WGHS Graduation Updates
June 26, 7 p.m., Chaifetz Arena
Dear Class of 2020 and Families,
Graduation is a time of happy reflections and of looking to the future with eager anticipation for our seniors. This year, we anticipate this more than ever. Please note that the instructions below are specific to a graduation ceremony at Chaifetz Arena. We are also considering virtual options if we cannot congregate. If that decision must be made, we will share the updated procedures with you at that time.
All of us—students, parents, and staff want the graduation ceremony to be a pleasant, dignified occasion. In order to accomplish this, we need your cooperation. Please consider the following:
June 26, primary date
July 24 (as a back-up)
Chaifetz Arena, 1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
- A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate as he/she receives his/her diploma. If you wish, you may purchase these pictures. Since the picture of each graduate is being taken, no one will be allowed in the area where the graduates are seated during the ceremony. If parents wish to take additional pictures of the students in their gowns, you must take pictures before students meet for rehearsal at 5 p.m. You will receive instructions on how to order photos directly from the photography company.
- Every student is entitled to have his/her name heard; therefore, applauding and/or cheering of any individual are discouraged.
- After the ceremony, the audience is to remain seated until after the graduates leave the stadium.
- With a desire to make all of our guests feel welcome, if you have a family member or friend in attendance at graduation who needs assistance with parking, seating or any other special arrangements, please email Mr. John E. Thomas at thomas.johne@wgmail.org.
We would like to remind you that graduation tickets are no longer necessary since we have moved the ceremony to Chaifetz Arena. Also, we plan to broadcast the graduation ceremony via online streaming on our website (as always, please remember we may experience unexpected technical difficulties). This will be an added benefit for those friends and family who live out of town. If you are interested in purchasing a DVD of the graduation ceremony, please complete the form here and send a check for $10, made payable to Webster Groves High School, to 100 Selma Avenue.
If you have any questions about graduation email Mickey Erb at erb.mickey@wgmail.org.
World Language Department Salutes Our Seniors
Seniors: Remember to Complete Your Virtual Senior Check-out
In order to release your cap/gown and diploma,* all seniors must complete the virtual senior check-out process. This year, senior check-out is a multi-phase process. All steps should have been completed at this point, although a handful of students still haven't returned their school-issued items.
Friday, May 22 is the final day we can accept any textbook/technology returns from seniors. Please go to the following link if you have not returned your items:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b45abad2eaaf85-signout
*Caps/gowns cannot be distributed until we can safely process all school-issued returns and enter any new fines. Once you've met all your financial obligations, you can obtain your cap and gown. We will send out a pick-up date as soon as we have one.
When are We Getting Our Caps and Gowns??
1. Student Responsibilities Must be Met.
All seniors must complete the virtual senior check-out. If the steps below are not completed, we cannot release the cap/gown, and the student's diploma will be held. Please ensure that your senior has done the following:
- After Graduation Plans Form:
- Pay Cafeteria Fines:
https://sis.webster.k12.mo.us/WG360/apphost/TylerSis#/parent
- Return Any School-Issued Items
2. Staff Responsibilities Must be Met.
- We must receive final shipment of caps/gowns. We had 80 students who never ordered/paid for their caps/gowns, so we are waiting on a shipment of extra gowns.
- Our staff will safely process all remaining senior returns on May 26-27. The boxes from returns on May 22 must sit for three days before we can process them.
- By the end of the day on May 27, we will enter any remaining fines for any missing returns and send fine notices to all seniors who have additional fines or have not paid their previous fines.
- Once we have determined that seniors have ample time to pay any remaining fines, we will set a date for cap/gown pick-up and communicate that to all families.
*If any senior is having difficulty paying fines/cafeteria fines, please contact your Assistant Principal. We are here to help.
Did Your Senior Pay for a Cap/Gown?
Senior Fines
Yearbooks are Being Shipped Soon
Good news! The yearbook staff finished the book before spring break. After a hiatus, the Herff Jones printing plant is back up and running, and the books will be delivered soon. For those of you who have already ordered books, we are working with administration to figure out distribution. As of now, we are planning to distribute to seniors at graduation gown pickup, date TBD. For underclassmen, books will most likely be distributed at registration day in August. As soon as we have more specific details, we will announce them : )
If you still want to order a book, online sales have been reopened (yearbookordercenter.com; #8459) and will stay open until we sell out. And, lastly, if you would like to donate a yearbook to a senior whose family might be experiencing financial hardship, there is an option to donate a book online, also at yearbookordercenter.com. We will work in coordination with counselors and administrators to determine who those donated books will go to. If you wanted to donate a book to a particular senior, simply input their name upon "regular" purchasing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Amie Keane at keane.amie@wgcloud.org (My apologies for anyone who has tried to email me-- my wgmail account was hacked/disabled earlier this year).
