Week of March 3, 2015

Lee Smith Coming to MLWGS March 4

Lee Smith was born in 1944 in Grundy, Virginia. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwestern Virginia, she developed a love for writing. After spending her last two years of high school at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Smith enrolled at Hollins College in Roanoke. During her senior year there, Smith submitted an early draft of The Last Day the Dog Bushes Bloomed to a school contest. That book would later become Smith's first published work of fiction. Since then, she has published fifteen novels and four collections of short stories, and has received eight major writing awards including the Sidney Lanier Prize for Southern Literature in 2013. Her latest novel, Guests on Earth, takes place at Highland Mental Hospital in Asheville, N.C., between the years 1936-1948. Told from the point of view of patient Evalina Toussaint, daughter of a New Orleans exotic dancer, the novel explores the buildup to the 1948 fire which lead to the death of nine women, including Zelda Fitzgerald.  Learn more when Lee Smith herself visits MLWGS on March 4.

ARE COLLEGE COSTS WEIGHING HEAVY ON YOUR MIND?

Save the date for this PTSA program 

Paying for College 101:

Applications, Financial Aid, Merit Scholarships, and More 

March 18, 2015 • 8:00 a.m.  

Featuring Susan Teerlink,

MLWGS’s GRASP advisor

Susan has been coaching families through this important (and tedious) process for nine years. She has filled out hundreds of FAFSA forms with parents and students – and her own daughters. She works one-on-one with many MLWGS juniors and seniors, but she’s ready to share her wisdom with all MLWGS parents. Don’t miss this chance to get an overview of the process in a familiar environment – before you jump in with both feet. 

Stop by room 153, the outside classroom near the Bluestone Lobby entrance before work or after you drop off your student.

UPCOMING SCRIP ORDER DUE MARCH 5

The next Scrip order due date is Thursday, March 5. Orders will be ready for pick-up the following Thursday, March 12. Please consider ordering SCRIP gift cards for favorite stores and restaurants while supporting Maggie Walker!

Order forms can be downloaded here under "Links" or picked up in Office 100. Orders are due on Thursdays in the SCRIP drop box located in Office 100 and are delivered the following Thursday at lunchtime in Office 100. Delivery and pickup dates can also be found on the MLWGS online calendar. Be sure to check out the list of SCRIP retailers, which is regularly being updated.

Questions? Please contact:
Patty Wood 804-364-9263 or scrippattyw@gmail.com
Patty Zeevi 804-784-2966 or scrippattyz@gmail.com

YOUTH ART MONTH

March is Youth Art Month where MLWGS takes time to celebrate the wonderful and talented young artist and raise awareness of the importance of the arts in our culture.  The exhibition opens Friday March 6 from 6 – 7 p.m., in the 2nd floor main hallway at MLWGS.   Students enrolled in Digital Art, Photography, or Visual Arts classes will have a work exhibited in the annual student art exhibition.  The show will run through March.   All are welcome to attend.  Light refreshments will be provided by the Visual Arts Boosters.  

Coaches – Parents Spring Sports Meeting 

Thursday March 5

The Spring Sports Coaches – Parents meeting will be Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. in the third floor Forum.  We will hear from the Athletic Director, and then break up into individual sport meetings.  MLWGS teams have done extremely well this year and MLWGS is expecting a great spring season.  Come meet the coaches and hear about MLWGS student athletes’ spring conference schedules and competition.

Go Dragons!

SEND A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVORITE THESPIAN!

MLWGS Drama presents, Into the Woods, March 12-14 and YOU can send a Shout Out to your favorite cast or crew member.  Shout Outs are a special place in the program where people can place notes to the cast and crew offering special wishes or words of thanks and encouragement.

Example: “Sally, we’re so proud of you! Break a leg! Love, Grandma and Grandpa Jones” or: “Mike, you’re the best!! It’s been fun! Your friend, Ellie”.

Shout Outs are $10 each ($5 for students placing a Shout Out) and should be limited to 20 words or less. All proceeds benefit the MLWGS Drama Program.

Click here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4f6ZhqrWcYUWN2Y1d5QzdwTHc/view?usp=sharing) for the form.  Completed forms can be returned to the green Drama Box in Room 100 or mailed to: Drama Boosters, 4303 Hanover Ave., Richmond, VA 23221.  If you have any questions, please call Jewel Caven at 938-8249 or email:  cavenfamily@gmail.com. Deadline is Thursday March 5.

Dragons Sing at All-District Chorus

Congratulations to Hannah Polaski (Richmond, '17), Evan Heiter (Hanover, '16), and Erin Turbeville (Chesterfield, '16) for a fantastic All-District Chorus weekend! They were selected from more than 1,200 auditions from the Richmond area and spent the two days singing with the area¹s best musicians. Evan Heiter was also selected to represent the district in All-Virginia Chorus!

