Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for May 6
Hello Parents and Guardians,
Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you are old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
The poem, "Ithaca," by C. P. Cavafy has again been on my mind recently, as my wife and I have reflected on our son’s upcoming graduation. While he won’t be attending Cornell in Ithaca, NY, he will arrive to a new setting in August. And while he has taken the “right” courses, and has the “right” grades, I shared the author’s sentiment that what he has learned and experienced along the way has been the reward. The experiences of being together as a family in the spring of 2020, the hurt of around abridged senior experiences, his decision to voluntarily step away from others, the entry-level jobs, and the times that teachers have shared their expectation of his ability to do better. All were special moments that were part of his journey that prepared him for his next destination.
This remaining stanza strikes me particularly hard:
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
When I think of our collective homes and schools, this may not be entirely true. I would suggest our son is not waiting on more pearls of wisdom from his parents! We all may have lessons to impart, but our children have surely had a marvelous journey thanks to their teachers, activity sponsors, and coaches, and we have much gratitude to have shared in it.
I hope as our seniors depart this week, you take a moment to be fully aware of the love, care, and wisdom that has been shared with your students. I am also sure there have been times when we were imperfect, and we have been shown grace by our students and families. While schooling is too often transactional in nature and most seniors will be glad “to be done,” their journey was immensely enriched by our staff at Webster Groves. I grateful for all the care our families and our Parents' Club have shared this week and all moments prior.
In gratitude,
Matt Irvin
Staff Appreciation Week is May 3-7
Celebrations
- Three seniors are among 54 students from 15 Missouri high schools to have earned a place on the MJEA Honor Roll.
Addie Palmquist
Maeve Taylor
Elise Wilke-Grimm
The criteria for this honor is:
--Student journalists who have achieved a 3.75 or higher grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and
--Student journalists who have worked in student media for two or more years (this current semester counts as a full semester toward two years on staff)
- The marketing two students raised over $19,000 for Bo Powell and the ALS association of St. Louis. Thank you to everyone who supported, ran, shared and donated to this amazing cause. This is my first year doing the run in person and I was very touched by the immense school and community support.
CHANGE: Yearbook Pick-up
Unfortunately, rain is forecasted for Saturday. We're choosing to err on the side of caution, and we are shifting plans for the distribution day. We are cancelling the friend group pickup session and extending the drive-through pick up. ↓ The revised plans for yearbook pickup are below ↓
CAN'T MAKE IT SATURDAY?
Seniors: You can pick your book up from Ms. Teresa Adams Monday, 5/10 through Friday, 5/14 from 8-3:30 at the main entrance.
Underclassmen: Books will not be available for pickup Monday as Ms. Keane will be out of the building. Books will be delivered to students during 4th hour Tuesday-Friday. Students may also stop by Room 222 before 1st hour.
Term 4 Schedule
Term 4 Schedule for Virtual Program
Did You Know?
The 2021-22 school year starts on August 23. Sports dead week is August 2-6, and fall sports begin on August 9.
The full 2021-22 calendar will be published on our website in late May/early June.
Learning at WGHS
Free Breakfast and Lunch Available for All WGSD Students
During in person learning and distance learning, Webster Groves Students will continue to have access to FREE breakfast and FREE lunch Monday-Friday.
Meals are available for pick-up at Webster Groves High School and home delivery. Students who have opted for in person learning, will be able choose their meal choice daily in the classroom.
For home delivery or meal pick up , please sign up using the below link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfH08CJCOJnb0mqz6Cg45vKq9mllDBcKBWFJWwbBoiM96s-9A/viewform?usp=pp_url .
Please contact us at pelant.nancy@wgmail.org with any questions.
Check out our menus at https://webster.nutrislice.com/ or download the Nutrislice app!
Counseling Department Updates
Attention Juniors!
The deadline to register for the June 12th ACT is Friday, May 7. Students should register and pay online at www.myact.org. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch qualify for a fee waiver from ACT. Please see your college counselor to request one.
Wondering what you can do this summer to make sure you are on a strong path for college? Whether you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, there are opportunities for you to make the most of your summer. Join Mentors 4 College for a brief webinar as we highlight summer opportunities
for each grade level and help you get started researching which options are right for you.
Thursday, May 13; 5:30-6:00 pm
Making the Most of Your High School Summers
Click this link to register for the Zoom webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8716177224202/WN_aYMVnnHOStCBgWB7AQqUHg
Exploring Career Speakers Series
The Greater St. Louis Area Exploring Program is excited to offer young adults ages 14-20 the opportunity to virtually meet and network with professionals from a variety of career fields. What education or training do you need for this career? What does a typical day look like? What do you like most about your job? These are just a few examples of what you might learn in the career workshops. The workshops are free and you may attend as many as you like.
All virtual programs will start at 5:00pm
· Wednesday, May 12th -No College required-careers not requiring at college degree
Visit https://scoutingevent.com/312-Exploringcareerspeakers to register.
Scholarship Information for Seniors
St. Louis Area Scholarship Search St. Louis Graduates Scholarship Central (Note: Many of these applications have not opened up yet so keep checking back.) This is also where you can apply for Interest Free Student Loans from Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.
Where can you find other scholarships? There are a number of scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be very rewarding if you put some time into it.
National Scholarship Searches
Fastweb
College Board’s Big Future
Peterson’s
Unigo
Cappex
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)
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