Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 22
Hello WGHS Families,
Each year, schools fret the public “ranking” that appears in media outlets that lays out a perception of a school hierarchy in our state and region. This often acts to facilitate a more robust conversation on the quality of schooling but acts to limit and further impoverish the dialogue. Most quantification of high schools is based around standardized tests that are administered in one day as well as other easily measured but arguably less important metrics. These customary measurements of students and schools often travel with parents’ educational and income levels and distort the work being done in schools. The lament of one’s zip code being destiny is too often played out in our educational system with glaring disparities in resources and opportunity, further compounded by limited information.
The current measurements miss the point that the value of a school is multi-dimensional: school safety and climate, creating a more just and civic culture, raising student engagement, student wellness, or requirements of critical thinking around important questions. An ideal high school requires an articulated school culture that is safe and connected, where students and adults are known and work collaboratively around declared shared values. Deep, meaningful relationships that make academics, the arts, and athletics richer and in service to life-long impact, to protect well-being for the school experience. The Athenian Oath taken at age 18 called for citizens to make their city-state more beautiful, more safe, and more free for their children. I sense that is a good mission for the Webster Groves community and more specifically, our high school.
Best,
Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: Late-Start A, A, B, C, A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 2/22: Jazz Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
- 2/26: Late-Start A Day; School starts at 9:40am, and doors open at 9:25.
- 2/26: First day of spring sports
- 2/27: Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
Additional Student Parking Now Available
WGHS staff and students are now allowed to park in the Peace UCC lot at 204 E. Lockwood Avenue on school days from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Parking is available on both lots; one lot is accessible from Lockwood Avenue and one is accessible from Plant Avenue.
All Peace UCC parking spots will be first come, first served. Students: Please be respectful of the space and privilege that comes with using the Peace Church lot. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
Spring Parent Conferences in March
Spring Parent Conferences are scheduled for March 4-5 and will be a combination of in-person and via Zoom. Conference times are below:
March 4: 4:30 - 8:30, in person
March 5: 4:30 - 8:30, virtual
Check out our website for tickets (starting Feb. 1) and more information!
Statesmen Service Awards
Spring will be here soon and so will the annual Statesmen Service Awards - our celebration of students who are making a difference in their community through volunteering.
Students can find a variety of service opportunities (as well as internships, summer programs and more!) via GivePulse. Did you know if you were a camp counselor at Camp Wyman, you would qualify for this award? Please verify with the Chelsea Center that volunteer hours are entered into GivePulse prior to Spring Break!
Questions? Contact Julie Simonson (simonson.julie@wgmail.org) in Office 124 or Jenny Willenborg (willenborg.jenny@wgmail.org) in Chelsea Center with any GivePulse inquiries.
Additional information can be found here:
Chelsea Center Opportunities
Check out some recent events from the Chelsea Center!
If you or your student are interested in learning more about these opportunities through the Chelsea Center, please contact Dr. Arens at arens.kerry@wgmail.org or have your student stop by the Chelsea Center in room 200 at Webster Groves High School. Likewise, your student can scan the QR codes and log in with their school gmail to learn more.
Parent Field Trip to Delmar DivINe
The WGHS Parents for Racial Equity committee invites all to join us on Thursday, February 29 for a parent field trip to the Delmar DivINe. We'll learn more about the history of the "Delmar Divide," learn how Delmar DivINe was conceived to address racial and economic disparities, and view the Painting for Peace art installation showing some of the powerful art that came out of the Ferguson Uprising. After, we'll get a bite to eat together in the Loop. RSVP to Wghsparentsforracialequity@gmail.com and then receive carpool/parking information. All are welcome!
Counseling News
Practice ACT for Sophomores- register now!
Sophomores (Class of 2026) are encouraged to sign up to take a practice ACT exam at school on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 (C Day).
This is an optional, but highly recommended test to prepare all students for the ACT. Test will be taken digitally on each student's own device.
Students will be excused from 2nd hour, advisory, and academic networking for the test.
Sign up by March 1 by providing your student’s name and school email address here: ACT Practice Test Sign Up.
Save the date!
All Juniors will take the ACT on Tuesday, April 9th at WGHS during the regular school day. More detailed information will be shared soon - no registration required.
College Visits at WGHS
Our spring college visits have begun! Juniors and Seniors may sign up to see a college by visiting the counseling office for a pass ahead of time. See the calendar of visits here.
Seniors!
The Parent’s Club Scholarship deadline has been extended to March 8th. Please fill out the application here, or visit the counseling office for a paper copy.
Did You Know?
You can use the Parent Portal to email your child's teachers.
https://sis.webster.k12.mo.us/WG360/apphost/TylerSis#/parent
Once you log in to the Parent Portal, follow these steps to email your child's teachers:
1. Click on "Student Schedule" on the menu to the left of your screen.
2. Click on the class within the schedule of the teacher you wish to email.
3. Click on the blue "Email teacher" link.
4. Use the script editor to email the teacher!
WGHS Attendance Procedures
Call your child's AP office to report an absence, late arrival, or early departure. Checking out early? When leaving school during the day, students must check out through the assistant principal’s office.
Student Early Release:
We require at least one hour notice when calling your student out early. Call the Assistant Principal's office before the designated time and report the absence. You may also send a note with the student to be presented to the Assistant Principal's office before school.
At the designated time, your student will receive a pass to check out if you called ahead. The student will check out in the Assistant Principal's office.
You will NOT enter the building if you have called the absence in and communicated a pick-up location with your child. However, if you choose to pick up your child in the building, you must do so at the main entrance on Selma Avenue. Upon entering the building, check in with the receptionist. Please bring your driver's license if you are checking in. The receptionist will contact the Assistant Principal’s office to send for your student. Please be aware that not calling ahead to schedule an early release can take up to 30 minutes to send for a student.
For attendance, please call 314.963.6400 and listen to the prompts.
ParentSquare
Webster Groves School District uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.
Create a Canvas Account to Stay Connected
To stay connected with the learning in our classrooms, please create a Canvas Observer Account which is our district's learning management system. You will find three helpful documents below:
- Canvas Informational Letter
- Creating an Observer Account, Logging into Canvas, and Setting Notifications
- Student Accessing Canvas
If you have any questions please contact Tim Brown, Director of Student Assessment, Data and Learning Technologies at brown.tim@wgmail.org.
Shop the Parents' Club Spirit Store!
The Spirit Store is open! Hours are 8-9:15 a.m., Tuesday - Friday.
The online store is open 24 hours a day at https://www.wghsparentsclub.org/spiritwear.
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: www.webster.k12.mo.us/wghs
Location: 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 963-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/WGAlumni
Twitter: @WebsterGrovesHS