Showing posts with label Seniors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seniors. Show all posts

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 June 6, 2017

SENIORS:  FINAL REMINDERS!




Graduation Tickets
Graduation tickets will be available for pick-up this week during lunch outside of room 330.  Each senior will be receiving 13 tickets.  If additional tickets are need, please have your student ask their peers first and then reach out to Ms. Sheppard on Friday, June 9.  There is a limited amount of extra tickets, but we will try to accommodate everyone’s requests.

Graduation Rehearsal Information
Graduation rehearsal is held at the Altria Theater on June 16, 2017.  Parking for graduation is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee (entrances are on Cherry and Laurel Streets).  Remind students to keep their receipts from the parking deck.  They will be able to return later in the day for no additional charge.  Please adhere to posted street parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced. Seniors must arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. and report to the downstairs ballroom (enter through the Main Street entrance towards the rear of the building).  Rehearsal will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp.  ANY STUDENT WHO MISSES REHEARSAL WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WALK IN THE ACTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY, so parents are asked to please work with your student to make sure he or she is on time.  Practice is usually completed by 11:30 a.m. or so; but given that we will take as long as needed to perfect the process, please do not plan anything that requires your student to leave early or be gone by a certain time.  This run-through is crucial to the success of the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Information
Graduates must arrive at the downstairs ballroom by 2:00 p.m.  For organizational reasons, this area is off limits to parents, relatives, and friends; we appreciate your understanding.  Cap, gown, and tassel are the most important items for the day, but students are asked to dress appropriately:  dark dress pants, collared shirt and tie for the young men, dresses or dark dress pants for the young women.    Students may wear cords earned as part of their membership in our Honor Societies (as has been our custom).  Students may wear one piece of additional pre-approved regalia which they have earned as a member of an enduring MLWGS organization.  All pieces of regalia will be distributed by sponsors in the days leading up to graduation.

Perhaps the most important clothing decision for the day, however, is shoes.  Dress shoes and socks or low-heeled dress shoes are the best choices; please, no “flip-flops” or athletic shoes.  Additionally, decorations on mortarboards are absolutely prohibited.

Doors to Altria Theater will open at 2:30 p.m.  Guests should enter through the front doors and must have a ticket to attend graduation.  Seating is not reserved.  Handicap seating is available in multiple locations; please see one of the ushers at the door upon your arrival if you need this seating.  Parking for graduation is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee (entrances are on Cherry and Laurel Streets.)   Please adhere to posted street parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced.

Photographs during the ceremony are only allowed from your seats.   The Altria Theater will not permit us to spill into the aisles for this activity, and they enforce this quite seriously.  However, Strawbridge Studios will be taking pictures of each individual student as he/she receives his/her diploma.

Graduation activites should conclude by 5:30 p.m.




SERVICE OPPORTUNITY



A MLWGS alumna, Katie Houston (Class of 2004) has reached out to offer a community service opportunity to current students.  She’s volunteering heavily with an organization called ReEstablish Richmond, which works to help refugees acclimate and put down roots in the area.

They have a high need right now for volunteer tutors who are willing to help middle and elementary school students with English language skills and simple math skills (i.e. counting to 100).  The kids can communicate verbally in English, but a lot of them are struggling with literacy, and their schools don't have the capacity to help them adequately.

Any interested students can contact Katie directly at kghouston05@gmail.com.  She would really love to have Maggie Walker students involved with the organization and emphasized that if anyone is available to help soon, the need for tutors is pressing.




NEW DEADLINES, PRODUCTION SCHEDULE, AND STAFF FOR SMOKE AND SCALES




For the 2017-2018 school year, the submission deadline for Smoke and Scales moves from 4 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday.  Likewise, publication and delivery moves from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.

Tuesday, June 13 will be the final Smoke and Scales edition for this 2016-2017 school year.  Submissions are due by 4 p.m. Friday, June 9.

The first edition of Smoke and Scales for the 2017-2018 school year will be Wednesday, August 30, 2017, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Sunday, August 27.

Smoke and Scales thanks Catherine Ingrassia (Sophia McCrimmon, '17, Hanover) for her three years in her role as Co-Editor; she will be especially missed by her fellow Co-Editor!

