Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 1
Hello WGHS Families,
Public schools are an engine of possibility for children and progress for communities. I am proud to be working with the students and communities in the Webster Groves School District and to have a role in demonstrating our progress. I am sharing some from last week and beyond.
- Arts: We open Little Shop of Horrors tonight, and we had multiple students selected for MMEA all-state in band, choir, and orchestra at the MMEA state conference.
- Athletics: Swim conference meet begins today, and both varsity basketball teams beat Kirkwood earlier this season. Spring sports begin later this month.
- Academics: We continue to have among the highest ACT average in the region of schools that test all students, and the overall number of students failing courses has continued to fall. Additionally, we are in the season of celebrating with our seniors and their college and career selections.
- Activities: We had an increase in attendance at our winter formal. Our robotics team just completed their season. DECA is competing today in the District 9 competition in Chesterfield. In Scholar Bowl, Webster A finished 9-1 and only lost in the finals last weekend (out of 36 teams).
While standardized assessments and snapshots will never completely accurately reflect the depth and breadth of learning of children, it is an additional evidence of our success and impact. By almost any measure, the quality of learning and engaging in supported settings at Webster Groves High School remains high.
Additionally, the Webster Groves community showed out in the Adam Mallette Classic in honor of the former student who passed away tragically last year. More than just a basketball game, the community raised over $30,000 for his children's, Mavrik & Zoey, 529 college fund surrounding the game between former Statesmen coach Jay Blossom’s Principia and WGHS.
Best,
Matt
Next Week's Schedule: A, A, B, C, A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 2/1: WGHS Winter Musical: Little Shop Of Horrors, 7pm, Auditorium
- 2/2: WGHS Winter Musical: Little Shop Of Horrors, 7pm, Auditorium
- 2/3: WGHS Winter Musical: Little Shop Of Horrors, 7pm, Auditorium
- 2/6: College and Career Night, 6-8p, WGHS
- 2/7: Parents' Club Meeting, 7p, Library
- 2/9: End of Progress Period
- 2/10: ACT Testing
Scholar Bowl Students Perform Well
Congratulations to our Scholar Bowl students who finished well in their tournament! Webster Groves A team went undefeated in the morning round robins with Colette Giezentanner winning an individual medal for averaging the second highest points out of any player (out of 160 players). In the afternoon games, they continued to win in the highest bracket and were undefeated until the finals when they lost to Parkway West (by the smallest margin of any team all day). Players on the team were Colette Giezentanner, Ben Dunsford, Sam Hewitt, Brady Curtis, and Diego Duque de Estrada.
Check out our website for tickets (starting Feb. 1) and more information!
Samuel Hewitt Chosen as Candidate for Presidential Scholars Program
Congratulations to senior Samuel Hewitt for being selected as a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Students are chosen for outstanding performance on the ACT/SAT and/or nomination by the Chief State School Officer or one of the partner recognition organizations. Samuel is among our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors.
WGHS Winter Musical: Little Shop Of Horrors
3 different nights @ 7pm: Thursday February 1st, Friday February 2nd, and Saturday February 3rd
Show the Love Starts Now!
WHAT: Webster Groves High School Parents’ Club BIGGEST annual fundraiser
WHEN: February 1st - 14th
WHO: Any member of our community can donate to support our work! For a donation of just $10 we will put the name of your child, a friend, neighbor, teacher, counselor, staff, coach or administrator on a heart to help SHOW THE LOVE!
Every dollar donated goes right back into support our school, teachers and students. Please be on the lookout in emails and social media for more information and the link to donate!
Chelsea Center Opportunities
Looking to get your student more experiences to help them pay for college or gain meaningful insight into a career of their choice? Then check out these opportunities offered through the Chelsea Center!
If you or your student are interested in learning more about these opportunities through the Chelsea Center, please contact Dr. Arens at arens.kerry@wgmail.org or have your student stop by the Chelsea Center in room 200 at Webster Groves High School. Likewise, your student can scan the QR codes and log in with their school gmail to learn more.
Join us for “Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity” on February 12
Join the WGSD PTO equity committees on Monday, February 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Givens Elementary School Auditorium for “Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity.”
It’s been 10 years since Michael Brown was killed and the Ferguson Uprising inspired commitments to racial justice. Come hear where that work stands now, how high school students who came of age in a post-Ferguson world assess their landscape and the work that lies ahead, and how you can lead your family to ensure our community's children have the opportunity to rise together.
Hear data updates from a WGSD administrator, thoughts from Webster Groves High School student panelists, and be encouraged to pivot from thought to action by former district principals and nationally recognized equity leaders Dr. Howard Fields III and Dr. Grace Lee.
Childcare will be provided in the Givens cafeteria. If you plan to use childcare, please let us know in advance by filling out the form at bit.ly/RisingTogetherChildcare.
Questions? Contact averyequity@gmail.com.
