Notes from Dr. Irvin

Your WGHS Weekly eNews for September 9

Hello Parents and Guardians,

As we enter into September, calendars are getting more crowded with national testing dates, a litany of high school activities, and numerable community options. Please take time for yourself and your child to slow down, to linger, to connect with each other. Parents of a high school students often scurry from one event to another and have not prioritized the time we have remaining to see and listen to each other. Our oldest is now off at college with our youngest starting high school--the time has gotten away from us in our home, it feels. When looking back, our remorse centers around times we oriented our lives around something that in retrospect seems trivial now. I hope you take the time to count the cost of each item you and your child say yes to in your day. Engage in those you select, and do not look back on those you declined.


Best,

Matt Irvin

Next Week's Schedule: A, A, B, C, Early Dismissal A

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A Peek at the Week Ahead

  • September 10: Fall Sports Assembly (Assembly Schedule)
  • September 11: ACT
  • September 14: Order Jostens Class Rings/Graduation Memorabilia at lunches
  • September 14: Senior Parent Night (Virtual)
  • September 17: Distribute Renaissance Cards to Students
  • September 17: Early Dismissal @ 12:05

2021-22 Late-Start Days

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Celebrations

Congratulations to Francesca Westendorf, senior, who received the Attorney General Honors Award for her work last year revitalizing the Rotary Hoener Memorial Garden. She worked diligently alongside numerous community mentors to design a sustainable and biodiverse garden.
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Lindbergh Offers Drivers Ed Course

This fall Lindbergh School District is offering multiple sections of a hybrid (online classroom and in-person driving) class. Families can view program details directly at this link: https://lindberghschools.ce.eleyo.com/course/161/fall-2021/driver-education.

Did You Know?

Kids forget stuff--often. If you need to drop anything off for your student, please check in at the reception desk and set your delivery on the drop-off table in the Senior Entrance.


Parents often deliver lunches, instruments, athletic gear, and even clean socks for students. Deliveries should be marked with your student's name, and they will be placed on a table in the main office for pick-up. Please text your student that their delivery is here, since we often do not have student assistants to deliver the items.


Have medication?

We cannot deliver medication to students. You must hand-deliver the medication or take it to the nurse.


Thinking of ordering out for lunch?

We do not allow restaurant deliveries for students, including third party deliveries like DoorDash. Only those food deliveries brought in by family members will be accepted.


Thank you for your assistance with this.

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Our first home football game is Friday! We STRONGLY encourage all spectators to purchase tickets online in advance using the instructions below. Season passes are ONLY sold online.

Other Important News

WGHS Spectator Guidelines and Information to Purchase Season Passes and Single Game Tickets

We are excited for the start of another school year and getting to see our Statesmen athletic teams back in action! Below you will find information on attending athletic events at WGHS this fall. For game schedules and other athletic information go to our athletic website at https://wghs.rschoolteams.com/.

Spectator Guidelines for Games at WGHS Facilities
  • At this time, we do not plan to limit the number of spectators allowed to attend any games.
  • For INDOOR events, masks are required to be worn by everyone in attendance.
  • For OUTDOOR events, masks will be optional unless the size of the crowd makes it difficult to appropriately space everyone out. For games such as varsity football games and some varsity soccer games, spectators should have a mask with them and be prepared to wear it.
  • Spectators are expected to sit with their family groups and distance themselves from other family groups whenever possible. If distancing is not possible, then masks should be worn.
Admission to Games: Click here to view more details on game tickets and passes.
  • Admission will be charged to attend the following sports:
    • Basketball - all levels - $5 per person per game
    • Football - varsity only - $5 per person per game
    • Soccer - varsity only - $3 per person per game
    • Volleyball - all levels - $3 per person per game
  • Spectators are encouraged to purchase game tickets online and in advance at the following site: https://wghs.rschoolteams.com/page/3068
All Sport and Single Season Passes are available for online purchase only at the same website. The passes can be saved on your phones and shown at each game to be scanned. Click here to view instructions and pricing on purchasing season passes. Season passes are valid for all home regular season games and tournaments, but not postseason or playoff games.


