Week of February 5, 2020

PLEASE READ AND ACT! 

The need for an RN is on the MLWGS school board agenda for next school board meeting on February 20. In Virginia, ONLY a Licensed Registered Nurse (“RN”) can train medically unlicensed staff in emergency medication administration and treatments (i.e. recognizing symptoms of problems as well as administering medications such as insulin, EpiPens, etc). Having an RN at MLGWS is essential in the management of all types of student health challenges. Without an RN, MLWGS cannot properly manage the medical needs of its students. In Virginia, counseling and teaching are also nursing tasks that cannot be delegated (18VAC90-19-280. Nursing Tasks That Shall Not Be Delegated.). Because we lack access to an RN, there is no process at MLWGS in place to take care of the training of a student’s teachers. Please contact your MLWGS school board representative BEFORE February 20 to express our need for an RN at MLWGS. Please find your MLWGS school board representative and contact information here: Regional School Board

SCRIP DUE DATE FEBRUARY 14

The next Great Lakes Scrip gift card due date is next week, Friday, February 14. Consider doing some of your everyday shopping with gift cards or buy them for the NOTD Auction and let those retailers you already shop give back to MLWGS! Those enrolled can shop Scrip Now anytime and receive digital certificates instantly. To receive the enrollment code, or if you have questions, contact Laura. Go to shopwithscrip.com for a full list of retailers.

If anyone is interested in being a shadow Scrip coordinator for the 2020/2021 school year, with the idea that you would take over in 2021/2022 (current coordinator's child will be graduating that year), please contact Laura at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. It's an easy way to get involved and raise some money for MLWGS PTSA!

UPCOMING EVENTS

• February 14: Valentine's Dance 7:30-10:30 p.m.
• February 15: Battle of the Brains: CBS TV 6 MLWGS v Goochland 10 a.m.
• February 24: Spring sports begin! Support our Baseball, Outdoor Track, Tennis, Soccer, and Softball teams! 
• February 27-29: MW Drama presents: The Addams Family Musical (various times)
• February 29: Night of the Dragon 2020: Quantum Leap 6:30 p.m.

MUSIC NEWS

The following students participated in Central Regional Orchestra at Atlee High School on January 24-25. 

• Chloe Biggs- violin (Henrico '23)
• Sean Fang- cello (Chesterfield '23)
• Ella Forlin- cello (Henrico '23)
• Sarah Hendricks- cello (Hanover '23)
• Mariam Jafari-Nassali- violin (Richmond '23)
• Mark Janssen- viola (Chesterfield '23)
• Shreyas Muthusamy- viola (Henrico '23)
• Abhishek Satpathy- cello (Henrico '23)
• William Taylor- cello (Henrico '23)

On January 25, six Maggie Walker students participated in VCU Jazz Day, an annual event where students compose, improvise, and perform a jazz concert in collaboration with VCU Jazz Faculty.

• Delaney Cotton (Hanover '21)
• Ryan Eklund (Richmond '22)
• Catherine Garrison (Hanover '22)
• Jessica Hendricks (Hanover '23)
• Helen Hopkins (Chesterfield '21)
• Vishnoy Vadakkancheri (Henrico '23)

On February 1, MW students performed with the 2020 District Band at Godwin High School. The District Band was conducted by Ryan Addair (composer, band director) and Stephen Bolstad (Director of Bands, James Madison University). 

• Ryan Eklund (Richmond '22)
• Helen Hopkins (Chesterfield '21)
• Devon Jebo (Henrico '22)
• Rahul Ramesh (Henrico '21)
• Amar Srinivasan (Chesterfield '22)
• Carson Wang (Henrico '23)

2020 Night of the Dragon tickets are now on sale! Purchase tickets online HERE. You can purchase tickets, sponsor a table, and enter seating requests in the special requests section. Don’t know who you would like to sit with? No worries. We will assign you to a table with other great folks so you can make new friends in the Dragon Family. Either way, be sure to order your tickets soon so you can be part of the fun! Tickets are selling fast and we do anticipate that we will sell out.

This year’s NOTD items include long-time favorites and many exciting new items:

• Perennial favorite multi-course, in-home Italian Dinner for 10
• MLWGS 2020 graduation seating
• Vacation homes and adventure packages
• Rooftop wine tasting in the Fan
• Original art and one of a kind jewelry
• VIP “Behind the Ropes” tickets at the Dominion Classic
• College gear and class baskets
• Event tickets and unique outings
• And so much more!

