Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for February 15
Hello WGHS Families,
The below quote is from a book centered on pre-school age children but it still rings true for adolescents:
“The children we know who are confident and feel socially and intellectually competent are the children whose parents support them by: loving them unconditionally…setting limits and expectations for behavior…teaching respect for others, the difference between right and wrong and the importance of taking responsibility for actions…being a good role model…and having fun, maintaining a sense of humor, and knowing that there’s no such thing as the perfect parent.” --Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum, Practical Wisdom for Parents
I am sharing this quote as a directional point for myself and the collective community as we all navigate the challenges of parenting adolescents. I know I am challenged to be high on both the nurturing and challenging axis, looking to balance those aspects that are at times in tension with each other. I take refuge in the ability to find humor in my fallibility, as does the rest of my family.
As educators, we also are challenged to balance student support and accountability; what aspects of the learning process should teachers carry and what parts should students fully answer for. I am hopeful that our staff and families enter into the fray with earnest interest in serving the long-term goal of independence and how to best support that outcome.
I hope we all seek and find the best answer for your child here at Webster Groves High School as we look to push, challenge, and grow young people in a caring, educational ecosystem that is a 21st century high school.
Best,
Matt Irvin
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, 2/16 OR MONDAY, 2/19
Next Week's Schedule: No School, A, B, C, A
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 2/16: Progress Grades available on Parent Portal
- 2/19: NO SCHOOL; Presidents' Day
- 2/22: Jazz Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
Additional Student Parking Now Available
WGHS staff and students are now allowed to park in the Peace UCC lot at 204 E. Lockwood Avenue on school days from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Parking is available on both lots; one lot is accessible from Lockwood Avenue and one is accessible from Plant Avenue.
All Peace UCC parking spots will be first come, first served. Students: Please be respectful of the space and privilege that comes with using the Peace Church lot. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
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.
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:
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.
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
Webster Groves Local Scholarship Applications are due February 20!
Seniors! Applications for Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due to Ms. Adams in the Main Office on Feb. 20.
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 9 at WGHS during the regular school day. More detailed information will be shared soon - no registration required.
Did You Know?
Students are not allowed to order lunch from an outside delivery service or restaurant. If we receive a local food delivery for a student, we will turn away the order and report the infraction to the Assistant Principal's office.
If you drop off a lunch for your student, you will be instructed to place the lunch on the delivery table and send a text to inform your child. We do not deliver lunches that are dropped off. Thank you for your help on this matter.
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