Smoke and Scales: Visual Arts Boosters

Showing posts with label Visual Arts Boosters. Show all posts

Week of February 12, 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 MLWGS 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

ONLINE LIBRARY CONSULTATION STARTS TODAY

Have research questions but no time to stop by the library during school? Schedule an online research consultation with Ms. DeGroat via Zoom! From 6:30-8 p.m. on designated weeknights in February, March, and April, Ms. DeGroat will be piloting a new library service: online research consultations!
You may book one of three time slots: 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., or 7:30 p.m. Consultations will last 20 to 25 minutes. Interested? Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Check for an OPEN appointment time at http://bit.ly/researchconsultsMLWGS

Step 2: Request an OPEN time via your MLWGS email no later than 3 p.m. the day BEFORE (wdegroat@gsgis.k12.va.us) or speak with Ms. DeGroat face-to-face no later than NOON the same day as the desired appointment. If you make your request via email, use your MLWGS email account and include the following information in your message (these are the same questions she’ll ask if you make your request in-person):

Your research topic/question or thesis
The context of your research- is it for a class assignment, club, or personal interest?
What research question/problem you’re facing
Where you’ve been searching
What search words you’ve been using

SHARE your outline, paper, and bibliography/works cited list with Ms. DeGroat via MLWGS Google Drive or MLWGS One Drive and include those links in your email message.

IMPORTANT: Requests received from non-MLWGS email accounts will not be accepted.

Step 3: Watch for a verification email from Ms. DeGroat with a link to a Zoom meeting. If the time you requested is no longer available, she will let you know.

Step 4: A few minutes before your appointment (please be punctual), click on the URL you received in the email from Ms. DeGroat. This will place you in a “Waiting Room.”

Step 5: Ms. DeGroat will admit you to the online meeting room as soon as she is ready to begin your research consultation.

New to using Zoom? To use this web-based meeting platform, you will need a web connection. Although a webcam is useful, it is not necessary. If you do not have a webcam, you may join the meeting using the audio of your computer’s microphone. Another option is to install the Zoom app on your smartphone. Registering for a Zoom account is free, as is the Zoom app. For research consultations, connecting via a laptop or desktop is recommended so that you can view shared screens more easily. See you online!

SCRIP ORDERS DUE FEBRUARY 14

SCRIP orders are due this Friday, February 14 for plastic card orders with orders arriving the following week. Paper order forms and checks made payable to MLWGS PTSA must be dropped off in room 100, Valenta William's office. Go to shopwithscrip.com for on-line ordering and a full list of retailers. Thank you for supporting MLWGS PTSA through your everyday shopping and gift giving! If you have questions contact scrip@mlwgsptsa.org.

REMINDER: Purchase NOTD gift card donations with SCRIP!

VAB MEETING FEBRUARY 18

The Visual Art Boosters will meet Tuesday, February 18 at 5 p.m. in the Art room. We are in need of some new faces in the VAB! Hope to see you there!

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL SENIOR HITS 1000 POINTS!

Seniors left to right: Taylor Dunn (Chesterfield '20), Ge'shanti Atkins (Henrico '20), Lucy Wampler (Richmond '20)

Senior Night was extra special for Ge'shanti Atkins as she scored her 1000th point during the game against Henrico High School on February 6. The game was stopped to celebrate the point and she received the game ball. Congratulations on her amazing achievement!

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS

SOS SECOND ACT
SOS Second Act is a mental health program that is being implemented by Lisa Ebeling, School Psychologist, for our juniors. SOS Second Act will be presented through the 11th grade English classes starting on February 20. This program helps students to understand the signs of depression and potential suicidal thinking and provides information on how to support themselves or a peer when experiencing an emotional concern. This program is a designed as a booster for a similar program implemented to the students when they were freshmen. It reminds the juniors of the resources that they have available now and the ones that they can access when they have graduated from Maggie Walker. Questions? Call Mrs. Ebeling at 354-6800, ext. 3260 or email her at lebeling@gsgis.k12.va.us.

