From the Desk of the Headmaster

Dear Spartan Families,

Thank you to everyone who gave towards the Big Give this week. We are so appreciative of your continued support of our academy! Together, you helped raise over $30,500 for our school, which will allow us to continue to add resources to our classrooms and campus. 

Kyla Absher

Headmaster, Lower School

Operational Reminders

Our 23-24 Attendance Challenge

• Any class that has perfect attendance for the day will receive a special golden sticker for their classroom to collect.
• For students in grades K-4, the grade with the highest attendance for the week will receive an extended recess time the following week and will get a point towards the yearly attendance tracker.
• For a student in 5^th grade, the house with the highest attendance for the week will accumulate points, which will be added to their house at the end of the school year, and they will get to enjoy a sweet treat at recess.
• For scholars who have perfect attendance within a quarter will have an opportunity to have lunch with the lower school leadership team and will receive a certificate of recognition.

At the end of the school year, the grade that maintains the highest attendance for the school year, will receive a surprise celebration that is organized and put on by the leadership team and PSO.

Lobbies Closed During Afternoon Pick-Up

Please note that the lobby will be closed from 3-4 pm on full days and from 1-2 pm on Early Release days until after the carline is completed. The lobby will then re-open for Athenaeum checkouts.

If parents need to check out their children early from school, it is recommended to do so before 3 pm on full days and before 1 pm on Early Release Fridays. Checking out students beyond these times could cause delays in getting them to their families on time. This is because end-of-day routines in class, such as packing up and locker visits, transitions between classes, Athenaeum pick-up routines, and club/intramural rotations occur after 3/1 pm. 

Coffee with the Headmaster Kinder & 1st Grade

October 6th, 8:0-9:00 AM

Parents of Great Hearts Western Hills Kinder and 1st Grade scholars,

Please join us for a morning coffee and discussion with Headmaster Kyla Absher. There will be time for herself and members of our leadership team to share and also answer questions. 

This is a current parent-only or guardian-only event. We ask that you drop off your scholar in the carline first and then find parking. Coffee will begin at 8:00 AM in the Lower School MPR.

Advocacy Corner

With the impeachment proceedings against the Texas Attorney General complete, lawmakers are expected to convene in Austin in October for a special session focused on school finance. Other topics could include teacher pay, charter school facilities funding, and assessment and accountability. 

The Texas Education Agency has delayed the release of recalibrated A-F accountability scores for school districts and campuses until at least late October. Originally scheduled for release on September 28, the new accountability scores raised student growth targets, but also faced criticism for new formula goals for students who have already graduated, potentially resulting in lower scores for districts. The TEA will take the next month to revise the student growth targets to ensure they are rigorous yet reasonable. 

Stay up to date on critical charter school bills and action alerts from the Texas Public Charter School Association (TPCSA). TPCSA is the statewide organization representing Texas charter schools to state leaders, lawmakers, and state agencies.  

All parents can stay informed by subscribing to TPCSA’s emails and alerts. To receive TPCSA emails and alerts, please click this link.  

To learn more about charter advocacy, contact GH’s Family Advocacy Manager Bridie Chaudoir at bridie.chaudoir@greatheartstxschools.org