Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for January 7
Hello Parents and Guardians,
In my previous communication before winter break, I indicated that we are working toward a plan that will allow us to potentially bring all responsive students back fully in the second semester, beginning January 20 (1st day of 2nd semester). We are in the midst of our work toward this goal, but are taking the necessary time to consider all factors prior to making a decision.
The goal is to have students back full-time, safely. We continue to look at emerging research and state data, which indicates that transmission is largely not occurring in our schools, where strong preventive measures and mitigation practices are in place.
We have drafted several schedule format options to determine which schedule best fits our students' needs at this time, met with department chairs for their feedback, and are currently awaiting final determinations from the district. We expect a decision soon and hope to share the plans for 2nd semester with you very soon.
In gratitude,
Matt Irvin
Next Week is Final Assessment Week
Please click the link below for detailed information on 1st semester final assessments, including calendar, schedule, types of assessments, and plans for make-up assessments in the event of inclement weather school closings.
Students will attend the normal daily schedule next week Monday - Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, students will follow the final exam schedule posted below.
Final Assessments Week Schedule, 1/11 - 1/15
Inclement Weather and School Closing Information
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 SchoolMessenger
- 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
Early Dismissal
The Webster Groves School District will consider closing schools early due to emerging weather and/or road conditions that will make it unsafe for children to be dismissed at the regular time. If school is dismissed early, all after school programs and activities, including Adventure Club, will be canceled. Non-district related events will also be canceled (ex: YMCA’s Hoopsters).
Transportation provided by First Student, the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation, and ZipCare will transport children home at dismissal.
Unless special circumstances exist, the high school will be dismissed at 12 p.m.
Delayed School Start Time
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 Delayed Start Time:
Student Arrival Time: 9:10 a.m.
School Start Time: 9:25 a.m.
Learning at WGHS
Celebrations
Bus Passes
Bus Payment is now due to Mrs. McKittrick in Office 308. Letters were given to students who have collected their bus passes with this term’s cost. If students have not picked up their passes, please have them do so before or after school. Every bus rider needs to have a bus pass at this point. Please email Leigh McKittrick with any questions: mckittrick.leigh@wgmail.org
A Note from the Nurse
- Please keep your student home if notified they were exposed to COVID-19
- Please keep your student home if a COVID-19 test is pending in student or household member
- Please keep your student home if your student OR another member of your household, including siblings, is exhibiting symptoms that need to be verified as non-COVID-19 versus COVID-19.
Free Breakfast and Lunch Available for All WGSD Students
During in person learning and distance learning, Webster Groves Students will continue to have access to FREE breakfast and FREE lunch Monday-Friday.
Meals are available for pick-up at Webster Groves High School and home delivery. Students who have opted for in person learning, will be able choose their meal choice daily in the classroom.
For home delivery or meal pick up , please sign up using the below link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfH08CJCOJnb0mqz6Cg45vKq9mllDBcKBWFJWwbBoiM96s-9A/viewform?usp=pp_url .
Please contact us at pelant.nancy@wgmail.org with any questions.
Check out our menus at https://webster.nutrislice.com/ or download the Nutrislice app!
Did You Know?
Students can get credit for their volunteer hours for this year’s Statesmen Service Awards (2020-2021). The period to log hours runs from April 1, 2020 - April 1, 2021.
If you’re working for a food bank or making masks for healthcare workers or picking up groceries for the elderly - now is the perfect time to do some good and give to others. Whether service hours are completed through classes, clubs, youth groups, organizations or individually, students need a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work for a non-profit agency and must not be compensated for the work.
Criteria:
-50+ hours
-Service must not be done within the course of the school day nor pay accepted for the services
-Form must be completed by student and signed by a supervisor who can verify hours completed by student. BLANK FORMS ARE IN OFFICE 124.
Note: Volunteer hours are not eligible for hours in the A+ program. A+ hours are acquired through mentoring and tutoring.
Further questions, you may contact John E. Thomas, thomasejohn@wgmail.org or Julie Simonson, Simonson.julie@wgmail.org
Counseling Department Updates
Second Semester Schedules
Second semester schedules are available for viewing in the student and parent portals. Students with errors in their schedule received an email to schedule a meeting with their counselor to make corrections. Please encourage your child to double check their schedule for accuracy and to reach out to their counselor with any questions prior to the start of second semester on January 20th.
2021-2022 Course Requests
As a reminder, the deadline for students to input their course requests for the 2021-2022 school year is next Friday, January 15, 2021.
