This week we observed our induction for the National Technical Honor Society, acknowledged our many All-State nominees from our music program, and our water polo team had their first match in many years. We'll also conduct our spring activities pep rally later this afternoon.

The Annual Performance Report (APR) for Missouri schools was released this week and Webster Groves School District earned 92.3%. The scoring places WGSD among the top four districts in the area and the top 5% out of 553 school districts in the state.

The APR measures areas of academic achievement growth for students in math and English language arts, as well as graduation rates, and culture and climate.

We wrap up another seemingly surreal three quarters of the school year today. It is hard to conceive that our seniors are in their last quarter of schooling in Webster Groves. All classes seem to have a character and this group largely is community-focused, connected to each other, and having a great final year overall. Across the building, I am grateful for our students' engagement and growth thus far into our 2022-2023 school year. Please have a safe and happy spring break.

Best,

Matt Irvin

THERE WILL BE NO ENEWS NEXT WEEK DUE TO SPRING BREAK.

• 3/17: NO SCHOOL
  
• 3/20-2/24: SPRING BREAK

Congratulations to Maya Wamser for her poem, "Long Distance," which is a winner of the Wednesday Club's 2023 Annual Junior Original Poetry Contest!

The sweet smell of vanilla and leather

Loud raging engine, Grateful Dead, windows rolled down

The bracelet I made rattling against the gear shift.

Dark curly hair, blue green eyes,

depending on the day and what he’s wearing.

Movie nights, sushi dates, and listening to friends play

The music blares as the band jams on into the evening

Late nights in itchy grass with the starry sky above

Pink roses, stuffed animals, shared sweatshirts, and Arnold Palmer.

A small golden M lays against his chest and

His bass pervades the room and the amp booms.

Breakfast at Boardwalk, coffee, biscuits coated in gravy, and massive pancakes

Soon we’ll go back to seeing each other every day, but for now,

hug and kiss goodbye, but not goodbye,

A see you later.

Orchestra

Congratulations to the following students who performed at the MSHSAA District Contest for Orchestra:

• 17 Events earn Exemplary (Gold) Ratings and will be going to State Contest on April 27, at MIZZOU
• String Quartet No. 1- Silas Garratt, Ethan Sanders, Isabella Pantano, Celia Alexander
• String Quartet No. 2-Hannah Silverman, Yuki Ishiyama, Joshua DeLay, Enkela Ndoni
• String Quartet No. 3- Delaney Sullivan, Madelynn Wood, Essence Williams, Amelia Kirsch
• String Quartet No. 4- Katherine Downey, Sonora Haake, Owen Barrs, Andrew Stewart
• String Quartet No. 5- Claire Miller, Carina Dickie, Piper Westendorf, Ashlyn Parikh
• String Quartet No. 6- Eli Suppelse, Eric Miranda, Dylan Hulsizer, Gabriel Wright
• Violin Duet and Piano- Sebastian Macaire, Paul Castleman, Dominic Buckman
• Violin Duet- Cassidy Fischer, Lia Fairbanks
• Violin Solos- Celia Alexander, Joshua DeLay, Amelia Kirsch, Ethan Sanders, Yuki Ishyama, Ashlyn Parikh
• Viola Solo- Isabella Pantano
• Cello Solos- Silas Garrett, Hannah Silverman

Two Events Earned Outstanding (Silver) Rating:

• Violin Solo- Cassidy Fischer, Andrew Stewart

Choir

Eighteen students elected to participate in the MSHSAA District Solo & Ensemble competition this past Saturday. Fourteen singers will be advancing to the State contest next month at Mizzou, along with many orchestral/ band performers. Four students received an "outstanding" rating in which they were just points away from joining the others at State.

Band District Rating Results

Exemplary:

Brass Quintet- Jack Vedova, Luca Giordano, Mile Coles, Shiloh Roash, Zach Andrews

Clarinet Solo- Ian McCann

Flute Solo- Ann O’Halloren

Trombone Quartet- Miles Cole, Claire Stevison, Zach Andrews, Ella Brenner

Outstanding:

Flute Trio- Maya Stanton, Ann O’Halloren, Jonathan Bass

Trumpet Trio- Jack Hendrix, Jack Vedova, Brady Curtis

Trombone Trio- Eli Overboe, Luke Purcelli, James Harleman

Woodwind Quartet- Ian McCan, Eliza Sullivan, Ann O’Halloren, Cecilia Likos

Wind Symphony Percussion Ensemble

Horn Solo- Shiloh Roash

Members of the Webster Groves chapter of Missouri DECA joined 2,000 high school business, finance, hospitality and marketing students at the annual association career development conference held March 12-14 at Crown Center in Kansas City, MO.