WINTER GROUP OFFERING FOR PARENTS
Anxiety and stress are common issues seen with adolescents and these concerns can impact students at home as well as at school. Lisa Ebeling, MLWGS School Psychologist, is facilitating a group for parents on this very important topic. She will be coordinating the group with Jasmine Coleman who is a graduate student in the VCU Clinical Psychology Department. We will discuss the characteristics of anxiety along with practical ways that parents can support their children. The group will meet from 6-7:00 p.m. starting on Tuesday, February 25 and will run for four weeks. Please let Mrs. Ebeling know if you’re interested in the group and she will let you know the meeting location after verifying the number of participants. You can reach her at 354-6800, x 3260 or by email at lebeling@gsgis.k12.va.us

BACCALAUREATE LETTER AND SURVEY

Please read the LETTER from MLWGS PTSA President, Craig Martin regarding Baccalaureate. We would then love to get your feedback through one of the surveys. Your responses are highly appreciated and valued and we would love to have your input by February 23.

Parent survey

Student survey

UPDATE: TICKETS ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT!

Purchase tickets online at https://one.bidpal.net/leapdayauction/welcome. Here you can purchase tickets, sponsor a table, or note any seating requests. 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!

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 tickets “Behind the Ropes” at the Dominion Classic
College gear and class Baskets
Event tickets and unique Outings
And so much more!

Please join us for our biggest fundraiser. This year, we are hosting the event at the John Marshall Hotel downtown. Parking is included with your ticket. We hope to see you there!

FRENCH AND SPANISH STUDENTS NEED HOST FAMILIES IN JULY!

Share your heart and home this summer! Host a student from France or Spain (ages 13-17) in your home for 3-4 weeks in July. Learn about their culture while he or she learns about living in an American family just being a part of what you regularly do. We have a variety of programs to suit your 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 or 909-3190.

Week of October 30, 2019

GET READY FOR GRADUATION 2020

Herff Jones will taking measurements for graduation caps and gowns today Wednesday, October 30 during lunch in the auditorium. Ordering information for announcements and other graduation paraphernalia will also be available. It can be tough to anticipate how many announcements to order with graduation still eight months away, but order now to ensure you will have enough! Herff Jones will return November 6 and 7 (during lunch in the downstairs commons area) to accept orders and payments. You are also welcome to order your announcements online www.herffjones.com. Just make sure to order before January 1 to avoid an increase in the price. Don’t forget that seniors have already paid for their caps and gowns. This was included in their student fees, so no need to worry!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Sheppard or 804-354-6800 ext. 3304.

VISUAL ART BOOSTERS EVENT

This Friday, November 1, the Fine Arts Department and Visual Arts Boosters is hosting our annual Fall Art Walk event in conjunction with Richmond’s First Fridays. Every first Friday of the month, local art galleries open their doors for the evening.

To begin the evening, our wonderful Visual Arts Boosters are hosting a reception from 6-7 p.m. in room 153 outside of the Bluestone Lobby. Please join us for snacks and fellowship prior to heading out to the galleries. If you are willing to help out with food for the reception, please sign up HERE

We will give everyone maps of the galleries and Coach Hall will take anyone who would like to join him around to some specific exhibitions.

To help avoid parking around the galleries, we will have a school bus which will run a circuit from the Main St. galleries to Broad St. and then back to school. The bus will continue this circuit throughout the evening until the last pickup at 9:30 p.m. This way, you may stay for as long (or as short) as you like. Details will be discussed that evening.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in a First Fridays Art Walk - or even if you have - we’d love to see you at our event! All are welcome (students, parents, family members, and faculty)!

Additional details can be found here: http://www.maggiewalkervab.org

Thanks again and we hope to see you and your young artists at this event. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Jeff Hall

PTSA GENERAL MEETING: COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

PTSA General Meeting Monday, November 4 8-9 a.m.

The 2020-2021 FAFSA is now open, and we know that you have questions! Please plan to attend the next Maggie Walker General PTSA event on Monday, November 4th at 8 a.m. in room 153 (just inside the front doors, on the left).

MLWGS Senior Counselors and Susan Teerlink, GRASP Financial Aid advisor, will host the meeting. Ms. Teerlink will provide important information regarding the financial aid application process, followed by Q&A. This meeting is open to all MLWGS parents, with a particular focus on parents of Juniors and Seniors. The meeting will end by 9 a.m., in time to attend parent meeting about mentorships/senior seminar in the auditorium. Make it a twofer! We hope to see you on Monday.

