Upcoming Events

April 10th Holiday (No School)

April 11th Spartan Fiesta Pre-Sale

April 15th GHWH Car Show

April 15th Swing Dance

April 17th Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

April 19th Parent Humane Letters

April 21st 7/8th Coffee with the Headmaster

April 28th Holiday (No School)

May 6th New Family Orientation

Click the links below to add the campus event calendar to your personal calendars:

*DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE NEWSLETTER TO VIEW ALL THIS WEEK'S CONTENT!

Covered in this Newsletter

Operational Updates
Yearbook Orders
Parent Humane Letters
Coffee with the Headmaster
Grade Level Blogs
House Swag Store
PSO Corner
Athletics & Intramurals
Strength & Conditioning Camps
STAAR Dates
Summer Programs
Advocacy Corner
SmugMug

Quick Links

Bonus: Click here to join the GHWH PSO Facebook Group

This Week on Campus

At our Pep Rally Thursday, we celebrated the seasons of our Middle, Highschool, and House athletes. Some special guests also challenged our scholars to an obstacle course!

Order your Yearbook Today!

Deadline is April 1

The final deadline to order is April 14th!

Great Hearts Western Hills will offer two separate yearbooks for the Upper School and Lower Schools. Lower School Yearbooks can be pre-ordered for $25, and Upper School Yearbooks can be pre-ordered for $45.

Yearbooks should be pre-ordered through Lifetouch, who will also be sending emails prompting your family to order before the deadline. Use the codes listed below to select either Lower or Upper School yearbooks for purchase.

*Both yearbooks will be available for pick-up in May from the corresponding Lower and Upper School receptionist desks.

Lower School (K-5th) Yearbook ID Code: 14813323

Upper School (6-9th) Yearbook ID: 14901523

Click here to order yearbooks!

7th & 8th Grade Swing Dance

April 15th

All 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grade students are invited to the Spartan Spring Swing on Saturday, April 15^th,from 6:30-9 pm.

Tickets are $5

Students may purchase tickets during lunch with exact cash or through the Configio link:

https://greatheartswesternhills.configio.com/pd/911/22-23-spartan-swing-dance

*Students must attend at least one after-school dance lesson that will be held: Tuesday, 4/11, and Thursday, 4/13, from 4:45 to 5:30.

*9th Grade students interested in attending as dance volunteers can contact Mrs. Glowe!

You are invited toParent Humane Letters

No prior homework is needed! Leave your scholars at home and learn more about the education you support here at Western Hills.

We are pleased to invite you to a special event designed to give parents and guardians of 5th through 9th Grade scholars an insider's view into the Humane Letter classes your high school scholars will take. At this event, you will be given a text that you will discuss in a small group, similar to the seminar-based classes your students attend.

This event will take place on April 19th, 2023, at 7 pm at the Great Hearts Western Hills Upper School (Building 4) located at 8702 Ingram rd.

Our goal for this event is to provide parents with an opportunity to engage in the same type of Socratic discussion that their students experience in their Humane Letter classes. The discussion will be led by fabulous faculty facilitators and will allow parents to reflect on the timeless ideas and universal themes explored in these classes.

We hope that you can join us for this enriching experience. Please RSVP by April 16th to reserve your spot. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by reaching out to Ryan Travis.

Click here to RSVP!

7th & 8th Grade Coffee with the Headmaster

Parents of Great Hearts Western Hills 7th and 8th Grade scholars,

Please join us for a morning coffee and discussion with Headmaster Trinette Keffer. 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 Upper School Library.

Click here to RSVP!

Operational Updates

Class/Group Photos

Group photos that were ordered have been distributed. If a family did not receive their order, please contact our Lifetouch representative directly:

Jen Bustos

210-878-8228

jen.bustos@shutterfly.com

Dismissal Reminder

All students MUST be picked up by 4:20 PM (2:20 on early release days) unless they are enrolled in an after-school activity (please be aware that clubs and many athletics will not begin until September). After 4:20 PM (2:20 PM on early release days), students will be monitored by Athenaeum/Homework Club, and a charge of $1 per minute will be incurred. Parents arriving after 4:20 PM (2:20 PM early release) must park in the Lower School Lot and sign their child out at the front desk.

