We are beginning the strategic planning process that will guide Maggie Walker in the years ahead. The first step is filling out the survey, where we reflect on our current mission and vision statements. From there, we will begin conversations about subcommittee work. We need as many invested Maggie Walker players as possible. The survey takes about 25 minutes to complete and will be sent via email. Everyone, from students to teachers to planning committee members, has a role to play. One survey per stakeholder will help ensure that every voice is heard as we set the direction of our school.
It was a rainy few days, but we needed the rain. We have now crossed the midpoint of the first nine weeks, and interim checks were a reminder that the transition period is behind us. It is time to put structures in place to support students as the pace of the year increases. There are so many tutoring opportunities available, and I encourage you to ask your student to speak directly with their teachers if they are experiencing struggles. Early support makes a difference, and we want to ensure every student has what they need to be successful.
Maggie Walker is such a warm and welcoming community, and this spirit shines through in the ways our faculty, families, and students step up to support one another. This upcoming week we look forward to the annual Fall Festival. This large scale event brings together PTSA, Foundation, and student leadership in a celebration of tradition, fellowship, and fun. It captures the heart of our school by pairing academic excellence with joyful connection.
As we continue through the first quarter, let us stay mindful of both sides of the Maggie Walker experience. We are committed to academic growth, but also to the relationships that make this place special. The Fall Festival reminds us that collaboration, courage, community, and compassion define who we are. That is the Walker Way.
Announcements…
Entries are rolling in for the inaugural Teachers’ Lounge Makeover promotion! We are celebrating back-to-school with the debut of this new program, where one lucky Virginia public school will receive a transformed teachers’ lounge or workspace valued at $7,500.
Picture your school staff enjoying a renewed, welcoming space to relax and recharge—all thanks to the Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room. This is a wonderful way to honor the dedication of educators at your school.
How to Enter:
- Anyone age 18 or older can nominate a Virginia K-12 public school.
- Simply visit www.thankateacherva.com/teacherslounge to submit your entry.
- Deadline to enter: October 3, 2025.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate your school’s educators and enhance their workspace. Please share this news with your colleagues and school community!
Thank you for your commitment to education and for everything you do for Virginia’s students!
| Let’s go to Belize for the 2026 Spring Break! Has your student ever dreamed about traveling the world? Exploring ancient Mayan ruins, learning Mayan cooking, snorkeling with turtles, or ziplining through a rainforest canopy, and more? Now is the chance to make your dreams a reality! You will gain new perspectives, develop a sense of independence, and build skills for the future through this experience. Please follow this link for information and to register, or contact David Barnes, [email protected], for more information. |
| As a reminder, please help prevent the spread of infection by staying home if you are actively sick. More specifically, you need to stay home if you have had a fever that is over 100.0 in the last 24 hours or have had any vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours. If you are feeling sick and have cold symptoms, consider wearing a mask and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer throughout the day to protect others. If you would like your child to receive…. All medical forms for the 2025-2026 school year should be submitted this month to the school nurse, Alisa Shapiro, [email protected]. This includes all students who have a medical condition or a life-threatening allergy, or if they would like to either self-carry medications or have access to over-the-counter medications here at school. Please find forms online here: https://mlwgs.com/parent-resources/annual-student-forms/ |
| Virtual Parent-teacher conferences will take place on November 3rd, during which time parents may discuss their child’s progress. More information regarding these conferences will be forthcoming. |
| As a reminder, please help prevent the spread of infection by staying home if you are actively sick. More specifically, you need to stay home if you have had a fever that is over 100.0 in the last 24 hours or have had any vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours. If you are feeling sick and have cold symptoms, consider wearing a mask and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer throughout the day to protect others. If you would like your child to receive…. All medical forms for the 2025-2026 school year should be submitted this month to the school nurse, Alisa Shapiro, [email protected]. This includes all students who have a medical condition or a life-threatening allergy, or if they would like to either self-carry medications or have access to over-the-counter medications here at school. Please find forms online here: https://mlwgs.com/parent-resources/annual-student-forms/ |
