Special Guest Speaker TODAY
Watch this short video, “Meet Artemis Team Member Christina Koch,” to introduce you to this remarkable speaker.
If you would like to attend the seminar, please email Lynn Reed as soon as possible and she will provide you with the Zoom link. Koch's talk will begin at about 8:50 a.m., and the Q&A will conclude at 9:55 a.m. We will record the event and posting it to Schoology afterwards.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences will be conducted virtually using the Zoom platform on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4 until 7 p.m. Find a link to the Sign-up Genius form in the parent portal of PowerSchool. As always, you can email any teacher directly and set up a time to talk.Fall Sports
Any student who plans to participate in fall sports must have the forms completed to participate. Please send forms to phawkins@gsgis.k12.va.us as a single file attachment, such as a DOC or PDF, that is named “Lastname, Firstname.” If you do not have a scanner at home, there are free scanning apps available for your phone, and newer iPhones include a built-in scanner in the “Notes” app. The start date for fall sports is Monday, Feb. 16.
Gov. Northam has called upon all public schools in the Commonwealth to begin returning students to campus by March 15. Over the next few days, the MLWGS admin team will review all of the guidelines mentioned in the Governor's statement and ensure that our instructional plan is updated and in compliance.
Re-Opening Update
School Counseling
Reminder: The MLWGS senior counselors are pleased to present MLWGS’s annual College Kick-Off event for juniors and their families again this year. This virtual event will take place over three informative and inspiring sessions:
- Tuesday, Feb. 16 (12:30-1:30 p.m.): Navigating Naviance and other accounts (in support of college planning), presented by senior counselors Dr. Rachel Loving and Ms. Kim Forquer, as well as GRASP representative Mrs. Susan Teerlink and English teacher Mr. Ed Coleman
- Wednesday, Feb. 17 (10:15-11:30 a.m.): The College Search and an Introduction to Scholarships, Financial Aid, Honors Colleges, and Special Programs, featuring panelists from Old Dominion University, Howard University, and Northeastern University
- Thursday, Feb. 18 (10:15-11:30 a.m.): What Colleges are Looking For and an Introduction to the Application Process, featuring panelists from the University of Richmond, the College of William & Mary, and the University of Chicago
Shop with Scrip!
We have earned $1234.51 this year with our scrip program, close to our $1,500 goal! Help us reach it by doing your everyday shopping with scrip. Go to shopwithscip.com to shop. Our next plastic card order due date is February 21 at midnight.
During Thank Scriping days on Feb. 18 and 19, a selection of retailers will give up to 19% back on e-certificate orders! Stock up on brands you regularly shop. Questions? Contact scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. We are also looking for a coordinator for next year, as current coordinator's son is graduating! Please reach out to the scrip email address if interested. It's a great way to get involved with the PTSA Board and meet new people while benefitting the school's fundraising efforts!
Support MLWGS at the 2021 Night of the Dragon!
Plans are shaping up in a wonderful way for the 2021 Night of the Dragon on April 24. Our beloved annual fundraising auction and gala will be virtual this year, so mark your calendars and make plans now to have a viewing party or just stay in, order from one of our partner restaurants, and enjoy!
Want to help us make the upcoming 19th Annual Night of the Dragon the best ever? Sure you do! Here are some great ways:
The February 2021 Senior Newsletter has been uploaded to the MLWGS School Counseling website. This document features scholarships, announcements from colleges, contests, and multicultural opportunities, as well as an on-site admissions event with Mary Baldwin University that is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12. Students and families are reminded that each issue includes a new list of scholarships; therefore, rereading previous issues and reviewing Naviance are suggested so that opportunities and deadlines are not missed. on the website, click on the link for “College Admissions Information” and then “Senior & Junior Newsletters." Seniors should also continue viewing posts on the “College Information for the Class of 2021” Schoology page.
Want to help us make the upcoming 19th Annual Night of the Dragon the best ever? Sure you do! Here are some great ways:
- Get registered as soon as we let you know the auction website goes live so you can preview all the great auction items.
- Donate an item(s) or service for the live or silent auctions. Popular items include unique experiences hosted by MLWGS families and friends, vacation home rentals, one-of-a-kind items, local adventures—GET CREATIVE! To donate, contact Ginger O’Neil.
- Become a sponsor. Individual and corporate sponsorships are a great way to support MLWGS and celebrate someone or promote your business to our community. Sponsorships are available at many levels (from $500 to $10,000) and the livestream format allows for some great new options for recognition. For sponsorships, contact Ginger O’Neil.
Attention: Seniors
The February 2021 Senior Newsletter has been uploaded to the MLWGS School Counseling website. This document features scholarships, announcements from colleges, contests, and multicultural opportunities, as well as an on-site admissions event with Mary Baldwin University that is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12. Students and families are reminded that each issue includes a new list of scholarships; therefore, rereading previous issues and reviewing Naviance are suggested so that opportunities and deadlines are not missed. on the website, click on the link for “College Admissions Information” and then “Senior & Junior Newsletters." Seniors should also continue viewing posts on the “College Information for the Class of 2021” Schoology page.
Joys of Service on the MLWGS PTSA Board
by former MLWGS PTSA President Craig R. Martin
I avoided even attending the PTSA meetings for my twins all through their elementary and middle school years, much less participating somehow on the boards. I look back at the full scope of my daughter’s time in school (class of 2021 at MLWGS) and I regret the early days I missed. Fortunately, I became active on the MLWGS PTSA Board during her sophomore year when I was asked to be president for 2019-20. I was honored to be asked, and looking back at my three years on the Board, including coming on as President-Elect and serving on the membership committee this year, I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to serve the school and students in this way. I know I am biased, but it feels like the smartest and most active Parent-Teacher-Student Association board in Virginia (no disparagement to all the other PTSAs).
From personal experience, I have found being part of this group incredibly rewarding. I have learned so much more about Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School than I would have ever known had I not been part of this amazing team of truly remarkable board members. We have become family and I will be very sad to not be with them after this year once my daughter goes off to college. My fellow board members have taught me so much and I was humbled to serve on a team with so many folks much, much smarter than me!
So, why am I sharing this now? Because we need you! People like me who are leaving the MLWGS PTSA have opened up spots on the board. And, we want to make sure you were invited to join the team. Now as a MLWGS dad, I would especially like to invite other dads, men on the faculty, from administration and students to consider serving the school and the MLWGS community in this way. It’s always interesting when I reach out to other MLWGS fathers and the comment comes back that they are too busy to serve. I like to laugh and say, “the previous president to when I served, the current president and the president-elect are all working professionals with much more demanding jobs than I will ever have.” So, consider being a part.
Much like my friend Natalie Smith asked me years ago if I would be a part of the board, I am asking all of you. Will you join and serve? Trust me, like many meaningful things in life, I have personally received much more being on the team than I ever gave back. You won’t regret a minute of it. If interested, you can reach out to our committee lead at vbray@barlowresearch.com or email me. Thank you!
