Senior Class Meeting: Wednesday, April 2, 11:40 a.m., Auditorium
A mandatory class meeting will be held to discuss all aspects of the “Graduation Season.” For example, class officers will report on the MLWGS Foundation Challenge and will provide details about the “Senior Quotes” for the Senior Recognition program.
Senior Survey via Naviance – April 16th through May 9th
The senior survey will be available on Naviance starting April 16th and must be completed by May 9th as a part of the official check-out process. This survey will give the senior counselors information about each student’s post-graduation plans. The final college decision each senior reports will be used in the graduation program, and the scholarships accepted will be reported in the Senior Awards Assembly program. To access the survey, go to Naviance and click the senior survey link to the left under “About Me”. When complete, select “Save and I am finished” on the survey, and also mark it “Complete” on the Naviance Checklist. If a student changes his/her college decision or receives a scholarship after submitting the form, please notify his/her senior counselor in person or by e-mail. A brief demonstration and question/answer session about this survey will be provided during AP “Bubblefest” on Tuesday, April 22nd and Wednesday, April 23rd. Contact Mrs. Deck or Dr. Loving if you have questions.
Caps, Gowns, & Announcements: Monday & Tuesday, April 21st & 22nd , at Lunch
Caps, gowns, announcements, and other items ordered from Herff-Jones will be distributed on April 21st and 22nd in the student commons during lunch. If your student does not pick up his/her order at that time, he/she should contact Ms. Sheppard (the graduation coordinator) in Room 236. If you have questions about or problems with the order you placed, please call Herff-Jones directly. The number is 804-598-0971. Additional announcements are available for purchase ($1.35 each); contact Ms. Sheppard if you need extras or forgot to place an order. She may be contacted by email ([email protected]) or by phone (354-6800 ext. 2369).
Senior Graduation Ticket Distribution: April 21st & 22nd, at lunch
Please note that these are tickets for admission to the graduation exercises and are not the announcements you would have ordered from Herff-Jones. Ms. Sheppard and Mr. Barnes will be at a table in the student commons (next to the Herff-Jones tables) where seniors can pick up their tickets. PLEASE SEE THE PINK PAGE IN THIS MAILING FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRADUATION TICKETS. All seniors must complete either the online or paper Graduation Ticket Request Form no later than April 11th.
Senior Group Photo: Wednesday, April 30th, 11:50 a.m.
A group photograph will be taken of all seniors in their caps and gowns standing proudly on the front steps of Maggie Walker. This panorama style photograph measures approximately 10”x30”, and the cost is $15.00. Approximately a week before the photograph is taken, order forms will be placed in the senior commons for any student interested in purchasing a copy of the photo. Students need to remember to bring their caps and gowns that day. Rain date is Thursday, May 1st, 11:50.
AP Exams: The Weeks of May 5th and May 12th
Morning exams convene at 8:30 a.m., and afternoon exams begin at 12:00. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast is the best strategy during these weeks; students have been well prepared for the exams! The AP exam schedule is at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/calendar/index.html.
MLWGS Prom: Saturday, May 17th
The Junior/Senior Prom will be held on Saturday, May 17th, from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Hippodrome. Seniors are not charged admission, but each senior must pick up his/her complimentary ticket during ticket sales. Junior and guest tickets are priced at $35.00. It is recommended that dinner reservations be made early enough so that students are able to arrive in time to enjoy the prom. If you have questions, please contact the Class of 2015 Sponsor, Hal Waller, [email protected].
Community Service Hours: Due by Monday, May 19th, 3:30 p.m.
Completion of 140 community service hours is a requirement for graduation (see the MLWGS student handbook). Ask your student to confirm his/her community service record with Mrs. Valenta Williams in Room 100. All seniors must turn in any remaining hours they have earned no later than May 19.
Music Performance Auditions: May 21st & 22nd, 3:20 – 4:30 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 16th 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.
Senior Showcase: Wednesday, June 4th
Senior Showcase is the pinnacle of the seniors’ mentorship or seminar experiences. The students have worked diligently over several months, and this is an opportunity for the entire school community to see the creativity and energy of their efforts. Presentations are scheduled to take place throughout the day. Please be on the lookout for the Showcase schedule to be distributed in mid-May. Mark the date on your calendars now so you don’t miss out on this special day for Maggie Walker seniors!
Senior Recognition Night: Thursday, June 5th, 7:00 p.m., Auditorium
This is the night we all come together to honor the many contributions and memories of our graduating seniors. The highlight of the evening for the students is always the Senior Slide Show, and it is a great opportunity for you to get a sense of what the last four years have looked like inside our halls. Students wear professional/business attire; caps and gowns are NOT worn for this event.
Senior Awards Assembly: Friday, June 6, 12:55 p.m., Auditorium
This assembly allows community organizations to distinguish senior recipients of scholarships/awards. Parents will be notified in advance if their child will be recognized.
Senior Exams: Monday-Wednesday, June 9th – 11th
Check with your student about which exams he or she will be required to take. All exams and any outstanding coursework need to be completed by June 11th in order for a student to walk at graduation. Note that the 11th is also an early dismissal day.
