Week of November 11, 2020

College Financial Aid: Learn More

Interested in learning more about securing financial aid to help cover college costs? Of course you are! The 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has just opened, and we know that you have questions. This week's PTSA meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. will focus on the topic of college financial aid. MLWGS senior counselors and GRASP financial aid advisor Susan Teerlink will host and Ms. Teerlink will provide important information regarding the financial aid application process, followed by Q & A. This meeting is open to all MLWGS parents, with a particular focus on parents of juniors and seniors. We hope to see you there!

Join the Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87964314397?pwd=WlAva21laEdVNmRIdDQ0bGNXYnMxUT09.

Chalk Day and Yoga on the Field This Friday 

Signups for our rescheduled Chalk Day and Yoga on the Field are open! On Friday, Nov. 13, Chalk Day will run 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Yoga will be 10-11 a.m. If you signed up previously for Chalk Day, you are still in the Signup Genius – no need to do anything unless adjusting or deleting your spot. A new signup for Yoga Day has been created. More details and signup at the links below. If it rains again, we’ll try one more time on Friday, Nov. 20. Contact Mr. Smith with any questions.

Chalk Day info and signup here.
Yoga on the Field info and signup here. 

Preparations for Athletics

We are currently evaluating the Virginia High School League guidelines for returning sports to the campus. As we do this, it is extremely important that, if you are planning on participating in athletics this year, you have completed the VHSL physical form prior to the beginning of MLWGS organized practices. Please visit to this link for forms and information.

Senior News

The November 2020 edition of the Senior Newsletter (Issue #3) has been posted to the MLWGS counseling website. It contains announcements from colleges, a list of virtual open houses and tours, and opportunities that are all-new; none of the scholarships listed from Issues #1 or #2 have been repeated. In addition, seniors are encouraged to consider two on-site admissions opportunities offered this month. One will be facilitated via Zoom by University of Mary Washington, and another will be sponsored locally (in two locations: Short Pump and North Chesterfield) by Longwood University. What a great opportunity for seniors to introduce themselves directly to a college representative and to get an admissions decision on-the-spot! For help with college applications or other concerns, Dr. Loving and Ms. Forquer are available via e-mail or in their walk-in office hours 3-3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday on Zoom.

Freshman Friendship Hike

Freshmen will have an in-person social opportunity during the Outdoors Club Freshman Friendship hike on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Details and permission slips are posted in the Schoology freshman class group. We have slots for up to 44 students. If demand exceeds capacity we may try to organize a second day the following weekend. Contact Mr. Zweerink in the counseling office if you have more questions.

Virtual Open Mics? Virtual Dance Parties? Both?

Vote on the Library’s Friday Fun Options

Starting Friday, Nov. 20, Ms. DeGroat will host a fun Friday lunchtime activity  open to students in any grade level. Would you attend or participate in an open-mic for poets, singers, and musicians? Would you attend a dance party with a student DJ and/or student dance teacher? Would you like to be a student DJ or dance teacher? Sign in to your GSGIS Google account and submit your vote by Thursday, Nov. 12, here.

Mindfulness Series for Students and Families

Are you looking for ways to improve your focus/concentration and/or bring a sense of calm to your day? Are you interested in learning more about mindfulness practices? Ms. DeGroat is certified in Koru Mindfulness, a program that was developed to serve students at Duke University and has since expanded. If you're interested in participating in a Koru-inspired four-session mindfulness series at 1 p.m. each Friday from Nov. 20 through Dec. 18 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), please sign up here. The series involves one 1-hour session followed by three sessions lasting 45 minutes, with an optional 15-minute reflection time about mindfulness before each of those sessions. Students and family members attending with a student are welcome to participate. Email Ms. DeGroat if you have any questions. Deadline for sign-up is midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Scrip Holiday Incentive

For every $50 you spend on scrip between now and winter break, you will receive an entry for $50 worth of scrip cards of your choice! Plastic card orders are due this Monday, Nov. 16, and then Dec. 7 and 14 before break. Please take advantage of this opportunity to benefit the MLWGS PTSA with your everyday shopping, dining, and gift giving! You can also shop for e-certificates at any time instantly. While Laura Dysart and her crew of volunteers are truly happy to deliver cards to your doorstep during COVID times, scrip is offering delivery to your home for certain products for a small fee, the list of products is here, but you must order through the Raise Right app for this home delivery feature.

Questions? Contact Laura Dysart.

