Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 23
Hello WGHS Families,
Each year, schools fret the public “ranking” that appears in media outlets that lays out a perception of a school hierarchy in our state and region. This often acts to facilitate a more robust conversation on the quality of schooling but acts to limit and further impoverish the dialogue. Most quantification of high schools is based around standardized tests that are administered in one day as well as other easily measured but arguably less important metrics. These customary measurements of students and schools often travel with parents’ educational and income levels and distort the work being done in schools. The lament of one’s zip code being destiny is too often played out in our educational system with glaring disparities in resources and opportunity, further compounded by limited information.
The current measurements miss the point that the value of a school is multi-dimensional: school safety and climate, creating a more just and civic culture, raising student engagement, student wellness, or requirements of critical thinking around important questions. An ideal high school requires an articulated school culture that is safe and connected, where students and adults are known and work collaboratively around declared shared values. Deep, meaningful relationships that make academics, the arts, and athletics richer and in service to life-long impact, to protect well-being for the school experience. The Athenian Oath taken at age 18 called for citizens to make their city-state more beautiful, more safe, and more free for their children. I sense that is a good mission for the Webster Groves community and more specifically, our high school.
Best,
Matt Irvin
News from the Chelsea Center: WGHS’ In-house Experiential Learning Center
Engineering Group Job Shadowing Experience on 3/6/23
Is your child interested in learning more about engineering? Join the Chelsea Center staff for a group job shadowing experience at CDG engineers. CDG Engineers, Inc. is a full service, multidisciplinary professional services organization with capabilities in civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as architecture. Services include planning, engineering and architectural design, and construction administration. CDG works in the fields of infrastructure, power, mining, and industrial.Students can sign up by visiting the Chelsea Center or using GivePulse (wgsd.givepulse.com).
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.
Recognize Your Graduating Senior with a Yard Sign!
If you would like to recognize your graduating senior with a yard sign, please complete the order form here:
You can choose a sign with your student's first name or generic congratulations. Cost is $10/sign, and a number are available at no cost for those who request support in purchasing. Orders are due by March 16(Spring Break), and signs will be delivered to your yard after April 20. Please include your child’s name (if desired), your home address for sign placement and nearest elementary school in the NOTE section of the order.
Did You Know?
You can use the Parent Portal to email your child's teachers.
https://sis.webster.k12.mo.us/WG360/apphost/TylerSis#/parent
Once you log in to the Parent Portal, follow these steps to email your child's teachers:
1. Click on "Student Schedule" on the menu to the left of your screen.
2. Click on the class within the schedule of the teacher you wish to email.
3. Click on the blue "Email teacher" link.
4. Use the script editor to email the teacher!
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!
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