Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for September 24
Hello Parents and Guardians,
I know it is not a surprise to state this year has had challenges. In spite of those challenges I hear from staff constantly, "tech was a struggle, but the kids were great." Students have shown persistence in the face of uncooperative technology and the disconnect of virtual learning we are experiencing. Below you will see additional evidence of our students supporting each other as we look to revisit programming for students to engage in tutoring opportunities.
Students: We are in the process of providing opportunities for students to receive and provide tutoring opportunities. Below are specific links that will allow you to select your particular interest.
Below is the link for students who want to be a tutor:
Below is the link for students requesting a tutor:
If you are selected to provide tutoring services this time can count towards A+ Hours. Tutoring will begin Tuesday, October 6. If you have any questions regarding the options feel free to contact Dr. Yeggins at Yeggins.shiree@wgmail.org or Ms. Dana Miller at Miller.Dana@wgmail.org.
Regards,
Matt Irvin
Progress Grades for Term 1 will be available in the Parent Portal on September 29.
This Week's Student Announcements
2020-21 Yearbook Sales Information
2021 Yearbooks are on sale! Early bird pricing of $60 will last until October 9th. Yearbooks can be ordered from yearbookordercenter.com (#8459)
Picture Packet Information
WGHS Late/Re-Take Picture Day
October 14, 1:30-4:30 via Sign-Up Genius
WGHS Auditorium
We are pleased to provide an additional day for student pictures on Wednesday, October 14th from 1:30-4:30 in the high school auditorium. This date is for any students who have NOT had a picture taken yet or who need a picture re-take. If students are getting a retake they need to return the original package and Inter-State will re-print it with the image taken on retake day. These students do not need to re-order. Previous picture order packages for 9th-11th grade can be picked up next Monday, September 21st and Tuesday, September 22nd from 7:30-12:30 & 1:00-3:30 from the receptionist at the high school main entrance on Selma.
- Students should enter through the high school main entrance, check-in with the receptionist to be screened and enter the auditorium.
- UNDERCLASSMEN and STAFF: Sign-up is required via SignUp Genius. (9th-11th / staff) click here UNDERCLASSMEN & STAFF to schedule your time.
- SENIORS: Sign-up is required via SignUp Genius. Click here SENIORS to schedule your time.
- You will receive an email confirming your appointment and a reminder 2 days prior to your appointment. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.
- PLEASE ONLY SHOW UP 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. Earlier arrivals will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.
- A mask is required up until the point of being photographed and should be replaced after the picture is taken.
- You may not roam the building and must exit at the senior entrance.
Please dress appropriately for your yearbook picture. Parents can order photos for 9th-11th online at www.inter-state.com, and use order code 50722EA.
Seniors will receive order information with their proofs approximately 2 weeks after their photo session.
If you have any questions please contact the activities office at 314-918-4176 or Inter-State Studios directly at 314-878-1800.
We look forward to seeing you!
Kim Edwards
Activities Office
Webster Groves High School
Direct: 314-918-4176
Fax: 314-918-4651
Parent-Teacher Conferences Coming in October
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 13 and 15, 5-8 p.m.
October 14, 1:10 - 3:10 p.m.
All conferences are scheduled via PTCFast and will be held virtually via Zoom. Teachers will send out Zoom link to families. Check your inbox on October 5 for the link to schedule your conferences!
Counseling Department Updates
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.alexandria@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)
Other Important News
The annual Ivory Crockett Run For Webster has gone virtual this year! Run one (or several) of our 5k routes near each of our schools, try out our Ivory Crockett Challenge Course, or choose your own 5k anywhere you want!
We always have fun family activities at the run, and this year is no different! On Saturday, October 17th 1-4pm, we'll be holding scavenger hunts at all of the WG elementary schools. We hope you can join us for fun and maybe even see a few special guests!
Registration for runners closes on October 17th, but you have until October 31st to complete your run.
Registration is open now!
For registration and information check us out at www.wgsdfoundation.org
or email us any questions at RunForWebster@gmail.com
Attendance Matters, Even During Virtual Learning
Call your child's AP office to report an absence during virtual learning. Please let us know if your child is ill or will miss class due to a doctor's appointment. We are monitoring attendance internally, so we can support those students who are not logging into classes regularly on Canvas.
Meal Pick-Up Information
Did You Know?
Students: When your teacher is absent, we still take attendance and have Zoom meetings!
In the event that your teacher is absent, attendance is still required and will be taken by the substitute teacher that day. If a student does not log into the “substitute's Zoom,” you will be marked absent. The substitute will post a new announcement for the day on the teacher’s module in Canvas before class time. They will introduce themselves and include the “new Substitute Zoom ID and passcode” for class that day. When the announcement is posted, the student will receive an email to their school account letting them know they have a new announcement to read.
Spirit Wear Update
Attention WGHS Statesmen!
Your 2020-2021 spirit wear is available starting Monday, September 28.
Visit the online store to see what's new and get your orders in for the stuff you want to wear!
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.
Click below for instructions on how to become an observer in Canvas.
Canvas Help/Tutorials
Here are some quick helpful tips when trying to log in to Clever to get to your Canvas courses, as well as attend your Zoom sessions.
- If Zoom is not working through Canvas, please go to https://zoom.us/ and click on Join Meeting. Do not go through Clever or from the URL that was previously provided. Teachers are being advised to post their meeting id number and password for the session on their Canvas pages and through their email.
- When logging into Clever, please make sure that you are first signed out of all gmail accounts except for the student's wgcloud email. Then, navigate to https://clever.com/in/wgsd and then click on Login with Google (NOT LOGIN WITH CLEVER).
After logging into Clever, you should then see the red Canvas icon. Please click on Canvas to then view your student's courses.
For all Zoom sessions, you should go to the teacher's course page and be able to click on the Zoom session link there. Each teacher was advised to put the link in a visible spot with the password there. If you do not see the link or password please reach out to your classroom teacher. At no point will a student need to login to Zoom.; they will click on the link provided and enter the password for the meeting.
Clever, Canvas, and Zoom Status Updates
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.
Stay Connected
Weekly eNews: Every Thursday via email, parents with a valid email address in our student database will receive automatically. This is sent via Smore Newsletters.
Progress reports/Report cards: We will send an email with instructions on how to view at the end of each progress period via the Parent Portal. If you have any questions about this service, please call Mickey Erb at 918.4123.
School Messenger: Important news via email or phone blast. We use this service most often for communicating with families.
Customize How You Receive Communications from Us
Please see the link below to set up how you receive messages from WGHS. https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=19
Opt in to Receive Texts from Us
The Webster Groves School District uses the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages straight to your mobile phone with important information about school closings, safety alerts and more. If we have a mobile phone number for you on file, you can participate in this service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. You can opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop.”
If you don’t want to receive texts, please know that the district will continue to use phone notifications for important messages.
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