WARRIOR WEEKLY
January 2, 2021
Volume 2・Issue 20
All-School News
Happy New Year!
Our "Top 9" most-liked posts of 2020 show an abundance of grace, goodness, and community. Do you know someone interested in joining the GCS family in 2021? Please have them reach out to Admissions@gcswarriors.org!
Welcome back!
Important dates to remember:
Jan. 4 - Teachers Return

Jan. 5 - Students Return 

Jan. 11 & 13 - Re-enrollment meetings

Jan. 14 - Re-enrollment opens (Read important details below.)

Jan. 28 - Pre-K and Kindergarten Preview event for potential families
Invite your friends!
Do you know someone interested in sending their child to Pre-K or Kindergarten next year? Have them reach out to our Admissions Office to save a spot in our virtual preview event!
2021-2022 Re-enrollment Information
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Due to the governor's new guidelines, we will be streaming and recording the annual re-enrollment parent meeting.

Meeting will be streamed on Monday, January 11 at 6:30 PM
and Wednesday, January 13 at 8:15 AM.
Recordings will be available after that.

One parent will be required to view the meeting before enrollment will be opened for your family. A Warrior Bulletin with a link to the video will be sent out after the January 13 meeting. 

Re-enrollment will open on Thursday, January 14 for families who have watched the video. Current families are asked to re-enroll by Tuesday, February 2. Please submit applications for any additional children in your family who are not currently enrolled by Tuesday, February 2.

Please contact Maria Ralston at 886-9109 or admissions@gcswarriors.org if you have any questions.
Virtual Homecoming
We invite alumni and all GCS families to organize "Watch Parties" of ten or fewer people for our Varsity Girls & Varsity Boys basketball games against Ridgeview Christian School on Thursday, January 14 (6:00 & 7:30 PM).

Both games will be on our Facebook page @GCSWarriors, as will the presentation of the Homecoming Court in between the games.
Elementary/Middle School News
School Resumes on January 5th
Here are a few quick reminders for our return to school:

  • Teachers will return on Monday, January 4th for professional development, and students will return on Tuesday, January 5th.

  • Please remember to fill out the HealthCheck app for each of your students every morning before they come to school.

  • If your student isn't feeling well, please keep them home from school and contact the office with any questions.

  • If you have a student who has been exposed to COVID or a family member awaiting test results, please be in touch with Mrs. Morel with these details.
New when you return:
Water Bottle Filling Stations

Water bottle filling stations have been installed! Please remember to send water bottles with your students every day. If your student forgets his/her water bottle, we will be in touch with you to bring one in for them.
Walk-Through Thermometers

On Monday we will have walk through thermometers installed at the ES door. We will send you an update to arrival protocol once they are up and running.
Virtual Homecoming
Please take a look at the All-School section (above) for details about the upcoming Virtual Homecoming event on January 14.
Reminder for Middle School Students
Students will receive a schedule for cumulative tests on Tuesday when they return to school (schedule will be emailed to parents). The teachers will review this schedule and give students all pertinent information.
High School News
Final Exams
While we were able to get most of the Semester I exams completed before Christmas break, the last day was "snowed-out" and those exams were postponed. They will now be scheduled by each teacher to occur during a class period (or two) during the last week of the semester (January 19-22).
Homecoming at the High School: January 11- 14
We look forward to class competitions, themed dress-up days, decorating, banner creation, and lunchtime activities throughout Homecoming Week.

The class with the most points at the end of the week will receive a group dessert (Fri. 11/15), a relaxed dress code day (Tues. 11/19), the coveted "Spirit Eagle," and bragging rights.
Themed Dress-Up Days
Jan. 11-14

Monday: Class-Chosen Theme
Same as decorated area.

Tuesday: Mismatch
Show off your worst wardrobe combinations.

Wednesday: Crazy Hair and/or Hat

Thursday: Warrior Wear
Each day, points can be earned by the class with the highest percentage of students dressed according to that day's theme. Also, from Monday to Wednesday, the female and male students who are judged to be the "Best Dressed" will win bonus points for his/her class.
Senior Families Meeting
On Tuesday evening, January 5, all seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to join in a Google Meet to discuss with Mr. Kerr various logistics associated with graduation, the senior trip, and other senior events.

