Week of April 12, 2016

ALUMNI SHOWCASE 2016

The Governor's School Foundation is happy to report that Alumni Showcase 2016 was a great success!  More than 50 alumni volunteered to speak to current students about life after high school on Friday, March 25.

Software engineer Mica Swyers ('04) talked about her decision to leave liberal arts academia for a STEM job.  Austin Higgs ('09) discussed switching colleges and finding his way into a meaningful career supporting diversity and equal access at VCU.  Kyle Healy ('03), a producer for The Late Show, brought down the house in the auditorium talking comedy and Colbert.  Kia Jordan ('13), our youngest speaker, was an amazing representative for our recent graduates, poised and already dispensing valuable advice.  We hope that hearing the perspectives of all sorts of different alumni added to current students' sense that life is full of possibility no matter where the road leads!   Thanks to our incredible alumni for giving so much back with such enthusiasm!

This year's speakers also included Chris Fields-Johnson '99, Sarah Jennings '99, Angela Pirko '06, Loren Bushkar '00, Austin Higgs '09, Jennifer (Frankovich) Lovett '99, Sarah Stoneham '02, Henry Scott '07, Rebecca Wright '97, Karen Principe Setzer '99, Emily Muth '00, Mica Swyers '04, Tommy Nicholas '07, Michael Wysong '03, Nakeia Monte '02, Ayanna Jones '01, David Wein '00, Steven Lewis '02, Matt Newman '03, Jamey Stegmaier '99, Kristina Page '96, Kathleen Kostandin '07, Michael Reed '03, Sarah Eckman '03, Lanae Jones Holmes '96, Katie Houston '04, Devon Gray '06, Chris Somerville '99, Victoria Chiou '02, Nathan Conway '06, Sarah Workman, '96, Shelly Thiss '03, Amy Weiss '03, Kristen Lewis '03, Danny Yates '09, Allison Muth '02, Lauren Palmer Scott '05, Maryann James-Daley '00, Kia Jordan '13, Kyle Healy '03, Steve Bryant '95, Charles Martin '99, Alexander Muth '07, Catherine Nicholas '04, Alex Guzmán '07, Tim Wright '96, Giles Harnsberger '01, Alex Wiles '12, Liz White '00, Sarah Beck-Berman '05, Erin Ortiz '06, Jessica Escobedo '96, Mike & Sarah Moore '03, Ellen Nicholas '09, and Emily Thomason '07.

The Foundation sponsored the event. The 2016 Alumni Showcase Committee organized the event in conjunction with the Foundation and included Erin Ortiz '06 (chair), Khiem Tran '06, Amy Weiss '03, Bryce Lyle '99, and Catherine Nicholas '04.

So far this year, the Annual Fund Campaign has raised $205,960 for the school, which is 69% of the goal. Overall current parent participation is 28%, and here is the parent participation by class:

• Seniors:  28%
• Juniors:  35%
• Sophomores:  28%
• Freshmen:  33%

The Governor’s School Foundation’s Annual Fund Campaign supports programs for students, grants for teacher continuing education, special projects for facilities and equipment, and serves as the alumni office.

To donate online, please click here (http://www.governorsschoolfoundation.org/donate/).

MAY 4 GENERAL PTSA MEETING PRESENTATION

ON STRESS AND ANXIETY MANAGEMENT IN YOUTH

Parents, please join us for the final General PTSA meeting for the 2015-2016 school year.  The meeting will be hosted by Dr. Michael Southam-Gerow, a MLWGS parent, as he educates us on the important topic of “Stress and Anxiety Management in Youth.”  The meeting will be held on May 4 from 5:30-7:30 in the Auditorium at Maggie Walker.  There will be prepared remarks and time for Q&A.  This was a very insightful program last year and we specifically scheduled it for the evening time slot to allow for strong parent participation.

Dr. Michael Southam-Gerow is Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at VCU and the Co-Director of the Anxiety Clinic at VCU. He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan and his PhD at Temple University in Philadelphia.

PTSA ADVOCACY GOAL:

INCREASE STATE FUNDING OF MLWGS

MLWGS PTSA is dedicated to solving the chronic underfunding of MLWGS by lobbying the Governor and General Assembly to increase funding and correct inequities in the current state funding formula.

MLWGS PTSA needs new volunteers to join us!