Night of the Dragon Volunteer Opportunities

Planning for our annual Night of the Dragon auction is underway. Things will look a little different this year but the goal will remain the same: to create a fun evening that benefits our students by supporting the MLWGS Foundation and Booster groups. Mark your calendar now for Saturday, April 24.

Details are still in the works and we are looking for folks interested in joining the planning team. We need volunteers with all sorts of skills; techies, creatives, askers, photographers, writers, designers, drivers, task doers, you name it. If you think you might like to join the fun, contact Foundation Executive Director Ginger O'Neil for more details about how you might get plugged in.

New parents, be on the lookout for info about this event. We encourage you to take part in this incredible Governor's School tradition!

Week of March 6, 2017

YOUTH ART MONTH

OPENING EXHIBIT THURSDAY

Youth Art Month highlights the wonderful and talented young artists at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. To help celebrate, MLWGS will be having its annual student art exhibition which opens Thursday, March 10 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor main hallway at Maggie Walker.   Comments will take place at 6:00 p.m.  Students enrolled in Photography and other Visual Arts classes will have their artwork exhibited in this exhibition.    The show will run through March and the opening is open to the public.  We hope that you will be able to attend.  Light refreshments will be provided by the Visual Arts Boosters.  

SPRING PARENT COACHES MEETING TONIGHT

The Spring Parent Coaches Meeting will meet tonight, March 7, 2017 in the auditorium at 6:15 p.m. This is a makeup date from March 1, 2017 and a change of site.

All coaches and parents of spring athletes, this is a mandatory meeting  for all information regarding your student athletes participation in Spring sports.  For more information contact  Paige Hawkins at phawkins@gsgis.k12.va.us

THE NIGHT OF THE DRAGON WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

The Night of the Dragon Committee would like to thank everyone who made the evening a wonderful success - all our donors, sponsors, volunteers, talented entertainment, and of course all those who attended! More than $55,000 was raised to support our school!

If any winners still have merchandise or certificates to pick up, you should have received an email over the weekend. Please have your student (or you) come by the Foundation Office to pick up your envelopes and / or items.

WALKER MODEL CONGRESS HOSTS GOVERNOR McAULIFFE

Walker Model Congress, hosted by the Model Congress Club of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Walker Model Congress is a unique learning experience in which students model the United States’ legislative process. Students engage in meaningful debate on issues prevalent in our country today, draft their own legislation pertaining to modern issues, and debate in committee. Furthermore, by engaging in debate with their counterparts, students develop and refine their speaking skills and increase their abilities in quick thinking, reasoning, and teamwork.

WMC was held February 10-11, 2017, and featured Keynote Speaker Governor Terry McAuliffe. For the complete set of pictures, go to http://mlwgs.com/scenes-from-wmc-february-10-11-2017/

Congratulations to Sponsor Ted Quinn and the students of Model Congress Club!

FIND YOUR CALM

DESIGNATED QUIET SPACES
FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Want to step away from the rush and rumble of your busy day?  There are now two designated comfy spaces at MLWGS to take a break from noise and chatter....

·       The Mindfulness and Calm space for students (located in the Counseling suite) has groovy bean bag chairs, mindfulness coloring books, and more.  As an added touch, you’ll find a thoughtful quote on the board that a student writes there at the beginning of each day.

·       The Mindfulness and Calm space for teachers (236) has soft armchairs, mindfulness coloring books, and more.  There’s also a bookcase for a teacher book exchange. Just like the Little Free Libraries that have popped up around RVA, this is a free exchange: give one, take one.  Consider contributing a recently published book in great condition that you’d like to share.

To nurture calm, these rooms are intended as silent spaces, so please choose a different location for conversations. With quiet in mind, if you’d like to listen to music or audio recordings, please use earbuds or headphones (each room is equipped with headphones that you can borrow for this purpose).

If you’re interested in mindfulness-related recordings, you might choose a track from the library’s Mindfulness and Calm playlist on Soundcloud from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or check out one of the apps listed on the library’s Mindfulness and Calm page.

The Mindfulness Committee would like to thank Lisa Williams for her assistance in designing the teacher space and Troy Mitchell for painting two of the walls a serene blue.  Advanced thanks to the Art Honor Society who may be adding a mural to the student space by the end of the school year.

