Upcoming Dates
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 7: Chipotle Dine Out Fundraiser, Potomac Yard, 5-9pm
February 7-13: 8th Grade LOVE Fundraiser
February 8: School Board meeting (add/delete budget session)
February 9: Freezy Pop party for 6th Grade for PTA Honor Roll of Donors
February 12: Band Boosters Nothing Bundt the Cake Fundraiser
February 13: PTA meeting, Zoom/Facebook Live, 7pm
February 15-16: Early Dismissal - Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 19: Presidents’ Day, No School
February 21: Open House for rising 6th grade families in Spanish
February 23: Open House for rising 6th grade families
February 24: “Your Future Today” Mentoring event at ACHS
March 2: National History Day Regional Competition
March 5: Teacher Work Day, No School, Election Day Bake Sale
March 14: Math and Robotics Night
March 17: GW Aerial Drone Competition
A Message from the President:
It is National School Counseling Week and we are so grateful for our school counselors! Thank you, Mr. Cook, Ms. Shackelford, Mr. Green, Ms. Ricks, Mrs. Jackson, Ms. Najjar and Ms. Thomas for all you do for our students and school community!
Our February PTA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13th at 7pm, on Zoom and Facebook Live. Dean Perkins and Mr. Decerega will share the ways GWMS is celebrating Black History Month. We’ll also be introduced to the ACHS PTSA and learn how to engage at the high school level. Additionally, Rosie Weidemer will join us on behalf of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.
The 6th grade class was the lucky winner of our Honor Roll of Donors fall competition! With the greatest number of individual donations, the 6th graders will enjoy freezy pops during lunch this Friday, February 9th. Please contact our VP of Fundraising, Pam Townsend (gwptafunds@gmail.com) with any questions. Congratulations, 6th graders!
Greta Gordon
GWMS PTA President 2023-2024
Chipotle Dine Out Fundraiser, February 7th
Take a night off from cooking, gather your family and friends, and join your GW community for dinner! Our next dine out fundraiser will be this Wednesday, February 7th, from 5:00-9:00pm, at Chipotle, Potomac Yard location. It's an easy and delicious way to support GWMS PTA!
8th Grade LOVE Fundraiser
The 8th grade team is raising money for their end of the year events! Starting Wednesday, students across all grades and staff can purchase carnations, boxed candy, and/or roses with a note/heart for the recipient. It’s a nice way to show a little appreciation to teachers and staff, or thank a classmate for their friendship. The LOVE Fundraiser runs from Wednesday, February 7th through Tuesday, February 13th. Ms. Ortiz is looking for volunteers to help during lunch, you can sign up and contact Ms. Ortiz for more details.
GW Special Education Survey
The PTA Council of Alexandria’s (PTAC) Special Education Committee has a meeting scheduled with ACPS Superintendent, Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, on February 12th. Our GWMS PTA Special Education Representative has created a parent survey to help inform the meeting. Similar to a survey the ACHS PTSA Special Education rep sent out earlier this year, there are a few additional questions geared toward the focus of the meeting with the Superintendent. If your child has a 504 Plan or IEP, we ask that you please complete the survey.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with your child's teachers. Conference slots will open on February 8, 2024 and each conference slot is 10 minutes, so we encourage you to make the most of this time. Click HERE for more detailed information on how to sign up for a conference slot via parentsquare.
Equity for All Climate Survey
ACPS is seeking feedback from division stakeholders to determine the degree to which the division is perceived as empowering, welcoming, equity-focused, results-driven, and innovative. ACPS will use the feedback received to ensure that division offerings meet the needs of all students, families, and staff, and align with the division’s Equity for All 2025 Strategic Plan. Click HERE to complete the survey.
You can access the by clicking here: Climate Survey Webpage
Rising 6th Grade Information
In addition to the Electives Fair, families of rising 6th grade GW families should plan to attend one of the open houses. The next open house will be Friday, February 23rd from 9:00 to 10:30am.
Also note the open house dedicated to Spanish-speaking families on February 21st.
Casa abierta con padres y cuidadores de alumnos de habla hispana que irán al 6° grado, 21 febrero, 5:30-6:30p.m.
Check out the full list of GWMS Orientation and Transition Events.
Finally, please take a moment to read the Academic Advisement Letter:
ACPS Mentoring Event “Your Future Today” - February 24th
ACPS will host a mentoring event, “Your Future Today” geared toward Black/African American males in grades 6-12. at the Alexandria City High School - King Street campus from 9 am. to 2 pm.This event is free of charge.
To register, fill out the online form.
GWMS Aerial Drone Competition
GWMS’ Aerial Drone Competition will take place Sunday, March 17th. If you are interested in helping out, you can sign up using this link or contact Mr. Clemmons.