Week of October 25, 2016

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MINDFUL MONDAYS

One Monday per month beginning in October, Upper-School Counselor Alex Peavey will offer Mindful Mondays, free of charge, to any interested Richmond-area teenagers at the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. Teens will learn mindfulness-based strategies for navigating through the everyday stressors that arise in life, and they will also learn mindfulness practices that can help with sleep, relaxation and overall well-being. Sessions will be October 17, November 17, December 12, January 9 and February 13 from 7-8 p.m. Teens can attend as many or as few sessions as they like, but please register: http://www.ckgfoundation.org/mindfulmondays

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS

National English Honor Society applications are available in the blue folder outside Ms. Davis’ office. To be eligible, students must have a 3.75 cumulative English GPA. Applications are due to Ms. Davis by Friday, October 28.

PTSA POWERPOINT

By popular request, click here to visit the Maggie L. Walker Counseling website and view the Powerpoint presentation from the October 17 PTSA meeting regarding FAFSA and college financing.

FREE FAFSA ASSISTANCE THROUGH GRASP

GRASP (GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.) will hold its Saturdays at the Library FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) events on November 5, 2016, and January 28 and February 11, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 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) 527-7772 to schedule your hour-long appointment.  More information is available at the GRASP website, www.grasp4va.org.

ATTENTION ATHLETES

The Winter Athletic Parent and Coaches meeting will be November 21, 2016 in the Forum at 6:00 p.m.

ATTENTION TALENTED YOUNG SINGERS, DANCERS, MUSICIANS, ACTORS, AND SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS

It's time to audition for Richmond Youth Peace Project's
Generation Dream 2017

This February, the Richmond Youth Peace Project (RYPP), will present Generation Dream 2017, our annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  For more than a decade RYPP--the Peace Center's program for teens--has showcased talented young people from throughout central Virginia in performances promoting peace, nonviolence and social justice.  As anyone who has attended one of our previous shows will tell you, the performance is always inspirational and uplifting.  This winter's first show is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 7 p.m., at the Richmond Public Library's downtown branch, as a First Friday event.  We plan to schedule at least one additional show later in the month. 

Auditions are required for new performers.  We are seeking musical groups, singers, dancers, actors and spoken word artists.  Performers need not be available for both shows dates in order to participate.  All performances should in some way reflect Dr. King's message of peace, nonviolence and social justice.  We encourage performers to consider current issues, both local and global, as they make their selections.  Students will also earn community service credits for participating in the show.  For information, or to schedule an audition, email rypp@rpec.org.

Video of previous performances can be viewed on the Peace Center's YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/user/RichmondPeace

Stories about last year's shows:

http://ideastations.org/radio/news/generation-dream-performing-art-peace-and-justice

http://www.richmond.com/news/local/ashland/article_c60188bc-a92e-5552-93e8-80609e7028e3.html

COOKIE DONATIONS NEEDED - MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Do you remember the night you and your student came to the Maggie Walker information session?  Do you remember how hungry you were by the time it was over? Do you remember the inviting and delicious reception that followed the event?  Well, now is your chance to help others relive your experience!  The PTSA Hospitality Committee will be collecting packaged cookies to use on November 14, 15 and 16 at the Prospective Student Night events.

We will be collecting your donations on Friday November 11 from 8-8:45 in the Concession stand just off the Blue Stone lobby.

Just send donations in with your student, or stop by yourself. Unfortunately we can’t accept home-baked goods, but any other packaged treat is fine.

Any questions? Call (543-6498) or email (dabneyj.carr@comcast.net) Laura Carr

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

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

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium would like to share the following information about the following FREE NASA-related programs for Virginia's high school students interested in STEM:

For high school juniors, Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive online 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.  For program information and application, please visit http://vasts.spacegrant.org. 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 2017. Please direct students or other faculty to the website for program information and application, 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
• Online modules covering NASA aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket missions launched or managed at Wallops Flight Facility
• Online 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)

The deadline for student applications is October 30, 2016.

http://vscs.spacegrant.org/ for application and more information 

Week of December 1, 2015

SPEAK UP AT THE BUDGET TOWN HALL

TOMORROW DECEMBER 2, 6:00-7:30 P.M.

