Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for November 10
Hello WGHS Families,
At our Community Open House this weekend, we'll share information on how students can be more involved and connected at Webster Groves High School. Students who are involved beyond the school day on average have better school experiences and outcomes, such as higher attendance and academic performance. I have recently connected with a book called Deeper Learning, written by researchers Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine, in which they conducted observations and interviews of students and staff over six years from purportedly successful innovative high schools that were suggested as “leaders” in preparing students for the demands of twenty-first century life.
Sadly, they noted most students experienced lack of engagement, and “bored, disengaged compliance” during their day. However, in these recommended model schools, pockets of vibrant learning settings and a “hidden curriculum” in extra-curricular and electives that allowed students to do deep learning and rise above the norm with intellectually dynamic experiences. Mehta and Fine observed “…we stumbled into spaces that initially lay outside of our study—art classes, debate club meetings, newspaper, Model UN, athletic practices—these same students looked and sounded totally different. In these spaces, they were actively engaged and eagerly assuming roles as leaders.” Yesterday we celebrated multiple student-athletes who signed their letter of intent and open the musical Grease tonight. We know we are only sharing a chapter in their growth and development as scholars and performers in their realm. My belief is that these students have had exposure to an alchemy that will serve them well--we are as optimistic as we are proud.
A parent previously shared their impression of their child’s experience at the end of four years in a fall activity. They shared their appreciation of the program and its leaders intentionality in the development of participants’ character and creating a belonging, inclusive community. I am hopeful that this thoughtful note is representative of many extracurricular settings that act as additional well-designed learning environments for our students. Cheers to all that participate, mentor, and support "the show" with a gaze that moves from the immediacy of the scoreboard to the promise of the horizon.
Regards,
Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: Late-Start A,A,B,C,A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 11/10 - 11/12: Fall Musical, Grease; 7pm, Auditorium
- 11/11: End of Progress Period
- 11/13: Community Open House, 1-3pm
- 11/14: Late-Start A Day; school starts at 9:40 a.m., and doors open to students at 9:25.
- 11/14: NHS Fall Blood Drive
- 11/17: Winter Sports Photos
- 11/18: Progress grades available on Parent Portal
- 11/20 - 11/22: Spirit Week/Turkey Day Week
Celebrations
Senior Izzy Poole earned an honorable mention in MIJA's October Photo of the Month contest for this photo:
https://wgecho.org/2022/10/22/photo-of-the-week-volleyball-player-laughs/
Senior Bella LeGrand also earned an honorable mention for the photo Noah Topel intercepts a pass in the MIJA October Photo of the Month Contest.
Congratulations to the following band students who accepted into St. Louis All-Suburban Concert and Jazz Bands:
Concert Band
Ian McCann, clarinet 6th chair
Shiloh Roash, horn 3rd chair
Miles Cole, trombone 1st chair, chose jazz
Jazz Band
Will Jenkel, 2nd alternate alto saxophone
Miles Cole, lead trombone
Zach Andrews, bass trombone
Simon Lang, piano
Miles Cole, piano, chose trombone
Beckett Mitchell, drums
Congratulations to our orchestra students who earned a spot in the St. Louis All-Suburban Orchestra:
Violin 1-Ashlyn Parikh, Lia Fairbanks
Violin 2-Andrew Stewart
Viola-Enkela Ndoni, 1st Alt
Bass-Kyle Sidwell
Congratulations to senior Essence Williams for being featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as the first member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Peer to Peer mentorship program to earn a spot in the Youth Orchestra!
WGHS Community Open House
Do you know a family with middle-school aged children who may be interested in WGHS? Please spread the word about our Community Open House this Sunday from 1 - 3 p.m.!
Click on the .pdf for the Zoom links:
Counseling News
AP Exam Registration Deadline is tomorrow!
For more information and to register, please visit: www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/263573
AP Exam registration ends on November 11. Any registrations or cancellations after this date will incur a $40 fee per exam. Please contact Jennedy Lombard, AP Coordinator, with any questions and concerns.
High Demand Occupations
Section 167.902 RSMo, requires that the department of economic development shall annually identify occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor markets in this state. Additionally, each high school shall provide its students with the information before
November first of every school year. For a direct link to the FY24 High Demand Occupations list, please click here.
2022-23 Late-Start Days
Did You Know?
Visitors must have an appointment to enter WGHS.
For the safety of our students, we ask that you make an appointment prior to visiting the high school if you would like to see a staff member. Thank you for your assistance on this!
Shop the Parents' Club Spirit Store!
The Spirit Store is open! Hours are 8-9:15 a.m. daily.
The online store is open 24 hours a day at https://wghsparentsclub.org/collections.
Every time you shop at the Spirit Store, you are supporting student scholarships and teacher grants!
WGHS Attendance Contacts
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