Tickets still available for

Guys’ Night Out and Ladies’ Night Out

Attention all MLWGS parents – don’t miss out on great opportunities to connect with old friends and make some new!  Tickets are still available for Guys’ Night Out and Ladies’ Night Out.

March 27, March Madness: Guys’ Night Out — Buy Your Tickets Now!

A limited number of tickets are available for March Madness: Guys’ Night Out.  This will be a fun evening watching the NCAA Basketball Tournament with other MLWGS fathers, teachers and friends of MLWGS. Tickets are $35.  Buy one for yourself and a teacher/faculty member.  You’ll enjoy pizza, beer, and watching two games in the Sweet 16 round.  Guys’ Night Out is Friday, March 27 at the home of Bob and Liz Blue (parents of John Blue, Class of 2017). Tipoff is 7 p.m.  Space is limited to the first 50 tickets sold.  All proceeds support the Athletic Boosters.  To reserve your spot, email David Poole (father of Tucker Collins, Class of 2016) at dpoole4@gmail.com.

May 20, Salad Days: Ladies’ Night Out — Buy Your Tickets Now!

Come enjoy your "Salad Days" with MLWGS moms and female faculty and staff at the annual PTSA Ladies’ Night Out. This year’s theme is a Shakespearean expression referring to a youthful time of idealism and innocence!  We will be serving hearty salads along with bread, desserts, wine, and soft drinks at this event open to all female parents, staff, and friends of MLWGS. Last year 85 women attended this lovely evening, talking and eating with old and new friends. This year Ladies’ Night Out will take place on Wednesday, May 20 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the home of Mary Michael and Rich Schweiker (parents of Claire, Class of 2016 and Richard, Class of 2014) in historic Windsor Farms. Tickets cost $35. Consider buying tickets for MLWGS teachers too! To purchase your ticket for this PTSA fundraiser, email Kristin Lyons (Mom of Matthew, Class of 2017 and Hannah, Class of 2014) at clyons1@comcast.net or Yvette Conte (Mom of Julia, Class of 2017, Lucy, Class of 2014, and Michael, Class of 2012)  at contefamily5@msn.com.

The Write Stuff at The Dragon's Lair

Want to change your writing style?  Or perhaps you're ready to make your mark on the world? (On paper, of course, not on walls.)  The Dragon's Lair has your choice of precision manuscript implements, available in vibrant metallic dragon green or midnight-of-your-soul poetic black (http://mlwgsdragons.weebly.com/new-pens.html).  And at the March Madness price, you can afford to change your style multiple times daily.

These deals, and many more, are available at our March Madness sale, every Tuesday and Friday.  We have many items more than 50% off, but once they're gone, so are the discounts! Come shop during the upcoming Spring Drama productions, before the show and during intermission. Click (http://mlwgsdragons.weebly.com/) to see our complete selection of spirit merchandise. Cash and checks welcomed.

EARLY S&S DEADLINE ANNOUNCEMENT!

The submission deadline for the Tuesday, March 10 edition of Smoke and Scales will be TODAY, 5 p.m. (Tuesday, March 3).  This is an early deadline for the March 10 edition only.  Submissions received after 5 p.m. on March 3 will appear in the Tuesday, March 17 edition of Smoke and Scales.

Thanks from your S&S editors!

Week of February 24, 2015

Did someone say MADNESS?

That's right dragonettes and dragonistas, it's time for The Dragon's Lair annual March Madness sale, with deals on all sorts of dragon merchandise throughout the entire month!  Been craving that swanky new MLWGS top, or some dragon comfy socks?  How about a tumbler?  A school tie?  Sunglasses?  We have all this, and much, much more.

RUN, don't walk, RUN to the Dragon's Lair every Tuesday and Friday during lunch and at special after-school events. Browse our complete selection online anytime at mlwgsdragons.weebly.com.  Bring cash, bring checks, just don't bring excuses!  For prices so low they're *INSANE*! (hat tip to the legendary "Dr. Jerry" Carroll)

Three MLWGS PTSA Financial Auditors Needed

If you love numbers, rules, and details, the MLWGS PTSA needs you! The MLWGS PTSA is seeking three volunteers to join the financial audit team! MLWGS PTSA bylaws require an audit committee of no less than three people to review the current year financial records and complete a report for the executive board at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2015). If you can help, please email Elizabeth Wong at mew.mailbox@gmail.com!  Thank you in advance for sharing your talents!!

