Week of December 13, 2016

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR NIGHT OF THE DRAGON

Have something great to donate? The Night of the Dragon Auction committee is looking for items from individuals and businesses!!  Last year's catalog is still online at www.nightofthedragon.com to provide ideas for donations. We are looking for sports packages, trips (vacation homes, hotels, restaurants, etc), baskets, spirits, etc. - anything people will desire enough to bid up the price! The deadline for donations to be included in this year's event is January 7, 2017.  

If you are interested in making a donation or have questions, please contact Peggy Feldmann at auctionmlwgs@gmail.com or 804-353-4533.

AUCTION SEEKS CORPORATE SPONSORS

Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are now available for this year's Night of the Dragon Auction. The auction will be held on Saturday, February 25, at the Short Pump Hilton. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to reach the wider MLWGS community while giving back to the Governor’s School.

There are four levels of sponsorship - $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 - and corporate sponsors will be recognized in the electronic parent newsletter, in the auction catalog, on the auction website, and on signage at the event.

The sponsorship deadline is Friday, January 20. To learn more, or to refer an organization, please contact Suzannah Stora at sstora@GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org or 804-354-1566 ext. 2251.

THANK YOU FOR RESTOCKING THE GRATITUDE BOX

A huge THANK YOU to all who contributed supplies to restock the library’s gratitude box. 

The MLWGS box and drawer are overflowing – and the new cards, bold papers, and fancy scissors have already attracted more students to this fun resource in the library!

SENIORS, SENIORS, SENIORS ...

Graduation Announcements

This is the final reminder….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.

The University of Westminister Summer School

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. 

Senior Newsletter now Available

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 latest 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.

STUDENT ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Attention Sophomores and Juniors! 

Summer Residential Governor’s Schools

Applications are now available for the Summer Residential Governor’s Schools.  These programs are run by the Commonwealth to 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/index.shtml#apply for academic and mentorship programs. Interested students must submit an application (without teacher recommendations) to Ms. Davis by January 20, 2017. This will allow an in-house selection process to take place before applications are submitted to the state. Questions about the programs or application process can be addressed to Joy Davis at joy.davis@gsgis.k12.va.us or 354-6800, ext. 3220.

High School Diplomats is a free 10-day cultural exchange program at Princeton University. Applications will be available from October 1-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 Juniors!

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.

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.

CONTRATULATIONS, MLWGS POETRY OUT LOUD

Congratulations to Sarah Law (Chesterfield, ‘17), MLWGS school-wide Poetry Out Loud winner for this year. Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest. In this competition, each student had to select two poems from the official Poetry Out Loud website (www.poetryoutloud.org). They then went through two rounds of recitations.

After competing at the school-wide level, Law will go on to the Richmond Regional Competition at Richmond Center Stage on Monday, February 6, 2017. The regional winner proceeds to the state competition on Friday, March 10, and the National POL event is held April 24-26, 2017. Students who win or place at state and national levels win monetary awards and sometimes money for school libraries. The top award is a $20,000 scholarship.

Freshman Cora Lewis (Richmond, ’20) is the alternate this year. In the event that Law is unable to compete, Cora will take their place. Thanks to all the students who spent countless hours preparing for the competition, to all English teachers who participated, and to those who helped with the judging process as well: Kerry Sheppard, John Piersol, Janet Spencer, Kinsey Hall, and Dr. Ridens.

DRAGON'S LAIR

NEW POLO SHIRT & HOLIDAY HOURS

Brand NEW for the HOLIDAYS! 

Stop by The Lair to see the new green, dri-fit polo shirt with embossed logo on the left chest.  This is the first item with The Lair’s new Embossed logo design.  Available for $35 in the store and online.

Special Holiday Hours – December 16 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

REMINDER:  The new website is located at 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 are also available 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. 

SENIOR ART EXHIBITION

Amanda Mier (Henrico, ’17) is holding a senior art exhibition. The exhibition will be on display in the art hallway through December 16.

Week of October 11, 2016

THANK YOU FOR MAKING FALL FESTIVAL A SUCCESS!

The Fall Festival would not have been possible without the support of so many individuals and organizations! We are so thankful for all our wonderful volunteers who make the Festival a success year after year! 

The Fall Festival would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions allow MLWGS to invest in items such as better lighting to improve the look and organization of the Festival:

Gold Sponsors:

• Ashby

• Patient First

Silver Sponsors:

• The Fan District Association

• Nyfeler Associates

• Short Pump Dental

• Short Pump Realty

Special thanks also goes to:

• Henrico Recreation and Parks

• Container First Services

• 1709 Gallery’s InLight Richmond

• Richmond City Police

• Katherine Baird

• Kapitanov Family

• Charles Aldridge

• Dave Dembicer

• MLWGS Administration, Security, Maintenance and Cafeteria

• MLWGS Photography Club

• Governor’s School Foundation

• all our many volunteers!

