Last year, I remember thinking that Homecoming Week at MLWGS was unlike anything I had experienced before. Between powderpuff games, home athletic events, and our lip sync battles, which really are next level, there is no shortage of school spirit! This year has been no different, and on Wednesday, I saw more wigs than I could count!
Amid all the fun, there has been plenty of learning. We welcomed back Dr. Sheri Mehta, a former MLWGS teacher who shared her research on letters written by African American soldiers during the Civil War. Several faculty attended Monday’s gifted conference at Virginia Union University, focused on AI and gifted learners.
During our faculty meeting, we learned about the Mech Tech Dragons’ philanthropic efforts, open-access JSTOR resources, and continued our pillar work. I have also noticed how inviting our teachers make their classrooms, creating spaces where students want to learn. I read something the other day about how staying curious and open to learning may be one of the keys to staying young and happy. There was certainly plenty of that happening this week!
We close out the week with the PSAT, Field Day competitions, and Homecoming. Judging by the number of dance forms signed, Saturday night should be quite the event. I cannot wait.
Go Dragons!
With Pride,
Dr. Kristin Janssen
Executive Director
Additional information below…
Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School Information Forum on Admissions for the Class of 2031 is on October 17, 2026
If your child is an academically oriented current 8th-grade student, then you should consider Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School as their next step.
The Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies (MLWGS) is an innovative public high school offering a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing government, international studies, science, mathematics, languages, and fine arts. The school serves students selected based on aptitude and interest in its mission.
MLWGS will present an information forum for students and families interested in knowing more about the program and the admissions process on the school campus on Saturday, October 17th. There will be three 90-minute sessions divided by district. The sessions are as follows: 8 AM–Richmond and Chesterfield; 10 AM–Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Hopewell, King & Queen, Petersburg, Prince George, Charles City, Goochland, New Kent, and Powhatan and 1 PM–Henrico.
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Grades 9-12: Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Also mark your calendar for our two parent/teacher conference sessions during this school year. The first will be on Monday, November 2nd, the second on Thursday, January 21st. Details will be announced closer to each.
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Seniors! Time is running out to sign up for your last-chance, FREE, Yearbook-only, in-school senior portrait session, with CADY, our official school photographer. The photo session will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Fri, Nov. 6, in the Commons. Tuxes and drapes will be provided. Here’s the sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4CACAE28A0FD0-66268006-senior
As always, you’re not REQUIRED to be photographed by CADY; you may go to another studio to get your senior portrait done. But that studio must adhere to our specs. Contact Yearbook Adviser Michael White at [email protected] for details.
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Mark Your Calendars for the 25th Annual Night of the Dragon–
Saturday, February 20, at the Altria Theater
Mark your calendar now for this highlight of the year for the Dragon family. The entire MLWGS community is invited to celebrate 35 years of Maggie Walker during this special evening featuring performances by beloved alumni musicians, our iconic live and silent auctions, dinner, and more. Hosted by the MLWGS Foundation, this is the largest social event of the year, with all proceeds benefiting our Dragons and their teachers.
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This 2026-2027 Parent Participation Competition is Officially Underway!
Help Your Dragon’s Class (and all of MLWGS) Win
The Foundation’s Annual Fund supports the amazing academic and extracurricular experiences that set MLWGS apart, including our award-winning academic clubs and teams, mind-broadening student travel, cutting-edge teacher professional development, vital student aid, and more. The Parent Participation Campaign is a friendly (but fierce, lol) competition that recognizes the class with the highest percentage of parents making annual fund donations each year. Every donation counts. And the winning class gets bragging rights and a sweet treat in May courtesy of the Foundation!
Who will take the early lead this year? 2027? 2028? 2029? 2030? We’ll see. Support your Dragon’s class by making your gift online today.
Join Your MLWGS Parent Teacher Student Organization for 2026-2027!
Click HERE to join your family to the PTSA and donate!
Click HERE for the Volunteer Interest Form
Let’s Go Dragons! We loved meeting so many new families at MLWGS orientation. The Dragon magic is alive and well, and we’re excited for another amazing year!
Join Now! Your family belongs! Our PTSA is 100% inclusive, welcoming everyone who supports our students and school. Membership is for one school year, so it’s time to join for 2026–2027!
All In! We encourage parents/guardians and students to join together. Grandparents, relatives, and alumni are welcome, too! Our community is one of the largest PTAs in Virginia because we all invest in our Dragons.
Support MLWGS & Your Student! Our PTSA relies entirely on family donations. With our work powered by volunteers, every dollar goes toward supporting students and teachers. Suggested family donation: $50.
All Means All! If membership fees or donations are a challenge, please contact a PTSA officer or school counselor. We will make sure your family can join. Everyone belongs! Want to sponsor another family? $31 covers two adults and a student.
Our goal: 1,000 Dragons strong! Let’s Go Dragons!
This is going to be our best year yet! —Dr. Ben Pearson-Nelson, MLWGS PTSA President
Join your family to the PTSA and donate today!
