Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 20
Hello Parents and Guardians,
The below quote is from a book centered on pre-school age children but it still rings true for adolescents:
“The children we know who are confident and feel socially and intellectually competent are the children whose parents support them by: loving them unconditionally…setting limits and expectations for behavior…teaching respect for others, the difference between right and wrong and the importance of taking responsibility for actions…being a good role model…and having fun, maintaining a sense of humor, and knowing that there’s no such thing as the perfect parent.” --Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum, Practical Wisdom for Parents
I am sharing this quote as a directional point for myself and the collective community as we all navigate the challenges of parenting adolescents. I know I am challenged to be high on both the nurturing and challenging axis, looking to balance those aspects that are at times in tension with each other. I take refuge in the ability to find humor in my fallibility, as does the rest of my family, particularly our 16-year old son. I know I am culpable as I provide plenty of fodder.
I hope we all seek and find the best answer for your child here at Webster Groves High School as we look to push, challenge, and grow young people in a caring, educational ecosystem that is a 21st century high school.
Best,
Matt Irvin
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- February 20: Winter Band Concert, 7 p.m., Auditorium
- February 21: Progress Grades on Portal
- February 24: Late-Start, Day 1/7; School starts at 8:57 a.m.
- February 25: WGHS ACT and additional programming (juniors only)
Monday, February 24 is a Late-Start Day
School begins at 8:57 a.m. on late-start days.
This is just a reminder that we will have a late-start schedule on Monday, February 3. Students will miss two class periods to accommodate time for teachers to meet in their PLCs, or Professional Learning Communities. For all late-start schedules, school will begin at 8:57 a.m., and two class periods will be dropped.
On Monday’s Late Start, the building opens at 8:00 a.m. Students should enter through the Senior Entrance. Between 8-8:30, students may go to the library or cafeteria. After 8:30, students may enter the building via the Senior, Junior or Roberts entrance and transition to their regular morning routine. Please see the schedule below for a Day 1/7:
2019-20 Late-Start Days
Juniors Take the ACT and Watch Angst on February 25
Due to the early release on February 5 because of inclement weather, we were unable to present the film, Angst, to our juniors. The response to the film has been very positive among staff, students, and community, and we feel that our junior class will certainly benefit by seeing the film. We will present the film to all juniors on Tuesday, February 25 during 7th hour. We feel showing the film on this date will be the least intrusive on instructional time.
The schedule for February 25 is as follows:
7:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ACT Test
12:00 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. Lunch, additional programming and Angst screening
Did You Know?
All Write is almost here!
The WGHS English Department is excited to host 2020 Camp All Write, our school's 6th annual writing festival running March 4th through March 6th. At the festival, we celebrate the power of the written word in all its various forms. This year we are excited to welcome professional authors such as sports journalist Ben Hochman from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, filmmaker Frank Popper, who will be screening his documentary Gentlemen of Vision, novelists Abbigail Rosewood, Sonali Dev, and Elizabeth McCracken, and many, many more. For more information, please visit www.tinyurl.com/allwritewghs or email English teacher Katie Guymon at guymon.katie@wgmail.org.
Senior Parents: Get Your Dancing Shoes On!
Senior Parents: It’s a WGHS tradition for the senior parents to put on a line dance at the graduation lock-in. This is a great chance to spend that last bit of time with the other 2020 parents — and maybe embarrass your graduate a little in the process. No dance background or rhythm needed. It’s all for fun! The lock-in is overnight May 12/13, and the dance is expected to happen at about 12:45 a.m. We will offer several rehearsals after spring break so that hopefully anyone interested in participating can make it to at least a couple. If you want to join in this fun tradition, let us know via email (kmoehlman@hotmail.com) so we can add you to our list.
Delayed Start Times Due to Inclement Weather
Junior Post-High School Planning Conferences
Reminder! Mrs. Lombard and Ms. Verstraete have invited juniors and their parents to schedule their individual Post-High School Planning Conference. This 45-60 minute meeting will be devoted to your family for the purpose of helping you make plans for life after Webster Groves High School.
Conferences are catered to the needs of each individual family. Some of the topics we can discuss include:
· transcript review/check for graduation requirements
· strength/interest areas/career planning
· post-secondary education planning/developing a list of schools that fit your needs
· testing information
· developing your "to-do" list
Please email Ms. Verstraete (students with last names A-K) at verstraete.karen@wgmail.org or Mrs. Lombard (students with last names L-Z) at lombard.jennedy@wgmail.org for information about scheduling your appointment.
Other Counseling News
Summer Programs
Summer time is a great time for students to explore colleges and potential majors. Many colleges across the country offer summer programs for high school students on their campus. We have compiled a list of some of these programs on the Counseling Department website. Check back as we update this list regularly.
PSAT10 Registration Now Open (For sophomores)
Registration for the PSAT10 is now open. The PSAT10 is a practice PSAT. In fact, it is the same test our juniors took last October. The “real” PSAT (practice SAT and qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition will be administered to juniors in October).
Date and time: Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 8am-noon (sorry, there is not an alternative test date)
Location: WGHS (rooms tba)
Cost: $17.00
To register: Click here
Registration deadline: 02/21/2020 (sorry, we cannot guarantee a test after this date)
For more information about the PSAT and PSAT10 visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test
Dual Credit Registration Reminder
If your child is enrolled in one or more of these classes this semester and meets the minimum GPA requirement, they are eligible to earn college credit in addition to their high school credit.
· Advanced Forensic Science (FRSC 2600 @ SLU)
· AP English Language (ENG 1120 @ UMSL)
· AP Honors US History (History 1002 @ UMSL)
· Ceramics I (Art 2270 @ UMSL)
· Ceramics II (Art 1130 @ UMSL)
· Drawing and Painting I (Art 1140 @ UMSL)
· Drawing and Painting 2 (ART 1150 @ UMSL)
· Game Design and C# (CSC 125 @ Missouri State)
· Honors US Studies-Luparell (HIST 1002 @ UMSL)
· Honors US Studies-Moore (ENG 1120 @ UMSL)
· Oceanography (EAS 1050 @ SLU)
· Personal Finance (Fin 150 @ Missouri State)
· Thrive (ITC 200 OR MKT 150 @ Missouri State)
· Women, Gender, & Diversity (GS 2102 @ UMSL)
Directions to register:
Step 1: Identify which college is offering credit for your class(es)—see college name listed next to course title above.
Step 2: Follow the directions below to register with that college.
Step 3: Do not send payment. You will be billed by the university.
Saint Louis University
Cost: $65/credit hour
For more information and to register: visit https://www.slu.edu/1818
Registration deadline: February 22, 2020
Shop at Our Spirit Store and Support Funding for Scholarships!
The Webster Groves Spirit Wear Store is open to all Students, Staff, Parents and Community Members. Shop the Spirit Store for all your Webster Groves Apparel and Accessories.
Spirit Store Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 10:00 am
Late Start Monday: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
All Spirit Wear Apparel and Accessories are also available online at the Parents Club website.
Orders placed online will be available for pick up at the WGHS Front Office.
(for a fee all items can be shipped to your home)
WGHS Front Office Hours: 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
You can also find Spirit Wear at our “Pop-Up” Shops at many school sponsored events.
Thanks for your support!
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