Upcoming Dates

July 27th High School Family Meet-Up

Aug 4th Middle School Family Meet-Up

Aug 12th Back-to-Upper-School Round-Up

Aug 14th First Day of School

Aug 18-20th Student Mentor Retreat

Sep 4th Holiday (No School)

Click the links below to add the campus event calendar to your personal calendars:

Quick Links

Upper School Family Handbook

Uniform Guideline, 6-10th

Academic Calendar 2023-24

School Supply Information

Classics to Keep K-10th

Athletics Website

Community Investment Information

Bonus: Click here to join the GHWH PSO Facebook Group

Covered in this Newsletter

Headmaster Letter
New Student Orientation
Back-to-Upper-School Round-Up
High School Language Survey
Uniform Reminders
School Supplies
Classics to Keep
Volunteer Opportunities
High School Gathering
Middle School Gathering

Please remember to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see all of this week's content.

From the Headmaster's Desk

Dear Upper School Students and Families,

We hope everyone is enjoying the freedom and rest of summer activities. The leadership team has begun to crawl out of summer hibernation like hobbits emerging from the coolness of damp and earthy hobbit holes. As we stretch and rub our eyes, we have begun to turn our attention to the new school year just around the corner. We are excited about the adventures that will be had in the 2023-24 school year!

We know many of you are already thinking about the upcoming school year, so we wanted to share some important news and updates you should be aware of.

Trinette Keffer

Headmaster Upper School

New Upper School Student Orientation

Saturday, August 12th

Who: Necessary for all new students and previous 5th graders who are entering 6th grade.

When: 9 am to 11:30 am – New and Incoming Student Orientation

11:30 am to Noon – HM Address to Parents & Students in Gym

Noon – 1 pm - Back-to-School Upper School Round-Up (Get textbooks, supplies, set up lockers, house swag, etc.)

Where: Campus entry location to be announced at a later date

Back-to-Upper-School Round-Up

Saturday, August 12th

(Formerly known as Open House or Meet the Teacher)

Who: Returning 7th through 10th Grade students

When: 1 pm-5 pm

Where: Campus entry location to be announced at a later date

High School Language Survey

If you have not yet completed the language survey that was sent to all 9th and 10th-grade families two weeks ago, please click on the link provided below.

High School Language Survey

Uniform Reminders

6^th, 7^th & 9^th graders need an official PE uniform (8^th graders DO NOT have PE)
9^th & 10^th graders – please consider purchasing the sweater vest – it will help to keep your tie and white Oxford shirt clean!
The best way to ensure that your student has the right uniform in time for Aug 14, consider visiting the in-person stores (Dennis Uniform, 431 Isom Rd Unit 101 78216)
New students will get House patches or House ties on the first day of school at the House Choosing Ceremony on Aug 14)
Returning 6-8 grade students must have House patches affixed to the left sleeve of the polo on the first day. High Schoolers must wear House ties. Patches and ties can be purchased at the Back-to-School Round-Up

School Supplies

Fifty additional Edukits per grade will be available for purchase at the Aug 12^th Back-to-School US Round-Up – first come, first served.
School supplies can be purchased anywhere by using the Edukit list – the supplies do NOT need to be brand specific. Amount and COLORS do matter!!
7^th graders do NOT need the black binder listed on the 6/7 Edukit list (It’s for 6th-grade drama.)
7^th graders do need an ART Sketchbook. The school will supply one if one cannot be found.

Classics to Keep

The FIRST Classic-to-Keep that will be read by grade level is listed below with corresponding ISBN numbers:

6^th grade- Magician's Nephew

9780064405058

7^th grade- The Silver Chair

9780064471091

8^th grade - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

9780140440928

9^th grade- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

9798749503234

10^th grade- A Tale of Two Cities

9780451530578

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).