Smoke and Scales: Stress Less Week

Showing posts with label Stress Less Week. Show all posts

Week of April 24, 2019

SENIOR CLASS GROUP PHOTO

Photographers from Wendell Powell Studio will photograph the senior class in their caps and gowns on the front steps of Maggie Walker TODAY, April 24. This panorama-style photograph measures around 11”x14”, and the cost is $21.50. If you would like to order a print, you will need to follow these steps once the picture is taken:

Go to: www.wendellpowell.com
Click: "Proofing"
Click "MLWGS"
Click: "MLWGS Class of 2019"
Enter your email address
Enter the password: MWSR19

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Class of 2019 sponsor, Ms. Kerry Sheppard, if you have questions. Her contact information is 804-354-6800 ext. 3304 and/or ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us. If your student did not pick up their cap and gown when they were delivered on April 8-9, they need to see Ms. Sheppard as soon as possible to ensure theirs was delivered and available before picture day.

STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE WEEK APRIL 29-MAY 3

Stress Less, Laugh More Week is an event designed to provide some fun and relaxation for our students prior to AP exams and the spring SOL assessments. It is coordinated by Lisa Ebeling, School Psychologist and Paige Hawkins, Activities Director. A committee of students have worked with Mrs. Ebeling and Ms. Hawkins on generating ideas for this event. During lunch, our students can look forward to free treats (thanks to the PTSA!), a visit with therapy dogs, and some other entertaining activities.

Students can also check out books from the MW Library related to humor, mindfulness, stress management, reducing anxiety, or stop by the library’s Creativity and Calm cabinet for a creative diversion. Ms. DeGroat will have some special additions to the Creativity and Calm cabinet during Stress Less, Laugh More Week. The library web site provides more tips and resources about mindfulness and calm, accessible at http://bit.ly/mindfulnessandcalm. 

Please note that in order for students to visit with the therapy dogs on May 3, they MUST have the attached permission form signed by a parent. The signed permission form will be collected at the entry where the dogs will be located that day (track weather permitting or the gym). Questions?  Contact Lisa Ebeling at lebeling@gsgis.k12.va.us.

Permission Form attached HERE

SPANISH AND FRENCH STUDENTS NEED HOST FAMILIES IN JULY

Share your heart and home 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 by being a part of what you regularly do. We have a variety of programs to suit your 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 treasured memory for your family!

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

Each April, a dedicated member of the alumni community sends out a letter on behalf of the Governor's School Foundation requesting support for the Annual Fund. We are planning to mail out letters this week to all parents who have not yet had the opportunity to support the Foundation's Annual Fund this year.

Save us a stamp and make your gift now!

We still need to raise more than $120,000 before June 30 in order to provide the same level of enhancements next year! These funds are essential in providing teacher professional development and continuing education, academic enhancements, upgraded technology, and assistance for students in financial need.

Every year parents from each class compete for the greatest percentage of participation. Help your child's class land on top! Current parent participation is as follows:

Senior parents (2019) 31%
Junior Parents (2020) 27%
Sophomore parents (2021) 25%
Freshman Parents (2022) 30%

We look forward to all that we can accomplish together for MLWGS!

Week of April 17, 2019

SENIOR CLASS GROUP PHOTO

Photographers from Wendell Powell Studio will photograph the senior class in their caps and gowns on the front steps of Maggie Walker on Wednesday, April 24. This panorama-style photograph measures around 11”x14” and the cost is $21.50. If you would like to order a print, you will need to follow these steps once the picture is taken:

COLLEGE BOOTCAMP FOR JUNIORS

Dear Juniors and Parents!

Registration for College Application Boot Camp will open on April 23! You will receive an email as soon as registration opens.

The mission of College Boot Camp is to provide rising seniors the space and time to complete their Common Application and/or Coalition Application (and/or other application of their choice) before the start of the school year. Boot Camp will be held from August 19-21, 2019. A morning (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) will be offered. College Boot Camp is an optional fee-based workshop led by the senior counselors. The cost of Boot Camp is $55. Fee waivers are available if paying for Boot Camp would be an obstacle. Please contact Kierstin Streitel in the Counseling Office with any questions or if you would like to request a fee waiver. Registration will close on May 31. Registration operates on a “first come, first served” basis, so if you are interested in attending please register ASAP.

More information about College Boot Camp: The MLWGS Senior Counselors will provide a structured curriculum over three, three-hour sessions with specific tips and personal assistance at every step. College Boot Camp is designed to walk students through each section of the Common Application and/or Coalition Application and provide them with the resources to complete each section during the program. A guest speaker will address the essay specifically, and the students should leave the Boot Camp with their Common App primary essay (or other essay of their choice) in a completed draft form. There will be some group discussion, peer editing, quiet individual work time, and one-on-one consultations. The Boot Camp will also touch on college-specific supplements and popular institutional applications. Topics can be adjusted based on the needs of the group.

