The Avery Pulse
May 22nd, 2022
Upcoming Dates
- May 24th - Avery Night at the Ballpark (details below)
- May 26th - Blacktop Ball (details below)
- May 27th - Last Day of School! Early Release-Dismissal at 11:45am
A Note from Dr. Peterson
I hope this email finds you and your families well. As we embark on our last week of school for the 21-22 school year, I wanted to extend my gratitude and appreciation for this incredible community. It has been such a wonderful year serving as the building leader in a remarkable place. The support, kindness, and energy that is on constant display is what makes Avery such a special place to work.
This will be our last Pulse newsletter for the 21-22 school year. We will send a newsletter to families in July/August with information for the 22-23 school year. This will include: dates, supply lists, etc.
Please reach out if you have any additional questions over the summer.
Our building hours to fluctuate depending on vacation times of the office staff.
Thank you again for a great year!
Have an amazing summer,
Hannah Peterson, Ed.D.
Counselor Corner
It’s hard to believe that another year is ending! I am always proud of the way our All-Stars have grown during our lessons and discussions about the 7 Habits. It is amazing to hear the connections students can make between their own lives, goals, relationships, and learning. Kids can tell how the 7 Habits are excellent “soft skills” for life. In May, our lessons focused on Habit #7, “Sharpen the Saw.”
Sharpening the saw is all about having balance in your life. When I teach Habit #7, it is described as: taking care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places.
Students talked about how to “stay sharp” and find balance over the summer. We also talked about what it looks like to have too much of a fun thing and we listed things that need balance to be healthy. For example, we only need a small amount of junk food and screen time. We balance those things with healthy foods, exercise, and keeping our brains sharp for the next grade.
We balance four areas to keep sharp:
Brain- stimulate your brain with good things…
Body-sleep, exercise, eat healthy, drink water, wear sunscreen
Relationships- create projects and time with others, have in person conversations
Fun- identify things you love to do, be curious, put first things first (work then have fun)
Please help support your student as they strive to remember Habit #7 all summer! We will have really “sharp” All-Stars returning in August!
Masks Required
Dear Avery Families:
As you may recall, when the school district moved to “mask recommended” status earlier this year, we said that if the number of new COVID-19 cases at a school exceeds 1.5 percent of the total building population, that school would return to a “mask required” status for two weeks. As of today, the number of new cases at Avery Elementary is greater than 1.5 percent, meaning we will require masks for everyone at Avery beginning Monday, May 23rd.
Students, staff and visitors will be required to wear masks indoors at Avery for the remainder of the school year.This includes during any bus rides or any off-campus field trips. If needed, masks will be provided at school.
Thank you for your support!
Dr. Hannah Peterson
Proposition S, WGSD's $45 Million No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Issue
The Board of Education has unanimously approved a recommendation to place a $45 million no-tax-rate increase on the Aug. 2 ballot. If approved, the money would be used to improve aging buildings and learning environments across the district. The proposal addresses electrical upgrades, mitigation for water infiltration, accessibility and more.
You can find more information about the proposition here: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/22959 including reports from the district's Finance and Building committees, survey results and a presentation on priorities for bond issue funding.
Fliers describing projects at each building are here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/24080
Free at-home COVID-19 tests
3rd round of free at-home COVID-19 test kits
8 tests, no charge for shipping, totally free.
Information below is repeated from the previous Pulse.
End of Year Party
Join us for an end-of-year party on June 4th! Sign up here: https://avery-end-of-school-year-party.cheddarup.com/
Flyer with additional information below.
Senior Car Parade
Summer Gathering for incoming 6th Grade Students
The Avery Play
Blacktop Ball Volunteers Needed
The Blacktop Ball is coming on Thursday, May 26th from 5:00-7:00 pm!!!
This event is open to all Avery students and families. We will have $2 Tropical Moose snow cones, Terror Tacos, Amy's Cake Pops along with the famous hula hoop contest and a live DJ!
To make the event a success, we need Avery parents to sign up and volunteer at the event. There are lots of ways to help! Please check out our sign-up genius for Blacktop Parent Volunteers:
Science Fair Winners!
Congratulations to our Avery blue ribbon winners from the Academy of Science St. Louis Science Fair!
- Lia Johnson
- Malena Lippold (Bayer Outstanding Young Scientist Award)
- Henry Binkholder
- Alice Lang
- Madeline Heffner
- Lily Andrasko (Bayer Top Young Scientist Award)
Late Start Information
WGSD Families,
Beginning in the 22-23 school year, the Webster Groves School District has added late start days to the school calendar.
