Happy Friday, Ligon Families:
 

The first day of school is just 24 days away! Please review the information below to help prepare your family for a successful start to the school year. Additional information for the beginning of the year can be found on our school website. A final summer Principal’s Message will be sent on Friday, August 22nd, with first-day reminders.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Dr. Williams
Principal

Ligon: Let’s Talk

Our final Let’s Talk session of the summer is this Monday (8/4) from 8:00-10:00 AM in the Media Center. As a reminder, this is an optional opportunity to connect and share your thoughts on how we can continue to improve our school. Please RSVP at bit.ly/LigonLetsTalk. Additional sessions will be held during the school year. 

Campus Beautification Day

We need your help next Saturday, August 9th, from 8:00-11:00 AM for our campus-wide beautification event. We’ll be weeding, trimming hedges, mulching, picking up litter, and more. Sign up at bit.ly/ligonlandscape. Questions? Contact Mr. McRae, Assistant Principal, at bmcrae@wcpss.net. 

Chavis Park Meet-Up for Rising 6th Graders

The Ligon PTA is hosting a Meet-Up for rising 6th graders on Friday, August 15th, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Chavis Park. Join us to meet other families, PTA members, and the Ligon admin. team.

Into the Blue Orientation

Into the Blue will be held on Thursday, August 21st, from 9:00-11:15 AM. This event is for rising 6th grade students, 7th and 8th grade students new to Ligon, and their families. Use the auditorium entrance on S Haywood Street for packet pick-up beginning at 8:30 AM. Returning students are invited to pick up/walk their schedule on Friday, August 22nd, between 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We will not have structured sessions or tours that day. Questions? Contact Mr. Glasgow, Assistant Principal, at lglasgow@wcpss.net.

Chromebook Distribution

Chromebook distribution will take place in the Media Center on the following dates/times:

• Friday, August 15
  • Rising 6th graders with last names A-L, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Rising 6th graders with last names M-Z, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• Thursday, August 21
  • Rising 6th graders who were unable to pick up on 8/15, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (after Into the Blue)
• Friday, August 22
  • 7th and 8th graders who have not received their WCPSS-issued Chromebook, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    
    

Student Schedules

Administration has spent the last few weeks correcting student schedules in Infinite Campus. To request a schedule change for your student(s), please complete this form. Please note: Completing the form does not guarantee a change will be made. The schedule change request window will remain open until Friday, August 29th. As of Tuesday, September 2nd, all schedules will be finalized for the school year.   

Required Vaccines for Rising 7th Graders

North Carolina law requires all rising 7th graders to have a Meningococcal and Tdap vaccine. Immunization records should be emailed to Ms. James, Data Manager, at mjames6@wcpss.net. These records must be on file prior to the first day of school. 

Bus Transportation

On Friday, August 15, families will receive communication via SchoolMessenger providing bus route information, including scheduled arrival times specific to their student. Bus route information will also be available in Campus Parent on Friday, August 15.

Carpool Tags and Walker Registration

All carpool vehicles must have a Ligon Carpool tag. Please complete the Carpool Tag Request form to indicate whether a new or additional carpool tag is needed for this school year. You may also choose for your student(s) to walk or ride their bicycle to school. Students must be registered via the Walker/Bicycle Rider form.

Personal Device/Cell Phone Policy

New: WCPSS policy requires all student personal devices (e.g., cellphones, smartwatches, headphones) to be put away during the school day. This policy is designed to support student focus, well-being, and a safe, engaging learning environment:

• Devices must be silenced and put away between 7:05 AM - 2:20 PM.
• “Put away” means out of sight and not easily accessible (i.e., in their backpack).
• Exceptions are allowed for health plans, emergencies, administrator-approved translations, safety plans, or assistive communication.
• Students may use devices on school buses, but volume must be low and headphones used. Drivers can limit device use if safety is a concern.
• No permission is required for a student to use a personal device to call 911.
  
  

At Ligon, if a student uses a device when they shouldn't:

• 1st Offense: Verbal warning
• 2nd Offense: The device will be turned in to the front office and parents/guardians will be contacted. Students may pick up their device at the end of the school day.
• All subsequent offenses: A parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device at the end of the school day.

Please note that students who do not follow the policy will also face disciplinary consequences for noncompliance. Students are responsible for keeping their own devices safe, and the school system is not responsible for lost or stolen devices. Any student device may be searched if there is a reasonable suspicion of a rule being broken.

