This week reflected both the excitement and emotion that come with nearing the end of the school year at MLWGS. As we concluded exams and held our School Board meeting, we also continued focusing on the commencement ceremonies ahead and all they represent for our seniors and families. It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of our Snapshot Series for the school year. The year has truly flown by, and these final weeks always serve as a reminder of just how quickly four years pass for our students.
The Senior Showcase was incredibly impressive and highlighted the creativity, mentorships, research, and innovation our students have developed over the past four years. It was wonderful seeing families celebrate these accomplishments alongside our students and staff as seniors shared work that reflected years of growth, curiosity, and dedication.
We also had the opportunity to celebrate several student-athletes during Athletic Signing Day as they officially committed to continue competing at the collegiate level. It was a meaningful event for students, families, coaches, and staff as we recognized the years of commitment, sacrifice, perseverance, and balance required to compete both academically and athletically at such a high level.
Spring postseason athletics also continued throughout the week across multiple venues in soccer, softball, baseball, tennis, and track. We went from sweltering heat during afternoon games, where every win felt hard-earned, to evening competitions where the sun finally went down, and the bugs immediately started flying into my head. Despite the long days and insect interruptions, there is truly nothing better than watching our students compete with so much pride, heart, and resilience while families and staff continue cheering them on from every sideline.
In addition, our Speech and Debate students will travel to Washington, D.C., for the CFL National Tournament, while Quiz Bowl students departed for national competition in Atlanta, continuing MLWGS’s long tradition of excellence and leadership both inside and outside the classroom.
As we enter these final days of the school year, I continue to be incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families and all that has been accomplished together this year. There is something special about this community and the relationships our students build during their time here.
Go Dragons!
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
Additional Announcements below:
Attention RPS Families! RPS is offering Health/PE 10 through Virtual Virginia in summer school. To register, you will need to complete this form- Virtual Virginia HPE 10-Summer 2026. Additional information can be found at the summer session handbook.
Summer Economics and Personal Finance Information
Summer Online Economics will take place from June 3rd to June 26th
Summer Online Personal Finance will take place from July 6th to July 27th
Families will receive an email from the Counseling Department by the end of the day on Friday, May 8th, if a student has been registered for a summer course. If you do not receive an email, but plan to take Economics or Personal Finance during the summer, please contact Ms. Cobb at [email protected].
College Boot Camp
On August 10-12, MLWGS counselors Dr. Rachel Loving and Ms. Kim Forquer will host a College ApplicationBoot Camp for rising MLWGS seniors. Registration is now open, and spots are limited. Juniors can find links to both a SignUp Genius and OSP in the “College Information for the Class of 2027” Schoology group. (To reserve a spot, a student must select the morning or afternoon session on the SignUp Genius and pay the $75 fee via OSP no later than May 29th.)
SOL Testing Information for Parents
The End-of-Year SOLs will be held during the last week of May. Students attending only their testing window must have a parent notify the school of their late arrival and/or grant permission for early dismissal. The tentative schedule is below, but students will receive the final schedule in May.
Schedule:
- Morning Block: 8:40 am – 11:30 am
- Afternoon Block: 12:30 pm – 3:10 pm
Test Schedule:
- May 26th – Biology (ALL 9th graders)
- AM SOLs are Edgerton, Cottrell, and Smail’s 6th period
- PM SOLs are Barnes and Rotche’s classes
- Note: All 9th Graders must have their school-issued laptop for the Biology SOL
- May 27th – US History (select 10th graders) & Reading SOL (All 11th graders)
- AM SOLs are Love and Maples ODD classes and US History
- PM SOLs are Mclaughlin, Love, and Maples EVEN classes and Coleman’s Contemporary Classes
- May 28th – World History 2 (select 10th graders)
- AM SOLs are all Global 10 students
- May 29 th – SOL Makeups
Contact Kelly Ndayizigiye at [email protected] for any questions.
Senior Parents–Celebrate Your Dragon and Leave Your Mark @ MLWGS
The Governor’s School Foundation invites families of seniors and alumni to commemorate their time at Maggie Walker by purchasing a custom-engraved paver. These permanent tributes honor your student’s achievements while supporting the Foundation’s ongoing work.
Choose the location that’s most meaningful to you:
- Bluestone paver inside the school lobby
- Brick paver on Walker Plaza along Lombardy Street
Order Deadline: June 1, 2026 (All pavers will be engraved over the summer.)
- $1,000 — Bluestone Lobby Paver
Up to 6 lines, 13 characters (including spaces) per line - $500 — Exterior Brick Paver (Walker Plaza)
Up to 3 lines, 13 characters (including spaces) per line
Your purchase is more than a tribute—it’s a long-lasting investment in our beloved school. (All funds exceeding engraving costs are tax-deductible.)
Athletics:
Any student participating in fall sports starting on August 3rd, please be sure your physical and paperwork are up to date and on file. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hawkins at [email protected]. The paperwork is here if needed. https://mlwgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VHSL-Forms-25.pdf
__________________________________________________________________________________________Time to Return Library Books & Check Out Fun and/or Mind-Expanding Summer Reads!
