Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for January 18th
Hello WGHS Families,
Disruption has always been a part of the human experience, and we have seen much in the last few years. In schools alone, COVID, ChatGPT, and the churn of personnel across the economy has loomed large for us. Unexpected weather days are in their own category! While much is out of our direct control, we can engage in those circumstances to find a most workable solution forward.
We are entering into an important phase in our year when we are charged to replace teachers that are retiring, moving, or otherwise not joining us for the next year. Adding Zoom to our process lets us remove some barriers to the initial phase of our process. We have the candidates teach mini-lessons in a class with our students in the content they are studying, as has been the practice for many years here at Webster. After the lesson, I debrief the students on what resonated and what they might need further clarity on to better understand the topic that was shared. The students have proven very insightful in their observations and questions as they have seen many formats of instruction in their time at WGHS. They are consistently great ambassadors and increase the desire for our candidates to work at Webster Groves High School. I am excited for where we are and where we are headed.
Best,
Dr. Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: Late A, A, B, C, A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 1/20: WGHS Statesbots FTC Robotics Meet, 7am - 2pm, Roberts Gym
- 1/22: Late-Start A Day; School starts at 9:40am, and doors open at 9:25.
- 1/26: WGHS Winter Activities Assembly, 7th Period
- 1/27: WGHS Winter Dance, 7-9pm, Roberts Gym
Ticket Information
- $10 (If purchased before 11:59pm on Thursday January 25th) These tickets are only available online by scanning the QR code above.
- $30 (If purchased on Friday, January 26th) Last minute tickets purchased on Friday are only available in the activities office.
- No Tickets will be sold on the day of the event, Saturday January 27th.
In order to purchase tickets online, students will need to enter their lunch PIN code to access the ticket site. If your student has a fine on their account, their lunch PIN will not work. Students have until this Friday, January 12th to get fines paid. If students pay fines after this Friday, Jan. 12th, they must let the Athletic Office know they have paid all fines in order for us to release the code. Parents/guardians can pay fines online through the parent portal or students can stop by the Main Office or Athletic Office to pay.
LAST CALL! Order 2023-24 Yearbooks by January 26th
The deadline to order a 2023-24 Yearbook is Friday, January 26. This is the LAST DAY to guarantee your child will get a yearbook. Quantities after this date are not guaranteed. Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com to place your order today. Not sure if you've already bought? Go to the website above and click "Find Existing Order."
Chelsea Center Opportunities
Looking to get your student more experiences to help them pay for college or gain meaningful insight into a career of their choice? Then check out these opportunities offered through the Chelsea Center!
If you or your student are interested in learning more about these opportunities through the Chelsea Center, please contact Dr. Arens at arens.kerry@wgmail.org or have your student stop by the Chelsea Center in room 200 at Webster Groves High School. Likewise, your student can scan the QR codes and log in with their school gmail to learn more.
Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity
Join the WGSD PTO equity committees on Monday, Feb. 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Givens Elementary School Auditorium for a program entitled “Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity.”
It’s been 10 years since Michael Brown was killed and the Ferguson Uprising inspired commitments to racial justice. Come hear where that work stands now, how high school students who came of age in a post-Ferguson world assess their landscape and the work that lies ahead, and how you can lead your family to ensure our community's children have the opportunity to rise together.
Childcare will be provided in the Givens cafeteria. If you plan to use childcare, please let us know in advance by filling out the form at bit.ly/RisingTogetherChildcare.
Questions? Contact WGSDRisingTogether@gmail.com.
Parent Field Trip to Delmar DivINe
The WGHS Parents for Racial Equity committee invites all to join us on Thursday, February 29 for a parent field trip to the Delmar DivINe. We'll learn more about the history of the "Delmar Divide," learn how Delmar DivINe was conceived to address racial and economic disparities, and view the Painting for Peace art installation showing some of the powerful art that came out of the Ferguson Uprising. After, we'll get a bite to eat together in the Loop. RSVP to Wghsparentsforracialequity@gmail.com and then receive carpool/parking information. All are welcome!
Counseling News
Before the end of January, we are planning to meet with all students 9-11th grade to discuss and finalize course requests for the 24-25 school year. Please contact your student’s academic counselor with any questions or concerns.