The annual budget development process for MLWGS is starting. Last year, parents and students spoke up about a variety of needs including a new activity bus and textbooks. Guess what? The activity bus was replaced as well as textbooks for some of the classes that need them. The Regional School Board will listen, it just needs your input. Come to the Budget Town Hall on Wednesday, December 2, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the MLWGS Auditorium. Speakers need to signup in advance by contacting Barbara Marshall at bmarshall@gsgis.k12.va.us no later than 10:00 am on December 2. For more information about the public comment procedure, click here. For other questions, please contact Anne Hayes, PTSA Advocacy Chair at annehayes@verizon.net.

COUNSELING SERVICES AVAILABLE

The MLWGS School Counseling Department would like to extend its sympathy to the family and classmates of Isabell McKinney. Izzy was an exceptional young person whose presence and contributions will be missed by all of us. For the first couple of days after Izzy’s death, Richmond Public Schools psychologists and social workers assisted the School Counseling office in supporting students.  Students have also done a wonderful job supporting each other. MLWGS will be forming lunchtime grief support groups for those students who may need extra assistance. We hope to start these groups before leaving for Winter Break. Please contact your student’s counselor if you feel a group would be helpful for your child.

DID YOU FORGET TO ORDER YOUR GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS?

Never fear!  Herff Jones will be accepting orders online through early January without a late penalty.   Go to www.vagrad.com, type in “Maggie Walker” in the dialogue box at the top of the webpage.  Once the page loads, click on “Graduation Products.”  If you don’t see an option that fits your needs, simply scroll down to the bottom of the screen and “Create Your Custom Grad Package.”  Don’t forget…you have already paid for your cap and gown (paid through senior dues).  All orders received on time will be delivered in late April.

Please contact the vendor directly with questions about these products. If you have other questions regarding graduation, please contact Ms. Sheppard, MLWGS Graduation Coordinator, at 804-354-6800 ext. 3304 or ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us

GOVERNOR MCAULIFFE SEEKS NOMINATIONS

FOR VOLUNTEERISM AWARDS

On behalf of the Department of Education, I am pleased to announce that Governor Terence R. McAuliffe is seeking nominations for the 2016 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards.  The awards recognize the outstanding efforts of Virginia’s volunteers.  Nominations are open to small businesses, corporations, community groups, individuals and families that exemplify extraordinary volunteerism and community service. I encourage you to consider nominating an individual, family, parent, or organization that is making a positive impact in your school community.  Awards will be presented in individual and group categories, including youth, senior and adult volunteers, faith-based organizations, families that volunteer together, community organizations, small businesses and corporations. This year’s winners will be honored this spring during an awards ceremony in Richmond.  For more information or to nominate a person or group, click here or call (804) 726-7918,1-800-638-3839 FREE or email volunteerism@dss.virginia.gov . The deadline for nominations is December 16, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Barbara Marshall, Executive Assistant and

Regional School Board Clerk

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON DONATIONS WELCOME

The 14th  Annual Night of the Dragon auction will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016 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. The solicitation committee is collecting donations of auction items. 

Have something great to donate? A donation form is included here.   Print out a form and return it to the PTSA box in Valenta Williams' office off the Bluestone Lobby or email to auctionmlwgs@gmail.com.   Last year's catalog is still online at www.nightofthedragon.com to provide ideas for donations.  The deadline for donations to be included in this year's event is December 18, 2015.  Have more questions? Please contact Peggy Feldmann at pafeldm@aol.com or 804-353-4533.

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION SEEKS PART-TIME FISCAL ASSISTANT

The Governor's School Foundation has an immediate opening for a part-time fiscal assistant.  This position is responsible for maintaining and updating certain fiscal records for the Foundation, whose mission is to support  MLWGS .  The Fiscal Assistant plays an important role by providing financial accountability and administrative support to the Foundation.

Qualifications include proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, database management experience (eTapestry preferred) and knowledge of accounting/bookkeeping software (Quickbooks preferred.)

This 20 hour/week position is perfect for a Maggie Walker parent who is looking for a part-time opportunity.  Click here for a copy of the job description.  For more information, please e-mail Laura Lewis, Interim Development Officer, at laura.lewis@GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org, or call her at 354-1566.

HAVE YOU VISITED THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE MLWGS

JABBERWOCK?

 The student-produced newspaper’s new website, supported by a Foundation grant that covered the one-time set-up fees of host organization SNO (School Newspapers Online), is available at mlwgsjabberwock.com. Be sure to visit this terrific site!

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