If you have not yet received a calendar event invitation via email, please contact Mr. Kerr (540-886-9109 or email) ASAP, so you are not left out.
There will be no school on Monday, January 18, making it the third Monday we have had off since the beginning of the school year. To "even up" matters a bit, on Tuesday, January 19, we will follow a normal "Full Day" bell schedule but will have block class periods 4A & 5A rather than the normal 4B & 5B.
Juniors and seniors who have not yet taken the SAT or who hope to improve upon their initial score(s) should take notes of the following dates, as these are the remaining dates that the SAT can be taken during this school year.
  • March 13
  • May 8
  • June 5
Especially challenging due to COVID-19 restrictions is finding a nearby location, so students and parents are urged to click the below button to find what locations are open on specific dates.
Parent Volunteers Needed
If you have the ability to volunteer for less than one hour once a week to help with COVID-19 cleaning and/or hot lunch distribution, please email Mr. Kerr. Help is needed on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays with cleaning and Tuesdays with lunch distribution.
Upcoming Important Dates
Jan. 4

Jan. 5



Jan. 11-14

Jan. 14



Jan. 18

Jan. 19

Jan. 19-22

Jan. 22
Teachers Return to School

Students Return to School &

Senior Families Google Meet (7:00-8:30 PM)

Themed Dress-Up Days

Homecoming VG & VB Games (6:00 & 7:30 PM),
Presentation of Homecoming Court Video &
Watch Parties via Facebook Live

HS/MS/ES Closed

Following a Monday schedule for the block periods.

Last Round of Semester I Exams (during class)

End of 2nd Quarter
Athletics Update
Our JVB, VG, and VB have gotten off to a strong start. Our MSG, JVG, and MSB teams are beginning games as well. Please check us out on our GCS Athletics Facebook page.
Our MS and Varsity Wrestling teams continue to practice under the direction of Coach Josh Palumbo. We pray that our upcoming matches will be held. We look forward to varsity matches at Fishburne and Covington this month. We also hope to host Randolph Macon Academy and Alleghany County on February 2nd.
Fine Arts Update
THE NUTCRACKER
View The Nutcracker for FREE this holiday season, and enjoy seeing many
GCS dancers!

Megan Kilmer, GCS senior, danced the role of Clara this year. She has been dancing for over a decade, and she refused to let COVID take any of her joy in this major accomplishment!
You are invited to enjoy this year's Shenandoah Civic Dance Company's performance of
The Nutcracker.
The recording is available free, online via the link below.


Password
Clara2020
SEND IN YOUR APPLAUSE!
This performance was filmed under less than ideal circumstances and without an audience. If you feel led, please send your "applause" and accolades to Fine Arts Director, Karen Palumbo, and she will pass them along to the students!
Jane Kittleberger, 1st grade - Gingersnap
Emma Adams, 3rd grade - Mouse
Evie Bailey, 3rd grade - Mouse
Spencer Bailey, 4th grade - Mouse
Vivien Schmandt, 4th grade - Soldier
Samuel Lihos, 5th grade - Fritz
Faith Bagley, 6th grade - Baker
Arielle Boyette, 6th grade - Party Girl
Reagan Driver, 8th grade - Russian, Candy Cane (out for injury)
Ava Schmandt, 8th grade - Snow, Praline Princess
Joseph Lihos, 10th grade - Nutcracker Prince
Laney Smith, 11th grade - Russian Soloist, Flower, Sugar Plum Fairy Attendant
Megan Kilmer, 12th grade - Clara
Spencer (4th) and Evie (3rd) Bailey are letting you know what mouse tail ribbons to look for!
Joseph Lihos (10th) and Megan Kilmer (12th) prepare to head back on stage after 10 hours of dancing and filming.
Connect With Us: Grace Christian School | 19 S. Market Street, Staunton VA 24401 | 540.886.9109