It’s that time of year to track down library books in lockers, workrooms, classrooms, or at home and return them to the library. After returning all books currently checked out, you’re welcome to check out books to read over the summer, whether for fun or to learn something new. Don’t want to keep track of a print book over the summer? Borrow from the MLWGS Library’s eBook and audiobook collection on Sora, which can be found at https://soraapp.com/library/mlwgsva. Dragon logins are your GSGIS email address for your user name and your PowerSchool ID number for your password. See Ms. DeGroat if you have any questions. Happy reading, and have a wonderful summer break!
__________________________________________________________________________________________Attention VCU Dual Enrollment Math Students!
If you need to take the ALEKS placement test for MATH 200 or STAT 210, the test will be administered at MLWGS on the 2nd floor math hallway at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 26th. Students should bring with them the computer on which they downloaded the lockdown browser at the assembly on April 21st, as well as a pencil and a calculator. There are multiple steps for being ready to test on Tuesday. Students must have their V# (found in PowerSchool if assigned) and have completed the tasks outlined here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19RtMhP-rqPdWnF84g2IVFlhZ31APUZ_R5eepsGlkCVk/edit?usp=sharing. Dr. Loving has been trying to email students who have missed steps. Please contact Dr. Loving with questions.
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Graduation 2026 is on May 27, 2026
- This year’s ceremony is being held at Altria Theater, located at 6 N. Laurel Street. Here is a map with driving directions, parking information, and directions of where students and guests need to enter the building: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MsgoMASjpc06VOOziOTZ0sKfhe5x78Cx/view?usp=sharing
FYI – The parking deck costs $13. Students should not plan to park on the surrounding streets as some will be closed, and they should avoid worrying about paying a meter while they are practicing.
- Graduation practice starts at 2:00 pm. The actual ceremony starts at 6:00 pm, and it typically lasts around 90 minutes. Students and guests will be encouraged to meet outside the theater following the ceremony for pictures and hugs. Students will leave the theater to return to the ballroom downstairs to collect their belongings, but no parent/guest will be allowed to join them there. Consider planning a meet-up location in advance.
- Students must bring their cap, gown, tassel, and any approved regalia with them to graduation practice. If you are wearing any regalia not provided by the school, you need prior approval from Dr. Janssen. Remember, this is a special event. Business casual dress and appropriate shoes are expected.
- The outside doors to the theater will likely open around 5:00 pm, but access to the seats inside the theater will not be given until closer to 5:15-5:30 pm. If you or your guests have difficulty standing, you may want to plan accordingly. We don’t want anyone to struggle inside waiting for the doors to open or outside in whatever weather we are gifted with that day.
- There will be no police/security to assist with crossing streets around the theater. Please be sure to cross at protected crosswalks and watch for traffic.
- Every guest (babies included) must have a ticket to enter the theater. These were distributed between May 11-May 15. About 3 students have NOT picked up their tickets. They need to reach out to me to set up a date/time to pick them up. If you need extra tickets, please ask your student to reach out to their friends. If they aren’t successful, feel free to email me to see what I have available.
- Altria Theater has a prohibited items list AND a new bag policy: https://www.altriatheater.com/visit/prohibited-items. This policy applies to guests AND students. The bag size is very limited, so plan accordingly. Every visitor must go through a bag check and a weapons detector before entering the theater.
- ONLY students may bring bottled water into the graduation practice. The theater will have an open concessions area right before the ceremony for any guests needing something to drink or eat.
- Accessibility seating is available on every floor. If you or a guest requires assistance, there is an elevator that will take you to each floor, and a theater usher can assist you. Here is a map of the seating areas: https://www.altriatheater.com/visit/seating-charts
- While I’m hoping to give most students a short break between practice and the ceremony, I won’t know until we run through everything. Please encourage your student to bring a snack so no one is hungry.
- Don’t forget…we are streaming our ceremony this year! If you have anyone who can’t join us for the event in person, please share this link so they can watch it live! https://www.youtube.com/live/tMHNwTS7B6w
- If you would like to purchase any pictures taken by Lifetouch, you can use the QR code below or you can send a text to 90738 and type in 123983GY26.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out ([email protected])! I’m here to help!
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JUNIORS – RISING SENIORS – Vaccine Requirement
It is a public-school requirement that each student provide documentation of receiving at least 2 Meningococcal conjugate vaccines or 1 if given after the age of 16yrs PRIOR to starting 12th grade.
[Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine – Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered before entering 12th grade.
If no doses have been given, one that is given after age 16 is sufficient. ]
Please email the school nurse with a scanned copy of the vaccination record to [email protected] or send in hard copies to drop off at the clinic and it will be added to your student’s file.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Alisa Shapiro, RN at 804-354-6800 ext 1010
Congratulations to Grace Zheng for being recognized in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition
Grace received an Honorable Mention for her piece, What We Celebrate, in the America’s 250th Birthday/Patriotic Theme category. https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-announces-2026-congressional-art-competition-winners
