December 11, 2014 


 

HOLIDAY BREAK

 

The last day of scheduled final exams is December 18th. Make-up exams will be held by appointment only on December 19th. Classes resume on January 6th.
Happy Holidays!
 

 

 

MARTINEZ Minute 

Dear GW Families, 


By now you've heard that Denver high schools have been experiencing a number of student walkouts in response to the events in Ferguson and New York. For the most part these walkouts have unplanned and chaotic.  I wanted to take a minute to share with you what has been happening at GW specifically, and to commend a group of our students for their foresight and compassion.

 

On December 4th, the morning after students at East walked out, we heard rumors that our students were planning to do the same. However, later that morning two students, Tamara Archer, co-President of the Black Student Alliance and Jeanette Navarro came to my office and shared that they were planning a walkout for December 9th, the five-month anniversary of Michael Brown's death. They wanted this to be a lesson in being engaged citizens and affecting change with respect and passion. They did not want students to walk out that morning because their plans were not finalized and they were concerned about student safety. They made an announcement encouraging students to wait until Tuesday so that a meaningful and safe protest could be planned.

 

A small group of students did walk out the morning of December 4th, but the majority of students listened to Jeanette and Tamara.

 

On December 9th, many of our students wore black, participated in 45 minutes of silence during 4th period (4.5 minutes for each of the ten African-American males who have been killed over the past few years), and walked out of the building at 1pm. For nearly an hour they sat peacefully on the sidewalk holding signs. They concluded by discussing how they can contribute to change and progress in our society. It was clear that our students were not walking out for the thrill of leaving school. They were informed and passionate and created a meaningful space for students to discuss these national tragedies.

 

Student Organizers Jeanette Navarro, Autumn Conner, Tamara Archer, and Tashan Montgomery

This event was planned by the Black Student Alliance (BSA), supported by BSA's faculty sponsor, Michelle Rosen, and condoned by the GW Administration. We were all impressed by the maturity and thoughtfulness of the students. They even caught the attention of the Denver Police Department who stopped by yesterday to commend the students who organized the event.

 

It's moments like these - when learning leaves the confines of the classroom - that make me proud to be involved in education. 


 

Sincerely, 
 





Jos� Martinez, Principal
George Washington High School

HOUSEKEEPING
The Logistical Necessities
 

WHOOPING COUGH

We have been informed that one of our students has been diagnosed with whooping cough. Please have your child or family member seen by a medical professional if you have any concerns during the holiday season. If you choose to have your child vaccinated and or given a flu shot please provide the school nurse with a copy of the record after the holidays.

 

What Is Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a serious infection of the airways going to the lung. It causes violent coughing you can't stop. The illness can be mild to severe. It is most harmful for newborns and young children, resulting in hospitalization and even death. Vaccination decreases the severity of the illness and is the best way to prevent whooping cough. Vaccinations also prevent the spread of pertussis to babies. Parents can also help protect infants by keeping them away from anyone who has cold symptoms or is coughing, and asking anyone who will have close contact with their babies to be vaccinated for pertussis.

 

Who Gets Whooping Cough?

Left untreated, people with whooping cough can spread the infection for as long as three weeks. People with whooping cough should stay out of school, child care or work until:

    • They have finished 5 days of antibiotics (which reduces the risk of spreading the infection), or
    • Three weeks have passed since the cough started, or
    • The cough is completely gone.

How Can Whooping Cough Be Treated?

Antibiotics can treat whooping cough and prevent the spread of infection to others, especially when given soon after the start of illness.

 

Free Health Care For All GW Students

The Place Academy/School Base Clinic

7125 Cherry Creek North Dive

Denver, Colorado

(720-424-2050)

 

The clinic will close December 20th-Jan 6, 2015


SECOND SEMESTER SCHEDULES

Second semesters schedules will be delivered to students on December 12th. At that point students can request corrections online through January 9th. Before a student can request a schedule correction they must have their ICAP requirements completed from the previous semester. If your student does not receive a schedule or it is empty - they need to contact their counselor immediately.

 

SENIORS FAILING CLASSES

Letters have been mailed to parents of seniors who are failing one or more classes and are in danger of being unable to graduate.

 

1ST SEMESTER FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

First semester finals will be held December 16th - 19th, 2014. Please click HERE for the schedule. If you are a student with an unscheduled period, you must report to the library during the corresponding exam period. 


ACTION ITEMS
Things To Do
 

2ND ANNUAL TOY DRIVE

The DPS Safety and Security Department is coordinating a toy drive for this holiday season. All of the toys collected will be donated to The Children's Hospital. It is important that the toys are new and still packaged because the majority of the patients have compromised immune systems. If you are interested in contributing, you can drop off toys at any DPS school. This toy drive lasts through December 17, 2014. Anything helps!


 
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE PSAT

Students who took the PSAT and received their scores were given a unique access code. This code allows you to access free resources to help prepare you for the college application process. Head over to My College Quick Start by clicking HERE to access tools like SAT Study Plans and College Search Guides. 

