When plans for the renovation of the Maggie L. Walker School building were originally designed, a fieldhouse was part of those plans, but was scrapped due to financial restrictions.
This year, however, the topic has been reopened in the form of the MLWGS Concession/Fieldhouse Feasibility Study Committee.
“When they originally renovated the school there were plans to put in a fieldhouse, but there was not enough money,” said Ms. Becky Henderson, President of the Athletic Boosters. “It has been something that has been in the works for a while.”
Ms. Belle Bronner, PTSA President, went to the Regional Board this year and requested that the topic be looked into. The Regional Board then commissioned the Feasibility Study.
“At the beginning of each year we earmark money for a project,” said Ms. Bronner. “All the money that we have from our budget and the auction will be going to this [the construction of the fieldhouse].”
That amount of money will be substantial, as the PTSA operating budget is approximately $60,000 annually. Ms. Bronner estimated that they will be able to put as much as $20,000 aside for the project this year.
Added on to the PTSA’s contributions will be the donations from the Athletic Boosters and the Foundation.
“The PTSA, Athletic Boosters and the Governor’s School Foundation, they are separate; they do their own fundraising,” said Mr. Phil Tharp, Coordinator of Administration and member of the Feasibility Committee. “It’s nothing that would be coming from the state or from tuition.”
The Feasibility Committee is now in the process of examining and editing the design from the original renovation.
“We still do not have a final blueprint,” said Ms. Bronner. “But we have a good idea.”
The committee is made up of parents and members of the administration as well as Governor’s School foundation representatives.
The committee is chaired by Ms. Sandy Whitehead, an architect who works for Baskervill Architecture. Another member of the committee, Mr. Robert Comet, is the president of BCWH Inc. and worked on the renovation of the MLWGS building.
Part of the committee’s job is figuring out how much the fieldhouse would cost. Estimates have risen to as high as $200,000.
“That [the estimate] is based on the square footage and current construction costs,” said Mr. Tharp.
The committee has been making progress, and Mr. Tharp plans to submit the Request for Proposals to the Richmond City Public Schools as early as next week.
The committee also hopes to present its findings to the Regional School Board at the April board meeting.
The current plan for the fieldhouse is approximately 1465 sq. ft and would be located just inside the fence that encloses the athletic fields.
The plan includes a kitchen and concession stand, training room, equipment room, handicapped-accessible bathrooms and a place for ticket sales.
While the concession stand will have a kitchen, almost no cooking will take place there.
“It’s not going to be a working kitchen,” said Ms. Bronner. “We’re going to have sinks, an icemaker and microwaves… if they cook hotdogs they will either do it inside or outside on the grill.”
There will be no specific group who runs the concession stand, but it will possibly be open to clubs and boosters to man for fundraising.
Having a training room outside is something that could be useful to the MLWGS sports teams that use the athletic fields.
“We have had some pretty serious stuff happen out there,” said Ms. Paige Hawkins, Athletic/Activities Director. “Safety wise, it will be a big improvement.”
While the idea of a fieldhouse is still only a possibility, many students are excited by the prospects that the idea holds.
“The fieldhouse would be an interesting addition,” said Johnny Tomlin (‘11). “I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Friday, March 13, 2009
Diversity Delay
This time we can’t blame the delay on the U.Va. consultants, because it was Mother Nature who caused a cancellation of the diversity study focus group scheduled for Monday, March 2.
Naturally, the interviews were rescheduled for a later date. Unfortunately that later date is next Monday, March 16. And, MLWGS acceptance/rejection letters are supposed to arrive in more than nine-hundred mailboxes on or before that date.
This means that when prospective students sit down with Dr. Moon and Dr. Brighton next week to discuss their experiences with the MLWGS admissions process – these eighth graders will already know if they have been accepted, waitlisted, or rejected.
How can these students or their families provide honest, unbiased answers to the consultant’s questions? From a statistical perspective, these surveys will surely lack validity. If only the diversity consultants had started a little earlier – or even if they had re-scheduled the interviews for this past Monday, March 9.
One mistake, even if it is a big one, is understandable. Let’s just hope the rest of the study proves more substantive.
Naturally, the interviews were rescheduled for a later date. Unfortunately that later date is next Monday, March 16. And, MLWGS acceptance/rejection letters are supposed to arrive in more than nine-hundred mailboxes on or before that date.
This means that when prospective students sit down with Dr. Moon and Dr. Brighton next week to discuss their experiences with the MLWGS admissions process – these eighth graders will already know if they have been accepted, waitlisted, or rejected.
How can these students or their families provide honest, unbiased answers to the consultant’s questions? From a statistical perspective, these surveys will surely lack validity. If only the diversity consultants had started a little earlier – or even if they had re-scheduled the interviews for this past Monday, March 9.
One mistake, even if it is a big one, is understandable. Let’s just hope the rest of the study proves more substantive.
Perplexing Postponement
We really shouldn’t even be at school today.
As most of the MLWGS community is aware, Friday March 13 was originally scheduled as a teacher/student holiday. That was before the Great March Blizzard of 2009 paralyzed the Richmond region. When we returned from our three blissful snowdays, MLWGS administration decided to “postpone” our March 13 holiday until Memorial Day.