MLWGS PTSA MEETING - OCTOBER 17, 8 A.M.

Please plan to attend the upcoming Maggie Walker General PTSA meeting on October 17 at MLWGS in room 153 from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  The Senior Counselors and Susan Teerlink, our GRASP Financial Aid advisor, will host the event, providing important information regarding the process of applying for college financial aid.  The meeting is open to all parents, with a particular focus on parents of Juniors and Seniors.  Please join us!

STUDENT-LED IDEATION CHALLENGE (SLIC) PROGRAM

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce the Student-Led Ideation Challenge (SLIC) Program. The SLIC Program is a competitive ideation challenge utilizing Design Thinking principles that is open to all high school students in Virginia and is being offered in collaboration with the VDOE and the Innovative Solutions Consortium at no cost to students, schools, or school divisions. The purpose of the SLIC Program is to further prepare Virginia’s students for the world ahead via their participation in project-based learning opportunities that will support the development of critical skills while enhancing general student knowledge through meaningful engagement in a variety of real-world topic areas.

The Innovative Solutions Consortium (ISC), a Virginia non-profit and national leader in public challenges, successfully implemented the Loudoun County Public Schools Challenge in 2015. Using the Loudon Challenge as a model, the VDOE in collaboration with the ISC looks forward to piloting the SLIC program this year and will seek input and feedback from students, teachers, and other state and local leaders on further refining the program for future challenges.

The SLIC program presents students with selecting a challenge question and working in a team to brainstorm ideas to solve the challenge. Students will develop a proposed solution to the challenge question, verify and validate the solution through research on similar solutions in the marketplace, and develop and implement a plan with estimated costs and measurement tools.  The winners will have the opportunity to build their prototype of the solution and present it to key stakeholders culminating in school, division, regional, and state-level competitions. Additionally, schools/teachers that support the winning teams from each region will receive $500 to use on future project-based learning activities in their classrooms.

The SLIC challenge questions for this year are in the areas of education, agriculture and global warming, and technology and robotics and are designed to be implemented in the subject areas of English/Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, and Career and Technical Education.

In preparation for this effort, two-hour training sessions will be provided in all eight regions during the month of October. This training will be available to teachers, counselors, Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs) or other educators that will provide support to student ideation teams. For those unable to attend the in-person training, live-webinars, recorded training, and other supporting documentation and points-of-contact will be made available.

The available in-person and webinar training sessions by region are as follows (session sign-up is available as part of the SLIC registration process):

REGION 1	VA Department of Education James Monroe Building 101 N 14th Street, 22nd Floor Conference Room Richmond, VA 23219	10/21/16 9:00-11:00AM
ALL REGIONS	ISC: Webinar 1 Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/424525877 You can also dial in using your phone. United States +1 (571) 317-3117 Access Code: 424-525-877	10/20/16 4:00-6:00PM
ALL REGIONS	ISC: Webinar 2 Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/424525877 You can also dial in using your phone. United States +1 (571) 317-3117 Access Code: 424-525-877	10/28/16 9:00-11:00AM

If you have any questions about the SLIC program, you may contact Bobby F. Keener, Chief Technology Innovations Officer at bobby.keener@doe.virginia.gov, or Dr. Susan M. Clair, Learning Infrastructure Coordinator at susan.clair@doe.virginia.gov.

If teachers need assistance registering in the SLIC portal, email support@slic-solutions.com.

For any other general questions or concerns, Michelle Chance, Director of the ISC, can be reached at michelle.chance@isc-connect.org or by phone at (571) 246-2411.

SUBSCRIBE TO SMOKE AND SCALES

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Week of September 13, 2016

LAST CALL TO UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
IN THE STUDENT DIRECTORY

Have you received an email from the PTSA Directory Committee regarding the Student Directory? If not, please email the Directory Committee as soon as possible at mlwgsptsadirectory@gmail.com to receive form for submitting/confirming your contact information for the Student Directory! The Directory Committee will be sending its final draft of the Student Directory to the printer tomorrow, so please contact the committee today to make sure your contact information is correct.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS INVEST 

IN THE FUTURE OF FALL FESTIVAL

The Fall Festival Committee is looking for Corporate Sponsors to cover some of the current costs and purchase items that can be used yearly. Corporate Sponsors are promoted in several ways, including in Smoke and Scales, on Facebook, and at the Festival. The two levels of Corporate Sponsorship exist: Gold for $500 and Silver for $250.

