Week of May 12, 2021

Attention, Seniors!

All SENIORS were required to complete their Senior Survey in Naviance by Monday, May 10. The information shared on this survey is essential to the work of the School Counseling Department. Please make sure that your Class of 2021 graduate has completed (and submitted) their survey. In addition to reporting any scholarship money they have been offered, they were also asked to declare the outcomes of their college applications here--including the name of the one school which they wish to receive their final transcript soon after graduation. If your child is offered a spot off a college waitlist, changes their intended college, or receives additional scholarships after submitting their Senior Survey, they must update their senior counselor by e-mail. Thank you!

Attention, Juniors! 

Who's ready for another JUNIOR NEWSLETTER? The May 2021 (You're Almost Seniors!) edition was released on Friday, May 7. Featured topics include College Boot Camp registration (open through June 11), a long list of live/virtual college events taking place soon (most of which are also open to sophomores), and a variety of contests and scholarship opportunities--including an invitation to self-nominate for the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship from UNC-Chapel Hill. (Interested juniors must complete the corresponding survey in Naviance by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 17.) 

If you have any questions about what you see in the newsletter, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kim Forquer. Mrs. Cobb, Dr. Loving, and Ms. Forquer hope that the information they have shared in the junior newsletters this school year have supported our students' quest for learning and vigorous launch into college application season. In addition to Schoology, links to the Junior and Senior Newsletters can be found on the School Counseling website.

Attention, Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Families: SOL Schedule

Even though in-person school attendance is optional this year, students are still required to take SOL tests in designated classes for graduation purposes, and these tests must be taken at school in accordance with state testing guidelines. For families who are not comfortable having their students take SOLs this year, please complete this quick opt-out form. Your student will still need to take the SOL tests for graduation purposes, and make-ups will most likely be offered in the fall.

Week of Monday, May 24:

Freshmen will take SOLs in Geometry and Algebra II. Because these tests can take some students 4 to 6 hours to complete, we are starting these tests at 8:40 a.m. Students will test on the day that they have a math class AND on the day that they are permitted to attend school (either Monday/Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday). These students may miss one or more classes on testing days.

All sophomores in U.S. History classes who do not have verified credits in World History I from middle school will take these tests during U.S. History class time on the day that they are permitted to attend school.

Week of Tuesday, June 1:

Sophomores not in U.S. History who do not have a World History I verified credit from middle school will take World History II during Global Studies 10 classes on the day they are permitted to attend school.

Juniors will take the Reading test through English classes on the day they are permitted to attend school.

Week of Monday, June 7:

Freshmen will take Biology tests during their Biology classes on the day they are permitted to attend school.

Students who are not currently using school bus transportation will need to be transported by families and will have the option to stay for other classes or be excused for missing parts of other classes while being transported back and forth.

As a reminder, here are the in-person assignments for Monday/Tuesday and Wednesday/Thursday. Students must follow this schedule to allow us to maintain social distancing during testing:
Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond will be split evenly. Students with last names A-Li will be on Monday & Tuesday. Students with last names Lia-Z will be on Wednesday & Thursday.
Goochland, Hopewell, and Powhatan will be on Monday & Tuesday.
Charles City, King & Queen, New Kent, Petersburg, and Prince George will be on Wednesday & Thursday.

More info about SOL testing is available on the School Counseling webpage on SOL testing. Families who wish to opt out of SOL testing must complete this quick opt-out form.

Scrip Update

It's graduation time! If you plan to give gift cards, or buy gifts from a scrip provider (more than 750 retailers), please consider using scrip. Order yours here. A relatively small percentage of families have raised $1,564 this year by shopping with scrip; imagine what we could do for our Dragons if you joined us! Try it out by purchasing one product you regularly use. It feels great to know retailers you already shop give back to MLWGS at no extra cost to you! Questions? Contact Laura Dysart at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. We are still looking for a few volunteers to help with monthly distribution of scrip cards next year. Even a one-time commitment would help! Thank you!

Dragons Styled at the VMFA

On May 2, three Dragons were recognized for their outstanding fashion designs in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' Teen Stylin' 2021 Program:

• Sydney Brewer '24 won the Grade 6-9 Best Interpretation of Theme: Tempo Award.
• Grace Crislip '24 won the Grade 6-9 Best Model Award. She modeled for designer and younger sister, Renna Crislip.
• Vien Nguyen '23 was runner-up for the Grade 10-12 Best Use of Alternative Materials Award.

During this 12-week program students were randomly assigned an item from the museum's collection to interpret through the lens of the theme “Tempo.” Students were also required to use recyclable materials. Due to the pandemic, most students worked virtually on their projects with the option of some classroom instruction with designing instructors. The culmination of their hard work involved walking the runway before a panel of professional fashion industry judges. Forty-two students representing schools throughout the central Virginia region participated.

Renderings by Teen Stylin' student designers and award-winning garment designs will be on display May 2-June 7 in VMFA's WestRock Art Education Center.
Find information about the program here.

Week of December 9, 2020

Senior Newsletter Available

Issue #4 of the Senior Newsletter has been posted on the MLWGS School Counseling website.

