Week of April 28, 2021

Math Honor Society Guest Lecture

Mu Alpha Theta announces a special guest presentation to celebrate National Math and Stats Awareness Month. Alumna Finale Doshi-Velez will join us virtually from Harvard, where she is an associate professor of computer science at the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She completed her MSc from the University of Cambridge as a Marshall Scholar, her PhD from MIT, and her postdoc at Harvard Medical School. Her interests lie at the intersection of machine learning, healthcare, and interpretability. Her talk, “Artificial Intelligence: Beyond the Hype and Hysteria,” takes place on Thursday, April 29, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

She writes, “The reaction to the term AI is rarely neutral. Excitement about AIs becoming world champions in Go or Starcraft is tempered by fears of superintelligences and Skynet; the same technologies that correct our grammar as we write or translate menus from photographs also exhibit the gender, racial, and other biases of our times. In this talk, I’ll start off by sharing a bit about how modern machine learning systems work under the hood. We’ll connect that to understanding how AIs can both succeed and fail spectacularly. This discussion will lead us to questions we should be asking in order to create any effective and accountable AI system.”

Any student or family member is welcome to attend the Zoom presentation.

Here is the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85827778926?pwd=VUlBMVBrdFkwVFZBK2RWc1BCeHl2dz09

Meeting ID: 858 2777 8926
Passcode: 967537

School Advisory Council Seeks Parent Reps

The MLWGS School Advisory Council (SAC) currently has parent openings for the 2021-22 school year. These three-year appointments are best suited to parents with rising sophomores or parents of incoming freshmen who have prior experience of older children having also attended Maggie Walker.

Learn more about the SAC here. If you are interested in becoming a parent member, would like to nominate someone, or would like to learn more, please contact Karen Townsend before Friday, April 30.

Thank Scripping Days Are Here

Thank Scripping Days begin this week! Go to www.shopwithscrip.com on Thursday, April 29,  and Friday, April 30, to see more than 100 retailers who will be giving back up to 20% to MLWGS on your scrip e-certificates and reloadable scrip gift cards. If you get the Raise Right app on your phone, you will be able to get a sneak peek on April 28 at which retailers are participating! For future planning, our May order date is Sunday, May 23.

Please contact Laura Dysart at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org with any questions, or if you are interested in volunteering, even as little as an hour the whole year, beginning next fall. The MLWGS PTSA is looking for a team to distribute cards to families/students in the 2021-22 school year.

Thanks from MLWGS Foundation

Thanks to everyone who made Saturday's Night of the Dragon Reimagined a HUGE success. If you were one of the lucky bidders, you can pick up your winnings in the Foundation Office at school this Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you need to arrange another time, email Ginger O'Neil. We will share totals once we’ve had time to tally!

Week of April 15, 2020

2020-21 MLWGS SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL  

Looking for student and parent volunteers! The MLWGS School Advisory Council (SAC) currently has both student and parent openings for the 2020-2021 school year. To learn more about the SAC, please visit THIS LINK.

Students must be rising juniors, have no honor code violations, a minimum GPA of 3.3, show a demonstrated commitment to MLWGS, and be willing to serve a 2-year term. If interested, please contact Mr. Dan Brown who will send you an application. Any parent PTSA member may be on SAC (except for current PTSA Board members); parents serve a 3-year term. If you are interested in becoming a parent member, would like to nominate someone, or would like to learn more, please contact Karen Townsend. SAC is requesting to receive all expressions of interest no later than Friday, April 17.

SENIOR SURVEY IS OPEN

The senior survey is now available on Naviance and must be completed by 

May 6 as a part of the official check-out process. This survey will give the senior counselors information about each student’s post-graduation plans, which is critical so that we know where to send your transcript in June. We still plan to recognize seniors in some way for the scholarships you have received (even if you are turning them down in some cases), so the survey will ask you for that information as well. We find this information helpful so that we can stay abreast of institutions’ awarding trends. To access the survey, students should go to Naviance and click the senior survey link under “About Me.” When completed, select “Save and Finish.” If a student changes his/her college decision or receives a scholarship after submitting the form, please notify his/her senior counselor by e-mail. Please contact Dr. Loving if you have any questions.

ATTENTION JUNIORS: COLLEGE APPLICATION BOOT CAMP

Registration for College Application Boot Camp is open as of April 16! Emails with instructions were sent to juniors and parents at the start of registration.

