Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for December 7
Hello WGHS Families,
We have plenty of information below on finals, but I wanted to share another aspect. As parents of children taking finals, we can provide some counsel to coach them along in the process that they should own. I am sharing some items as both a parent and an educator that gives effort in both, not always to the result I sought:
1. Make a finals calendar.
Students should plan out study sessions for exams by looking at the order of finals and gaging how much time they need to prepare. Ideally, start the schedule a week before the first test, and estimate the time to set aside each day for each subject. Students should plan multiple sessions for each exam to maximize the review's impact. “The best deliberate study practice to sustain full concentration, a distraction-free environment, scheduled study time, and access to necessary training resources.”
2. Some recommended study aids.
Consider the most effective way to review, internalize, or practice the information and skills that are covered by each exam. The best resource will be the information the teacher shares in their class regarding sources and the type of assessment questions on the exam. Teachers know what they are asking students to do and will share resources and recommendations prior to the exam.
- Make flash cards or technology-aided equivalent to help memorize dates/equations/facts.
- Outline notes for complex ideas/essays.
- When studying at home or with a partner, have someone quiz the student on the information they have already studied. Students tend to recall the information they have been quizzed on compared to reading and review.
It is not unusual for students to feel some level of anxiousness with the exam period ahead. Strategies of breaking down the exam into smaller units or goals, positive self-talk, and thorough preparation can mitigate modest test anxiety. I hope that is of some help to guide the conversation at home, and I wish all our students' families well as they wrap up the first semester coursework.
Best,
Matt Irvin
Sources: Princeton Review and Managing Test Anxiety from Harvard University, Bureau of Study Counsel
Next Week's Schedule:
Late-Start A, A, B, C, A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 12/7: WGHS Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
- 12/9: ACT Testing @ WGHS
- 12/11: Late-Start A Day; School starts at 9:40am, and doors open at 9:25am
- 12/13: Parents' Club Meeting, 7pm, Library
- 12/13: Orchestra Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
- 12/14: Jazz Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
- 12/15: WGHS A Capella Winter Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
Final Assessments Information
Assessments
An extended measurement of learning, or assessment, will be given at the end of 1st and 2nd semesters in all classes. This assessment will count for a specific percentage of the overall grade to be determined by each department. Assessments may include:
Project
Final Exam
Presentation to the class
Not all teachers will be giving a traditional final exam. However, all students will follow the final exam schedule. Teachers will inform students in advance if they are taking a final exam.
Assessments are an important part of the student’s grade and educational experience. Every effort should be made to be sure the student is at school for exams/projects, and vacations and other commitments are avoided at this time.
No final exams or assessments will be completed early. If a student must miss an exam/assessment, a parent must notify the appropriate assistant principal. The student will receive an Incomplete (I) and will need to make up the assessment at the teacher’s convenience. For students who are engaged in MHSAA athletics or activities, a grade of Incomplete (I) may have a negative impact on their eligibility.
Finishing the Semester Strong
Students are encouraged to collaborate with teachers regarding additional opportunities to demonstrate learning throughout the semester. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor academic progress and teachers are expected to communicate concerns regarding learning and growth with parents.
While we want all students to maintain learning and to stay current with assignments and coursework, in the case that this has not fully occurred, students are encouraged to discuss options for improvement directly with their teachers. Students may also reach out to their guidance counselors for support.
Teachers have always been encouraged to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning. Opportunities may include:
Quiz/test retakes and/or corrections
Ability to submit late or missing assignments
Completion of alternative assessments
Extended deadlines on assignments
Final Assessment Format and Attendance Expectations
A comprehensive assessment will be given at the end of 1st and 2nd semesters in all classes. Each final exam period will be 95 minutes in length. The final assessment will count between 10% and 20% of the final course grade with the exact percentage to be determined by each department. Students will not take finals in Academic Lab, student assistant periods, Independent Period, Peer Tutoring, or Study Block. Exams are an important part of the student’s grade and educational experience. Every effort should be made to be sure the student is at school for exams and vacations and other commitments are avoided at this time.
On the first day of finals, everyone is expected to be in attendance, as it is a special schedule. On the exam half-days, students should not be in the building if they do not have an exam or are not studying in Academic Lab; otherwise, they are expected to report to class, and attendance will be taken. Activity buses are for athletes only. Everyone else should promptly exit the building. Students are also prohibited from going to Hixson.
If your student elects to stay home during an Academic Lab exam, student assistant period, Independent Period, Peer Tutoring hour, or study block, please contact your Assistant Principal’s office for attendance purposes.
Final Exam Make-up Days
In the event of school closure during finals week due to inclement weather, the final exam(s)/assessments will be rescheduled for the first/second day back after the inclement weather day. The grading cycle will be extended accordingly, so there may be a slight delay in grades being available in the Parent Portal. Bus transportation and athletics will be modified accordingly, and lunch will not be served.
It's Influenza Season
It's National Influenza Vaccination Week so we're encouraging everyone--especially children and others at higher risk--to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this season by getting a flu vaccine. Respiratory illnesses, including the flu, continue to increase but there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine! See additional information below on where to obtain yours today!
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
Walk-ins welcome at all 3 locations from Monday through Friday from 8:30a - 10:30a and 1:00p - 3:00p
CVS Pharmacy
*Get $5 off a $20 coupon after vaccination
Walgreens Pharmacy
Did You Know?
We ask that you call in advance if you're picking up your child early. Unlike elementary and middle school, we do not call and interrupt class to retrieve your child. To speed up the process of picking up your student, we always recommend calling at least 60 minutes ahead of time to allow for:
- Retrieval of message
- Locating student and delivering pass to student
- Checking student out of their offices
(Please note: Our secretaries generally take 30 minutes for lunch.)
Counseling News
Seniors, it’s not too late to apply to college!
Please reference this College Application Guide. for details on how to apply, request transcripts and materials to accompany your applications. Please see your college counselor with any questions or concerns!
Upcoming College Admission test dates:
Next ACT: February 10, 2024 - Register by January 5th
Next SAT: March 9th - Register by February 23rd (digital test only)
Considering a future in the trades but not sure where to start? At Ranken's Build Your Future Tour, you'll get to tour the ENTIRE Ranken campus - not just one division or program. For more information visit ranken.edu.
Interested in military careers after high school? Please visit the counseling department where we can connect you with a local recruiter!
Looking to get your student more experiences to help them pay for college or gain meaningful insight into a career of their choice? Then check out these opportunities offered through 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.
Caption: Webster's annual Turkey Day pep rally came by last week on Tuesday, Nov. 21. One way we prepare for our big game is with different competitions throughout each grade. One of those is tug-o-war during the rally. Freshman against sophomores, juniors against seniors, and the winners from each against each other. Pictures here is a group of Sophomores going against Seniors. “I feel like we take a lot of pride during turkey day. Even if we win or lose we still take a lot of pride in our football team and we all show support,” sophomore Kennedy Combs said.
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.
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!
WGHS Attendance Contacts
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