Student Supply Lists

Click here to access the 2025-26 grade-level supply lists. The supplies listed are required for core classes (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies). Elective teachers will share lists of additional supplies needed, if any, during the first week of school. All students are expected to bring their WCPSS-issued Chromebook and charger to school each day. If hardship prevents you from obtaining the required supplies, please contact Ms. Pellas, school social worker, at tpellas@wcpss.net.

Fall Sports Tryouts

Tryouts for Ligon's football, cheer, girls’ soccer, and volleyball teams will be held Tuesday, September 2nd through Friday, September 5th. As a reminder, only 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to participate. Students must also meet eligibility requirements, have a current physical on file, and be cleared in DragonFly prior to September 2nd. Visit the Ligon Athletics website for more information. Questions? Contact Mr. Medinas, Athletic Director, at wmedinas@wcpss.net. 

Join the PTA

It's never too early to join the Ligon Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which plays a critical role in supporting our school. The PTA helps to fund essential programs (e.g., Athletics, Food Ark, PBIS), sponsors teacher appreciation events, assists with facility improvement projects, and so much more. If you are able, please consider donating to the PTA or purchasing a membership online.

Join the Ligon Arts Boosters (LAB)

Ligon Magnet Middle School has a tradition of excellence in the Arts, made possible in part through the generous support of the Ligon Arts Boosters (LAB). Our robust Arts programming includes Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Dance, Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Visual Arts. If you are able, please consider purchasing a LAB membership or donating online. 

Free Back-to-School Haircuts and Physical Exams

The Raleigh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is partnering with local healthcare providers and barbers to provide free back-to-school haircuts and physical exams for students. These services will be offered at The Kappa Center facility located at 750 King Richard Road, Raleigh NC 27610 on August 16th from 7:00-11:00 AM. Click here to register. 

Subscribe to the School Calendar

Click here to add our school calendar to your Google, Outlook, Android, or iOS calendar. The school calendar includes Athletics, Arts, meetings, teacher workdays, and more! Select dates and events are also listed below. 

Mark Your Calendars

August 9: Campus Beautification Day, 8:00-11:00 AM
August 15: Chavis Park Meet-Up for Rising 6th Graders, 4:00-6:00 PM
August 15: 6th Grade Chromebook Distribution
August 21: Into the Blue (New Student Orientation), 9:00-11:15 AM
August 22: Make-Up 6th Grade Chromebook Distribution
August 22: Walk Your Schedule (Returning Students), 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
August 22: 7th and 8th Grade Chromebook Distribution, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
August 25: First Day of School
September 1: No School (Labor Day)
September 2-5: Fall Sports Tryouts
September 10: Open House, 5:30-7:30 PM
September 16-17: Fall Pictures
September 23: No School (Teacher Workday)
September 24: Volleyball (Away) vs. Oberlin, 4:00 PM
September 24: Girls Soccer (Away) vs. Oberlin, 4:00 PM
September 25: Football (Away) vs. Oberlin, 4:00 PM

Happy Friday, Ligon Families: 

It is hard to believe we are approaching the halfway point of summer! While this will likely be the only Principal’s Message until August, you can expect a regular cadence of messages on Friday evenings once the school year begins. For now, the topics below will help us to prepare for a successful start.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Dr. Williams
Principal

2025-26 School Year Information Online

For quick and easy access, we have created a 2025-26 School Year page on our website. This page contains (or will soon contain) all the information students and families will need for the beginning of the school year. Please check back frequently as more information will be added throughout the summer.

Ligon: Let’s Talk

While our first Let’s Talk was cancelled due to HVAC issues, I am looking forward to this Monday’s (7/14) session from 3:00-5:00 PM in the Media Center. As a reminder, this is an optional opportunity to connect and share your insights as we plan for the next chapter of the Ligon Legacy. Please RSVP at bit.ly/LigonLetsTalk. Enter through the main entrance on E Lenoir Street. A second session will be held on Monday, August 4th from 8:00-10:00 AM. 

Campus Beautification Day

As we prepare for the new school year, we need your help in making our campus look its best! Please consider joining us for a campus-wide beautification event on Saturday, August 9th from 8:00-11:00 AM. We’ll be weeding, trimming hedges, mulching, picking up litter, and more. Please bring your own yard tools and equipment (gloves, rakes, shovels, clippers, etc.) to help us get the job done. We will provide garbage bags and bottled water. Please sign up to volunteer at bit.ly/ligonlandscape.

