Good evening, Dragon Nation.
With the community reeling from the heartbreaking loss of Dr. Lowerre, I delayed the Sunday Night Update until tonight, which includes important information, such as scheduling and upcoming events.
To support out students, faculty, and staff during this devastating loss, today we had additional counselors on campus. We plan to have therapy dogs later this week. As more information becomes available, we will share information about services and ways to support the Lowerre family.
In the days to come it will be important to process our grief together as a community. This is a dramatic loss to our Dragon family, but I am confident we will come together, support one another, and finish out the year in honor of a great man taken before his time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Smith
[email protected]
(804) 354-6800 x2120
Course Registration for 2025-2026 School Year RESCHEDULED
Course Registration will take place on Monday, March 10th during 1st period. Students will need to have a parent signature and teacher signatures for dual enrollment, plus, pre-AP, AP, and Intensive courses to enter course request into PowerSchool. If a student is not able enter their request on March 10th, there will be a makeup opportunity on Friday, March 14th in room 318. Please reach out to your child’s counselor if you have any questions.
MLWGS Drama Presents
MEAN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
Book by Tina Fey
Music by Jeff Richmond
Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Stage Direction by Desirée Dabney
Music Direction by Joe Revell
Choreography by Max Whealton & Amanda Kronenberg
The show runs Thursday, 2/27, through Saturday, 3/1, at 7pm each night. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and alumni, and free for faculty and staff. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online at https://gofan.co/app/school/VA7818?activity=Performing%20Arts
Early Dismissals
All early dismissals will require: a written note or an email to Ms. Bowman in the attendance office ([email protected]); or parent(s) coming in to sign the student out. Phone calls will not be accepted as documentation.
Juniors:
Senior/College Counselors Dr. Loving and Ms. Forquer encourage you to visit their SignUp Genius links on the “College Information for the Class of 2026” Schoology page with your parents to discuss the scheduling of your individual Junior College Meeting.
Attention Sophomores and Juniors!
Are you interested in joining National Honor Society? Fill out THIS pre-application by Monday, February 24th at 11:59pm to be considered for membership. If accepted, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the service parts of NHS (such as serving as a freshmen mentor) before being inducted in the fall. Students eligible for the “Pre-Application” should have a 3.5 weighted GPA (after the first semester of the current academic year*), be on-track with their service hours (at least 50 hours sophomores and 85 hours for juniors logged into x2vol by the application deadline) and have zero honor violations. While not a requirement, we encourage all sophomore applicants to consider participating in “Dragon Advisory,” a student-led freshman mentoring program during their junior year with training requirements before the start of the school year. Those accepted through the “pre-application” process WILL NOT have to complete the regular application published in September of 2025, but WILL need to attend the mandatory induction ceremony in early October. Direct questions to Ms. Ndayizigiye ([email protected]) or Dr. Loving ([email protected]) the NHS Co-Sponsors.
Note: If you are not sure whether your weighted, cumulative mid-year GPA is at or above a 3.5, please contact Lucas Veale at [email protected] or visit him in counseling lobby. This GPA includes an additional semester from the one visible to students in PowerSchool.
PTSA LOVES our Dragons!
Thank you to our Dragon Community for your support of the PTSA! Recently, your yearly membership dues have allowed us to support teachers and students with appreciation events such as lunches and treats before the holidays, holiday gift cards for every teacher and staff member and a breakfast buffet for staff in January.
There is still more to do in the remainder of the school year! For example, in February your dues will go towards a potato bar from Texas Roadhouse for staff to enjoy. There is still time to join the PTSA this school year. Your $25 dues will directly support these events for teachers and students.
Join the PTSA Today via this link: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/GSGISFFoundationGovernorsS/default/category.php?ref=185.0.191974557
Update Mu Alpha Theta Guest Speaker Series
Due to winter weather challenges, the talk by Dr. Laura Taalman of James Madison University has been postponed to Friday, MARCH 21, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:45 in the Forum. Her presentation is on “Interactive Patterns: Using math and code to optimize crafts.”
Textbook Public Comment
Prospective textbooks for AP US History and AP African American studies will be placed in the library for community review. These will be in the library for members of the community to evaluate starting on Monday January 27th up through Feb. 27th.
Prospective textbooks and workbooks for Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, and Spanish 4 have been placed in the library for community review. These will be in the library for members of the community to evaluate from Wednesday, February 5 to March 5.
Reading, ’riting … and romance? When Maggie Walker picks up Cupid’s bow
The second issue of the Foundation’s new newsletter focuses on love at MLWGS and lots of other fun school happenings. If you didn’t get it via email on Thursday, you can enjoy it (and December’s issue) here. The newsletter is currently only going to the primary email on each account in the Foundation database. Please share :). We hope to have all emails added before the next issue in April.
Spring Sports
All students who plan to try out for spring sports that start on March 4th (UPDATE), you will need a completed packet turned into Ms. Hawkins at [email protected] as PDF file. https://mlwgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/24-VHSL-Forms-1.pdf
Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday! – Get You Night of the Dragon Tickets Now!
Now’s the time to purchase tickets for the 23rd Annual Night of the Dragon. Ticket prices go up $10 on March 1.
Get your tickets now for this fun-filled event and MLWGS’ single largest annual fundraiser that includes Live and Silent Auctions, dinner, drinks, student entertainment, and more.
Can’t attend the event? Sign in and register on the site to bid from anywhere and/or purchase a ticket for a teacher. All proceeds benefit our amazing Dragon and their incredible teachers.
This year’s line up of amazing Live and Silent Auction items, includes:
* Vacation home stays * Lunch with Richmond Mayor Danny Avula * Reserved seats for MLWGS graduation * Theater and event tickets * Wine for a year * Date Nights for a year * One-of-a-kind art and jewelry * Our ever-popular themed gift baskets * Gift certificates galore * And so much more!
Tickets are limited and likely to sell out so get yours today!
Night of the Dragon Auction Items Still Needed
The Night of the Dragon Auction committee is looking for items for this year’s auction, which is set for Saturday, March 22.
Don’t think you have anything to offer–you may be surprised. Think about things you give or do for friends and family. Check out a fun list of great ideas here.
Some of our most popular items each year include unique experiences hosted by MLWGS families and friends, event tickets, vacation home rentals, unique artwork, lessons of all types, local adventures, and items from Dragon-family owned businesses and fave spots—GET CREATIVE!
Ready to donate? Here’s the online donation form. Or contact Ginger O’Neil at [email protected].
Congratulations from the Spanish Department
Please join me in congratulating Julia McClintock on the impressive honor of being selected as a Junior Travel Scholarship recipient! This is a national competition through the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), and Julia has been awarded a summer trip to Costa Rica. Her trip will balance a focus on conservation, ecotourism, and education while immersing her in the language and culture.
Julia’s high achievement on the National Spanish Exam qualified her to apply, and she completed an extensive application process including a written essay and a 5-minute video interview that allowed her to showcase her talent and proficiency in Spanish. Congratulations, Julia!
GO DRAGONS!
“The world we need won’t be built by men loyal to the world we have.”
-Daenerys Targaryen
