PTSA Admissions Statement
The MLWGS PTSA board was invited by the Virginia Secretary of Education’s office to participate in listening-session panel discussions about racial equity issues at the Governor's Schools across Virginia. This year, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a governor’s school in the Fairfax County Public School System, admitted less than one percent Black students, according to data published by the TJHSST Admissions. MLWGS is governed by 12 school districts, with the largest student pools coming from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Richmond Public Schools, and Henrico County Public Schools. Our acceptance rates by race this year were outlined in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article.
On October 1, Secretary of Education Atif Quarni made recommendations about equity goals tied to funding our school. The Chesterfield County School Board, Henrico County School Board, and Richmond Public School Board may make changes to their admissions policies to meet greater inclusion standards set forth by the Governor's 2020 budget. We encourage you to learn more about the process and plans each district submitted to Sec. Quarni. Please remember that the MLWGS administration does not choose students to attend from each district; each district selects and submits a list of students to MLWGS each year. Dr. Lowerre is discussing changes to the admissions testing process for the 2020-21 school year and will update governing school districts with this information in the coming weeks.
The MLWGS PTSA stands with our teachers, administrators, alumni, families, and students who this summer together created and adopted a bold strategic plan (PDF) that set goals toward achieving racial equity, specifically for historically underserved populations. We are encouraged by these discussions and know there is more work to be done. We want you to advocate for a transparent and inclusive process from our state legislators and your school board members, as they make admissions and funding decisions. The decisions they make today will impact the future of MLWGS and our ability to achieve the goals in our strategic plan. Please contact your local and state representatives today to learn more.
AP Exam Ordering Information
Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses should complete the AP Exam Ordering Form to indicate which AP tests you plan to take (or not take) in May. AP exams are $95 per exam.
In order to have an AP exam ordered for you, you must complete the following tasks by Friday, Oct. 23:
In order to have an AP exam ordered for you, you must complete the following tasks by Friday, Oct. 23:
- Join the AP course(s) in your myAP.collegeboard.org account. Your teacher can help you if you have not already completed this task. (If you are self-studying for an exam, you will need to obtain an "exam only" code from Dr. Loving after your exam has been approved. NOTE: AP Statistics is pre-approved and Ms. Riles can provide the code.)
- Complete this AP Exam Order Form and indicate all exams you wish to take or not take this year. (If you DO NOT intend to take one or more of your AP exams, you STILL DO need to complete this form so that we have a record that you wish for the school to NOT order an exam for you.)
- Pay for your exams ($95 per exam) at https://osp.osmsinc.com/MLWGS. (The link can also be found on mlwgs.com by clicking "pay fees online.")
This Friday, Oct. 23, is the deadline for “on-time” registration. A $10 per exam late fee will be applied between Oct. 24 and Nov. 12 for exams not paid for by Oct. 23. The College Board late fee of $40 will be instituted beginning Nov. 13. Friday, March 12, is the final deadline for all late AP exam orders; no additions can be made after this date.
For the 2020-21 academic year, the College Board has waived the cancellation fee for any student who decides not to take an exam in May. For planning purposes, the MLWGS deadline for cancelling an exam is April 13, 2021.
Friday, Jan. 15, is the deadline to apply for College Board accommodations for a documented disability. Please contact Ms. Cobb no later than Jan. 11 to begin this process.
Click here to view the May 2021 AP Exam Schedule.
See this AP Ordering Information document for complete details.
Coming Up: Chalk Day & Yoga on the Field
Friday, Oct. 30, will offer two opportunities for students to come onto campus in an outdoor, socially distanced way—just in time for Halloween!
Straight from your suggestions on the student survey, Maggie Walker will host “Chalk Day” in the student parking lot, a day for students to decorate a parking space in their own creative way. Drawings, positive messages, and/or any other chalk creations are welcomed. Since Halloween is the next day, we invite students to wear costumes if they choose!
Students will also have the option to participate in “Yoga on the Field” at 10-11 a.m.
Students may sign up for one or both of these optional events.
How will MLWGS carry out these events safely? Students who wish to participate must follow these guidelines:
- Students who wish to attend Chalk Day must sign up for a 30-minute slot between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 30. Up to 20 students can be drawing during each time slot, and they will be spaced at least six feet apart. A Sign-Up Genius will be posted on each class Schoology page this coming week. Feel free to coordinate with friends when signing up.
- A separate Sign-Up Genius will be available for Yoga on the Field later this week as well and will include details about what to bring.
- Students must wear masks intended for COVID protection at all times. Students will be temperature screened upon entering the parking lot or the field. Students should arrive via the parking lot on Elizabeth Street (bus loop) and report directly to the checkpoint on the sidewalk at the top of the steps leading down the student parking lot.
- MLWGS will order chalk to give to students, who should take it with them when they leave. Students may bring their own chalk, but cannot share it with other students.
- Do not use a Halloween-costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and leaves no gaps around your face.
- Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
- View the CDC website for complete details.
From the Counselor's Office
Challenge Success partners with schools, families, and communities to embrace a broad definition of success and to implement research-based strategies that promote student well-being and engagement with learning. Over the next month, they are hosting two online workshops that help decrease parent and student stress. A donation of $10 per workshop is suggested but not required.
A Healthy Approach to College Admissions (Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.): What do college rankings really measure? Are students who attend higher ranked colleges better off later in life? What is “fit” and why does it matter? Learn strategies to help reduce pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support students’ well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. With the pandemic inserting more uncertainty into this process, we will include a Q&A at the end to answer some of your most pressing questions.To register: https://form.jotform.com/202866805970161
Navigating School during Uncertain Times (Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m.): How can parents best support the personal and academic needs of their children while also attending to their own professional and family needs? Caregivers will learn how they can establish a healthier home environment for their school-aged child, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase resilience, creativity, and well-being.To register: https://form.jotform.com/202867283912158
Congratulations, Musicians!
Congrats to the following students who auditioned for Senior Regional Orchestra last week and are now eligible to audition for All Virginia in February:
Jennifer Chen, violin ('23, Henrico)Mira Eisenhauer, cello ('21, Henrico)Sam Lichtman, viola ('22, Henrico)Eric Qian, violin ('22, Chesterfield)Joshua Yoo, violin ('22, Chesterfield)Minji Cho, violin ('21, Chesterfield)
Concert Band to Hold Virtual Concert
Celebrate the culmination of MLWGS band students’ hard work as they perform their first virtual concert. Comprised of about 60 students, the Maggie Walker Concert Band includes woodwinds, brass, and percussion players. The concert will be on a scheduled Zoom call on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., and will last about 45 minutes. We look forward to sharing our music with you!
Meeting ID: 815 9682 9483
Passcode: DragonBand