PTSA Advocacy also monitors the Regional School Board which governs MLWGS. This board includes a school board member from each participating school district and is advised by the district superintendents. We need parents to regularly attend MLWGS Regional School Board meetings (3rd Thursday of the month at 9 am). Information including minutes and budgets is on the school website www.mlwgs.com under the tabs “About” and “Regional School Board.”

The state lobbying effort is critical for 2016. The General Assembly has ordered the Virginia Department of Education to review Governor’s School funding by November 2016. MLWGS PTSA will continue to be active with this issue. The MLWGS PTSA will communicate its position to state budget decision makers; inform and rally support from the MLWGS community; and work with the EduPAC Club to coordinate the Legislative Coffee held annually in December and Capitol Day in February where students meet with state legislators.

The current PTSA Advocacy leaders have graduating or alumni children. Advocacy efforts need involvement from current MLWGS parents. Want to learn more? Contact Anne Hayes, annehayes@verizon.net or Laura O'Brien, prable@comcast.net.

A CLOSER LOOK: STATE FUNDING BACKGROUND

Maggie Walker PTSA volunteers have invested several years advocating for more equitable state funding for Governor’s Schools. Those efforts have paid off and are ongoing. After being excluded for years, Governor’s School teachers and staff are now explicitly included when the state provides matching dollars for salary increases. 

Thanks to the Governor and General Assembly, in FY17 and FY18, MLWGS will see a temporary increase in state funding of more than $300,000 a year. However, this is far short of the amount necessary to appropriately fund the school and address its many operational needs.

In December 2015, Governor McAuliffe’s proposed budget generously provided $3.9 million in additional funding for Governor’s Schools. Unfortunately, a closer examination of the Governor’s proposal revealed the funding distributions were not equitable for all 19 part-day and full-day Governor’s Schools on a per student, per course basis. The proposed funding formula did not account for the greater needs and costs of full-day Governor’s Schools. Given the longstanding underfunding of MLWGS and other full-day Governor’s Schools resulting in serious budget shortfalls, we raised concerns with the General Assembly about the proposed funding formula.

General Assembly members agreed with us regarding equity. Instead of supporting the Governor’s formula, they put forward a temporary formula that provides a 2.5% increase and extra $50 per course/per student for all Governor’s Schools and ordered a review of the state funding formula based on length of program day. There is hope the upcoming formula review due November 2016 will recognize actual costs of operating these programs and provide an appropriate increase in state funding for all Governor’s Schools. To ensure that happens, we need your help. Please consider volunteering with PTSA Advocacy.

MLWGS TEXTBOOK REVIEW PROCESS

MLWGS is currently undergoing the textbook adoption process for implementation in 2016-2017 for the following courses: Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, Advanced Placement Human Geography, Advanced Placement Psychology, and Advanced Placement Biology.

MLWGS invites you to provide input on the potential textbooks for one or more of these courses. The public comment period for the textbooks under consideration is open through Thursday, May 19. The textbooks and evaluation forms will be displayed in the MLWGS library during this public comment period.

Please direct any questions that you may have regarding this process to Dr. Wendy Taylor Ellis at wellis@gsgis.k12.va.us.

DO YOU HAVE PHYSICS EXPERTISE?

Mr. Houghton, who teaches Physics, would like help from someone who understands electronics and would be willing to look over his lessons on voltage regulating op amps and the use of capacitors to filter noise. hhoughton@gsgis.k12.va.us.

MLWGS JUNIOR WINS DEAN'S LIST AWARD AT

CENTRAL VIRGINIA ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Congratulations to Panth Doshi (’17, Henrico) for winning the Dean's List Award at the Central Virginia robotics competition before Spring Break! This award celebrates outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary. Wish him luck as he advances to the Chesapeake District Championship on April 8-9, 2016.

CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY SYMPOSIUM

TERRORISM AND RADICALIZATION IN OPEN SOCIETY

Thursday, April 14, 3-5 p.m.

VCU Student Commons Theater, 907 Floyd Ave, First Floor

In the modern world open societies are being confronted by a rising number of incidents of violent terrorism and the spreading radicalization of disenfranchised and disillusioned young people. The challenge is to address these problems in a society founded on principles of democracy and freedom. This symposium is intended to be an open, informative and constructive conversation to push the boundaries of how we think about and respond to terrorism and radicalization in open society. A panel of internationally renowned speakers and guests will present their experiences including:

Pete Simi – embedded fieldworker and author of the book American Swastika: Inside the White Power Movement's Hidden Spaces of Hate.