To find out more about Corporate Sponsorship, please contact Debbie Taminger at debtaminger@gmail.com.

STUDENTS CAN SIGNUP ONLINE TO PERFORM AT FALL FESTIVAL

The entertainment at Fall Festival is performed by MLWGS’s very talented students - and is always a big hit! Although the school orchestra, bands, and singing groups have set spots, there are spots available for students who want to showcase their talents! If any student is interested in performing at the Festival, please click on the following link! The dead ine is September 23! Please submit only one form per group! https://goo.gl/forms/eQlYsHwVJREvT6lm1

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

For high school juniors, Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive on-line learning course with a space mission design and human space flight theme, culminating in a one-week residential Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton for those students who qualify. Offered at no cost to the student, VASTS consists of eight modules and a final project to be completed from November 2016 through May 2017 under the guidance of licensed master educators. Based on success in the online coursework, students may be selected to attend a Summer Academy where they interact with NASA scientists, engineers and technologists to design a human mission to Mars. Please visit http://vasts.spacegrant.org for program details and to apply. The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

For high school juniors and seniors, Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) is an interactive, on-line Earth System Science Course featuring NASA scientific research and data. The course will be offered for dual enrollment college credit (statewide through TNCC) for high school juniors and seniors beginning in spring semester 2016. The website contains program information and application materials: http://vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS/. The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

The Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a program for sophomores focusing on the earth and airborne science, engineering, and technology integral to current missions at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. This dynamic (and FREE) program, designed by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), inspires students who possess technical and/or scientific interests and are motivated to learn about the many different opportunities that NASA offers.

• FREE Program for 10th Grade Students
• On-line modules covering NASA aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket missions launched or managed at Wallops Flight Facility
• On-line course runs from December 2016 through April 2017
• Highly successful students will be selected for a week-long Summer Academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility (Chincoteague, VA)
• http://vscs.spacegrant.org/ for application and more information

The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

YEARBOOK YEARBOOK YEARBOOK!

Seniors! Do you still need to sit for your formal Yearbook portrait? If so, sign up outside Room 330 to be photographed FREE by Strawbridge, the official school photographer, on Monday, September 19. Please see Mr. White (mwhite@gsgis.k12.va.us) if you have questions.

Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors! Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20-21, are your picture days! All non-seniors will be called down to the Black Box during their English classes. To purchase portraits, students must pre-pay. Order forms are available from Ms. Bowman (Attendance, in the Blue Stone Lobby) and Mr. White (Room 330). Please see Mr. White (mwhite@gsgis.k12.va.us) with questions.

Yearbooks are available for pre-purchase. Pick up an order form outside Room 121 or go to yearbookordercenter.com and enter the MLWGS order number (14632) to lock in the introductory rate of $45. Prices go up after Fall Festival.

DRAGON’S LAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Dragon’s Lair would like to remind MLWGS friends and family that the store is open regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays during the lunch hour.  Prefer to stop by on the way to work?  No problem!  The Dragon’s Lair is also open for convenient morning shopping the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.  Checkout is quick and easy as the Dragon’s Lair is all electronic now! 

Visit the store to see the new and planned items, including holiday ornaments and bow ties and flannel pants with new designs. The Lair is also looking into a new blanket, polo shirt, sweat pants, ladies tee, tervis cup, stadium seat, flag, and alumni shirt.

Shoot The Lair an email (mlwgsdragons@gmail.com) and let us know what you’d like to see offered in The Lair which will be placing orders for Fall Festival within the next 2 weeks. More announcements coming soon!

Week of September 6, 2016

MLWGS FALL FESTIVAL SEEKS CORPORATE SPONSORS! 

Fall Festival is about fun, but it is also the major fundraiser for school clubs and organizations! The students have a chance to reach a wide audience and be creative in how they compete for attention, and tickets, by offering a variety of entertainment and food! The MLWGS PTSA makes Fall Festival possible by underwriting the expenses that come along with such a massive undertaking. Last year corporate sponsorships from Midlothian Behavioral Health Associates, Virginia Family Physicians, Patient First, Finance for Churches, Nyfeler Associates, Short Pump Dental, Natural Awakenings, Commonwealth Primary Care, and Laxmi Palace made it possible for the Fall Festival Committee to cover more of the yearly costs and to purchase items like tents and chaffing stands that can be used yearly by the Festival.

This year the Fall Festival hopes to reduce the amount of money charged to the clubs and organizations for participating in the festival, thereby increasing the amount of money they make, while also continuing to concentrate on safety and fun!

