December 10th, 2024

Dear GEC Family:

It is the final push of Term 2! On behalf of the entire GEC community, I want to say thank you to everyone for the commitment and dedication that is being poured into finishing the term. It is an exciting time as we prepare to celebrate our January Class of 2025 in their upcoming graduation and highlight the growth in our community for all our students so far this school year. In January, we will have over 700 GEC alumni, which is amazing! We are also continuing to celebrate our completed accreditation site visit. Winter Break is approaching, and I know this is a much-needed time for rest, recovery, and reset for all.

Today I am writing to share with you some updates and reminders around our return from winter break health and safety protocols and some key dates.

Important Dates

  • Thursday, December 19th – the last day of Term 2 and Term 2 Awards Ceremony
  • Friday, December 20th – winter break begins for all students
  • Monday, December 23rd – Thursday, January 2nd – GEC closed for Winter Break
  • Thursday, January 2nd – GEC staff return for Term 3 preparations
  • Friday, January 5th – Term 3 schedules are available in PowerSchool for students and coaches will be communicating with students about schedules and making edits
  • Monday, January 6th – Term 3 begins at both sites and students can meet with their coach to make changes and updates to their Term 3 schedule
  • Friday, January 24th – GEC’s January Class of 2025 graduation

As we move into the colder months, we want to continue to keep our community healthy. The health and safety of our community is a top priority. As a reminder:

  • If you are not feeling well, do not come to the GEC school buildings. Remaining home is the best way to monitor symptoms and decrease the spread of any illness.
  • As a reminder for GEC Students, please contact your coach to inform them if you are not feeling well. Illness is an excused absence and health is always the priority

Also, as the cold weather arrives and DC prepares for the winter weather this season, we want to remind you that GEC follows DCPS when it comes to winter weather closures. If DCPS is closed or on a 2-hour delay due to winter weather, GEC is closed or on a 2-hr delay as well. In the case of any closure of delay, GEC will post updates on the website, all GEC social media, and the Teams all-school page.

We also know that the winter holidays and winter break can be a difficult time for many. We encourage you in these weeks before winter break to connect with your GEC support team, and especially your Coach, to identify different resources and supports GEC can provide and connect with. We want to support you with the barriers you might be facing when school is closed for the winter break.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful winter break and a happy holiday season as we approach the end of Term 2. On behalf of the entire GEC community, I thank you again – all students and staff – for your commitment to GEC and all you bring to GEC to make it such a special space where everyone can excel.

I look forward to seeing everyone in the final weeks of Term 2 and when we return in 2025! We have so much ahead in the New Year – three more terms, many new GEC students with our continued enrollment, two graduations, and our alumni community will be expanded to over 700 graduates! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or concerns.

Congratulations to everyone on your growth and achievements of 2024, we are all so proud of you!