The Avery Pulse
February 12th, 2023
Upcoming Dates
- Feb. 13th - Late Start
- Feb. 13th - Avery Equity Meeting (Information Below)
- Feb. 14th - Valentine's Day Parties @ 1:45pm (Information Below)
- Feb. 17th - No School (PD for Staff)
- Feb. 20th - No School (Presidents' Day)
- Feb. 25th - Trivia Night
- Feb. 27th - Late Start
- Feb. 27th & March 1st - Parent Teacher Conferences + Diversity Book Fair (Sign Ups Below)
- March 17th - No School
- March 20th - March 24th - No School
- March 27th - School Resumes
Late Start Tomorrow - February 13th!
Please click the link for additional details related to late starts.
Beginning this school year, the Webster Groves School District has added late start days to the school calendar.
Late start days will allow for additional time for our teachers to use data and collaboratively plan to continue to address the needs of all of our students.
The schedule for late starts is below:
Late Start Supervision Program - 7:40am-8:50am
School Day Arrival Begins - 8:50am
School Begins - 9:05am
Families who need help with student supervision on late start days can participate in a program available at each building. If you already signed up for this supervision, you should have received a confirmation email from Avery on Sunday, August 14th at 9:45am.
If you are in need of supervision for your child(ren) and have not received a confirmation email that they are in our late start supervision program, please click here and complete the form.
Members of the Avery staff will manage the Late Start Supervision Program, including instructional aides and substitute teachers. Families who participate in the morning Adventure Club Program will automatically be enrolled in the Late Start Supervision Program.
For additional information on the late start program, please check out our district website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/4244
Diversity Book Fair planned for Feb. 27 and March 1:
Diversity Book Fair planned for Feb. 27 and March 1: We will hold a Diversity Book Fair with EyeSeeMe bookstore during Spring Conferences! EyeSeeMe is a University City bookstore that specializes in books with African American characters, culture and history. This is a great way to mark the end of Black History Month, as well as stock up on books for your child’s home and classroom libraries! The book fair will be in the gym foyer. It is being organized by Avery Parents for Racial Equity. Interested in volunteering? Please click on the image.
Please hyperlink to imager: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_U05slZdlNCZ7-h3ys-HUNdP3qvzUUSlXIqSPhBHU9A/edit?usp=sharing
Avery Equity Group February Meeting
After six years, the Avery Parents for Racial Equity group is ready to expand its scope. And we want you to be a part of it! Join us for our February meeting to learn about the demographics of the student population at Avery.
The meeting will take place on Monday, February 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Avery Library. Child care will be provided.
If you are a parent who has an interest in discussing how to build a welcoming and inclusive community for all Avery families, including families of color, LGBTQ+ children and families, lower-income families, families whose students have 504 plans or IEPs, and others, then we invite you to join us. Come be a part of our community of parents as we chart a broader path and expand the scope of this group.
Additional spring semester meeting dates:
March 7, 7 p.m. – Zoom
April 10, 6:30 p.m. – In person at the Avery Library
May 8, 7 p.m. -- Zoom
Questions? Contact Julia Maki and Libby Dowdall at averyequity@gmail.com.
The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Announcement
Zoom link:https://wustl.zoom.us/j/94200244013
If you have questions about this presentation or the PAC, please don't hesitate to contact JJ Gossrau at jjgossrau@gmail.com or Rebecca O'Laughlin at rebeccamichellelinz@gmail.com.
Avery Science Fair Winners
- Malena Lippold - 4th Grade
- Maddie Heffner - 5th Grade
- Agnes Andrasko - Kindergartener
A Note from Mrs. Wallace… Avery’s School Counselor
February brings lessons and reminders about Habit #5 for our Avery community.
4th Grade is beginning a special unit called “MindUp” with Mrs. Wallace. This unit teaches how emotions impact brain function. Students will learn vocabulary around parts of the brain and their function. Students will learn how to calm their amygdala using their five senses. Students will learn they have an “upstairs brain/wizard brain” and a “downstairs brain/lizard brain”. This is a fun unit that mixes science with counseling and emotional regulation. It appeals to all kinds of learners.