LAW QUALIFIES VIRGINIA OF POETRY OUT LOUD

Left to right:  Laney Yoo, Sarah Law

Congratulations go to Sarah Law (‘17, Chesterfield) for making it to the Virginia Finals of Poetry Out Loud. Sarah qualified by winning second place in the regional competition on February 6. First-place winner, Laney Yoo (St. Catherine’s), will also compete. The Virginia Commission for the Arts, in partnership with WCVE- Community Idea Stations, will host the state competition on Friday, March 10 at the WCVE studio. They will be recording the state championship. If Sarah wins, she will go on to Washington, DC in April for the final national event. Break a leg, Sarah!

FOR OTHER NEWS….

Check out the MLWGS News:  http://mlwgs.com/category/news/.

Peruse the latest issue of The Jabberwock:  https://mlwgsjabberwock.com/

Or, read the Director’s blog:  http://mlwgs.com/directors-blog/

Week of January 24, 2017

MLWGS STUDENTS TO PERFORM AT NIGHT OF THE DRAGON

The Night of the Dragon, on February 25, 2017, promises to be a fun-filled night!

Besides having the opportunity to bid on some wonderful items while socializing with friends, those that attend will also enjoy some fabulous entertainment provided by Maggie Walker Students!

As of now, there will be two very talented groups performing! The drama students will be presenting music from the upcoming Spring Musical Pippin! The MLWGS’s cappella troupe, The Deadbeats, will also perform. Buy your tickets now at www.nightofthedragon.com/tickets, because you won’t want to miss hearing these talented students!

REMINDER:  PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE STARTS FEBRUARY 2

Attention all students taking the online Personal Finance course during second semester: Please check ItsLearning and make sure you have the course in your courses list. Any student that wishes to complete Personal Finance second semester but does not see the course in ItsLearning should check with their guidance counselor to make sure you are registered for the course. Due dates will begin February 2 and announcements about an informational meeting for students will be posted in the ItsLearning course page.

Please email Crista Ellis (cellis@gsgis.k12.va.us) if you have any questions.

NEW SEMINAR/MENTORSHIP COORDINATOR

MLWGS is pleased to introduce Les Cook as its new Seminar/Mentorship Coordinator.  Mr. Cook holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.  He has served as an educator in the state of Virginia for the past 20 years.  Mr. Cook began his teaching career at Patrick Henry High School in Hanover County, where he served as a Biology teacher for sixteen years and an assistant principal for three years.  He spent the next year and a half as the Director of the Hanover Regional Governor’s School for Career and Technical Advancement and the Specialty Center Coordinator at Hanover High School.  Mr. Cook is now extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the students at the Maggie Walker Governor’s School as the Seminar and Mentorship Coordinator.

Les Cook has been working closely with Ms. Parker over the last two weeks to ensure a smooth transition as he takes over the coordinator position.  Feel free to contact Mr. Cook (tcook@gsgis.k12.va.us) if you require any assistance in the Mentorship Program or the Seminar Courses.

JUNIOR PARENTS: COLLEGE KICKOFF – FEBRUARY 7

Attention Junior Parents! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 7 from 12:45-2:45 for Counseling Department’s College Kickoff Program. This is a program for 11th grade students only and attendance is mandatory. Junior parents are invited to attend! College representatives from public, private, in-state and out-of-state institutions will be available until 3:30 to answer parents’ specific questions at the meet-and-greet sponsored by the PTSA.

Post card invitations were mailed to all junior parents last week. Junior parents should begin to receive email correspondence from the senior counselors, Rachel Loving and Penny Deck, via Naviance. Please contact Rachel Loving (rloving@gsgis.k12.va.us) if you have questions about the College Kickoff event.

FIND YOUR CALM

Want to upgrade your CQ (calm quotient)?

Find your calm by taking a Mindfulness and Calm class during second semester.  Classes will be open to students who have a study hall during 1st, 5th, 6th, and 8th blocks.

What’s mindfulness? It’s the practice of bringing full attention to what’s happening in the present moment without judgment.  Among other benefits, it can be a powerful way to reduce stress, and improve focus and productivity. This MLWGS class follows the curriculum of a program called Koru Mindfulness developed to support the wellbeing of high-achieving students at Duke University.

The class, which meets just four times, equips students with a variety of ways to apply mindfulness in their daily lives, including breath awareness, mindful walking, and mindful eating. Ms. DeGroat, the librarian for MLWGS, is a certified Koru Mindfulness instructor and will be facilitating the classes.

There will be nothing to read or watch for homework, but students will be expected to…

• Commit to attend all four class meetings (75-minutes each) held during their study block.
• Practice the skills learned each week, keeping a brief log of their practice.
• Complete brief pre and post-program surveys.

