Griffin Families,

Homecoming is fast approaching, and we can feel the energy on campus! With this excitement, we have been fielding some questions, and I would like to provide some clarification. 

Homecoming is the week of September 26. Our newly formed Spirit Committee, part of our Student Leadership Society has come up with our first-ever homecoming theme week! Each day will have a different theme and all of the upper school is invited to participate, 7th -12th grade! (see the homecoming box below for more information)

There have been a few questions on the dress code for this week and I encourage you to read about our out-of-uniform dress code in our handbook under athletics and special events that you can find here.

Here are some homecoming dates to note:

• JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball Games at Home against Monte Vista - September 30
• JV Flag Football at Home - October 1
•  High School Homecoming Dance - October 1

Mums for all Upper School students will be worn on Friday, September 30. For additional information on how to buy a mum, see the PSO section below.

Keep watch for additional information coming on this joy-filled week celebrating Griffin Spirit and honoring our 2 graduating classes that have moved on.

We look forward to the creativity that will be sparked!

Roar and Soar Griffins!

Robert Funes

Headmaster Upper School

Great Hearts Texas Board Meeting - September 26

Due to shortened proceedings as a result of illness at the most recent Board of Directors meeting, there will be a special meeting of the Great Hearts Texas Board of Directors on Monday, September 26 in San Antonio at the law office of Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein (845 Proton Rd // San Antonio, Texas 78258). The meeting is currently scheduled for 1:00-3:00 pm CST, though we ask that you stay tuned to our website for potential updates to this time. You are invited to join in person or over zoom (a zoom link will be posted on our website 72 hours prior).

Important note: At a recent board meeting a number of parents shared their desire for continued full Zoom access to Board Meetings. We appreciate the input and plan to preserve the Zoom option going forward. Please stay tuned to your campus newsletters and the Board Meetings Page for news about meetings and potential updates to the process/parameters for public comments.

The Griffin Forum (Parent Lecture Series) will kick off on Wednesday, September 21, 2022

What: "When Should I Give My Child a Smartphone?", presented by Headmaster Funes

When and Where: Upper School Library, 8:10 am-9:45 am

Who: Upper School Parents!

Why: The goal of the Griffin Forum is to communicate our mission to parents, cultivate friendships amongst parents, and support parents in their call to be the primary educators of their children. The Griffin Forum achieves this goal by giving parents a forum to mingle over coffee and then listen to a lecture presented by a member of the community.

There are a reserved number of seats that are given on a first come first serve basis, so if you are interested, please sign up HERE. Doors open at 8:10 am, coffee will be provided, and the lecture begins at 8:30 am.

Our 2nd annual Homecoming Week is September 26-30th.

Below you will find the theme days for Homecoming Spirit Week! For additional information on the theme days, dress code and homecoming hall decorating see this flyer.

The Big Give S.A. is a 24-hour day of giving that will take place from 6 pm on Thursday, September 22 through 6 PM on Friday, September 23.

Stay tuned for Match Minutes info, which is a great way to double our impact on the school and other fun ways to celebrate our family's giving BIG!

This is a great day to share with family and friends about this special day of giving and ask them to support your school!

Thank you in advance for Giving Big! 

Questions about giving to our Academy, or how you can increase your impact on GHNO, contact DeAnna Macias, Director of Community Engagement and Academy Giving

To learn more about Texas Charter Schools or to see how you can get involved with advocating for our charter school check out the Texas Charter School Association page. 

Great Hearts Northern Oaks invites all 7th Grade students and their parents to the 2nd Annual "Explore Like a Naturalist" event! Students and parents will be grouped into teams for a Photo Scavenger Hunt.

The day will be full of riveting competition, adventuring through the park, and photographing fun memories! We hope you can join us! *Please bring bug spray, sunscreen & a water bottle! We want everyone to be safe & healthy during the festivities.

RSVP Here

A very limited number of last year's yearbooks are available for purchase. Parents may order online through Configio. Books will be delivered to students in their classrooms. To buy one, click the Yearbook Link.

Let's CELEBRATE OUR SENIORS by bringing their favorite lunches! This year, we will host 2 "Adopt a Senior" lunch days. We need your help to bring them lunch on both Wednesday, October 19, 2022 & Wednesday, March 22, 2023. 

Please sign up here and we will be in touch with your Senior's lunch order, plus reminders as the date gets closer!

To access the Amazon wish list click the graphic above!

Parents who wish to volunteer, please remember that you need to submit a background check before serving our students on campus. A new background check needs to be submitted each academic year. All of the information needed for volunteering is available on our school website on the PSO page Additional information can be found on our PSO website including opportunities to help under the volunteer tab.

Uniform Issues with Shirts

Dennis Uniforms has discovered that some of the Great Hearts logos are failing to adhere to shirts after washing, specifically polo shirts. If anyone encounters this issue on shirts purchased at Dennis this year, please return them to the store for reapplication. There is no charge to reapply the logos in this instance.

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.

Please click here to learn more about the Breakfast and Lunch Program at GHNO.

• The 2022-2023 Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Application is now available. Please apply online HERE.

• If you apply, please be sure to select the options for sharing your status with other programs if you'd like us to be able to apply benefits to Athletics, after-school programs, or other campus programs.

• All students, regardless of status, will be charged the full meal price when ordering seconds.

• Parents can load student Mealtime accounts online or send in cash or check payments to the front desk, payable to GHNO. Any of our receptionists will gladly load your payments onto your student accounts at no charge.

• If you are sending in cash or a check with your student for lunch, send it in an envelope, and please ensure their name, teacher, and class is written on the outside.

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For more information, visit the Great Hearts Texas Meal Service web page.

College Rep Visits

We regularly host college admission visitors on campus to meet our high school students! Grand Canyon University was here this week. Upcoming visitors include:

• September 26 - University of Chicago
• September 27 - Benedictine College
• October 4 - Syracuse University
• October 17 - Austin College
• October 19 - Southwestern University & Oral Roberts University
• October 20 - University of Dallas & Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Upcoming PSAT/NMSQT Information

On Tuesday, October 25 all sophomore and junior students will take the official PSAT/NMSQT at GHNO. There is no fee or registration required for this year’s PSAT test. Sophomores can take the test for practice. Juniors should study for this test since the PSAT/NMSQT, when taken in the 11^th grade year, may qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program or one of the College Board National Recognition Programs.

One of the best ways to study for the PSAT or SAT is through Khan Academy. If students have already taken a PSAT or SAT, they can log in to their College Board account and link to Khan Academy for free, personalized SAT/PSAT practice.

For more information on Testing and Test Prep Resources (especially for Juniors), please review this comprehensive test prep guide from the Office of College Counseling. 

Contact Information

Our office is easily 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

8th Grade Headmaster Coffee- Wednesday, September 14, 8:210 AM

Griffin Forum-Wednesday, September 21

Homecoming Week-September 26

Fall Break/Parent Teacher Conferences-October10