NOTD FAQs

What happens during NOTD?
Everyone has loads of fun and we make lots of money to support our amazing school. The evening looks something like this:

• 6:30 p.m. Check-in begins
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, complimentary welcome cocktail, cash bar, mingling
• 6:30-8:15 p.m. Auction items on display
• 7:30-8:15 p.m. Dinner buffet and carving stations open
• 8:15 p.m. Silent Auction ends
• 8:30 p.m. Welcome from Dr. Lowerre
• 8:45 p.m. Live Auction begins with Head and Tails
• 9 p.m. Dessert and coffee served
• 9:30 p.m. Student performance

Will I have fun even if I don’t know very many people at Maggie Walker yet?
ABSOLUTELY! There’s plenty of time to mingle and meet folks during the evening. And when dinner time comes, if you don’t request specific folks to sit with, we will do our best to assign you to a table with other parents from your students' class. It’s a great way to meet other Dragon parents.

What is the dress code?
The dress code is “festive.” Not a lot of help, right? The idea is for everyone to feel as special as the event is to our school but no need to special order a designer dress or dust off the tux- unless you want to! Wear whatever makes you feel ready to have some fun for a great cause, whether that’s a cocktail dress or your fave pants or anything in between. On second thought, wear what

makes you most want to bid lots of money on lots of items.

What does the money from NOTD support?
All proceeds for the Night of the Dragon support the students and faculty at MLWGS! Last year’s event yielded more than $70,000! Proceeds benefit the enhancement initiatives of the Governor’s School Foundation as well as the efforts of the Athletic, Music, Visual Arts, Drama Boosters, and the PTSA.

Is there parking available?
Yes, we have arranged for complimentary parking at 13 N. 5th Street- a lot adjacent to the John Marshall.

What is Heads and Tails?
It’s a fun, interactive coin toss game. Each person who has paid to play ($10 in advance or at the event) receives a set of beads to wear. At the beginning of the Live Auction, everyone with beads stands and places their hands on their head or their tail. The auctioneer then flips a coin. Anyone who guessed the coin toss correctly, as evidenced by where their hands are placed, remains standing. This continues until only one person is standing and wins the prize.

Will NOTD use mobile bidding again this year?
Yes, and we are very excited! Mobile bidding was a huge success last year and will be used again this year and in the future. Mobile bidding allows you to input your credit card into a secure system when you buy your tickets or at the event. No more check-out lines at the end of the evening. No more running from silent auction bid sheet to bid sheet. You can set your initial bid and a maximum bid on as many silent auction items as you like and the system will automatically adjust your bid in increments until your max is reached or you win; you can manually enter new bids each time you get a text that you’ve been outbid. You’ll be getting more easy-to-follow bidding info after ticket sales close. Special thanks to Dominion Energy for serving as our Mobile Bidding Sponsor.

Will drink tickets be pre-sold again this year?
No. Guests can use cash and credit cards at the John Marshall to purchase drinks so we will not be pre-selling drink tickets this year.

Week of February 3, 2015

Night of the Dragon--Tickets available only one more week!

Don't miss the chance to attend the 13th Annual Night of the Dragon Auction on Saturday, February 21. Tickets are selling quickly for an expected sell-out crowd again this year at this fabulous fundraiser that benefits the entire school. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and there are no ticket sales at the door.

The inventory of auction items includes weekend getaways to the beach and the mountains, several gourmet dinners, more than a dozen themed gift baskets along with unique jewelry, sports memorabilia, and plenty of items to help parents and MLWGS supporters show dragon spirit!  The catalog should be online within the next week!

All ticket purchases are online this year - purchase your tickets at www.nightofthedragon.com. Please buy tickets as soon as possible - but no later than the RSVP deadline which is Friday February 6. Remember to pre-purchase drink tickets at the discounted rate of $6 each, and heads/tails tickets along with event tickets. 

Can't attend this year? Watch for the opportunity to "Buy It Now" on nearly 100 items in our "Buy It Now" online event which will be available at www.nightofthedragon.com two weeks before the event!

For more information on the Night of the Dragon Auction, check out the event website: www.nightofthedragon.com. For questions, please contact Karen Akens, Night of the Dragon 2015 Administrative Co-Chair, at nightofthedragon15@gmail.com

FOUNDATION SUPPORTS CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION

For Fine Arts Department Chair Jeff “Coach” Hall, one of the challenges of teaching art is keeping up with the latest trends and techniques of the profession, especially in digital art or, as it is often referred to, “new media.”  Think of traditional sculpture or painting but add in engineering, programming, and computer science.  In addition to keeping up with the techniques, having access to the equipment is an additional obstacle.

However, thanks to a grant from the Governor’s School Foundation, the art department now has access to both the training and equipment for “new media” via HackRVA.  HackRVA is a local maker space located in nearby Scott’s Addition.  Their website declares “You provide the enthusiasm and we provide the tools and community.” The Foundation-funded membership provides access to everything from networking to woodworking programming to robotics.  Students in the digital art class designed sculptures that were printed on HackRVA’s 3D printers. 

