What a whirlwind of a week at MLWGS! Last Friday, we started with PSAT testing and Field Day, followed by Homecoming 2026 on Saturday evening. Although the weather did not cooperate, our students looked wonderful and made the best of moving everything into the gym and commons. They danced the night away, and I was especially appreciative of the attendees who took a moment to thank those who worked the event. Those small gestures mean a great deal to the sponsors, parents, teachers, and staff who give so much of their time to make these experiences possible.
A special thank you to Joy Cobb, Erin Ortiz, Amy Maxey, Veronica Chornodolsky, and all of our parents, teachers, staff, security, and student volunteers who helped keep everything running smoothly. Events like these take a tremendous amount of planning, flexibility, and teamwork, and I appreciate everyone who helped make the weekend a success. Monday’s student holiday gave everyone a little extra time to recover from the weekend and get back into the flow of school. Resets are always good things.
Of course, things did not slow down much once we returned on Tuesday! Between Shark Tank Engineering presentations, Quiz Bowl, Model UN preparations, athletics, rehearsals, and college visits, there was plenty happening throughout the building. We also continued our visits to middle schools across the region, wrote college recommendation letters, attended state workshops, held our Regional School Board meeting, participated in the state-wide earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut, and met with our School Advisory Council. We will finish out the week on Saturday with our Information Forum, welcoming prospective students and families from our 14 participating school divisions. Again, I am so thankful for everyone who has helped with all of these activities, especially those who have been juggling multiple events and responsibilities. It has been a busy couple of weeks, and I know there is plenty more ahead!
Go Dragons!
With Pride,
Dr. Kristin Janssen
Executive Director
Additional information below…
2026 Homecoming Dance Photo Album
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 in September 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 joined any 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].
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.
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!
Annual 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. 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! Students, parents, family, friends, and staff are all invited!
To begin the evening, our wonderful Visual Arts Boosters will be hosting a reception from 5:30 pm to – 6:00 pm. 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 – 8:30pm
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
Calling all current sophomores and juniors!
Imagine spending part of your summer at the University of Virginia, living and learning alongside students from Japan, exploring another culture, and building friendships that could last a lifetime!
The High School Diplomats (HSD) U.S. Program is offering an incredible, fully funded cultural exchange experience at UVA from July 22–31, 2027.
Only 20 American students will be selected to join 20 students from Japan for an experience that includes:
- Cultural exchange and international friendships
- A Japanese roommate and opportunities to learn about the Japanese language and culture
- Engaging discussions, presentations, and learning experiences
- Japanese festivals, sports, karaoke, and other activities
The best part? The program scholarship covers housing, meals, and activities! Transportation is not included, but financial assistance may be available.
Students who complete the U.S. program may also have the opportunity to participate in the High School Diplomats Japan program the following summer.
Application Deadline: January 19, 2027
This is a wonderful opportunity for Maggie Walker students who are curious about the world, enjoy meeting new people, and want to experience something beyond the traditional classroom.
Learn more and apply: https://www.highschooldiplomats.com/apply
Don’t miss the chance to make your summer an international experience! Apply now.
Graduation – Cap and Gown orders
Seniors – Herff Jones will be on site on Monday, October 26 for a very brief mandatory class meeting at the start of lunch in the auditorium to discuss graduation. Measurements for caps and gowns will be collected, and information about other graduation-related items will be shared. Please plan to arrive at the start of lunch, and we will not take up too much time to share these important details before the order for regalia is placed. Email Ms. Sheppard ([email protected]) or Ms. Love ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
JUNIORS: Want to win a trip to Salamanca, España, July 24-31, 2027?
If you scored a 75% or higher on the National Spanish Exam last year AND will register to take this year’s NSE AND you plan to study Spanish at MLWGS next year, consider applying for the AATSP Junior Travel Scholarship!
One level 3+ student may apply per teacher. Reach out to your teacher by Friday, Oct. 30. if you are interested in being the applicant from her classes. (More info here.)
The award includes 20 hours of Spanish language instruction at the University of Salamanca, local transportation, tours, meals, and insurance. Your group will stay at the USAL Student Residences during their stay.
Jabberwock, the MLWGS student press, is now offering ad space!
- Celebration/Birthday Ad for Current MLWGS Student = $10 per issue
- 1/8 Page = $25 per issue
- 1/4 Page = $35 per issue
- Half Page = $75 per issue
- Full Page = $100 per issue
Fill out this interest form and a member of the editorial staff will be in contact for particulars.
Help Stock the Library’s New Games Cabinet!
Are any of the 15 games listed below gathering dust in your home? Contribute gently used games to help stock the library’s new games cabinet! Miss playing games on your phone at lunch? Once the games cabinet is stocked, you can stop by the library and borrow a game to take to your favorite hangout spot on campus. Applying the earth-friendly practice of reuse, let’s see how many of these games we can gather without anyone buying them. The list below is based on a survey conducted last month about which games students would like to borrow, focusing on those that can be played in 30 minutes or less (i.e., during lunch). Asterisks* mark the top three requests for which stocking multiple decks would be great. Questions? Stop by the library or email Ms. DeGroat at [email protected].
- Apples to Apples
- Bananagrams
- Connect 4
- Exploding Kittens
- Heads Up! (board game version)
- Jenga
- Mancala
- Monopoly Deal
- Phase 10
- Playing cards – 52-card standard (French) deck*
- Playing cards – 48-card Spanish deck
- Sorry!
- Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza*
- Uno*
- Who Knows You Best?
Swords, Scales, & Silicon Valley, a MLWGS-UVA dialogue program about AI & society
Coming soon…In collaboration with Kasia Wasiak, a MLWGS graduate and former One Small Step Organizer who’s a junior at UVA, the MLWGS Library is piloting a dialogue program with a small group of UVA Cavaliers and MLWGS Dragons to explore big-picture questions about AI’s role in society. Participants will consider contrasting viewpoints, engaging with some of the complexities of this consequential issue to begin discerning their own viewpoint on it. Watch for more information and an interest form next week. This year’s small pilot program will involve 10-12 MLWGS students, and all activities will be held at MLWGS.
Friends of the Library Week (Oct. 19-23)
Next week is Friends of the Library Week! Join the MLWGS Friends of the Library for just $10 to help support new and ongoing library activities like Transcribe-a-thons, Word Magic Open Mics, and the upcoming pilot of Swords, Scales, and Silicon Valley, a UVA-MLWGS dialogue program about AI & society. See this year’s Friends membership form for more information.
