Week of September 9, 2020

And We're Back! 










In case you missed last week's edition of Smoke and Scales, we are repeating the majority of the information.

Smoke and Scales is a weekly electronic newsletter. See instructions at the footer here to subscribe to weekly Smoke and Scales and to learn how to submit items. 

Please note that the web version of Smoke and Scales contains MANY useful links in the column on the right side: all the booster organizations, Counseling Department, MLWGS school calendar, volunteer forms, link to AmazonSmile, shop with scrip online link, and so much more! Unfortunately, this list of links does not appear on mobile devices. These links are updated continuously. Please note them and use them often.

Because the 2020-21 school year will begin online and virtual, we are posting much of the information that you would have received in paper form in a back-to-school packet. That makes for a long newsletter, but you will want to read the WHOLE edition. There is a LOT of important information here.

This edition will be organized into FOUR main sections:

1. Letter from PTSA president and navigating MLWGS communications. 

2. Fundraising information, PTSA membership, MLWGS Foundation, boosters, Dragon's Lair shop, scrip program, etc. 

3. School forms: community service, library, student aid, free breakfast and lunch forms, etc.

4. Yearbook information: senior page, how to order, etc.

But WAIT! 
Before you read on, there is ONE thing you and you child MUST do:
Parents AND students have forms to complete in their own PowerSchool portals, and they must be completed by Monday, September 14. Once you log into PowerSchool, fill out the E-Collect Forms on the left side of the home page.

Please pay attention to a form in the Parent Portal of PowerSchool that is very important: “Notification of Rights under FERPA” and “Directory Information.” We are required to get permission from you in order to share your contact information with anyone other than school personnel. If you opt in, we will only share your contact information with the PTSA, the booster organizations, and the MLWGS Foundation. Without opting in, you will not receive any of the newsletters and other information from any of these parent organizations. We encourage you to take a few seconds and complete this form to opt in.


Also, for new dragon families, if you have not been contacted by a parent ambassador, please email Kim Warren at warkim@gmail.com.

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1. PTSA and Communications 

On behalf of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (MLWGS) PTSA, I would like to welcome our new students and parents to the 2020-21 school year. To our returning families, welcome back! The 2020-21 school year will truly be unlike any other. As we start this special year during the time of COVID-19, please remember that our goal is to continue working together with the teachers and administration as we strive to develop and improve the student experience at MLWGS, one of the premiere public high schools in Virginia. 

I encourage you to join the MLWGS PTSA. Your 2020-21 PTSA membership costs a nominal fee of $20 per family (or $30 if you have two or more students at MLWGS).

Please use the link above to donate online. You may also mail a check made out to MLWGS PTSA to 1000 N. Lombardy St., Richmond, VA 23220. Once we can return to school, contributions can be dropped off in the office of Ms. Valenta Williams, Room 100, which is near the Bluestone Lobby entrance. 

The annual PTSA membership fee supports the student directory, teacher and staff appreciation gifts/events, and school/student support (hospitality, Fall Festival, landscaping). It also pays for your annual PTSA membership to the Virginia and National PTAs. 

Feel free to contact me, or any of our PTSA officers or committee chairs, directly with questions or comments. We look forward to collaborating with you in the coming year as we make the education/lives of our students a priority, both in and out of the classroom. 



Beth Simms
MLWGS PTSA President, 2020-21
president@mlwgsptsa.org

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Navigating the MLWGS website

The MLWGS website offers a tremendous amount of useful information. 
Here are descriptions of some areas frequently visited by current MLWGS parents: 

Homepage links at the top: 
· Director’s Blog (He sends an email with a link to these Sunday night updates.)
· School Calendar 
· MLWGS News 

Homepage links at the bottom:
· PowerSchool 
· MLWGS Foundation (also linked under Community section)
· Pay Fees Online
· Smoke and Scales: School newsletter (current and archives); Includes lengthy list of links to frequently used resources along right side of screen in blog format

About > Faculty & Staff: Listing with email links (contact information for your student’s current teachers is also available in PowerSchool) 

About > Lunch Service: Includes weekly menus and payment information 

About > Transportation: Includes contact information for each district 

Academics > Counseling: Extensive content for students and families, links to Naviance and College Board, copies of PTSA presentations under Parents tab 

Co-Curricular: Information about athletics, academic teams, clubs/activities 

Community > PTSA & Booster Groups: Information about events/programs and volunteer opportunities, contact information for PTSA and booster leaders 

Community > School Advisory Council (SAC): Minutes from this cross-functional group of parents, teachers, students, alumni, and staff 



2. Fundraising Information

How can you support Maggie Walker? Check out all the ways: PTSA membership, booster clubs, volunteering, use the scrip program, sign up for AmazonSmile and Kroger Community rewards, buy Maggie Walker merchandise at the Dragon's Lair!

Find information on joining booster clubs on the volunteer form linked below, or contact the booster clubs by email:

Athletic Boosters - mwgsathletics@gmail.com 
Drama Boosters - mlwgs.drama.boosters@gmail.com 
Music Boosters - slichtman1@yahoo.com
Visual Art Boosters - jhall@gsgis.k12.va.us

1. Volunteer Form (help the PTSA by indicating your interests).  

Let the PTSA know how you can help this year!

Interested in volunteering? No matter what your interest, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you! 

Be sure to complete the Parent Volunteer Form and return it to school or complete the form online here.

Questions? Please contact the PTSA Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@mlwgsptsa.org

2. Dragon's Lair (school merchandise store)
3. Scrip and Back to School Announcement (raise money with gift cards)
4. Foundation and Boosters (Links to the MLWGS Foundation and booster groups)
5. Business Partners (Kroger and AmazonSmile)








The Dragons's Lair has a new website! Check it out at mlwgsdragonslair.com. The store will be open exclusively online as long as the school remains on a virtual learning platform. Take a look at our apparel, stickers, magnets and other MLWGS merchandise. PTSA memberships are also available for purchase. All orders will be available for pick up from the school. Use our comments page to let us know what you think of our new website and to sign up to volunteer. 


















Great Lake Scrip Program: the fundraiser that costs you nothing extra!
First order due date for plastic cards is Monday, September 28. Read on for details!

MLWGS parents raised more than $1,000 last year for the MLWGS PTSA through this program, and we could use your support again this year. Please go to shopwithscrip.com to see a full list of retailers, to enroll, and to place an order. These are retailers you regularly shop! If you are not paying by credit card or with Presto Pay, you can pay by check or cash (payment must be received by the due date). Those already enrolled can receive e-cards instantly any time by shopping Scrip Now providers.

View this one-minute video to see how it works: Scrip Video. 
Questions? Contact our MLWGS scrip coordinator, Laura Dysart, at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. The enrollment code can be found in your PTSA back to school information or contact Laura Dysart.





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