Smoke and Scales: Academic Enrichment

Showing posts with label Academic Enrichment. Show all posts

Week of December 6, 2016

TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT!

MLWGS will host a Town Hall-style meeting on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Forum Room* to solicit community input for the MLWGS FY2018 operating budget. All are welcome to attend.

The Director will provide a brief overview of the fiscal planning timeline, then open up the floor to speakers.

Thank you for your ongoing support of MLWGS students and school.

*Note: this meeting will be moved to the Auditorium if space dictates.

PAINT PARTY FUNDRAISER FOR SENIOR SEMINAR

Wednesday, December 7 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Come on out to Maggie Walker to make your own beautiful painting and support Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Senior Seminar students in their efforts to travel to Morocco; MENA seminar students are studying gender and culture in the Middle East and North Africa.

For the ticket price of $35, you get all materials required to create your painting on a canvas, instruction from a professional artist, food, and, of course, the opportunity to socialize in a laid-back environment. Invite your friends! Invite your family! And get ready to get painting for a great cause!

Registration for the event is available here.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-party-fundraiser-tickets-29795057820.

Questions: Email rcross@gsgis.k12.va.us

HELP NEEDED FOR NIGHT OF THE DRAGON!

The 15th Annual Night of the Dragon auction will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Hilton Hotel & Spa at Short Pump. This annual event is the largest fundraiser of the year and collectively benefits the students at MLWGS through activities provided by all of the booster groups, the PTSA, and the Governor’s School Foundation. In order to be a financial success, we need to collect approximately 375 donations of auction items.

Please join our Solicitors’ Committee! Collecting 375 items will not be difficult with the help of a lot of people!! If we get 75 volunteers, it is only 5 items each! This year our webmaster, Norm Hill, has done an excellent job of moving the process away from spreadsheets and onto the web. This change makes it easy for solicitors to find suggestions for companies and individuals to contact from the comfort of their own home!

Please email auctionmlwgs@gmail.com or call Peggy Feldmann at 804-517-8957 to learn more about how easy it for you to help.

ANNOUNCING A NEW DRAGON’S LAIR WEBSITE

Visit the New Website Today: mlwgsdragons.ourspiritgear.com

Shopping The Lair is much easier now. Shop from home, any day of the week, any time of day. Browse the online catalog, add items to the cart, pay online, and pick up at the store during regular hours. Better yet…send your MLWGS student to do the pick-up for you. Shipping Options will be available very soon for a small, reasonable, flat rate fee.

Most store inventory is currently available online, and The Lair continues to work towards building out the selection. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to give online shopping a try with The Dragon’s Lair.

Please share any questions or feedback for improvement via email to mlwgsdragons@gmail.com. This is your website. The Lair wants to know what you like and you don’t.

MLWGS SCHOOL DIRECTORIES

The 2016-2017 School directories were handed out at Back to School night.

If you did not receive one, directories are available in Room 100 at the Bluestone entrance. Ask Ms Williams for a copy.

SENIORS! SENIORS! SENIORS!

Graduation Announcements

It’s not too late to order Class of 2017 graduation announcements! Herff Jones is still accepting orders online. Go to www.vagrad.com and place your order by December 31 to guarantee an April delivery. There are several other graduation-related items for sale, but don’t forget that the cost for cap and gown was included in your student’s senior fees. No need to pay or order these a second time. Please contact Kerry Sheppard, the MLWGS graduation coordinator, at ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us OR 804-354-6800 ext. 3304 if you have any questions.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS

The Senior Counselors, Rachel Loving and Penny Deck, will be giving an overview of applying to colleges outside to US on Wednesday, December 14 at 11:40 in the Auditorium. Jack Miller, alum, and current Oxford student plans to join us to discuss the difference between applying to college in the US and the U.K.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

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

Attention Juniors!

The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) and the Joint Antarctic School Expedition (JASE) programs are open to current juniors interested in science and exploring other cultures. Both programs and physically demanding and the JASE program requires participants to be fluent in Spanish. Travel, lodging, and meals are provided to participants free of cost. Applications are available November 28-January 10. Please visit https://dickey.dartmouth.edu/environment/programs to apply.

Attention Seniors!

