Welcome to the Week of August 9, 2020 |
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Dear Upper School Families,
This past week our whole faculty gathered together on our campus to begin preparing for the upcoming school year. I was impressed with their good cheer, even in the face of a year full of uncertainties. The source of their high spirits was their love of learning and their love of the students. We are excited to have the privilege of teaching your children soon!
Thanks to all who joined us during last week's Town Hall event on our plans for Distance Learning. We hope it was informative and answered some of your questions. If you happened to miss the event, you can access a recording of the Town Hall and an FAQ document in this newsletter. If you still have questions, please contact me and I'll be happy to help.
We have more information for you today, too. Look below for details on schedule, textbook, and device distribution, our Meet the Teacher event, and an update on athletics, among other things.
Finally, I want to let you know that you'll be hearing from me more regularly as the school year begins. You'll be receiving our "Letter from the Headmaster" on the third Sunday of each month during the school year.
Yours in partnership,
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Michael Cowan
Headmaster, Upper School
Great Hearts Irving
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Thursday, August 12 - 1 - 4pm: Schedule, Textbook, & Device Pick Up
Friday, August 13 - 8am - 4pm: Schedule, Textbook, & Device Pick Up
Monday, August 17 - Meet the Teacher on Google Classroom
Wednesday, August 19 - First Day of School!
Friday, August 21 - Full-Day Friday
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Sign Up to Receive the Upper School Newsletter
This year, while all parent contacts will continue to receive urgent, school-wide communications and Letters from the Headmaster, we are asking families to opt in to receive our weekly newsletter The Week Ahead, which will now contain content specific to the Upper School. Beginning September 6, the upper school Week Ahead newsletter will only be sent to families who have signed up to receive it.
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Upper School Town Hall Recording
Thank you for joining us for our Upper School Town Hall on Facebook Live this past Tuesday, August 4. Also, thank you to the parents who submitted questions leading up to the Town Hall and those who asked questions during the Town Hall. We collected these question in an FAQ document now available on the Distance Learning Page on our website.
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Schedules, Textbooks, & Device Pick Up
On Thursday, August 13 from 1-4pm and Friday, August 14 from 8am-4pm we will be distributing student schedules and textbooks to families in a car-line fashion. Your child(ren)'s materials will be delivered to your car.
If you requested a device for your child, the device will be delivered with the textbooks.
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Meet the Teacher
To keep our teachers and community safe and healthy, Meet the Teacher is moving online this year. Each of our teachers will record a welcome message so students can get to know their new teachers for the school year. These videos will be made available in Google Classroom on Monday, August 17 at 8 am.
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Sports Update
Our league, TCSAAL, has not cancelled any seasons for the 2020-2021 school year, but it has postponed some seasons and suspended some competitions to a future date. All full-time students with passing grades at GHI are able to participate in sports, whether studying online or on campus.
We plan for fall sports teams to begin practicing in September when students return to campus. Girls volleyball teams will begin competing in late October, while girls and boys cross country meets are yet to be scheduled. Because fall sports have been pushed back, the start of girls and boys basketball seasons will also be delayed.
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Homework Club
Homework Club is a place for your student to complete homework, receive peer tutoring and socialize with friends in a structured, supervised environment. The program begins immediately after school and runs until 6:00 p.m. each school day, including early release days. Homework Club will begin when students return to campus.
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School Supplies and Classics to Keep
Students will need all the same school supplies for Distance Learning as they would need if we were able to have school in person. Supply lists for each grade, as well as our list of Classics to Keep, can be found on the Great Hearts Irving website.
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Electrical Permit Help
We need help finishing a project for our Art Department! If you are willing to pull an electrical permit with the City of Irving, please reach out to our Director of Campus Operations, Patrick Malone (Patrick.Malone@GreatHeartsIrving.org).
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Opportunities to Give
People like you help us do what we do best! During these uncertain times, we would like to thank all our parents, grandparents, and friends for their support of the Community Investment Campaign. Your continued generosity ensures our teachers and staff have everything they need to offer this amazing education. Your dollars fill financial gaps. Give what you can for your child. Every dollar makes a difference.
We also invite our entire community to participate in this year's North Texas Giving Day. Mark your calendar, give what you can, and make a lasting impact on your child’s education. 1 day, 18 hours, an outpouring of support for our wonderful school. Be part of the excitement!
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