Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for January 30
Hello Parents and Guardians,
I wanted to share some of the work completed thus far and some remaining work as we look to develop a plan for next year's daily schedule. We have confirmed we will need to add 15 minutes to each day in response to losing some school days with the state adjusting the first allowable day of school. Additionally, we have sought input and discussed with Department Chairs, Principal's Advisory Committee, District survey, Student Council, Students as Allies, and staff via survey. We will site-visit schools in the region that offer similar potential programing, draft options, and solicit feedback next month.
While we have not firmed up any options, some information has become more clear:
- Adding 15 minutes is not enough time to craft a special time frame for advisory/academics each day with needed passing times.
- We will need to incorporate some added class time with the loss of days to the calendar.
- An "advisory period" has resonated with many groups, and that coupled with conversations over the last two years around student wellness calls us to consider options.
We will continue discussing this process over the next several months and will be mindful about start time and the impact on students.
Best,
Matt Irvin
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- February 3: Late-Start (1/7); School starts at 8:57 a.m.
- February 5: Parents' Club Meeting, 6 p.m., Library
- February 8: ACT Testing
Monday, February 3 is a Late-Start Day
School begins at 8:57 a.m. on late-start days.
This is just a reminder that we will have a late-start schedule on Monday, February 3. Students will miss two class periods to accommodate time for teachers to meet in their PLCs, or Professional Learning Communities. For all late-start schedules, school will begin at 8:57 a.m., and two class periods will be dropped.
On Monday’s Late Start, the building opens at 8:00 a.m. Students should enter through the Senior Entrance. Between 8-8:30, students may go to the library or cafeteria. After 8:30, students may enter the building via the Senior, Junior or Roberts entrance and transition to their regular morning routine. Please see the schedule below for a Day 1/7:
2019-20 Late-Start Days
Please join us for a special preview and panel discussion of Angst, Raising Awareness Around Anxiety
Angst features candid interviews with kids and young adults who suffer, or have suffered, from anxiety and what they've learned about it. The film includes discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, as well as help, resources and tools.
The following mental health professionals will be serving on a panel following the screening and will be available for questions from the audience:
Kelly Storck, LCSW
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
314.540.8593
kellystorck.com
Katy Friedman Miller, MSW, LCSW
(314)604-0829
katy.katymillertherapy@gmail.com
Sarah Rugg, MSW, LCSW
Saint Louis Counseling
9200 Watson Road, Suite G-101 St. Louis MO, 63126
(314) 544-3800 ext. 1341
Emma Palleja, MSW, LCSW
Saint Louis Counseling
9200 Watson Road Suite G-101 St. Louis, MO 63126
(314) 877-8196
Senior Parents: Get Your Dancing Shoes On!
Senior Parents: It’s a WGHS tradition for the senior parents to put on a line dance at the graduation lock-in. This is a great chance to spend that last bit of time with the other 2020 parents — and maybe embarrass your graduate a little in the process. No dance background or rhythm needed. It’s all for fun! The lock-in is overnight May 12/13, and the dance is expected to happen at about 12:45 a.m. We will offer several rehearsals after spring break so that hopefully anyone interested in participating can make it to at least a couple. If you want to join in this fun tradition, let us know via email (kmoehlman@hotmail.com) so we can add you to our list.
Celebrations/Announcements
Congratulations to the winners of the Winter Homecoming Court:
Freshmen: Gavin Wilson and Adrieana Dyson
Sophomores: Ryan Austin and Rachel Sebastian-Asbed
Juniors: Nate Hutson and Madeleine Collier
Seniors: Khotso Moore and Bryce Warren
The February 1st Food, Fun, and Fitness Event unfortunately has been canceled. Hopefully the event can take place in the future.
OPUS, the parent organization for our orchestra program, is hosting a trivia night and silent auction to be held on February 1 at Shrewsbury Community Center. The event is a fundraiser for general orchestra program needs and orchestra trips. For more details and to sign up online, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f45aeab2aa3fb6-3rdannual.
Did You Know?
https://attendanceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AW_HS-flyer-1-pager.pdf
Delayed Start Times Due to Inclement Weather
Junior Post-High School Planning Conferences
Reminder! Mrs. Lombard and Ms. Verstraete have invited juniors and their parents to schedule their individual Post-High School Planning Conference. This 45-60 minute meeting will be devoted to your family for the purpose of helping you make plans for life after Webster Groves High School.
Conferences are catered to the needs of each individual family. Some of the topics we can discuss include:
· transcript review/check for graduation requirements
· strength/interest areas/career planning
· post-secondary education planning/developing a list of schools that fit your needs
· testing information
· developing your "to-do" list
Please email Ms. Verstraete (students with last names A-K) at verstraete.karen@wgmail.org or Mrs. Lombard (students with last names L-Z) at lombard.jennedy@wgmail.org for information about scheduling your appointment.
