Smoke and Scales: PTSA

Showing posts with label PTSA. Show all posts

Week of June 2, 2021

Senior Art Show Opens Friday

Please join us for the gala opening of the 2021 MLWGS Senior Art Exhibition: Enchanted at Artworks Gallery on Friday, June 4, at 6-9 p.m. The show, which is the capstone event of our visual arts program, highlights the collected works of 13 Maggie Walker seniors including Emma Lindley, Elizabeth Celentano, Azaria Mosby, Cooper Tsow, Ria Bakshi, Rylan Karjane, Shreya Malani, Ada Rigsby, Isabel Martin, Julianne Zielinski, Anika Kalluri, Grace Saunders, and Helen Hall. Come meet these amazing young artists and mingle with other Maggie Walker art lovers.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a staggered opening. Therefore, you must RSVP to attend the opening using this link: bit.ly/enchanted21. Artworks Gallery is located at 320 Hull Street (23224) in the Manchester area of downtown Richmond.
The show will continue through June 13.

Richmond Kickers Fundraiser for Class of 2024

This year’s freshman class reached out to the Richmond Kickers and arranged an awesome opportunity where the team will give the class 30% of each ticket sold through this website. Their class officers think that this is not only a great way to help the Class of ’24 generate funds, but also an excellent way for the MLWGS community to casually come together before the end of the school year. The tickets are for the match on Saturday, June 5.

Last Call for Baccalaureate Photos

The PTSA is honored to present the 2021 Senior Baccalaureate Service featuring remarks from Richmond leaders and musical selections performed by fellow graduates and peers in a Smoke and Scales "Special Edition" on Wednesday, June 16. To help us create our video, we would like to feature seniors in their caps and gowns. Seniors, please upload your cap and gown photo by Monday, June 7, to Baccalaureate Cap and Gown Photos. For additional information please contact Julie Hendricks (804-357-0935).

Calling All Volunteers!

The Maggie Walker PTSA is looking forward to the 2021-22 school year and has openings for a variety of board positions. This is a great way to connect with other parents, faculty and students in an important role while helping the MLWGS community.

Open positions include…

Secretary
SCRIP
Middle School Outreach (2 positions, 1 shadow)
G-Suite Administrator (Shadow)
Fall Festival (2 positions)
Homecoming Kick-off
Staff Appreciation

Please reach out to Vicki Bray if you are interested in learning more about the open positions.

Scrip News

The MLWGS PTSA is excited to announce that the Great Lake Scrip program has raised $1,754 this school year (8/1/20-5/28/21), even with the challenges of Covid. Thank you to the families who have made a huge difference! The potential is huge and it's never too late to start doing some of your everyday shopping with Scrip and letting those retailers you already shop give money back to MLWGS at no extra cost to you. If you have had any trouble getting started, don't hesitate to contact your PTSA parent/scrip coordinator Laura Dysart. While we don't have any more plastic card due dates, you can shop e-certificates over the summer and receive them immediately!

Parent Annual Fund Competition Deadline Extended Until Friday! Support Your Class Now

Because May ended on a holiday, this year's competition to see which class has the highest participation rate in the MLWGS Foundation Annual Fund parent campaign has been extended through this Friday! As of last week, the juniors were leading the way in impressive fashion, so now's the time to get in on the action.

Class of 2021: 23%
Class of 2022: 33%
Class of 2023: 27%
Class of 2024: 22%

You can support your student(s)' class and our Dragons by making a donation today online.

The winning class gets bragging rights and a sweet treat from the Foundation! All donations support our wonderful Dragons, teachers, and alumni and are tax-deductible.

Counseling Announcements

Rising seniors:
Juniors and their parents/guardians were sent an e-mail on Friday, May 28, filled with announcements pertaining to the end of the school year. Here are a couple highlights:

-College Boot Camp will return to a fully in-person event in August. Interested students of the Class of 2022 may register here AND pay on the MLWGS website by the June 11 deadline. Information about fee waivers, if needed, is included within the Sign-Up Genius.

-Juniors are invited to begin working on their brag sheet in Naviance. An optional parent questionnaire has also been released (under Surveys). These are not due until early September. Questions about Naviance? E-mail Ms. Forquer or Dr. Loving.

Graduating seniors:
Students, please check your MLWGS e-mail accounts for any messages that might have been delivered to you on Friday, May 28, requesting clarification about your college lists or senior survey responses. (These were only sent to select seniors.) Also, if you are offered a spot off a college waitlist, change your intended college, or receive additional scholarships as we end the school year, please update your senior counselor by e-mail.