*PLEASE DO NOT USE CELL PHONES WHILE IN THE SCHOOL ZONE OR IN CARLINE ON CAMPUS.

Attendance

Attendance matters! Here’s why:

Our campus funding is dependent on scholars attending school. This is the number one way WH receives funding from the state.
The amount we receive from the state is based on our average daily attendance. Every day your scholar attends school, our campus receives over $45 in state funding.

How you can help us:

If your scholar is out sick, please send an email or doctor's note to our attendance mailbox at attendance@greatheartswesternhills.org for each day(s) your scholar is out sick.
Please be sure to have your scholar in their classes when attendance is taken each day at 9:50 AM.

Click here for more info on our Spartan Business Partnerships!

Did you volunteer this school year? Click here to RSVP!

PSO Corner

FiestaPre-Sale Pop-Up!

Pop ups for Fiesta pre-sales will be held *from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm on the following dates:

4/11 Lower School Lobby
4/13 Upper School Entrance
4/17 Lower School Lobby
4/20 Upper School Entrance

Teacher Luncheon Next Week!

The next luncheon is coming up and will be taking place on Wed. April 12th. Let's treat our teachers to culinary delights from different cultures and different parts of the world. We appreciate all the help!!

Lower School: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A5AA23A4F5C07-around
Upper School: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A5AA23A4F5C07-foods

Swing Dance Volunteers

The plans for the 7th & 8th Grade Swing Dance are underway! Please review the signup below and donate if you can! Let’s make this another great dance for our scholars!

Click here to Volunteer!

FIESTA VOLUNTEERS!

It's time for Fiesta Spartans! Our greatest fundraising event is soon approaching and we need your help to have yet another successful year. This is a parent community event for the entire school put on by our very own Spartan families! Please review the sign up; all help is welcomed! Upper school participation is encouraged and appreciated

Click Here to Volunteer

Click here to bring supplies

LS Front Desk Volunteer

We are looking for a fellow spartan parent that can give their time to help cover the lower school front desk starting March 1st through the end of the school year. The days and times needed are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 - 4:15. Training will be provided. If interested, please email pso@greatheartswesternhills.org

If you cannot commit to these days and times for the remainder of the year, please consider signing up to help at a time that best fits your schedule. Thank you.

Click Here to Volunteer

Lunchroom Volunteers Opportunities are back!

Lunchroom Volunteer Opportunities are back! If you are interested and have completed the volunteer background and training (in-person and online), please review and sign up! We look forward to seeing you!

Click here to Volunteer at Lunch.

STAAR Testing

Important Upcoming STAAR Testing Dates:

Tuesday, April 18

8^th Grade STAAR Reading

9^th Grade English I EOC

Wednesday, April 19

6^th Grade STAAR Reading

7^th Grade STAAR Reading

Upper School Blogs

These blogs will be a way for parents to know of upcoming tests, projects, events, or grade printouts. This will also be a way for us to inform parents of grade-specific events including field trips, house events, or other similar events. We will not be posting specific homework assignments or actual pdfs of assignments.

6th-8th Grade Blog

9th Grade Blog

House Swag Store

Pick-Up and Purchases Tuesday & Thursday

How to Purchase?

Click here for Configio OR Send exact cash or check in with your scholar or visit the parent payment portal.

Where to pick it up?

Students will have an opportunity to pick up items at the “Swag Locker Station” located in the lobby of the Upper school campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

*If your online purchase is intended as a gifted surprise for our scholar, please email nicole.glowe@greatheartswesternhills.org with your request.