STUDENT SPORTS PASS:
  • WGHS students are eligible for a discounted pass to all home regular season games and tournaments, but not postseason or playoff games.
  • Students who purchase the all season sports pass will also be able to stop by the Activities Office and pick up a free t-shirt.
  • The student sports pass is only available online at the same website as above.
  • To purchase the Student Sports Pass, students will need to enter a passcode which is the prefix of their school email address (first and last initial followed by the 6 digit birthdate). Example: jc101403

Thank you for your support of our Statesmen athletic teams!

Counseling News

Dual Credit Registration Deadlines Are Approaching

As a reminder, registration deadlines for Dual Credit are approaching.
Missouri State: September 17, 2021
St. Louis University: September 17, 2021
University of Missouri—St. Louis: September 12, 2021

For information about Dual Credit, including a list of WGHS courses offered, click here.



Virtual Senior Parent Night/Financial Aid Night September 14, 2021

6:00-7:00pm (Virtual but Live!)

Jennedy Lombard and Karen Verstraete will review the college application process including completing applications, requesting transcripts and recommendations, test scores, college essays, applying for scholarships and other financial aid, etc. This will be a live virtual presentation but will be recorded and shared for those who cannot make it. Students are welcome to attend but will hear a similar presentation in their English class beginning next week.

7:00 or At Your Leisure

View a pre-recorded Financial Aid Presentation by St. Louis University Financial Aid Office.

Links for both presentations will be shared via email on September 14th.



Common Application Workshops During Academic Networking

Many seniors will use the Common Application to apply to college. While it is not particularly difficult, it can be a little confusing and hard to navigate sometimes. Students--please join us for a Common Application Workshop during Academic Networking time in September and October to learn how to complete your applications via the Common App. Sign up using the links below:

Last Names A-K

Last Names L-Z



College Admissions Representative Visits are Back!

After a year of virtual visits, we are welcoming college admissions representatives back in the building to meet with interested juniors and seniors. A list of colleges visiting will be posted on our Counseling Department calendar, in Naviance, and shared in our daily announcements. Students should stop by the Counseling Center to sign up and to receive a pass to be excused from class. Be sure to check the calendar regularly as visits are being updated daily.



College Fair

Our Webster-Kirkwood-Lindbergh-Mehlville-Oakville College Fair is set for October 6, 2021 from 6:00-7:30pm at Lindbergh High School. We typically have 100+ college admissions representatives in person to tell you about their schools and to answer any questions you may have about their application process. A complete list of attending colleges will be shared closer to the event. All students and their parents are welcome to attend!



Individual Senior Planning Conferences

Seniors and senior parents! Would you like to meet to ask questions specific to your needs? We will begin hosting individual meetings with students (in-person) and their parents (either in-person or via Zoom) following Senior Parent Night and our visits with senior English classes. Schedule using the links below:

Last Names A-K (Verstraete)

Last Names L-Z (Lombard)



Reminder: PSAT Registration is Open—Deadline is September 15th
The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT, is a practice version of the SAT college admissions exam. In addition to being a practice SAT, the PSAT serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. (junior year) This test is for sophomores (for SAT practice only) and Juniors (for SAT practice and National Merit consideration).


When is it?
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 8:30am-noon (students will be excused from class)

How much does it cost?
Test Fee: $20.00
Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch will receive a fee waiver from the College Board.

When and how do I register?
Register online at www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/263573

Registration Deadline: September 15, 2021

For more information about the PSAT (including practice questions) visit: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10



Upcoming College Admissions Tests


SAT

Test Date: October 2, 2021

Registration Deadline: September 3, 2021

Register at www.sat.org


ACT

Test Date: October 23, 2021

Registration Deadline: September 17, 2021

Register at www.act.org



Sophomore Parents!

South Tech is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year! Students are STRONGLY encouraged to apply during first semester to increase their chances of acceptance.


All of South Tech’s courses are listed here and available to you as electives. Tech provides the REAL WORLD experience and hands-on skills you need to make solid choices about your future while you earn high school and college credit. Tech also offers certifications and licenses that open doors for internships, employment, and advanced placement. We offer everything from Automotive to Veterinary, Health Sciences to Welding, and Firefighting to Web & Computer Programming. With 26 different programs, Tech likely has a class for you!

Transportation is provided and classes are TUITION FREE! To get started on your application today, click here.

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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!

News from Dr. Irvin

Click here for important news, reminders, upcoming events, and celebrations.