Celebrate Your Grad & Leave Your Mark!

The Governor’s School Foundation invites families of MLWGS seniors and graduates to purchase inscribed pavers to leave a lasting tribute at the school. Pavers are a great graduation gift from parents, grandparents, or anyone trying to find something special and lasting to give their favorite graduate(s). You can purchase either a bluestone paver inside the school lobby or a brick paver to be placed on the Lombardy Street walkway. All donated funds beyond the cost of the engraving are tax-deductible.

Orders must be received by July 1. The cost is:
* $500 for an exterior brick paver

(up to 3 lines of text with 13 characters/spaces per line)
*$1,000 for a bluestone lobby paver

(up to 3 lines of text with 13 characters/spaces per line)

Order online or contact Ginger O'Neil.

Week of October 21, 2020

PTSA Admissions Statement

The MLWGS PTSA board was invited by the Virginia Secretary of Education’s office to participate in listening-session panel discussions about racial equity issues at the Governor's Schools across Virginia. This year, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a governor’s school in the Fairfax County Public School System, admitted less than one percent Black students, according to data published by the TJHSST Admissions. MLWGS is governed by 12 school districts, with the largest student pools coming from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Richmond Public Schools, and Henrico County Public Schools. Our acceptance rates by race this year were outlined in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article.

On October 1, Secretary of Education Atif Quarni made recommendations about equity goals tied to funding our school. The Chesterfield County School Board, Henrico County School Board, and Richmond Public School Board may make changes to their admissions policies to meet greater inclusion standards set forth by the Governor's 2020 budget. We encourage you to learn more about the process and plans each district submitted to Sec. Quarni. Please remember that the MLWGS administration does not choose students to attend from each district; each district selects and submits a list of students to MLWGS each year. Dr. Lowerre is discussing changes to the admissions testing process for the 2020-21 school year and will update governing school districts with this information in the coming weeks.

The MLWGS PTSA stands with our teachers, administrators, alumni, families, and students who this summer together created and adopted a bold strategic plan (PDF) that set goals toward achieving racial equity, specifically for historically underserved populations. We are encouraged by these discussions and know there is more work to be done. We want you to advocate for a transparent and inclusive process from our state legislators and your school board members, as they make admissions and funding decisions. The decisions they make today will impact the future of MLWGS and our ability to achieve the goals in our strategic plan. Please contact your local and state representatives today to learn more.

AP Exam Ordering Information

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses should complete the AP Exam Ordering Form to indicate which AP tests you plan to take (or not take) in May. AP exams are $95 per exam.

In order to have an AP exam ordered for you, you must complete the following tasks by Friday, Oct. 23:

Join the AP course(s) in your myAP.collegeboard.org account. Your teacher can help you if you have not already completed this task. (If you are self-studying for an exam, you will need to obtain an "exam only" code from Dr. Loving after your exam has been approved. NOTE: AP Statistics is pre-approved and Ms. Riles can provide the code.)
Complete this AP Exam Order Form and indicate all exams you wish to take or not take this year. (If you DO NOT intend to take one or more of your AP exams, you STILL DO need to complete this form so that we have a record that you wish for the school to NOT order an exam for you.)
Pay for your exams ($95 per exam) at https://osp.osmsinc.com/MLWGS. (The link can also be found on mlwgs.com by clicking "pay fees online.")

This Friday, Oct. 23, is the deadline for “on-time” registration. A $10 per exam late fee will be applied between Oct. 24 and Nov. 12 for exams not paid for by Oct. 23. The College Board late fee of $40 will be instituted beginning Nov. 13. Friday, March 12, is the final deadline for all late AP exam orders; no additions can be made after this date.

For the 2020-21 academic year, the College Board has waived the cancellation fee for any student who decides not to take an exam in May. For planning purposes, the MLWGS deadline for cancelling an exam is April 13, 2021.

Friday, Jan. 15, is the deadline to apply for College Board accommodations for a documented disability. Please contact Ms. Cobb no later than Jan. 11 to begin this process.

Click here to view the May 2021 AP Exam Schedule.
See this AP Ordering Information document for complete details.

Coming Up: Chalk Day & Yoga on the Field

Friday, Oct. 30, will offer two opportunities for students to come onto campus in an outdoor, socially distanced way—just in time for Halloween!

Straight from your suggestions on the student survey, Maggie Walker will host “Chalk Day” in the student parking lot, a day for students to decorate a parking space in their own creative way. Drawings, positive messages, and/or any other chalk creations are welcomed. Since Halloween is the next day, we invite students to wear costumes if they choose!