Late start days will allow for additional time for our teachers to use data and collaboratively plan to continue to address the needs of all of our students. Families who need help with student supervision on late start days can participate in a program available at each building (K-12). The times for the late start supervision program are included below:
Elementary Schools (K-5): Avery, Bristol, Clark, Edgar Road, Givens, and Hudson Late Start Supervision Program: 7:40am-8:50am School Day Arrival Begins @ 8:50am School begins @ 9:05am Hixson Middle School and Webster Groves High School Late Start Supervision Program: 8:15am - 9:25am School Day Arrival Begins @ 9:25am School begins @ 9:40am
WGSD staff will manage the Late Start Supervision Program, including instructional aides and substitute teachers. Families who participate in the morning Adventure Club Program will automatically be enrolled in the Late Start Supervision Program for your building.
Registration in the Late Start Supervision Program will be for the entire school year (all late start days), so that we can appropriately plan for staffing for the 22-23 year. To register for the Late Start Supervision Program, families can log into the parent portal and follow the registration prompts. Registration will open on Wednesday, May 4 and continue through June 30. Families who enroll after June 30 will work with their schools to make a determination about Late Start Supervision for their family.
Please click here to go to the Parent Portal for registration.
Thank you!
Avery Pavers
Attention 5th Grade Parents!
Attention 5th Grade Parents! (Who are *almost* 6th grade parents!!)
https://forms.gle/cgKKLMHvo36CQEMd8 -- Click here to express interest in volunteer opportunities at Hixson next year.
Attention 5th Grade Parents! (Who are *almost* 6th grade parents!!)
The Welcome to Hixson Committee is having our first ever meeting on Monday, May 9th @ 7pm at Global Brew in Rock Hill. We’ll share some of the cool stuff we want to do this summer, and come up with some ideas to help students and families get to know each other as we launch into a new year in a new school!
If you would like more info about The Welcome to Hixson Committee, please fill out our survey (https://forms.gle/ApxJXfanee3ZDpVi9) and/or we’ll see you May 9th!
Please RSVP for the meeting if you can, so we know how many people to expect: http://evite.me/xHyk5bAZUY
Can’t make the meeting but want to know more? Or, have some questions or comments that you’d like to share? Send us an email! WelcometoHixson@gmail.com
Summer Camps Offered
Covid 19 Testing
Dear WGSD Families and Staff:
The Webster Groves School District offers COVID-19 testing for the public from 2-4 p.m. in the board room at the central office, 400 E. Lockwood Ave. Testing will continue to be offered here on Thursdays at this time except for during spring break.
Rapid antigen and PCR testing will be available through Visionary Vaccine Services. No appointment is needed. Masks will be required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian. Your insurance will be billed for the service and there are no fees for the uninsured. Everyone tested will receive a letter documenting the date of service, type of testing and results.
Testing will also be offered for the public in other school districts:
Mondays and Wednesdays in the Ladue School District at the Fifth Grade Center, 10900 Ladue Rd., inside the lower level athletic entrance to the building from 9-11 a.m.
On Tuesdays, at the Clayton District's Administration Center, #2 Mark Twain Circle in Clayton, from 9-11 a.m
Mask Recommended Update
Please click here to access the March 1st communication for additional information.
Arrival Reminders
Bompart Avenue
- Carpool drop-off only in front of school
- Parents to remain in vehicles with staff members assisting students
- No parking during arrival
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
- PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE CURBS/SIDEWALKS
Marshall Avenue
- Atrium entrance will be open for arrival for students dropped off on Marshall
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
Atalanta Avenue
- We strongly encourage families to travel only from Bompart towards Glen to alleviate congestion and increase safety
- No parking on sidewalks
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
Incoming Kindergarten Information
Here is a link with Helpful Kindergarten Information!
Questions? Please contact: 314-963-6425
2021-2022 Buzz Book
Title I Program Parent and Family Involvement and Engagement
Please see the link below for Parent and Family Engagement Federal Programs:
https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/federal-programs/parent-family-engagement
Online Community Bulletin Board
Want to make a submission to The Avery Pulse?
To qualify for direct distribution to students and families, the
information must be:
- district-sponsored information
- something from a group affiliated* with the district.
- curriculum-related, as determined by the principal, including programs, events, contests and other activities.
*Affiliated is defined as a group recognized by the Board of Education and working
group created soley to work with district staff, students and parents
to raise fund for district activities (PTOs, booster clubs, the
Foundation)
Regarding signs, only signs for school or district groups (sponsored
or affiliated) can be placed on school grounds.
You can read the board policy here
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=448&revid=6VcjbAkBf4Ls3Fs6CyIxFA==&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ==&secid=1QSfUuz8WRJ5slsh0xnyVwukQ==&PG=6&IRP=0
If you are a non-profit organization that doesn't qualify for direct distribution to students and families, you can contact Cathy Vespereny (vespereny.cathy@wgmail.org) who is our Director of Communication and she will ensure that your flyer is posted on the community electronic bulletin.
If your information fits the above criteria, you can make a submission to theaverypulse@gmail.com
Submissions are due on Thursdays at 5pm.
Avery Elementary
Email: theaverypulse@gmail.com
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Domain/89
Location: 909 North Bompart Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6425
Twitter: @avery_allstars