NOMINATE A SPECIAL MLWGS VOLUNTEER!
The PTSA will be honoring two very special MLWGS volunteers
at the MLWGS End-of-Year Volunteer event hosted by the Governor's School
Foundation onTuesday, May 26, 2015.
For each award, the PTSA is seeking nominations for
outstanding parent volunteers who offer their time to PTSA, Booster groups, the
Foundation, or in any other school-support capacity.
The MLWGS relies heavily on the support of so many, and
there are countless ways for volunteers to get involved. Therefore the PTSA has
created two uniquely different awards: The Green Dragon Award for
a visible and active member of the volunteer community; and
The Dragon’s Lair Award for the person who works behind the
scenes, not necessarily in a leadership role.
Any member of the MLWGS community may nominate a volunteer
(no more than one nomination per award please). Awards will be determined based
upon nominations received.
Please submit nominations to mew.mailbox@gmail.com no
later than Friday, May 22, 2015. Thank you for taking the time to vote!
STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY
International/Interdisciplinary
trip To Costa Rica
An Informational Meeting will be held on Wednesday April 29
at 6:00 p.m. in Room
153. Individuals who are interested, but unable to attend should contact Mr.
David Barnes at dbarnes@gsgis.k12.va.us or 354-6800 ext. 3060 with any questions. More information is also available at http://www.eftours.com/1713827WP .
MLWGS students have an exciting opportunity to
participate in the international/interdisciplinary trip to Costa Rica during
Spring Break 2016. MLWGS has chosen to offer this opportunity because of Costa
Rica’s unique history, vibrant culture, and robust ecological diversity.
Students will spend nine days exploring the ecology, geology, history, and
culture of Costa Rica. In Tortuguero students will discover eleven different
habitats, including nesting ground for sea turtles. Then students will enjoy a
unique perspective of the rainforest while whitewater rafting and zip-lining in
Sarapiqui. The next stop will be the Arenal region, where students will study
volcanic geology. The Arenal volcano serves as a watershed for the lake, powers
the hot springs, and supports the majestic La Fortuna waterfall. The final
destination is Guanacaste, where students can explore Pacific beaches. They
will also visit a cloud forest and snorkel in a marine ecosystem. Of course,
they will also have some free time to experience local culture.
MLWGS has chosen to work with Education First
(EF), an accredited international travel company, because they are a leader in
international education, with more than 45 years of experience in 50 countries.
EF will provide transportation, accommodations, food, insurance, and an
experienced tour guide. The tentative cost of the trip is $2635 plus $80 for
tips.
PTSA PROGRAMMING – ETHICS PRO AND MW SENIOR TEAM UP!
Raising
Children to be Ethical Leaders
Tuesday
May 5, 2015 • 5:30 p.m. in the MW Auditorium
Local author Linda Fisher Thornton will discuss ethical leadership, the morals and principles inherent to good business practices, and raising children to reflect these values. Senior Reed Canaan, student chairperson of Maggie Walker’s honor council, will discuss the important role of the honor council at Maggie Walker and introduce Ms. Thornton.
The
author of 7 Lenses: Learning the Principles and Practices of Ethical Leadership,
Ms. Thornton is a leadership consultant who teaches ethics at University of
Richmond, and speaks and writes about the future of ethical
leadership.
Attention Senior
Parents!
The May Senior Newsletter is now available on the SchoolCounseling Website.
This newsletter contains college-related reminders and a listing of
scholarships with approaching deadlines. The latest newsletter was distributed
to students in their English classes last week.
Scholarship information for seniors is also available on the
School Counseling website (https://sites.google.com/a/gsgis.k12.va.us/mlw-school-counseling/college-admissions-information-1/scholarships-financial-aid)
and in Naviance (https://connection.naviance.com/mlwgs).
Contact your child’s counselor if you would like to view the Naviance
scholarship database and need your registration code. Scholarships are still
being added to this database on a monthly basis, most with direct links to the
applications. Hard-copy applications are scanned and attached to the
scholarship description as a PDF. Please note that all deadlines posted on
Naviance or in the Newsletter are subject to change as organizations are still
sending us updated information for this school year. Check the organization’s
website for the most current information. Please contact Rachel Loving in the
School Counseling Office with scholarship questions.
REMINDERS FOR SENIORS
Cap and Gown Distribution
Caps, gowns, and pre-ordered announcements were available
for seniors to pick up this week. If any senior did not swing by the
downstairs commons, they can see Ms. Sheppard in room 330 to collect his or her
order.
Extra Announcements
A very limited supply of additional graduation announcements
is available for seniors who need them. See Ms. Sheppard in room 330 to
purchase extras while supplies last. Each announcement with envelope is
$1.35.
Graduation Tickets
Thirteen graduation tickets were distributed to seniors
along with their caps and gowns this week. Please make sure to keep the
envelope of tickets in a safe place. Due to the seating capacity of the theatre,
there is a limited number of tickets. Ms. Sheppard may not be able to replace
lost tickets.
Senior Class Group Photo
On Wednesday, April 29 , seniors will pose for a group photo
on the front steps of the school during lunch. Caps and Gowns
must be worn. Student who want to order a copy of the
photo taken should bring $15.00 on Wednesday to give directly to
Lifetouch. Portrait information along with an order form will be
available in the senior commons starting this Friday. See Ms. Sheppard in
room 330 with any questions.
