Updated: September 4, 2020

Principal Matters

We are now into our fourth week of school with classes well underway, athletic competitions in full swing, and with tests and paper due dates quickly accumulating.  The four-week mark is also a great time to check in on your child’s academic progress.  Remember that grades are visible to parents and students as they are entered into the gradebook.  Simply visit the parent portal to check on student grades.  Here are a couple of points to keep in mind as you review those grades with your student.

The grade visible in the parent portal is a progress report and not a final grade.  In the Upper School, grades are recorded on a “semester rolling average” basis to provide feedback so that students may adjust as needed.  That rolling average will not be finalized until the end of the semester.  So, whether you are pleased or disappointed with the current grades, please know that students have many weeks of homework, tests, projects and more that will factor into the final grade for Fall semester.  As Winston Churchill famously stated, “Success is not final.  Failure is not fatal.”  Whether your student has straight A’s or a smattering of D’s, what a great reminder from Churchill that what matters most in life is what we do next.  And what a great conversation to have with our students!

Remember, too, that we desire to partner with you in working towards student success.  Towards that end, if you have a concern about a particular class, do not hesitate to reach out directly to the teacher.  Teachers are most easily reached by email and stand ready to address the academic concerns of your student.

We hope that the school year is progressing well and your child is growing and being challenged every day.  Remember, grades in the Upper School are all about a semester-long marathon and not a four-week sprint.

Dr. Jonathan Merrill
Upper School Principal

Updated: September , 2020

Upper School Daily Schedule and Planner

The Upper School Daily Schedule may be found  here.  In addition, the class rotation for the Upper School including the group numbers of in person learners may be located here.  The student Daily Planner is available on Woodward's website under Current Families.  Families may print their own copy from  this location.     

No Homework Weekend

Friday, September 18, is a No Homework Weekend.  No tests, quizzes, or assignments will be due on Monday, September 21.

Election Day

Please note that there is no school on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in honor of election day.

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings Woodward Academy Community,

Even in the midst of an unusual year, I am so thankful to see many of you virtually or in-person. These first few weeks of school have reminded me that even in the midst of challenges, we are a resilient community filled with love and support for one another. Our interfaith student leaders have been working on unique plans to showcase Woodward’s beautiful religious traditions this semester. We are looking forward to virtual interfaith panels, interfaith prayer services, class visits on inter-religious connections, and religious observance videos uniquely developed for each of our schools. As the year progresses, I am also excited to use this forum to share some of the ways our students observe their religious beliefs during the year. 

In the coming month, our students will participate in the following religious observances:

• September 14 (Christianity) - Holy Cross Day is a feast day commemorating and exalting the symbol of the cross in the Christian faith.
• September 16 (Hinduism) - Vishwakarma Puja celebrates the birth of Lord Vishwakarma, the architect and creator of the world in the Rig Veda.
• Evening of September 18-20 (Judaism) -  Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year marked by the blowing of the shofar and beginning the Days of Awe in preparation for Yom Kippur.
• Evening of September 27-28 (Judaism) - Yom Kippur is the year’s holiest day of fasting, marked by confession of sin and forgiveness.

As the year unfolds, please know that I am here for students, faculty, staff, and students. I would love to hear about the diverse traditions of your family, as well as simply connect about your life. I am so thankful you are each a part of the Woodward community. In this unique season, I encourage you to offer yourself the same grace and compassion you offer those around you. And as always, I am in your family’s corner if you need additional support.

Blessings,

Rev. Katie O'Dunne (she/her)

Chaplain K

Woodward Academy Chaplain

The Pauline and R.L. Brand Jr. '35 Chair of Religious Studies

404-391-7589

katelyn.odunne@woodward.edu

Parent Community Input

The Woodward Academy Parent Community (WAPC) wants input from all parents! Every year, the WAPC provides Parent Programming that includes a wide variety of classes aimed at educating and empowering parents. Sessions offer meaningful opportunities for dialogue, engagement, and learning relevant to the experience of our Woodward families. This year, sessions will be virtual. The WAPC would like to learn more about topics that interest you as well as your scheduling preferences. Please take a few minutes to complete this  Parent Programming survey to give the organizers your feedback. If you have additional questions, you may contact LauraAlice.Henderson@woodward.edu.

GA Balfour

Please see information from GA Balfour concerning courtesy reminder text messages if you would like to be notified of deadlines when ordering letter jackets, class rings, or graduation announcements.

Check Out the Parent Community Website!

Have you had a chance to connect with other Upper School parents? There are many exciting upcoming activities that will offer you a chance to meet other parents, connect with faculty and support our students. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or wondering when the next Parent Community event is, you can now find it all on the  Parent Community website. Please be sure to check it regularly for upcoming opportunities to contribute or volunteer. You also can follow us on Facebook @WAParentCommunity.