Week of October 16, 2019

MLWGS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY

MLWGS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.

National Honor Society (NHS) is a national organization for high school students that seeks to honor students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. This year, 158 Maggie Walker juniors and seniors will be inducted into The Patricia E. Taylor Pioneers of Excellence Chapter of NHS. The National NHS Council requires that induction ceremonies be appropriate and impressive.

Eligible members are Maggie Walker juniors and seniors with at least a 3.5 weighted, cumulative, unrounded GPA who have earned the required number of service hours (70 for juniors, 105 for seniors) and abide by the MLWGS standards of honor. The students selected for induction met these criteria and completed an application in September where they discussed their experience with or aspirations for leadership and completed an essay on either honor or service.

The induction ceremony itself will include: a keynote address from Mr. Aaron Montgomery, Harvard alum and co-founder and COO of CarLotz, a candle lighting ceremony, the presentation of certificates, and a statement of the NHS Pledge. A reception will follow in the Student Commons.




HOMECOMING DANCE THIS SATURDAY 

Each year, the Junior Class hosts the MLWGS Homecoming Dance. The dance will be held at the school on Saturday, October 19 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The dance is open to all MLWGS students and their dates if they choose to bring one. Tickets for the dance will be sold during school next week. Tickets must be purchased by the end of lunch on Friday, October 18 as they will NOT be sold at the door. Again, tickets will NOT be sold at the door. The ticket price is $10.

The dress code is semi-formal this year.

If students plan to bring a guest who is not a student at MLWGS, a form must be completed in advance and requires a signature from an official at the guest’s school. Forms can be found in room 100.

AP EXAM ORDERS

The online payment system for AP exams is now available on the MLWGS website as of October 15. MLWGS AP Exam Order Forms were distributed through Advanced Placement classrooms last week. This form will allow students to officially indicate their testing plans and calculate a total amount of AP exam fees due by October 25 ($94 per exam). Students must turn in their MLWGS AP Exam Order Form to the Counseling Office between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., October 21-25 with cash/check payment or online payment receipt.

Students may also take an AP exam for a course they are not enrolled in or is not taught at MLWGS, by indicating their preference on the form. If the course is not currently being taught, there must be at least three requests for the exam to be administered and additional proctor fees (not to exceed $20) may apply. AP Statistics is pre-approved and students may see their teacher to obtain the join code for their “exam only” section.

IMPORTANT: All students enrolled in AP courses should have already “joined” the correct section(s) on the CollegeBoard website (myap.collegeboard.com) with a unique access code for each course. See Dr. Loving in the counseling office immediately if you have not completed this step.

The timeline for the next few weeks is as follows:

• October 7-8: AP Exam Order Forms distributed to AP testers through AP classes
• October 15: Online payment system opens
• October 21: If you would like to inquire about a fee waiver/reduction, please do so by this date (see your counselor for a confidential form)
• October 21-25: Form collection/payment window (October 25 will be the on-time registration deadline)
• October 26-November 14: A late fee of $10 per exam will apply
• November 15 and beyond: The College Board add/drop fee of $40 will be instituted (NEW COLLEGE BOARD POLICY)
• January 17: Deadline to apply for College Board accommodations for a documented disability (see Ms. Cobb)
• March 13: Deadline to add an exam (even with the late fee)
• November 15-April 13: Students who choose not to test can get a refund of $54
• April 13: Last day for students to get a refund of any kind

Contact Rachel Loving AP Coordinator, with questions.

ATTENTION JUNIOR PARENTS

Les Cook, the Senior Seminar/Mentorship Coordinator, will be holding sessions at three different times to provide information to junior parents regarding registration for Senior Seminar/Mentorship. Parents are invited to attend either on Tuesday, October 29 from 6-7:00 p.m. in the Forum, Monday, November 4 from 9-10:00 a.m. in the Auditorium, or Monday, November 4 from 6-7:00 p.m. in the Forum. Students will be invited to sessions held during the school day starting the first week of November to receive information and ask questions about the application process. Information will also be provided to all junior students through their Schoology accounts.

SCRIP

Next order due date is Friday, November 8 at noon for plastic cards. Don't forget you can purchase "Scrip Now" products which arrive digitally to your computer or phone ANYTIME you need them! Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, Panera, Chipotle, Petco, Zappos, Best Buy, Lowe's, CVS, Barnes and Noble, Krispy Kreme, Sam's Club, and Uber are just a few you can get immediately, no waiting for due dates! To get the Scrip Wallet app on your phone go to myscripwallet.com. To enroll or shop go to www.shopwithscrip.com. Enrollment code: C43669E564L28. 