Community Service Hours
Don’t forget…community service hours are due by Monday, May
18. Contact Ms. Parker with any questions or concerns.
MLWGS (Required)
Summer Reading Books
Just how white
was that whale?
You can find out
this summer in Chapter 42 of Melville's Moby Dick! Please
remember that the PTSA is taking orders for the MLWGS required summer reading selections.
The titles are available at a discounted, tax-free price - - convenient
for families, a benefit to MLWGS, and best of all, those books will get into
eager hands before the summer begins (certainly a bonus in getting started on
the tale of the whale)!
Order
forms will be distributed to rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors,
and the form can also be downloaded here on the MLWGS home page. (Please
make sure that you are looking at the 2015 form; last year's was inadvertently
attached to last week's article.)
Orders are due
by Tuesday, May 19. Please leave them in Valenta
Williams’s office off the Bluestone Lobby. Make checks payable to
MLWGS PTSA. The books will be distributed to students through the
English Department. Students needing financial assistance in
obtaining any of the required titles should contact Karl Zweerink at 354-6800,
ext. 3210, kzweerink@gsgis.k12.va.us.
For questions or more information, please contact Susan Creasey at creaseys@verizon.net.
MLWGS PTSA SLATE OF OFFICERS
The MLWGS PTSA is presents the 2015-2016 Slate of Officers.
Come out to the PTSA general meeting (Raising Children to be Ethical Leaders)
on May 5, 2015, 5:30 p.m. to vote!
o President – Peggy Feldmann
o President-Elect – George Nyfeler
o Secretary – Paula Chambers
o Treasurer – David Bortz
o VP Finance – WR Gay
o VP Membership – Yvette Conte
o VP Events – Debbie Taminger
CALLING ALL MLWGS FAMILIES
Show an Outpouring of Appreciation for MLWGS Faculty and Staff
Show an Outpouring of Appreciation for MLWGS Faculty and Staff
Send in $10
Gift Cards by May 1, 2015!
The MLWGS PTSA is asking all parents to send in one, two, three or more $10 gift cards so during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, MLWGS can show its genuine appreciation to MLWGS teachers for all they do.
Please purchase $10 gift cards
from Kroger, Target, Martin’s, Barnes and Noble or Starbucks, then bring (or
send with your student) the gift cards to Room 100 (Mrs. Valenta Williams’
office, which is to the right through the Bluestone lobby entrance). There will
be a drop box labeled TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFT CARDS for the
cards.
These gifts of $10 gift cards are a terrific way to show
collective appreciation and support for the amazing faculty and staff at Maggie
Walker. The cards will be given to the faculty and staff at the Teacher
Appreciation event on Thursday, May 7.
Deadline to send in gift cards is Friday, May 1.
The cards will be presented to the teachers and staff as a gift from all
parents and students of MLWGS; no individual names of families who donated gift
cards will be provided. During Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, parents
and students are also encouraged to send a personal note or email to
faculty and staff expressing support and appreciation of their dedication to
MLWGS students.
MUSIC IN BLOOM AT SPRING CONCERTS!
Spring
Chorus/Orchestra Concert will be
held Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
Spring Jazz Concert
will be held Friday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
Receptions will immediately follow each concert in the MLWGS
Commons.
Please contact Leslie Hausser , Music Boosters President, at lahmeems@comcast.net,
with any questions.
TALKING WITH TEENS ABOUT STRESS MANAGEMENT
The
National PTA has a webinar on stress and high school students for which MLWGS
parents can register.
When: Thursday May 7
Time: 7 p.m.
High
school can be some of the best years of a student's life, but it can also prove
to be stressful. The American Psychological
Association's (APA) 2013 Stress in America survey shows that 13-17 year olds are
experiencing stress levels higher than they consider to be healthy. Pressure to
do well on test scores, get into college and fit in with peers can become
overwhelming.
Chronic
stress can even lead to negative impacts on overall health. Parents can help ensure that your teen uses healthy coping mechanisms to manage their
stress levels.
Join
National PTA and the American Psychological Association (APA) on Thurs., May 7 at 7 p.m. ET for an important conversation on how
parents can help teens manage stress and stay healthy.
Board
certified clinical psychologist Dr. David Palmiter will be presenting on the factors that
cause teens stress and provide some strategies for stress management. Dr.
Palmiter will be answering questions from attendees at the end of the
presentation.
Register here to participate in the conversation.
MLWGS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS 2015 SPRING ONE-ACTS FESTIVAL
An
Evening of Student-Directed Short Plays
The One-Acts Festival will be
held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 30 - May 2 at 7:30
p.m. in the Black Box Theater. This year’s festival includes five
student-directed short plays. Tickets will be available at the door for
$5. Please
join us for the following productions:
A Human Write directed by
Taylor Hawkins ('15, Chesterfield)
Variations on the Death of Trotsky directed by
John Libby ('16, Hanover)
Red Nose Floppy Shoes directed by
Emma Bilski ('16, Chesterfield)
What If I Told You directed
& written by Genna Markee ('17, Chesterfield)
Admissions directed by Shannon Colson ('17,
Henrico) and Naomi Vickers ('17, Richmond)
SUPER SUMMER STICKER STOCKUP!
Hear that? It's your summer
calling. Calling you to fun, adventures and perhaps even travel to
far-off-lands. Leave your MLWGS mark this summer (only with permission,
of course) with one of our many bumper stickers. They're a bargain at $1
apiece, or buy 10 for $10 - 'cause you just never know where or when
opportunity will strike.