GHNO National Merit Scholars

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently announced the names of Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC used scores from the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT to honor two groups of performers on the test – Semifinalists and Commended Students.

Congratulations to senior student Viraj Amaraneni who was named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program! National Merit Semifinalists named in each state represent less than one percent of the state’s high school senior class and highest scorers on the qualifying test.

Three GHNO students were also named Commended Students this year: Micah Emslie, Elina Kim, and Gabriel Pastrana-O’Connor. Commended Students are chosen based on a national Selection Index without regard to state-by-state score distribution. Congratulations scholars on this academic achievement!

Academy Advisory Council Update

The GHNO Academy Advisory Council (AAC) met on Friday, November 11th for the second time for the 2022-2023 school year. In this meeting, the AAC received updates on action items from the prior meeting which included decisive and critically analyzed decisions on issues and proposals discussed at the prior meeting. The committee's discussion focused on projects and initiatives that will positively impact our school community, including parking, facilities, and security. Our amazing school community was a topic that generated productive discussion as parents, teachers, and administrators reviewed how together, we can protect the community we have and enhance it in line with our vision and mission. Primary discussion on protecting and enhancing the community of GHNO focused on identifying and communicating the needs of the school and how families can engage to meet those needs. The AAC was excited to review new topics raised by the parents of GHNO and form action plans in addressing them in a timely and productive manner. The next AAC meeting is scheduled for February 10th and, as always, the AAC desires to continue to hear from our community of families with topics for the committee to address.

Help Wanted: SLA Management is looking for a new cook to support us here at Northern Oaks. If you are interested in applying, please visit the Careers website at https://slamgmt.com/careers/ and email your resume directly to Lauren Conner at l.conner@slamgmt.com.

Lost and Found: We are again overflowing with lost items. Many items are being left in the gym after practices and games. These items are all being moved to the Upper School Lost and Found.

All Lost and Found items will be donated at the end of the month. Please ensure students retrieve items before school ends on Nov. 30.

The Winter Concert for the Upper School will be held on Friday, Dec. 9^th for additional information click here.

Upcoming Drama Productions-December 1, 3rd & 4th

GHNO Presents a night of Theatre to learn more click here. Tickets are $5, seats are limited, you can purchase your tickets here.

We will need parent volunteers and to contact Beth Moore at bizlas@yahoo.com to get details.

The latest Traffic Email can be found here.

^{7th & 8th Grade Families-Interested in learning more about high school years at GHNO? Save the Date-High School Preview Night-Tuesday December 6}

Special GHTX Board of Directors Meeting November 21

There will be a special meeting of the Great Hearts Texas Board of Directors this coming Monday, November 21^st from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm CT in San Antonio at the office of Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein (845 Proton Rd. // San Antonio, TX 78258). Zoom access will be provided on the GHTX Board Meetings Page ahead of the meeting.

Enrollment has begun and will run through December 9.

Do you have friends or family members who are interested in attending a Great Hearts Academy? or have a sibling who will attend GHNO in the fall of 2023? Now is the time to apply.

Whether it’s kindergarten or any other grade level, new student applications submitted during open enrollment have the best chance of receiving an enrollment offer. Apply before Dec. 9, 2022. 

Current Families: do not enroll at this time, we will have re-enrollment in March 2023. You would only apply for any sibling who is currently not a student.

Our GH scholars are making tremendous achievements. Every child deserves to thrive — and with strong parent support, we’re making sure they can. 

The Texas Legislature is preparing to convene at the start of 2023. Our elected leaders make big decisions about public education, so they need to hear directly from parents about the positive difference that charter schools like ours are making. 

Please join in participating in Capitol Connections Week. In early December, you’ll have the opportunity to meet virtually with a state lawmaker who represents you — alongside a small group of fellow charter school parents, educators, and other supporters.    

Congratulations to our Middle School Flag Football Team! They are the TCSAAL State Champions! What a great season, we could not be prouder of these boys bringing home another trophy for GHNO!