The Fall Festival is offering two levels of Corporate Sponsorship - Gold for $500 and Silver for $250! All donations are tax-deductible as the PTSA is a non-profit. All sponsors will receive the following:

1. Inclusion as a sponsor in at least two online articles in Smoke and Scales. One article will appear before the Festival and one after. Smoke and Scales is the weekly newsletter of the MLWGS PTSA and is distributed widely within the MLWGS community and to numerous external supporters.
2. Mention on the Fall Festival Facebook Page.
3. Four announcements during the Festival. Approximately 1500 - 2000 people attend the festival each year! 
4. Placard on Stand at Fall Festival Stage with Logo. Gold Sponsors will have larger logos at the top of the placard.

Please contact Debbie Taminger, debtaminger@gmail.com, with suggestions for businesses that would be willing to offer a corporate sponsorship. The deadline is Wednesday, September 28, but businesses will be promoted as sponsors as they sign up! 

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES THIS FALL

On Monday, September 26, the Richmond World Affairs Council will be hosting Farahnaz Ispahani, the author of the recently released book Purifying The Land of The Pure: Religious Minorities in Pakistan.  Isphani has served as a scholar at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D.C. as well as at the Woodrow Wilson Center.  Prior to that, she served as a Member of Parliament and Media Advisor to the President of Pakistan from 2008-2012. This event will be held at the Jefferson Hotel and is free to students.  Click here for more info and to register:  http://www.richmondworldaffairs.org/our-events/religious-minorities-under-attack-the-story-of-pakistan/.

The Richmond Forum Scholars program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for five of the region’s highest achieving and most impressive high school juniors to volunteer behind the scenes at America's most respected speaker series.  Applications are now being accepted for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. The Forum Scholars will have the unique and rare opportunity to interact directly with national and international speakers by playing important roles in the success of each Richmond Forum program evening.  Applications are due on September 30, 2016.   More information and the application can be found at https://richmondforum.org/forum-scholars.aspx.

ATTENTION ALL 1ST SEMESTER ECONOMICS ONLINE STUDENTS

Please check your ItsLearning course home page for instructions concerning training and how to start the course. All new students need to attend a training session during the first week of school. See ItsLearning to select and register for a training session. If you do not see a course for Economics listed in your ItsLearning, please contact your guidance counselor to register for the course. Other questions can be directed to Crista Ellis (cellis@gsgis.k12.va.us).

FOR OTHER ...

Check out http://mlwgs.com/mlwgs-news/

Week of February 2, 2016

CREATIVITY AND CALM STATION AVAILABLE IN THE MLWGS LIBRARY

Feeling anxious or sleepy?

Take a break with one of the creative diversions available at the library’s new Creativity and Calm station where you’ll find magnetic poetry kits, origami paper, Dragon and snowflake mandala coloring books, and more!

Ms. DeGroat and the library assistant team repurposed the library’s atlas stand to provide the space for this Creativity & Calm station.  It’s located near the 3D printer.

Despite snow days interrupting its debut, news is already getting around.  Sophomore Donavan Reynolds (’18, Chesterfield) folded this origami flower from memory!

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON INVITATIONS ARE OUT!

Saturday, February 27, Short Pump Hilton, 6-11 p.m.

Go to www.nightofthedragon.com/tickets to purchase tickets, drink tickets, and Heads or Tails Raffle tickets online.

Event tickets are $60 per person and must be purchased in advance no later than February 10, 2016. All tickets include reserved table seating. If you want to sit with friends, we will gladly attempt to accommodate your seating preference. Just let us know in the comment section. For ticket information or other questions, please contact Amy Patina at abpatina@comcast.net.

The catalog will be online in mid-February but here are our wonderful “Nights Out” and “Race Day” items to plan your Buy It Now! bidding.   

• Ladies Night Out - “Under The Tuscan Moon” - Enjoy an evening in the Italian-style courtyard of the beautifully restored 2710 Monument Avenue home of alumni parents, Julie and Paul Weissend. Join other MLWGS moms, female faculty, and woman friends of MLWGS for some antipasti, wine, soft drinks and desserts from 7:00-10:00 p.m. in May. Tickets are $35 per person. Limit 120 tickets.

• Men’s Night Out - Join us for a night of pizza, beer and hoops at the 2nd Annual Guys' Night Out.  We'll watch opening round action of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on the evening of Friday, March 18.  Includes beer, pizza and two giant TVs at the Henrico County home of MLWGS parents Sam and Helen Adams. Limit 40 tickets.

• Kentucky Derby - Come sample 8 bourbons from affordable sleepers to high-end collectables while watching the Kentucky Derby on Saturday May 7. Heavy hors d'oeuvres provided. Hosted by Brick Brickley and Sam Tarry at the Brickley's home. Tickets are $100 apiece and the event is capped at 20 tickets. 

