AUG 30, 2021 E*news

Dear Parents, Guardians and GW Staff,

Welcome to the first e*news of the 2021-2022 school year. The GW HSA (Home and School Association) will send out weekly updates to communicate school-wide notices, upcoming events and activities as well as Ridgewood community news and events. Please be sure to read the e*news and log on frequently to gwhsa.org for more information on our fundraisers and events.

We have an enthusiastic executive board, committee chairs and group of volunteers who are committed to making this a successful year for our kids. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Wishing you all a wonderful school year! Tasneem Patrawala, GW HSA President

GW Notices

• The first day of school is Wednesday, September 1 and is a minimum day. School starts at 8:00 am, but students are allowed to come into the building, say hello to friends and teachers, and make their way to their rooms starting at 7:45 am.  Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm. There is no lunch on the first day of school. Don’t forget those masks, please! 

• As a reminder students should print out their schedules and bring them to school on Wednesday. They should also note who their homeroom teacher is, and report directly to their classroom at the start of the day.  There will be staff members in the hallways to help new students find their way.

• School is closed next Monday, September 6 (Labor Day) and Tuesday, September 7 (Rosh Hashanah).

• Back to School Night for parents is on Thursday, September 23 at 7:30 pm (the evening will finish around 9:15 pm).

HSA Notices

2021/2022 School Directory - Please support the GW HSA with your $30 Annual Dues, which will include access to the Mobile Directory through GroupSpot. The school directory will include contact details for students and families, staff and faculty and HSA Committees, HSA Partners, and important School information conveniently through your mobile device. Your HSA dues support student enrichment activities throughout the year. Sign up and pay your dues today at gwhsa.org/directory to reserve your copy! We appreciate your support. GroupSpot HSA Announcement 

Birthday Book Gifting Program - Help add to our library's existing book collection. For a $20 donation, your child will have a personalized bookplate inserted in a newly purchased book which will then be displayed during their birthday month. Go to gwhsa.org/birthdaybooks to buy yours! *Deadline to order is October 8*

6th Grade Photo Book - Each year GW creates a special photo book for our newest students to help them become familiar with their classmates and teachers. Visit gwhsa.org/photobook to order yours for $6. *Deadline to order is September 17*

Locker Shelves and Chrome Book Covers - For those who have already purchased locker shelves and chrome book covers, they will be distributed by the homeroom teachers on the first day of school. If you missed the deadline to purchase, limited quantities are available for sale on our website gwhsa.org/shop.

8th Grade Parents - The 8th grade Memory Show Chairs will be looking for photos of all 8th graders to include in the video shown at the promotion ceremony next June. Please try and take as many photos of your child and his/her friends and classmates in and around the school and at GW events. 

Get involved in the GW HSA - We are still looking for parent volunteers to help out this year for events/activities with varying levels of commitment. ALL students at GW benefit from parent involvement! Please click here to check out the various volunteer opportunities available and consider chairing or joining a committee. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. We still need Class Parents, Media Center Volunteers, DEI committee members, Wellness Day chairs, Redemption programs coordinator, Social Media Chair, Film Festival Co-ordinator, 7th Grade Community Service Co-ordinator and more. 

Follow GW HSA on Social Media - Facebook and Instagram

Support the GW HSA when you shop at Amazon - AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the GWHSA every time you shop, at no cost to you. You’ll find the same prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the GWHSA. Simply click here and select George Washington Middle School HSA as your preferred charity.

HSA meeting - Please join us for our first HSA meeting on Wednesday, September 22 at 1:30 pm.  All parents are welcome.

Mark your calendar for these important dates in September and October:

September

• 9/1/21 - First day of school (minimum day, dismissal 12:15 pm)

• 9/6/21 - Labor Day - SCHOOLS CLOSED

• 9/7/21 - Rosh Hashanah - SCHOOLS CLOSED

• 9/16/21 - Yom Kippur - SCHOOLS CLOSED

• 9/22/21 - 6th Grade Camp (Monroe)

• 9/22/21 - GW HSA Meeting 1:30 pm

• 9/23/21 - 6th Grade Camp (Godwin)

• 9/23/21 - Back to School Night, 7:30 pm

• 9/24/21 - 6th Grade Camp (Rain date)

October

• 10/4/21 - 10/8/21 - NJSSA Testing

• 10/5/21 - Club Fair, 3:00 pm

• 10/11/21 - Columbus Day, Prof. Development Day - SCHOOLS CLOSED

• 10/12/21 - Student Photo Day

• 10/19/21 - Student Photo Day (Rain date)

• 10/20/21 - GW HSA Meeting 1:30 pm

• 10/21/21 - Oktoberfest for 7th Grade

• 10/22/21 - Oktoberfest (Rain date)

 Home and School Association Meeting Dates (2021-2022)

HSA Meetings are held one Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm. Meetings will most likely be held virtually via Zoom.  A link will be sent closer to the meeting date. All parents are encouraged to attend. HSA meetings are a forum to provide interesting and important information to parents and guardians throughout the year. Please note that there will be no December or June meeting.