A. Linwood Holton Governor's School
Virginia's First Virtual Governor's School
One Partnership Circle - PO Box 1987 Abingdon, VA 24212
Telephone: 276-619-4326      Fax: 276-619-4309     e-mail: holton@hgs.k12.va.us


ANNOUNCEMENTS

 
 

It's time for Governor's School Fall Semester 2021 Orientation.

If you will take a 2021-2022 academic year (i.e., "year-long") class and/or a fall 2021 semester block schedule Governor's School class you must attend a Fall Semester 2021 Student Orientation session. (If you will take a spring 2022 semester Governor's School class you must attend Spring Semester 2022 Student Orientation in January 2022.) During orientation you will not only be able to meet your instructor, learn of class polices, and receive class materials, you will also be introduced to the technology used in taking a Governor's School class. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to meet your classmates and the Governor's School staff.

Orientation will be held in the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (map and directions) in Abingdon, Virginia. The Center is located on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College. The room location of each orientation session will be posted daily on the entrance doors of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. You may also ask the receptionist at the Center's lobby information desk for directions to your meeting room on the day of your orientation session.

Class orientations will be held according to the schedule shown below, which is also available through the Governor's School's academic calendar.

Please consult the information packet you will receive from the Governor's School for the exact time of your orientation session. If you did not receive an orientation time and date notice, please contact the Governor's School Office immediately by calling Ms. Sylvia White at 276-619-4326. You are expected to attend orientation only during your appointment time and date. You must have an appointment for admission.

Students are expected to attend orientation during their assigned time and date. If a student cannot attend orientation on their assigned time and date, their parent/legal guardian must contact the Governor's School Administrative Office, by calling 276-619-4326, and make an appointment for an alternative time and date. Please remember that students must have an appointment to attend an orientation session.

 

The Fall 2021 Student Orientation Schedule is shown below. It is also available through the Governor's School's academic calendar.
Session time-of-day and session Higher Education Center meeting room number available here and through link below.

Considering a class? Student and Instructor videos for several classes are available below.

Please note that regardless of student obligations, class materials will not be mailed to the student and/or student's school. All class materials must be picked up by the student either during their assigned orientation period or subsequently by visiting the Governor's School Offices by appointment only.
 
 

Registration for Fall 2021 ALHGS Classes Is Now Open. Do you have questions about registering for an HGS class? We have the answers.

When does the fall semester begin?

HGS fall semester classes begin Thursday, August 12th. (Spring semester classes begin January 13, 2022 and the academic year ends May 11, 2022. Spring semester start and academic year end dates are tentative.)

Where can I find a schedule of classes?

You can view the ALHGS schedule for the 2021-2022 academic year here. You can download a PDF version of the schedule here.

How do I register for an HGS class?

It's simple. Follow these steps:

  • Check the HGS Schedule of Classes (see above) to choose your class(es).
  • Complete online the HGS admission application, available here, then print your completed application form.
  • Take your completed application form to your guidance counselor.
Your guidance counselor will then review your application, determining if you are eligible for admission.

I completed the admission application and took an HGS class last academic year. Do I have to complete another admission application?

Yes. Applications are only good for admission to classes during one academic year, fall and/or spring semester.

I have applied and been accepted to HGS for the coming academic year. How do I make changes to my HGS class schedule?

Please see your high school guidance counselor. Any schedule changes must be made through them.

How do I pay tuition fees and book fees?

There are no fees for students to pay. All HGS classes are free to the student, and all materials - textbooks, for example - are provided free of charge for the student to use during the calendar period of the class(es) in which they are enrolled. (Materials loaned, such as textbooks, must be returned to HGS at the end of the student's association with the class for which the materials were loaned.)

We look forward to seeing you during August Fall Semester 2021 Orientation in Abingdon.
 
 
 
 

NEW AT HGS: The Governor's School is advancing through the inaugural year of three new HGS exclusive courses: Survey of American Literature, Medical Terminology, and Latin.

Survey of American Literature (ENG 241/ENG 242) is a one semester asynchronous class that is offered in the spring semester. The six hour college credit course emphasizes individual writers and their works, beginning with works in the colonial period, continuing up to approximately the Civil War.

Medical Terminology is a one semester asynchronous course, which is offered in both the fall and spring semesters. The three college credit hour course includes the study of prefixes, suffixes, word stems, and technical terms with emphasis on proper spelling, pronunciation, and usage.

