Week of March 17, 2015

Recent Author Visit by Lee Smith


Author Lee Smith recently visited MLWGS to talk to students about her background as an author and her inspiration for her new book Guests on Earth. She discussed her lifelong love of literature and creative writing, as well as her intrigue with F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.  Her interest combined with her family history of mental illness compelled her to write this book based around a young patient at a mental hospital who interacts with Zelda Fitzgerald.  As a lead-up to Mrs. Smith's visit, Mrs. Williams and the English National Honor Society held a writing contest that offered the prize of lunch with the author and an autographed copy of Guests on Earth for the best short piece, either analytical or creative, inspired by the novel. Congratulations to winner Alex Norman ('16, Goochland) for her poem "The Invitation," which Mrs. Smith shared with all of the students during her presentation. Katie Wood ('15, Henrico), Caroline Finn ('16, Henrico), and Robert Morris ('16, Chesterfield) also earned honorable mention for their work.




MLWGS Foundation Volunteer Opportunity
Third Annual Fund Mailing


Come enjoy coffee and Sugar Shack donuts with friends old and new, and assist the MLWGS Foundation at the same time! If you have a few hours to spare, the MLWGS Foundation can use your help. The MLWGS Foundation needs volunteers on Wednesday, March 25, at 9:00 a.m. to help in preparing the third annual fund mailing. The mailing will take place in the MLWGS Boardroom on the second floor.

No RSVP is necessary, but for questions or to be added to the Foundation's volunteer list for future bulk mailings, please contact Laura Lewis at 354-1566 or Laura.Lewis@GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org.

Hope to see you there!

So far this year, the Annual Fund Campaign has raised $243,792 for the school. Overall current parent participation is 34%, and here is the parent participation by class:

• Seniors: 39%
• Juniors: 32%
• Sophomores: 41%
• Freshmen: 28%

The Governor’s School Foundation’s Annual Fund Campaign supports programs for students, grants for teacher continuing education, and special projects for facilities and equipment. To donate online, please click here.



MLWGS Alumni Service Project

Please join the Governor's School Richmond Alumni Chapter, current students, and parents for a service project at Westover Hills Elementary School!

Date: Sunday, March 29
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Location: Westover Hills Elementary School
1121 Jahnke Road, Richmond, Virginia 23225

Volunteers will be working on several projects including painting and beautifying the courtyard (weather permitting).

Like last time, Sugar Shack donuts will be provided for hungry volunteers. This service project is also a fun way for current students to work towards their required community service hours, and families are welcome and encouraged to attend!

The Richmond Alumni Chapter asks that volunteers bring any painting supplies (brushes, rollers, etc.), gloves, and/or gardening tools (including rakes and shovels) they may have around the house.

Please RSVP by contacting Madelaine Spangler at madcspangler@gmail.com, or by RSVPing directly on the Facebook event




One SCRIP Card Order Date Remains Before Spring Break!

Stock up on gift cards to use over Spring Break - for gas, hotels, shopping and eating out. A percentage of the face value of each gift card purchase goes to MLWGS while you use the full face value of the gift card. So, get your order in by Thursday, March 19, and you will receive your gift cards on Thursday, March 26. 

Order forms can be downloaded here under "Links" or picked up in Office 100. Orders are due on Thursdays in the SCRIP drop box located in Office 100 and delivered the following Thursday at lunchtime in Office 100. Delivery and pickup dates can also be found on the MLWGS online calendar. Be sure to check out the list of SCRIP retailers, which is constantly being updated.

Questions? Please contact:
Patty Wood 804-364-9263 or scrippattyw@gmail.com
Patty Zeevi 804-784-2966 or scrippattyz@gmail.com




COLLEGE APPLICATION SUMMER BOOTCAMP






CONCERNED ABOUT COLLEGE COSTS?
March 18, 2015 • 8:00 a.m. • Adjunct classroom
Paying for College 101: 
Financial Aid, Merit Scholarships, the FAFSA, and More 

Featuring Susan Teerlink,
MLWGS’s GRASP advisor 

Susan Teerlink has been coaching families through this important process for nine years. She has filled out hundreds of FAFSA forms with parents and students – and her own daughters. She works one-on-one with many MLWGS juniors and seniors, but Susan has volunteered her time to share her wisdom and expertise with all MLWGS parents. Don’t miss this chance for a helpful overview of the process in a familiar environment – before you jump in with both feet. 

Stop by room 153, the adjunct classroom near the Bluestone Lobby entrance, before work or after you drop off your student and hear Susan Teerlink discuss these important topics. 

Coming in May! 

Raising Children to Be Ethical Leaders: Ethics, Honor, and Today’s Students with author, leadership expert, and adjunct assistant professor at University of Richmond Linda Fisher Thornton, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium  




Attention Senior Parents!


The March and Mid-March Senior Newsletters are now available on the School Counseling Website (https://sites.google.com/a/gsgis.k12.va.us/mlw-school-counseling/2011-2012-newsletters). 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 (the early March issue was distributed via Naviance email due to snow). 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.




Attention Class of 2015


Last Friday, the Senior Letter was mailed home.  Inside, you will find a list of graduation-related events and information to help you plan out the rest of your year.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Sheppard, class sponsor and graduation coordinator, if you have any questions (ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us804-354-6800 ext. 3304).






Katie's Company Against Cancer Coin Drive


Katie's Company Against Cancer will be holding a coin drive all week to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's “Woman of the Year” campaign. The 1st-period class that raises the most money will win an ice cream party. So empty out your pockets and piggy banks to give to this awesome fundraiser!







MLWGS Orchestra News

Congratulations to MLWGS’s Orchestra I and Orchestra II class for their performances at the District One Orchestra Assessment Event at Short Pump Middle School March 10. Both ensembles received excellent and superior ratings for overalls rating of excellent.



Congratulations to Zach King (’15, Hanover) for earning the 22nd ranking in the state among clarinet players based on his audition for the All State Band and Orchestra February 28 at James Madison University.  King will participate as a member of the Symphonic Band, the state’s top band ensemble at the All State Band and Orchestra Event in April at Christopher Newport University.