Maggie L. Walker Drama presents: Almost, Maine

Poster Credit: Malina Gavris (Chesterfield '20)

Almost, Maine

by John Cariani

Directed by Leigh Glatt

November 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 pm

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that's so far north, it's almost not in the United States. It's almost in Canada. And it's not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized- so it almost doesn't exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend- almost- in this delightful midwinter night's dream. The show runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 7-9, at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for adults and may be purchased at the door or online at https://mlwgs-am.brownpapertickets.com/.

OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL: Everyone can enjoy student pricing on opening night, Thursday, November 7.

Questions? Please contact maggiewalkerdrama@gmail.com.

SCRIP

Two more order due dates before the holiday break! Due dates are November 8 and December 6. Of course you can shop Scrip Now products anytime for your every day or holiday gift shopping! Great Lake Scrip offers some great gift cards for as little as $10.00 that make great holiday presents such as Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts, Panera, Chipotle, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, Baskin Robbins, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Burger King, Cold Stone Creamery, Sweet Frog, as well as a selection of movie theaters. Many of your children's favorite clothing stores are Scrip retailers as well, and they have big rebates! Let those retailers you already shop give back to Maggie Walker at no extra cost to you!

To enroll or shop go to: shopwithscrip.com. Enrollment code: C43669E564L28.

Questions? Contact your Scrip Coordinator at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INFORMATION FORUMS

Information Forums will be held on November 11, 12 and 13. Prospective students and parents can meet teachers and students, ask questions, tour the building, and receive an overview of the program and extracurricular activities.

We need volunteers to provide refreshments, help with setup and clean up, and answer questions from prospective students/parents.

Please sign up to either donate cookies and brownies or to help on any of the three nights. All food must be store bought and nut free due to allergies.

Contact Kim Nguyen for further information.

Prospective Student Night Signup

Week of September 4, 2019

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

The PTSA is always looking for volunteers! You can either return the form that was included in your back to school packet or use the following links:

Parent Volunteer Form or Online Version

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON PLANNING COMMITTEE KICK-OFF MEETING

Thursday, September 5 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Governor's School Foundation is looking for parents to serve on the planning committee for the Night of the Dragon auction. Our first meeting is set for Thursday, September 5 at 11:30 a.m. in MLWGS room 153. Please email Suzannah Stora at the Governor's School Foundation if you are interested in attending. The Night of the Dragon auction is Maggie Walker's biggest fundraiser event of the year, last year yielding more than $75,000 to support the faculty and students at MLWGS! Serving on the committee is a great way to get involved and meet fellow parents and MLWGS alumni. This year's event is scheduled for leap day, Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the John Marshall Hotel.

Interested parents are invited to join the Visual Arts Boosters at their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 10 from 5-6 p.m. in room 131.

The Visual Arts Boosters (VAB) provide financial and other support for the visual arts programs at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. Fundraising and other support efforts help to provide students with specialized materials and equipment and unique opportunities for further exploration of art, our local art community, and art-related careers. Field trips, guest artists, a lecture series, exhibits, awards, domestic and international travel, and other unique experiences are all supported by the VAB. Find out more at http://maggiewalkervab.org

We are in need of help in filling vacant positions, so please consider attending this meeting! If you can't make the meeting, but can help off site, please contact Jeff Hall at jhall@gsgis.k12.va.us

GREECE AND ITALY 2020 INFORMATION MEETING

We will be having an informational meeting Tuesday, September 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the art room 131. If you are interested in learning more about this trip for your student, we hope you will be able to attend. If you attended one of the informational meetings in the spring of last year or have already signed up, you do NOT need to attend.

We are very pleased to announce that during the summer of 2020, MLWGS Fine Arts Department will be leading a small group of students to Greece and Italy with EF Tours. This will be our second international trip with students and we are very excited about this opportunity.

With their rich histories, these two countries are such amazing places for our young artists to experience. Athens, Rome, and Florence have so many great art, architectural, and cultural attractions that we thought it would be a wonderful place to continue our Fine Arts Department international travel tradition. It is worth noting that this is a school sponsored trip (pending school board approval) so if there is financial hardship, your student may be able to get partial assistance.

