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Bonus: Click here to join the GHWH PSO Facebook Group

Covered in this Newsletter

Re-Enrollment Ending
Operational Updates
Bookfair
Read-a-thon
Grade Level Blogs
House Swag Store
PSO Corner
College Counselor's Corner
Athletics & Intramurals
Strength & Conditioning Camps
Advocacy Corner
SmugMug

Re-Enrollment is Here!

March 1st-31st

The deadline for re-enrollment for current families is March 31st. If we do not receive their re-enrollment prior to then, your scholar's seat will be forfeited for 23-24.

The re-enrollment drawing winner of Week two is a Spartan Swag Bag in the Zundel Family!

Re-Enroll in 4 easy steps:

1. Go to https://greathearts.schoolmint.net/signin

2. Type in your username: Username: $username and original password.

3. Once you’re logged in, please indicate if your child is returning or not returning for the 2023-24 school year.

4. If your student is returning, click on Re-enroll in the next step.

For assistance, please reach out to your campus Registrar.

We also encourage all our families to take this time to pledge or re-pledge your Community Investment giving for the 2023-2024 school year. Your family’s gift to Community Investment helps make all of our work possible!

Read-a-thon

March 20-31st

From March 20th to March 31st, our school will hold a Read-a-thon competition between the Upper School Houses and Lower School Grade levels!

The House and grade with the highest total minutes read will be crowned the winner and receive a prize. And what's the award, you ask? Well, it's a paleta party for the House and grade that logs the most minutes!

An access code was sent home with you this week to allow parents to register scholars and log their reading progress online.

But you can click here to Activate Your Reader's account!

Once activated, all that's left is to use your profile to send emails and text messages to gather sponsors for your reader, and get reading!

So be sure to activate your Read-a-thon profile today before we start reading on March 20th,

Operational Updates

Hiring Part-Time Receptionist

Apply and read about the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements here.

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!

PSO Twig Bookfair

March 28-31st

The Twig Bookstore and the PSO are proud to host a book fair on March 28-31st here at Western Hills!

Lower school Scholars have a scheduled time as a class to visit the store. Your teacher will communicate which day your scholar should bring money for the bookfair. Upper School scholars will use breaks and Lyceums as opportunities for time slots where scholars can tour the book fair and look at books.

Online purchases will also be available at the Twig website, but be sure to use code GHWH when you purchase so the school can receive 20% kickback!

The PSO is accepting book donations for our book fair!

We understand the want and need for every child to have the opportunity to own their own books. Therefore, we are asking our community to donate gently used or new books to make available to scholars with limited means. We will accept any level book, please

EXCLUDE any pop-culture references.

If you would like to donate books from the Twig Fair to the School Library, you can do so by ordering the books online and having them shipped to GHWH using the Address:

GHWH Library

8702 Ingram Rd

San Antonio, TX 78245

PSO Corner

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

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.

College Counselor's Blog

Intro to Financial Aid Night - Monday, March 27^th at 6:30 pm

It is never too early to start learning about the college financial aid process. The Great Hearts Texas College Counseling Team will be hosting a Virtual College Financial Aid Information Night for all 8^th and 9th grade families. If interested in attending, please RSVP HERE. A reminder and Zoom link will be sent to the email(s) provided 24 to 48 hours prior to the event.

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🏀

Advocacy Corner

Rep. Dade Phelan, the powerful Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, announced this week his support for several education-related priority bills. These priority bills cover a host of issues including increased funding for mental health resources; providing a cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers; increasing funding for school safety; and filling gaps in school safety, including standardizing the roles of the Texas Education Agency and the Texas School Safety Center, a think tank at Texas State University.

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