Students will also have the option to participate in “Yoga on the Field” at 10-11 a.m.
Students may sign up for one or both of these optional events.

How will MLWGS carry out these events safely? Students who wish to participate must follow these guidelines:

Students who wish to attend Chalk Day must sign up for a 30-minute slot between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 30. Up to 20 students can be drawing during each time slot, and they will be spaced at least six feet apart. A Sign-Up Genius will be posted on each class Schoology page this coming week. Feel free to coordinate with friends when signing up.
A separate Sign-Up Genius will be available for Yoga on the Field later this week as well and will include details about what to bring.
Students must wear masks intended for COVID protection at all times. Students will be temperature screened upon entering the parking lot or the field. Students should arrive via the parking lot on Elizabeth Street (bus loop) and report directly to the checkpoint on the sidewalk at the top of the steps leading down the student parking lot.
MLWGS will order chalk to give to students, who should take it with them when they leave. Students may bring their own chalk, but cannot share it with other students.

Costumes are invited, but you must adhere to the following CDC guidelines when planning your costume (if you choose to dress up):

Do not use a Halloween-costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and leaves no gaps around your face.
Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
View the CDC website for complete details.

We plan to take plenty of pictures for the yearbook and, since not everyone can attend at once, pictures will be posted so that everyone can see the finished product and other classmates’ costumes.

From the Counselor's Office

Challenge Success partners with schools, families, and communities to embrace a broad definition of success and to implement research-based strategies that promote student well-being and engagement with learning. Over the next month, they are hosting two online workshops that help decrease parent and student stress. A donation of $10 per workshop is suggested but not required.

A Healthy Approach to College Admissions (Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.): What do college rankings really measure? Are students who attend higher ranked colleges better off later in life? What is “fit” and why does it matter? Learn strategies to help reduce pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support students’ well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. With the pandemic inserting more uncertainty into this process, we will include a Q&A at the end to answer some of your most pressing questions.
To register: https://form.jotform.com/202866805970161

Navigating School during Uncertain Times (Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m.): How can parents best support the personal and academic needs of their children while also attending to their own professional and family needs? Caregivers will learn how they can establish a healthier home environment for their school-aged child, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase resilience, creativity, and well-being.
To register: https://form.jotform.com/202867283912158

Congratulations, Musicians!

Congrats to the following students who auditioned for Senior Regional Orchestra last week and are now eligible to audition for All Virginia in February:

Jennifer Chen, violin ('23, Henrico)
Mira Eisenhauer, cello ('21, Henrico)
Sam Lichtman, viola ('22, Henrico)
Eric Qian, violin ('22, Chesterfield)
Joshua Yoo, violin ('22, Chesterfield)
Minji Cho, violin ('21, Chesterfield)

Concert Band to Hold Virtual Concert

Celebrate the culmination of MLWGS band students’ hard work as they perform their first virtual concert. Comprised of about 60 students, the Maggie Walker Concert Band includes woodwinds, brass, and percussion players. The concert will be on a scheduled Zoom call on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., and will last about 45 minutes. We look forward to sharing our music with you!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81596829483?pwd=eWl0MHZXczlaVUd4VEE5cTk3MGlQZz09

Meeting ID: 815 9682 9483
Passcode: DragonBand

Week of September 30, 2020

Report from the PTSA

Thank you for your participation in the MLWGS 2020 Virtual Back-to-School Night last week. All items on the ballot passed.

Great Lake Scrip News

Thanks to all who placed a September Scrip card order, we have already raised $95!

September purchasers will hear from Laura Dysart by the end of the week to arrange a card drop-off. You can shop scrip e-cards anytime and receive them on your mobile device/computer immediately. Go to shopwithscrip.com to enroll and shop. Need more details? Please view our brand new MLWGS Scrip Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgFHBBU6NqY&feature=youtu.be, or contact Laura Dysart, your scrip coordinator, at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. Look out for a special incentive for placing orders in October. Our next due date for plastic cards is Monday, Oct. 19. Let those retailers you already shop give back to MLWGS at no extra cost to you!

Student Handbook

This is a reminder that all students must review and complete a quiz on the 2020-21 Student Handbook. The deadline has been extended to TODAY, Wednesday, Sept. 30, and it is open-everything with unlimited attempts. The quiz is located at http://www.quia.com/quiz/5928160.html and the secret word is Dragons.

