Dear Maggie Walker Families,
As we close the first nine weeks and prepare for the start of November, the rhythm of fall is in full swing at Maggie Walker. This week brings Red Ribbon Week activities, the Diwali Luncheon, our Multicultural Assembly, and Halloween on Friday. It is a busy and exciting time as we celebrate learning, culture, and community while also planning ahead for important calendar updates.
We are grateful for the continued partnership of our PTSA and the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School Foundation. Their support provides both essential funding and the people power needed to sustain events such as Homecoming, legislative advocacy, community service opportunities, and more. We are about 100 memberships away from being recognized as national PTSA champions. If you have not yet joined, please consider doing so. Every membership strengthens our ability to serve our students and staff.
Please take note of these key updates:
• Red Ribbon Week and Drug-Free America Week activities will take place throughout the week.
• Multicultural Assembly on Wednesday, October 29 during lunch.
• Diwali Luncheon on Wednesday, October 29 in the Commons.
• Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, October 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Rooms 104 and 105.
• Halloween on Friday, October 31.
Looking ahead, Monday, November 3 will be a student holiday for virtual parent-teacher conferences. Technology will send additional details soon, including the SignUpGenius links and Zoom meeting information for each teacher. Tuesday, November 4 is the Election Day holiday for students and staff.
Please note a calendar change for Thanksgiving week:
• Monday, November 24 will be a synchronous virtual instruction day following a modified bell schedule.
• Tuesday, November 25 will be an asynchronous learning day with independent assignments.
These days are designed to help us test our systems and ensure readiness for potential weather-related closures.
Finally, our seniors are in full swing with college applications, and we are proud of their hard work and focus during this exciting time.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and spirited Halloween week. It is always a great day to be a Maggie Walker Dragon!
Kristin Janssen, MLWGS Executive Director
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| Attention all students interested in joining the Indoor Track team. If you were unable to attend our previous interest meeting, haven’t filled out the team interest form, or just have questions about the team, please reach out to Coach Webb by e-mail or in person in room 207 at lunch prior to the start of the season. Remember, official practice begins on Monday November 10th so don’t delay |
| Friendly Reminder from Your SCAHalloween Costume Guidelines – Thursday, October 31Costumes are welcome at school! Please keep them fun, safe, and respectful so everyone can enjoy the day.Follow the regular dress code.Avoid anything that disrupts learning or makes others uncomfortable.No costumes with weapons, drugs, alcohol, or violent themes.Be kind and inclusive—do not wear costumes that mock or stereotype any group or culture.Choose creativity over controversy.Let’s make Halloween a day of school spirit, safety, and fun for all Dragons! |
| Photos from other studios are due to the MLWGS yearbook staff on Monday, Nov. 10. |
| Night of the Dragon 2026 is Saturday, February 28. Mark your calendars. |
| Information Forum for Prospective Students will take place on Saturday, October 25th from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.Saturday Open House–1 hour and 30 minutes for each session Information Forum for prospective students and parents at MLWGS.8 AM – Hanover and Richmond families 10 AM – Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Henrico, Hopewell, King & Queen, Petersburg, Prince George families1 PM – Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, New Kent, and Powhatan familiesThe program will start in the auditorium. That session includes a welcome, academics, and support services. Families will then transition to the cafeteria & commons for an exploration of student life, clubs, and athletics (Expo style). The final part will be a session in classrooms with current students, teachers, and parents. |
| MLWGS will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on October 31st. The event will take place from 8AM-3PM in room 104. |
| Remember that Monday, November 3rd is a student holiday to accommodate Virtual Parent Teacher conferences from 12 PM- 7PM online. More information will be forthcoming next week. |
| Remember that Tuesday, November 4th is a student and staff holiday to accommodate VA General Elections Day. |
| Virtual Instruction Days – November 24 and 25Maggie Walker Governor’s School will hold Virtual Instruction Days on Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25 to test our readiness for potential weather or emergency closures.Monday, November 24: Synchronous (live) virtual learning following a modified bell schedule via Zoom. Tuesday, November 25: Asynchronous learning. Teachers may assign up to 35 minutes of work per class. No homework will be assigned over the break.Synchronous Schedule – Monday, November 24 1st: 8:40–9:15 | 2nd: 9:25–10:00 | 3rd: 10:10–10:45 | 4th: 10:55–11:30 5th: 12:25–1:00 | 6th: 1:10–1:45 | 7th: 1:55–2:30 | 8th: 2:40–3:15Teachers will review technology access with students beforehand. The building will be closed both days. These virtual days allow us to practice procedures for weather-related closures while maintaining learning continuity.Thank you for your support as we ensure readiness for any future virtual learning needs. |
| Applications are now available for the Summer Residential Governor’s Schools. All sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. These programs are run by the Commonwealth and provide opportunities for high school gifted students to explore professional and university environments through mentorships and academic enrichment. Information and applications can be found at: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/governor-s-schools/summer-residential-governor-s-schools.Maggie L. Walker students are grouped together and are not viewed as applicants from their respective school divisions. Applicants should be committed to attend; our school loses a slot if a student is accepted and does not participate. Questions about the programs or application process can be addressed to Joy Cobb, sophomore and junior counselor at [email protected].Academic ProgramsAcademic Programs: Humanities; Mathematics; Science and Technology; Agriculture; Life Sciences and Medicine; Engineering (NASA) (must be 16 by June 18, 2026 and a U.S. citizen); Marine Science. We can send a total of one nominee for this entire area, with two slots for the School for Agriculture. Students should submit applications to Joy Cobb in the counseling department by January 16, 2026. Please do not submit teacher recommendations at this time. This will give us enough time for our school selection committee to choose which students to nominate, and in turn solicit teacher recommendations for these nominees.Governor’s Foreign Language AcademiesAcademies: Full-Immersion Academies in French, Spanish, German; partial-immersion in Japanese Language; and Latin Academy. Each academy allows one nominee from our school. Interested students should talk directly with their language teacher soon. Our foreign language department determines who is nominated from our school. If interested, please contact your language teacher. The deadline for completed application forms February 6, 2026. Visual and Performing Arts ProgramAreas of Study: Dance, Theatre, Visual Art, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music. We can send a total of five nominees for this program, one per area of study. Interested students should talk directly with their fine arts teacher so that we have time to submit the Applicant Report for Site Adjudication form by November 19, 2025. The final application is due February 6, 2026. |
| Put Your Dragon’s Class Ahead in the Foundation’s Parent Participation Competition!Each year, the Annual Fund Parent Participation Campaign recognizes the class with the highest percentage of parents/guardians making gifts to the MLWGS Foundation annual fund. All donations of any size count, and the winning class gets bragging rights and a sweet treat party in May. All classes are within a few donors of one another right now so your donation can put your class ahead. Show your support for MLWGS and your Dragon’s class by making your gift online today. Current standings are: 1st place: Seniors (Class of ‘26) 2nd place: Sophomores Class of ‘28) 3rd place: Freshmen (Class of ‘29) 4th place: Juniors (Class of ‘27) |