The following students received recognition for individual ability and achievement at the association level:

Grace Ensor & Katherine Downey – 2nd Place in Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making

Ava Lamitola & Julia Fowler – 3rd Place in Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making

Mia Willis – Finalist in Marketing Communications

Congratulations, DECA!

Summer School will be held June 5 - July 7, 2023. Attached you will find available courses, course descriptions and detailed summer learning expectations. Online registration for Summer Learning is open! All courses are available pending enrollment numbers and staffing. If you have any questions please contact davis.ebonie@wgmail.org.
​

ACT Test Prep is available this summer--sign up now!

Summer Learning registration link:
https://forms.gle/n2puhhdRLEysnJ9y6

Does your child love math? Would they enjoy learning about a career in Actuarial Science?

Then they should consider attending RGA's High School Actuarial Day on Tuesday, March 21.

Designed specifically for high school students, this event will feature presentations from several RGA actuaries who will talk about their education and careers in the actuarial field. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A panel. The event will conclude with complimentary lunch for all attendees.

This is not a WGHS sponsored event. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation.

Event Details

RGA High School Actuarial Day

Tuesday, March 21

9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch will be provided.

RGA|Chesterfield

Registration

Click here to register.

Sophomore Parents

All sophomores will take a full-length practice ACT college admission test on Tuesday, April 4 from 8:45am-12:25pm while the juniors are taking a real ACT. Stay tuned for additional details and information.

Junior Parents

As a reminder, all juniors will take the ACT on Tuesday, April 4. No action on your part is necessary. Stay tuned for additional details and information.

When Should I Start Planning for College? Helpful Timelines for High School Students

One of the most common questions students and parents ask is, "When should I start planning for college?" Families wonder if starting in 9th grade is too early and doesn't allow students to focus on high school; others think that junior year is the best time to focus on college planning. The truth is, there are things students can be doing each year to help them think about their post-high school plan. It is beneficial for students to learn about and plan for college when they are ready-regardless of what grade they are in. The self-discovery and planning processes are most effective when done over time and without pressure of deadlines. Join us for a brief webinar to learn about things you can be doing as a freshman, sophomore or junior to create a solid plan for life after high school. Go to the M4C website if you think working with a mentor would be helpful and we will match you with a mentor.

Mentors 4 College Zoom Webinar: Thursday, March 9; 5:30-6:00 pm CST

Register here for the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2016735491111/WN_Qa5D5964RMmxhlA5fEQvrw

Scholarship Opportunities and Searches:

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 national scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be rewarding if you put some time into it.

National Scholarship Searches
Fastweb
College Board’s Big Future
Peterson’s
Unigo
Cappex

The Webster Groves School District is currently determining transportation needs for the fee-based service for the 2023-2024 school year. If your student will be attending Webster Groves High School or Hixson Middle School and you would like bus transportation for your student for the 2023-2024 school year, you must complete the application at the link below. Even if your student rode the bus last year, you must fill out a new application for the 2023-2024 school year. Please read the information in the link and fill out the form if you want your student to ride the bus for the 2023-2024 school year.

Please note the criteria needed to get free bus transportation.

Application deadline is May 15, 2023.

Thank you,

WGSD Transportation

314-963-6413

https://forms.gle/M3UFZzuVyMP65Btk7

Anytown 7/23/23-7/29/23

The Anytown Leadership Institute, a program of NCCJ St. Louis, is a unique 7-day residential program for high-school-aged youth. Anytown's goal is to prepare youth to be effective leaders and change agents who are dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and oppression. Youth participate in experiential learning activities and dialogue sessions designed to increase their understanding of human relations issues and of their own responsibility to create a community based on inclusion, trust, and mutual respect. The Chelsea Center can provide funding for up to 3 students selected for this program who are also willing to simultaneously enroll in a Chelsea Center course.

Looking for other experiences?

If your child is looking to explore a passion area or career, have them visit the Chelsea Center to learn more about local opportunities, ways they might earn credit for engaging in these opportunities, and potential funding available to support experiential learning in the summer as well! Students can access wgsd.givepulse.com with their school Gmail account information to explore upcoming experiences as well.

All juniors will take the ACT on April 4 from 8:30am-noon. Detailed information about test administration and testing locations will be emailed to students a week prior to the test.

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!

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