Also

Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are still available! With four levels of sponsorship - $500, $1000, $2500 and $5000 – businesses of all sizes have an opportunity to reach the wider MLWGS community while giving back to the school.

To learn more about how your business can become a corporate sponsor, please contact Laura Lewis in the Governor's School Foundation at 354-1566, or Laura.Lewis@GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org no later than Friday, January 29. 

ON-LINE AP EXAM REGISTRATION STARTS FEBRUARY 8

From February 8 – February 26 - register for AP exams by visiting www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/471851 Each AP exam costs $92.00.  A fee reduction is available for families that meet federal guidelines but must be approved in advance. Please see Ms. Deck in the School Counseling office by Friday, February 19 to inquire about a fee waiver.  Last day to register for exams is February 26. February 23 - February 26 – AP Fees and Registration Forms (cash or check made out to MLW Governor’s School) will be collected in the School Counseling Office (see payment schedule below) After this date a late fee of $10 will be charged per student.  Remember, you must present both your registration form and complete payment.  FEE COLLECTION SCHEDULE February 23 -  Seniors - lunch, 6th and 8th block February 24 -  Juniors - lunch, 5th and 7th block February 25 -  Freshmen & Sophomores - lunch, 6 th and 8th block February 26 -  Any remaining students – lunch and all afternoon blocks

REMINDERS: 

• You may need to arrange transportation for afternoon AP exams.  Exams in the afternoon will not begin prior to 12:00 p.m. and may not be over before 3:30 p.m.  Plan accordingly.
• Exam pre-administration sessions (Bubblefest) will be held April 13 and 14 in the auditorium during lunch.  You must attend a pre-administration session in order to take AP exams.

BLOOD DRIVE

Maggie L Walker Governor’s School BLOOD DRIVE

Friday, February 12, 2016

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Rooms 104 and 105

We are hoping to get some parent donors to help us reach our goal of 30+ units!

• Please sign-up for an appointment time to donate with Mr. Blanton.
• All students age 16 and 17 must have a signed parental consent form to donate. Please fill out completely in ink. (Nothing in pencil will be accepted.)
• You must be at least 16 years old and weigh 110 lbs. to donate.
• Bring a valid I.D. Eat and hydrate prior to donating.

FREE FAFSA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH GRASP

(GREAT ASPIRATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, INC.)

GRASP (GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.) will hold its Saturdays at the Library FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) events on January 30 and February 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Public Main Library, 101 East Franklin Street.  GRASP advisors will provide FREE college financial aid counseling and assistance with completing the FAFSA, by appointment.  Call (804) 527-7743 to schedule your hour-long appointment.  More information is available at the GRASP website,www.grasp4va.org.

Free FAFSA assistance is also available from GRASP advisors at these times/locations:

Henrico County Library Evening Events:  February 3 at Fairfield (5-8 p.m.) and February 11 at Twin Hickory (5-8 p.m.) – One-hour appointments can be made by calling the particular branch library.

Belmont Library in Richmond: A GRASP Advisor is available Mondays from 6 - 8 p.m. – Appointments can be made by calling GRASP at 527-7743.

SAVE THE DATE—PTSA MEETINGS

 Please “Save the Date” so that you are able to attend the upcoming General PTSA meetings at MLWGS.  These meetings are open to parents of all students, but will be particularly beneficial for parents of Freshman and Sophomores.  The MLWGS Counseling Department will be hosting the events to provide introductory information for parents on a few key topics.  Please know that parents of Juniors will be invited by the Senior Counselors to attend “College Kickoff” prior to the March 16 college overview meeting.

• February 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commons – Mr. Zweerwink will provide information on AP and Dual Enrollment courses.
• March 16 at 8:00 a.m. in the Auditorium (this may change) – Dr. Loving and Ms. Deck will provide an overview of the College prep and application process at MLWGS.

COLLEGE KICKOFF FOR JUNIORS AND THEIR PARENTS

College Kick Off for Juniors and parents will be held on February 9 from 12:45 – 2:25 p.m. in the MLWGS auditorium. Admissions representatives from University of Pittsburg, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, University of South Carolina, and Washington and Lee will discuss:

• The College Search and Campus Visit
• How Colleges Select Their Potential Freshman Class
• The Application Process
• Honors and Specialty Programs
• The Role of Interview and Recommendations
• Financial Aid Overview

Junior attendance is required; parents are strongly encouraged to attend. A parent “meet and greet” sponsored by the PTSA will follow this program from 2:45 - 3:15 p.m.