Dec 4, 20233 min read

GW Town Crier - December 4, 2023

Upcoming Dates

December 5: The Parent’s Role in Special Education workshop
December 6: GW Orchestra Winter Concert
December 7: GW Choir Winter Concert
December 12: &pizza Dine Out Fundraiser
December 13: GW Band Winter Concert
December 15: PBIS Store
December 18 - January 1: Winter Break (No School)

A Message from the President:

A huge thanks to all who have supported our annual fall campaign, Honor Roll of Donors. We are so grateful for all who gave on Giving Tuesday, bringing us SO CLOSE to our goal! We only have $65 to go, and there is still time to give! The grade with the highest number of donations will win a freezy pop party in January. 6th grade is crushing the competition! Let’s go 7th and 8th grade families! Minimum contribution is $5. Donations made through December 31 count toward the freezy pop party!

Donations are 100% tax deductible and 100% goes to GWMS PTA. Your generous contributions allow the PTA to support GWMS teachers, staff, and families in important ways, including funding for teacher grants, teacher and staff appreciation events, end-of-year socials for all grades, and the family emergency fund. Check out the details and grade level standings. Again, thank you to all who have already donated! Reminder, there is NO PTA meeting in December. Our next PTA meeting will be Wednesday, January 10th, (not Tuesday!) in person and on Facebook Live. Dr. Pierette Finney, Chief Academic Officer, ACPS, and Ms. Carmen Sanders, Executive Director of Instructional Support, ACPS, will join us to discuss the High School Project’s Program of Studies. The video and slides from November’s PTAC general meeting can bring you up to speed! Greta Gordon GWMS PTA President 2023-2024 http://gwmspta.org/

Final PBIS Store of 2023

The GW PBIS store will be open during lunch on December 15th for the final time in 2023! Thank you to Jamie Pfister for coordinating volunteers to help staff the store. STILL NEED TWO VOLUNTEERS for the 7th grade lunch (12:18-12:48) on December 15. Please sign up to help if you can!

Spirit Wear

Look for Spirit Wear sales at upcoming school events, like PTA meetings! If you pre-ordered Spirit Wear in November 2023, your order will be available for pick up the week of December 11, 2023. We will email you with more details when orders arrive. Email gwptafunds@gmail.com with any Spirit Wear questions. GW magnets are available for purchase online now!

Neverland Destinations - Colonel Washington Level Business Sponsor!

Thank you to our new Colonel Washington level business sponsor: Neverland Destinations. Neverland Destinations is a boutique travel agency specializing in Disney and Universal vacations. Owned by Pam Townsend, GW parent of 7th grader Henry Watkins and our PTA VP Fundraising, Neverland Destinations can help you plan a magical family vacation, whether you choose Walt Disney World for Star Wars, Universal for Harry Potter, or a Disney Cruise for relaxation.

Your business can be a GWMS PTA sponsor!

Businesses can donate to George Washington Middle School PTA! We’ll publicize your sponsorship on our website, newsletter, facebook page, and more! Sponsorships start at $100. Check out the sponsorship levels and donation options.

Volunteer Mentoring Opportunity

Are you interested in mentoring a GWMS student? THE GWMS Counseling team runs a mentorship program for a group of 8th grade students that benefit from additional adult guidance and support. They are looking for one additional mentor. Mentors typically meet with their dedicated mentee one day per week during the school year (through May,), most often during the student's lunchtime. A 30-minute mentoring session might include playing a game, eating lunch together, or simply talking. As the mentor builds a rapport with the student, the goal is that the mentor becomes an encouraging force in the student's life goals, aspirations, and self-esteem. What a rewarding experience for both the mentor and the student! Contact GWMS 8th grade School Counselors Ms. Thomas or Ms. Najjar for more details.

The Parent’s Role in Special Education

On Tuesday, December 5th, 12-1pm and 6-7pm, ACPS’s Parent Support Specialist, Janet Reese, will lead a workshop on the parent’s role in special education. This workshop will provide tips and strategies to help parents support their student’s special education. The event will be posted simultaneously to Zoom and to the Anne R. Lipnick Special Education Parent Resource Center (PRC) Facebook page. Click HERE for WEBINAR LINK

&pizza Dine Out, Tuesday, December 12

Our December dine out fundraiser will be at &pizza in Potomac Yard (3525 Richmond Hwy.) on Tuesday, December 12th, from 5 to 9p.m. Plan to have dinner that night at &pizza and 25% of your order will go to GWMS!