MLWGS Senior Counselors

PTSA MEETING APRIL 24- SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OUR KIDS

Please plan to join us for our next general membership PTSA meeting, taking place on Wednesday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. in room 153. This meeting will focus on various aspects of substance abuse, including talking to your student about drugs and alcohol, recognizing when they may need support, and more. This presentation will be valuable for all MLWGS parents--whether your student is just starting to navigate the high school social scene, or heading off to college where experimentation becomes more widespread. Thomas Bannard, the program coordinator for VCU's Rams in Recovery, will speak to parents and answer questions. Mr. Bannard is a UVA graduate in Long-term Recovery, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and holds an MBA from VCU. He has engaged crowds throughout our community speaking on these topics, including TEDxRVA. We hope that you can join us next Wednesday!

LIBRARY NEWS

April is both School Library Month AND National Poetry Month! YES!!!

What a perfect time to feature POEMS treasured by MLWGS Dragons – students and faculty – on the LIBRARY’S message wall!

To participate, please pick a favorite poem, print it, and post it on the library’s message wall. Please include the poet’s name on the printed copy. Then, after you print the poem, jot a note on the paper that indicates “posted by [Your Name].” “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy (posted by me) and “No Help for That” by Charles Bukowski (posted by Liza Craig Richmond '20) were posted within the first few hours. Which poem will you add?

Need more poetry? Besides the message wall, you'll find six contemporary American poetry books on display. These are just a small sampling of the classic and contemporary American poetry available in the MW Library. For more new favorite poem possibilities, browse 808.81 and 811 on the library shelves.

Best regards,
Wendy DeGroat, Librarian
www.resourceress.wordpress.com

STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE WEEK APRIL 29-MAY 3

RUBIK'S CUBE COMPETITION A SUCCESS

The First Annual MLWGS Rubik's Cube Competition was an overwhelming success!

On Saturday, April 13, 2019, the MLWGS Rubik’s Cube Club hosted the first ever Rubik’s Cube competition at the school. The competition was officially sanctioned by the World Cube Association (WCA) and drew almost ninety competitors from multiple states (NC, WV, VA, MD) to test their skills with variations of the classic puzzle. The events were 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, pyraminx, and one hand 3x3.

Approximately 250 people (competitors, families, guests, and volunteers) were in attendance. There were first-time competitors all the way to the 3rd and 6th fastest 2x2 solvers in the world. Age range from 6 years to 40+. This SOLD OUT event was a great outreach to the cubing community.

The competition was made possible by contributions and work from many groups. Dawn Grois, German instructor and Rubik’s Cube club sponsor at MLWGS, was instrumental in making the event a success. Corey Sakowski, a delegate from the WCA, drove down from Maryland to assist in official matters and management. The Governor’s School Foundation also generously donated funds to give the competitors lunch. The help and hard work of security and custodial staff allowed the club to use the school building even on a weekend. Finally, the outstanding help of over twenty student volunteers ensured that the event ran smoothly and successfully. The Rubik’s Cube Club would like to extend immense gratitude to all coordinators, assistors, and volunteers who made this competition possible.

The co-presidents: Jacob Lee (Chesterfield '21), John Staley (Hanover '21), and Ryland Wilson (Hanover '21), organized and led this event.

Spring is officially here! Each April, a dedicated member of the alumni community sends out a letter on behalf of the Governor's School Foundation requesting support for the Annual Fund. We are planning to mail out letters the last week in April to all parents who have not yet had the opportunity to support the Foundation's Annual Fund this year.

Save us a stamp and make your gift now!

The support of our parents is critical in these efforts and we are most grateful for your continued commitment.

Every year parents from each class compete for the greatest percentage of participation. Help your child's class land on top! Current parent participation is as follows:

Senior parents (2019): 31%
Junior Parents (2020): 27%
Sophomore parents (2021): 25%
Freshman Parents (2022): 30%

We still need to raise more than $120,000 in order to provide the same level of enhancements next year. Make a contribution now. We look forward to all that we can accomplish together for MLWGS!

Week of April 25, 2018

MLWGS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS: 2018 SPRING ONE-ACTS FESTIVAL

An Evening of Student-Directed Short Plays April 26-28

This year's One-Acts Festival will be held on April 26, 27, and 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theater and features three student-directed short plays. Additionally, two of these productions will be premieres as they are original scripts written or adapted by MLWGS students. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. Please join us for the following productions:

Clue: The Movie- adapted and directed by Clara Studdard ('18, Richmond)

A Game- directed by Amarah Ennis ('19, Chesterfield)

Galois- written and directed by Olivia Youmans ('20, Chesterfield)

Please contact maggielwalkerdrama@gmail.com with any questions.

STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE WEEK!

