It was a shortened week, but an important one. After weather disruptions, we were thankful to welcome all of our students and staff back into the building together. There is something grounding about the energy of a full school. The familiar routines, the conversations in the hallways, and the comfort of being back together reminded us how important our community truly is.
I will admit that this stretch of cold weather has worn on me. At one point, I seriously considered trashing my snowman garden flag. It felt symbolic of how tired I am of winter and of feeling a little bitter after too many gray days. I did not throw it away, but it has been moved to the back of my holiday storage for now. I am ready for warmth and a shift in mindset.
Kindness Week is upon us.
As a parent, I often find myself wondering how my children act when no one is watching. It is easy to do the right thing when you are in the spotlight. True character shows up in quiet moments and in choices made without recognition.
When my oldest was in grade school, there was an award called the Smiley Face Award. At the time, it seemed a little silly to me. Looking back now, I understand it differently. That award was not about achievement or attention. It was about students who were kind simply because that is who they were.
In the end, we all have gifts. Kindness is one of the most powerful qualities our children can carry with them. The question we continue to ask is this: What have you chosen to do with the gifts you have been given?
As we head into the weekend, I hope our Dragon Nation finds time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy being together. Spring officially begins on March 20, and I am very much looking forward to seeing it arrive and proving Punxsutawney Phil wrong.
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
- 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.
- 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 to be a host family. If you are interested in becoming a host family, please fill out the Google Form.https://forms.gle/ZrTciuSK48pMeD7G9 Here is some more information about the hosting. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lB1xVCvDJODPbSmRH__mipYPKWXsk2HiK08IGwiBthI/edit?usp=sharing 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.
- Get Your Night of the Dragon Tickets Now Before They Sell Out! Now’s the time to purchase tickets for the 24th Annual Night of the Dragon, Saturday, February 28. Get your tickets today for this fun-filled event and MLWGS’s single largest annual fundraiser that includes Live and Silent Auctions, dinner and open bar, amazing raffles (see below), student entertainment, and more. This year’s lineup of amazing Live and Silent Auction items includes: * Vacation home stays * Reserved seats for MLWGS graduation * Theater and event tickets * Wine for a year * Private Tiki Bar Experience * Student Parking Pass* One-of-a-kind art and jewelry * Our ever-popular themed gift baskets * Gift certificates galore * And so much more! NEW THIS YEAR: Raffles! Student Parking Pass for 2026-2027, Richmond Staycation. Get your raffle tickets online. You don’t have to be present to win. But we hope you are! Can’t attend the event? Sign in and register on the site to bid from anywhere and/or purchase a ticket for a teacher. All proceeds benefit our amazing Dragon and their incredible teachers. Want to share the fun? Sponsor a Teacher Ticket and give one of our amazing teachers the gift of this wonderful evening! Tickets are limited and likely to sell out so get yours today! Questions? Email MLWGS Foundation Executive Director Ginger O’Neil at [email protected]
- Student Opportunity. Future Dragon Days are about a month away, and we need your help! If you want to volunteer to lead a group or be on the Q & A panel, check your school email for the GoogleForm to apply. Thanks for your help in advance.
- All boys interested in trying out for tennis, come to a meeting on Monday, February 9th at 11:45 in room 105.
- The 2026 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions will be administered to students during sixth period on February 13. The survey, conducted in partnership by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, provides school and division leaders with important feedback to help ensure all students and staff experience a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment.
- MLWGS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony from 5:30-6:30 on February 13th.
- February 16 is a Student and Staff Holiday. President’s Day.
- February 17 is a Student Holiday & a Staff Professional Development Day.