A big welcome to Christine Wampler (Lucy Wampler, '20, Richmond) who joins the staff as Co-Editor to fill Catherine's role, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

Nancy Turnage (Mitchell Turnage, '18, Hanover) will remain in her role as Co-Editor for her fourth year.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Smoke and Scales production staff is encouraged to reach out.  In particular, experience with blogging is a plus.

Week of May 9, 2017

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS!




The May 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.




MUSIC PERFORMANCE AUDITIONS
May 24 & 25 3:20 – 4:30 p.m., Auditorium




Showcasing MLWGS Senior musical talent is an important tradition at Senior Recognition Night and graduation.  For example, vocalists are needed to sing The Star Spangled Banner.  Additional performers or performance groups (instrumental or vocal) are sought for both events.   Students should begin preparing if they would like to audition.   Any MLWGS senior or group of seniors interested in auditioning must sign up for a time slot by May 17 on the list outside the Forum.  Final decisions will be made by a committee of faculty members and the class officers.   Note: All students intending to perform must be present at auditions and are required to perform their intended piece for graduation or Senior Night.




JOIN US TONIGHT
DRAMA BOOSTERS SPRING MEETING
MAY 9, 6:00 p.m. in the BLACK BOX THEATER



Drama Boosters needs your help and participation.  We have Volunteer openings for next year as our senior parents are “graduating.” 

Please contact Ryan Giorgis at giorgisfamily4@gmail.com for more information.




ATHLETIC BOOSTERS ANNUAL MEETING
AND REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS



The Maggie L. Walker Athletic Boosters Club will hold its Annual Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 15, in room 105.  Athletic Boosters Board Officers and Directors for the 2017-2018 academic year will be elected at this meeting.  All Athletic Boosters members are invited to attend.  Anyone interested in serving on the Board or serving as a parent representative for one of the sports teams should contact Athletic Boosters President Rich Schweiker at dukeschweikers@aol.com.  The Board also is looking for a volunteer to conduct its annual audit.  Performing the audit is a great way to help support athletics at Maggie Walker with a limited time commitment.  Please also contact Athletic Boosters President Rich Schweiker if you are interested in helping with the audit or have any questions about this volunteer opportunity.




YEARBOOK NEWS




Friday, May 12, is the last day to pre-order a 2017 Yearbook. Order forms are available outside Room 121. (Online ordering is no longer available.) After May 12, students will have to wait until Yearbooks are distributed in school (likely the first week of June) to purchase theirs. The cost is $55.

Week of April 18, 2017

PTSA BOARD VOTE MAY 2


The MLWGS PTSA Board will be seeking a vote for the election of the following candidates for the 2017-18 PTSA Executive Board. The vote will be held at the MLWGS General Membership PTSA meeting on May 2, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. 

The current MLWGS PTSA Board is pleased to present the following candidates:

President:                                       Anthony Taylor
President Elect:                               Natalie Smith
VP Finance:                                     Rachel Downey
VP Membership and Communications:  Mary Michael Schweiker
VP Events:                                      Sarah Van Dam
Treasurer:                                      Christine Pimblett
Secretary:                                      Jessica Coffey




SENIORS
Graduation Paraphernalia Arrives This Week!


Herff Jones will be at MLWGS during lunch on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 to deliver caps, gowns, announcements, and any other graduation paraphernalia that you ordered.  Seniors should go to the downstairs commons area to pick up their items.  If there are any errors with the order, please call Herff Jones directly:  804-598-0971.

The class photo taken on the outdoor steps of the school will be photographed by Strawbridge Studios on Tuesday, April 25. Seniors need to bring their cap and gown with them for the picture.  Information to buy the picture will be distributed after Spring Break.  Photos cost $15.00.

If you have any questions, please contact Kerry Sheppard, graduation coordinator, at ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us or 801-354-6800 ext. 3304




SPANISH AND FRENCH STUDENTS NEED HOST FAMILIES IN JULY


Have an amazing experience this summer! Host a student from Spain or France (ages 13-17) in your home for 3-4 weeks. Learn about their culture while he or she learns about living in an American family just being a part of what you regularly do. There are a variety of programs to suit a family’s work or non-working schedule. Families receive stipends to help out with expenses. We can help work out transportation or vacation concerns. This will be a rich experience for your family!