Please note that on the web version of the Smoke and Scales, there are MANY useful links- all the Booster organizations, Counseling Department, MLWGS school calendar, volunteer forms, link to AmazonSmile, SCRIP online link, and so much more! These links are updated continuously. Please note them and use them often.

Want to donate your time and skill set to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School from the comfort of your home or office? One of our editors has a graduating Dragon so Smoke and Scales is seeking a co-editor for the 2020-2021 school year. Smoke and Scales is published weekly with the exception of summer and winter and spring breaks.

The co-editor would organize article blocks and edit accordingly in Google Blogger and proof the online draft prior for publication each week.

The co-editor must possess strong writing, organizing, fact-checking, proofreading, and communication skills. This commitment requires approximately 2 hours early in the week.

If interested, please contact Smoke and Scales at smokeandscales@gmail.com and provide a brief summary of your experience as well as the graduation year of your MLWGS student; to provide some continuity, Smoke and Scales particularly welcomes applicants with students in their first or second year at MLWGS. If you have questions or want to discuss the position further, please contact smokeandscales@gmail.com.

HELP CHOOSE THE TIME SLOT FOR FAMILY TIME MACHINE TUESDAYS

In October, November, January, February, and March, Ms. DeGroat (your MLWGS librarian a.k.a. resourceress) will offer a genealogy workshop series called Family Time Machine Tuesdays.

These workshops will be open to MLWGS students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as interested students, parents, faculty, or staff in our participating school divisions, and neighbors who live near our campus. Parent-student teams are encouraged to attend together.

The workshops will be offered on Tuesday evenings and will cover tips for searching many types of records valuable in ancestry research, including historic census records, military records, and newspapers, as well as ways to transform your research from a list of facts to an engaging story.

If you are interested in participating, please indicate which Tuesday time slot(s) would usually work for your schedule- and whether you would prefer to attend in-person, online, or a little of both- by answering the brief survey at:

TIME MACHINE TUESDAYS

MAGGIE WALKER RANKINGS IN NEW SURVEYS

Maggie L. Walker is ranked #2 best Public High School in Virginia and #8 in best Public High Schools in the United States! Congratulations to our students, parents, faculty, and staff!

Week of April 10, 2019

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The MLWGS School Advisory Council (SAC) currently has parent openings for the 2019-2020 school year.

To learn more about the SAC, please visit https://mlwgs.com/support/school-advisory-council/. If you are interested in becoming a parent member, would like to nominate someone, or would like to learn more, please contact Barrie Bowers at bbowers@futurelaw.net before Friday, April 12.

ATHLETIC BOOSTERS MEETING

Athletic Boosters Monthly Meeting and Open Position

The Maggie L. Walker Athletic Boosters Club will hold a monthly Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15 in room 105. Please note that this is a change in the meeting date. Board Officers and Directors are expected to attend. All Athletic Boosters members and anyone interested in becoming involved with Athletic Boosters are welcome to attend. The Board is in the process of filling open Officer and Director positions for the 2019-20 academic year. Among other open positions, we are looking for someone to serve as the Co-Vice President for Membership. Anyone interested in finding out more about this position may contact Athletic Boosters President Rich Schweiker at dukeschweikers@aol.com.

VISUAL ARTS BOOSTERS MEETING

Our last meeting of the year is Tuesday, April 16 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. in the art room. We will be discussing the senior art show that will be on Friday, May 31. We need your help- especially from our Junior parents. Please come and see where you can help!

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS

The March edition of the Senior Newsletter went out to seniors and parents via Naviance on March 28 (seniors also received hard copies on March 29). The newsletter is also available on the School Counseling website. This newsletter contains important college and scholarship-related reminders and deadlines.

Seniors who play sports for Maggie Walker and will be signing with a college team will be recognized at a Signing Ceremony on Wednesday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m. in the Forum. Seniors should let Ms. Streitel know if they are signing with a college and will be able to attend the signing ceremony by Friday, April 19.

The 2019 Annual Fund is making an impact on our students at MLWGS. Just this past week during spring break MENA Seminar students were able to travel to Morocco with assistance from the Foundation. 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)	29%
Junior Parents (2020)	26%
Sophomore parents (2021)	25%
Freshman Parents (2022)	29%

We still need to raise more than $125,000 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!

Photo below is a recent trip to Morocco.