Check it out for a message from the senior counselors to the Class of 2021 (along with an important, time-sensitive to-do list) and a variety of scholarships, college announcements and events, gap-year ideas, contests and enrichment activities, and multicultural opportunities. You are invited to explore Naviance for more details.

Community Service Requirement for Graduation

All parents of seniors should review community service totals with their student. The eligible community service hours total for graduation can be found on your report card, and a detailed list of hours can be found on x2vol (our online community service app.). Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the seniors' community service hours goal has been adjusted to 110 hours. As indicated on the first-quarter report card, seniors should have all of their 110 hours submitted by May 1, 2021. Students who have any questions about their hours totals or x2vol should contact Mr. Cook.

Announcement for Juniors and their Parents

As we near the end of the first semester, juniors need to begin thinking about their senior-year class schedule. One important course selection involves the Senior Seminar/Mentorship Program. Each junior must determine whether or not he or she wants to enroll in a seminar or to apply to the mentorship program. All juniors must also read about the seminars being offered next year and rank their top choices. Juniors should keep watch for a message on Schoology from Mr. Cook this week regarding Senior Seminar/Mentorship. A group will be started on Schoology for this year’s juniors to find all of the important information regarding the Seminar/Mentorship Program.

Zoom Lecture Explores Maggie Walker

 

On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 12, the MW Library will host a Zoom talk by historian Dr. Shennette Garrett-Scott, author of Banking on Freedom, a book in the Columbia Studies in the History of U.S. Capitalism series that features Maggie L. Walker. A free reading guide for the book is available from Columbia University Press. MLWGS students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni welcome! Registration link below. If you have any questions about this special event, please email Ms. DeGroat.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE (registration required)

Reserve your spot here. 

Foundation Thanks for Giving Tuesday Success

Thanks  to everyone who made Giving Tuesday 2020 an amazing show of support and generosity: 165 donors gave just over $41,000 – a new record! – to the MLWGS Foundation on that day alone, and many others gave during the week as well. A special thanks to our donors who led the giving charge with their match challenge. Our community's generous spirit is something that sets MLWGS apart.

Missed Giving Tuesday? Every day is a great day to give. Make your contribution now.

Parent Competition in Full Swing

Dragon parents are stepping up to the plate to see which class can achieve the highest parent percentage of Foundation Annual Fund supporters, and the competition is fierce! This year the class with the highest parent percentage will receive a special treat – TBD like so many things in 2020 – and we promise it will be awesome.

Totals as of Dec. 2 are as follows:

• Senior parents (2021) 20%
• Junior parents (2022) 30%
• Sophomore parents (2023) 24%
• Freshman parents (2024) 21%

The Governor's School Foundation Annual Fund makes a huge impact on all students at MLWGS. The support of our parents is critical in these efforts and we are most grateful for your continued commitment.

Save the Date for Night of the Dragon

The 2021 Night of the Dragon will take place on Saturday, April 24. NOTD is always a highlight of the school year for Dragon parents, alumni, and supporters, and this year will be no different. Details are being imagined, but you can be sure there will be great auction items, a chance to celebrate being part of the amazing Dragon community, and more. Stay tuned for more info after the holiday break!

Week of January 31, 2017

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON AUCTION

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017

The 2017 Night of the Dragon auction is coming up on Saturday, February 25!  The auction raises money for the five booster groups, the PTSA, and the Foundation.

The auction committee would like to give a big shout out to everyone who has contributed to the auction this year. This year the committee is excited by the wonderful support the Night of the Dragon has received from MLWGS alumni and alumni parents! Some of the fabulous items donated by alumni include:

• Jeremy Grayboyes (’04) donated a beautiful watercolor and pen illustration of Fan houses. You can see more of his artwork, including cityscapes of D.C., New York, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Hong Kong, on his website. 
• Greg Butler (’00) donated a Friday-Sunday stay at his 3 bd/4 ba cottage in Charlottesville. Situated just off JPA, the cottage is just a three-minute walk from The Lawn and a ten-minute walk from the stadium. 
• Sarah Courtney Oklesson (’05) runs Grid+Love Designs and donated a framed copy of this gorgeous Richmond, VA print. Grid+Love prints are a perfect way to keep the places you love nearby no matter how far away you are. 
• Singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus (’13) has had quite a year. She landed a record deal with legendary indie label Matador and toured the US and Europe. Her debut album, NO BURDEN, has been praised by The New York Times, NPR, and SPIN, among many others. Rolling Stone ranked her song “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore” #17 on their best 50 songs of 2016 list. The Richmond Times Dispatch named her a 2016 Person of the Year. Lucy donated a signed copy of her album to the auction. 
• Jamey Stegmaier (’99)’s company, Stonemaier Games, produced the hit game Scythe after raising $1.8 million via Kickstarter. Jamey donated a signed copy of Scythe along with two of Stonemaier’s other critically acclaimed games: Viticulture and Euphoria. 
• Nathan Conway (’06) donated a gift certificate to Metzger Bar & Butchery in Church Hill, of which he is one of the owners. Metzger was named Style Weekly’s Restaurant of the Year in 2015 and has been praised in Eater and the Washington Post.