 

 

 
GW HAPPENINGS
Things To Know
 

CHOIR, BAND, & STRING ENSEMBLE WINTER CONCERT

Tonight is the winter concert featuring students in choir, band, and string ensemble. They have been rehearsing all semester, come hear them perform!

 


 

 


 

 

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE LATINO ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON

The IBLA hosted a luncheon on December 11. Staff and students attended and it was a huge success! The IBLA is a student group sponsored by IB Program Assistant, Marjie Lane. This community strives to offer more academic opportunities for high achieving Latino students. 


 

ONE GEORGE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION ON JANUARY 27, 2015

The One George Steering Committee and Action Committees have submitted their recommendations to the senior district leadership. This work is a collaboration to increase access to rigorous academic pathways for all students attending GW. We will be sharing those recommendations as well as updates on our progress in a community meeting on the evening of January 27th at 6:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!


ACADEMIC AWARDS ON JANUARY 28TH, 2015

There will be academic awards given on January 28th, 2015. We will be distributing more information when we are back from break, but mark your calendars!


TOY DRIVE

The DPS Safety and Security Department is coordinating a toy drive for this holiday season. All of the toys collected will be donated to The Children's Hospital. It is important that the toys are new and still packaged because the majority of the patients have compromised immune systems. If you are interested in contributing, you can drop off toys at any DPS school. This toy drive lasts through December 17, 2014. Anything helps!



COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Updates From GW Counselors
 
CHOICE OF STUDIES FAIR

On January 30th we will have a modified scheduled to allow for a Choice of Studies Fair that will occur between 1st and 2nd periods. Students will have the chance to talk with teachers and learn more about the classes they teach, which will guide them in making course selections for the 2015-2016 school year. There will be a presentation for seniors in the auditorium at the same time. On February 2nd, Counselors will meet with each grade level and discuss the Choice of Studies process. 

 

CLASS FAILURE REMEDIATION

Beginning next semester, students not completing a class successfully will no longer be able to retake the class in a traditional setting. Instead, they will be enrolled in an online course through APEX as their schedule permits to make-up the credit. APEX courses will have a $25 lab fee associated with every credit recovery class to cover the cost of technology and printing. GW Counselors will be working with students who need credit recovery to make sure they are completing these requirements. 

  
GW BY THE NUMBERS
What We're Tracking

ATTENDANCE

Average attendance for the week of December 1 - 5, 2014 was 89.41%.

 
COMING UP AT GW
Get Your Calendars Ready
 

DECEMBER 15, 2014

C-Level Boys Basketball v. Gateway High School | Gateway High School | 4:00pm

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball v. Gateway High School | Gateway High School | 5:30pm

Varsity Boys Basketball v. Gateway High School | Gateway High School | 7:00pm 


 

DECEMBER 16, 2014

Final Exams

8:00am - 9:30pm | 1st Period Exam

9:40am - 11:25am | 2nd Period Exam

11:25am - 12:10pm | LUNCH

12:15pm - 1:45pm | 3rd Period Exam

1:45pm - 3:00pm | Make-up exams by appointment

 

DECEMBER 17, 2014

Final Exams

8:00am - 9:30pm | 4th Period Exam

9:40am - 11:25am | 5th Period Exam

11:25am - 12:10pm | LUNCH

12:15pm - 1:45pm | 6th Period Exam

1:45pm - 3:00pm | Make-up exams by appointment

Junior Varsity Girls Basketball v. Bear Creek | Bear Creek High School | 4:00pm

Varsity Girls Swim Meet | George Washington High School | 4:15pm

Varsity Girls Basketball v. Bear Creek High School | Bear Creek High School | 5:30pm

Varsity Boys Basketball v. Hinkley High School | Hinkley High School | 7:00pm 

 

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Final Exams

8:00am - 9:30pm | 7th Period Exam

9:40am - 11:25am | 8th Period Exam

11:25am - 12:10pm | LUNCH

12:15pm - 3:00pm | Make-up exams by appointment

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball v. Poudre | George Washington High School | 6:00m


DECEMBER 19, 2014

Final Exams - Make-ups by appointment 

Varsity Boys Basketball v. Arvada West | Arvada West High School | 6:00pm  

 

THANKING OUR PATRIOTS

 

"I would like to thank the student leadership of the Black Student Alliance for their amazing and organized protest"

- Assistant Principal, Gideon Geisel

 

 

Thank you to GW alumnus Stephen "Brer Rabbit" Brackett, lead vocalist of The Flobots, for returning to GW to inspire and entertain the GW Patriot Pairs Mentoring Program students and mentors at their first annual Holiday Breakfast.  Brer Rabbit lead the gathering in a participatory version of the Flobot's song, "Work with Tools," urging the students to use all of the tools at their disposal, including help from their mentors,

 to become leaders of their communities.