| DATE CHANGE: Summer in Spain 2026 To better accommodate our graduating seniors, the Spain trip dates will be moved to June 29 – July 8, 2026! Is your student interested in practicing their Spanish skills, visiting a sword factory, learning to cook paella, or making a traditional mosaic? Join Señora Nichols and Señora Manning for a cultural tour of Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Córdoba & Barcelona! This trip is recommended for students who have prior experience with Spanish (level 3 recommended), to help strengthen their language skills and practice using vosotros! Register now at our website: https://www.explorica.com/Nichols-4147 Use the code “2026discount” for $300 off until the end of September! Missed the Zoom meeting but still want more information? Watch a 10-minute recap video here. (Note that this video reflects the original travel dates, but the registration link is up to date.) |
| The Senior Newsletter can also be accessed here: https://sites.google.com/gsgis.k12.va.us/mlwgs-counseling/college-admissions-information/seniorjunior-newsletters. The Senior Newsletter contains college-related reminders and listings of scholarships and special programs with approaching deadlines. |
| MLWGS students in grades 10-12 are invited to attend College Rep Visits in our building during their lunch block throughout September and October. Locations of these presentations will be posted on the daily morning announcements and a board outside the Counseling Office. A list of colleges (and their admissions representatives) who are scheduled to speak with our students this fall can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QuwhXAKlurzQ9cpH6e2drkaRqFmiY4jmh4Tw-geI9rw/edit?usp=sharing Please note that this spreadsheet will be updated weekly to reflect any additions or changes. Also–MLWGS will be hosting UC Night Richmond in our school auditorium on Weds, Sept. 24th from 6-8 PM. To register, visit https://apply.admissions.uci.edu/register/?id=e3764f57-cfb0-4cda-ad7c-0cc417c2c7d3 |
| Dear Sophomore and Junior Families, The PSAT is a great practice opportunity for the SAT. PSAT Day will take place on Friday, October 17th. This year, the PSATs will be digital to help students prepare for the digital SATs. 2025 PSAT Guide provides families with information and resources to prepare for PSAT day. Personal Chromebooks are not allowed for testing. Students can request to borrow a device by completing this form. Please contact Ms. Cobb at [email protected] if you have additional questions. |
| The Science National Honor Society offers tutoring during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students are welcome to stop by room 311 for help with biology, chemistry, and physics! |
| Notice of 10th-grade Vision and Hearing screen Dear Parents/Guardians of 10th graders, Hearing and vision loss have the potential to affect your student’s ability to learn. In an effort to comply with Virginia Code 8VAC20-250-10, 10th-grade students will have their Hearing and Vision screened in the coming weeks here at Maggie Walker Governor’s School. Students will be called to the clinic briefly so that the school nurse can perform a vision test using a snellen eye chart and a hearing screen using an Audiometer. Vision screening routinely tests distance vision. If your child wears glasses or contacts, they will be tested with their glasses/contacts on. Though the vision screening can detect several eye problems common to the age group being screened, it is not a substitute for a complete professional eye exam. If your student does not pass the screening, the school nurse will attempt to notify you by email or phone, along with sending a letter to your home via your student. If your student does not pass the hearing screen, the school nurse will attempt to notify you by phone along with sending a letter to your home. The hearing screen is not a substitute for a complete examination by your student’s physician but is meant to attempt to identify potential hearing loss and bring it to the attention of parent/guardian and student’s physician. Per Code of Virginia, section 22.1-273 exceptions: there are some circumstances in which a parent can OPT OUT their student from receiving this required screening. If you feel this applies to your student, it is important that you contact the school nurse ASAP at 804-354-6800, ext 1010 or sending an email to [email protected] and/or send in a signed note indicating that you wish to OPT OUT your student noting the relevant exception. |
| Parents of 9th, 10th, and/or 11th graders – Lifetouch Studios will be on campus for make-up pictures on October 15. Please reach out to Mr. White, our yearbook sponsor, with any questions: [email protected]. |
| Which Class Will Win this Year? The MLWGS Foundation’s Family Participation Competition is Underway! The Foundation’s Annual Fund Campaign 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 Dragons. The Annual Fund Family Participation Campaign is a friendly (but fierce, lol!) competition that recognizes the class with the highest percentage of families making annual fund donations each year. All donations of any size count. And each year, the winning class gets bragging rights and a sweet treat in May courtesy of the Foundation! Who will take the early lead this year? 2026? 2027? 2028? 2029? We’ll see. Support your Dragon’s class by making your gift online today. |
