Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for April 20
Hello WGHS Families,
A candidate for a teaching position asked our committee to identify a unique attribute of Webster Groves High School. My response is that our size allows many academic, athletic, or club options for students to pursue, yet small enough for a student to find a role in one or more of those settings. A student may be a musician and part of an athletic team or be in a dramatic production coupled with membership in STUCO. I am resharing one of my favorite examples of this below, embodied by a graduate that was a scholar, an athlete, and an active member of several school organizations:
In baseball, stealing home is a play of equal parts audaciousness and good fortune. However, there is a bit more to behind the heroics of that particular game. John Porthouse (class of 2019) by all accounts had demonstrated himself to be a good student in his time at WG and knew the likelihood of completing the play against a left-handed pitcher (indirect view of the base runner on third) with a slower delivery, two outs in a one run, late inning of the game, his own speed on the bases, and having a right handed batter to obstruct vision and play of the catcher. As Louis Pasteur noted, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Clearly, John’s understanding of the circumstances and his or his coach’s analysis fostered the boldness of the play and potential to have a favorable outcome.
As a secondary school, we cannot know our students' destinations, yet we can “prepare” their mind. The prepared mind has the ability to observe, make sense, arrive at decisions and act across complex environments. That preparation happens at Webster when our students find the right balance of comfort and challenge in multiple settings. Bravo to you and our staff for creating deeper learning opportunities that permit them to seek greater understanding, partnerships, and relevance that will undoubtedly allow them the tools to navigate circumstances they will encounter.
Best,
Matt Irvin
Senior Parents: Now's Your Chance to Buy the ECHO Senior Ad
Here is your chance to congratulate your favorite senior by placing an ad in the May 2023 SENIOR issue of the echo. Click on the button below to place an order (we also accept camera ready ads and photos). If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 963-6400 ext. 11157 or wgecho@wgmail.org. *All mailed photos will be returned when we are finished.
The ads are due by Monday, April 24. Sample Ads can be seen here
Payments can be mailed to Echo Newspaper, Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119.
Size (on page) and Special Senior Ad prices:
- 1/16 $25
- 1/8 $40
- 1/4 $60
- 1/2 $100
- Full $175
Click the link below to order your Senior Ad.
22nd Annual Jim Schoemehl Run is May 6
The 22nd Annual Jim Schoemehl Run will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Webster Groves High School. The 2023 beneficiary is Djenad Novalic and all proceeds will be donated to him, as well as his family. Participants are able to sign up, donate, and learn more about the history of the Jim Schoemehl Run at jims5k.org.
News from the Chelsea Center: WGHS’ In-house Experiential Learning Center
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.
Did You Know?
Reminder for early dismissal requests:
We require at least one-hour notice before a dismissal can take place. Please keep in mind our unit offices are closed for 30 minutes during lunchtime.
It is less disruptive to the class if students that must leave school early depart at the time of the bell, between classes. If that is the case, after you call the unit office, please tell your student to head to their unit office when the bell rings. However, we understand that sometimes that cannot always happen.
Please call or email your unit office for any early dismissal requests at 314-963-6400:
A-D last name students - ext. 11910 simonson.julie@wgmail.org
E-K last name students - ext. 11911 winkelmann.gayna@wgmail.org
L-Ri last name students - ext. 11906 pelosi.lindsey@wgmail.org
Ro-Z last name students - ext. 11918 mckittrick.leigh@wgmail.org
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