WGHS Counseling Team:
Jennedy Lombard - Counseling Department Chair, College & Career Counselor (L-Z)
Ellen Silverstrand - College & Career Counselor (A-K)
Ellen Dorsey - Academic & Personal Counselor (A-D)
Ken Winingham - Academic & Personal Counselor (E-K)
Cassie Aschinger - Academic & Personal Counselor (L-Ri)
Bianca Haghighi - Academic & Personal Counselor (Ro-Z)
Rick Cusumano - Webster Academy Counselor & 504 Coordinator
Upcoming events:
College and Career Night @ WGHS, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6:00-8:00pm
You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of session topics and hear from a panel of college admissions professionals. Session topics may include: Pathway to College, The College Search: Developing Your List, Earning College Credit While in High School, Financial Aid 101, College Admissions Testing: The ACT and SAT, and Careers in Trade Unions. More details will be emailed closer to the event. This event is available for all students 9-11th grades!
St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase (three dates and locations to choose from) Interested in learning about careers that don’t require a traditional four-year college degree? Consider attending a St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase in February or March. Visit this website for more information.
Info for Seniors:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now available to fill out at www.studentaid.gov. Some colleges & universities have priority deadlines as early as February 1st. The FAFSA has made some changes for the 24-25 school year, so please start the form ASAP. Visit MOFAFSA.org for a step-by-step guide on what to do now that the application process is underway and find links to helpful online tools and resources. Additionally, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development's Journey to College program is hosting FAFSA Frenzy events across the state to help students in person and virtually.
Applications for Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due in early February.
Info for Juniors:
Please check your email for details about scheduling an individual college planning meeting with your college counselor this semester! We’re looking forward to starting the process with you!
Did You Know?
Please refer to the information below for delayed start and school closing information due to inclement weather.
Communication
Should bad weather or other adverse conditions prompt us to consider closing schools, the District will make a decision as early as possible. Information will be available through the following outlets:
- Phone calls to all families through ParentSquare
- Local media: KMOV TV (Channel 4), KSDK TV (Channel 5), KTVI (Channel 2) and KMOX radio (AM 1120)
- District website www.webster.k12.mo.us
- Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/WebsterGrovesSD - Twitter @WebsterGrovesSD
Late Start due to Inclement Weather
The Webster Groves School District will consider opening schools with a “late start” on inclement days when roads are expected to be cleared within a few hours. This option would keep children, families and staff off the roads during the busy morning rush hour. A late start would mean that all schools would open one hour and thirty minutes later than their usual start times. A quick breakfast would be available for students. Transportation provided by First Student, the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation, and ZipCare will be scheduled to pick up students one hour and thirty minutes later than their regular pick up times.
All schools and Adventure Club would close at their regular times.
WGHS Start Time: 9:40 a.m.
Staff Arrival Time: 9:10 a.m.
Student Arrival Time: 9:25 a.m.
Early Dismissal: 12:30 p.m.
All other schools can be found here.
** Late starts will be announced through the same communication outlets listed above**
Late Start Bus Times
With a late start, bus schedules will run one hour and 15 minutes later than the regularly scheduled time.
WGHS Attendance Procedures
Call your child's AP office to report an absence, late arrival, or early departure. Checking out early? When leaving school during the day, students must check out through the assistant principal’s office.
Student Early Release:
We require at least one hour notice when calling your student out early. Call the Assistant Principal's office before the designated time and report the absence. You may also send a note with the student to be presented to the Assistant Principal's office before school.
At the designated time, your student will receive a pass to check out if you called ahead. The student will check out in the Assistant Principal's office.
You will NOT enter the building if you have called the absence in and communicated a pick-up location with your child. However, if you choose to pick up your child in the building, you must do so at the main entrance on Selma Avenue. Upon entering the building, check in with the receptionist. Please bring your driver's license if you are checking in. The receptionist will contact the Assistant Principal’s office to send for your student. Please be aware that not calling ahead to schedule an early release can take up to 30 minutes to send for a student.
ParentSquare
Webster Groves School District uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.
Create a Canvas Account to Stay Connected
To stay connected with the learning in our classrooms, please create a Canvas Observer Account which is our district's learning management system. You will find three helpful documents below:
- Canvas Informational Letter
- Creating an Observer Account, Logging into Canvas, and Setting Notifications
- Student Accessing Canvas
If you have any questions please contact Tim Brown, Director of Student Assessment, Data and Learning Technologies at brown.tim@wgmail.org.
Shop the Parents' Club Spirit Store!
The Spirit Store is open! Hours are 8-9:15 a.m., Tuesday - Friday.
The online store is open 24 hours a day at https://www.wghsparentsclub.org/spiritwear.
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