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

Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association announced its November Photo of the Month winners. Yearbook's Lizzy Hancock tied for Second Place with her photo of junior Chloe Bronner in Caberet, and publications staff member Sam Enlund earned an honorable mention for her photo of sophomore Jameson Starzer in the Turkey Day Game.

Junior Chloe Bronner and the cast of Cabaret on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 strike a pose during dress rehearsal in the black box at Webster Groves High School in Missouri. (Lizzy Hancock/WebsterGroves)

Sophomore Jameson Starzer attempts to avoid being tackled during the annual Turkey Day game on Thursday, Nov. 28. The game was played against Kirkwood High School on Thanksgiving as part of an ongoing tradition between the two schools. Webster lost the game 6-46. Photo by Sam Enlund.

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 Hall. 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.

*Any adjusted schedules will be communicated with families.

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

Schedule online

*Get $5 off a $20 coupon after vaccination

Walgreens Pharmacy

*Schedule online

Donations needed to the Class of 2025 Senior Party!

Our Amazon Gift List is Live. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner.

This is the perfect opportunity to snag Senior Gifts at unbeatable prices!

Every Senior who attends the party on 5/17/25 goes home with a gift.

That's a lot of gifts needed!

Select Andrea Osdieck as the delivery address.

Thanks so much for your help!

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/22S6H1GCE7G9O

Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony

May 17, 2025 6:30pm

Chaifetz Arena

• Doors will open for guests at 5:30 p.m.

• Guests: We are not limiting the number of guests per graduate.

• Tickets: There will be no tickets for entry to Chaifetz Arena.

• Parking: Parking is paid by guests in the Olive/Compton garage. Fees will be announced in the spring. Street parking is available but limited.

• Duration: The ceremony lasts approximately 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the class.

Parents: Do you have students who are seeking A+ hours? Here are three short-term opportunities over Winter Break that will be great! They are local, fun, and have commitments varying from one day to many days. Students can find out more and register at wgsd.givepulse.com, or you can feel free to send them to the Chelsea Center and we can assist them directly. Thank you!

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.)

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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.

Parents & Guardians Getting Started Guide

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:

1. Canvas Informational Letter
2. Creating an Observer Account, Logging into Canvas, and Setting Notifications
3. 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.

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!

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