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 24-26, 2020. Morning (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) sessions will be offered. College Boot Camp is an optional fee-based workshop led by the senior counselors. The cost of Boot Camp is $55 and this fee will not be collected until August. Fee waivers are available if paying for Boot Camp would be an obstacle. Please email Kierstin Streitel with any questions or 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 as soon as possible.

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.

We are very hopeful that we will be able to come together as a group for Boot Camp in August; however, if that is not the case, we will be making adjustments in order to still provide Boot Camp via video conference, etc. In the event that we need to switch formats, the cost of the program will be lowered. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

We can't wait to see you all again in person!

MLWGS Senior Counselors

GRASP ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Class of 2020 high school seniors have been dealt a major blow by the upheaval of traditional senior year events caused by the COVID-19 impact. For many of these seniors, college plans that once seemed certain are now in limbo, in part, because of the current financial uncertainty of their lives. Figuring out the next steps to achieve their college goals is daunting but doable, and GRASP (www.grasp4va.org), a Virginia career/college access non-profit organization, is available NOW to provide assistance, hope and encouragement needed to ensure career and college access for all, especially during these uncertain times.

GRASP services, which are free of charge, include assistance with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion, assistance with understanding financial aid award letters, as well as assistance with the process for requesting Professional Judgement for financial aid adjustments if the family income situation has changed. Despite today’s obstacles, GRASP is available and ready to provide hope and to guide students to the educational paths that will allow them to forge fulfilling lives.

Although the COVID-19 virus has disrupted in-person GRASP services, our FAFSA/financial aid services are available by email (pfeyerabend@grasp4va.org) and by phone (804-527-7741). For students who have already worked with a GRASP advisor this academic year, invitations are being sent to participate in a texting option for assistance. Please contact us if you need assistance with your post-secondary education plans. There is hope for your future!

DRAGONS WIN SABR ANALYTICS FOR A FOURTH TIME

For the fourth year in a row, a team representing MLWGS garnered first-place honors at the SABR Analytics Diamond Dollars Case Competition in Phoenix, AZ. This contest pits students from colleges across the country against each other in an analytic major league baseball operations decision — the type of decision a team’s general manager and staff face over the course of a season. The first-place team consisted of MLWGS alums Tom Blue (’19), Nicolas Ferree (’19), Dom Gammino (’19) and David Winters (’19).

This competition was held on March 13-15, 2020.

Congratulations to Mr. Benesh, team sponsor, for your dedication to this program.

MW WINS GOVERNOR'S CHALLENGE 

The Virginia Governor’s Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their economic literacy while competing with other students across the state. Teams of three to four students in two divisions complete online exams that may qualify them for exciting championship competition.

Due to school closings, the in-person state championship event was canceled. Winners were determined using the online competition scores only.

VIRGINIA STATE WINNER IN THE DAVID RICARDO DIVISION

Maggie Walker Governor’s School, Richmond City, Teacher: Allison Anthony

Students: Ronit Jain (Henrico '22), Michael Kish (Henrico '22), Abhay Duggirala (Henrico '22), Sam Lichtman (Henrico '22)

DOE Region #1 Winner

Maggie Walker Governor’s School, Richmond City, Teacher: Allison Anthony

Students: Ronit Jain, Michael Kish, Abhay Duggirala, Sam Lichtman

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.

Week of March 27, 2019

SPRING BREAK IS NEXT WEEK! 

Have a safe and fun week!  As a reminder, Smoke and Scales will return the week of April 8.  

SENIOR CLASS MEETING TODAY 

A mandatory class meeting will be held today March 27 at 11:40 a.m. in the Auditorium to discuss all aspects of the “Graduation Season.”  Class officers will provide details about the “Senior Quotes” for the Senior Recognition program and other important events. 

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. 

MLWGS RUBIK'S CUBE CLUB EVENT

The first MLWGS Rubik's Cube Competition will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, starting at 9 a.m. Competitors are asked to arrive by 8:15 a.m.

Mark your calendars and share this with your fellow cubing friends!

Online registration opened Thursday, February 14, 2019, 7:00 p.m. EST and will close Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Please see link on the World Cube Association Website for details and registration.

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

The 2019 Parent Class Annual Fund Challenge is well underway! The Governor's School Foundation Annual Fund makes a huge impact on the students at MLWGS by directly supporting activities like academic competitions and student travel, as well as new technology, and student financial assistance. 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 (2018): 29%
Junior Parents (2019) : 26%
Sophomore parents (2020): 25%
Freshman Parents (2121): 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!