The Bulldog Bulletin
Friday, March 8th
Upcoming Events
March
- Family Literacy Night-March 12 @ 6:00pm
- Spring Break-March 15-22
April
- PTO Meeting-April 4 @ 6pm
- BRAVOS Concert-April 4 @ 7pm
- MAP Testing (dates TBD)
- Healthy Kids Week-April 22-26
- Kindergarten Preview-April 23 @ 4:00pm
Proposition E on the Ballot April 2nd
Voters in the Webster Groves School District will be asked to approve the district's Proposition E in the April 2 election. The district has placed information about Prop E on its website. You can find studies, surveys and other information related to development of the proposition as well as a place to ask questions here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/3898
Over the next few weeks, we'll feature information about the proposition in newsletters and social media, starting with some frequently asked questions.
What is Proposition E?
Proposition E is a no-tax-rate-increase, $22 million bond issue on the ballot April 2 to improve safety, accessibility and other space issues in district buildings and relieve overcrowding in elementary schools.
Six million dollars would be used for safety and accessibility enhancements that include secure doors and controlled, single point of entry vestibules for all buildings, a districtwide communications system, asbestos abatement, secure interior and classroom doors, secure exterior doors, as well as elevators and chairlifts to improve accessibility, in accord with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
In addition, the bond issue would include $16 million to add space at Hixson Middle School so that sixth grade can be moved there and to convert the Steger Sixth Grade Center/Givens School campus into a single elementary building.
Passage of the bond issue would not raise the district’s current debt service tax rate of 56.99 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.
How much will this cost me?
Passage of the Proposition E bond issue would not increase the district’s current debt service tax rate. Property owners will continue to pay the current debt service tax rate of 56.99 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.
Doesn’t the district’s overall tax rate rank at the top of school districts in St. Louis County?
No. The district hasn’t had an increase in its overall tax rate since 2010. It currently ranks ninth out of 22 school districts in the county.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proposition E - April 2
Proposition E is a no-tax-rate increase $22 million bond issue on the ballot April 2 to improve safety, accessibility and other space issues in district buildings and relieve overcrowding in elementary schools. Six million dollars would be used for safety and accessibility enhancements that include secure doors and controlled, single point of entry vestibules for all buildings, asbestos abatement, secure interior and classroom doors, secure exterior doors, as well as elevators and chairlifts to improve accessibility, in accord with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The bond issue would include $16 million to add space at Hixson Middle School so that sixth grade can be moved there and to convert the Steger Sixth Grade Center/Givens School campus into a single elementary building.
You can find additional information – as well as survey results, studies and other material – on the Proposition E page on our website, at this link https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/3898
Didn’t the district just increase classroom space at the elementary schools by installing modular units?
Resident enrollment in the district has increased eight percent since 2009 and is expected to trend up through 2024. Three schools currently have modular units (Avery, Clark and Edgar Road). Nine percent of the district’s elementary students will attend class in a modular in 2019-20. Avery and Clark each have one; Edgar Road has two and the district is purchasing another for next year. If the bond issue is approved, the district would gradually discontinue use of or repurpose the modulars.
Is the district enrollment growing?
Enrollment in the Webster Groves School District has been growing for quite a few years. Since 2009, elementary resident enrollment has increased by 8% and total resident district enrollment has increased by 11%. While a few factors surely attribute to this increase, the data shows an upward trend in the number of children born in the district and a notable increase in the number of students who had attended private/parochial schools prior to entering the district (second-highest of any regional school district from 2009 - 2013).
While we monitor actual district enrollment on a regular basis, the district is in its third year of contracting with Dr. Charles Kofron to develop five-year rolling enrollment projections. Dr. Kofron’s projections are based on the number of children born within district boundaries and the number of resident children who enter kindergarten in the district. While a projected decrease can be observed in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 kindergarten cohorts (2023-24 based on 5 months of actual births and seven months of projected births), resident district enrollment is still expected to increase 2.3% between now and 2023-24, and resident elementary enrollment is expected to increase by 4.1% within the same timeframe.
Why does the district recommend converting Steger Sixth Grade Center/Givens School into one elementary school?
Converting the Steger/Givens campus into one elementary school would provide considerable relief to the overcrowding in district elementary schools, offering the district more space for a longer time than other options considered. Using this space would increase elementary capacity in the district by 396 students.
In addition, use of the Steger/Givens building in this way furthers district efforts to become a more equitable school system by providing more students and families with a neighborhood elementary school.
THANK YOU!!!!
- Committee Chairs & Decorations
- Taylor Whitaker
- Andrea Taylor
- Solicitation-Krysia Audet & Holly Kunze
- Graphic Design | Marketing | Publicity--Nicole Spiegel
- Sponsorships-Margot Vishion
- Seating Arrangements-Sherri Fowler
- Premier Bar-Cindy Oleshak & Laura Maurice
- Class Baskets-Taylor Whitaker
- Sign-Up Parties-Kaly Erwin & Jourdan Timmermann
- Progressive Dinner-Megan Becker
Special Thank You to WGHS Dance Team for all your time decorating.
Thank you to Joel & Michelle Svoboda for being our title sponsor, your support and generosity are truly appreciated.
Thank you to all the parents who donated and volunteered time to help make this event possible.
PTO Executive Board Openings for the 2019-2020 School Year
- Co-President (1 opening)
- 1st Vice President (1 opening)
- 2nd Vice President (2 openings)
- Auditor (1 opening)
Please contact Terry Mueller at mueller.terry@wgmail.org or 314.963.6433
No Strings!
