The Move

by Maggie Eaton and Forest Riner

This is the 2022 MRGS family photo (ft. Maggie, our therapy dog)

Massanutten Regional Governor's School is currently a part of Triplett Tech in Mount Jackson where we have our own hallway in the building. The hallway includes four classrooms, an office, and a door that directly leads outside to our greenhouse. Triplett Tech is planning to add more classes to their curriculum in the next school year, so we will be moving to Mountain View High School which is just 5 minutes from Triplett Tech. MVHS has graciously given us their 8th-grade hallway, as their 8th-graders will be moving back to North Fork Middle School. The move provides many different opportunities for MRGS students.

Input from the Authors

"As someone who goes to Mountain View, this will be an especially big change for me. It will be interesting to be in my own school, but still be at Gov School at the same time. I’m excited to have first-hand experience with the school though; it will be fun to show people around!" - Maggie Eaton (MVHS and MRGS Junior)

"As someone that doesn’t already attend MVHS, the move doesn’t seem to affect me as much. I don’t believe it will change how we learn or who we are as a school. I think it’ll actually provide more opportunities to get more experiences elsewhere, rather than just staying here at MRGS for another year." - Forest Riner (PCHS and MRGS Junior)

Quotes from Other Students and Staff

We wanted to get more input about the move, so here’s what some of our juniors, seniors, and staff have to say:

“It will be nice to have an outdoor learning space, and we will have a greenhouse, which is important for student projects and research opportunities. It will also be nice to be part of a larger building with more collaborative opportunities.” - Mrs. Bates (MRGS Agro-Ecology Teacher)

“Adapting to a new learning environment gives us the opportunity to examine the mission and vision of our school and critically examine our instructional practices. Change allows us to reconsider new possibilities.” - Mrs. Fream (MRGS Director)

“I don't see it as that big of a deal since we are just merely moving locations. The heart and soul of Gov School will remain the same.” - Rhett Armentrout (BHS and MRGS Junior)

“I think it could be a good thing. I have heard talk of outdoor classrooms which sounds very interesting and I think we could learn a lot from it.” - Marta Milam (PCHS and MRGS Senior)

The moral of the story is: No matter where we are, we are still gov school.

Home is where we are, wherever that may be.