The Romans looked at the time between ending and beginning anew as one that was especially significant, one in which good could be brought into the world—they had their own god dedicated to such times, Janus, from which we derive the name of the month January. It is appropriate, then, that now in the month of January that we close one semester and look forward to another. Congratulations are due to all of us on completing the first semester of such a year! As we end one semester, we look forward to another semester hoping to ease previous difficulties and seeking opportunities to be changed for the better.

The above message is reiterated from a communication that was sent to many families yesterday concerning changes in student sections for the second semester. All families of 6-9th grade and 11th grade students should have received this message as well as families of 10th and 12th grade distance learners. If you have not already, please be sure to read the message before we return from this long weekend on Wednesday.

Please also keep your eye on your inboxes on Tuesday, as Quarter 2/Semester 1 report cards will be sent to families then.

Below are announcements and important upcoming dates. We look forward to a wonderful week and and a wonderful beginning of our second semester. As always, please reach out to me with your questions.

Yours in Partnership,

Michael Cowan

Headmaster, Upper School

Great Hearts Irving

January 18 | MLK Weekend - No School

January 19 | Faculty PD - No School

January 19 | Deadline to Register for National Latin Exam

January 20 | Beginning of Quarter 3

January 20 | Spirit Event Kicks Off at Our Place

January 22 | Full Day Friday - Afternoon Carline Begins at 3:35pm

January 26 | Makeup Picture Day

January 26 | Deadline to Register for National Spanish Exam

January 26-27 | Charter School Advocacy Training

January 29 | Upper School Conferences

February 5 | Upper School Conferences

On Wednesday, January 20th students are invited to wear Spirit Wear shirts for the kick-off of the generous spirit event at Our Place. To decrease crowds, Our Place has offered to accept receipts from from dine-in and carry-out orders beginning January 20th running through May 28th. Find more details on the flyer below!

If you missed picture day in December, LifeTouch will return to the Upper School campus for picture retakes on Tuesday, January 26 .

Our National Honor Society scholars will begin tutoring for middle school students in Literature, Math, and Latin second semester. Tutoring will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:40-4:10pm on campus and via zoom for distance learners. Please complete the form below if you are interested and email Ms. Wheelock (celeste.wheelock@greatheartsiriving.org) with questions.

Save the dates of Friday, January 29th and Friday, February 5th for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Information on how to signup will be sent after families receive Semester 1 Report Cards.

You should have received a message Tuesday, 1/5 concerning registering your student for a National Language Exam. Below are the registration deadlines for Latin and Spanish with links to the original message.

Great Hearts Texas has recently hired Bridie Chaudoir, a Great Hearts parent, as its parent advocacy manager to help parents at each campus engage with elected officials and advocate for charter school funding. Ms. Chaudoir invites you to an advocacy training event January 26 & 27. Click below for more information on Ms. Chaudoir's role and the Advocacy Training Event.

Basketball and soccer (and soon rugby) are in full swing! Please visit the athletics page located under "Academy Life" on the GHI website for all news and updates for Mustang Athletics. Contact our Athletic Director, Gary Gray, with questions (gary.gray@greatheartsirving.org).

We are working to build relationships with local businesses that are connected to our school community. If you own your own business, or know of one that might be interested, please reach out to Keo.Strull@greatheartsirving.org.

If you or someone you know has interest in applying, please use the links above to complete an online application today! Please reach out to careers@greatheartsamerica.org with any questions!