Foundation looking for Volunteers
to provide Phonathon dinners 

The Governor's School Foundation was established to help support academic and co-curricular activities at MLWGS. The Annual Fund Campaign helps support these activities, and the Foundation’s Spring phonathon is kicking off the evenings of Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4. Dinner is provided from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the MLWGS boardroom, call training is from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m., and calls will be from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. About a dozen volunteers will staff the phones on these nights. The Foundation is looking for cooks who would be willing to provide hot, home-cooked meals on these dates for about 10-12 phonathon volunteers.  The Foundation will reimburse you for expenses.  If you are interested in helping out, please contact Michelle Finn at mfinn@mblast.com.

Upcoming SCRIP Order Due Date

The next Scrip order due date is Thursday, March 5. Orders will be ready for pick-up the following Thursday, March 12. Please consider ordering SCRIP gift cards for favorite stores and restaurants while supporting MLWGS!

Order forms can be downloaded on the Smoke and Scales page menu on the right, under "Links," or picked up in Office 100. Orders are due on Thursdays in the SCRIP drop box located in Office 100 and are delivered the following Thursday at lunchtime in Office 100. Delivery and pickup dates can also be found on the MLWGS online calendar. Be sure to check out the list of SCRIP retailers, which is constantly being updated.

Questions? Please contact:
Patty Wood 804-364-9263 or scrippattyw@gmail.com
Patty Zeevi 804-784-2966 or scrippattyz@gmail.com

After the Thaw! The PTSA presents…

Paying for College 101:

Applications, Financial Aid, Merit Scholarships, and More 

March 18, 2015 • 8:00 a.m.  

Featuring Susan Teerlink
MLWGS’s GRASP advisor

Susan has been coaching families through this important (and tedious) process for nine years. She has filled out hundreds of FAFSA forms with parents and students – and her own daughters. She works one-on-one with many MLWGS juniors and seniors, but she’s ready to share her wisdom with all MLWGS parents. 

Stop by room 153, the outside classroom near the Bluestone Lobby entrance before work or after you drop off your student. 

AP Exam Information

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School students will be registering for AP exams online using an on-line service company called Total Registration.  Please go to www.totalregistration.net/AP/471851 to register.

Important AP Exam Dates:  

February 9               On-line registration begins

March 27                 On-line registration ends

February 24 - 27      AP Fees collected in the School Counseling Office (cash or check)
                                      

AP exams are $91.00 each and must be paid before MLWGS can order them. Checks should be made out to “MLW Governor’s School.” Registration forms and exam fee(s) will be collected during lunch and all afternoon blocks in the School Counseling Office according to the following schedule:

February 24     Seniors - lunch, 6^th and 8^th block 

February 25     Juniors - lunch, 5^th and 7^th block

February 26     Freshmen and Sophomores - lunch, 6th and 8^th block

February 27     Remaining students - lunch and all afternoon blocks

The 2015 AP Bulletin for Students and Parents and more information about the on-line registration process have been distributed in AP classes.

Please see Ms. Deck in the School Counseling office or email her at pdeck@gsgis.k12.va.us with any questions.

Send a Shout Out to Your Favorite Thespian!

MLWGS Drama presents Into the Woods March 12-14 and YOU can send a Shout Out to your favorite cast or crew member.  Shout Outs are a special place in the program where people can place notes to the cast and crew offering special wishes or words of thanks and encouragement.

Example: “Sally, we’re so proud of you! Break a leg! Love, Grandma and Grandpa Jones” or: “Mike, you’re the best!! It’s been fun! Your friend, Ellie”.

Shout Outs are $10 each ($5 for students placing a Shout Out) and should be limited to 20 words or less. All proceeds benefit the MLWGS Drama Program.

Click here for the form.  Completed forms can be returned to the green Drama Box in Room 100 or mailed to: Drama Boosters, 4303 Hanover Ave., Richmond, VA 23221.  If you have any questions, please call Jewel Caven at 938-8249 or email:  cavenfamily@gmail.com. Deadline is March 4.

Dragon attends Poetry Out Loud
National Recitation Competition

The Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Competition held its regional meet on Friday afternoon, February 13, 2015. For the second year in a row, Naomi Vickers (’17, Richmond), represented Maggie Walker.  She recited two lengthy, challenging poems: “Snake Oil, Snake Bite,” by Dilruba Ahmed and “The New World,” by Amiri Baraka. Fifteen students provided stiff competition this year. A junior from St. Catherine’s School, Isabelle Andrews, won the competition and will proceed to the state-wide competition. Naomi is already planning for next year!

EARLY S&S DEADLINE ANNOUNCEMENT!

The submission deadline for the Tuesday, March 10 edition of Smoke and Scales will be 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 3.  This is an early deadline for the March 10 edition only.  Submissions received after 5 p.m. on March 3 will appear in the Tuesday, March 17 edition of Smoke and Scales.

Thanks from your S&S editors!