Contact Debbie Hardy 909-3190 or debbiehardy2003@yahoo.com.




UPDATE REGARDING LAPTOP PILOT PROGRAM 
Letter from Jeff Hall, Coordinator of Instructional Technology


In the Fall of the 2017-18 school year, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School will begin a small one-to-one laptop pilot with a small percentage of incoming freshmen.  The goal of the pilot is to explore the impact that having ubiquitous technology resources and internet access would have on the instruction and learning of our gifted students. Additionally, we are constantly seeking to enhance the learning of students through the effective use of technology.   This letter is meant to provide the community with an update on the status of this initiative.

Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School is a truly unique school designed to meet the special instructional needs of gifted students. As a part of our school technology plan, we are continually evaluating the effectiveness of various instructional technologies. Specifically, instructional leaders have been asked to explore the possibility of providing equitable access to computer hardware across the entire student body (Technology Plan #5.03.08). Therefore, during the first semester of the 2017-18 school year, we have been approved to launch a small pilot to explore what impact a one-to-one laptop program might have on learning at MLWGS.   There is no predetermined outcome of this pilot.  Specifically the pilot is designed to collect data on a variety of hardware, software, and services in order to determine which products best meet those unique instructional needs.  Additionally with our small IT staff of two, we need to determine which products provide the management support that will allow for effective deployment and ongoing maintenance of such a program. Lastly, this pilot will act as a catalyst to deepen the conversation on establishing “clear and concise” instructional goals for a possible proposed one-to-one (1:1) program.    

This pilot calls for the deployment of three different kinds of devices to 45 students, 15 per device. This deployment would take place at the beginning of the 1st semester in 2017-18 school year and end June 2018.  In addition to hardware, this would allow us to pilot the various management systems, updated projector systems, printers, along with ‘on-demand’ high-quality instructional content providers.   

While the deployment of devices will begin with the start of the 2017-18 school year, the process of planning began in the 2016-17 school year in order to ensure a successful outcome. Thanks to the hard work of our Technology Office, we have begun to address the wireless network which has been identified as essential for the success of any such pilot. Under the supervision of the One-to-One Pilot Advisory Committee, which is made up of stakeholders including faculty, students, parents, and administration, we are in the process of procuring the equipment, software, and services needed. Over the course of the next few months, we will continue work with the Technology Office to establish the criteria for determining candidates, specific tools that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the devices, participating faculty and student training, as well as the process of deployment.

It is our goal to engage the entire MLWGS community in this conversation. To that end, there will be multiple presentations about the pilot to the PTSA and with faculty. This letter is meant to bring the members of our current community up to speed on the pilot and its objectives.  We look forward to a productive and collaborative conversation as we initiate and move forward through this exciting process.

Our ongoing instructional technology goal is to “Create. Connections.” for our students by providing them with authentic learning opportunities where they can collaborate both locally and globally.  Members of our community can expect regular communications through the Smoke and Scales newsletter, PTSA meetings, and faculty meetings.  In the meantime, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Jeff Hall, the Coordinator of Instructional Technology, at jhall@gsgis.k12.va.
Thank you for your continuing support of our unique school and its mission.




FORMER DRAGON, YA AUTHOR MAKING LOCAL APPEARANCES


Jenny Han (Class of 1998) will be in Richmond soon for a stop on the book tour for her Young Adult novel Always and Forever, Lara Jean (http://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/alwaysandforever/), the final volume of the bestselling To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before.  Jenny will be at the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble on Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
(http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061850596-0).  She would be delighted to see any Governor's School students, parents, and alumni who can attend.



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.

Week of December 6, 2016

TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT!

MLWGS will host a Town Hall-style meeting on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Forum Room* to solicit community input for the MLWGS FY2018 operating budget.  All are welcome to attend.

The Director will provide a brief overview of the fiscal planning timeline, then open up the floor to speakers.

Thank you for your ongoing support of MLWGS students and school.

*Note:  this meeting will be moved to the Auditorium if space dictates.







PAINT PARTY FUNDRAISER FOR SENIOR SEMINAR
Wednesday, December 7 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Come on out to Maggie Walker to make your own beautiful painting and support Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Senior Seminar students in their efforts to travel to Morocco; MENA seminar students are studying gender and culture in the Middle East and North Africa.