As of September 10, 2026, 80 colleges/universities have scheduled visits to MLWGS for lunchtime presentations! All Dragons in grades 10-12 are invited to attend. Exact locations will be featured on the daily morning announcements and the white dry-erase board outside of the Counseling Office. To preview a list of who is coming to our school*, check out this link, and if you have any questions about College Rep Visits to MLWGS, feel free to contact senior/college counselor Kim Forquer at [email protected]:
*Please note that all appointments are subject to change…and more are likely to be added throughout the fall.
Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) offers free Math Tutoring every Monday and Thursday at lunchtime (11:45-12:15) in Room 201 and every Tuesday and Wednesday after school (3:30-4:30) in Room 202. Students are welcome to just drop in – no appointment is necessary!
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National English Honor Society
National English Honor Society also offers tutoring in the Dragon Lit Lab in Room 228 during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students are welcome to drop in, and no appointment is necessary! Our current focus is parts of speech and sentence patterns for 9th and 10th graders!
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WINTER SPORTS are just around the corner. Basketball, Swimming, Indoor Track and Wrestling will start on November 10th. Please send the completed required VHSL paperwork https://mlwgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VHSL-Forms-25.pdf to [email protected] as a PDF file to be eligible. _________________________________________________________________________
AP Exam Registration and Payment
For students enrolled in one or more Advanced Placement courses, it is now time to complete your registration for AP exams for May 2027. Handouts went out this week outlining the simple two-step process:
- Join the course in MyAP (most students did this at the start of the year) and confirm that the courses listed are accurate. Ensure any dropped courses no longer appear on your course list, that you have ant recently added courses, and that you are enrolled in the correct section.
- Pay for your exams ($99 per exam) in OSP by Friday, October 23rd, 2026. The College Board’s $40 per exam late fee will be applied after that date.
Important dates and deadlines and procedures for special circumstances such as opting out taking an AP exam are explained in the linked AP Exam Ordering Information handout. Requests for fee waivers or reductions can be made by completing this form and returning it to Joy Cobb at [email protected]. All other AP questions can be directed to Rachel Loving at [email protected].
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From the Yearbook staff:
1. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen! Remember Picture Day? Want to see your Yearbook picture and maybe even order copies? Just click on this link to get to the CADY portal and see how great you looked. In related news, makeups/retakes will be on Wed, Nov. 4. Questions? Contact Yearbook Adviser, Michael White at [email protected].
2. Yearbook prices go up on Oct. 1, but right now you can pre-order your book at the low price of $50. Here’s how to buy the 2027 Vault directly from our publisher, Varsity: click HERE, then follow the prompts to pay via credit card, debit card, PayPal, or e-check. You may also mail a traditional check directly to Varsity. Sadly, Varsity doesn’t accept Venmo or Zelle and we can’t accept payments at Maggie Walker. Pre-orders will not be accepted after May 1.
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Annual Compulsory Attendance Reminders
Attendance counts; every day matters! Our dragons work hard to balance rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and a social life, but we understand that life happens. Kids get sick, families take vacations, and doctor’s appointments must be kept. As the parent or guardian, please take the time to read the Code of Virginia pertaining to compulsory attendance, with subsequent information outlining your responsibilities as the caregiver. In addition, make note of our policies and time frames to ensure you are communicating with our attendance secretary, Ms. Darleen Bowman ([email protected]) when your child is absent, will be arriving late, or leaving early. Details can be found in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, pages 17-20. Have questions? Please email Ms. Bowman and Ms. Ortiz, school social worker and attendance officer. Have a great year!
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Science National Honor Society
The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is now accepting applications. Eligible juniors and seniors are invited to apply. Students received an email with the application and the requirements for admission.
The deadline to apply for admission to SNHS is Thursday, October 15 at 3:30 PM. No late applications will be accepted.
SNHS also offers tutoring in biology, chemistry, and physics every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch in room 311. All students are welcome to stop by to ask questions and get help.
2026 Annual MLWGS Fall Art Walk
On November 6th the MLWGS Visual + Performing Arts Dept. and the MLWGS Visual Arts Boosters (VAB) will be hosting our annual Fall Art Walk event, in conjunction with Richmond’s First Fridays. One of the goals of our art curriculum is to have the students “become aware of and participate in the local arts community”. First Fridays RVA is the monthly event when art galleries on Broad St. all open to the public for the evening. There will be much artwork to enjoy! Parents, family, friends, and staff are all invited!
To begin the evening, our wonderful Visual Arts Boosters will be hosting a reception from 5:30pm – 6:00pm. Please join us for snacks and fellowship prior to heading out to the galleries. If you are willing to help out with food and set up for the reception, please sign up here….
Everyone will receive a map of the galleries and Coach Hall will guide anyone who would like to join him around to some specific exhibitions.
To help you avoid having to park downtown, we will be providing a school bus which will run a circuit from Broad St. galleries and back to school all evening. The bus will continue this circuit throughout the evening until the last pickup at 8:30 pm. This way you may stay for as long (or as short) as you like. Details will be discussed that evening.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in a First Fridays Art Walk – or even if you have – we’d love to see you at our event! It’s always a very fun evening. All are welcome (students, parents, family members, & faculty)!
When: Friday, November 6th, 2026, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Meet in the “adjunct classroom”, room #153, near the Maggie Walker mural to enjoy snacks and refreshments.
Please RSVP: by Thursday Nov. 5th – https://evite.me/MnaKFxTPwD
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