A minimum of four participants will be needed to hold a class. The maximum number of students in a class is twelve.

Specific dates for each study-block class are as follows:

• 1st block: Wednesdays, Feb. 15 & 22, Mar. 1 & 8
• 5th block: Wednesdays, Feb. 15 & 22, Mar. 1 & 8
• 6th block: Thursdays, Feb. 16 & 23, Mar. 9 & 16
• 8th block: Thursdays, Feb. 16 & 23, Mar. 9 & 16

The sign-up period for each class will close two days before the first class meeting.  Classes without at least four participants will be canceled.

If you’re interested, see Ms. DeGroat in the library or sign up online at http://bit.ly/mlwgscalm

GENDER AND CULTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA (MENA) SEMINAR!

FUTURE LEADERS FORUM FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Capital One is proud to offer the 13th annual Future Leaders Forum for Young Women on Saturday, March 18. For more than a decade, the Forum has helped young women begin their personal leadership discovery journey by teaching them how to tap into their inner strengths and challenging them to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities. They also have access to Capital One associate mentors who offer guidance and advice, serve as role models for leadership, and facilitate small group discussions. The registration form is available here: Future Leaders Forum for Young Women Registration Form. The registration deadline is Friday, March 3, 2017.

ATTENTION JUNIORS!

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student's tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study along with leadership training. This opportunity is for all high school juniors. All applications must be completed online and are due by February 22, 2017. For applications and additional information, please visit Coolidgescholars.org. 

DIRECTOR'S SEARCH UPDATE

The chair of the search committee, Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools for Hanover County, reports that the committee has received significant interest in the position of Director of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School since the position was first advertised in December 2016.  In an effort to recruit the best qualified applicants, the advertisement for the position will continue to appear this month in various publications, such as the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Education Week, AASPA, and SchoolSpring; it is also advertised with the Virginia Department of Education.  Applications will continue to be accepted into February.  Subsequently, interviews will be scheduled with the best-qualified applicants.

DRAGONS MAKE CENTRAL REGIONAL ORCHESTRA AND DISTRICT BAND

Congratulations to the following students for auditioning and earning seats in the Central Regional Orchestra:

Madi Leonard (‘20, Chesterfield), B Orchestra, Cello, seat 1

Christopher Walker (‘20, Richmond) A Orchestra, Cello, seat 7

Kylie Williams (’20, Chesterfield), A Orchestra, Cello, seat 2

Congratulations to the following students for auditioning and earning seats in District Band:

Jack Hendricks (’19 Hanover), Symphonic Band, Trombone, seat 1 

Aidan Kessinger (’20, Chesterfield), Symphonic Band, Bassoon, seat 3

Grace May (‘20, Hanover) Concert Band, Clarinet, seat 10

Mo Nkosi (’20 Chesterfield), Concert Band, Oboe, seat 4

Kevin Ren (’20 Chesterfield), Symphonic Band, Flute, seat 4

Taha Shaikh (’19, Henrico), Concert Band, Bass Clarinet, seat 2

Daniel Xue (’20, Chesterfield), Concert Band, Tuba, seat 5

Week of October 25, 2016

SUBSCRIBE TO SMOKE AND SCALES

To receive Smoke and Scales via email on Tuesday mornings, subscribe at the top right of this page:

1. Enter your email address in the “Follow by Email” block,
2. Complete the verification from the Feedburner popup, and
3. Confirm via the email you will receive at the submitted address.

MINDFUL MONDAYS

One Monday per month beginning in October, Upper-School Counselor Alex Peavey will offer Mindful Mondays, free of charge, to any interested Richmond-area teenagers at the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. Teens will learn mindfulness-based strategies for navigating through the everyday stressors that arise in life, and they will also learn mindfulness practices that can help with sleep, relaxation and overall well-being. Sessions will be October 17, November 17, December 12, January 9 and February 13 from 7-8 p.m. Teens can attend as many or as few sessions as they like, but please register: http://www.ckgfoundation.org/mindfulmondays

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS

National English Honor Society applications are available in the blue folder outside Ms. Davis’ office. To be eligible, students must have a 3.75 cumulative English GPA. Applications are due to Ms. Davis by Friday, October 28.

PTSA POWERPOINT

By popular request, click here to visit the Maggie L. Walker Counseling website and view the Powerpoint presentation from the October 17 PTSA meeting regarding FAFSA and college financing.