Office Contact Information
314.963.6433
Sign Up Parties Are Still Available!
Sign-up Today if you would like to join a sing-up party!
Go to: Bristol.givesmart.com > Click Items> search for your party
These are the available parties!
Grade Level Parties: Kindergarten Roller Skate- Date TBD • 1st Grade Pool Party- Date TBD • 2nd Grade Girl’s Party- 5/4/19 • 2nd Grade July 4th Parade (family)- 7/4/19 • 3rd Grade Boy’s Pool Party- 6/15/19 • 3rd Grade Girl’s Pool Party- 8/11/19 • 5th Grade Bubble Bus- Date TBD • 5th Grade Nacho Average Pool Party- 8/4/19
Adult Parties: Cookie Decorating Class- July 2019
Family/Kids: Creepy WG History Walking Tour- Date TBD • Family Lake Fun & BBQ- 6/30/19 • Fancy Schmancy Tea Party- TBD • Kids Cake Decorating Class- TBD • Lacrosse Lesson (kids) and Happy hour (adults) 2nd-5th graders- 3/30/19 4-5:30
Webster Groves Parents Advisory Council (PAC)
Book Swap Details
If you have any books at home that you think would make a good addition to the swap--send them in!
Arrival Reminder
Bristol Family Literacy Night
On the night of the 12th, our teachers have put together activities to go with the books students have read! We also will have the EyeSeeMe Book Fair here to purchase books.
For the first time, we are also going to do a book swap. What is a book swap? Well, it is an opportunity for you to go through your book collections and donate any gently used books. The books will be collected and organized beginning Monday, March 4th. There will be bins outside of the main office to make donations. Students can explore the books and take some home with them.
Beginning on March 4th, there will be boxes outside of the main office to collect gently used books for our first annual book swap. The boxes will remain outside of the office until March 12th.
Webster Groves School District Foundation Update
This will be another wonderful event and we are excited to continue with our mission to raise money to help support innovative and dynamic learning in our classrooms. Thanks for your support!!
Event Details
· Mardi Gras @ Cyrano's is a fabulous night to come together as a community to show support of the Webster Groves School District Foundation. Enjoy an evening of delicious food, great music and your fellow Webster Groves community members! Money raised from the event funds grants to teachers to provide innovative and dynamic learning opportunities throughout the Webster Groves School District.
· The night will feature music from the WGSD Jazz Band, New Orleans inspired Hors D'Oeuvres by Chef Mike Johnson of Sugar Fire, and 2 drink tickets.
· Ticket price for the event is $50 per person or $60 per person at the door. Register for tickets at www.wgsdfoundation.org
Artfest 2019
New Date!
Thursday, March 28, 2019
6:00-8:00pm
@Bristol
Save the date for a night of interactive and creative fun!
WE NEED YOU! Volunteers needed
Artistic showcase/skills table – Do you have a career in the arts? Is Art a special hobby? Volunteer to run an interactive booth to showcase your skill or craft. All forms of visual, musical and performing art welcome!
Project helpers! (no artistic talent required) Help needed to assist with interactive art projects and scavenger hunt.
Please contact:
Tracy Drissell tracy.drissell@swbell.net
or
Lindsey Hodge lindseyfhodge@yahoo.com
Yearbook Orders
Order forms went home this past week. You can also place your order online.
https://sales.yearbookmarket.com/stores/bristolelementary/products
Orders are due by February 22nd.
Attention all incoming 3rd-6th grade families!
Please help us with traffic flow
Because of our location arrival and dismissal are challenging. There are a few things that can help:
- No Parking Zones: Please observe designated No Parking zone on W Cedar heading away from Bristol. Cars parked here slow traffic flow and create an unsafe situation at the crosswalk. Thank You!
- U-Turns: Please do not make U-Turns on Gray or in the intersection or Gray & Cedar during arrival or dismissal. This slows traffic flow and creates an unsafe situation at the crosswalk. Thank You!
- Drop & Go: Please refrain from parking and exiting your vehicle during arrival & dismissal times. If you must park please pull all the way down Gray or park on a neighboring street.
Thank you!
2019 Mary Queen of Peace CYC Golf
2019 Bristol Day At the Ballpark
2019 Bristol Day At the Ballpark
**Save the Date!**
This year's Bristol Day at the Ballpark will be Saturday, May 11th. The St. Louis Cardinals will play the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:15. Our very own BRISTOL BRAVOS will open the game by singing the National Anthem under the direction of Dr. Sara Wichard.
Tickets will go on sale March 26. More details to follow as we get closer to that time. Keep that date free. You will want to be a part of this all-school event!
Free Vision Exam and Glasses!!
Little Statemen Store
The Ambrose PTO has gained permission to open an online Little Statesmen Store specializing in spirit wear for the youngest of children in the district (infants through preschool). The High School Parents Club graciously shared their designs with us so we could be the providers for little kids. Please help our PTO support the Ambrose Center by sharing this information. The store will be open for three weeks so timing is everything.
Link to the store: https://littlestatesmen.itemorder.com
What's for Breakfast & Lunch?
Allergies & Lunch Room Seating
Thank you!
Look for us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bristolelementary/
Bristol Elementary School
Email: senti.william@wgmail.org
Website: http://bristol.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/bristol
Location: 20 Gray Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, United States
Phone: 314-963-6433
Twitter: @bristolbuddies