Keeping Your Zoom Updated

As Zoom adapts to having more schools as customers, they are rapidly releasing software updates, many of which enhance the features available when you participate in class meetings on Zoom. For instructions about how to keep your Zoom app updated to the current version, see this page from Zoom support. If you don’t have a Zoom account – which is not required to attend MLWGS Zoom class meetings – follow the third option in the video: go to the Zoom.us website and download the latest Zoom desktop client (an option you’ll find under Resources near the top right on their site).

Future Friends Gatherings for Freshmen

Co-hosted by your librarian, Ms. DeGroat, and Counseling Director, Mr. Zweerink, Future Friends Lunchtime Gatherings provide an opportunity for freshmen to meet other students in the Class of 2024. We will provide a discussion spark connected to The Walker Way, then you’ll be invited to a random breakout room with two or three other freshmen. These gatherings are on Mondays from 11:40 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. For the Zoom link, go to the Class of 2024 group in Schoology. Hope to see you there!

Foundation Staff Change

The Maggie Walker Governor's School Foundation is excited to announce that Ginger O'Neil became the Foundation's Executive Director on Monday, Sept. 28. Ginger has a long history of involvement at Maggie Walker as an auction volunteer, Foundation Board member, Foundation Chair, and parent. Please welcome Ginger to the Foundation!

The Foundation Board would like to thank Suzannah Stora for her work as Executive Director of the Foundation. We wish her well as she takes on her new job helping her three children manage school during COVID-19.

Week of September 2, 2020

Welcome back, Dragons!

School starts next Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

Welcome to the first 2020-21 edition of Smoke and Scales.

Smoke and Scales is a weekly electronic newsletter. See instructions at the footer here to subscribe to weekly Smoke and Scales and to learn how to submit items.

Please note that the web version of Smoke and Scales contains MANY useful links in the column on the right side: all the booster organizations, Counseling Department, MLWGS school calendar, volunteer forms, link to AmazonSmile, shop with scrip online link, and so much more! Unfortunately, this list of links does not appear on mobile devices. These links are updated continuously. Please note them and use them often.

Because the 2020-21 school year will begin online and virtual, we are posting much of the information that you would have received in paper form in a back-to-school packet. That makes for a long newsletter, but you will want to read the WHOLE edition. There is a LOT of important information here.

This edition will be organized into FOUR main sections:

1. Letter from PTSA president and navigating MLWGS communications.

2. Fundraising information, PTSA membership, MLWGS Foundation, boosters, Dragon's Lair shop, scrip program, etc.

3. School forms: community service, library, student aid, free breakfast and lunch forms, etc.

4. Yearbook information: senior page, how to order, etc.

But WAIT!
Before you read on, there is ONE thing you and you child MUST do:
Parents AND students have forms to complete in their own PowerSchool portals, and they must be completed by Monday, September 14. Once you log into PowerSchool, fill out the E-Collect Forms on the left side of the home page.

Finally, if you want to be included in the student directory, please make sure you opt in. Details here.

Also, for new dragon families, if you have not been contacted by a parent ambassador, please email Kim Warren at warkim@gmail.com.

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1. PTSA and Communications

On behalf of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (MLWGS) PTSA, I would like to welcome our new students and parents to the 2020-21 school year. To our returning families, welcome back! The 2020-21 school year will truly be unlike any other. As we start this special year during the time of COVID-19, please remember that our goal is to continue working together with the teachers and administration as we strive to develop and improve the student experience at MLWGS, one of the premiere public high schools in Virginia.

I encourage you to join the MLWGS PTSA. Your 2020-21 PTSA membership costs a nominal fee of $20 per family (or $30 if you have two or more students at MLWGS).

Please use the link above to donate online. You may also mail a check made out to MLWGS PTSA to 1000 N. Lombardy St., Richmond, VA 23220. Once we can return to school, contributions can be dropped off in the office of Ms. Valenta Williams, Room 100, which is near the Bluestone Lobby entrance.

The annual PTSA membership fee supports the student directory, teacher and staff appreciation gifts/events, and school/student support (hospitality, Fall Festival, landscaping). It also pays for your annual PTSA membership to the Virginia and National PTAs.

Feel free to contact me, or any of our PTSA officers or committee chairs, directly with questions or comments. We look forward to collaborating with you in the coming year as we make the education/lives of our students a priority, both in and out of the classroom.