FREE FAFSA ASSISTANCE THROUGH GRASP

GRASP (GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.) will hold its Saturdays at the Library FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) events on November 5, 2016, and January 28 and February 11, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Public Main Library, 101 East Franklin Street.  GRASP advisors will provide FREE college financial aid counseling and assistance with completing the FAFSA, by appointment.  Call (804) 527-7772 to schedule your hour-long appointment.  More information is available at the GRASP website, www.grasp4va.org.

ATTENTION ATHLETES

The Winter Athletic Parent and Coaches meeting will be November 21, 2016 in the Forum at 6:00 p.m.

ATTENTION TALENTED YOUNG SINGERS, DANCERS, MUSICIANS, ACTORS, AND SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS

It's time to audition for Richmond Youth Peace Project's
Generation Dream 2017

This February, the Richmond Youth Peace Project (RYPP), will present Generation Dream 2017, our annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  For more than a decade RYPP--the Peace Center's program for teens--has showcased talented young people from throughout central Virginia in performances promoting peace, nonviolence and social justice.  As anyone who has attended one of our previous shows will tell you, the performance is always inspirational and uplifting.  This winter's first show is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 7 p.m., at the Richmond Public Library's downtown branch, as a First Friday event.  We plan to schedule at least one additional show later in the month. 

Auditions are required for new performers.  We are seeking musical groups, singers, dancers, actors and spoken word artists.  Performers need not be available for both shows dates in order to participate.  All performances should in some way reflect Dr. King's message of peace, nonviolence and social justice.  We encourage performers to consider current issues, both local and global, as they make their selections.  Students will also earn community service credits for participating in the show.  For information, or to schedule an audition, email rypp@rpec.org.

Video of previous performances can be viewed on the Peace Center's YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/user/RichmondPeace

Stories about last year's shows:

http://ideastations.org/radio/news/generation-dream-performing-art-peace-and-justice

http://www.richmond.com/news/local/ashland/article_c60188bc-a92e-5552-93e8-80609e7028e3.html

COOKIE DONATIONS NEEDED - MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Do you remember the night you and your student came to the Maggie Walker information session?  Do you remember how hungry you were by the time it was over? Do you remember the inviting and delicious reception that followed the event?  Well, now is your chance to help others relive your experience!  The PTSA Hospitality Committee will be collecting packaged cookies to use on November 14, 15 and 16 at the Prospective Student Night events.

We will be collecting your donations on Friday November 11 from 8-8:45 in the Concession stand just off the Blue Stone lobby.

Just send donations in with your student, or stop by yourself. Unfortunately we can’t accept home-baked goods, but any other packaged treat is fine.

Any questions? Call (543-6498) or email (dabneyj.carr@comcast.net) Laura Carr

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

High School Diplomats is a free 10-day cultural exchange program at Princeton University for sophomores and juniors. Applications will be available from October 1-January 8, 2017. Please visit www.highschooldiplomats.com for more information and to apply to the program. 

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium would like to share the following information about the following FREE NASA-related programs for Virginia's high school students interested in STEM:

For high school juniors, Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive online learning course with a space mission design and human space flight theme, culminating in a one-week residential Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton for those students who qualify. Offered at no cost to the student, VASTS consists of eight modules and a final project to be completed from November 2016 through May 2017 under the guidance of licensed master educators. Based on success in the online coursework, students may be selected to attend a Summer Academy where they interact with NASA scientists, engineers and technologists to design a human mission to Mars.  For program information and application, please visit http://vasts.spacegrant.org. The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016. 

For high school juniors and seniors, Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) is an interactive, on-line Earth System Science Course featuring NASA scientific research and data. The course will be offered for dual enrollment college credit (statewide through TNCC) for high school juniors and seniors beginning in spring semester 2017. Please direct students or other faculty to the website for program information and application, http://vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS/. The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

The Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a program for sophomores focusing on the earth and airborne science, engineering, and technology integral to current missions at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. This dynamic (and FREE) program, designed by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), inspires students who possess technical and/or scientific interests and are motivated to learn about the many different opportunities that NASA offers.

• FREE Program for 10th Grade Students
• Online modules covering NASA aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket missions launched or managed at Wallops Flight Facility
• Online course runs from December 2016 through April 2017
• Highly successful students will be selected for a week long Summer Academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility (Chincoteague, VA)

The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

http://vscs.spacegrant.org/ for application and more information