April 30 – May 4, 2018

Stress Less, Laugh More Week is an event designed to provide some fun and relaxation for our students prior to AP exams and the spring SOL assessments. It is being sponsored by Lisa Ebeling, School Psychologist and Paige Hawkins, Activities Director. A committee of students have worked with Mrs. Ebeling and Ms. Hawkins on generating ideas for this event. During lunch, our students can look forward to a Lip Sync Battle, treats at lunch, a visit with therapy dogs, and some other entertaining activities. Please note that in order for students to visit with the therapy dogs on May 4, they MUST have the attached permission form signed by a parent and returned to the school counseling office by May 3. Questions? Contact Lisa Ebeling at lebeling@gsgis.k12.va.us.

PROM AND FORMAL WEAR DRIVE

Do you have any gently used cotillion or prom dresses? Any outgrown blue blazers, suits, or ties? The Junior Class is sponsoring a community service project in conjunction with Prom. Charterhouse School is a year-round school affiliated with the foster care program at UMFS. The kids at Charterhouse are residents of the Child and Family Healing Program, and their prom is organized by volunteers and outreach programs through UMFS. They rely on donations for prom-wear. The Junior class is sponsoring a prom/cotillion dress (short or long), suit/blazer and tie drive for the kids at Charterhouse School for their prom, which is May 11. There is a rack in the athletic hall for people to put their donations. Please make sure all donations are gently used, clean, and on a hanger. The Junior class will be collecting donations through by May 1. Please consider surveying your kids' closets. These donations make a big difference for the kids at Charterhouse.

Any questions, please contact Michael Schweiker, mschweiker19@gmail.com

www.charterhouseschool.org/locations/#block-richmond-locations

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS

The April issue of the Senior Newsletter is now available! Please read for important upcoming deadlines.

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND PARENTS

Registration for the College Application Boot Camp is open as of April 24! The mission of College Boot Camp is to provide rising seniors the space and time to complete their Common Application (or other application of their choice) before the start of the school year. Boot Camp will be held from August 14-16, 2018. A morning (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) session will be offered. College Boot Camp is an optional fee-based workshop led by the senior counselors. The cost of Boot Camp is $55. Fee waivers are available if paying for Boot Camp would be an obstacle. Please contact Kierstin Streitel in the Counseling Office with any questions. Registration will close on May 31. Registration operates on a “first come, first served” basis, so if you are interested in attending please register ASAP.

Click on the link to register: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4fabae28a5fe3-college

More information about College Boot Camp: The MLWGS Senior Counselors will provide a structured curriculum over three, three-hour sessions with specific tips and personal assistance at every step. College Boot Camp is designed to walk students through each section of the Common Application and provide them with the resources to complete each section during the program. A guest speaker will address the essay specifically, and the students should leave the Boot Camp with their Common App primary essay (or other essay of their choice) in a completed draft form. There will be some group discussion, peer editing, quiet individual work time, and one-on-one consultations. The Boot Camp will also touch on college-specific supplements and popular non-Common App applications. Topics can be adjusted based on the needs of the group.

NEWS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

We are happy to report that we had more than a hundred attendees at this year's Grandparents and Special Friends Day, sponsored by the MLWGS Foundation. We loved being able to welcome grandparents who were setting foot in the school for the first time as well as others who were attending for a second, third, fourth, or even eighth time! Some came from as far as Chicago! Thanks go to the Foundation's Events Committee for putting on a beautiful event, to Dr. Lowerre for welcoming all our visitors, and to the Deadbeats for their fantastic performance. You can find pictures from the reception on our Facebook page.

Don't Miss the 2018 Day of the Dragon- Tuesday May 1

On Tuesday, May 1, the Governor's School Foundation is hosting the first ever Day of the Dragon- a full day dedicated to celebrating the good work of the Governor's School and promoting Foundation support. The Foundation will kick off the Day of the Dragon with a special breakfast honoring our newly launched Legacy Circle, which recognizes Foundation contributors who have given more than $25,000 cumulatively throughout the history of the school. Other activities throughout the day include an ice cream social study break for MLWGS students, a phone-a-thon/thank you note writing party after school, and an alumni happy hour that evening under the lights of the Byrd Marquee which will recognize MLWGS! And throughout the day, we will be busy sharing information about the Foundation's many efforts to strengthen the academic experience for our students, and garnering support for our 2017-2018 Annual Fund Campaign.

How can you make the 2018 Day of the Dragon a success?

Make a gift to the 2017-18 Annual Fund Campaign at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GSGISFFoundationGovernorsS/annualfundgift.html

Volunteer at the Parent/Student Phone-a-thon/ Thank You Note Writing Party- 3:45- 7:45 pm (contact sstora@MLWGSFoundation.org to volunteer)

Like the Governor's School Foundation's Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/MLWGSFoundation/

So far this year, the Foundation's 2017-18 Annual Fund Campaign has raised $273,906. 32% of current parents have donated a total of $62,956. In our strongest fundraising years, parent participation has reached 70% so we still have a long way to go! Here is the parent participation by class as of April 10:

Senior: 27%
Junior: 39%
Sophomore: 30%
Freshmen: 33%

And keep spreading the word! Parent support is critical to our success!