The University of Westminister is offering five full scholarships for high school seniors interested in attending the London International Summer School in 2017. This scholarship includes round-trip airfare from US to UK, accommodations, tuition, and a meal allowance. Applications will be available until February 26, 2017. Please visit https://www.westminster.ac.uk/international/study-abroad/london-international-summer-school/the-fulbright-university-of-westminster-international-summer-institute to apply and for additional information.

Attention Rising Seniors!

The Cochrane Summer Economic Institute (CSEI) is an intensive four-week program open to all rising high school seniors from the greater Richmond area partners learning about the economy and entrepreneurship through a series of workshops by local business leaders and Collegiate faculty with an immersive group internship. Students commit to participating the last week of June and first three weeks of July and receive a $500 stipend. Please visit https://powelledfoundation.org/cochrane-summer-economic-institute/ for more information and to apply. The application deadline is January 16, 2017.

SENIOR REGIONAL ORCHESTRA EVENT

Alyssa Wright (Goochland, '20), Willow Kwak (Henrico, '18), Andrew Shin (Henrico, '18), Rachel Zhao (Henrico, '18) L to R

Congratulations to the Maggie Walker Orchestra students that participated in the Senior Regional Orchestra event November 12, 2016 at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, VA. In doing so, they have gained eligibility to audition for All Virginia Orchestra.

Week of December 16, 2014

PTSA ADVOCACY UPDATE: BUDGET CHALLENGES CONTINUE FOR MLWGS

The next meeting of the MLWGS Regional School Board is this Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 9am in Room 153. Please attend. Here is more information about the Board including links to Thursday’s agenda and past minutes. The MLWGS Regional School Board is responsible for approving the budget.

Local and state underfunding of MLWGS persists. Local funding for MLWGS students has dropped more than 10% over the past five years. VRS and healthcare costs have increased substantially. Outdated textbooks, inadequate technology equipment and staffing, aging facilities, added costs due to VHSL 2A travel, increased teacher workloads, noncompetitive salaries, and reductions in field trips and course offerings continue to be major challenges for the school. The Regional School Board’s upcoming decision on a long-term capital improvement contract may further deplete school reserves (savings).

At the state level, PTSA Advocacy is also pursuing a revision of the state funding formula for all Governor’s Schools. Here is a recent Governor’s School funding study conducted by the Secretary of Education which finds that funding for Governor’s Schools is not based on any specific staffing or cost standard that relates to best practice or actual cost of the program.

Interested in learning more? Please contact PTSA Advocacy Co-Chairs Marianne Macon,mnmacon@gmail.com or Laura O’Brien, prable@comcast.net.

PSAT SCORES DELAYED

The MLWGS Counseling Department is still awaiting receipt of PSAT score reports. On Friday December 12, the College Board stated that MLWGS PSAT score results were still being processed and had not yet been shipped. MLWGS is aware that some other area schools have received their score reports. College Board has indicated that score reports are shipped out in batches and that MLWGS’s could be sent with a batch in the middle of the week of December 15. Unfortunately, this means it is unlikely that PSAT score results will be available before the winter break. If the scores do arrive before break begins, the counseling department will prioritize score distribution to juniors so that they may begin preparing for SATs over winter break. Otherwise, scores will be distributed during lunchtime assemblies in January.

WINTER CHORUS/ORCHESTRA CONCERT

The Winter Choral/Orchestra Concert will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. The cost to attend is cost is $5 at the door. Concert reception immediately follows the performance. Please plan to attend.

Please contact Leslie Hausser, Music Boosters President, at lahmeems@comcast.net, with any questions.

VOTE FOR MLWGS STUDENT FOR SNOW QUEEN

Reshini Premaratne (’16, Henrico) was chosen as a finalist in the running for the Richmond Snow Queen. Now, she needs the help of the MLWGS community. Please click on the link below and scroll down to the "VOTE NOW!" button to choose Reshini as the next Snow Queen. If she garners the most votes, Reshini will become the Richmond Snow Queen and a representative of Maggie Walker in the community. Voting ends on December 24th, so please vote and share the link! It is an easy way to support a MLWGS dragon and her endeavors! Here is the link: www.c-mor.org/snow-queen-main.

ACADEMIC BOOSTERS NEWSLETTER

The latest newsletter is available HERE!

