Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for November 19
Hello Parents and Guardians,
In a difficult year, I still attempt to focus on gratitude and all the things to be thankful as we approach Thanksgiving.
Our staff and students continue to be a reason to be thankful. We are settling into in-person learning, and it's refreshing to see our students finding their rhythm in our new hybrid schedule. I am continually impressed by their ability to adapt and work to keep everyone safe.
Turkey Day separates our community and school; additionally it serves as a connection point for graduates and our current students. Although our Turkey Day week will be quite different this year, we will still take the opportunity to celebrate our friendly rivalry with Kirkwood by hosting a virtual pep rally on Tuesday, which will feature performances from our Cheerleaders, Band, Drum Line, Dance Team, Robotics Team and end with the virtual version of the Senior Line Dance. We will also celebrate our student athletes--our softball program earned the first ever state championship in school history this year, and sophomore diver Bennet Loving won his first diving state championship this past week! Next Tuesday we will be honoring these student-athletes with a Champions Walk through the hallways of WGHS with students masked and appropriately distanced during the first few minutes of first hour.
Regards,
Matt Irvin
Daily Schedule
Learning at WGHS
Turkey Day Updates
Turkey Day Week Activities Canceled
Sadly, we must cancel the Turkey Day activities during the week of November 23 due to current conditions and district guidelines for the safety of our WG families:
- WGHS ChiliFest (see below for alternative community event)
- Pep Rally
- Bonfire
- Turkey Day Game
School Meals Are Safe
Did You Know?
What do I do if my child is in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19?
If a student is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 while at home, the parent/guardian is asked to:
Keep their child at home; he/she should not report to school
Notify the pediatrician/physician and contact the child’s assistant principal’s office
Seek medical attention for their child as it relates to symptoms
Speak to the school’s nurse for the purpose of contact tracing
Provide updates to the school nurse and classroom teacher
If a student tests positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation or quarantine, the absence will be treated the same as any other extended absence. Teachers will provide assignments for students who are quarantined. Students should check Canvas pages and email teachers if they need assistance. Teachers will clearly state what the expectations are for students who are quarantined. Parents and students are encouraged to reach out if they have questions.
From November 11-25, local restaurants who chose to participate are selling their own unique chili. People can vote for their favorite chili online at https://wghsparentsclub.org/ until 5:00pm on November 25.
A+ Updates
Counseling Department Updates
PSAT (January 26th) Registration is Now Open—Deadline December 1st
The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. In addition to a practice SAT, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. Sophomores and Juniors can take the PSAT but only Juniors can use this test to qualify for National Merit.
Test Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2020
(Virtual Academy students will have the option to attend school for testing if they wish. Unfortunately, College Board does not offer an option for students to test virtually from home.)
Deadline to Register: December 1, 2020
Fee: $20.00
Registration Link: www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/263573
Virtual College Planning Event Hosted by Mentors 4 College
Mentors 4 College is hosting a free virtual college planning event for students on Thursday, December 3 from 5:30-6:00 pm
“College Search in the COVID Era: Finding Your Dream School from the Comfort of Your Couch”
To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916056686796/WN_3FGfYgEaQXqYG3R7M65fqw
Need Help Coping with Covid?
Show Me Hope’s Disaster Distress Helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic incident. This is a free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service. Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. The Helpline staff provides confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.
Phone: 800-985-5990 Text: "TalkWithUs" to 66746
Seniors: As a reminder, colleges will use information from your FAFSA to determine your federal, state, and their own institutional financial aid. Complete the FAFSA online at https://fafsa.ed.gov
As a reminder, WGHS school counselors and social workers are working to support the academic, social and emotional, and post-secondary planning needs of our students. If you or your child are having difficulties or need assistance, please reach out to their counselor or social worker.
School Counselors
A-E Alex King (king.alexandra@wgmail.org)
F-K Ken Winingham (winingham.ken@wgmail.org)
L-R Joe Hepfinger (hepfinger.joe@wgmail.org)
S-Z Simone Cunningham (cunningham.simon@wgmail.org)
College and Career Counselors
A-K Karen Verstraete (verstraete.karen@wgmail.org)
L-Z Jennedy Lombard (lombard.jennedy@wgmail.org)
School Social Workers
Anne Gibbs (gibbs.anne@wgmail.org)
Anne Marie Guntli (SSD) (guntli.ann@wgmail.org)
COVID-19 Information
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Testing
Getting tested for COVID-19 has never been more important during this pandemic than it is now. More than 260,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in St. Louis County. This crucial to our efforts to contain the spread of the virus and is a major factor in understanding the patterns of its spread.
This includes testing for those who are asymptomatic and anyone who had close contact with the public to get a test – even if they haven’t had direct contact with someone who was positive. Testing is available to anyone who requests it. To make an appointment for a free test through St. Louis County Department of Public Health, click here or call 314-615-0574.
Drive-through testing is done at the following DPH clinics:
6121 North Hanley Road in Berkeley
4580 Lindbergh Blvd. in South County
Missouri residents who may be experiencing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 may call the “Show Me Hope Line” at 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 for assistance. The service is available 24 hours a day throughout the week. For additional information, please click here.
Technology
For students or families having technology issues, please do the following:
- For specific Canvas issues, contact Ms. Liz Forderhase at forderhase.liz@wgmail.org or call her at 314.963.6400, ext. 11928.
- Below is a link to the technology support ticket system we are utilizing to help give our learners and families the most efficient system to help us keep track of technology support requests. Use this site to submit when you are having technology difficulties with your child's equipment/access/accounts/etc.
https://wgsd.on.spiceworks.com/portal
As always, you are welcome to contact us at 314.963.6400 for assistance.
Webster Groves High School
Email: erb.mickey@wgmail.org
Website: hs.webster.k12.mo.us
Location: 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 963-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/WGAlumni
Twitter: @WebsterGrovesHS