Hixson Happenings
147th Issue, April 21, 2023
Important Dates
April 24 - Late Start Day
April 24-28: MAP Spirit Week
April 26 - Choir Concert, 6:30 pm; Administrative Professionals Day
April 28 - Art 3 Show, Old Orchard, 5pm
May 1 - School Principal's Day
May 4 - Jazz Band Concert, 6:30 pm
May 2-5: MAP Testing
May 8 - 12: Teacher Appreciation Week; Late Start Day
May 9-10: NWEA Testing
May 11 - Fine Arts Festival
May 12 - 8th grade to 6 Flags
May 22 - 8th grade Promotion Ceremony, 6pm @ Roberts Gym
May 24 - Band Pops Concert, 6pm
May 26 - Last day of school; Kona Ice visit; dismissal at 12:30 pm
August 8 - March to the Middle (6th grade orientation), 8:30 am - 11:45 am
August 17 - Open House + School Pictures, 3pm - 7pm
Cards and Condolences for Mr. Sparks
Notecards will also be provided in the Counseling Office and Main Office for students who want to write a note to Mr. Sparks. They can pick one up anytime and turn it back in to the basket in the Counseling Suite or Main Office by May 3.
Thank you for your continued support as we all grieve our teacher, colleague, and friend.
MAP Testing - May 2 thru 5
Thank you Hixson Teachers!
Yard Bricks Needed for The Heart of Hixson!
Chromebook Collection & Fines
This year's collection will take place during ELA classes. Students are expected to return their Chromebook, charger, and case in good working condition. If equipment is damaged/does not function when it is returned, or if your student does not return some or all of the equipment, then fines will be assessed and entered into the Tyler SIS portal at the time of collection. Please note, your student will not be issued another Chromebook for next year until all fines (ie: library, 6th grade camp, Chromebook, etc) are resolved. This applies to rising exiting 8th graders/rising 9th graders as well. We will provide documentation of all equipment that your student turned in at the time of collection. Parents/guardians will receive this documentation as well.
Please be aware, Chromebook insurance will be required for all school issued Chromebooks next school year (23-24). Your student will not receive a Chromebook until the insurance fee is paid. Students will still be permitted to bring their own device to school, if they choose.
MAP Spirit Week: April 24-28
Kona Ice will Visit Hixson on May 4 during lunches!
1st Day School Supplies!
Author Visit: Soman Chainani - April 25!
Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil Series is coming to Hixson for an all day author event on Tuesday, April 25. Each grade level will attend a one hour presentation from Soman Chainani.
If students own or would like to purchase a copy of his book(s) they will be able to enter a signing line to get it autographed! We are partnering with the Novel Neighbor for purchasing books; click here to purchase books online. We also have physical order forms in the library (as do all ELA teachers). All money and orders are due to the library by Friday, April 21st.
Click here to watch a book trailer for the first The School for Good and Evil book.
Click here to watch the trailer for the recently released Netflix adaptation.
Please contact Jordan Haddock at haddock.jordan@wgmail.org if you have any questions.
2nd Semester 8th grade Festivities!
Six Flags Trip
When: Friday, May 12th, 2023
Departure from school: 9:00am
Arrival back to school: 5:00pm
Students will need money for food/drink
Cost per student: $37; if students have a Six Flags season pass, they will only need to pay $7 to cover transportation.
Make check payable to WGSD: drop off at Hixson main office
Cash payments can be dropped off in a sealed envelope marked “Six Flags” with student name on the envelope at the Hixson main office
Follow the link below to make credit card payments
Webster Groves SD (you will need to create an account to utilize this option: All questions pertaining to this option can be answered by Sarah Magruder, Administrative Assistant. You can reach her at magruder.sarah@wgmail.org
All students will ride the bus to and from Six Flags, returning to Hixson Middle School at 5:00pm. Park Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm on this day. VICC transportation home is available for those enrolled in the program. Scholarships are available (on a limited basis). Please contact Mr. Atterberry (atterberry.jeff@wgmail.org) or Ms. Reif (reif.lynne@wgmail.org) for more information.
More communication for all events will continue to come out as we get closer to these events. As always please feel free to reach out to Mr. Atterberry at atterberry.jeff@wgmail.org or by calling 314-918-4661 with any questions.
State of MO required Trauma Informed Sexual Abuse Education - 4/28/23
Please see the letter below that was sent to all Hixson families on April 13, 2023.
Dear Hixson families,
Missouri State Statute 170.045, implemented in 2019, requires that students in grades 6-12 receive trauma-informed developmentally appropriate, sexual abuse training. The school district shall notify parents or guardians in advance of the training required under this section, of the content of the instruction, and the parent's or guardian's right to have the student excused from the instruction.
In accordance with Missouri state law, every year our district will provide age and developmentally appropriate sexual abuse prevention education to students in 6th - 12th grade. The goal of this programming is to keep your children safe. Under Missouri law this education will include the following components:
Instruction providing students with the knowledge and tools to recognize sexual abuse,
Instruction providing students with the knowledge and tools to report an incident of sexual abuse,
Actions that a student who is a victim of sexual abuse could take to obtain assistance and intervention, and
Available resources for students affected by sexual abuse.
The video that we will use with students for the trauma informed sexual abuse education can be viewed here.
We will provide this education to students on Friday, April 28, 2023 during Statesman Time (1:14 pm - 1:43 pm). If you would like to opt your child out of this learning opportunity, please click HERE. Students who are opted out of the learning will report to the Cafeteria while the learning is taking place. Students can also opt themselves out by notifying their Statesman Time teacher. Counselors and administrators will be stationed in the Cafeteria while the learning is taking place, ready to support our students as always.
Should you need additional support, please visit these websites with resources for sexual violence and support for students and families.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Learn more at www.rainn.org.
Safe Connections is one of the St. Louis region’s oldest and largest organizations working to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence while helping survivors thrive. Learn more at safeconnections.org.
As a reminder to families, all school staff are mandated reporters but anyone can report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters "who know or have reasonable cause to suspect" are required by law to report child abuse and neglect. The hotline number for making reports is 1-800-392-3738.
If you have further questions, please contact your child’s assistant principal or counselor.
Thank you,
Hixson Administration
WGHS Class of 2027 Spirit Wear & Yard Sign orders
PTO Updates
Support the Hixson Middle PTO Annual Fund
Help MAKE HIXSON HAPPEN! Make a gift today to support the PTO Annual Fund which enhances the educational experience for EVERY HIXSON STUDENT!
Click HERE to make a gift via Paypal or send in a gift by check to the Hixson office. All gifts are tax-deductible!
Hixson Running Club!
Flag Football
Team & Department Newsletters
Updated every two weeks
Contact Us
Email: mayes.shenita@wgmail.org
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Hixson
Location: 630 South Elm Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6450
Facebook: facebook.com/HixsonMiddleSchool