MLWGS STUDENT WINS RSYO COMPETITION

Congratulations to Zachary King ('15, Hanover) for winning the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition with his performance of the first movement of the Carl Stamitz Clarinet Concerto in B-Flat Minor No. 3.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING CAN HELP MLWGS TOO

Just a quick reminder before doing that last-minute shopping don't forget to register with the following stores to earn cash for our school. It’s easy, doesn’t cost anything, and still gives the same discounts and offers that keep you shopping.

Kroger’s Community Rewards

*If you use a phone number at the register call 800-576-4377 - Option 4 to get your Kroger Plus number.

Martin’s A+ School Rewards

To register your card, change the school or add a school (up to 2):

Log on to www.martinsfoods.com/aplus and designate our school ID #03112 using your BONUSCARD. Or send your Last Name, Phone Number and the 11-digit BONUSCARD number (starting with 48) to mlwgspartners@gmail.com.

Target – Take Charge of Education

Go to www.target.com/tcoe. Enter your Redcard number and follow the directions. Our school account is104517.

Amazon Smile – Supports MLWGS Athletic Boosters

Go to smile.amazon.com from your computer or smartphone and follow the directions from there.

Questions/Problems? – email mlwgspartners@gmail.com.

YEARBOOK NEWS

LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE YEARBOOK

Friday, December 19, is the last day to purchase a 2015 yearbook for $50! After the 19th, the price will go up to $55, where it will stay for the rest of the school year. Yearbook order forms may be obtained outside Room 121. You can also order online at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Find our school’s name or type in our job number (14632) to place a credit-card order for no extra charge!

YEARBOOK ADS STILL AVAILABLE

It’s not too late to buy a Senior Ad in the Yearbook to honor a beloved MLWGS graduate! Ads may be purchased to cover a full page ($220), 1/2-page ($140), or 1/4-page ($80). Please make checks payable to MLWGS. To purchase a Senior Ad, please email Yearbook Adviser Michael White (mwhite@gsgis.k12.va.us), and he will send the specs. The deadline for submission is Friday, January 23, 2015. A check can hold the spot now, but the MLWGS Yearbook will need all materials by January 23. Order now while there’s still space!

CLUB PICTURES SCHEDULE

Club sponsors: please inform clubs of the date and time of the picture and encourage full participation. Club sponsors are strongly encouraged but not required to attend; attendance can help prevent interlopers, so please be there, if at all possible.

If a club is not on this list, then it is not an official, active club, according to the MLWGS administration. Please address concerns to Coach Hawkins or Mr. Tharp if a club was inadvertently left off this list.

All photos will be shot on the bleachers in the gym at lunch.
Please be prompt.
Club members MAY but are NOT REQUIRED to bring signs indicating club identity.
In the event of school cancellation due to inclement weather, ANY DAYS MISSED WILL BE RESCHEDULED. For example, if we’re out of school on Monday, January 5, then that day’s clubs will be rescheduled, but the clubs scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, will KEEP THEIR DATE AND TIMES.

Monday, December 15

Note: There will be NO PSAT meeting today, so these photos will proceed as normal.

11:40: English NHS

11:45: Spanish Club & Honor Society

11:50: Peer Mentors

11:55: Russian Club & SLAVA: Russian Honor Society

12:00: Academic Quiz Bowl

12:05: Club Asia

12:10: Chinese NHS

Tuesday, December 16

Note: Today’s PSAT meeting is for JUNIORS only and will likely be over by 11:45, so these photos will proceed as planned.

11:40: Chess

11:45: Freshman AND Sophomore Class Officers (separate)

11:50: Debate

11:55: SCA officers AND Honor Council (separate)

12:00: Young Democrats AND Young Republicans (separate, obviously)

12:05: Forensics

12:10: Junior AND Senior Class Officers (separate)

Wednesday, December 17

Note: There will be NO PSAT meeting today, so these photos will proceed as normal.

11:40: Key Club

11:45: ASL Club & Honor Society

11:50: TSA

11:55: Japanese Club & Honor Society

12:00: Lifesmarts

12:05: Latin/Classical Club & Honor Society

12:10: Jabberwock

Thursday, December 18

Note: There will be NO PSAT meeting today, so these photos will proceed as normal.