Questions? Contact Mr. McRae, Assistant Principal, at bmcrae@wcpss.net. 

Into the Blue Orientation

Into the Blue will be held on Thursday, August 21, from 9:00-11:15 AM. This event is for rising 6th grade students, 7th and 8th grade students new to Ligon, and their families. During Into the Blue, students will be able to tour the building, learn about our school, and meet their teachers. Parents/guardians are invited to participate in their own informational session with administration to support the transition to Ligon. Use the auditorium entrance on S Haywood Street for packet pick-up beginning at 8:30 AM.

Questions? Contact Mr. Glasgow, Assistant Principal, at lglasgow@wcpss.net.

Student Schedules

Students and families can now view schedules in Infinite Campus (the student information system that replaced PowerSchool). Please note, however, that schedules will continue to shift as administration makes corrections throughout the summer. Families will receive notification once schedules are finalized in early- to mid-August. At that time, we will also share the process for requesting a schedule change. Until then, please refrain from calling/emailing to request a change to your student's schedule.

Note: Families should have received an email with instructions for creating a Campus Parent account. If an account hasn’t been created yet, the email will be re-sent weekly until the process is complete. Didn’t receive the email? Contact Ms. James, Data Manager, at mjames6@wcpss.net. 

Bus Transportation

The deadline for families to request transportation or change bus transportation status and guarantee first-day service is Monday, July 14th.

 

• If your student’s current transportation status meets your needs for next school year, no action is required.  

• If you need to request service or change your current transportation status, visit wcpss.net/busrider and complete the Transportation Request form.

• If your student is currently assigned to transportation but will not need it next school year, please submit the Decline Bus form at wcpss.net/declinebus.

Questions? Contact Ms. Liggett, Assistant Principal, at bliggett@wcpss.net. You can also learn more by visiting the WCPSS Transportation page.

Required Vaccines for Rising 7th Graders

North Carolina law requires all rising 7th graders to have a Meningococcal and Tdap vaccine. Immunization records should be emailed to Ms. James, Data Manager, at mjames6@wcpss.net. These records must be on file prior to the first day of school. 

Free Back-to-School Haircuts and Physical Exams

The Raleigh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is partnering with local healthcare providers and barbers to provide free back-to-school haircuts and physical exams for students. These services will be offered at The Kappa Center facility located at 750 King Richard Road, Raleigh NC 27610 on August 16th from 7:00-11:00 AM. Click here to register.  

 

Ligon Magnet Middle School Families, 

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the next principal of Ligon Magnet Middle School, effective June 18, 2025, though I would be remiss if I did not begin by also expressing my sincere gratitude to Mr. Scott Lyons for his exceptional efforts throughout his tenure as interim principal, and to Mr. Gary Duvall for his five-plus years of dedicated leadership. It is truly an honor to be next in line to receive the metaphorical baton pass of the Ligon principalship. I look forward to contributing to our school’s longstanding tradition of excellence and am confident that, together, we will embark upon its best chapter yet. 

My career in education began over a decade ago as a special education teacher at Conway Middle School in Northampton County, so I am thrilled to be returning to those middle school roots. After relocating to Wake County in 2016, I taught at Green Hope High School and later Hortons Creek Elementary School. In addition to teaching at all three levels, I served as department chair and coached wrestling, football, basketball, and baseball. I transitioned to school administration in 2021 as an assistant principal at Green Level High School and, since 2023, have served as the school’s Assistant Principal of Instruction. While in that role, I have focused primarily on instructional coaching, professional learning, school improvement, and supporting the intervention and special education departments. Over the course of the last year, I also completed an internship with the WCPSS Central Area Superintendent’s Office, which has equipped me with an understanding of many of our downtown Raleigh schools, their rich histories, and the importance of magnet programming. It was also through that experience that I became drawn to Ligon, in particular. I obtained my bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and my Master of School Administration and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Beyond my educational and professional background, my approach to school leadership builds upon my identity as a husband and father. My wife and I are the proud parents of an energetic four-year-old boy and, as a family, we enjoy spending time with our pets (one dog and one cat), outdoors, or attending a wide variety of sporting events. 

As I transition to Ligon in the coming weeks, one of my top priorities will be connecting with you and the broader school community. Details regarding various opportunities to connect and share your insights throughout the summer months will be shared soon via the school website and social media.

In the meantime, should you have any questions or wish to introduce yourself, please feel free to contact me via email at dwilliams7@wcpss.net. 

Yours in partnership, 

Darren J. Williams, Ed.D.