Beth Simms
MLWGS PTSA President, 2020-21
president@mlwgsptsa.org

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Navigating the MLWGS website

The MLWGS website offers a tremendous amount of useful information.
Here are descriptions of some areas frequently visited by current MLWGS parents:

Homepage links at the top:
· Director’s Blog (He sends an email with a link to these Sunday night updates.)
· School Calendar
· MLWGS News

Homepage links at the bottom:
· PowerSchool

· Schoology

· MLWGS Foundation (also linked under Community section)

· Pay Fees Online
· Smoke and Scales: School newsletter (current and archives); Includes lengthy list of links to frequently used resources along right side of screen in blog format

About > Faculty & Staff: Listing with email links (contact information for your student’s current teachers is also available in PowerSchool)

About > Lunch Service: Includes weekly menus and payment information

About > Transportation: Includes contact information for each district

Academics > Counseling: Extensive content for students and families, links to Naviance and College Board, copies of PTSA presentations under Parents tab

Co-Curricular: Information about athletics, academic teams, clubs/activities

Community > PTSA & Booster Groups: Information about events/programs and volunteer opportunities, contact information for PTSA and booster leaders

Community > School Advisory Council (SAC): Minutes from this cross-functional group of parents, teachers, students, alumni, and staff

2. Fundraising Information

How can you support Maggie Walker? Check out all the ways: PTSA membership, booster clubs, volunteering, use the scrip program, sign up for AmazonSmile and Kroger Community rewards, buy Maggie Walker merchandise at the Dragon's Lair!

Find information on joining booster clubs on the volunteer form linked below, or contact the booster clubs by email:

Athletic Boosters - mwgsathletics@gmail.com
Drama Boosters - mlwgs.drama.boosters@gmail.com

Music Boosters - slichtman1@yahoo.com
Visual Art Boosters - jhall@gsgis.k12.va.us

1. Volunteer Form (help the PTSA by indicating your interests).

You can also fill out your interests online here.
2. Dragon's Lair (school merchandise store)
3. Scrip and Back to School Announcement (raise money with gift cards)
4. Foundation and Boosters (Links to the MLWGS Foundation and booster groups)
5. Business Partners (Kroger and AmazonSmile)

The Dragons's Lair has a new website! Check it out at mlwgsdragonslair.com. The store will be open exclusively online as long as the school remains on a virtual learning platform. Take a look at our apparel, stickers, magnets and other MLWGS merchandise. PTSA memberships are also available for purchase. All orders will be available for pick up from the school. Use our comments page to let us know what you think of our new website and to sign up to volunteer.

Great Lake Scrip Program:
Now more than ever, the MLWGS PTSA would love your support. when you do everyday shopping with Great Lake Scrip gift cards and e-certificates, a percentage goes directly to our PTSA. View this one-minute video to see how it works: Scrip Video. The new Raise Right app makes it easy to receive e-cards on your mobile device and shop on the spot. Go to shopwithscrip.com for more information and a list of more than 750 participating retailers. Let those stores and retailers give money to our school at no extra cost to you! Questions? Contact our MLWGS scrip coordinator, Laura Dysart, at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org.

3. School forms

1. Freshman Honor Code Letter
2. Community Service Letter to Freshmen
3. Community Service Flier
4. Friends of the Library
5. Student Financial Aid Document
6. Free Breakfast and Lunch Form
7. 2020-2021 School Calendar

4. Yearbook information

1. Senior Information and Solicitation - This is for Senior PARENTS!
2. Senior Quote and Name Spelling
3. Yearbook Order Form
4. Yearbook Name Plate Icons
5. Yearbook Name Stamp Icons

Week of September 4, 2019

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

The PTSA is always looking for volunteers! You can either return the form that was included in your back to school packet or use the following links:

Parent Volunteer Form or Online Version

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON PLANNING COMMITTEE KICK-OFF MEETING

Thursday, September 5 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Governor's School Foundation is looking for parents to serve on the planning committee for the Night of the Dragon auction. Our first meeting is set for Thursday, September 5 at 11:30 a.m. in MLWGS room 153. Please email Suzannah Stora at the Governor's School Foundation if you are interested in attending. The Night of the Dragon auction is Maggie Walker's biggest fundraiser event of the year, last year yielding more than $75,000 to support the faculty and students at MLWGS! Serving on the committee is a great way to get involved and meet fellow parents and MLWGS alumni. This year's event is scheduled for leap day, Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the John Marshall Hotel.

Interested parents are invited to join the Visual Arts Boosters at their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 10 from 5-6 p.m. in room 131.