Questions? Your coordinator is happy to explain how it all works: scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. Let those retailers you already shop give back to Maggie Walker!

STUDENT DIRECTORIES

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly and to reduce costs, MLWGS now publishes the Student Directory online in PowerSchool. We do plan to print a limited number of paper copies for those families who are not able to access or print the directory from home. Updates and corrections to the directory are still rolling in, but as soon as we feel confident that the data is as up to date as possible, we will have them printed and available for pickup in the main office.

How to Access the Student Directory

From Your Computer:
1. Open up your web browser
2. Navigate to the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School website (https://mlwgs.com)
3. Click on the Power School link located towards the bottom left-hand side of the page
4. Login to PowerSchool
5. Click on Directory Information located on the left in the Navigation window panel

Feel free to save the Directory to your computer or print it, if desired.

From Your Mobile Device:
1. Open your web browser (it does not currently work on the Power School app)
2. Navigate to the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School website (https://mlwgs.com)
3. Click on the Power School link located towards the bottom left-hand side of the page
4. Login to PowerSchool
5. On the main page, you will see your student's name in the upper left-hand corner
6. Under your student's name, there will be two arrows- one up arrow and one side arrow. Click on the side arrow.
7. A navigation window pane will open and the Directory Information button will be located towards the end of the list next to the school bus icon 

Once you have successfully opened the directory, the file can be bookmarked or saved to your mobile device.

If your contact information is incorrect, please contact Megan Perez.

FOUNDATION PHONE-A-THON

Hello parents! The Foundation is gearing up for our fall Phone-a-thon, scheduled for Tuesday, October 22 and we are looking for callers! We will host a brief training from 6-6:30 p.m. and will be making calls from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided!

We also wish to invite you to bring your student along. Students who participate in the phone-a-thon can earn 2 hours of community service.

Please contact Suzannah Stora if you are interested in participating. The Phone-a-thon is a great opportunity to showcase the work of the Foundation and to directly connect with our supporters and friends. It is so vital to the Foundation's success and we appreciate your participation!

Opt out of the Phone-a-thon by making your annual fund gift now!

Plans are well underway for the 2020 Night of the Dragon Auction Event-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020!

The Night of the Dragon Auction is one of the highlights each year for Dragon parents (past and present), staff, and alumni. The evening includes live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks, student entertainment, Heads and Tails, and more. This fun-filled event is also MLWGS’ single largest annual fundraising event.

Here’s how you can help make the upcoming 18th Annual Night of the Dragon the best ever!

1. Save the Date (Saturday, February 29) and get your tickets when they become available on January 1, 2020.
2. Donate an item(s) for the Live or Silent Auctions. Popular items include unique experiences hosted by MLWGS families and friends, event tickets, vacation home rentals, artwork, local adventures—GET CREATIVE!
3. Become a Sponsor. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available at many levels.
4. Lend a hand. Join the Night of the Dragon Planning Committee.

Stay tuned for more information about this wonderful event in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you want to get involved in any way, contact the Foundation office!

Week of October 4, 2016

MAKE YOUR PLANS FOR THE 20TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL

The 20th Annual Fall Festival will be held this Friday, October 7 (rain date October 14). Entertainment provided by MLWGS’s very talented students will begin at 3:45 and end at 8:00 p.m. Held on the front steps and lawn of the school, facing Lombardy Street, the Fall Festival offers a wide variety of activities, entertainment, and food! While there is no admittance to this global event, and all the entertainment is free, tickets are needed to purchase various food items, crafts, and some games. All are welcome to the Festival: current students, their families, younger siblings, former students and families, neighborhood residents, and friends of the school!

This year the Fall Festival Committee, the PTSA, and the Governor’s School Foundation is excited to welcome back the alumni from 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011. At the Governor’s School Foundation table, there will be memorabilia from the first Fall Festival 20 years ago! Attendees will also be able to meet some of the parents who started it all and hear their stories! At the time the school was called the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, and a group of parents decided their hard-working kids needed to just have some fun. They surprised them by showing up one day and setting up a festival. There was a dunking tank and all the teachers who volunteered to be dunked wore bathing caps and bathrobes to class. In 2001 the school moved to Maggie Walker but the Fall Festival continued. Today, although parent volunteers are still critical to the success of Fall Festival, all the food and entertainment is provided by the students as a fund raiser for their clubs and organizations!

