Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for May 20
Hello Parents and Guardians,
I am sharing the video recently put out recognizing two local teachers, including our very own Mrs. Jessica Haskins. Mrs. Haskins is both a graduate of WGHS and one of our many talented adults working with students.
If you have the chance to know her, you know Mrs. Haskins is a humble person, but allow me to speak to her talents. Her informed use of varied instructional methods is a reflection of her desire to grow as a teacher of mathematics. She is a reflective practitioner, seeking formal and informal feedback from her students in the effort to adapt to student needs. Additionally, she has helped to create a new algebra support class that she volunteered to teach after researching other schools' successful programs. Mrs. Haskins has led our math department for three years and has been a key leader of instruction in our building as we implement Professional Learning Communities, serving as a resource to administrators and teachers alike. She was recognized last year with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
She is one of the most intentional adult learners I have been in contact with in all my years in education. She is constantly hunting the best idea via social media, the next concept across the board to improve the art and science of her teaching. She is relentless in working to devise methods to use assessments to ensure students are not just passive recipients but supported to engage fully in the learning. She leads our new teacher cohort and has lead teacher-learning in our building around formative and summative assessments, as well as appropriate interventions for students that have demonstrated the need for support.
Please join me in both recognizing Mrs. Haskins and celebrating each of our staff members that share their talents each day.
In gratitude,
Matt Irvin
Semester 2/Term 4 Final Exams
Freestyle Pool Passes
Dear Families,
In February, the Webster Groves City Council made a significant change to the Aquatic Center’s admission policy --they removed the requirement that non-Webster Groves residents could only access the pool if they had a Webster Groves sponsor. Now, everyone (regardless of residency) can access the pool and there is a resident and non-resident daily admission rate. In support of creating a consciously inclusive community, Webster Rock Hill Ministries, The Alliance for Interracial Dignity, and the Webster Groves School District have joined together to create the Freestyle Pool Pass. The Freestyle Pool Pass strives to remove barriers to the community swimming pool by providing free daily passes for individuals and families (WG residents and non-residents) who require financial assistance. A special “thanks” to our community members who believe in this initiative because we have reached our fundraising goal of $10,000. The pool will open on May 29, 2021, and additional passes will be available (as long as funds are available) at the Recreation Complex front desk this summer.
To those families who may currently be in need of financial support to access the pool, our goal (pending funding) is to provide:
- WGSD PreK – 6th grade students: 4 Freestyle Pool Passes per student upon request
- WGSD 7th – 12th grade students: 2 Freestyle Pool Passes per student upon request
- If you have more than one child attending the same WGSD school, then you will receive a family pack of Freestyle Pool Passes.
If you currently are in need of financial assistance and are interested in receiving Freestyle Pool Passes (each is good for one daily admission), then please complete this FORM by May 24, 2021, or call your child’s counselor. The passes will be given to your child on May 26, 2021.
We look forward to seeing you at the pool this summer!
Sincerely,
Dr. Shane Williamson
WGSD
Farrell Carfield and Elyssa Sullivan
AID
Emerson Smith
WRHM
**Families who are residents of the city of Webster Groves may also consider applying for a city recreational scholarship at https://www.webstergroves.org/611/Scholarship
Summer Reading Information
Summer Reading expectations have returned to Webster Groves High School, and each student will be expected to read a book over the summer. By setting expectations for summer reading, we are supporting our district-wide initiative to build life-long, independent learners.
Students will be assigned reading in connection with their next year’s English class, and they may check out their texts from the high school Library beginning Monday, May 24th. See this PDF for a comprehensive list of all courses and summer reading selections: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VJZ7aFA9p7DPYdYK01D7ys6ILqrlltQx/view?usp=sharing
Course-specific summer reading handouts and/or assignments will be available as a hard copy in the Library and on the Library home page by next Monday: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/289
Happy Reading!
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
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