A message for MW Students:
Dear Green Dragons,
As we enter this important month of AP and SOL testing, I want to take a moment to speak from the heart.
These tests are just one chapter in your journey—not the whole story. They are opportunities to show what you’ve learned, but they do not define your worth, your intelligence, or your potential. What truly defines you is the curiosity you bring each day, the resilience you show in the face of challenge, and the courage it takes to try—even when success isn’t guaranteed.
Remember: excellence doesn’t mean perfection. It means doing your best with the tools you have today. And I’ve seen your best—it’s powerful, thoughtful, and deeply inspiring.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Rest. Hydrate. Breathe. Show up not just with sharpened pencils, but with confidence in who you are and how far you’ve come.
You’ve got this. We believe in you.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Smith
Acting Director
AP Testing Starts Monday, May 5th!
If you have not already, please review these reminders below and, students, be sure to have read all announcements in Schoology. Here is the most up-to-date schedule with room assignments and major reminders (families may wish to print this): https://drive.google.com/file/d/14_pMgtxVHQ0tUuPzmnrtULIhFxitplcc/view?usp=sharing
Transportation arrangements during AP Exams: As students and parents plan for AP testing, remember that morning exams begin at 8:30 and students are advised to arrive at their testing room no later than 8:15 (or 12:15 for an afternoon exam). Students will want to be in their seats and logged into Bluebook (using their College Board login credentials) on a school computer by 8:30 (or 12:30 for an afternoon exam). We will make every effort to hold an exam for a late bus, we may need to proceed with testing without students who are running late so that the school can meet the national start time. We encourage students to use the transportation method on exam day that will allow them to be in place and ready to test by 8:30am.
Afternoon exams will almost always run past the end of the school day. For students who ride the bus, alternate transportation will need to be arranged for afternoon exams. Afternoon exams will release at varied times, but 4:30 is our generally anticipated time. It could be earlier or later depending on the varied length of the morning and afternoon exams. Students should notify their coaches or employers of their potential late arrival to practice or jobs if taking an afternoon exam. Students with extended time may be testing until 5:30 or later.
Logging into Test Day Toolkit: Because students are testing on school computers, it is critical that students have their College Board login credentials committed to memory. Students should check their settings to ensure that they have turned OFF “Multi-Factor Authentication” so they will not be prompted to access email or cell phones to log in on test day.
Unpaid Exam Fees: There are some students with unresolved AP exams payments. These fees will be applied to students’ accounts and could result in a hold on transcripts if not resolved.
AP Testing Schoology Group: A document with exact testing locations is available in the AP Testing Schoology Group under resources (in addition to being linked above). All details and important student reminders (such as what to bring and not bring) are listed there. Do bring a sweatshirt and a pencil and pen (with black or dark blue ink) to your testing room. All exams will provide scratch paper for notes and you will need a writing utensil for all exams– even fully digital ones. While many exams are fully digital, all exams with any form of math (math, science, micro and macro) will be hybrid and exams with listening (music, Spanish Lit and Lang, German, and French) are still on paper. Do not bring cell phones and any watches or devices that can take pictures or access the internet as they are not allowed in the testing room. Please be sure to bring a calculator (and perhaps extra batteries) to those that require one. You teacher can advise on approved calculators, but standard graphing calculators are fine.
Attendance for AP Exams: Please send a note with your student for late arrivals and/or early dismissals. You may also email Ms. Bowman in the attendance office [email protected].
SOL Testing Information
The remaining SOLs will be held during the last week of school. Students only need to attend on the day they have a scheduled SOL. A detailed schedule will be shared shortly to students. If they are unable to attend, please complete this form: SOL Absence Notification (https://forms.gle/SEeeZDBhaU7hg9fRA)
- May 27: Reading (Juniors) & U.S. History (Sophomores)
- May 28: World History II (Sophomores)
- May 29: Biology (Freshmen)
Senior Events 2025
Senior Class College Shirt Group Photo: Thursday, May 8th 12:40 PM
We’re inviting all seniors to participate in College Decision Day by wearing a T-shirt (or sweatshirt) representing the college, university, community college, or military branch they plan to attend this fall.
Mr. White will be taking the picture on the Lombardy Street steps at 12:40pm before the start of the Senior Awards Assembly.
This is one of MLWGS’s traditions for students to share their plans and celebrate their hard work! If your student is still finalizing their plans, they are welcome to wear a shirt representing any school or path they are considering.
Senior Graduation Ticket Distribution: Week of May 12th, at lunch
Anyone planning to attend graduation must have a ticket to gain entrance to Dominion Energy Center (These are tickets for admission to the graduation exercises and are not the announcements students may have ordered from Herff Jones). Each graduate will receive 8 tickets for the ceremony (the graduate does not need a ticket). All additional tickets were offered through a lottery system back in December. Don’t forget that we will be streaming the ceremony and more information will be shared closer to the date. Tickets may be picked up from Ms. Sheppard in room 330.
Senior Letter 2025
Every year, MLWGS publishes a letter with information about senior-related events taking place for the remainder of the year. As it is only April, we want to remind you that some details may change. We hope that you will bookmark this letter and refer back to it as we near each activity and opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact the individual(s) responsible for the event.
You can access the letter here.
We look forward to celebrating all of our seniors as we get closer to the end of the year!
Scholarship Opportunities for MLWGS Seniors
For last minute scholarship opportunities, check out the MLWGS Class of 2025 Scholarship List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t1CNmRcjxs9SSXjTh1g5Z-oDDQ8XLlZJN57s9cAWrvs/edit?usp=sharing
Name Pronunciation at Graduation
Ms. Hill and Ms. Todd are pronouncing names at graduation this year, and they need your student’s help to make sure they get it right!