Parents are still needed to volunteer and lend items for the festival. To see how you can help, please follow this link: 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaae2da5f58-october

Tickets are also still available for pre-purchase. Just follow this google.doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBZPwdbyQS2SuAoBVQtlYRxlOWv3zMPElG1OmnkG9lM/edit

Finally, parking for the Festival is available at the James River Passenger Center / Bus Depot Lot. The lot is located just a block away from Maggie Walker, at the corner of West Leigh and North Allen Street. They have requested that cars are not parked on the grass!

FALL FESTIVAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LIST

Time            Group

3:45 PM         Jui Paithane

3:55 PM         MLWGS Dance Team

4:05 PM         Orchestra I

4:20 PM         Orchestra II

4:35 PM         American Sign Language 3

4:40 PM         Chorus

4:55 PM         Jazz Band I

5:10 PM         Jazz Band II

5:25 PM         Jazz Improv

5:40 PM         Cosmic

5:50 PM         Bhangra Indian Dance Team

6:00 PM         Mairead & Kiera

6:10 PM         Deadbeats

6:20 PM         Cole Mier

6:30 PM         Dana & Jamie

6:40 PM         Appalachian Heritage Music Club

6:50 PM         Raghda Labban

7:00 PM         MLWGS Drama Club

7:10 PM         Extraordinary Commission

7:20 PM         Wombo Combo

7:30 PM         Mikaela Benway

7:40 PM         Meese

7:50 PM         Infinite Monkey Theorem

MINDING YOUR MIND

Minding Your Mind representatives spoke to students last week during school-wide assemblies.  In the coming weeks, students will be able to participate in eight follow-up lunchtime sessions led by professional staff from the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation.  Topics will include stress, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, negative and positive coping skills, active listening, mindfulness, and establishing boundaries.  

Students may signup through Itslearning for any or all of these sessions. If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please contact either Paige Hawkins (Health/ P.E., ext. 1440) or Karl Zweerink (Counseling Department, ext. 3210). 

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS

The October 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.

GOT STRESS?LEARN MINDFULNESS.

In alignment with MLWGS’s school’s strategic plan goal of expanding support for students’ social and emotional wellbeing, Koru Mindfulness, a class piloted during two study blocks last spring, will be offered during each study block this year.

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing full attention to what’s happening in the present moment without judgment.  Among other benefits, it can be a powerful way to reduce stress, and improve focus and productivity. Koru Mindfulness, a program developed by Holly Rogers, M.D., and Margaret Maytan, M.D., to support student wellbeing at Duke University, equips students with a variety of ways to apply mindfulness in their daily lives, including breath awareness, mindful walking, and mindful eating. Ms. DeGroat, the librarian for MLWGS, is a certified Koru Mindfulness instructor and will be facilitating the classes.

There will be nothing to read or watch for homework, but students will be expected to…

·         Commit to attend all four 75-minute sessions of the class held during their study block.

·         Practice the skills learned each week, keeping a brief log of their practice.

·         Complete brief pre-and post-program surveys.

A minimum of four participants will be needed to hold a class. The maximum number of students in a class is twelve.

Specific dates for each class are as follows (class meetings start of the beginning of the specified study blocks and last 75 minutes):

·         6th block: Thursdays 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, and 11/3

·         8th block: Thursdays 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, and 11/3

·         1st block: Wednesdays, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, and 11/16

·         5th block: Wednesdays, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, and 11/16

·         2nd block: Tuesdays, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/6

·         4th block: Tuesdays, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/6

·         3rd block: Mondays, 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, and 12/12

·         7th block: Mondays, 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, and 12/12

The sign-up period for each class will close two days before the first class meeting.  Classes without at least four participants will be canceled.

Interested students should contact Ms. DeGroat in the library or sign up online at http://bit.ly/mlwgskoru

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 1st-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 30th, 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 30th, 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 30th, 2016.

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

ATTENTION PARENTS OF JUNIORS

On Thursday, October 13, there will be a junior class meeting in the auditorium at 11:25 to distribute information on planning for senior seminars and mentorships next year. Parents are welcome to attend this session during the day. Alternatively, there will also be a parent information session in the auditorium at 6:15 p.m. on the same day (October 13). Please feel free to join us at either the lunchtime or evening session. Any questions should be directed to Sharon Parker at sparker@gsgis.k12.va.us.

