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October 24th PSO Spirit Wear Pop-Up Sale
October 27th Kinder – 4th grade Student Spirit Day
November 2nd 3-5th Grade Winter Concert
November 3rd K-2 Grade Winter Concert
November 8th K and 5th Grade Athletic Field Day
November 9th 1-4th Grade Field Day
November 10th Veterans Day Lunch
November 13th 1000 Gifts Assemblies & Giving Tuesday
November 15th & 16th Grandparents Days
November 17th Literary Character Day for Kinder through 5th or Student Spirit Day
November 20-24th Holiday Break (No School)
| 23-24 Calendars Available Now! Click the links below to add our campus event calendar to your personal calendars: | |  |
Covered in this Newsletter |
- Headmaster letter
- Attendance Champions
- Extra Edukits for Sale
- Field Day
- Winter Concerts
- Literary Character Day
- Dean's Corner
- Intramurals
- Volunteer Opportunities and Parent Events
- Advocacy Corner
- SmugMug
Please remember to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see all of this week's content.
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Letter from the Headmaster | |
Spartan Families--
Quarter two is off to a great start! It also happens to be our shortest quarter of the school year and the one that is interrupted with the most breaks. Helping your scholar stay on top of homework, work that is coming home weekly in take-home folders, and reaching out to their teachers with questions and concerns will be very important. You can expect to receive your student’s quarter two progress report mid-quarter as well.
There are so many exciting things happening this quarter, including athletic field days, literary character day, grandparents’ day, and our winter concerts!
Kyla Absher
Headmaster, Lower School
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Our K-5th attendance champions from Quarter 1 enjoyed lunch and tabletop games with our Lower School Headmaster to celebrate their perfect attendance! | | |
Our 23-24 Attendance Challenge
For a student in 5th 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.
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.
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Athletic field days are fast approaching! Field day shirts that were ordered from the school will be delivered directly to students’ homeroom by Friday, October 27th. A signup genius to volunteer on field day will be sent next week. In order to sign up for a volunteer slot, you must have a cleared background check on file with the school. DO NOT sign up for a volunteer spot until your background check has been completed and comes back cleared. If you need to submit your background check, you can submit the online application.
Dress Code for Students on their Athletic Field Day:
- Shirts: Students may wear their field day shirt if they purchased one from the school OR a plain shirt that corresponds to the city-state color for their classroom if they did not purchase one from the school.
- Bottoms: Students may wear regular uniform bottoms OR athletic pants/shorts, which are modest, are not skintight, and are in good repair (no holes, torn sleeves, etc.). No undergarments may be visible. If a scholar would like to wear athletic pants, the shirts must not be tied, tucked in, or gathered at the waist.
- Footwear should be athletic in nature: no sandals, open-toed, or platform shoes.
- Other items: Students may wear a hat, headbands, sweatbands, etc. Hat styles should follow the same guidelines as the handbook.
- Hair should follow school guidelines. NO CRAZY hair on this day, please.
- School spirit: Students may show team spirit by wearing colored bows, headbands, eye black, etc. Please be mindful that school spirit items should not pose a safety risk for students while participating in their athletic events.
- *If a student is deemed to be wearing inappropriate attire, the parent will be notified, and a change of clothing will be required for attendance that day. If you doubt the appropriateness of an article of clothing, check with the school office before purchasing.*
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Leftover Edukits Available for Sale! | |
If you missed out on ordering an Edukit for this school year or want to plan ahead for the next academic year, we've got you covered. We have leftover Edukits available for purchase, and you can secure next year's supplies ahead of time.
Details:
- Available Supplies: While supplies last, we have a limited number of Edukits from this year available for sale. These kits contain all the essential school supplies your child will need.
- Plan Ahead: Planning for the next school year? This is the perfect opportunity to get a head start and ensure your child is well-prepared when classes begin. Don't wait until the last minute!
- Payment Options: To make it convenient for you, we accept both cash and check payments. You can make your purchase at the Lower School (LS) reception.