Latin is also an asynchronous class, with Latin I offered in both the fall and spring semesters and Latin II offered in the spring semester. With Latin being the basis for many scientific names, terms, and phrases as well as legal phrases, knowing basic Latin may be of significant benefit in college and in one's subsequent professional career. Latin is a high school credit only course.

Interested? Talk to your guidance counselor about ALHGS admission requirements and enrollment during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Carpe Diem.
 
 

WELCOME to the [temporary] home of the HGS Bulletin Board. The HGS Bulletin Board is the place where you can find student scholarship opportunities, unique educational opportunities, student competition announcements, and much more.

Student Poetry Contest

The American Library of Poetry is holding its 25th Annual Student Poetry Contest, which has a first place prize of $500 in each of four grade divisions. Students may submit one original poem on any subject, with the poem being from 2 to 20 lines. Contest entry flyer for mail-in entries is available HERE. For more information and to enter via the web go HERE.
Posted 2-19-21 End 4-30-21

William & Mary Summer Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. Click for More Information.

Summer 2021 SEP registration is now open for high ability students in grades 2-12. William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to offer 2 weeks of virtual opportunities with courses available in the morning and afternoon each week. William & Mary have virtual courses available in the areas of robotics, civics, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. Please see their Summer 2021 Brochure for more information.
Posted 02-08-21 End 07-16-21

2021 Granville P. Meade Scholarship

The Granville P. Meade Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who have achieved academically but who are financially unable to attend college. The fund awards scholarships to eligible Virginia high-school seniors to attend one of Virginia's public or private colleges or universities. See Superintendent’s Memo 017-21 [PDF], available here, for additional details and deadlines.
Posted 01-28-21 End 03-19-21

Black History Month Essay Contest

Virginia Congressman McEachin's Black History Month essay contest is open to middle and high school students (grades 6-12) residing in Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Essays due by February 15. Winners will be notified individually and announced on Congressman McEachin's social media in February. The winners will also have their essay entered into the Congressional Record. Details are available at the program web site here.
Posted 01-28-21 End 02-15-21

Pathways Flight Academies

Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with Averett University, Aviation Adventures, and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is providing high school students the opportunity to experience a free, intensive, flight academy program. Students will undertake ground school and 10 hours of flight training that can potentially culminate in their first solo flight. Program flyer is available here, and additional details are available at the program web site here.
Posted 01-27-21 End 02-28-21

Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology

BLAST is a free educational program of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium designed to support students who are interested in STEM. This is a 3-day residential, on-campus experience with demonstrations and collaborative activities led by college faculty. Applications are due February 8, 2021. Details and applications are available here.
Posted 01-19-21 End 02-08-21

2021 BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship

The deadlines for the Better Business Bureau Serving Western VA's 18th Annual BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship and Social Scholar Video Contest are quickly approaching. The application deadline for the BBB Student of Integrity Essay Scholarship, which offers a $1000 award, is February 7th. The application deadline for the BBB Social Scholar Video Contest, which offers a $500 scholarship, is February 28, 2021. Details here.
Posted 01-15-21 Updated 02-08-21 End 02-28-21

NASA Stem Enhancement in Earth and Space Science

NASA, the Texas Space Grant Consortium and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research have joined forces to encourage high school students’ interest in STEM careers. The SEES project allows students to work remotely prior to their on site internships in Austin, Texas, July 17 – July 31, 2021 or participate in a virtual project. Participants will conduct authentic research with NASA subject matter experts in their chosen areas of work. Housing, transportation and meals will be provided. Application deadline is February 22, 2021. More details are available HERE.
Posted 12-09-20 End 2-22-21

Pamplin Leadership Award

The Pamplin Leadership Award is a one year merit-based $5000 Virginia Tech tuition scholarship presented to up to forty qualified students chosen from the Commonwealth of Virginia's public high schools. Details HERE.
Posted 10-19-20 End 2-28-21

Focusing on the Future

Focusing on the Future is a virtual career and academic planning conference for all Middle and High School Students as well as Counselors and Parents. Details HERE.
Posted 10-01-20 End 1-30-21

Saturday Enrichment Program

This fall William & Mary will offer Saturday Enrichment Programs (SEP) for students grades 7-9 in the area of Statistics, Art, Botany, and Anatomy. William & Mary’s SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students. Details HERE.
Posted 10-01-20 End 11-14-20