Contributions to the Foundation Annual Fund help bring cutting-edge technology and teaching to MLWGS students.  So far this year, the Annual Fund Campaign has raised $224,755 for the school. Overall current parent participation is 29%, and here is the parent participation by class:

• Seniors: 36%
• Juniors: 29%
• Sophomores: 38%
• Freshmen: 18%

To donate online, please click here.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February 12  from 4 -7 p.m.  Dr. McGee is sending out an email this week with links to Signup Genius for conference registration.  If you do not receive the email by Friday, February 6, please email kzweerink@gsgis.k12.va.us or mrainey@gsgis.k12.va.us for the link.

Attention Senior Parents!

The February Senior Newsletter is now available on the School Counseling Website. This newsletter contains college-related reminders and a listing of scholarships with approaching deadlines. The newsletter was distributed to students in their English classes last week. Scholarship information for seniors is also available on the School Counseling website and in Naviance. 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.

Attention Junior Parents!

You are invited to attend the College Kickoff program for Juniors on February 10 at 12:45 p.m. See invitation below! Postcard (below) and email invitations have also been sent. Please contact Rachel Loving (rloving@gsgis.k12.va.us, x3211) or Penny Deck (pdeck@gsgis.k12.va.us, x3240) with questions.

Senior counselor caseloads for the Class of 2016: Last names A-Le, Ms. Deck; Last names Li-Z, Dr. Loving

MLWGS Valentine’s Day Dance

It’s that time already! Each year, the Sophomore Class hosts the MLWGS Valentine’s Day Dance and this year is no different.  The dance will be held at school on Friday, February 13 from 7-10 p.m. The dance is open to all MLWGS students and their dates, if they choose to bring one.  Tickets for the dance will be sold during school next week.  Tickets must be purchased by the end of the lunch on Friday February 13 as they will NOT be sold at the door.  Again, tickets will NOT be sold at the door.  The ticket price has not yet been set, but will likely be $10 or less.  The dress code is casual this year.  If students plan to bring a guest who is not a student at MLWGS, a form must be completed in advance and requires a signature from an official at the guest’s school. Forms can be found in Room 100.

Parents are needed to help out with this event.  Please see the sign up genius below.  If you volunteer to send in snacks, please ask your student to leave them in Mike Brown’s office. Snacks and non-perishables can be brought in on either Thursday or Friday, the 12^th and the 13^th.   Please also send in any brown grocery bags those in to Mr. Brown’s office as well.  They will be used to store student coats during the dance. 

As always, thanks for your support!

Sally Schultz and Cathy Temple

Sophomore Class Parent Reps

www.SignUpGenius.con/go/60B0C4CADAC2CA02-valentines

MLWGS Blood Drive

MLWGS will hold a Blood Drive on Friday, February 6, 2015 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Rooms 104 and 105. Please sign-up with Mr. Blanton for an appointment time to donate. Walk-ins are also welcome. Prepare for your donation by eating well and staying hydrated. Please bring an ID to your donation appointment.

Every participant will receive a coupon for Outback Steakhouse!

*All students ages 16 and 17 MUST have a signed parental consent form to donate and all MUST have ID.

MLWGS Parents Love Robotics!

As the Mech Tech Dragons continue their hard work on this year’s robot, a past parent’s testimonial on the rewards of the long hours put in by students and parents provides insight into the value of this program:

My son Wil Thomason (’12 Chesterfield) has benefited greatly from his commitment to Team 422.  As a UVa student majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, his team experience has been integral to his decisions and choices in college and graduate school, in teaching and research positions, in internships, and in development of his future goals.  FIRST Robotics contributed to his confidence and expertise which has led to opportunities with Microsoft, Google, and Palantir, to name a few.   Thank you!  David Thomason

MLWGS Students Perform in Virginia Dance Festival

Four MLWGS students will be performing with the Richmond Ballet Ensemble in the 16^th Annual Virginia Dance Festival Saturday February 7 to benefit Children’s Hospital Foundation.  Annika Basch (’15, Richmond), Samantha McCoy (’15, Richmond), Catherine Gilfoyle (’16, Richmond), and Samantha Grossman ('18, Richmond) will perform at both the 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows at Altria Theater (formally the Landmark Theater).

The event will feature more than 300 dancers performing traditional and cultural dances as well as a silent auction.  Tickets may be purchased at Etix.com.

Get Lost at The Dragon's Lair

Well, with the end of exams, we turn our attention to that next major academic milestone:  SPRING BREAK!!  And the staff of the Dragon's Lair stand prepared to help you avoid the embarrassment that plagues spring breakers for years - - no, not 'should-have-thought-twice' selfies posted to Facebook.  Worse than that: Misplaced luggage. Just think, instead of watching luggage circle the baggage claim carousel, you can immediately spot your MLWGS-tagged baggage as soon as it comes down the chute.  And then it's goodbye airport, hello sweaty cab ride.

Come get tagged every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch at The Dragon's Lair and during special after-school events. Check out our entire selection of apparel, accessories, gifts and more at http://mlwgsdragons.weebly.com/.  Cash and checks are always welcome.