Senior “Check Out” Forms & Senior Financial Obligations:
Due on or before Wednesday, June 11th
The “check out” form will be given to students after APs are over. Each student is responsible for collecting the required signatures and returning the form to the School Counseling Office by Wednesday, June 11th. Outstanding MLWGS obligations must be paid to Mrs. Crystal Charity in the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. on June 11th. NOTE: All teachers’ signatures need to be obtained before going to Mrs. Charity, because she takes all monies from each student for all obligations (lost or damaged book fines, etc.) and writes one receipt for him/her.
Seniors who have unpaid financial obligations and/or who have not returned the check-out form will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. Any outstanding VCU library fines must be paid directly to the VCU library. If the latter applies to your student, a paid receipt from the VCU library should be turned in to Mrs. Zona Hicks in the School Counseling Office to clear the account.
Senior Picnic: Thursday, June 12th, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
The Senior Picnic is the first official alumni event for the Class of 2014, and it is sponsored by the Governor’s School Foundation and Alumni Office. The event will be held at the Carillon Shelter at Byrd Park, and students are asked to sign-up to bring desserts, drinks, paper goods, and chips. The Foundation will be providing Buzz & Ned’s Barbecue. Any parent who wishes to help serve at this event, please contact class sponsor, David Barnes, [email protected], 354-6800 ext.3060.
Baccalaureate Service: Thursday, June 12th, 6:30 p.m.
The Baccalaureate Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church (4602 Cary Street Road). Sponsored by the MLWGS PTSA, the inter-faith service begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will last one hour. Students are not required to attend, but this traditional and memorable event celebrates finishing one chapter in their lives and beginning the next. Information regarding line-up and parking will be included in the official invitation from the PTSA, which will arrive by mail. Seniors are reminded to bring both cap and gown for the ceremony.
The Faculty Lounge Lizards at Dogwood Dell: Thursday, June 12th, 8:00 p.m.
After the Baccalaureate Service, the entire MLWGS family is invited to hear the fantastic faculty band, The Faculty Lounge Lizards, perform at Dogwood Dell. It promises to be a great evening of music and a fun way to celebrate the friendships formed during the last four years! Bring folding chairs or a blanket to sit on. Additional information will be sent out in Smoke&Scales and/or posted on the MLWGS website.
Graduation Rehearsal: Friday, June 13th, 9:00 a.m., Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace St.
Graduation rehearsal is held at the Carpenter Theatre. Parking is available at multiple locations: http://www.richmondcenterstage.com/plan-your-visit/parking-centerstage. Carpooling is recommended. Seniors must arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. and report to Rhythm Hall (enter by the right front entrance). Rehearsal will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp. ANY STUDENT WHO MISSES REHEARSAL WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WALK IN THE ACTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY, so parents are asked to please work with your student to make sure he or she is on time. Practice is usually completed by 11:30 a.m. or so; but given that we will take as long as needed to perfect the process, please do not plan anything that requires your student to leave early or be gone by a certain time. This rehearsal is crucial to the success of the graduation ceremony.
Graduation: Friday, June 13th, 3:00 p.m., Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace St.
Graduates must arrive at the Rhythm Hall by 2:00 p.m.; enter by the right front entrance. For organizational reasons, this area is off limits to parents, relatives, and friends; we appreciate your understanding. Cap, gown, and tassel are the most important items for the day, but students are asked to dress appropriately: dark dress pants, collared shirt and tie for the young men, dresses for the young women.
Perhaps the most important clothing decision for the day, however, is shoes. Dress shoes and socks for the boys and low-heeled dress shoes for the girls are the best choices; please, no “flip-flops” or athletic shoes. Additionally, decorations on mortarboards are absolutely prohibited. Note: The “collar” that comes with the graduation gown will not be used.
Doors to the Carpenter Theatre will open at 2:30 p.m. Guests should enter through the front doors and must have a ticket to attend graduation. Seating is not reserved. Handicap seating is available in multiple locations; please see one of the ushers at the door upon your arrival if you need this seating. Parking for graduation is available at multiple locations: http://www.richmondcenterstage.com/plan-your-visit/parking-centerstage . Carpooling is strongly recommended.
Photographs during the ceremony are only allowed from your seats. The Richmond CenterStage will not permit us to spill into the aisles for this activity, and they enforce this quite seriously. However, Lifetouch will be taking pictures of each individual student as he/she receives his/her diploma. This year, Lifetouch will mail a proof picture directly to each family with ordering information attached.
Last but certainly not least, a brief reception for students and their families will be held immediately after graduation in the Rhythm Hall of Richmond CenterStage. Graduation activities should conclude by 6:00 p.m.
Final Transcripts
Senior counselors are responsible for the June mailing of final transcripts to each senior’s designated college or university. In the event of a pending wait-list decision, the transcript will also be mailed to that college at the student’s request. In order to obtain dual enrollment credit officially from VCU, the student must fill out the Transcript Request form and submit it to the VCU Records and Registration Office after July 1. These forms will be available in the School Counseling Office on the third floor.