11:40: French Club & Honor Society

11:45: Math Contest

11:50: German Club & Honor Society

11:55: Math Modeling

12:00: Italian Club & Honor Society

12:05: History Bowl

12:10: SADD

If the PSAT meetings are held in January, any affected days will be moved to January 20 or 21. Announcements will be made.

Monday, January 5

11:40: Science NHS

11:45: Fine Arts Club & Honor Society

11:50: Tri-M Music Honor Society

11:55: Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society

12:00: Robotics

12:05: NHS-Seniors

12:10: Model UN

Tuesday, January 6

11:40: We the People

11:45: NHS-Juniors

11:50: Thomas Jefferson History NHS

11:55: Civics Society AND B-Movie (separate)

12:00: Environmental Club

12:05: SECSEE 350 AND Esoterica (separate)

12:10: Peer Helpers

Wednesday, January 7

11:40: Model Government/Princeton Model Congress

11:45: USB and Hacky Sack (separate)

11:50: Arabic

11:55: EDM and NeuroPsi (separate)

12:00: Appalachian Heritage Music

12:05: Earth & Mind AND Dodgeball (separate)

12:10: EduPac

Thursday, January 8

11:40: Culinary AND Deadbeats (separate)

11:45: Drama Club & ITS

11:50: FBLA and Futsal (separate)

11:55: FCS and Investment (separate)

12:00: Future Medical Professionals

12:05: Modern Dance AND Origami (separate)

12:10: Red Cross

Monday, January 12

11:40: Foreign Affairs AND Future Problem Solvers (separate)

11:45: Katie’s Company

11:50: Music Orchard AND Global Citizen Corps (separate)

11:55: Green Machine

12:00: International Dance AND Ping-Pong (separate)

12:05: Gender/Sexual Minority Alliance

12:10: Programming AND Project Happy Face (separate)

Tuesday, January 13

11:40: HOLA and Voice International (separate)

11:45: Mu Upsilon Sigma

11:50: Olde School Ballistics and SAGE (separate)

11:55: Photography

12:00: Richmonds of the World AND Satire (separate)

12:05: SAT Prep Club AND Didgeridoo (separate)

12:10: Poetry AND Frisbee (separate)

Wednesday, January 14

11:40: Student Pugwash

11:45: Chorus

11:50: Young Libertarians/Students for Liberty

11:55: Jazz Band

12:00: RAMPS

12:05: Orchestra

12:10: Backgammon AND Dragons for Vets (separate)

Thursday, January 15

11:40: Young Writers Association AND Literary Magazine (separate)

11:45: Dance Team

11:50: Equestrian Riding AND Invisible Children (separate)

11:55: Newtowne Tutoring

12:00: Random Acts of Kindness AND Habitat for Humanity (separate)

12:05: Science Fiction AND Write Thing to Do (separate)

12:10: Knitting

Monday, January 19: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 20 and Wednesday, January 21

POTENTIAL MAKE-UP PICTURES (due to PSAT rescheduling)

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Residential Governor’s Schools for Sophomores and Juniors

Applications are now available for the Summer Residential Governor’s Schools. These programs provide opportunities for gifted high school students to explore professional and university environments through mentorships and academic enrichment. Information and applications can be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/governors_school_programs/summer_residential/ for academic and mentorship programs, and http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/foreign_language/language_academies/index.shtml for the foreign language academies. Please see Ms. Davis for additional information about application process and deadlines.

VCU Programs and Opportunities

After-school Program:
Project ACEe - pre-health focus on medicine, academic skills and prep

Eligibility: Current Juniors and Seniors

Program Duration: Fridays, starting January - April

Application Requirements: Online application with personal statement, official transcript, 1 letter of recommendation from science teacher and 1 letter from guidance counselor: due 12/12/14

Non-Residential Summer Programs:
Open to a variety of grade levels, each program focuses on a specific career field, offering hands-on instruction & information about preparing for these fields now.

Dental Career Exploration (9, 10, 11, 12 grade),

Dental Hygiene Career Exploration (11 & 12 grade),

Physical Therapy Career Exploration (10, 11, 12 grade)

The High School Diplomats (HSD) program brings American high school students together at Princeton University for a 10-day cultural and educational exchange program with students from Japan. Current sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply and Japanese language familiarity/experience is not a pre-requisite. For more information about HSD, please visit www.highschooldiplomats.com. Application deadline is January 7, 2015.