Uniform Tie	$25
Scarf	$25
Beanie	$20
Cinch Bag	$15
Lanyard	$8
Decal	$3
Patch	$2

Athletics & Intramurals

Weight Room Update

Spartans, we asked, and you answered! Thank you so much to the families who have helped supply our needs for the weight room! Because of you, are 8^th & 9^th grade scholars are starting to learn to lift Tuesday-Thursdays during their Morning Break. We have updated our needs list. If you would like to still donate, see below for items we could still use:

-Trap Bars (AKA Hex Bars)

- Barbell Holder such as the one below:

https://www.amazon.com/Eapele-Barbell-Storage-Olympic-EZ-Bars/dp/B07ZYH7BRV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9OPKI98VBE97&keywords=barbell+holder&qid=1676043886&sprefix=barbell+holder%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-3

-Dumbbells or Kettlebells in the following weights: 8 lbs, 10 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, 25 lbs.

https://www.amazon.com/BalanceFrom-Rubber-Encased-Dumbbell-Pairs/dp/B096L54LY8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3PA6PMB44EMLV&keywords=10+lb+dumbbells&qid=1676043848&sprefix=10+lb+dumbbells%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-6

Upcoming Athletics Games:

High School Soccer

Mon 3/27/23 – 5:00 pm vs. Scenic Hills Christian @ Soccer Central

Weds 3/29/23 – 6:30 pm vs. Jubilee Lakeview @ Jubilee Lakeview

Thurs 3/30/23 – 5:30 pm vs. GHLO @ GHLO

MS Girls Soccer

Thurs 3/30/23 – 5:00 pm vs. IDEA Burke @ IDEA Burke Field

**Playoff games TBA

MS Boys Soccer

**Playoff games TBA

Track & Field

Good Luck Track & Field in your meet on Saturday 3/25 @ BCA!!!

Softball

Thurs 3/30/23 – 4:00 pm vs GHLO @ YMCA Potranco

You may find the full schedule on our athletics website at: www.greatheartswesternhillsathletics.org.

Game Day Reminders for Soccer:

1. Soccer Central does not have bathrooms, porta-potties are available.

2. All facilities are still under construction therefore OFF LIMITS. Persons found violating this, or entering roped off areas, will be immediately escorted off the grounds, and banned for the remainder of the season.

3. There are no benches, please bring a chair to sit.

4. No parents or spectators are allowed on the field at any time. They must remain behind the fence.

5. Thank you so much for adhering to these guidelines so we may offer a safe and enjoyable experience to our athletes and to you!

6. As a reminder: all students must be dropped off/picked up, and cars must park in the parking lot. The dirt path before you enter Soccer Central is not meant for traffic.

Baseball:

We have had a GREAT turnout and are so excited to be starting up this new sport. We have just enough boys to make a team, however, after special consideration of the age ranges and skill level, we have decided to not have a competitive baseball team this year. We have instead turned baseball into a guild for this school year. Our goal is to field a Middle and High school team next year. This guild will be open to 5^th – 9^th grade scholars. The guild will start in April and in May, to allow time for our scholars who are participating in other sports to still get to experience baseball. The cost to be apart of the guild will be $50 and that is to offset the cost of the field rental at Garza Park.

To register your son for the baseball guild please see the following configio link: https://greatheartswesternhills.configio.com/pd/832/22-23-baseball-guild?returncom=productlist&source=search

The schedule for baseball guild practices is as follows:

Sat 4/1/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 4/8/23 – No Practice

Sat 4/15/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 4/22/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 4/29/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 5/6/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 5/13/26 – 9 am – 11 am

Sat 5/20/23 – 9 am – 11 am

Athletics Celebration:

Parents, if you had a scholar participate in a Middle or High School athletics team (not intramurals) please be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an invitation to your child’s Athletics Celebration.

We have had over 140 scholars participate in athletics, and we want to celebrate all their accomplishments!

Men’s Athletics will have their celebration on Thursday May 4^th, 7 pm. Ladies’ Athletics will have their celebration on Friday May 5^th, 7 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Athletics Summer Camps

Mark your calendars! This year we will be offering FULL DAY camps, where scholars will be able to experience three sports, along with lessons in nutrition, sleep, recovery, and other tips and tricks that help them be a better athlete.

Registration opens: April 3^rd via Configio.

Cost: $200

Please note: For full day camps, scholars will be required to bring a daily sack lunch.