Parent Field Trip to Delmar DivINe
The WGHS Parents for Racial Equity committee invites all to join us on Thursday, February 29 for a parent field trip to the Delmar DivINe. We'll learn more about the history of the "Delmar Divide," learn how Delmar DivINe was conceived to address racial and economic disparities, and view the Painting for Peace art installation showing some of the powerful art that came out of the Ferguson Uprising. After, we'll get a bite to eat together in the Loop. RSVP to Wghsparentsforracialequity@gmail.com and then receive carpool/parking information. All are welcome!
Counseling News
WGHS Counseling Team:
Jennedy Lombard - Counseling Department Chair, College & Career Counselor (L-Z)
Ellen Silverstrand - College & Career Counselor (A-K)
Ellen Dorsey - Academic & Personal Counselor (A-D)
Ken Winingham - Academic & Personal Counselor (E-K)
Cassie Aschinger - Academic & Personal Counselor (L-Ri)
Bianca Haghighi - Academic & Personal Counselor (Ro-Z)
Rick Cusumano - Webster Academy Counselor & 504 Coordinator
Upcoming events:
College and Career Night @ WGHS, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6:00-8:00pm
You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of session topics and hear from a panel of college admissions professionals. Session topics may include: Pathway to College, The College Search: Developing Your List, Earning College Credit While in High School, Financial Aid 101, College Admissions Testing: The ACT and SAT, and Careers in Trade Unions. More details will be emailed closer to the event. This event is available for all students 9-11th grades!
St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase (three dates and locations to choose from) Interested in learning about careers that don’t require a traditional four-year college degree? Consider attending a St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase in February or March. Visit this website for more information.
Info for Seniors:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now available to fill out at www.studentaid.gov. Some colleges & universities have priority deadlines as early as February 1st. The FAFSA has made some changes for the 24-25 school year, so please start the form ASAP. Visit MOFAFSA.org for a step-by-step guide on what to do now that the application process is underway and find links to helpful online tools and resources. Additionally, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development's Journey to College program is hosting FAFSA Frenzy events across the state to help students in person and virtually.
Applications for Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due in early February.
Info for Juniors:
You're invited to attend an individual planning conference this semester! This meeting will be devoted to your family as you begin to make plans for life after Webster Groves High School.
Our conference will be catered to the needs of each individual student and family including topics such as:
- post-secondary education planning/developing a list of schools or programs that fit your needs
- college admission testing information
- strengths/interest areas/major/career planning
- developing your "to-do" list
Please schedule using the links provided for your College & Career Counselor:
Ellen Silverstrand (A-K) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Ms. Silverstrand
Jennedy Lombard (L-Z) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Mrs. Lombard
Did You Know?
Do you have a WGSD learning device at home? For students or families having technology issues, please do the following:
- For specific Canvas issues, contact Mr. Young at young.mark@wgmail.org.
- Encourage your student to visit the Library circulation desk for help with their device.
As always, you are welcome to contact us at 314.963.6400 for assistance.
WGHS Attendance Procedures
Call your child's AP office to report an absence, late arrival, or early departure. Checking out early? When leaving school during the day, students must check out through the assistant principal’s office.
Student Early Release:
We require at least one hour notice when calling your student out early. Call the Assistant Principal's office before the designated time and report the absence. You may also send a note with the student to be presented to the Assistant Principal's office before school.
At the designated time, your student will receive a pass to check out if you called ahead. The student will check out in the Assistant Principal's office.
You will NOT enter the building if you have called the absence in and communicated a pick-up location with your child. However, if you choose to pick up your child in the building, you must do so at the main entrance on Selma Avenue. Upon entering the building, check in with the receptionist. Please bring your driver's license if you are checking in. The receptionist will contact the Assistant Principal’s office to send for your student. Please be aware that not calling ahead to schedule an early release can take up to 30 minutes to send for a student.
For attendance, please call 314.963.6400 and the appropriate extension below.
ParentSquare
Webster Groves School District uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.
Create a Canvas Account to Stay Connected
To stay connected with the learning in our classrooms, please create a Canvas Observer Account which is our district's learning management system. You will find three helpful documents below:
- Canvas Informational Letter
- Creating an Observer Account, Logging into Canvas, and Setting Notifications
- Student Accessing Canvas
If you have any questions please contact Tim Brown, Director of Student Assessment, Data and Learning Technologies at brown.tim@wgmail.org.
Shop the Parents' Club Spirit Store!
The Spirit Store is open! Hours are 8-9:15 a.m., Tuesday - Friday.
The online store is open 24 hours a day at https://www.wghsparentsclub.org/spiritwear.
Every time you shop at the Spirit Store, you are supporting student scholarships and teacher grants!
Webster Groves High School
Email: erb.mickey@wgmail.org
Website: www.webster.k12.mo.us/wghs
Location: 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 963-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/WGAlumni
Twitter: @WebsterGrovesHS