The Cochrane Summer Economics Institute is a five-week work/study program for rising high school seniors. The program provides an introduction to economics, business, networking, and a variety of job/career choices through a combination of classroom work, community service, and internship experience. Applications will be available at www.powellinfo.org starting on December 1, 2014. Application and essay must be submitted by January 16, 2015.

DRAGON’S LAIR

‘Tis holiday season

So let us be lyrical!

We’ll change up our sales pitch

(But maintain the satirical).

If gifts you should need

For neighbors or cousins

Come drop by the Lair

We have a few (dozens).

From sweatshirts warm

To pajama pants snuggly

In our spirit apparel

You’ll look sharp, not ugly.

And gifts and accessories

And tchotchkes and bling

All kinds of drink tumblers

Ornaments on green string

Pens, pins and totes!

Stretchy swim caps!

Take your school to the pool

And do a few laps.

Dragon Shirts! Comfy Jackets!

Smart Ties! Cool Gym Shorts!

Our staff will assist you

With all types and sorts

Of purchases which –

By the time you are done –

Will finish your shopping

Before others’ve begun.

So swing by on Tuesday

Or Friday at lunch,

And these special hours

To help your time crunch:

Monday 12/15 8pm - after the winter concert

Wednesday 12/17 8pm - after the winter concert

Thursday 12/19 ALL DAY BLITZ - shop til you drop! 8:30 - 3:30

(Yeah, like I’m gonna try and rhyme all of that. As if.)

Check our stuff on the web

Mlwgsdragons.weebly.com

Checks and cash are all welcome

If you need some, ask mom.

I’m through with this rhyming.

No more, this I swear.

So Happy Chrismahanakwanzaa!

From The Dragon’s Lair!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SMOKE AND SCALES!

Next edition is Tuesday, January 6, 2015.

Submit all articles to smokeandscales@gmail.com by COB Friday, January 2.

See you in 2015!

Week of December 9, 2014

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Residential Governor’s Schools for Sophomores and Juniors

Eligibility: Current Juniors and Seniors

Program Duration: Fridays, starting January - April

Application Requirements: Online application with personal statement, official transcript, 1 letter of recommendation from science teacher and 1 letter from guidance counselor: due 12/12/14

Dental Career Exploration (9, 10, 11, 12 grade),

Dental Hygiene Career Exploration (11 & 12 grade),

Physical Therapy Career Exploration (10, 11, 12 grade)

MLWGS GRADS RECEIVE TOP AWARDS FROM VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Founded in 1831, the Virginia Historical Society is the fourth oldest institution in America dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of history. Its mission includes service to a wide range of scholars, educators, genealogists, and “life-long learners” interested in any topic, period, or group found within Virginia history. Each year the society honors individuals for historical scholarship or service to the larger historical community. This year, two MLWGS graduates were recognized for their work.

Daniel Yoo (MLWGS ‘14) received the Bobby Chandler Student Award, which recognizes the top research submission from a Virginia high school student. Daniel’s award was based upon his oral history project on the HIV/AIDs epidemic of the 1980s and its intersection with the hemophilia community, federal blood screening protocols, and numerous drug approval obstacles. The project was part of Daniel’s Historiography seminar in the 2013-14 school year.

Adrianna Scheer-Cook (MLWGS ‘09), a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, won the Undergraduate History Paper of the Year for her paper on the Vietnam War activism of Phyllis Galanti, whose personal papers reside at the VHS. As a senior in the 2008-09 school year, Miss Scheer-Cook was enrolled in an advanced seminar on Korean and Vietnam conflicts offered by the Social Studies Department.

Daniel is currently enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Richmond. Adrianna is in her first year of law school at the University of Virginia.

SOL TESTING WEEK OF MONDAY, JANUARY 5

SOL Testing for freshmen who attended private middle schools will take place during the week of Monday January 5th. Specific testing times and locations were distributed to students last week.

All students at Maggie L. Walker are required to pass nine SOL End of Course tests in order to qualify for a Virginia Advanced Studies High School Diploma. MLW students typically earn SOL verified credits for biology, chemistry, World History II (given at the end of 10th grade), US History (10th or 11th grade), English writing (10th grade), English reading (11th grade), Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II.

