Upcoming Events
Aug 7-8th Spartan Mentor Retreat
Aug 9th New Student Training
Aug 10th First Day of School
Aug 17-19th Fall Athletics Tryouts
Sep 5th No School
Sep 8th Curriculum Night
Sep 22nd THE BIG GIVE

Click the links below to add the campus event calendar to your personal calendars:
Covered in this Newsletter
  1. Become a Volunteer Info
  2. Traffic/Carline Info
  3. Operational Updates
  4. Spirit Wear Pre-Orders
  5. Nurse's Corner
  6. 6th Grade & New Student Orientation
  7. House Mentor Retreat
  8. Athletics/Intramural Info
  9. FAQ: Uniform & Supplies
This Week On Campus...
Many thanks to the families who came to help us beautify our campus and to Sparty for coming by to see his fellow Spartans at Meet the Teacher!
Become a 2022-23 Volunteer!
  1. Complete the Volunteer Interest Form
  2. Sign and Return the Confidentiality Form by emailing info@greatheartswesternhills.org)
  3. Complete an Online Background Check 
  4. Then attend either the in-person Volunteer Training on August 17th or take the online Volunteer Training.

*Please note: even if you have completed it before, you must submit another Background Check and Confidentiality Form to volunteer for the 2022-23 School Year.

*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
Carline Traffic Flow
Prepare with your scholar for a year of speedy carlines!
*Please note that while this year's carline plan is largely the same as last school year, important clarifications to the Traffic Flow Document have been made as of this email.
Operational Updates
Tardy Drop-Off
Scholars that are tardy to campus (after 7:50 am) must be dropped off at their respective Front Desks and signed in by a parent or guardian. Tardy K-5th Scholars must be signed in Lower School front desk while 6th-9th scholars must be signed in at the Upper School front Desk. Families with siblings in both schools must sign in at both campuses.

Car Placards
Families who missed Meet the Teacher/Open House and did not receive car placards must pick up their placards from their respective Campus receptionists on either Monday or Tuesday between 8 am and 3 pm.

Early Check-Out
Upper school scholars must be checked out at the Upper School and Lower School scholars must be checked out at the Lower School. Parents with siblings at both campuses must visit both campus receptionists to check out their scholars--no exceptions. 
Families may not check out any later than 3 pm.

Parent Delivered Lunches
This year, parents who are dropping off lunch or snacks for their scholars will not bring them inside the building (in support of our security protocol). Instead, there will be a table set up outside in which parents will fill out a short note with their name, grade, and section and attach it to their lunch. A receptionist will then collect it from outside and provide it to the scholar.

Visitor/Guest/Volunteer Check-In
To help increase security, all guests and visitors MUST be prepared to show ID and speak to the receptionist from an intercom/camera at the front door before entering. They will be expected to show ID and state the reason for the visit. A receptionist will then verify the scholar/parent in our system before buzzing in. 

We will also only allow a small number of families in our lobby at a time. As a result, there may be a wait time outdoors. 
GHTX Meal Service
We have a new meal provider for the 22-23 school year! Please see the SLA Management official announcement HERE.

For more information, please visit their website and view the calendar of meals HERE.

You can load money to your student’s account at mymealtime.com with your child’s meal ID or by dropping off a check at the front office. If you did not receive your student's mealtime ID, please call the receptionist at [210-888-9488 or email info@greatheartswesternhills.org.

To review previous parent communication, please click HERE. For more information, visit the GREAT Hearts Texas Meal Service website.

***The 2022-2022 Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Application is now available.*** Please apply online HERE and review the previous FRL parent communication HERE.
Spirit Wear Pre-Orders
Pre-Order your scholar's Spirit wear that can be worn on Spirit Days to school!
Head to the GHWH PSO website to preorder your Spartan & House Shirts!

Preorders will be closed on 8-11-22 there will be a limited amount ordered for backstock, so pre-orders are encouraged to avoid missing out!

*Please Note the House Shirts are only available in adult sizes (S-XL). Please email pso@greatheartswestenrhills.org if you require a different size for your scholar.
*The photo displayed on site will have each respective crest for each house shirt.
Nurse's Corner
Important back-to-school checklist from our Nurse
Please view our website page, "Nurse's Corner," for Forms and more information on our medication policies.

See below for the back-to-school checklist.
  1. If your child requires daily prescribed medication, please bring the medication (with label) to the nurse on Monday or Tuesday. Do NOT wait to drop off prescribed medication until the first day of school.
  2. If your child has a significant medical history/significant medical condition, please make an appointment with the Nurse. If you were unable to come to the Open House, please email the Upper School Nurse to schedule an appointment to meet with the nurse.
  3. Please ensure your child's immunizations are up to date and have been uploaded to School Mint. Families have until the first day of school to upload or provide all required immunizations.
6th Grade & New Student Orientation
7:50 AM - 12:15 PM on August 9th at the Upper School Campus
When: Tuesday, August 9th, 7:50 am – 12:15 pm
Who: ALL 6th Graders & any NEW 7-9th grade students
What: Learn about everything you need to know to be a success on the first day, led by teachers and House Mentors. They will feature seminars & games on the following topics:
  • Dress Code
  • House System
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Athletics, PE, and Extra Curricular
  • HW & Tutoring
  • Locker 911
  • Campus Spaces