The rationale for the postponement was simple. Our calendar contains four “built-in” emergency/snow days. Although we have only used up three days so far this year, administrators were worried that some sort of wild spring storm could pop up.
Thus expending our last “built-in” day and requiring even more time, thereby pushing the calendar into the red. Doesn’t it seem a little silly to worry about some kind of weather-related incident with three months left in the school year? In the past three years we haven’t used any of our four cushion days.
Additionally, the student handbook’s snow day policy (below) shows no mention of pre-cautionary snow make-up days. Instead, it only defines the procedure for making-up snow days if the tally for any given year surpasses four.
Surprisingly, MLWGS was not alone in its decision to replace a pre-scheduled holiday with a snow “make-up day.” In fact, Goochland County Superintendent, Dr. Linda Underwood, also a MLWGS Regional Board member, voiced similar concerns in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article (see quote at right).
Make-up (Snow or Other Missed Instructional Days)
Days 1-4 are built in as banked time.
January 30 (if 5 days are needed)
February 18 (if 6 days are needed)
April 11 (if 7 days are needed)
Extended Day (if 8-9 days are needed) Classes start at 8:30 A.M.
June 16 (if 10 days are needed)
As most of the MLWGS community is aware, Friday March 13 was originally scheduled as a teacher/student holiday. That was before the Great March Blizzard of 2009 paralyzed the Richmond region. When we returned from our three blissful snowdays, MLWGS administration decided to “postpone” our March 13 holiday until Memorial Day.
The rationale for the postponement was simple. Our calendar contains four “built-in” emergency/snow days. Although we have only used up three days so far this year, administrators were worried that some sort of wild spring storm could pop up.
Thus expending our last “built-in” day and requiring even more time, thereby pushing the calendar into the red. Doesn’t it seem a little silly to worry about some kind of weather-related incident with three months left in the school year? In the past three years we haven’t used any of our four cushion days.
Additionally, the student handbook’s snow day policy (below) shows no mention of pre-cautionary snow make-up days. Instead, it only defines the procedure for making-up snow days if the tally for any given year surpasses four.
Surprisingly, MLWGS was not alone in its decision to replace a pre-scheduled holiday with a snow “make-up day.” In fact, Goochland County Superintendent, Dr. Linda Underwood, also a MLWGS Regional Board member, voiced similar concerns in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article (see quote at right).
Make-up (Snow or Other Missed Instructional Days)
Days 1-4 are built in as banked time.
January 30 (if 5 days are needed)
February 18 (if 6 days are needed)
April 11 (if 7 days are needed)
Extended Day (if 8-9 days are needed) Classes start at 8:30 A.M.
June 16 (if 10 days are needed)
Quote of the Week
“If we get a tropical storm in May, I just don't know...”
said Dr. Linda Underwood.
Yet according to statistics published by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that oversees the National Weather Service, May is the least active month for tropical storms worldwide. Go figure!
In the grand scheme of things, this rearrangement is not a big deal. In late May as we enjoy a four-day weekend, we will probably look back with fond appreciation to the MLWGS administration. However, it would be nice to have some sort of consistent school policy for weather-related make-up days. Perhaps we could hire a emergency-snow-day-make-up-day-handbook-policy-consulting-firm! Who knows, it might only cost $70,000!
said Dr. Linda Underwood.
Yet according to statistics published by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that oversees the National Weather Service, May is the least active month for tropical storms worldwide. Go figure!
In the grand scheme of things, this rearrangement is not a big deal. In late May as we enjoy a four-day weekend, we will probably look back with fond appreciation to the MLWGS administration. However, it would be nice to have some sort of consistent school policy for weather-related make-up days. Perhaps we could hire a emergency-snow-day-make-up-day-handbook-policy-consulting-firm! Who knows, it might only cost $70,000!
Art: Required or Not?
Alex Kesselring (’12):
“I don’t think it should be required. Some people just aren’t artistic; some people want top use their time for other things.”
Oliver Goodridge (’11):
“I’m kind of on the fence; I’m not really artsy, but I can see the need for balance.”
Kathleen Webb (’10):
“It would be totally unbalanced if we didn’t… one credit is not that much to ask!”
Meredith Nuttycombe (’09):
“Art is the laxative for the constipation of the soul. I support art.”
Out of Iraq
by Logan Ferrell (’ 11)
The nation is now officially halfway through the “first hundred days” of the Obama administration. For many of the actions of the past weeks, it is still too early to truly judge results; only the coming years will reveal the full economic impacts of Obama’s policies and the virtue of his many appointments. Among these decisions, which hold serious implications for the future, was President Obama’s February 28th announcement that US troop levels in Iraq will be drawn down by August 2010, and the “combat mission” ended.
Taken at face value, this ideal proposal sounds great, as most are eager to bring our troops out of harm’s way.
However, if hastened, this policy shift could prove a catalyst for further domestic unrest within the fledgling nation of the new Iraq. It is that attempt, to rush redeployment, as well as the unclear goals of the remaining force, which worries me.