Helpful links to guide you:
Course Selection Forms by Grade Level
Course Offerings and Descriptions by Department
Directions for inputting requests in SIS student portal
Video tutorial for inputting course requests in SIS student portal
Please reach out to your child’s counselor if you have any questions.
Upcoming College Admissions Testing
The ACT—Saturday, February 6, 2021
Register at www.act.org by next Friday, January 15th.
The SAT—Saturday, March 13, 2021
Register at www.sat.org by February 12, 2021.
As a reminder, all juniors will take the ACT at school on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Test fees are paid for by WGSD and no registration on your part is required.
Junior Post-High School Planning Conferences
Each January, juniors and their parents are invited to schedule one-on-one conferences with our College and Career Counselors to discuss their plans for after high school graduation. Thank you for your patience as we await confirmation about our second semester daily schedule prior to sending out invitations. We expect to send them out soon!
“The College Search” A Presentation for Juniors and Junior Parents-- Wednesday, February 10, 2021
During this program, WGHS College and Career Counselors and a panel of college admissions representatives will give juniors and their parents tips and advice on conducting their college search. Due to viewing limitations with a live Zoom, this will be a prerecorded presentation. A link will be shared on or before February 10th.
Scholarship Information for Seniors
Applications for the 2021 Webster Groves local scholarships are now available. Please visit our Counseling Webpage here for more information and instructions to apply. The deadline to apply for all local scholarships is February 16, 2021.
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 scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be very rewarding if you put some time into it.
National Scholarship Searches
Fastweb
College Board’s Big Future
Peterson’s
Unigo
Cappex
As a reminder, WGHS school counselors and social workers are working to support the academic, social and emotional, and post-secondary planning needs of our students. If you or your child are having difficulties or need assistance, please reach out to their counselor or social worker.
School Counselors
A-E Alex King (king.alexandra@wgmail.org)
F-K Ken Winingham (winingham.ken@wgmail.org)
L-R Joe Hepfinger (hepfinger.joe@wgmail.org)
S-Z Simone Cunningham (cunningham.simon@wgmail.org)
College and Career Counselors
A-K Karen Verstraete (verstraete.karen@wgmail.org)
L-Z Jennedy Lombard (lombard.jennedy@wgmail.org)
School Social Workers
Anne Gibbs (gibbs.anne@wgmail.org)
Anne Marie Guntli (SSD) (guntli.ann@wgmail.org)
COVID-19 Information
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Testing
Getting tested for COVID-19 has never been more important during this pandemic than it is now. More than 260,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in St. Louis County. This crucial to our efforts to contain the spread of the virus and is a major factor in understanding the patterns of its spread.
This includes testing for those who are asymptomatic and anyone who had close contact with the public to get a test – even if they haven’t had direct contact with someone who was positive. Testing is available to anyone who requests it. To make an appointment for a free test through St. Louis County Department of Public Health, click here or call 314-615-0574.
Drive-through testing is done at the following DPH clinics:
6121 North Hanley Road in Berkeley
4580 Lindbergh Blvd. in South County
Missouri residents who may be experiencing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 may call the “Show Me Hope Line” at 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 for assistance. The service is available 24 hours a day throughout the week. For additional information, please click here.
Procedures for Quarantine/Isolation Due to COVID-19
What do I do if my child is in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19?
If a student is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 while at home, the parent/guardian is asked to:
Keep their child at home; he/she should not report to school
Notify the pediatrician/physician and contact the child’s assistant principal’s office
Seek medical attention for their child as it relates to symptoms
Speak to the school’s nurse for the purpose of contact tracing
Provide updates to the school nurse and classroom teacher
If a student tests positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation or quarantine, the absence will be treated the same as any other extended absence. Teachers will provide assignments for students who are quarantined. Students should check Canvas pages and email teachers if they need assistance. Teachers will clearly state what the expectations are for students who are quarantined. Parents and students are encouraged to reach out if they have questions.
Technology
For students or families having technology issues, please do the following:
- For specific Canvas issues, contact Ms. Liz Forderhase at forderhase.liz@wgmail.org or call her at 314.963.6400, ext. 11928.
- Below is a link to the technology support ticket system we are utilizing to help give our learners and families the most efficient system to help us keep track of technology support requests. Use this site to submit when you are having technology difficulties with your child's equipment/access/accounts/etc.
https://wgsd.on.spiceworks.com/portal
As always, you are welcome to contact us at 314.963.6400 for assistance.
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