Frank Smyth – award-winning investigative reporter and executive director of Global Journalist Security

Scott Sayare – Parisian based American reporter and author of “The Charlie Hebdo I Know”(The Atlantic, January 11, 2015)

John Wyman – Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI and Terrorism Coordinator for the Richmond Joint Terrorism Task Force

Omar Abdullah – Iraqi Immigrant, translator, news analyst and VCU student

GRASP, A VIRGINIA COLLEGE ACCESS ORGANIZATION,

RECEIVES $30K GRANT FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 

SERVING RICHMOND AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Thanks to a $30,000 grant from The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP), a college access organization, can continue its financial aid services to students in central Virginia high schools during the 2016-2017 school year.

“GRASP is most appreciative of this generous support from The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia,” said Bettsy Heggie, GRASP CEO.  “It will allow us to continue helping central Virginia students take their next steps toward education after high school and the opportunity for a better future as a result of that education.”

GRASP, a Virginia non-profit, implements its services via advisors who provide free, confidential, one-on-one counseling to students seeking financial aid and scholarships for continuing education after high school – whether that is technical school, community college or a four-year university.

GRASP advisors now serve students and families in 76 Virginia schools, from the greater Richmond area, to Highland County in the west, to Lancaster County in the east, and to Sussex County in the south.  The highly trained, GRASP advisors are adept at navigating the maze of the college and post-secondary education financial aid process.  They also have a passion for helping today’s youth grasp infinite opportunities.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, GRASP advisors overall met with more than 6,800 students individually, helping them with a game plan for education after high school.  Additionally, GRASP awarded 124 Last Dollar scholarships totaling $125,000 to students, providing additional financial assistance toward their educational goals.

GRASP was co-founded in 1983 by Senator Walter Stosch and Dr. Ray Gargiulo.  GRASP advisors work one day per week at each school.  Appointments, which are free of charge, can be made through the schools’ counseling offices.  More information about GRASP is available at the website, www.grasp4va.org.

Week of November 10, 2015

THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL RICHMOND ALUMNI PRESENT THE SECOND ANNUAL PAT TAYLOR TEACHING AWARD LECTURE

Celie Boswell:  Rainbows have no Fences

Thursday, November 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the Forum

Please join us on Thursday, November 19, when English teacher Celie Boswell presents Rainbows have no Fences, chronicling her travels this past summer to South Africa and Swaziland.  Along with stunning photos, Celie will share tales of South Africa’s unsurpassed beauty amidst the remnants of Apartheid, her safari in Kruger National Park, and her visit to the Fontein Social Care Center, an AIDS orphanage in Mbabane, Swaziland.  The lecture will be preceded by a reception with traditional South African food beginning at 5:30. 

The Governor’s School Foundation sponsors the Patricia E. Taylor Teaching Award for International Experiences, which provides a cash grant of up to $7,500 to a MLWGS teacher for a summer international travel experience that will have a direct impact upon his or her classroom instruction. For more information on the Taylor Teaching Award, please contact Laura Lewis in the Foundation office at (804) 354-1566 or Laura.Lewis@GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org.  To donate to the Governor’s School Foundation, click here.

PETITION DELIVERED:  THANK YOU!

NEXT STEP: JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Thanks to all who signed the petition asking Governor McAuliffe to Fix Funding for Governor's Schools. Our efforts continue to ensure the VA Dept. of Education's $3.6 million budget request makes it into the Governor's budget in December and stays there when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. To receive further advocacy updates and show your support, follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.

The photo above represents the delivery of the petition with 4,156 signatures to Jennie O'Holleran, Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor (left). Laura O'Brien, MLWGS PTSA representative is in the middle. Rebecca Phillips, Director of Southwest Virginia Governor's School and Chair of the 19 Academic-Year Governor's School Directors is on the right.