14 student staffers and countless student photographers worked hard to get this book finished, and they are excited for you to see all their hard work on distribution day. Thank you all so much for your flexibility!
Graduation FAQs
When is graduation? What time? Where?
The WGHS Class of 2020 graduation ceremony is currently scheduled on June 26, 2020 at 7 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena. In the event of mandatory safety precautions due to COVID-19, the ceremony will be moved to July 24 at 7 p.m. In the event of a virtual graduation ceremony, we will share that information at a later date.
When will a firm decision be made about the date?
We understand not knowing for certain is unsettling, especially for those wanting to make arrangements for out-of-town visitors. We simply cannot know for sure until we get closer to the date and have received guidance from state leaders and district administrators. We promise to send updated information as soon as we have a detailed plan.
When will my senior get the cap and gown?
Caps and gowns will be distributed once we have processed all senior returns, and the senior has completed the check-out process. We will send a pick-up time once we have given our seniors full opportunity to take care of their academic/financial obligations.
Do we need tickets at Chaifetz?
No. Tickets are not needed for Chaifetz Arena.
What special precautions is WGHS taking for seating?
We haven't been able to even consider the seating arrangements. We have discussed internally what graduation might look like at Chaifetz, with social distancing, but at this point, we don't even know whether we will be able to have a ceremony. Of course, we are hoping to, but right now we are working with state and local guidelines, and only time will tell whether we can accomplish this safely. We are also waiting to hear from Chaifetz on their internal guidelines. We will certainly send out communication as soon as we know how we are conducting this safely for all of our guests and graduates.
What time do seniors report to Chaifetz?
Our graduates will have graduation rehearsal at Chaifetz Arena prior to the actual ceremony. Seniors must report at Chaifetz at 5 p.m. to begin rehearsal. Detailed instructions will be sent at a later date.
What time do doors open for guests?
Doors will open for guests at 6:00 p.m. Instructions on where to park is below.
I have a relative who needs special accommodations. What do I do?
Please email John E. Thomas at thomas.johne@wgmail.org for special accommodations.
Chaifetz Directions and Parking
Directions to Chaifetz: Chaifetz Arena is Located on the northwest corner of Compton Ave. and Forest Park Parkway I Market St. The address to Chaifetz Arena is #1 S. Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. Students and Parents can use the parking Lot at the corner of Olive and Compton to park for graduation. The cost of using this lot is $6.00.
Handicap Parking is available in the Olive/Compton Garage.
Designated drop-off /pick-up area is Located on Compton Ave. moving south, which is Located on the east side of Chaifetz Arena.
From the West - Take 1-64 east to the Market Street exit (37 A) and turn Left onto Compton Ave - North (will be a Left turn on the off ramp). Proceed north on Compton and parking is available at the corner of Olive and Compton for a fee of $6.00.
From the North- Take 1-70 to the Grand Boulevard exit. If you are coming from the west, you will make a right, going south on Grand. If you are coming from the east, you will make a Left to go south on Grand. Take Grand Boulevard to Lindell and make a Left. Parking is available at the corner of Olive and Compton for a fee of $6.00.
From the South - Take 1-55 to the 1-44 exit (this exit is on the Left and merges into the Left side of 1-44). You will need to move to the right Lane shortly after and take the Grand Boulevard exit. At the stop sign, you take a Left before arriving at Grand where you will make a right, heading north on Grand. Take Grand to Choteau Avenue and make a right on Choteau. Take Choteau to Compton Avenue and make a Left onto Compton and proceed north. Parking is available at the southwest corner of Olive and Compton for a fee of $6.00.
From the Southwest- Take 1-44 east to the Grand Boulevard exit. Make a Left heading north on Grand. Take Grand to Choteau Avenue and make a right on Choteau. Take Choteau to Compton Avenue and make a Left onto Compton and proceed north. Parking is available at the southwest corner of Olive and Compton for a fee of $6.00.
From the East (Illinois) - 1-64 (heading west) and 1-55 (heading south) merge to cross the Mississippi River at the Poplar Street Bridge. Continue west on 1-64 to the Market St. 3000 West exit. Turn Left (west) onto Market St. and immediately get in the right hand Lane. Turn right onto Compton Ave., and parking is available at the corner of Olive and Compton for a fee of $6.00.
For additional parking details visit the parking section of the Chaifetz website at: http://www.thechaifetzarena.com/directions
Order a Class of 2020 Graduation DVD
Please click on the link below to order a video of the full Graduation ceremony.* Please send a $10 check made payable to Webster Groves High School. All DVDs will be shipped 4-6 weeks following the Graduation ceremony.
*DVDs will only be available for a live ceremony. If we make the decision to offer a virtual ceremony due to COVID-19, your check will be returned to you.
More graduation information will be sent at a later date--look for updates!
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