Students who attended private middle schools need to verify earned credit through SOL tests for Algebra I, geometry, and/or Algebra II classes taken.

Students are encouraged go to the Virginia Department of Education site http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_items/index.shtml to review materials to prepare for the tests. In addition, students may ask their current math teacher for additional help. Finally, the math tutoring lab is open after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for help with specific content.

Students will have a practice opportunity to use the online math tools during lunch on Monday, December 15th in Lab 201. It is highly recommended that all students attend this practice session since it is important to be able to use the tools effectively during online testing.

SOL tests are scored as fail, pass/proficient or advanced/college path. If a student fails the SOL, he or she is permitted to take an expedited re-take if the score is between 375 and 399. This re-take will be scheduled within a couple of weeks of the initial testing date. Otherwise, the student can take the test again in May. If a student fails the re-test, he or she will have an opportunity to retake the test in May. The scores are not used for college admissions purposes and are only used for verifying credits.

Please contact Karl Zweerink at kzweerink@gsgis.k12.va.us or 804-354-6800, extension 3210 if you have any questions.

COME SUPPORT MUSIC AT MLWGS!

WINTER JAZZ CONCERT – Monday, Dec. 15th, 7:00 pm
WINTER CHORUS/ORCHESTRA CONCERT – Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 7:00 pm

Cost is $5 at the door.

Concert Reception immediately followS each performance.

Mark your calendar NOW!

Please contact Leslie Hausser, Music Boosters President, at lahmeems@comcast.net, with any questions.

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS

The December Senior Newsletter is 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 newsletter was distributed to students in their English classes last week. 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.

AUCTION DEADLINE THIS WEEK

Last chance for donations! The 13th Annual Night of the Dragon Auction team will accept donations of auction items through this Friday, December 12.

To donate, click here to print a donation form.
Fill it out and choose the group(s) that the proceeds from the item should benefit.
Drop the form and the item off at school in the auction box in Valenta Williams’ office.
All forms received by Friday, December 12 at the end of the school day will be accepted.
Due to processing times, donations received after the deadline cannot be included in this year's event.

For donations too big to send to school (or those donations that contain alcohol), pickup can be arranged by marking "to be arranged" in the delivery instructions section of the form – but the donation form must still be turned in by December 12.

Questions?? Contact Karen Akens at karenakens@gmail.com

FUNDING OF MLWGS KEY CONCERN AT BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETING

The Budget Town Hall on December 3 featured a total of 15 parents, PTSA and Foundation leaders, alumni, students and educators who provided public comments. The primary concern was the continued underfunding of MLWGS. The local funding for our students has dropped more than 10% over the past five years while VRS and healthcare costs have increased substantially. In front of a crowd of about 100, these speakers shared heartfelt concerns about the impact of deep budget cuts in recent years including what they felt was outdated textbooks, inadequate technology equipment and staffing, increased teacher workloads, noncompetitive salaries, reductions in field trips and course offerings, and a new proposed cap on participation in the Senior mentorship program.

Several speakers pointed out concerns about the anxiety surrounding the annual budget process. One speaker provided a detailed proposal to stabilize funding through a formula tied to the amounts spent by local school divisions on students in their home schools. Another speaker voiced concerns regarding the Regional School Board’s upcoming decision on a long-term capital improvement contract that will be funded with reserves (savings).

It is a challenge to gain consensus among all school divisions, but the Regional School Board and Superintendents Steering Committee are beginning to look at solutions. In addition to the MLWGS administrative team, Mr. Kevin Hazzard, chairman of the Regional School Board, Dr. James Lane, chair of the Superintendents Steering Committee, and, Mr. John Axselle, Vice Chair of the Regional School Board attended the meeting. One speaker expressed concern regarding the absence of the other 21 superintendents and elected representatives who are responsible for the MLWGS budget and requested that the Town Hall comments be communicated to them. Dr. McGee and Chairman Hazzard assured the audience the issues raised would be taken into consideration.

