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Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for April 18
![Notes from Dr. Irvin Your WGHS Weekly eNews for April 18](https://cdn.smore.com/u/3990/00b4b77b840074be5a9e33d7f0d5e103.jpg)
Hello WGHS Families,
A candidate for a teaching position asked our committee to identify a unique attribute of Webster Groves High School. My response is that our size allows many academic, athletic, or club options for students to pursue, yet small enough for a student to find a role in one or more of those settings. A student may be a musician and part of an athletic team or be in a dramatic production coupled with membership in STUCO. I am resharing one of my favorite examples of this below, embodied by a graduate that was a scholar, an athlete, and an active member of several school organizations:
In baseball, stealing home is a play of equal parts audaciousness and good fortune. However, there is a bit more behind the heroics of that particular game. John Porthouse (class of 2019) by all accounts had demonstrated himself to be a good student in his time at WG and knew the likelihood of completing the play against a left-handed pitcher (indirect view of the base runner on third) with a slower delivery, two outs in a one run, late inning of the game, his own speed on the bases, and having a right handed batter to obstruct vision and play of the catcher. As Louis Pasteur noted, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Clearly, John’s understanding of the circumstances and his or his coach’s analysis fostered the boldness of the play and potential to have a favorable outcome.
As a secondary school, we cannot know our students' challenges or destinations, yet we can “prepare” their mind. The prepared mind has the ability to observe, make sense, arrive at decisions and act across complex environments. That preparation happens at Webster when our students find the right balance of comfort and challenge in multiple settings. Bravo to you and our staff for creating deeper learning opportunities that permit them to seek greater understanding, partnerships, and relevance that will undoubtedly allow them the tools to navigate circumstances they will encounter.
Best,
Matt Irvin
Next Week's Schedule: Late-Start A, B, C, B, C (EOC Week)
Please note the modified schedule due to EOC Week
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 4/18-4/20: Spring Musical
- 4/22: Late-Start A Day; School starts at 9:40am, and doors open at 9:25am
- 4/25: Jazz Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
REMINDER: End-of-Course Exams
The End-of-Course exams are scheduled at WGHS from April 15-26. We have a modified schedule to accommodate testing (below). The schedule for each week will be BCBCA, with some periods being reversed during the second week to accommodate longer testing periods.
Senior Parent Line Dance
It’s all about having fun and entertaining our new graduates!!! Parents only have to attend the mandatory rehearsal on graduation night (May 18th @ 11pm) to participate, BUT we really encourage parent dancers to make it to as many rehearsals as possible prior to the performance.
Here’s the Senior Parent Dance Video Link, so you can learn the dance at home, even if you cannot attend the evening practices.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12QGJlksptDqauLhF_V6-ek9MgRhrkAwPU6VNevPIFVc/edit
*You will have to “request access” to view it.
In-person practices take place once a week beginning mid April (on different nights of the week to try to accommodate different schedules).
Practice Dates:
Location: WGHS Aux Gym
Thurs, April 25th @ 7-8:30p.m.
Wed, May 1st @ 7-8:30p.m.
Mon, May 6th @ 7-8:30p.m.
Tues, May 14th @ 7-8:30p.m.
**Sat, May 18th GRAD PARTY**
11:00p.m. ARRIVAL of Parent Dancers in the courtyard
*Mandatory Practice unless working an opening grad party shift*
12:00 MIDNIGHT PERFORMANCE!!
PARENT DANCE ATTIRE:
Bright, colorful clothing
Glow-in-the-dark bracelets & bright sweatbands (provided)
Class of 2024 Families:
Graduation is fast approaching! Follow this link for details on ALL things Senior:
- Donate to Graduation Lock In via amazon wish list
- Elementary School walk throughs
- Parent Line dance details and practice dates
Please contact Joanna Lodes or Sherri Fowler with any questions.
A+ Hours
ATTENTION 2024 SENIORS: Please complete and upload your mentoring and job shadowing volunteer hours in GivePulse by MAY 10 for A+ Scholarship eligibility. Thank you!
Families of Seniors: Place your Senior Ads
Hello seniors and families! Here is your chance to congratulate your favorite senior by placing an ad in the May 2024 SENIOR issue of the Echo. Complete the online form (we also accept camera ready ads and photos). If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 963-6400, ext. 11157 or wgecho@wgmail.org. *All mailed photos will be returned when we are finished.
The ads are due by Monday, April 24. Sample Ads can be seen here
Payments can be mailed to Echo Newspaper, Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119.
Size (on page) and Special Senior Ad prices:
- 1/16 $30
- 1/8 $45
- 1/4 $65
- 1/2 $105
- Full $180
Thank you,
The Echo Staff
Chelsea Center Opportunities
Looking to get your student meaningful experience over the summer? Then check out these opportunities offered through the Chelsea Center!
If you or your student are interested in learning more about this opportunity, 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. Otherwise, they can scan the QR codes and, using their school gmail account, log in to our online platform at wgsd.givepulse.com to register today!
Counseling News
End of Year tests are approaching!
EOC testing window April 15th -26th
AP Exams May 6 - 17th
Sophomores- The WGHS/STLCC - Early College Program (ECP) is still accepting applications for students who wish to start their college career next year at STLCC. This program allows students to enroll full time at STLCC as juniors with the opportunity to complete an Associates Degree and WGHS high school diploma by graduation. If your student is interested in the program, please review the details here and contact Rick Cusumano cusumano.richard@wgmail.org, WGHS Counselor, for more information.
Seniors - Mark your calendars!
Decision Day & Senior Breakfast has moved from May 1st to May 3rd! We will spend 1st hour celebrating all senior’s post-secondary decisions and receiving reminders regarding Senior Check-out and graduation. We ask that seniors wear a shirt that represents their plans for after high school.
More details to come!
Did You Know?
Reminder for early dismissal requests:
We require at least one-hour notice before a dismissal can take place. Please keep in mind our unit offices are closed for 30 minutes during lunchtime.
It is less disruptive to the class if students that must leave school early depart at the time of the bell, between classes. If that is the case, after you call the unit office, please tell your student to head to their unit office when the bell rings. However, we understand that sometimes that cannot always happen.
Please call or email your unit office for any early dismissal requests, or call 314-963-6400 and follow the prompts.
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 listen to the prompts.
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