For, I think it is worth noting, that U.S. goals were always “to train, equip, and advise” the Iraqi government; however, in order to achieve that role, a basic security must be maintained, and that is what lead to a combat role. These roles, combat and advisory, are not as President Obama would suggest so easily or clearly separated; especially in an operation where previous attempts to hastily turn over control to Iraqi forces saw the nation veer towards civil war and chaos.
Already, the currently arranged Status of Forces of Agreement with the Iraqi government calls for US troops to take a more “advisory” role by withdrawing from Iraqi cities in 2009, and then the nation entirely in 2011.
It seems to me, that to suddenly draw down troop levels a mere year before troops are scheduled to leave anyway, greatly diminishes the crucial role a strong force presence could play in the days leading to the 2011 transition.
If anything, this time prior to such a transition will require the highest degree of security possible, and that entails a troop presence not plagued by cuts and constant changes in what their role is called.
Overall, Iraq has seen gains in both stability and security. However, those achievements should not be jeopardized by an overoptimistic depletion of forces. Speaking to the current time table, ensures time to evaluate the situation and ensure that the U.S. does not leave behind a nation incapable of being controlled by Iraqis.
The nation is now officially halfway through the “first hundred days” of the Obama administration. For many of the actions of the past weeks, it is still too early to truly judge results; only the coming years will reveal the full economic impacts of Obama’s policies and the virtue of his many appointments. Among these decisions, which hold serious implications for the future, was President Obama’s February 28th announcement that US troop levels in Iraq will be drawn down by August 2010, and the “combat mission” ended.
Taken at face value, this ideal proposal sounds great, as most are eager to bring our troops out of harm’s way.
However, if hastened, this policy shift could prove a catalyst for further domestic unrest within the fledgling nation of the new Iraq. It is that attempt, to rush redeployment, as well as the unclear goals of the remaining force, which worries me.
For, I think it is worth noting, that U.S. goals were always “to train, equip, and advise” the Iraqi government; however, in order to achieve that role, a basic security must be maintained, and that is what lead to a combat role. These roles, combat and advisory, are not as President Obama would suggest so easily or clearly separated; especially in an operation where previous attempts to hastily turn over control to Iraqi forces saw the nation veer towards civil war and chaos.
Already, the currently arranged Status of Forces of Agreement with the Iraqi government calls for US troops to take a more “advisory” role by withdrawing from Iraqi cities in 2009, and then the nation entirely in 2011.
It seems to me, that to suddenly draw down troop levels a mere year before troops are scheduled to leave anyway, greatly diminishes the crucial role a strong force presence could play in the days leading to the 2011 transition.
If anything, this time prior to such a transition will require the highest degree of security possible, and that entails a troop presence not plagued by cuts and constant changes in what their role is called.
Overall, Iraq has seen gains in both stability and security. However, those achievements should not be jeopardized by an overoptimistic depletion of forces. Speaking to the current time table, ensures time to evaluate the situation and ensure that the U.S. does not leave behind a nation incapable of being controlled by Iraqis.
A Conversation With MLWGS Own Mr. Irvin Charles
Maggie Walker Alumnus and MLWGS Head of Security Shares His Thoughts
First of all, how did you spend your snow days?
Actually, it was a good chance for me to take some time and do some charity. I visited my aunts, my father, and made sure that everyone’s walkways were clear. I spent some time with my family and got to make some snowmen with my daughter. She loved it. This was her first snow.
What do you think about having to come in on our March 13th holiday?
You’ve gotta do what you gotta do, and I trust that the administration has done what is best for your academic program.
Mr. Tharp said something about MLWGS Security instituting “shock and awe” and having the full staff present some days ?
Every once and a while we like to be proactive and have a full showing as a deterrent. Especially with this warm weather making everyone a little more active, we want to make sure that we don’t have any incidents.
There have been several muggings reported around the VCU area as well as a shooting at Monroe Park, what is your advice?
I am logged on with the state’s database, and everyday I get updates on crimes in our area. When I get reports like this, I like to give students warnings and remind them that they need to be mindful of their surroundings, especially those students who like to stay back for activities and who go to places like Kroger to get food. They need to remember to be aware of what’s going on around them.
There was some talk about demoting MLWGS to a different athletic league - one with smaller sized schools. That isn’t going to happen, but what are your thoughts on the competitiveness issue?
Well, you know that those schools that are the same size as we are usually pretty far away. That would mean for longer travel times. But let me tell you something, I think it has been good for us to be able to challenge these bigger schools. When we someday get to the point where we’re winning a lot, the word will get out, and Maggie Walker might start to draw some top athletes.
Acceptance letters are being sent out, and shadow days will be here in a few weeks…
My advice for students and parents who are considering this school is that they should take the time to come by and visit. I’m certain that once they visit they’ll make the right decision. I don’t know of anyone who has still been apprehensive after spending time here. We have a great school here with excellent teachers and staff.
Q&A with Danny Yates on March 10, 2009.
Have a question for Mr. Charles? E-mail us at mlwgs.jabberwock@gmail.com
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