The first week back from winter break can be challenging as everyone adjusts to schedules, expectations, and routines, and this past week reflected that transition. Alongside the resumption of classes, students participated in college and financial aid advising, welcomed visiting school groups, and engaged in tutoring, enrichment, and student organization activities. Our athletic teams were also busy with games throughout the week, and our Robotics team kicked off the new season with the FRC launch on Saturday.
As we reach the halfway point of the school year, our team is also engaged in planning, professional development, and budget preparation for the month and year ahead, ensuring we continue to support both our students and staff.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Go Dragons!
Below are upcoming dates and insights for the weeks ahead.
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
| Class of 2028 Leading in MLWGS Foundation’s Family Participation Competition! The Class of 2028 is leading the charge so far in the Foundation’s Annual Fund Parent Participation Contest. But will their lead last? Our goal is 100% participation, and every gift, regardless of the amount, counts. Class totals as of January 8, 2026 are: Seniors (Class of 2026) – 9% Juniors (Class of 2027) – 12% Sophomores (Class of 2028) — 17% Freshmen–(Class of 2029) – 12% Thanks to everyone who already made a gift. Haven’t yet? Support your Dragon’s class by making your gift online today. Or via Venmo @mlwgsfoundation or check. Each year, the Foundation’s annual fund supports many of the amazing academic and extracurricular experiences that set MLWGS apart, including our academic clubs and teams, student travel, teacher professional development, student aid, and more. This year, the Foundation has committed to raising $400,000 to support our Dragon. The winning class gets bragging rights and a sweet treat in May courtesy of the Foundation! |
| Kudos to the Italian Club and National Honor Society for making Italian language coloring books and providing crayons for a Winter Break activity for the children at the VCU Cancer Hospital Pavilion. |
| Attention All Parents and Legal Guardians! It is time to complete the annual “Intent to Return Form” to secure your child’s spot for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, a parent/legal guardian for each student is required to submit this form, affirming their student’s plan to return to MLWGS next year. This form also aims to capture any address changes and re-affirm students’ commitment to the academic, attendance, behavioral, and community service standards of MLWGS for the 2026-2027 academic year. Only one response per student. Note: This is a change to the process used the last couple of years, and a response for EVERY student– not just those with changes– is once again required. Translation instructions for Spanish and other languages can be found here. Este Formulario de Intención de Devolución debe completarse antes del 2 de febrero. Las instrucciones de traducción para español u otro idioma se pueden encontrar aquí. |
| For the Class of 2030: On Saturday, January 24th, MLWGS is the host site for prospective student assessments conducted in two separate sessions. Students and their families were notified by email which session they were scheduled to attend (morning or afternoon). Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for the morning session. Students must report by 7:45 a.m. Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after testing has begun may not participate in this assessment session. Please enter the building through the front doors at the top of the steps on the Lombardy side and proceed directly to your testing room. Only bring pencils for testing. Scratch paper will be provided. Electronic devices (calculators, cell phones, etc.) may not be accessed during testing. There will be a stretch break for which you may bring a bottle of water or drink from the water fountain. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for the afternoon session. Students must report by 12:45 p.m. Testing will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. Students arriving after the test has started may not participate in this assessment session. Please enter the building through the front doors at the top of the steps on the Lombardy side and proceed directly to your testing room. Only bring pencils for testing. Scratch paper will be provided. Electronic devices (calculators, cell phones, etc.) may not be accessed during testing. There will be a stretch break for which you may bring a bottle of water or drink from the water fountain. The snow date for testing is Saturday, January 31st. Should you need more information or be unable to attend the assessment session, contact your home division coordinator. In case of inclement weather, please check local television and radio stations for announcements or mlwgs.com. |
| Nominations are open for the 2026 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence, The Community Foundation’s yearly awards that identify, recognize, and support outstanding teachers in the area. Through your efforts, Connie Hill, Math Department Chair, was a 2025 award winner. Through a nomination process, approximately 15 outstanding teachers are selected each year to receive cash grants to support professional development activities. Award recipients have earned graduate degrees, climbed mountains, traced their ancestors, and met peers from around the world – all to reignite their passion for learning and to pass it on to their students. The Community Foundation invites nominations from students, parents, colleagues, school staff, and administrators (except for the school principal), and the community at large. Nominations must be made online and be accompanied by a letter in support of the nomination, written by another individual, and submitted online with the nomination. Nominations and letters of support must be submitted through the Community Foundation’s website by February 17, 2026, by 5 p.m. Recipients will be announced in November 2026. For a link to the nomination portal visit here. |