PHONE-A-THON SUCCESS

The Governor's School Foundation is so pleased to share that the fall Phone-a-thon yielded $48,550 in financial commitments to the 2016-17 Annual Fund!  Special thanks to all of the callers who joined us!  If you did not receive a call and have not yet had a chance to make your Annual Fund gift, you can do so online at http://www.governorsschoolfoundation.org/donate/.  We are so grateful for your support!

REUNIONS 2016

Get ready to welcome back to the classes of 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011!  All four classes are part of Reunions Weekend 2016, which kicks off at Fall Festival, then continues into Friday night at Bottoms Up starting at 9 p.m.  Saturday events are scheduled for Triple Crossing Brewery and C Street.  We're particularly excited to have the second-ever graduating class here for its 20th reunion.  Special thanks to Misty Clark ('96), Khiem Tran ('06), and Rachel Savoy ('06) for heading up the planning efforts. We have the best alumni in the world!

GET THE STUDENT NEWS!

Latest issue of the Jabberwock, the MLWGS student newspaper, is available here:

http://mlwgsjabberwock.com/

Week of September 27, 2016

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ASSEMBLY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

The Maggie L. Walker Health & Physical Education and Counseling Departments in conjunction with our student-led Mental Health and Disabilities Awareness club will hold a school-wide Mental Health Awareness Assembly on Friday, September 30.  

The assembly will feature a speaker from “Minding Your Mind,” a national prevention-based program that educates teens by initiating conversations regarding mental health.   Speakers are young adults who have struggled with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and give educational talks to reduce the stigma of seeking help.  This program is being supported by the locally based Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, which works with area public and private high schools to implement “Minding Your Mind.”  

Additionally, in the weeks following the assembly, professional staff from the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation and MLWGS will facilitate an optional eight-session interactive Peer Support Curriculum.  Students can attend one or more of these sessions as interested (sign-up for sessions will occur after the assembly). This curriculum covers the following topics:  stress, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, negative and positive coping skills, active listening, mindfulness, and establishing boundaries.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child attending the assembly, please contact either Paige Hawkins (Health/ P.E., ext. 1440) or Karl Zweerink (Counseling Department, ext. 3210).  This activity was planned as part of MLWGS’ strategic initiative to “develop a systematic approach to support social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and mental health needs of our gifted students.”

VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL TO

THE SUCCESS OF FALL FESTIVAL!

The festival relies on volunteers to help with many jobs including set-up, booth support, PTSA drink sales, crowd control, ticket counting, and tear-down. Students are welcomed to work alongside their parents, and may earn community service hours working in the Kid Zone. Volunteers are needed beginning at 9 a.m. on October 7, the day of the festival, to help set up tables, chairs and booths. Volunteers are also needed throughout the festival and at the end for tear down and ticket counting.

The MLWGS PTSA is looking to borrow certain items essential to the festival success such as tents and coolers. Please use the following link to sign up to volunteer for a shift or two, or to lend items.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aaae2da5f58-october

THE MAGGIE L. WALKER FALL FESTIVAL
WELCOMES THE COMMUNITY!

The Fall Festival is open not only to students and their families, but also to the community that surrounds it! Student bands, singers and dancers will provide free entertainment on the stage throughout the event. The KidZone will offer free games and prizes to those 10 and under. Although tickets will be required at most booths, several booths will have offerings that cost as little as one ticket (each ticket costs $1)! 

As of now, the Festival has approximately 50 booths signed up, offering a large variety of food, drinks, and fun activities. Reflecting the mission of the school, the food and drink offerings have an international flare! Enjoy Greek Giros, Cuban sandwiches, Snow Cones, Baklava, and Bubble Tea while trying your luck at Duck Pond or Corn Hole. There promises to be something for everyone to enjoy at the 20th Annual Fall Festival! 

CALLING PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PHONE-A-THON!

The Governor's School Foundation is looking for parents and students to participate in the Governor's School Foundation Fall Phone-a-thon! Please join us during the evenings of Tuesday, September 27 and/or Wednesday, September 28, at MLWGS to reach out to fellow current and alumni parents and other donors.

Students can earn up to six hours of community service! 

Dinner will be provided at 6:00 p.m., followed by a brief training session.  Calling will follow and will conclude each night at 9:00 p.m. Come for one or both nights and help raise the funds that enhance the Governor's School experience for MLWGS students and teachers.

Last year’s phone-a-thons raised more than $58,000 in gifts and pledges for the school, so this is an extremely important part of the Foundation Annual Fund Campaign. 