Other Counseling News
Summer Programs
Summer time is a great time for students to explore colleges and potential majors. Many colleges across the country offer summer programs for high school students on their campus. We have compiled a list of some of these programs on the Counseling Department website. Check back as we update this list regularly.
PSAT10 Registration Now Open (For sophomores)
Registration for the PSAT10 is now open. The PSAT10 is a practice PSAT. In fact, it is the same test our juniors took last October. The “real” PSAT (practice SAT and qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition will be administered to juniors in October).
Date and time: Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 8am-noon (sorry, there is not an alternative test date)
Location: WGHS (rooms tba)
Cost: $17.00
To register: Click here
Registration deadline: 02/21/2020 (sorry, we cannot guarantee a test after this date)
For more information about the PSAT and PSAT10 visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test
Dual Credit Registration Reminder
If your child is enrolled in one or more of these classes this semester and meets the minimum GPA requirement, they are eligible to earn college credit in addition to their high school credit.
· Advanced Forensic Science (FRSC 2600 @ SLU)
· AP English Language (ENG 1120 @ UMSL)
· AP Honors US History (History 1002 @ UMSL)
· Ceramics I (Art 2270 @ UMSL)
· Ceramics II (Art 1130 @ UMSL)
· Drawing and Painting I (Art 1140 @ UMSL)
· Drawing and Painting 2 (ART 1150 @ UMSL)
· Game Design and C# (CSC 125 @ Missouri State)
· Honors US Studies-Luparell (HIST 1002 @ UMSL)
· Honors US Studies-Moore (ENG 1120 @ UMSL)
· Oceanography (EAS 1050 @ SLU)
· Personal Finance (Fin 150 @ Missouri State)
· Thrive (ITC 200 OR MKT 150 @ Missouri State)
· Women, Gender, & Diversity (GS 2102 @ UMSL)
Directions to register:
Step 1: Identify which college is offering credit for your class(es)—see college name listed next to course title above.
Step 2: Follow the directions below to register with that college.
Step 3: Do not send payment. You will be billed by the university.
Missouri State
Cost: $70/credit hour
To register: visit https://dualcredit.missouristate.edu/
Registration deadline: January 24, 2020
Saint Louis University
Cost: $65/credit hour
For more information and to register: visit https://www.slu.edu/1818
Registration deadline: February 22, 2020
UMSL
Cost: $68/credit hour
For more information and to register: visit www.umsl.edu/acp
Registration Deadline: February 2, 2020
Band-Aides Trivia Night
The Band Aides, the 501(c)(3) group dedicated to supporting the band program at Webster Groves School District, has announced their annual Trivia Night will be held on Friday, January 31st at White Cliff Community Center in Crestwood. St. Louis newscaster, celebrity, and advocate for music education, Art Holliday, will be the host.
Trivia Night Details
Theme: Mardi Gras! When The Saints Go Marchin’ In
When:
- Friday, January 31, 2020
- Doors open at 6:00 pm, trivia starts at 6:30 pm
Location:
Crestwood Community Center
9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, Crestwood, MO 63126
Food & Drink:
BYOB and shareable food for each table
Cost:
- $200 per team, 8 people per table with online registration available above. Reservation is final when payment is received.
- No table? Buy a single ticket for $25, and we’ll add you to a friendly group.
- $100 of each table registration will go to the Student account(s) specified on your registration; if you are a senior, and won’t be using any more student account funds, your portion will help with Band Camp and trip scholarships for students in the future.
Reminder:
- Bring cash or checkbook for between-round activities.
- $100 from each table registration and funds raised during the event will benefit the WGHS Band General Fund.
Thank you for your support!
"Show the Love" Virtual Fundraiser for WGHS
Webster Groves High School thrives because of the strong support shown by families, friends, and alumni like you! From February 1st to February 14th, the Parents' Club will Show the Love by flooding our community with positive stories about the great things we do and raise funds to continue supporting teacher grants, student scholarships, and a safe senior celebration at the high school. For decades we have been a school that provides a wide array of opportunities, thanks to a strong partnership between teachers and the community of Webster Groves. Will you join us to Show the Love for Webster Groves High School? Visit our website at www.wghsparentsclub.org/products/stlovewg and follow hashtag #STLoveWGHS to get involved!
Shop at Our Spirit Store and Support Funding for Scholarships!
The Webster Groves Spirit Wear Store is open to all Students, Staff, Parents and Community Members. Shop the Spirit Store for all your Webster Groves Apparel and Accessories.
Spirit Store Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 10:00 am
Late Start Monday: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
All Spirit Wear Apparel and Accessories are also available online at the Parents Club website.
Orders placed online will be available for pick up at the WGHS Front Office.
(for a fee all items can be shipped to your home)
WGHS Front Office Hours: 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
You can also find Spirit Wear at our “Pop-Up” Shops at many school sponsored events.
Thanks for your support!
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