| Parents of 10th and 11th graders–save the date for College Kick-Off: Thursday, January 29th! From 10-11:30 AM, parents of sophomores are invited to join their students in the MLWGS Auditorium for a rich discussion about the college search and admissions with 4-5 panelists from a variety of colleges and institutions. Parents of juniors are invited to attend an assembly on college-related topics designed just for the Class of 2027 from 1-3:10 PM (followed by a parents-only Q&A session from 3:10-3:30 PM). Please keep checking your email for more details throughout the month from senior counselor Kim Forquer at [email protected]. |
| Thursday, January 22nd, is a virtual parent/teacher conference opportunity from 4-7 PM. Sign-up information will be forthcoming. |
| Monday, January 19th is a student and staff holiday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| ATTENTION JUNIORS: Senior Seminar and Mentorship Program Registration for Juniors is Friday, January 16th. Late applications will not be accepted. In December and January, Juniors (Class of 2027) will take a step in determining what their senior schedule will look like. All juniors will have to decide whether they are going to enroll in one of our exciting seminar courses or apply to undertake a mentorship with a professional in the area. On Monday, 12/8/25, Juniors will be added to a Schoology Group that will provide information about the Seminar/Mentorship selection and application process. As the process moves forward, students can help their parents view all the material on this site. Juniors are encouraged to start thinking about this decision now, and parents are encouraged to discuss this decision with their student. Anyone who has questions about the process should reach out to Mr. Cook ([email protected]). The deadline for completing the Seminar/Mentorship selection and application process will be Friday, January 16, 2026. |
| Quarter 2 report cards will be posted on Tuesday, January 13th. |
| NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is thrilled to announce that the application window for Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)—our FREE summer residential STEM program for Virginia 8th and 9th-grade students—opens December 1st! BLAST gives students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through immersive learning and career exploration. The program is designed specifically for students who have not yet had significant STEM experiences (such as afterschool programs, electives, or camps), offering them a first chance to dive into engaging, hands-on sessions. Selected students will spend three days and nights on campus at one of Virginia’s top universities: Old Dominion University (ODU), Radford University (RU), University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia Tech (VT), or William & Mary (W&M). Led by university faculty, participants will: Take part in interactive STEM activitiesAttend demonstrations, tours, and guest speaker sessionsGain valuable insight into college life and STEM careers 📅 Application Window: Opens Monday, December 1, 2025 and closes Saturday, February 1, 2026 🎥 Short Informational Video: Watch here 🎥 YouTube Channel: Click here 📄 Flyer & More Details: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/ |
| NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is thrilled to announce that the application window for Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)—our FREE summer residential STEM program for Virginia 8th and 9th-grade students—opens December 1st! BLAST gives students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through immersive learning and career exploration. The program is designed specifically for students who have not yet had significant STEM experiences (such as afterschool programs, electives, or camps), offering them a first chance to dive into engaging, hands-on sessions. Selected students will spend three days and nights on campus at one of Virginia’s top universities: Old Dominion University (ODU), Radford University (RU), University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia Tech (VT), or William & Mary (W&M). Led by university faculty, participants will: Take part in interactive STEM activities Attend demonstrations, tours, and guest speaker sessions Gain valuable insight into college life and STEM careers 📅 Application Window: Opens Monday, December 1, 2025 and closes Saturday, February 1, 2026 🎥 Short Informational Video: Watch here 🎥 YouTube Channel: Click here 📄 Flyer & More Details: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/ |
| Looking for 8 Host Families for Japanese Students in March 2026 I am excited to announce that students from our partner school in Japan are visiting Maggie L. Walker next March. We are currently looking for families who are willing to host the Japanese students during their two-week visit. The planned dates for the visit are February 28 (Sat)– March 14, 2026 (Sat). The responsibilities of a host family are to pick up and drop off the student at Richmond Airport; to provide housing and food for the student; to ensure the student can get to and from school each day; and to include the student in family activities in evenings and on weekends. Our partner school, Chiben Gakuen, is in Wakayama, Japan, about 2 hours and 30 minutes south of Kyoto via train. The exchange is supported by our school, and we are planning on having 12 high school students from Japan visit. There will be an information session on Tuesday, January 20, at 7 pm on Zoom to provide more details about the exchange and the hosting experience. Your child does not have to be learning Japanese to be a host family. If you are interested in hosting a student, please fill out the survey below by Sunday, January 18. I will email you the Zoom link. Link: https://forms.gle/wfWwy3B4N5KzhfQU6 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Yoko Eshita, the Japanese teacher, at [email protected]. |
| Join the MLWGS PTSA Advocacy Team, the largest delegation in Virginia, and come to Advocacy Day at the General Assembly. This is an excused absence for students and earns service hours! Friday, January 23rd, 7:30 AM-2 PM. |