Please have your student take a couple of minutes to complete this Google Form by May 9:
Even if you think their name is easy to pronounce, please have them complete the form. These two lovely teachers care and put forth great effort to make this an event special for everyone. Help them by making their jobs easier and less stressful!
If you have any graduation-related questions, please email Ms. Sheppard ([email protected])
Athletics-IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Here are the new physical forms for 2025-26. VHSL-Forms-25.pdf Please use these forms for any physicals starting May 1,2025. Maggie Walker will still require physicals every year after May 1 of the current school year. The forms from the VHSL and doctor offices do not have the added forms from VCU. I have added them to our document. All families need to use THESE forms and to continue sending to me, [email protected] as a one page PDF and to send them ASAP.
Volunteers are needed for the last few weeks of the girls and boys soccer season, to help with the concessions stand during JV and Varsity home games. Students can sign up for the second slot only, and will need to be paired up with an adult in the first slot. If no adult signs up by noon on the day of the game, please note the concessions may be cancelled. Thank you!
Boys Concession Volunteer Sign Up
Girls Concession Volunteer Sign Up
April Highlight: The MLWGS Science Department—Research, Problem-Solving, and Rigor
The Science Department enthusiastically welcomed three new colleagues this year: Will Cottrell, William Ryba, and Dave Smail.
Will Cottrell teaches both Molecular Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. He brings energy and enthusiasm for learning and teaching in both the classroom and the workroom. Being a dedicated triathlete, he helped coach Cross Country and also helps to sponsor the Red Cross Club.
William Ryba teaches both Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Plus, in addition to coaching Cross Country and Indoor & Outdoor Track. He is enjoying the opportunity to use a variety of exploratory lab activities and summative lab projects to improve learning experiences in the classroom.
Dave Smail teaches Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, and AP Biology. He is enjoying the new adventure of teaching AP Biology and using case studies to provide students with enriching learning experiences. He next looks forward to integrating more inquiry-based labs in the classroom.
The biology team is led by Dave Barnes. In addition to teaching Molecular Biology, Dave also teaches AP Environmental Science. In both courses, he maximizes student-centered learning opportunities that are hands-on, incorporate innovative use of technology, or make use of relevant current events. Dave also provides learning opportunities outside of the classroom and has traveled abroad with students to both Costa Rica and Panama. He is currently planning an interdisciplinary experience for students in Belize during the spring break of 2026.
Adam Rotche is an integral member of the biology team. His passion lies in ecology and environmental interdisciplinary studies. In addition to teaching a seminar, Wilderness and the American Mind, Adam also developed and is teaching a brand-new course, Becoming a Naturalist, a Virginia ecology course. Adam is an integral member of our school community serving as the head coach of our Quiz Bowl team.
Jennifer Todd teaches AP Chemistry and is the Science Department Chair. In her 3rd year of being department chair, she has worked to provide experienced teachers and new teachers opportunities to collaborate to align curriculum and to share instructional tools. She has also actively supported teachers in their efforts to create new science electives in multiple disciplines and of a variety of challenge levels to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners.
In addition to teaching both Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Plus, Hillary Gawne developed a post-AP Chemistry course based on her areas of interest and expertise. She is now in her second year of providing a robust learning experience for advanced STEM students in Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. Hillary is also the sponsor of the National Honor Society.
Mark Sailer has been part of the science team for 10 years. This year he is teaching primarily Honors Physics and has enjoyed teaching AP Physics 1 for the first time. Mark is a valuable member of the school community and is the lead sponsor of the MLWGS Robotics team. Outside of his school commitments, Mark is a dedicated musician and a member of a handbell choir, a vocal choir, and a brass group.
In addition to teaching AP Physics 1, Brandon Gooss developed and is teaching a brand-new course, Automotive Concepts and Engineering, familiarly known as ACE. Through that course, Brandon has developed a relationship with Midas of Richmond, who has provided learning opportunities for students outside of the classroom and has donated car parts for the students to work on and learn from in the classroom. Brandon also sponsors TSA, the Technology Student Association. No matter where you see Brandon, he is excited to tinker and learn with the students while working on solutions to real-world problems.
In addition to teaching math, Heather Kemmerly continues to engage students in project-based learning in Engineering. On any given day, her students may be building and testing bridges or designing their own inventions using CAD (computer-aided design) software.
VCU Physiological Psychology is taught by Dr. Tim Donahue. In this course, Tim teaches students how the brain and neurological system work from a biological perspective. Not only does Tim share his enthusiasm for learning and psychology through his exciting lectures, but he also leads them through hands-on activities such as dissecting sheep brains.
As a department, we continue to cherish our work experiences with Drew Austen, who passed away earlier this year. Drew was an invaluable member of the team, always excited and enthusiastic about learning and growing with both colleagues and students. His love of learning and teaching was infectious to all. Despite having only been a part of MLWGS Science for three school years, he will have a lasting impact on us all.
We were excited to welcome Olga Plotnikov to the team for the rest of this year. Olga is no stranger to MLWGS as an alumni parent. Additionally, Olga has immense expertise in physics and valuable experience teaching young scientists. We are more than grateful that Olga was willing to join our team at a time of great need.
Check Out the New and Improved Foundation Website
The MLWGS Foundation has added some great new features to its website. The new Stories tab at the top provides links to the Foundation Blog–lots of great stories about MLWGS happenings–and a News page with local and national media stories highlighting alumni and current students and teachers. On the News page you’ll also find an archive of the latest Foundation newsletters. Check it out today to see some of the great things going on at MLWGS and how your support of the Foundation makes it all possible.
GO DRAGONS!!!
“If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” – Frank A. Clark
