Matt's Monday Memo
October 7, 2019
Good morning, Staff,
Anthony Kennedy served as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court after Reagan nominated him from 1988 until stepping down in 2018. After retiring, he spoke of a “crisis of civility” facing our nation--a lack of devotion to responsibility and rationality. Historically when the nation has been in a real or perceived predicament, public education has served to salvage our republic. Part of the effort relates to the developing character in individuals and the collective. However, character cannot be downloaded; it resists swift attainment in spite of the desire by parents and schools. Character is "engraved" and "deeply etched” according to Kierkegaard and the product of years of imprinting.
That imprinting happens in small moments, guiding conversations, and in response to difficult events in life and in schools. Those moments happen at WGHS, fostered in the classroom, outside during athletics and activities, and at times, completely independent of us. This work and responsibility is so much larger in scope, then preparing for an intervening period of four years to attend a university, enter a career, or calling to service. We work with our students with ambition of launching a life of purpose and kinship. I had the honor of attending the program at the St. Louis County Governmental Center to witness senior Mary Claire Wolk be recognized as a 2019 Outstanding Student Leader. She has spent years devoted to service, clubs, and schooling. She, like many other students at Webster Groves, possess both the capacity and will to not only continue to be virtuously marked but to leave her mark on Webster and the wider community.
This past week alone, we had students working to support Camp Wyman , giving blood in the memory of a classmate’s sibling, and serving our community through our Chelsea Center experiences. I am heartened by the journey our students are on at Webster Groves High School.
Best,
Matt
Boy's basketball at Annual blood drive in memory of Caleb Nehring Oct. 1
Camp counselors at Camp Wyman, partnering with Chelsea Center
Peek at the Week
- October 7: Late Start 1/7: School starts at 8:57 a.m.
- October 7 & 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 5-8 p.m. (5-7 is scheduled via PTCFast; 7-8 is walk-up)
- October 8: Stuco Workshop
- October 8: Early Dismissal (1-5-6-7); Parent-Teacher Conferences, 12:50-2:45 p.m.
- October 11: NO SCHOOL
Did You Know?
Teachers, please remember to leave a note whenever you leave your classroom.
We need to be able to find you and your class in case of an emergency. We have had too many instances where we cannot find a class/teacher.
Celebrations
Congratulations to Mary Claire Wolk for being recognized by the St. Louis County Government as a 2019 Outstanding Student Leader!
Reminders/Announcements
- Happy Conferences Week! Please review the reminders that Mickey sent out prior to this evening.
- We will be conducting the PSAT and practice ACT test on Wednesday, October 16. We will need help from many as we test more than 500 students. This testing will be in the gyms (good practice for our ACT test given to all juniors in February). Please review Karen Verstraete’s notes carefully to make sure you know your assignment.
- Reminder – Flu vaccines are scheduled at WGHS on October 15 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the PD Room.
- The Band's 6th Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser will be held October 19 in Roberts Gym, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the WGHS Band Program. If you are considering a new mattress, come try the large variety of mattresses. Your purchase will help the band replace aging instruments, and purchase new music.
- On your Mark.. Get set....GO!! Registration is now open for the Annual Ivory Crockett Run for Webster. This is a SUPER FUN event for the whole family! You won't want to miss this 5k and 1 mile fun run on October 19. The run begins at 8:30 am at WGHS. Sign up the whole family and enjoy a morning together. A Pancake Breakfast at WGHS is also provided with your registration. Registration and Volunteer information can be found at: http://www.wgsdfoundation.org/run-for-webster.html
- Please make sure you submit tech requests when problems develop. By using this system, Dan can assign to others if needed and things will move much faster.
- Just a reminder to all teachers that we are out of compliance if we do not follow all IEP modifications. Please make sure that you are aware of the modifications.
- Remember to visit www.statesmensports.com for the latest athletic results.
Upcoming Professional Development
- October 7, 8, and 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- October 17: PD Discussion
Staff Yoga
10/9, 10/16
2:45-3:45
Chelsea Center (Room 200)
Please bring a yoga mat.