Soccer Camp dates are currently being finalized and will be announced next week.

If you have any questions, please email Coach Disney at Elizabeth.disney@greatheartswesternhills.org.

Strength & Conditioning Camp

July 10 – August 4^th

Middle School (Boys & Girls – 6^th& 7^th Grades)

M T W Th

4:30 – 6:00 pm

High School (Boys & Girls – 8^th-10^th Grades)

M T W Th

4:30 – 6:00 pm

Boys & girls will be separated. They will focus on Speed and agility for 45 minutes, and components of lifting in the weight room on campus for 45 minutes.

Boys Volleyball & Girls Flag Football Intramurals

7-9^th graders it is your time to shine and show the house pride! There will be an intramural Boys Volleyball and intramural Girls Flag Football teams forming. Every win counts for house points toward the House Cup! Registration is NOW OPEN. If your child is currently participating in a sport, they may still participate in intramurals. Please communicate with the coaches of both sports so they may help accommodate and create a practice schedule.

Details:

Registration: via Aktivate at www.registermyathlete.com. Payments will be made through configio (link will be made available on Wednesday 3/29/23).

**A sports physical is required. If your child participated in athletics, please email Coach Disney and she will help transfer the physical to the other site.

Practices: Will be two days/ week, for one hour after school.

Practices will begin April 11^th.

Game Days:

Game 1: April 28^th

FFB: 4:30 pm

VB: 5:30 pm

Game 2: May 12^th

FFB: 4:30 pm

VB: 5:30 pm

Cost: $115 (includes intramural t-shirt)

*If this is your child/families third sport, or you qualify for Free Reduced Lunch, please email Coach Disney.

Academic Eligibility: Students must be passing all classes with at least a C- (70% or above) in order to participate in competitions. Eligibility is determined at progress report and report card time.

GHWH Athletics Website

Intramurals

🏀This week is the start of the playoffs for our intramural basketball players! 🏀

So far here are our standings(This does not include Friday's game)

Girls:

1st: Oakenshield

2nd/3rd: Baggins & Narnia

Boys:

Tied at first: Narnia & Oakenshield

3rd: Baggins

Come out and support your fellow house and cheer them on to VICTORY! Here is the game schedule for the remainder of the season!

Girls: March 30th: Baggins vs. Narnia

March 31st: Winner vs. Oakenshield

Boys: March 30th: Baggins vs. Defeated

March 31st: Winner of the 24^th vs. Winner of the 30^th

Please email Coach Boring if you have any questions about intramurals! 🏀hannah.boring@greatheartswesternhills.org🏀

Have you made summer plans yet? Great Hearts Western Hills offers two incredible programs the weeks of June 5^th-16^th. You can register for one or both weeks. Register today and give your child a summer experience they will always remember!

Summer Programs include:

Summer Camp is a full-day experience where Campers will laugh as they compete in crazy camp games, sing silly campfire songs, enjoy engaging activities, and make new friends. It’s a traditional summer camp experience with a classical twist!
Kinder Readiness is designed to prepare incoming kindergarteners for the upcoming year.

For more information and to register today, please visit:

GreatHeartsWesternHills.configio.com/summer23

Advocacy Corner

Texas 88^th Legislature: Charter School Advocacy

Two important pro-charter bills were approved by their respective committees this week. The House Land and Resource Management Committee approved a bill that would require cities to follow the same zoning and permitting rules for all public schools, including charters. This bill would end extra fees, delays, and arbitrary measures that charters have been subjected to when opening new campuses.

To receive updates on this important legislation from the Texas Public Charter School Association, please click this link.

Did you know? When public charter schools grow, it creates more opportunities for students and families. Among all the public charter schools that have opened a new campus in the last six years, 97% received a “passing” grade from the state. What’s more, these public charter schools earned top honors for academic outcomes at much higher rates than the statewide average. Learn more here.

Stay up to date on critical charter school legislation 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.

Campus Photos on SmugMug

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.

Click here to view photos

Great Hearts Western Hills | Website