GW Town Crier 12/1/2014

[GW Town Crier]

==================================
IMPORTANT DATES:

12/5        Coffee with Mr. Mazur 8:30am (Library)

12/11      Orchestra Winter Concert 7:30pm

12/12      Barnes & Noble fundraiser
12/13      All-District Band Auditions

12/16      GW Walk Through Tuesday

12/16      Choir Winter Concert 7:30pm

12/17      Band Winter Concert 7:30pm

1/13        GW Walk Through Tuesday

1/13        PTA Meeting 7pm (Library)

1/27        Course Selection and Electives Fair 

2/3-4       National History Day Judging

2/17        GW Walk Through Tuesday
==================================

ENORMOUS THANKS TO GW COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

The GW PTA has received tremendous support this year through our Community Partners Initiative. Please join us in extending our heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals:

Dominion Power

Livewire Media Relations, LLC

Jen Walker, McEnearney

LizLuke, McEnearney

McEnearney Associates

Salon Bisoux

Elizabeth Twigg

Eye to Eye Optometry

Jack Taylor Alexandria Toyota

Goodheart Group, LLC

Richard T. Winkler, Inc.

BUT WE STILL NEED YOU - PLEASE JOIN THE PTA HONOR ROLL OF DONORS
Our main fundraiser of the year is underway! With your donation made directly to the GW PTA, we are able to fund all the programs that support our students and teachers. 100% of your fully tax-deductible gift will be used to strengthen our school. Our goal this year is $20,000 - but we need your help to get there. All gifts make a difference! To pay online by credit card or to download forms to mail in a check (also attached), please see our website at http://www.gwmspta.org/fundraisers/gw-donors
Questions? Please contact Beth Resetco at 703-236-1812 or bres...@wdgarch.com.

ISO GIFT WRAPPERS AND CUSTOMERS! 

Less than two weeks away - December 12 at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Potomac Yard. A percentage of purchases made in the store, or on-line, will benefit the GWMS PTA. And all “tips” for the free gift-wrapping offered in the store will also benefit the many programs sponsored by our PTA.  If you and/or your middle schooler would like to volunteer for an hour between 5-6, 7-8, or 8-9 on December 12 to help gift-wrap, please email Suzanne Doggett at gm...@aol.com. Attached are bookmarks with our Bookfair ID code. In-store purchases on December 12 and on-line purchases from December 12-16 will benefit our school if our Bookfair ID #11346442 is given at checkout.

ENJOY COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL - NEW TIME!

Please join Mr. Mazur on Friday, December 5 at 8:30am in the library. In addition to open conversation, Mr. Mazur would appreciate your thoughts on how we can improve parent/teacher conferences at GWMS. Cannot attend?  Email gwm...@gmail.com and Kathy will make sure your opinion is heard.

REMEMBER - NO PTA MEETING THIS MONTH

But the November meeting minutes are attached to tide you over til January! Please submit any questions, corrections or additions to Nancy McKenna tuck...@aol.com.

GW SINGERS' SUCCESS IS MUSIC TO OUR EARS!

On Nov. 18, 26 George Washington Middle School Choir singers auditioned for the District 10 All-District Choir held each February. Nineteen students scored high enough to earn acceptance into the choir. Overall, George Washington students scored very well: Out of the 250-plus students auditioning, five of the top 10 scores were earned by George Washington students, including two students, Mina Boyd and Austin Burkett, who tied for the third best overall score. The singers will join students from 13 other area middle schools to spend three days rehearsing with a guest conductor and performing a concert during the second weekend in February.

Congratulations to all who successfully auditioned, including sopranos Grace Steenstra, Mina Boyd, Emma Lay, Bridget Williams, Lillian Finegold-Sachs, Amy Oliva Ordonez and Angelica Santiago; altos Natalie Enriquez Cross, Leslie Carr, Ella Fesler, Avery Johnson, Angelina Escobar, Rylee Tobin, Haley Caldwell and Candace Goodman; and tenors Nick Pattarini, Mark Berry, Aidan White and Austin Burkett.

Additionally, three groups of GW Choir members competed for a spot in the Alexandria Choral Society Winter Concert. The Women's Choir (8th grade girls) was chosen to perform and will receive a check for $500! The Monday Men's group was also chosen to perform, to highlight the participation of boys in all choral groups. 

Plan to hear all these talented performers for yourself at the GW Choir Winter Concert on 12/16!

TELL ACPS ABOUT YOUR PRIORITIES FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING

Make sure middle school parents are heard! Fill out the survey online before 12/15 at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/board/strategic-plan/

FACE OFFERS DECEMBER PROGRAMING

Check out the full list of offerings this month from ACPS' Family and Community Engagement Center (attached).