• Friday, Nov 18: Girls Varsity Basketball vs Lutheran High School @ GHNO Gym at 6:30 PM

• Please note that there are no games occurring during Thanksgiving Break

• Girls’ High School Soccer tryouts occur on Nov 28, 30, and 31 on GHNO Field. Boys’ High School Soccer tryouts occur on Nov 29, 30, and 31 on GHNO Field.

Snowflake Fund is back!

Want to get your teachers checked off your holiday shopping list? Click here to find out more about the parent-led campaign that gives cash in lieu of year-end gifts! You can also click the graphic above to go directly to the site.

Decorate & fill out a snowflake and tell your teachers how much you appreciate them!

We are quickly approaching the 5 Days of Giving! December 12th-16th



This campaign directly funds our Community Investment Campaign. It is done the last week of school before the winter break and includes spirit days, prizes, matches, and other fun activities! Stay tuned!

Looking to make an impact by offering a match that motivates families to give? reach out to DeAnna Macias, the Director of Community Engagement and Academy Giving.

If would you like to make a gift to GHNO or set up a recurring gift, click here! 

Any questions about academy giving, email DeAnna Macias!

Art Show December 3

Music Concert-December 9

Drama Performance-December 1-4th

Final Exams December 14-16th absence policy)

Upcoming College Rep Visits

We enjoyed many college admission visitors from colleges all over the country this week. After Thanksgiving break and before Winter break, the traffic will lighten but we do have some reps scheduled:

• Tuesday, November 28: U.S. Air Force ROTC
• Tuesday, December 6 - University of North Texas & Texas Woman's University
• Tuesday, December 13 - Texas Lutheran University

PSAT/NMSQT Results Timeline

Texas students who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October will receive their scores on December 6; however, College Board no longer sends paper copies of the reports. Students will need to log-in to their College Board account in order to view detailed score report. College Counseling will send more detailed instructions that week before score release.

Contact Information

Our office is accessible to high school students before/after school and during school day breaks. We are also available for in-person, virtual, and telephone appointments with parents and/or students. To set up an appointment please call or email us!

• By phone, dial 210-888-9483 ext 303614
• Email link for Mrs. Jessica Woods
• Email link for Mr. Guy Hanson
• College Counseling webpage
• Naviance Student homepage

School Text Messages

Have you opted in to receiving text messages with important information about events, school closings, safety and security alerts, and more? Text, “yes,” to 67587 to ensure you get all the most current information.

Newsletter for Students

If you would like your upper school student to receive the newsletter please click here!

Soon-to-be Student Drivers!

For students applying for a driver’s permit, please email Mrs. Thompson to request the verification of enrollment (VOE) form with at least a 48-hour notification.

Please make your appointment first, and then request the VOE. The VOE is only valid for 30 days from the issuance date. You do not need to send in the form, one will be issued to your student with the necessary signature and school information.

Student Absences

A friendly reminder to let your registrar know about all student absences. All absences with no parent communication are unexcused and may result in zeros for missed assignments/tests. If your student will be absent, please send an email to your registrar, Mrs. Thompson at info@greatheartsnorthernoaks.org. If your student will be out for a doctor's appointment, please provide a doctor's note upon return.

We receive state funding for all students who are in their classes at 10:30 a.m. each day!

• If a scholar will be out for a doctor's appointment during attendance time, please be sure to submit a doctor's note upon return so we may count him or her present for the day.
• If you are absent due to college visit(s) you must provide this form to Mrs. Thompson upon your return in order to obtain an excused absence.
• Extended absences during the academic year are highly discouraged and do affect student success. Excessive unexcused absences may result in loss of credit or enrollment.

For full-day absences, please notify the Upper School Registrar, Mrs. Thompson

Lunch accounts may be paid online through www.mymealtime.com or by sending cash or check to the front desk, please note the student's name.

Please apply for Free or reduced meals at the mealtime website if you feel your family may qualify. This is a service available to all who need it.