are fed quickly every day. | |
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Texas Education and Legislative Updates:
The Virtue of Citizenship: Learn how to advocate for our classical public charter schools through the Parent Advocacy Leadership sponsored by the Texas Public Charter School Association. You will learn how to do advocacy actions like this video created by a GH Arlington PAL alum. Apply now between September 11 – 22 to join the next cohort of charter parent advocacy champions! The fall cohort will meet virtually on the second Wednesday of each month between October and December.
Lawmakers convened the 88th Texas Legislature in May without passing a school finance package. It is expected that a special legislative session will be called – likely in October – to tackle increases to the state’s rate of per-pupil funding, teacher pay, and more. In the spring, the Texas House’s omnibus school finance bill would have decreased per-pupil for charter schools. TPCSA is working hard behind the scenes garnering support for increases in state funding for charters, in particular to address their inequitable facilities funding.
Stay up to date on critical charter school bills and action alerts from the Texas Public Charter School Association (TPCSA). TPCSA is the statewide organization representing Texas charter schools to state leaders, lawmakers, and state agencies.
All parents can stay informed by subscribing to TPCSA’s emails and alerts. To receive TPCSA emails and alerts, please click this link.
To learn more about charter advocacy, contact GH’s Family Advocacy Manager Bridie Chaudoir at bridie.chaudoir@greatheartstxschools.org
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As the academic year progresses, photographers from Upper and Lower will continue to share photo memories from our campus on our new SmugMug site. Just use the password "plato" to enter and view. | | | | | |