SHOP, SCAN, and EARN MONEY FOR MLWGS

KROGER AND MARTINS  

MALALA WRITING CONTEST

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMATS PROGRAM

AIU's High School Diplomats is a 12-day international exchange program in which American students get the opportunity to live with a Japanese roommate and 39 other American-Japanese roommate pairs at Princeton University. The intent of the program is in order to exchange culture and promote diplomacy, and is fun, prestigious, and entirely free. Those interested in international affairs, global awareness, or experiencing new and foreign cultures ought to apply now at highschooldiplomats.com. Those seeking more information should contact Oliver Shen at oliver.shen0@gmail.com in regards to any questions or concerns.

THERE IS A CHAIR WAITING FOR YOU AT REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Even though important decisions about MLWGS, including budget and policies, are made at these meetings each month, few parents come. That needs to change. MLWGS is managed by a Regional School Board consisting of one local School Board member from each of the 12 participating school divisions. The Steering Committing, comprised of the Superintendents from the 12 participating school districts, also attends. For the past several years, a few MLWGS PTSA parents have been coming to these meetings and participating in the public comment period as needed, but more parents, particularly those of underclassmen, need to get involved. Come learn what's happening at MLWGS and voice your concerns. Just be sure to sign up in advance to speak. Mark your calendar with the following upcoming meeting dates:

Thursday, November 12, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Thursday, January 21, 2016 (followed by Budget Work Session)

Meetings take place at 9:00 am in Room 153 near the Bluestone entrance. Additional information including public comment protocol, agendas and minutes can be found at http://mlwgs.com/welcome-to-mlwgs/regional-school-board/meetings-agendas-and-minutes/ If you want to learn more about MLWGS funding and governance, please contact PTSA Advocacy Chair Anne Hayes at annehayes@verizon.net. 

Week of May 12, 2015

NOW IS THE TIME TO FIX

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STATE FUNDING

MLWGS PTSA Advocacy is asking the entire school community to help with our request for more state funding and a revised funding formula for Academic-Year Governor's Schools. We need a strong showing of support. Please sign the petition.

Sign the petition by clicking here: (https://www.change.org/p/gov-mcauliffe-please-fix-funding-for-virginia-s-governor-s-schools)

Help get as many signatures as we can! Ask your friends, neighbors, parents, etc., to sign. Share it. Tweet it. Post it. Email it.

Facebook: Search for "Fix Funding for Virginia's Governor's Schools". Then Like our page. Please SHARE our first post which is pinned at the top of the page. Also, tag and add your Governor's School friends to our group page. Please use this hashtag: #fixgovschoolfunding

Twitter: Tweet this: Fix VA Governor's Schools funding. Sign petition asking for Gov. McAulliffe to help http://tinyurl.com/m3obvg3 Pls RT #fixgovschoolfunding

Instagram: Help us get the word out on Instagram too. Post about Governor's Schools and include the link to the petition. Please use this hashtag: #fixgovschoolfunding.

Art Teacher Kori MosLEy

Inspired by New Orleans NAEA Conference

One way in which the Governor’s School Foundation supports MLWGS teachers is through Enhancement Grants that help them attend conferences and workshops.  This past March, art teacher Kori Mosley attended the National Art Education Association convention in New Orleans, thanks in part to a grant from the Foundation.  An except from the thank-you note we received from Kori demonstrates the value our teachers receive from opportunities such as this:

“I am returning to Maggie Walker rejuvenated and excited about ways to incorporate and share what I have learned.  Of particular interest to me were the sessions that focused on the ways that art education crosses beyond the borders of the art room and supports students by teaching a way of thinking that makes connections between the classroom walls that typically separate content areas.”

With your help, we can continue to enhance the educational experience of our gifted students, support faculty education, and acquire innovative technology.  Please consider joining your fellow parents, our alumni and other friends by making a tax-deductible donation to the Governor’s School Foundation at:  www.GovernorsSchoolFoundation.org/donate. 

No gift is too small to make a difference!

So far this year, the Foundations Annual Fund campaign has raised $285,070 for the school.  Overall parent participation stands at 43%.

MUSIC BOOSTERS ANNOUNCEMENT

May 13 Meeting Cancelled

The MLWGS Music Booster meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, has been CANCELLED.  The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, June 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Music Room.

Please contact Leslie Hausser , Music Boosters President, at lahmeems@comcast.net, with any questions.

ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE

Attention all students and parents of students who wish to take Economics and Personal Finance over the summer!

