If someone had told me we would be out of school for an entire week, I would not have believed them. I have lived in the Richmond area my entire life, and I cannot recall a time when neighborhood roads were so deeply embedded with ice. I am incredibly grateful for the resilience of our students, teachers, and staff. We navigated the shift to virtual learning well, though I think we are all ready to be back together in person.
For many of us, the experience echoed the pandemic days, when connection relied almost entirely on screens. That period reminded us how essential it is to be around one another and how much our shared learning and community thrive within the walls of the MLWGS building.
February is a full and meaningful month ahead. We will recognize Black History Month and National Heart Month throughout February. National School Counseling Week will be observed February 2–6, followed by National Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 9–15. We will also recognize National School Board Week from February 16–20, honoring the leadership and partnership of our fourteen-member school boards who support Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
As important as these designated weeks and recognitions are, the real work is in how we live their values every day. Black history is not confined to a month. Kindness is not limited to a week. Appreciation for those who support, guide, and care for our students should not depend on a calendar. I may get demolished for this one, especially by those who love Valentine’s Day, but I have never been big on single days meant to define things that deserve our daily attention. The goal is to be kind, gracious, and open every day, and when we fall short, to do better the next day, if given the chance.
That commitment to daily practice was evident even during a disrupted week. Despite the weather and the interruption to our routine, we were still able to hold our College Kick-Off event thanks to the work of Kim Forquer and the School Counseling team, David Bortz and the Technology team, and the flexibility of our presenters, many of whom were not local and seamlessly transitioned to virtual platforms. We were also supported by Richmond Parks and Recreation, who were prepared to assist with parking if needed.
Stay safe and warm, Dragons. We are ready for a strong return to campus and a meaningful month ahead filled with learning, reflection, and celebration.
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
February is a busy month
● February is Black History Month
● February is National Heart Month
● National School Counseling Week: February 2–6, 2026
● National School Board Appreciation Month
All MLWGS Families, Grades 9-11: Intent to Return Forms are due
Attention All Parents and Legal Guardians! It is time for the parents of students in 9th-11th grades 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. This form should not be completed for students in the Class of 2026. 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.
Senior Families: Important Communication Coming
Senior parents should be on the lookout. Ms. Sheppard will be pushing out key senior information shortly (timelines, requirements, and important next steps).
Staff Honors & Professional Recognition
- Jeff Hall: 2026 Patricia E. Taylor Teaching Award Recipient
Selected by the MLWGS Foundation as the Patricia E. Taylor Teaching Award winner, recognizing exceptional teaching and impact on students and the community. - Sam Ulmschneider: National Board Certification Earned National Board Certification, one of the highest professional distinctions in education.
- MLWGS Featured by PBS Appalachia (VDOE Project)
- Filming Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (on campus)
- PBS Appalachia is producing a video series highlighting Virginia Governor’s Schools to showcase student experiences and encourage future applicants.
Black History Month at MLWGS
Theme: Women’s Voices: Truth & Triumph
Featured Events
- Friday, February 20, 2026: Viewing of “Daughters” 4:00–7:00 PM (Forum)
- Monday, February 23, 2026: Eliza Mickens (Guest Speaker)
Great-great-great granddaughter of Maggie Lena Walker during lunch (Auditorium) - Thursday, February 26, 2026: Truth & Triumph Tour 12:15–3:00 PM
VMHC exhibits: Give Me Liberty + Un/Bound- 45 student slots available
- Cost: $8 (paid on OSP)
- Permission slips & payment due: February 11
Library & NEHS/Shamin Hotels Speaking Series: BHM Events
- Maggie Walker Governor’s School is hosting Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater on February 6, 2026 for an engaging day with our students, culminating in a school-wide assembly in the afternoon. Amb. Bridgewater’s appearance is brought by the MW Foundation’s Shamin Hotels Speaker Series.
- Open Mic: Monday, February 9, 2026
- Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon: Friday, February 13, 2026 (lunchtime + flexible participation)
Important Upcoming
- February 4th is Q3 interims
- Monday, February 16th is President’s Day holiday for students & staff
- Tuesday, February 17th is a teacher work day & student holiday
- Monday, March 2-Thursday, March 5th is English 10 Writing SOL testing week
- Friday, March 6th is the end of the 3rd quarter
Host Families are Still Needed
We are still looking for 4 host families who would be willing to host a female student during her visit. The planned dates for the visit are February 28 (Sat)– March 14, 2026 (Sat).
Host family responsibilities include:
- Picking up and dropping off the student at Richmond Airport
- Providing a safe and welcoming home, including meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Ensuring the student can travel to and from school each day
- Including the student in family activities during evenings and on weekends
The students are from our partner school, Chiben Gakuen, located in Wakayama, Japan, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes south of Kyoto by train. This exchange is supported by our school, and we are planning to host 12 high school students from Japan.
Please note that you or your family members do not need to speak Japanese in order to be a host family.
If you are interested in becoming a host family, please fill out the Google Form below.
Here is some more information about the hosting.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please feel free to contact me ([email protected]). I would be happy to speak with you at your convenience.
REB Award Nominations
Nominations opened today 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.
Last Call for our 9th grade students: Applications are due February 1st
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/