The Visual Arts Boosters (VAB) provide financial and other support for the visual arts programs at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. Fundraising and other support efforts help to provide students with specialized materials and equipment and unique opportunities for further exploration of art, our local art community, and art-related careers. Field trips, guest artists, a lecture series, exhibits, awards, domestic and international travel, and other unique experiences are all supported by the VAB. Find out more at http://maggiewalkervab.org

We are in need of help in filling vacant positions, so please consider attending this meeting! If you can't make the meeting, but can help off site, please contact Jeff Hall at jhall@gsgis.k12.va.us

GREECE AND ITALY 2020 INFORMATION MEETING

We will be having an informational meeting Tuesday, September 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the art room 131. If you are interested in learning more about this trip for your student, we hope you will be able to attend. If you attended one of the informational meetings in the spring of last year or have already signed up, you do NOT need to attend.

We are very pleased to announce that during the summer of 2020, MLWGS Fine Arts Department will be leading a small group of students to Greece and Italy with EF Tours. This will be our second international trip with students and we are very excited about this opportunity.

With their rich histories, these two countries are such amazing places for our young artists to experience. Athens, Rome, and Florence have so many great art, architectural, and cultural attractions that we thought it would be a wonderful place to continue our Fine Arts Department international travel tradition. It is worth noting that this is a school sponsored trip (pending school board approval) so if there is financial hardship, your student may be able to get partial assistance.

Please note that on the web version of the Smoke and Scales, there are MANY useful links- all the Booster organizations, Counseling Department, MLWGS school calendar, volunteer forms, link to AmazonSmile, SCRIP online link, and so much more! These links are updated continuously. Please note them and use them often.

Want to donate your time and skill set to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School from the comfort of your home or office? One of our editors has a graduating Dragon so Smoke and Scales is seeking a co-editor for the 2020-2021 school year. Smoke and Scales is published weekly with the exception of summer and winter and spring breaks.

The co-editor would organize article blocks and edit accordingly in Google Blogger and proof the online draft prior for publication each week.

The co-editor must possess strong writing, organizing, fact-checking, proofreading, and communication skills. This commitment requires approximately 2 hours early in the week.

If interested, please contact Smoke and Scales at smokeandscales@gmail.com and provide a brief summary of your experience as well as the graduation year of your MLWGS student; to provide some continuity, Smoke and Scales particularly welcomes applicants with students in their first or second year at MLWGS. If you have questions or want to discuss the position further, please contact smokeandscales@gmail.com.

HELP CHOOSE THE TIME SLOT FOR FAMILY TIME MACHINE TUESDAYS

In October, November, January, February, and March, Ms. DeGroat (your MLWGS librarian a.k.a. resourceress) will offer a genealogy workshop series called Family Time Machine Tuesdays.

These workshops will be open to MLWGS students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as interested students, parents, faculty, or staff in our participating school divisions, and neighbors who live near our campus. Parent-student teams are encouraged to attend together.

The workshops will be offered on Tuesday evenings and will cover tips for searching many types of records valuable in ancestry research, including historic census records, military records, and newspapers, as well as ways to transform your research from a list of facts to an engaging story.

If you are interested in participating, please indicate which Tuesday time slot(s) would usually work for your schedule- and whether you would prefer to attend in-person, online, or a little of both- by answering the brief survey at:

TIME MACHINE TUESDAYS

MAGGIE WALKER RANKINGS IN NEW SURVEYS

Maggie L. Walker is ranked #2 best Public High School in Virginia and #8 in best Public High Schools in the United States! Congratulations to our students, parents, faculty, and staff!

Week of August 28, 2019

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

The editors of Smoke and Scales welcome you to the first 2019-2020 edition!

Please note that on the web version of the Smoke and Scales, there are MANY useful links- all the Booster organizations, Counseling Department, MLWGS school calendar, volunteer forms, link to AmazonSmile, SCRIP online link, and so much more! These links are updated continuously. Please note them and use them often.

PTSA NEWS

The PTSA Board has monthly meetings that are open to any parent and staff of MLWGS.

Please feel free to join us! Room 153 from 6-8 p.m.

Dates for 2019-2020 are:

September through June are on the first Monday of each month from 6-8 p.m. (with some exceptions noted*):

*September 3 (Tuesday)
October 7
November 4
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 2
*April 14 (Tuesday)
May 4
June 1

The PTSA is always looking for volunteers! You can return the form that was included in your back to school packet or use the following link:

Parent Volunteer Form or Online Version

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON PLANNING COMMITTEE KICK-OFF MEETING

Fall sports are in full swing! Please support our student athletes by attending Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, and Field Hockey. Schedules and locations can be found HERE.