Students who registered for the course at the 2015-2016 registration in February should already see the course in Its Learning as a new tab and should be following the instructions for finalizing their registration. Those instructions are posted in a bulletin in MLWGS Its Learning  on the course dashboard. Any students who still wish to sign up for the summer Economics and Personal Finance but do not see a new tab for the course in Its Learning should contact Karl Zweernik as soon as possible to register for the course. The deadline for registering is June 1. ALL RISING JUNIORS must complete this course before the end of your junior year so any current sophomore who has not yet completed the course and who is not signed up for the 2015 summer session or the 2015-16 school year session should contact Mr. Zweernik as soon as possible. Questions concerning the course should be directed to Crista Ellis at cellis@gsgis.k12.va.us.

MLWGS Girls Varsity Soccer off to a good start

Claire O'Brien ('15, Henrico) takes the ball down the line.

Building off returning players from last year's AA State Finalists with the addition of some new faces, Maggie Walker's Girls Varsity Soccer is off to a strong start this season, with two recent wins against King William and a heart-breaking 0-1 loss to Deep Run in the past two weeks.

NOMINATE A SPECIAL MLWGS VOLUNTEER!

The PTSA will be honoring two very special MLWGS volunteers at the MLWGS End-of-Year Volunteer event hosted by the Governor's School Foundation on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

For each award, the PTSA is seeking nominations for outstanding parent volunteers who offer their time to PTSA, Booster groups, the Foundation, or in any other school-support capacity. 

The MLWGS relies heavily on the support of so many, and there are countless ways for volunteers to get involved. Therefore the PTSA has created two uniquely different awards: The Green Dragon Award for a visible and active member of the volunteer community; and The Dragon’s Lair Award for the person who works behind the scenes, not necessarily in a leadership role.

Any member of the MLWGS community may nominate a volunteer (no more than one nomination per award please). Awards will be determined based upon nominations received. 

Please submit nominations to mew.mailbox@gmail.com no later than Friday, May 22, 2015. Thank you for taking the time to vote!

Attention Seniors!

Community Service Hours:  Due by Monday, May 18, 3:30 p.m.

Completion of 140 community service hours is a requirement for graduation (see the MLWGS student handbook).  Students may confirm their community service hours in PowerSchool. Please see Ms. Valenta Williams in room 100 if there are any discrepancies. All seniors must turn in any remaining hours they have earned no later than May 18. 

Music Performance Auditions: 

May 19 & 20, 3:40 – 4:40 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 now 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 15 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.

COSTA RICA TRIP – SPRING BREAK 2016

You Can Enroll now at http://www.eftours.com/1713827WP

Price includes:

• Air fare
• Ground transportation
• Accommodations
• Meals
• Full-time tour guides
• Insurance
• Activities

Students will spend 9 days exploring the ecology, geology, history, and culture of Costa Rica. In Tortuguero students will discover 11 different habitats, including nesting ground for sea turtles. Then students will enjoy a unique perspective of the rainforest while whitewater rafting and zip-lining in Sarapiqui. The next stop will be the Arenal region, where students will study volcanic geology. The Arenal volcano serves as a watershed for the lake, powers the hot springs, and supports the majestic La Fortuna waterfall. The final destination is Guanacaste, where students can explore Pacific beaches. They will also visit a cloud forest and snorkel in a marine ecosystem. Of course, they will also have some free time to experience local culture. The cost of the trip is $2635. For more information contact Mr. David Barnes at dbarnes@gsgis.k12.va.us, or 354-6800 ex 3060, or visit http://www.eftours.com/1713827WP .

SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF VISUAL ARTISTS

Where would we be without art?  Well, we wouldn't have words like cart, part, and arthroscopy, but that's beside the point.  The world would be a dull and dreary place without visual arts, or the artists who produce these works.  You can easily support MLWGS' budding Rembrandts, Calders, and Warhols by purchasing a pack of these student-designed notecards and envelopes.  It's just $10, and all proceeds go to support Visual Art Boosters.

Come by The Dragon's Lair for these and a full spectrum of clothing, gifts and accessories in your favorite hues of green.  We're open every Tuesday and Friday during lunch and during special after-school events.  Cash and checks welcome; browse 24/7 at our website (mlwgsdragons.weebly.com).