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Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 8
![Notes from Dr. Irvin Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 8](https://cdn.smore.com/u/4af4/710c8b344ced55fae1ba916c76cf9c8c.jpg)
Hello WGHS Families,
We are so grateful for our Parents' Club initiative to "Show the Love" fundraiser. We have teaching candidates that have taught mini-lessons in classes who noted our students' kindness and generosity. While the larger setting presents many challenges, our community's support has been a salve to our staff.
I encourage you to share your positive observations and comments formally in our Parents' Club fundraiser or less formally as you find most accessible. We are very grateful for all the support.
Best,
Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: Late-Start A, A, B, C, NO SCHOOL (PD DAY)
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 2/9: End of Progress Period
- 2/10: ACT Testing
- 2/12: Late-Start A Day; School starts at 9:40, and doors open for students at 9:25 am.
- 2/13: Orchestra Pops Concert, 7pm, Roberts Gym
- 2/16: Progress Grades available on Parent Portal
- 2/19: NO SCHOOL; Presidents' Day
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, 2/16 OR MONDAY, 2/19
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
Families will receive an invitation later this month to sign up for their conferences.
Two WGHS Juniors Accepted to Missouri Boys State
Congratulations to Evan Mager and Luca Thies for being accepted to the 2024 American Legion Boys State of Missouri program. Young men exhibiting the qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, and citizenship will be considered for Missouri Boys State.
MIJA January Photo of the Month
Sophomore Sam Enlund and junior Tate Harcourt earned Honorable Mentions in Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association's January Photo of the Month Contest.
Seniors Ellie Heimann and Sam Murdock celebrate their win with a hug in the women's basketball game against Kirkwood on Friday, Jan. 12, in Roberts Gym. The score was 43-41. Photo by Sam Enlund
Senior Nadia Robinson pauses in the middle of her solo during the dance team’s performance at the Jan. 26, winter sports pep rally in Roberts Gym. When she’s on stage performing, she Robinson said, “When I'm dancing, it's a different side of me. Everything goes blank, and I'm like a different person.” Robinson only joined the team this year, but said she wishes she started at the beginning of her high school career. “Sometimes I wish that I wasn't a senior. I wish I could stay longer.” Photo by Tate Harcourt
Kevin Cole Receives Merit Award
Congratulations to Kevin Cole, music teacher, who received a MERIT AWARD from St. Louis Suburban MMEA District 5 for his outstanding efforts to support music education in the St. Louis area. The colleague that nominated Kevin said the following things:
“Kevin does a great job of providing his students with impressive musical opportunities. Whether it is coordinating alumni to perform or address the ensembles, performing in professional venues, bringing in touring artists, composers and educators to work with/perform with his students, Kevin always has a list of upcoming events for his bands that is staggering. Furthermore, he has served on our Executive Board as a past Jazz VP, and continues to assist the organization by recommendations for clinicians, helping track down musical arrangements for the all suburban jazz band to rehearse and perform, and continues to inspire students in his program to continue to be attached to music as a vocation and/or hobby after graduation.”
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:
Show the Love Starts Now!
WHAT: Webster Groves High School Parents’ Club BIGGEST annual fundraiser
WHEN: February 1st - 14th
WHO: Any member of our community can donate to support our work! For a donation of just $10 we will put the name of your child, a friend, neighbor, teacher, counselor, staff, coach or administrator on a heart to help SHOW THE LOVE!
Every dollar donated goes right back into support our school, teachers and students. Please be on the lookout in emails and social media for more information and the link to donate!
Chelsea Center Opportunities
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.
Join us for “Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity” on February 12
Join the WGSD PTO equity committees on Monday, February 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Givens Elementary School Auditorium for “Rising Together: Family Work for Racial Equity.”
It’s been 10 years since Michael Brown was killed and the Ferguson Uprising inspired commitments to racial justice. Come hear where that work stands now, how high school students who came of age in a post-Ferguson world assess their landscape and the work that lies ahead, and how you can lead your family to ensure our community's children have the opportunity to rise together.
Hear data updates from a WGSD administrator, thoughts from Webster Groves High School student panelists, and be encouraged to pivot from thought to action by former district principals and nationally recognized equity leaders Dr. Howard Fields III and Dr. Grace Lee.
Childcare will be provided in the Givens cafeteria. If you plan to use childcare, please let us know in advance by filling out the form at bit.ly/RisingTogetherChildcare.
Questions? Contact averyequity@gmail.com.
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
Thank you for coming to our College & Career night on Feb. 6th. We hope it was encouraging and informative for you and your students. Missed a session or two? Please visit our Counseling Webpage for links to the presentations and information shared that evening:
WGHS College & Career Night Information
Webster Groves Local Scholarship Applications are due February 20th!
Seniors! Applications for Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due to Ms. Adams in the Main Office on Feb. 20th.
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.
Individual College/Career Planning Conferences available for Juniors and their families!
Please schedule using the links provided for your College & Career Counselor
Ellen Silverstrand (A-K) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Ms. Silverstrand
Jennedy Lombard (L-Z) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Mrs. Lombard
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.
Did You Know?
Senior Parents: It's time to mark your calendars for important senior dates! Look for an email soon with spring updates on graduation and a checklist to finish the year strong.
February 15, Distribute Senior Packets
April 12, Top Hat Awards
April 13, Prom
May 2, Senior Awards Night, 7:00 p.m.
May 6-10, Senior Finals
May 10, Last Day for Seniors; Senior Check-out begins at 10:20 a.m.
May 18, Graduation, Chaifetz Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.
May 18, All-night Party
*All dates subject to change.
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 the appropriate extension below.
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