Dress: School Uniform
Bring: Curiosity. We will supply everything else. Snacks & refreshments will be provided.
House Mentor Retreat
August 7th & 8th at Knott Creek Falls
*This event is ONLY for current students accepted into the House Mentor Program.*

More information will be sent directly to the families of House Mentors. In the meantime, below is a brief overview:
  • Sunday, August 7 – Arrive at school between 10 am-10:15 am
  • Monday, August 8 – Return to school around 2 pm
  • A chartered bus will provide transportation for scholars and teachers
  • Meals will be provided on site
  • Address for camp: 2931 Fiedler Rd, Harper, TX 78631

The retreat will feature Mentorship training, team-building activities, and preparation for New Student Orientation and other upcoming events!
Fall Athletics & Intramural Info
Please email our Athletic Director at Elizabeth.disney@greatheartswesternhills.org with any questions concerning Athletics or Intramurals
Uniforms & Supplies
An FAQ for your back-to-school questions.
Does my student need to wear a PE uniform?
Yes! All 6-9th grade students will be taking one semester of PE this year. In the semester that they have PE, they will need to dress out each day in the designated PE uniform and athletic shoes. Please see the attached uniform guide for info on the PE uniform.

Will my student have a PE locker?
Each student will need to bring their PE uniform every day in a small athletic/drawstring bag to hang in their school locker. During their PE period, they will be able to put their clothes in a locker in the student locker room – the lockers are to be used only during the period they are taking PE.

Is there a specific kind of shoe I have to wear for PE?
PE shoes must be athletic shoes. Converse, skater shoes, keds, etc are not considered athletic shoes. Students will be playing athletics and doing conditioning drills which will require a sturdy athletic shoes for safety purposes.

Does my returning scholar have to wear the new version of their House patch?
Returning 6-8th graders may wear last year’s patch for one more year. If a student would like to switch to the new patch, they purchase them for $2 a piece either by cash or check at the front desk or through this link.

Returning 9th graders (ladies and gentlemen) must wear their house tie every day with their uniform. Please note that 9th graders wear an oxford instead of a polo. House patches are no longer required.

New students will receive 5 Free house patches or 1 house tie on the 1st day of school at the House Choosing Ceremony. House patches need to be sewn on centered on the left sleeve of each uniform shirt and above the GH logo on either the sweater or fleece. House ties (9th) must be worn every day (except Friday if you choose to wear your house shirt).

I’m a 9th grader. Can you help me tie my House tie?
Please follow the video below to watch Dean Womack demonstrate how to tie your new House tie!
What if I colored my hair over the summer?
No artificial hair coloring, extreme spiking of the hair or mohawks (including combed down or over and some facsimile of a mohawk). Hair must be natural looking and conservative in color and cut (no bleaching or unnatural streaking/highlighting, no artificial jet-black coloring, and no unnatural colors). Accommodations for religious reasons are permitted. The hair is to be neatly combed before the beginning of each school day.

What about nail polish and jewelry?
Makeup: Girls may wear subtle makeup only if it is applied tastefully and in moderation. Heavily lined eyes, gaudy lipstick glittered, or white powdered faces will not be permitted. Fingernails should not be excessively long or painted garishly. Fingernails may only be painted in light pink, classic red, or white. Tasteful French manicures are acceptable. No shades of blue, green, yellow, purple, orange, gray, brown, or black are permissible, nor are glittered, speckled, or patterned nail polish.

Jewelry: Girls may only wear one pair of short earrings on the ear lobes. “Short” means that the earrings should not hang more than 1⁄2 inch below the ear lobe. Large hoops or other dangling or distracting earrings are not permitted. Loops are not to be larger than the size of a nickel. No body-piercing jewelry except traditionally- located earrings will be allowed. One simple ring on each hand is permitted. In addition, one wrist bracelet, one watch, and one small necklace are permissible. The following necklaces will not be permitted: chokers, beaded necklaces (colored or otherwise), leather necklaces, shells, large or elaborate chain-link, and large or elaborate pendants (larger than an inch in length, width, or diameter).

What if I did not buy my student an Edukit or any supplies yet?
Please see the attached link of what items are needed by grade level. These supplies can be purchased at any local store – brand names are not necessary. You will want to bring your student’s supplies to the Student Open House so they can put them in their locker.

If I want to buy the Classics to Keep one at a time, what will be the first book my student will read this year?
6th grade: The Magician’s Nephew
7th grade: The Silver Chair
8th grade: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
9th grade (Humane Letters): A Short History of the United States, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

At the House Banquet on the last day of school, we found out that the House Relics were missing. Have they been found?
The story is true that because of some goblin mischief last spring connected to the Goblin Games, all of the House Relics went missing. Despite the fact that Mrs. Keffer and her Fellowship searched for them, they still remain missing. There was a rumor that some members of the Fellowship did look for the relics as far away as Oxford, England (the home of Tolkien and Lewis) but still were not successful. We will be calling on members of the Houses to assist us in restoring them to their rightful owners. All will be revealed at the House Choosing Ceremony on the 1st day of school.
Did you know the 2022-23
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT campaign goal is $120,000?
We are building a legacy at Western Hills. Please consider financially partnering with us through the Community Investment campaign. No gift is too large or too small!
Great Hearts Western Hills | Website