Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for May 26
Hello WGHS Families,
- Read a book. My mother is a retired reading teacher so this is a familiar directive, but we are now competing with ubiquitous devices for attention and time. This is a struggle in my home that I fear I am losing but no white flag yet from me.
- Play games. This is my new tack with a college-aged "child" in the house. I grew up playing spades in our extended family and we will still get a tournament going when we are all together so I will advocate for family time with the four us over a card game.
- Summer can be the perfect time for high school-aged children to engage in passions they are developing in music, art, or other activities that allow them to explore.
- Athletic camps or teams seem to gearing up for a more traditional summer of workouts, practices, or games. If interested in joining a Webster Groves High School team, please contact Jerry Collins at collins.jerry@wgmail.org.
- Summer is also a good time to sit down and discuss financial aid and other expenses. The Office of Federal Student Aid has prepared checklists geared toward students of all ages.
- Many high school students might also want to take the time to start developing their skills of collaboration and communication. Finding a part-time job can help students gain valuable experience-being directed by an adult that is not their parent can promote growth in teens.
- Volunteering is also an option. Youth-oriented summer camps, local museums, animal shelters and, of course, libraries are often looking for extra help during warmer months. This experience is not only valuable for personal and professional development, but it often looks good on college applications. Find opportunities at our Chelsea Center.
Many years of research has estimated that after the “summer slide,” the average student loses a little more than one month’s worth of skill or knowledge in math and reading by the time school resumes in the fall. And there has been evidence of further decline after the virtual periods/instructional disruption we have endured. Below are some low-tech options that I will be nagging my children about the coming months:
Have a restful summer,
Matt Irvin
Final report cards will be available on the parent portal on June 1. If you have any questions about your child’s grades, please keep in mind that teachers are out for the summer. The high school main office is open during the entire summer from 8:00 a. m. - 3:00 p. m. Counselors and teachers may stop by during the summer, but will not officially return until late July/early August. If you leave a message on voice mail, please keep these dates in mind, as you may not receive an immediate response.
As you plan ahead, students will pick up schedules as follows:
Students with no fines and who are current on immunizations =
Class of 2023, 8:00 -11:00 a. m., August 8
Class of 2024, 12:00 - 3:00 p. m., August 8
Class of 2025, 8:00 - 11:00 a. m,. August 9
Class of 2026, 12:00 - 3:00 p. m., August 9
Students with fines or those not current on immunizations =
All Classes, 8:00 - 12:00 p. m., August 17
Summer School: June 6 - July 8
Future Leaders Seminar: July 11-14
Please Note: School dismisses at 11:40 a.m. on May 26-27
A Peek at the Week Ahead--Our final week of 2021-22
- May 26: 4th/5th hour final exams; 8:25 -11:40
- May 27: 6th/7th hour final exams; 8:25 - 11:40; LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
- May 27: Records Day begins at 11:40 a.m.
Final Exams Continue through Friday
A comprehensive examination will be given at the end of 2nd semester in all classes. The test will be ninety-five minutes in length. A comprehensive exam is understood to sample learning from the entire semester. This test will count between 10% and 20% of the final course grade with the exact percentage to be determined by each department. Exams are an important part of the student’s grade and educational experience. Every effort should be made to be sure the student is at school for exams and vacations and other commitments are avoided at this time.
No exams will be given early. If a student must miss an exam, a parent must notify the appropriate assistant principal. The student will receive an Incomplete (I) and will need to make up the exam at the teacher’s convenience. For students who are athletes, a grade of Incomplete (I) may have a negative impact on their athletic eligibility.
Students will not take finals in Academic Lab, student assistant periods, Peer Tutoring, Independent Period, or Study Hall. On the first day of finals, everyone is expected to be in attendance, as it is a special schedule with all seven classes. On the exam half-days, students should not be in the building if they do not have an exam or are not studying in one of the classes listed above; otherwise, they will be assigned to a supervised study hall. Activity buses are for athletes only. Everyone else should promptly exit the building. Students are also prohibited from going to Hixson.
If your student elects to stay home during an Academic Lab exam, student assistant period, Peer Tutoring hour, or study hall, please contact your Assistant Principal’s office for attendance purposes.
Final exams are scheduled for May 24-27. School will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. on May 25-27. On May 25-27, students should not be in the building if they do not have an exam or are not studying in Academic Lab/Study Hall; otherwise, they will be assigned to a supervised study hall. Activity buses are for athletes only. Everyone else should promptly exit the building. Students are also prohibited from going to Hixson.
Below is the exam schedule:
May 24: 1st hour final exam; 8:25 - 10 a.m. (full day)
May 25: 2nd/3rd hour final exams; 8:25 - 10 a.m.; 10:05 - 11:40 a.m.
May 26: 4th/5th hour final exams; 8:25 - 10 a.m.; 10:05 - 11:40 a.m.
May 27: 6th/7th hour final exams; 8:25 - 10 a.m.; 10:05 - 11:40 a.m.
To Report an Absence, Please Call:
Summer Reading
Proposition S, WGSD's $45 Million No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Issue
The Board of Education has unanimously approved a recommendation to place a $45 million no-tax-rate increase on the Aug. 2 ballot. If approved, the money would be used to improve aging buildings and learning environments across the district. The proposal addresses electrical upgrades, mitigation for water infiltration, accessibility and more.
You can find information about the proposition here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/22959 including reports from the district's Finance and Building committees, survey results and a presentation on priorities for bond issue funding. Fliers describing projects at each building are here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/24080
Win a Spot on the Lot Raffle
Win a SPOT IN THE LOT Support the mission of the WGHS Parents Club by purchasing a raffle ticket for your chance to win 1 of 2 Reserved Parking Spots in the Lot for your driving student for the 2022-2023 School Year. One entry for each $10 spent. Ticket purchase ends midnight on Thursday, May 26th. Drawing for two (2) winners will be held on May 27th with winners announced later that day.
https://wghsparentsclub.org/products/spot-in-the-lot-raffle-tickets
Important 2022-23 Immunization Information
https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/immunizations/pdf/2023schoolrequirements.pdf
News from the Chelsea Center
WGHS’ in-house experiential learning center
Student Opportunity Spotlight
Check out these opportunities available through GivePulse via the Chelsea Center Canvas course or stop by the Chelsea Center for more info and to get registered!
Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) July 19-30
If you are a high schooler interested in the trades, check out this great summer experience! Learn and work alongside Sheet Metal/HVAC workers! Through partnerships with national SMACNA vendors, SMACNA STL associates, SMART Local 36, and several contractor members, we are pleased to offer each participating student the following benefits for attending our 10 day camp:
1. Steel Toe Boots
2. Milwaukee Tool Set
3. Milwaukee Tool Bag
4. $1,000 stipend (paid in gift cards for attending each class- paid each day of class)
5. SWAG- shirt, bottle, drawstring bag, and more!
6. Graduation luncheon with friends and family.
7. Transportation to and from camp each day (upon request)
8. and more!
Teaching & Learning Cohort (Next School Year)
If you were someone signed up for Advanced Child Development (which will no longer be offered) or if you are someone who just loves the idea of teaching as a potential career, check out the Teaching & Learning Cohort: a 2-hour, yearlong course where you get to learn about best practices in teaching while you observe and teach in classrooms across WGSD.
Did You Know?
The 2022-23 school year starts on August 22. Sports dead week is August 1-5, and fall sports begin on August 8.
The full 2022-23 calendar is now available on our website.
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