Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for December 15
Hello WGHS Families,
We had another great week last week, seeing students and staff preparing for finals in the classroom, as well as winter concerts and sports. I had the pleasure to attend the winter choir concert (an experience unlike other choir shows--find a way to get to one) and the A Capella show last Friday. One artist that had a song that really showcased her voice was sophomore Valletta Thurmon, singing an a capella version of Ellie King's "Ex's and Oh's."
After hearing her performance and sharing Dr. Simpson's Twitter post of it with my wife and daughter later at home, I found myself still moved by the show. After I began singing the song first with my internal voice, and then aloud, my wife remarked: "Are you hearing her voice when you sing it out loud?"
Happy Holidays.
Best,
Matt Irvin
There will be no eNews next Thursday, December 22, due to winter break.
Next Week's Schedule: Finals Schedule (school ends at 11:40 a.m. Mon - Wed)
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 12/16: Final Exam A day; Students take 1st hour final exam (school hours are 8:25 - 3:25)
- 12/19: Final Exams: Students take 2nd and 3rd hour exams (school ends at 11:40 a.m.)
- 12/20: Final Exams: Students take 4th and 5th hour exams (school ends at 11:40 a.m.)
- 12/21: Final Exams: Students take 6th and 7th hour exams (school ends at 11:40 a.m.)
Final Assessment Information
Assessments
An extended measurement of learning, or assessment, will be given at the end of 1st and 2nd semesters in all classes. This assessment will count for a specific percentage of the overall grade to be determined by each department. Assessments may include:
Project
Final Exam
Presentation to the class
Not all teachers will be giving a traditional final exam. However, all students will follow the final exam schedule. Teachers will inform students in advance if they are taking a final exam.
Assessments 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/projects, and vacations and other commitments are avoided at this time.
No final exams or assessments will be completed early. If a student must miss an exam/assessment, a parent must notify the appropriate assistant principal. The student will receive an Incomplete (I) and will need to make up the assessment at the teacher’s convenience. For students who are engaged in MHSAA athletics or activities, a grade of Incomplete (I) may have a negative impact on their eligibility.
Finishing the Semester Strong
Students are encouraged to collaborate with teachers regarding additional opportunities to demonstrate learning throughout the semester. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor academic progress and teachers are expected to communicate concerns regarding learning and growth with parents.
While we want all students to maintain learning and to stay current with assignments and coursework, in the case that this has not fully occurred, students are encouraged to discuss options for improvement directly with their teachers. Students may also reach out to their guidance counselors for support.
Teachers have always been encouraged to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning. Opportunities may include:
Quiz/test retakes and/or corrections
Ability to submit late or missing assignments
Completion of alternative assessments
Extended deadlines on assignments
Final Assessment Format and Attendance Expectations
A comprehensive assessment will be given at the end of 1st and 2nd semesters in all classes. Each final exam period will be 95 minutes in length. The final assessment will count between 10% and 20% of the final course grade with the exact percentage to be determined by each department. Students will not take finals in Academic Lab, student assistant periods, Independent Period, Peer Tutoring, or Study Hall. 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.
On the first day of finals, everyone is expected to be in attendance, as it is a special schedule. On the exam half-days, students should not be in the building if they do not have an exam or are not studying in Academic Lab; otherwise, they are expected to report to class, and attendance will be taken. 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, Independent Period, Peer Tutoring hour, or study hall, please contact your Assistant Principal’s office for attendance purposes.
Final Exam Make-up Days
In the event of school closure during finals week due to inclement weather, the final exam(s)/assessments will be rescheduled for the first/second day back after the inclement weather day. The grading cycle will be extended accordingly, so there may be a slight delay in grades being available in the Parent Portal. Bus transportation and athletics will be modified accordingly, and lunch will not be served.
Support the WGHS Orchestra
It's Influenza Season
We're encouraging everyone--especially children and others at higher risk--to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this season by getting a flu vaccine. Currently, flu activity is elevated in our own community and across the county and there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine! See additional information below on where to obtain yours today!
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
OR
*Walk-ins welcome at all 3 locations from 8am - 4:30pm. More info.
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens Pharmacy
Counseling News
Course Selection for 2023-2024
The course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year has begun! Students received their Course Selection Form along with a timeline and explanation of the process during Advisory on December 8. The deadline for students to input their course requests in the SIS student portal is Friday, January 13, 2023. Counselors will meet individually with all students (during their Math class) during the last two weeks of January to review graduation requirements, answer questions, and finalize course requests.
Helpful Links:
Course Offerings and Descriptions
Slides and Recordings from Curriculum Night on December 8
Scholarship Opportunities and Searches:
Local Scholarships
Most applications for the 2022-2023 Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due in February. We will post the rest as soon as they are available.
St. Louis Area Scholarship Search
St. Louis Graduates Scholarship Central (Note: Many of these applications have not opened up yet so keep checking back.) This is also where you can apply for Interest Free Student Loans from Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.
Where can you find other scholarships? There are a number of national scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be rewarding if you put some time into it.
National Scholarship Searches
Fastweb
College Board’s Big Future
Peterson’s
Unigo
Cappex
2022-23 Late-Start Days
Did You Know?
'Tis the season for inclement weather to impact school. 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 School Messenger
- 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.
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!
WGHS Attendance Contacts
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