12/15/24
Good evening, Dragon Nation.
While Dr. Lowerre is on medical leave (12/12/24-1/12/25), I will serve as Acting Director, with Dr. Williams as the Director’s Designee. We have temporarily divided all administrative duties. Over the next month, please contact me or Dr. Williams if you need to speak with an administrator. Please join me in wishing Dr. Lowerre a speedy recovery.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Smith
[email protected]
(804) 354-6800 x2120
Thursday, December 19th is SCHOOLWIDE PJ DAY!
ALL Dragons can come to school in comfort and join in on the fun!
Learn and teach in Snuggies, slippers, and thermal gear, everyone!
Class of 2025 – Graduation Ticket Lottery – Update
The lottery for 2 extra graduation tickets was held on December 10. Dr. Smith and Ms. Sheppard used a random number generator to select recipients, and an email with the results was sent to the MLWGS Google Account used to sign up for the lottery. All tickets (including those who received tickets from the lottery) will be distributed in the spring.
Unfortunately, not every family who requested extra tickets received them. Every senior will still receive 8 tickets, but please offer any unneeded tickets to your friends.
To allow more family members to see our 2025 graduation, MLWGS has contracted with a vendor to stream the ceremony. We will share details as we get closer to the event.
If you have any questions about graduation, please don’t hesitate to email the graduation coordinator, Ms. Sheppard, at [email protected]
Attention Seniors! It’s time to gather the official name spelling for your diploma!
It’s not even winter break yet and we are already preparing our diploma order. We need to collect the spelling of each senior’s full name as they would like it to appear on their diploma by using this form: https://forms.gle/Mnkggvh2yTfttp9Y7. We would like to collect this information be Wednesday, December 18th. It may sound unnecessary, but it could help avoid errors if you have a parent look over the spelling you submit and the use of any hyphens, accents, unique capitalizations, etc. The settings on this form should send you a copy of your response and allow you to edit prior to December 18th. Thank you!
Senior Seminar and Mentorship Program Registration for Juniors
In December and January, Juniors (Class of 2026) will take a step in determining what their senior schedule will look like. All juniors will have to decide whether they are going to enroll in one of our exciting seminar courses or apply to undertake a mentorship with a professional in the area. On Monday, 12/2/24, Juniors were added to a Schoology Group that will provide information about the Seminar/Mentorship selection and application process. As the process moves forward in December, students can help their parents view all material on this site. Parents and students are encouraged to watch the video recorded by Mr. Cook and discuss seminar and mentorship options. The mentorship application has been added to the site, and the seminar survey will be activated the week we return from winter break. After watching the video and reading over the information, anyone that has questions about the process should reach out to Mr. Cook ([email protected]). The deadline for completing the Seminar/Mentorship selection and application process will be Friday, January 13, 2025.
MWTech | New LockDown Browser for Schoology Assessments
After Winter Break, some classes will start conducting Schoology assessments with the aid of a new application, LockDown Browser. As an integrated component of our Schoology Learning Management System (LMS), the LockDown Browser creates a secure online environment for LMS assessments, similar to the TestNAV application for SOL online test administration, and the Bluebook application for AP online test administration. As MLWGS is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school, we request that your student installs the software on their computer. Guidelines for specific devices will be shared with students. During the school day, teachers and the MWTech office staff will be available to assist. If a student’s device is unable to install the LockDown Browser software, a school device can be borrowed for the online assessment.
Frustrated by partisanship and division? Want to earn community service while going beyond partisanship to engage in a meaningful conversation with a classmate? Sign up for One Small Step @ bit.ly/oss25signup where you’ll also find a more detailed program description and a brief intro video.
Security Corner:
Last chance for Lost and Found items! Bins will be cleared out Wednesday, December 18!
We hope everyone has an awesome break and happy Holidays!
Need service hours? Want to share your favorite book with a broader audience? The Virginia Voice student volunteer project is calling for students aged 16 and up to come and record themselves reading out loud at the Virginia Voice office in Richmond for blind audiences across Virginia. Students will apply and schedule an audition at the Virginia Voice office before beginning to record. Contact Ms. Artz ([email protected]) for information regarding this wonderful opportunity!
Giving Tuesday Success!
A HUGE Thank YOU to everyone who donated in support of MLWGS for Giving Tuesday. MLWGS received $31,356 from 159 donors whose generosity also unlocked $20,000 in matching gifts. That’s $51,356 toward our annual fund goal of $375,000 to provide for our amazing Dragons this year. Missed your chance to give during the campaign? Today is another great day to make your gift online. Go Dragons!
Thoughts Wanted
The MLWGS Foundation fundraises all year long to support our amazing students and faculty. The Night of the Dragon (NOTD) auction is at the Faison Center on March 22, 2025. NOTD is our largest event every year and our goal this year is to raise $100,000. After winter break we will be looking for volunteers to serve on the NOTD committees. In the meantime, we’d love help trying to determine what auction items are most appealing and whether Dragon parents have connections with businesses in the community to help us. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey (takes 2 minutes). And contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
FINAL CALL for the discounted price that ends December 31, 2024 to join Maggie Walker students for nine days, June 9-17, 2025, exploring the culture, traditions, landscape, food, language, and people who reveal the breath-taking wonder of Peru. Sign up now to experience the magic first-hand.
Full Details and Peru Trip Registration Link: https://acis.com/tripsite-trip-overview/?key=MjAyNXw3MDE2MA
Experience “The Inca Trail” in Peru – June 9-17, 2025 with ACIS, our new travel partner! Enjoy Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley, Cuzco, Lima, a cultural exchange with the Uros Indians, and many more exciting opportunities to gain first-hand understanding of local culture and taste delicious cuisine all while practicing language skills! Enjoy double occupancy in centrally located 3 and 4-star hotels.
Have a great evening and GO DRAGONS!
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” -Frederick Douglass