Special thanks to Alumni Steering Committee member Misty Clark (’96) who rounded up donations and gift cards from businesses around town in her spare time.

So come to the auction and see (and buy!) the creative results of MLWGS graduates - you will walk away impressed! 

COURSE REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR IS COMING UP!

During the week of January 23, students will receive course registration materials.  The counseling department will be conducting lunch time assemblies with juniors on Friday February 3 and freshmen and sophomores on Monday February 6. In addition, the PTSA will host an Advanced Course Offerings and Course Registration Information Program for parents on February 9 starting at 5:30.  Department chairs and counselors will discuss course options and scheduling considerations.

Over the next several weeks, teachers will inform students of department course offerings and sequencing.  They will also sign student Course Registration Forms.  Students will need to have the Course Registration Form as well as VCU Dual Enrollment Forms completed and signed in order to register for classes on February 23 during 2nd period.  If students do not have required teacher and parent signatures on these forms, students will not be permitted to register for classes on the 23.

School counselors will meet with all students individually after the 23 during February and March in order to discuss course selection and verify course requirement progress.  Student course request changes will be considered through the Spring semester but requests made after the end of the school year will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.

ON-LINE AP EXAM REGISTRATION STARTS FEBRUARY 7

From February 7 – February 24 - register for AP exams by visiting www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/471851

Each AP exam costs $93.00.  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 17 to inquire about a fee waiver.  Last day to register for exams is February 24.

February 21 - February 24 – 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 21 -  Seniors - lunch, 6th and 8th block

February 22 -  Juniors - lunch, 5th and 7th block

February 23 -  Freshmen & Sophomores - lunch, 6 th and 8th block

February 24 -  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 18 and 19 in the auditorium during lunch. You must attend a pre-administration session in order to take AP exams.

NOMINATE A HISTORY TEACHER TODAY

The National History Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding K–12 American history teachers across the country.

National winner receives a $10,000 prize presented at an award ceremony in their honor in New York City.

State winners receive a $1,000 prize, an archive of classroom resources, and recognition at a ceremony within their state.

Important Calendar Dates:

• Deadline for 2017 nominations: March 31, 2017. 
• Deadline for 2017 nominees to submit supporting materials: April 30, 2017.

For more information, please consult the Gilder Lehrman website at https://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/national-history-teacher-year

ATTENTION JUNIORS!

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student's tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study along with leadership training. This opportunity is for all high school juniors. All applications must be completed online and are due by February 22, 2017. For applications and additional information, please visit Coolidgescholars.org. 

Capital One is proud to offer the 13th annual Future Leaders Forum for Young Women on Saturday, March 18. For more than a decade, the Forum has helped young women begin their personal leadership discovery journey by teaching them how to tap into their inner strengths and challenging them to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities. They also have access to our Capital One associate mentors who offer guidance and advice, serve as role models for leadership, and facilitate small group discussions. The registration form is available here: Future Leaders Forum for Young Women Registration Form. The registration deadline is Friday, March 3, 2017.

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. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MLWGS WE THE PEOPLE TEAM

FOR WINNING THE STATE COMPETITION!

On Friday January 27 in Charlottesville, the MLWGS We The People team, directed by Mr. Sam Ulmschneider, took first place in the state competition, vying against the ten high scoring teams from across the state. The MLWGS team will go on to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the national We the People Competition in Washington DC in April. Go Dragons!

NATIONAL POETRY OUT LOUD

REGIONAL COMPETITION
HELD FEBRUARY 6

Every year, students from all grade levels at Maggie Walker compete to represent the school in the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Competition. This year’s winner, Sarah Law (2017), will be our contender at the Region 5 competition on Monday February 6. The program will be held at the Gottwald Theatre in the Carpenter Center on Grace Street from 1-4 p.m. It  is open to the public. If Sarah wins, they will go on to the state level in March. The National Competition Finals occur in April. Good luck!

PATRICIA E. TAYLOR AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
GIVEN TO MS. WILLIAMS

Ms. Lisa Williams, English department chair, is the 2016 recipient of the Patricia E. Taylor Award for International Experience.  Ms. Williams will use the grant to journey to the Golden Triangle.  Such an endeavor will allow her to better grasp the human condition of one of the most populous regions in the world and to better articulate ideas about the evolving definition of Third World as newly industrialized.  As traveling to India underscores a core component of the mission of MLWGS, cultural awareness, Ms. Williams, who is especially excited to experience India’s rich heritage, shares that “to learn about others is to uncover truths about humanity.”

FOR THE LATEST NEWS FROM MLWGS….

…..including the Director’s Blog Update, please go to http://mlwgs.com/mlwgs-news/.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES FOR NEXT WEEK

Because of some editorial travel, the deadline for the next issue of Smoke and Scales will be Wednesday, February 1 at noon. Sorry for any inconvenience and thanks for your continued submissions.