Repeated Information Below
Registration for Girls on the Run at Avery
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a national program that teaches 3rd-5th grade girls confidence through accomplishment, self-esteem and fitness. It culminates with the GOTR 5k in Forest Park on May 13. Avery will have an on-site team this year that will meet after school on Mondays & Wednesdays from March 6 - May 10. (No programming during spring break.) Sessions will last from 3 - 4:15 pm. If your student is interested in participating, please officially register them with Girls on the Run and select the "Avery Elementary" team as soon as possible. The program cost is $150 and covers registration in the 5k run as well as a healthy snack at each practice. Please note: Scholarships are available, and volunteers are also welcome if you'd like to help with the program!
Avery Play Information
Rehearsals for the Avery Play are underway! It's already getting a lot of award nomination buzz and you can still be part of it too! We have a few small acting roles to fill, looking for dance troupe members, stage crew and other night-of helpers. Click on the link below to sign up. Questions? Email Amanda at amandavader2@gmail.com
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pqy-ryli-ySFhA9JKzv1tNOHayYktEn_Zryhrk-6NGQ/edit?usp=sharing
Arrival on Atalanta Reminder
Thank you!
Order Yearbooks Now!
Order your yearbook online! Visit https://inter-state.com/flyerentry/73102Q
Avery Auction and Game Night! Feb. 25th, 2023
Tickets for the 2023 Avery All-Star Jam Auction and Game Night, will go on sale on January 18, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
The link to purchase the tickets is http://www.silentauctionpro.com/onlineticketpurchase.php?groupId=919
Tables are $200 for 8 players. Premium tables, which provide an appetizer, a specialty drink, and a table at the front of the room, are $300 for 8 players. Get your tables together, space is limited and tickets will sell fast!
Students will participate in a spirit-day on 1/18 to show support for the upcoming Trivia Night! Details in the flyer below.
Avery Auction and Trivia Night - click the image for additional information!
Save the Date! Avery Family Night with Fredbird
A Note from Nurse Palmer
Deciding if a child is too sick to go to school is a tough call for any parent. A student with heavy cold symptoms such as deep or uncontrollable coughing or significant lack of energy belongs at home even without a fever. Please refer to the attached Student Symptom Decision tree.
Nurse Palmer
Free and Reduced Lunch Information
It's not too late to signup for free and reduced lunch. You can do so here and return it to:
Webster Groves High School
100 Selma Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Attention: Food Service Office
Current 5th Grade Families
Valentine Parties
Please read the below information regarding Valentine Party protocol. Please note, with our shift in not allowing birthday treats, we are also not allowing food to be consumed by students during the party. Food is welcome at the party, but needs to be packaged in a way that can be sent home with students. Should you have any questions, let us know.
Valentine Parties will take place on Tuesday, February 14th.
Classroom parties will take place at 1:45 pm.
Classroom parties will END at 2:30pm.
If making a donation of items/activities for parties, please send in only non-food items. There will not be any food consumed during classroom parties-but snacks are welcome to go home with students.
If you are planning on attending the classroom party, please sign in at the front table located by the main entrance.
Feel free to contact your child's teacher or a room parent with any questions or concerns.
Webster Groves Basketball Development League
This program will be designed to help teach students the fundamentals of playing basketball. Practices will be held on Tuesday nights at WGSD Elementary School Gyms and games will be played on Sundays in the late morning and early afternoon in the gyms at Webster Groves High School.
Teams will be put together by elementary school attendance and grade level. If a particular school or grade level does not have enough players then we will combine them with another one. To be eligible to participate in this league, students must either attend a WGSD elementary school or live within the WGSD boundaries.
Dogs At Arrival and Dismissal
Equity in Action Committee Community Recognition
Equity in Action Committee Community Recognition
The Webster Groves School District's Equity in Action Committee values and encourages peer-to-peer recognition for equity work. In 2021, the EIA launched a Community Recognition initiative, which provides an opportunity for members of the community to recognize individuals (i.e. students, teachers, parents, friends, community members, etc.), schools, businesses, and organizations who make significant contributions towards creating and cultivating a culture of dignity that values all human beings within the WGSD. To learn more about this opportunity and to make a recognition, please go to Community Recognition. The deadlines are November 29, 2022, January 30, 2023, and April 24, 2023.