Please contact the Foundation Executive Director, Suzannah Stora at sstora@governorsschoolfoundation.org or stop by the Foundation Office (across from the auditorium) to sign up. 

ATTENTION JUNIOR AND SENIOR PARENTS!

National Honor Society applications are now available. If a student would like to be considered for the National Honor Society (NHS) please encourage him or her to complete an application and return it to Rachel Loving, School Counselor and NHS Sponsor by Friday, September 30, 2016. Candidates must be a junior or a senior, have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, leadership, and service. A complete list of qualifications is available on the application. Candidates will be notified of acceptance by October 7 and an induction ceremony will take place later that month. Juniors and seniors will receive a copy of the application via email and a hard copy is also available in the Counseling Office. Please contact Rachel Loving with questions at rloving@gsgis.k12.va.us.

TRIP TO SPAIN

There will be an important meeting for any student interested in a trip to Spain in 2017. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. in room 335.  Parents and students are welcome.  Steve Ross, Susan Hefty, and Bob Jenkins will discuss the upcoming trip.

MLWGS FAMILIES

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL AT NO COST TO YOU!

LAST YEAR THESE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS BROUGHT IN MORE THAN $8,000!

Through partnerships with Kroger, Martin's, and Amazon Smile, you can raise funds for Maggie Walker just by doing your normal shopping.  For complete directions on how to sign up for these programs, please visit the Foundation's website: http://www.governorsschoolfoundation.org/local-business-partnerships/.

Thanks for your support!

Week of September 20, 2016

SAVE THE DATE!

September 22 is Back-to-School Night.  The evening program begins at 6:30 p.m.
Student schedules, maps and more information will be sent home with students earlier in the week.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ASSEMBLY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

The Maggie L. Walker Health & Physical Education and Counseling Departments in conjunction with our student-led Mental Health and Disabilities Awareness club will hold a school-wide Mental Health Awareness Assembly on Friday, September 30.  

The assembly will feature a speaker from “Minding Your Mind,” a national prevention-based program that educates teens by initiating conversations regarding mental health.   Speakers are young adults who have struggled with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and give educational talks to reduce the stigma of seeking help.  This program is being supported by the locally based Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, which works with area public and private high schools to implement “Minding Your Mind.”  

Additionally, in the weeks following the assembly, professional staff from the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation and MLWGS will facilitate an optional eight-session interactive Peer Support Curriculum.  Students can attend one or more of these sessions as interested (sign-up for sessions will occur after the assembly). This curriculum covers the following topics:  stress, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, negative and positive coping skills, active listening, mindfulness, and establishing boundaries.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child attending the assembly, please contact either Paige Hawkins (Health/ P.E., ext. 1440) or Karl Zweerink (Counseling Department, ext. 3210).  This activity was planned as part of MLWGS’ strategic initiative to “develop a systematic approach to support social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and mental health needs of our gifted students.”

DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING FOR

20TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL!

The 20th Annual Fall Festival will be held October 7 (rain date October 14). This family friendly annual festival celebrates MLWGS’s international focus while offering clubs and organizations a lively and enjoyable way to raise funds. The deadline to register for both Entertainment and Booths is Friday, September 23! 

To register to perform, go on line at: http://goo.gl/forms/RCCxIS4MyU.

To register to host a booth, Class and Club Sponsors should go on line at: http://goo.gl/forms/mu6Cs6vRvK. 

The deadline for Corporate Sponsorship is Wednesday, September 28! Corporate Sponsorship will help pay for new LED lights for the stage and other electrical and safety improvements which can be reused every year! The Fall Festival is pleased to announce the following Corporate Sponsors as of Thursday, September 15: Gold Sponsors are Patient First and ASHBY. Silver Sponsors are Short Pump Dental, Short Pump Realty, Nyfeler Associates, and Fan District Association! 

If your company is interested in supporting MLWGS clubs and activities as well, please contact Debbie Taminger at debtaminger@gmail.com.

Finally, the deadline for pre-ordering tickets is Wednesday, October 5. With the exception of the Dragons’ Lair Booth, only tickets will be accepted at the Fall Festival. (The Dragon’s Lair will take tickets, cash, checks and credit cards.). Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Festival, and tickets are not refundable. Unused tickets can be donated to the booth of your choice during the festival hours. To pre-order tickets, go on line at: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBZPwdbyQS2SuAoBVQtlYRxlOWv3zMPElG1OmnkG9lM/edit?usp=sharing

CALLING PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PHONE-A-THON!

