July 9th, 2024

Dear GEC Family:

Congratulations on completing the 2023-2024 School Year! There has been tremendous growth and great accomplishments in our community this year. On behalf of the GEC team, thank you for your commitment and dedication to your goals and education. I also want to thank the GEC team for their relentless support and encouragement to each of you. Thank you to each of you for making GEC such a special place where all can excel.

It is an exciting time as we prepare to celebrate our July Class of 2025 in their upcoming graduation and celebrate all the academic and personal achievements this school year. I know this is a much-needed time for rest, recovery, and reset as we head into the summer break, and I wish everyone a happy and safe summer.

Below are some important dates for the close out of this School Year and the start of School Year 2024-2025. When you return for next School Year, you will be provided the updated Student Handbook as well as the Academic Calendar for the year ahead.

Important Dates

  • Friday, July 12th – July Class of 2024 graduation
  • Monday, July 15th – Friday, July 19th – GEC is closed
  • Tuesday, August 13th – all GEC staff return from summer break for T1 preparations
  • Monday, August 26th and Tuesday, August 27th – Coaches will communicate Term 1 schedules and outreach to students
  • Wednesday, August 28th – First day of Term 1 for SY 24-25
  • Wednesday, September 11th – Welcome Back Student Town Hall (Teams) \
  • Thursday, October 17th – Last day of Term 1

July Graduation

On Friday, July 12th we celebrate our July Class of 2024! The ceremony begins at 11am and is at the Strathmore Music Hall. The venue address is 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. The closest metro station is Grosvenor-Strathmore, and the parking lot is the metro parking. Current students are welcome to attend without a ticket. Please bring your student ID.

Laptop and Hotspot Return

If you have a GEC laptop and/or Hotspot, please make sure you have returned your device(s) by Wednesday, July 10th to your school campus. All laptops are required to be returned and will be re-distributed during Term 1. Failure to return your device will result in the device being shut off over the summer and the inability to provide a new device to you in Term 1.

Re-Enrollment DC Residency Documents

Thank you to all who have turned in re-enrollment documents to save your seat at GEC for next school year. If you have not yet turned in these documents, a member of the Enrollment Team and your Academic Success Coach will be reaching out to you to support you. If you have not yet turned in your documents, a member of the Enrollment Team will be reaching out to you during the summer. To reach the enrollment team, please contact your Office Manager via Teams or email enrollment@goodwillexcelcenter.org or call (202)-839-3650.  If you do not have your documents in by the first day of school, you will not be able to receive your schedule.

Term 1 Schedules

Before you depart for summer break, your Coach will meet with you to discuss your availability for next school year to help with scheduling. Additionally, as in every term, your Coach will also meet with you to review your graduation plan and map out what is ahead for you next year. We know schedules change, and when our staff returns in August, they will reach out again during our summer planning time to verify availability and review your Term 1 schedule. You will pick up your Term 1 schedule from your school campus on Wednesday, August 28th, which is also the first day of school.

Summer Enrollment and iExcel Orientation

Over the summer, GEC will be open for enrollment iExcel orientations for new students. We encourage you to tell your family, friends, and community members who are interested in returning to school about GEC! Applications are open now for next school year! Prospective students can go online to the GEC website and apply: www.goodwillexcelcenter.org and then will receive outreach about the next steps once they are accepted.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful summer break. If you need to reach the school during the summer, both campuses are open from 9-3p Monday-Thursday and the Leadership Team members and Administrative Team members will be available on site, on Teams, and by phone. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions during the summer.

I look forward to seeing everyone when we return in August for the new School Year!

Sincerely,
Dr. Chelsea Kirk
Executive Director
Chelsea.Kirk@goodwillexcelcenter.og
p. 202-839-3652