Avery Staff Favorites
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e6Z8KJTJ3zQ6gHg41L7Oef6teiXROKfX?usp=sharing
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrival from 7:40-7:50 AM
Bompart Avenue
Carpool drop-off only in front of school – parents to remain in vehicles with staff members assisting students
Families walking students to school will say goodbye at the external doors
No parking during arrival
Staff members will supervise at the curb
Marshall Avenue
Atrium entrance will be open for arrival for students dropped off on Marshall
Staff members will supervise at the curb
- Atalanta Avenue
We strongly encourage families to travel only from Bompart towards Glen to alleviate congestion and increase safety
No parking on sidewalks
Staff members will supervise at the curb
Dismissal 2:50pm-3:00pm
Bompart Avenue
Kindergarten and Fifth grades will dismiss out front
Atalanta Avenue
First and Fourth grades will dismiss along the side
Blacktop
Second and Third grades will dismiss on the back blacktop
Back Parking Lot
Staff parking only
No entrance or exit from 2:20-2:50
Expected Behaviors
Parents and Guardians-
As we head into the school year, there will be opportunities for the Avery community to come together for after school events on the Avery campus. This note is to serve as a reminder and conversation prompts to have with your children prior to events outside the normal school day:
Please listen to the parent volunteers who are supporting the event.
Please limit access to the building to use of restrooms or areas where activities are present.
The Avery Way is something students learn and recite EVERY morning. These would be good reminders for your child as well. Below you can find our Avery Way:
A-Always Safe
V-Very Responsible
E-Engaged in Learning
R-Respectful to self others and property
Y-You Matter!
Thank you for supporting Avery and the PTO by reinforcing these strategies with your child(ren).
Hannah Peterson & Aaron Winkler
Student Symptom Decision Tree
Lunch and Breakfast Information
Breakfast and lunch menus are coming soon and can be found here.
Breakfast Prices are $1.75
Lunch Prices are $2.80
Milk Only Purchase is $0.65
Federal funding that provided free meals to Webster Groves students the last few years is no longer available this upcoming year. If you think your family qualifies for free and reduced meals, it’s important to apply for assistance. Remember, meals are not free this year. You can apply for Free and Reduced meals here.
You can deposit money in your child's meals account via credit/debit card here or by check or cash at your child's school.
Birthday Treats
Beginning this school year, we will begin celebrating student birthdays differently than in the past. We will no longer be accepting outside birthday treats for your child's birthday. This decision has been made for a number of reasons, but primarily due to the dietary restrictions and safety of our students.
We will continue to celebrate your child on their birthday! Some ways we do this as a whole school are including names on our T.V. monitors around the building, announcing birthdays on the morning announcements, and beginning this year having students visit the office for their very own birthday pencil.
Individual classrooms also celebrate birthdays! Teachers will be reaching out to families on the unique ways they plan to ensure your children feel special on their big day!
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Hannah Peterson, Ed.D.
Want to make a submission to The Avery Pulse?
To qualify for direct distribution to students and families, the
information must be:
- district-sponsored information
- something from a group affiliated* with the district.
- curriculum-related, as determined by the principal, including programs, events, contests and other activities.
*Affiliated is defined as a group recognized by the Board of Education and working
group created soley to work with district staff, students and parents
to raise fund for district activities (PTOs, booster clubs, the
Foundation)
Regarding signs, only signs for school or district groups (sponsored
or affiliated) can be placed on school grounds.
You can read the board policy here
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=448&revid=6VcjbAkBf4Ls3Fs6CyIxFA==&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ==&secid=1QSfUuz8WRJ5slsh0xnyVwukQ==&PG=6&IRP=0
If you are a non-profit organization that doesn't qualify for direct distribution to students and families, you can contact Derek Duncan (duncan.derek@wgmail.org) who is our Director of Communication and he will ensure that your flyer is posted on the community electronic bulletin.
If your information fits the above criteria, you can make a submission to theaverypulse@gmail.com
Submissions are due on Thursdays at 5pm
Avery Elementary
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Avery
Location: 909 North Bompart Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Phone: 314.963.6425
Facebook: facebook.com/averyallstarswg
Twitter: @avery_allstars