The Governor's School Foundation is looking for parents and students to participate in the Governor's School Foundation Fall Phone-a-thon! Please join us during the evenings of Tuesday, September 27 and/or Wednesday, September 28, at MLWGS to reach out to fellow current and alumni parents and other donors.

Students can earn up to six hours of community service! 

Dinner will be provided at 6:00 p.m., followed by a brief training session.  Calling will follow and will conclude each night at 9:00 p.m. Come for one or both nights and help raise the funds that enhance the Governor's School experience for MLWGS students and teachers.

Last year’s phone-a-thons raised more than $58,000 in gifts and pledges for the school, so this is an extremely important part of the Foundation Annual Fund Campaign. 

Please contact the Foundation Executive Director, Suzannah Stora at sstora@governorsschoolfoundation.org or stop by the Foundation Office (across from the auditorium) to sign up. 

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS

The September 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 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.

ATTENTION JUNIOR AND SENIOR PARENTS!

National Honor Society applications are now available. If a student would like to be considered for the National Honor Society (NHS) please encourage him or her to complete an application and return it to Rachel Loving, School Counselor and NHS Sponsor by Friday, September 30, 2016. Candidates must be a junior or a senior, have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, leadership, and service. A complete list of qualifications is available on the application. Candidates will be notified of acceptance by October 7 and an induction ceremony will take place later that month. Juniors and seniors will receive a copy of the application via email and a hard copy is also available in the Counseling Office. Please contact Rachel Loving with questions at rloving@gsgis.k12.va.us.

TRIP TO SPAIN

There will be an important meeting for any student interested in a trip to Spain in 2017. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. in room 335.  Parents and students are welcome.  Steve Ross, Susan Hefty, and Bob Jenkins will discuss the upcoming trip.

TRAINING GROUPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS

WITH ADD/ADHD AND THEIR PARENTS

VCU is offering free training groups for high school age students with ADD/ADHD and their parents. The groups focus on teaching parents and high school age adolescents strategies to promote adolescent autonomy, increase academic success, and reduce parent/adolescent conflict. Session topics include improving the use of organization/ time-management skills and communication strategies. As part of enrolling in the groups, participants will receive $50 for their time and effort, and a free mental health evaluation and report. The next group will be run in October and slots for participation are filled on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Efren Velazquez at 804-828-4254 or velazquezea@vcu.edu for more information.

MAGGIE WALKER GARDEN CLUB

AWARDED $750 FROM KEEP VIRGINIA BEAUTIFUL

Davis Coffey leads the MLWGS Garden Club. This past summer, Davis wrote and submitted a grant request to the “Keep Virginia Beautiful” 30 Grants in 30 Days Program.  “Keep Virginia Beautiful” awarded 45 applicants $500 to $1000 and, thanks to Davis, MLWGS was one of the recipients, receiving $750 for the Garden Club.  

The Keep Virginia Beautiful mission is to "engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through five impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education." Davis began the garden club this past spring.  Together with more than 40 National Honor Society members, the club cleared land near the tennis courts and built several raised garden beds. Davis plans to use the award money to build five additional raised beds that will contain vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The garden club also hopes to host several fundraising opportunities throughout the year to help cover the expense of ongoing management and care of the garden. Several wish list items include building a trellis and planting several flowering shrubs that will invite insects to the area and promote pollination. The goal of the club is to create a sustainable garden producing fruits and vegetable that will be shared not only in our school but also within our community.

For more information on the Garden Club, please contact Davis Coffey or Mrs. Edgerton, Garden Club sponsor.

http://keepvirginiabeautiful.org/2016/06/30/richmond-school-plants-30-thirty/

LATEST ISSUE OF MLWGS JABBERWOCK

Want the student news? Check out the latest issue of the MLWGS Jabberwock here:  http://mlwgsjabberwock.com/.

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!  We also open up for convenient morning shopping the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 8 to 9 a.m.  Checkout is quick and easy as we’re all electronic now! 

Visit the store to see our newest items pictured above - more to come soon. 

• Bow Ties with a new design
• Holiday Ornaments
• Flannel Pants with a new design
• We’re also looking into a new blanket, polo shirt, sweat pants, ladies tee, tervis cup, stadium seat, flag, and alumni shirt.

Shoot us an email and tell us what you’d like to see offered in The Lair – mlwgsdragons@gmail.com.  We’ll be placing orders for Fall Festival within the next two weeks. 

More announcements coming soon!