Act Fast:
Please note that Edukits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and once they're gone, they're gone. So, be sure to act fast to secure your Edukit for the current or upcoming school year.
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Cold Weather Outerwear Guidelines |
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Outerwear: Jackets and sweatshirts may be worn to school for warmth but must be free of logos and messages, with the following exceptions: small sports team logos (e.g., Griffins, Diamondbacks) and small brand name logos (e.g. the Ralph Lauren “polo”) are acceptable, provided they are tasteful and do not make inappropriate allusions. All jackets and sweatshirts must be solid colored and may have no patterns or distracting/oversized logos of any kind. Jackets and sweatshirts must remain in the lockers, cubbies, or desks for the remainder of the school day.
- Great Hearts uniform sweaters (from Dennis Uniforms/Flynn O’Hara) may be worn throughout the school day all year long. The only outerwear allowable to be worn in the school building are the official school sweater or pullover with the Great Hearts logo.
- Long sleeved undershirts may not be worn underneath short sleeved shirts.
- If you send your student to school with beanies, gloves or scarves please ensure they are clearly labeled with their name and class section.
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Dear Western Hills Families,
Our grand GHWH Winter Concert is approaching! We are so excited for your family to experience the fruits of your scholars’ hard work as they have been diligently preparing their concert music
throughout the semester.
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Our 3rd – 5th Winter Concert will take place on Thursday, November 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Edgewood Theater of Performing Arts, located at 402 Lance St. 78237.
- Our Kinder – 2nd Winter Concert will take place on Friday, November 3rd at 6:00 PM at the Edgewood Theater of Performing Arts, located at 402 Lance St. 78237.
All sections of each grade will be performing together as a choir.
Students are required to stay for the entire length of their concert because they will be graded not just on their performance but also on their concert etiquette.
More details about the call time for students will be given as the concert date approaches.
Students are to wear Concert Dress Attire. This means:
- Boys should wear a white oxford style shirt, black slacks, a black belt, black shoes and socks, and a black necktie (no pop culture or musical ties).
- Girls should wear a white blouse (no halter tops or spaghetti straps), a black skirt (knee-length or longer) or black dress pants, black dress shoes (no high heels), and black or white knee socks or tights. Girls may also wear a solid black dress if this is preferable.
If your child is unable to attend the Winter Concert, please email Mrs. Ybarra (K - 2 Music) by Friday, October 27th at kiana.burciaga@greatheartstxschools.org or Ms. Smith (3 - 5 Music) by Friday, October 27th at stephanie.smith@greatheartstxschools.org.
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Literary & Historical Character Dress Up Day | |
Guidelines for Literary Character Day Dress Up Day:
Students may dress up as any character from any book on the K-8 Classics to Keep List, a grade-level read-aloud book, Greek or Roman Mythology or a historical character from our curriculum at Western Hills and come to school primed for a joyful day filled with reading.
- Students who do not wish to wear a costume should come to school in his or her regular uniform or wear a school spirit shirt with uniform bottoms.
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Parents MUST fill out and turn in a Costume Proposal Slip to their teacher on or before Wednesday, November 15th in order for your student to participate in Character Dress up Day. The costume MUST be approved by the teacher. Forms will be sent home with students in October for you to complete and return.
- No masks or all-over face paint (freckles, mustaches, etc. are okay).
- Hats, gloves, ears, etc., are acceptable as long as they stay on and are not a distraction (the teacher will confiscate them if that happens).
- If the costume calls for props, please choose carefully. Props that are dangerous or that can harm someone will be confiscated.
- If the costume is such that it needs clothes underneath, it should be their uniform.
- Please keep in mind that students will be going to recess in their costumes, so one that allows free movement is encouraged.
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Hello Spartan Family!
The virtue of the month is integrity. We are individuals of strong ethical values, who make consistently good choices in keeping our knowledge of right and wrong. We seek wisdom of others in cases of moral uncertainty. We walk tall in truth. We want to teach our scholars to do the right thing even when no one is looking. Having integrity is a great foundation in friendship and in life.