The PTSA Advocacy Committee will continue to update parents throughout the budget development process including any formal report or minutes for the Budget Town Hall. The budget should be finalized by April or May. The next Regional School Board meeting is Dec. 18, 2014 at 9 am at MLWGS. There is a public comment period at the beginning of each monthly meeting should you wish to share your thoughts. Here is information about the Regional School Board. If you are interested in learning more about government relations and advocacy on behalf of MLWGS, please contact PTSA Advocacy Co-Chairs Marianne Macon, macon4@verizon.net, or, Laura O’Brien, prable@comcast.net.

"AMICABLE COLLABORATORS", MICHELE SURAT AND LYNN REED, PRESENTED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Ms. Surat is seen ringing a “zenergy” chime as Lynn Reed provided the frequency for the sound in mathematical terms.

“Story as the Landscape of Knowing” was the theme of this year’s National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Conference. Thanks to the generous support of the Governor’s School Foundation, Michele Surat (World Literature) and Lynn Reed (AP Calculus) presented their collaborative work in two separate programs on November 21, 2014.

After NCTE’s acceptance of their original proposal, the National Council of Literacy Education (NCLE) also requested that Ms. Surat and Mrs. Reed participate in an all-morning session of round-table discussions. There the teachers shared their resources and interdisciplinary lessons plans with elementary through university teachers.

Later in the afternoon, Yoko Ogawa's award-winning novel, The Housekeeper and the Professorprovided the primary focus. Ms. Surat and Mrs. Reed each explained how to use the contemporary Japanese novel as a catalyst for increased literacy, close reading, and critical thinking skills. Since the protagonist of the novel was a math professor, students considered the use of the mathematics and baseball as metaphors to describe the relationships among the characters. About 40 teachers attended their animated session.

The Foundation Annual Fund supports grants for continuing education for faculty, programs for students, and special projects for facilities and technology. So far this year, the Annual Fund Campaign has raised $122,774 for the school. Overall current parent participation is 21%, and here is the parent participation by class:

• Seniors: 29%
• Juniors: 23%
• Sophomores: 24%
• Freshmen: 9%

To donate online, please click here.

ATTENTION ALL DRAGON LOVERS!

Karina Kunka (Class of 2015) really needs your support. She is making and selling Dragons of a Different Color (clay dragon ornaments) for her friend Caitlin Haigh from Powhatan County and who is currently battling Mitochondrial Disease, Dysautonomia, and Gastroparesis. Her debilitating diseases and frequent surgeries and hospitalizations have prevented Caitlin from attending most of high school, although she will still be graduating this spring from Powhatan High. Last year, her dream to swim with dolphins was fulfilled by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and despite all of her setbacks, she still wears a bright smile.

$5 buys a gift-wrapped dragon in your choice of available colors; designs vary since no two dragons are alike! Every single penny of your purchase goes directly towards Caitlin's medical expenses, so if you are interested in adopting a dragon this winter, contact karina.kunka@gmail.com. They make great holiday gifts, so be sure to snag one before they fly away! For more information on Caitlin, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caitlinalliehaigh.

DRAGON’S LAIR

‘Tis holiday season

So let us be lyrical!

We’ll change up our sales pitch

(But maintain the satirical).

If gifts you should need

For neighbors or cousins

Come drop by the Lair

We have a few (dozens).

From sweatshirts warm

To pajama pants snuggly

In our spirit apparel

You’ll look sharp, not ugly.

And gifts and accessories

And tchotchkes and bling

All kinds of drink tumblers

Ornaments on green string

Pens, pins and totes!

Stretchy swim caps!

Take your school to the pool

And do a few laps.

Dragon Shirts! Comfy Jackets!

Smart Ties! Cool Gym Shorts!

Our staff will assist you

With all types and sorts

Of purchases which –

By the time you are done –

Will finish your shopping

Before others’ve begun.

So swing by on Tuesday

Or Friday at lunch,

And these special hours

To help your time crunch:

- (after the winter concert)

- December 19 (ALL DAY BLITZ DAY - shop til you drop!]: 8:30 - 3:30

(Yeah, like I’m gonna try and rhyme all of that. As if.)

Check our stuff on the web

Mlwgsdragons.weebly.com

Checks and cash are all welcome

If you need some, ask mom.

I’m through with this rhyming.

No more, this I swear.

So Happy Chrismahanakwanzaa!

From The Dragon’s Lair!