Virginia Space Grant Consortium Opportunities

Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provides several FREE and highly engaging Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning opportunities for Virginia students. The applications for our three online programs are OPEN UNTIL October 25, 2020

  • Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is an interactive online STEM learning experience for 10th grade students highlighted by a seven (7) day residential summer academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility focusing on the current missions at Wallops. Flyer (PDF) here.
  • Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive online STEM learning experience for 11th and 12th grade students, highlighted by a seven (7) day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center focusing on human spaceflight. Students can earn up to five free dual enrollment college credits. Flyer (PDF) here.
  • The Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) is an interactive online STEM learning experience for 11th and 12th grade students, highlighted by a seven (7) day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center, focusing on the Earth’s responses to climate changes, weather, and natural hazards. Students can earn up to five free dual enrollment college credits. Flyer (PDF) here.
Posted 09-25-20 End 10-25-20

VDOE Covid-19 Resources

The Virginia Department of Education has issued a bulletin with links to resources for parents. Students may want to forward the link to family members. Details here.
Posted 03-25-20 End 05-15-20

Free Comcast Internet

During the coronavirus pandemic, Comcast is offering free internet to low-income families for two months. Details here.
Posted 03-16-20 End 05-16-20

Prepare for College In Virginia

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia provides resources for parents and students to help them with preparing for higher education: Student Resources. One of these resources is the 1-2-3 GO! Program, Virginia's Three Steps to College, which helps with preparation, the application process, and paying for higher education in Virginia: Three Steps to College Events.
Posted 02-21-20 End 05-31-20

MIT Beaver Works Institute

MIT Beaver Works Institute is a four-week program at MIT that challenges high school students to tackle high-tech projects. Watch for future offerings and course announcements here.
Posted 02-12-20

Emory & Henry College STEM Cohort Scholarship Program

Emory & Henry College introduces their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Cohort Scholarship Program. Download the announcement PDF here.
Posted 01-30-20
 
 

HGS Virtual School Browser Requirements

The software used by the Governor's School makes use of the latest web standards supported by the major browsers: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Thus, the HGS Virtual School (Canvas) and the HGS Virtual Classroom (Jigsaw) no longer support the Internet Explorer web browser. Students should not use the Internet Explorer browser to access the HSG web site, HGS Virtual School, and/or HGS Virtual Classroom.

Soon students may not be able to access the HGS Virtual School/Classroom unless they are using the latest version of Chrome and/or Firefox. Currently, one must use Google Chrome browser versions 75, 76, or 77, with browser version 77 being preferred. If one is using Mozilla Firefox, one must use version 67, 68, or 69, with browser version 69 preferred. As new versions of Firefox and Chrome are released, students are obligated to keep their browsers up-to-date to have access to the school's sites.

You do not know what browser version you are using? Instructions on how to check and update Firefox are available here. Instructions on how to check and update Chrome are available here.

Enforcement of the above noted browser requirements will begin no later than October 15, 2019.
 
 

Smart Phone E-mail Access is available

To use this feature:

  • Connect using your e-mail address and password
  • Once connected, the setup and access should be automatic by using the auto discover feature of the phone (auto discover is active on the mail server)
  • If connecting manually, use holtonmail.hgs.k12.va.us as the server name

You can reach the non-flash mail access web page here: http://www.hgs.k12.va.us/mobile

Unfortunately, due to variation in phones, OS of phone systems, etc., we cannot offer any advice and/or support beyond the above for phone e-mail access.

Please note that depending upon your connection, when connecting for the first time using your phone, you may have to log into your e-mail entering rather than using just . Password entry remains unchanged.

 
 
 
 
 
Governor's School Introduces A New Video Series


Considering a Governor's School class but would like to know more before you take the leap? To provide more information about classes for prospective Governor's School students, the first series of information videos are now available. The videos are interviews with class instructors as well as current and former students. By viewing the videos, prospective students will learn about the class format, course content, and students' experiences. Series videos will continue to be posted throughout the year. Follow the links below to the web pages on which the currently available videos are posted.

Advanced Multimedia Applications
Human Anatomy & Physiology
All History Department Courses:
Appalachian History, Western Civilization, and World Civilization

Please Note: The videos are "Under Construction."
Please check back...they should be available soon

So grab a Governor's School admission application, a box of popcorn, and prepare to learn about a great opportunity.
 
 


Tour Your [Future] College Campus

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