Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your Weekly eNews for April 22
Hello Parents and Guardians,
2021-22 Schedule Information
We began with the question: Does our current drop schedule meet the current needs of our faculty and students? While there were positives to the former schedule, it proved to not meet the question with a resounding “yes.” Once we made that determination, we felt we did not want to return to the drop schedule for one year to change once again in 2022-2023--stability would be welcome! Additionally, we have been able to utilize other schools in the area that run a similar schedule to observe and ask questions. Below is a skeleton of our process:
2019-2020
Advisory/Academic Network processing with staff, STUCO, Students as Allies, Parents’ Club, Design Team formed to look at future scheduling options
2020-2021
Processing with faculty (surveys, Department Chairs full-day faculty meeting) STUCO, Parents’ Club, Advisory faculty committee formed to create curriculum
2021-2022
Implement new schedule
New for 2021-2022
Advisory Period: A dedicated block of time when a small group of students meets the same faculty member. The focus is social-emotional learning, but can include academic counseling and support. Advisories are convened weekly with long-term continuity--enabling honest, trusted discussion.
Academic Networking: Two 30-minute periods each week to allow students to pursue academic work, receive extra help, make up missed assignments and tests, study and receive interventions, and increase overall contact time between teachers and students.
Modified Block Schedule
In a five-day week, all seven classes will meet (three days a week with alternating blocks the other two)
The normal school day is 8:25 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
“A Day” = All seven classes
“B Day” = Periods 1, 3, 5, 7
“C Day” = Periods 2, 4, 6, and Advisory/Academic Networking
Most weeks will observe an AABCA schedule.
Late Starts (returning from 2019-20 school year): We will have approximately 19 late-start Mondays to accommodate PLC (professional learning communities) time for our staff. School starts at 9:15 a.m. on late-start Mondays.
See the 2021-22 schedule below this letter.
The schedule provides significant flexibility advantages for both students and teachers:
Provides equity of access to intervention time/supportive adult
More even in daily/weekly format than “drop 7” schedule
Allows more time for creativity, projects, labs, or assessments with longer periods
Additional homework time in Academic Networking if not needing help.
As we looked at options and went through all the permutations of schooling this year, we realize there is no schedule that will address all concerns or be a unanimous selection. After our research and processing, we do feel this provides options to provide support for learning and consistency we sought.
If you have any questions about the 2021-22 schedule, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
In gratitude,
Matt Irvin
2021-22 Schedule
*Dates printed on schedule subject to change.
20th Annual Jim Schoemehl Run
Marketing II's Jim Schoemehl Run is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! The run started in 2001 when the past marketing teacher (Alicia Schoemehl) 's husband was diagnosed with ALS. To help their teacher raise money and awareness, the Marketing II seniors created the Jim Schoemehl Run. Now the run is a community event that takes responsibility, cooperation, and many hours of work by our Marketing II seniors. This year the run is on Saturday, May 1st at 7:30am at Webster Groves High School. Our goal is to raise $18,000 for our ALS sponsor, Bo Powell and his family, and to have over 200 participants in the run. We would love your help in making that happen by registering to run, donating, or just by buying a t-shirt! Registration is now open at https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/SaintLouis/JimSchoemehlRunforALS and to order t-shirts visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/MO/SaintLouis/JimSchoemehlRunforALS . For more information please visit our website at http://jims5k.org/ . Thank you so much for your support and we will see you there! #20yearsrunning!
Celebrations
Chloe O'Brien has been awarded the Platinum level Graduating Seniors Award through the U. S. Figure Skating's Graduating Seniors Program. The U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Seniors Award recognizes the hard work of student athletes who have participated in figure skating throughout high school; awards are given at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze level based off a skater’s level of competitive achievement in high school. Selection for this award speaks to a skater’s continued commitment to succeeding in their athletic and academic endeavors. Congratulations!
Spring Gallery Walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5vrjyFOaJ8
April 24 is National Medication Take Back Day
April 24 is the national medication take-back day. There are several sites around St. Louis County who are collecting unused and unwanted medications from 10AM to 2PM, including the police departments in Rock Hill, Glendale, Marlborough, Brentwood, and Maplewood.
The website for the national take-back day is https://takebackday.dea.gov/.
Term 4 Schedule
Term 4 Schedule for Virtual Program
Did You Know?
You can buy your spirit wear at the following Pop-Ups:
1. Thursday 4/22-Girls Varsity Soccer- outside junior entrance
2. Monday 5/3-Varsity Baseball
Order online at:
Learning at WGHS
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!
Counseling Department Updates
International Girls in Information and Communications Day Webinar, April 22, 2021 3:00-4:30pm
The FCBA is proud to join a number of organizations worldwide to celebrate International Girls in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) day, which is celebrated the fourth Thursday of April every year. This webinar represents the FCBA’s role in creating a global environment for girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communications and technologies. For more information and to register visit https://www.fcba.org/events/celebrating-international-girls-ict-day/
Interested in attending a selective university? Concerned you don't know the expectations for applying and for acceptance to a selective university? Worried about how to pay for college once you are accepted? Whether you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, if you are considering applying to a selective university, there will be valuable information shared in these webinars.
Please join us for free virtual presentations on April 21 & 22. Get the Inside Scoop on Selective University Admissions directly from admissions officers from Boston University, University of Notre Dame, Purdue University and University of Rochester. Two topics will be presented each night followed by time for Q & A with the two admissions officers presenting. Registration is necessary to participate in each of the webinars. See details below.
Thursday, April 22; 7:00-8:00 pm
Alternative Approaches to Starting College - Megan Dorton, Purdue University
Paying for College - Kathleen Pipala, University of Rochester
Click this link to register for the Zoom webinar on April 22:
Registration link for April 22
Exploring Career Speakers Series
The Greater St. Louis Area Exploring Program is excited to offer young adults ages 14-20 the opportunity to virtually meet and network with professionals from a variety of career fields. What education or training do you need for this career? What does a typical day look like? What do you like most about your job? These are just a few examples of what you might learn in the career workshops. The workshops are free and you may attend as many as you like.
All virtual programs will start at 5:00pm
· Wednesday, April 28th-Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
· Wednesday, May 12th -No College required-careers not requiring at college degree
Visit https://scoutingevent.com/312-Exploringcareerspeakers to register.
Scholarship Information for Seniors
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)
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