Please see a few crucial areas where we ask for your continued partnership as a Western Hills family:
Dress Code: Please make sure that students abide by the dress code. Parents can reference the guidelines in the GHWH Family Handbook.
- As we enter into fall and temperatures drop, please ensure that your student has a Great Hearts sweater to wear at school. Non-Great Hearts sweaters and thicker outer layers may only be worn during drop-off, dismissal, and recess.
Tardies: A meeting will be set if tardies become habitual.
Car Line:
- The carline is closed at 7:48 each morning.
- Pick-up ends at 4:05.
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Parents must stay in their vehicles during the carline.
- Parents are not allowed to be on their phones while in the carline, and vehicles must be placed in the park when the vehicle stops.
- Parents must use the placard card given by the school.
Discipline – We will nourish the minds and hearts of scholars to do what is right, not for glory but for the sake of goodness. On the way to children understanding virtue, they will need to learn what goodness looks like by also recognizing the opposing forces of evil. If we are to cultivate these character traits in our scholars, it is helpful if our families partner with the faculty in modeling them. We challenge our parents and guardians to read great stories and poetry together--stories that illustrate right and wrong, good and evil.
Criselda Arredondo
Lower School Dean of Students
Safety Coordinator
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Below are your grade level blogs. Follow along to learn about the projects events and everyday magic inside your scholar's classrooms. |
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In the championship game that took place on Monday, 10/16, Middle Earth started off strong, scoring a touchdown within the first couple of minutes! From there, each team answered back with a touchdown. But ultimately, in the end, Narnia came out on top!
Intramural soccer season is right around the corner! Here is some information below about the upcoming season!
Here is the tentative practice schedule:
Reepicheep: Monday and Wednesday from 4:15-5:15
Baggins: Monday and Wednesday from 4:15-5:15
Pevensies: Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15-5:15
Oakenshield: Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15-5:15
The game schedule is still being worked on.
Here is the link Configio link!
23-24 Lower & Upper School Intramural Soccer
This is ONLY for 5th & 6th Graders.
greatheartswesternhills.configio.com
Please note, if you already have an intramural shirt, you do not need to order another one. They are the same from last year.
Please email Ms. Boring if you have any questions!
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Parent Service Organization | |
The transformative education offered at Great Hearts Western Hills will only be possible through the generous and passionate commitment of a Parent Service Organization (PSO).
Upcoming Events
October 30th -Spirit Night at Willie's
October 16-20th - Coat and Blanket Drive
October 18th - Staff luncheon
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Copy Room Volunteer Needed | Still not sure about where to start volunteering? Well, the Copy Room is the right place to start especially if you can spare as little as thirty minutes a day starting at 8 a.m. Tasks can range anywhere from making copies to laminating. Sound like something you would be interested in? If you have a cleared background check please click the link below to get connected with Jenny, our Copy Room Committee Lead. Our teachers will love you! | |
Lower School Library Volunteers Needed | |
Sign up below to help the L.S. Library - assist scholars with checking in and checking out books and restocking the shelves.
Please note a clear background check is required to volunteer.
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Lower School Teacher Lounge Supplies | Let's stock our teacher lounges with some great tasting snacks and drinks! | |
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Texas Education and Legislative Updates:
• The governor has called a special 30-day legislative session to convene in Austin on Monday, October 9. This will be the third legislative session since the close of the regular session in May.
The governor has not announced an agenda yet, but it is anticipated that he will ask lawmakers to address education savings accounts, school finance, teacher pay, and possibly border security. Given escalated tensions between the Texas House and the Senate following the attorney general’s impeachment trial, it is uncertain how quickly the chambers will reach a consensus. The governor has said that he will call a fourth special session if needed.
• 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
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As the academic year progresses, photographers from Upper and Lower will continue to share photo memories from our campus on our new SmugMug site. Just use the password "plato" to enter and view. | | | | | |
