Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for May 19
Hello WGHS Families,
In making final cuts of my graduation speech, I cut this excerpt from the school year book from 1920:
"Another vacation and we are back at school, but not for long. Twice our school work has been interrupted by the influenza epidemic but nevertheless, we study hard and pass our tests. 'A cork cannot be kept under long.'"
Trust me--it was cut not because I have anything better to say, but rather chose to adjust my focus. Celebrating our ending at graduation most certainly does not obscure the path we have taken. Like WGHS a century ago, we have worked to keep our focus and not stay under long, recognizing the likelihood of being submerged from the rising tides we face. Our buoyancy is supported by those that cared for us at school and away from WGHS. May our lessons from this year make us more adept in keeping each other above the waters we will face in the future.
In gratitude,
Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: A, Final Exam A day, Final Exam half-days Wednesday - Friday
Please Note: School dismisses at 11:40 a.m. on May 25-27
A Peek at the Week Ahead--Our final week of 2021-22
- May 20: WGHS A Capella Extravaganza, 7 p.m., Auditorium
- May 24: 1st hour final exam (all seven classes meet)
- May 24: Class of 2022 Graduation, 6:30 p.m., Chaifetz Arena
- May 25: 2nd/3rd hour final exams; 8:25 - 11:40
- 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.
2021-22 Late-Start Days
Semester 2 Final Exams
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:
Boys' Golf Team Wins State
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
Summer Reading
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.
Counseling Office Updates
College Admissions Testing
We have fielded a lot of questions regarding the ACT and SAT lately. Here's an article with answers to some of the top questions we hear.
Upcoming ACT and SAT National Test Dates (Saturdays)
Junior parents: Is your child planning to attend a four year college or university? While many colleges have been “test optional” for the past two years as a result of covid, plans for next year are not yet clear and many colleges will still require ACT or SAT scores for admission and/or scholarships. Here are the ACT and SAT test dates for the rest of the school year.
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!
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