For the ticket price of $35, you get all materials required to create your painting on a canvas, instruction from a professional artist, food, and, of course, the opportunity to socialize in a laid-back environment. Invite your friends! Invite your family! And get ready to get painting for a great cause!

Registration for the event is available here.

Questions: Email rcross@gsgis.k12.va.us




HELP NEEDED FOR NIGHT OF THE DRAGON!

The 15th Annual Night of the Dragon auction will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 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. In order to be a financial success, we need to collect approximately 375 donations of auction items. 

Please join our Solicitors’ Committee! Collecting 375 items will not be difficult with the help of a lot of people!! If we get 75 volunteers, it is only 5 items each! This year our webmaster, Norm Hill, has done an excellent job of moving the process away from spreadsheets and onto the web. This change makes it easy for solicitors to find suggestions for companies and individuals to contact from the comfort of their own home!

Please email auctionmlwgs@gmail.com or call Peggy Feldmann at 804-517-8957 to learn more about how easy it for you to help.




ANNOUNCING A NEW DRAGON’S LAIR WEBSITE


Visit the New Website Today:  mlwgsdragons.ourspiritgear.com

Shopping The Lair is much easier now.  Shop from home, any day of the week, any time of day.  Browse the online catalog, add items to the cart, pay online, and pick up at the store during regular hours.  Better yet…send your MLWGS student to do the pick-up for you.  Shipping Options will be available very soon for a small, reasonable, flat rate fee. 

Most store inventory is currently available online, and The Lair continues to work towards building out the selection.  The holiday season is the perfect time of year to give online shopping a try with The Dragon’s Lair. 

Please share any questions or feedback for improvement via email to mlwgsdragons@gmail.com.  This is your website.  The Lair wants to know what you like and you don’t. 





MLWGS SCHOOL DIRECTORIES

The 2016-2017 School directories were handed out at Back to School night.  

If you did not receive one, directories are available in Room 100 at the Bluestone entrance.  Ask Ms Williams for a copy.








SENIORS!  SENIORS!  SENIORS!
Graduation Announcements

It’s not too late to order Class of 2017 graduation announcements!  Herff Jones is still accepting orders online. Go to www.vagrad.com and place your order by December 31 to guarantee an April delivery.  There are several other graduation-related items for sale, but don’t forget that the cost for cap and gown was included in your student’s senior fees.  No need to pay or order these a second time.  Please contact Kerry Sheppard, the MLWGS graduation coordinator, at ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us OR 804-354-6800 ext. 3304 if you have any questions.




INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS

The Senior Counselors, Rachel Loving and Penny Deck, will be giving an overview of applying to colleges outside to US on Wednesday, December 14 at 11:40 in the Auditorium. Jack Miller, alum, and current Oxford student plans to join us to discuss the difference between applying to college in the US and the U.K.






ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS


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

Attention Juniors!
The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) and the Joint Antarctic School Expedition (JASE) programs are open to current juniors interested in science and exploring other cultures. Both programs and physically demanding and the JASE program requires participants to be fluent in Spanish. Travel, lodging, and meals are provided to participants free of cost. Applications are available November 28-January 10. Please visit https://dickey.dartmouth.edu/environment/programs to apply.

Attention 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. 

Attention Rising Seniors!
The Cochrane Summer Economic Institute (CSEI) is an intensive four-week program open to all rising high school seniors from the greater Richmond area partners learning about the economy and entrepreneurship through a series of workshops by local business leaders and Collegiate faculty with an immersive group internship. Students commit to participating the last week of June and first three weeks of July and receive a $500 stipend. Please visit https://powelledfoundation.org/cochrane-summer-economic-institute/ for more information and to apply. The application deadline is January 16, 2017.




SENIOR REGIONAL ORCHESTRA EVENT


Alyssa Wright (Goochland, '20), Willow Kwak (Henrico, '18), Andrew Shin (Henrico, '18), Rachel Zhao (Henrico, '18) L to R

Congratulations to the Maggie Walker Orchestra students that participated in the Senior Regional Orchestra event November 12, 2016 at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, VA. In doing so, they have gained eligibility to audition for All Virginia Orchestra.