Notes from Dr. Irvin

At the end of last week we observed our induction for the National Technical Honor Society, a THRIVE pitch competition, Friday's Broadway Revue, and the opening event for rededicated Kaplan Field. We made history again today with both basketball teams headed to the Final Four, coupled with many All-Suburban nominees from our music program (listed below).

While all had highlights, one piece I want to highlight is the community feel that each event shared. Students, families, alumni, and staff were present at each event, multiplying the impact each event. So powerful to witness the capacity of our Webster Groves community.

Thanks to parents for conferences and the chance to partner in the success of your students and to the Parent Club for a delicious lunch for staff.

We wrap up another seemingly surreal three quarters of the school year today. Please have a safe and happy spring break.

Best,

Matt Irvin

• March 18: NO SCHOOL
• March 21-25: Spring Break
• March 28: A Day

We had a very successful day at All-Suburban Solo and Ensemble Festival this past weekend. 28 band students will be headed to State Solo and Ensemble in Columbia, MO on April 30th. Below are the results:

Exemplary Ratings Qualified for State!!!

Woodwind Quintet - Taliyah Roash, Sarah Velhuzien, Morgan Daniels, Shiloh Roash, and Logan Storck

Brass Quintet - Sadie Moore, Jude Bronner, Molly Stevison, Miles Cole and Zach Andrews

Trombone Quartet - Miles Cole, Ella Brenner, Claire Stevison, and Zach Andrews

Woodwind Trio - Taliyah Roash, Morgan Daniels, Cecelia Likos

Percussion Ensemble- Kate Johnson, Simon Avrushenko, Dominic Lee, Beckett Mitchell, Noah Lodes, Jacob Assouad, Abby Assouad

Percussion Ensemble - Simon Lang, Allie McGuire, Justin Seibe, Miles Collier, Nicholas Williams, and Carter Williams

Tenor Sax Solo - Nathan Scarlett

Flute Solo - Ann O’Halloran

Flute Solo - Taliyah Roash

Horn Solo - Shiloh Roash

Horn Solo - Molly Stevison

Outstanding Rating

Woodwind Trio - Ann O’Halloran, Xavior Brown, and Eliza Sullivan

Saxophone Trio - Alex Turley, Nathan Scarlett, and Evan Christman

Bassoon Solo - Logan Storck

Clarinet Solo - Ian McCann

Satisfactory Rating

Flute Solo - Fernando Duque de Estrada

Over the weekend, WGHS Orchestra students participated in the District Solo and Ensemble Contest held at Parkway Central. Taking a total of 16 different events, 7 events earned an Outstanding rating, and 9 events earn an Exemplary Rating, meaning they will move on to the State Level in Competition.

Here are the events and students participants:

Exemplary Rating:

String Quintet: Lucie Herrick, Myka Stewart, Ethan Sanders, Isabella Pantano, Celia Alexander

Viola Solo-Isabella Pantano

Cello Solo-Hannah Silverman

Cello Solo-Silas Garrett

Cello Solo-Myka Stewart

Violin Solo-Celia Alexander

Violin Solo-Ethan Sanders

String Quartet; Brenna Buckman, Delaney Sullivan, Hannah Silverman, Carina Dickie

String Quintet: Emma Rohrs, Silas Garrett, Joshua DeLay, Avishai Seguel, Andrew Stewart

Outstanding Rating:

Violin Solo: Amelia Kirsch

String Quartet: Sophia Wilson, Andrea Marie Desuyo, Scarlett Patton, Essence Williams

String Duet: Henry Knapp, Faida Achinda

String Duet: Myka Stewart, Scarlett Patton

String Quartet: Joseph Leyson, Sebastian Macaire, Sonora Haake, Dylan Hulsizer

String Duet: Corvin Haake, Jake Kochanny

String Quartet: Eli Suppelsa, Madelynn Wood, Owen Barrs, Amelia Kirsch

Columbia Scholastic Press Association announced Gold Circle Awards for last year's print and digital contests. The digital is for the 39th Gold Circle Awards program and the print is for the 38th Gold Circle Awards.

Graduate Kelly Woodyard won a Certificate of Merit for her photo "Junior Lacrosse Player Fights for the Ball," and senior Ava Musgraves won third place for “Columnist Asks 'Are These Brownies Worth 100-hour commitment?'“

DM24 Single sports photograph
CM. Kelly Woodyard, "Junior Lacrosse Player Fights for Ball,” WG Echo, Webster Groves High School, Webster Groves, MO.

N06 General or humor Commentary
3. Ava Musgraves, “Columnist Asks 'Are These Brownies Worth 100-hour commitment?'“ WG Echo, Webster Groves High School, Webster Groves, MO

It has been an amazing week in our Thrive Incubator! We hosted the Waterway Pitch Competition on March 9. Seven Thrive businesses pitched for a total of $700 in funding provided by Waterway Car Wash. Essential Candle Company LLC won first place ($500) and Andromeda World LLC won second place ($250).

On March 16, WG Thrive had 3 businesses compete in The Big Pitch (Stickable LLC, Essential Candle Company LLC, and Endure Hoops LLC). The Big Pitch is presented by Catalyst and funded by U-City, Clayton, Brentwood, Ladue, their alumni foundations, The Black Entrepreneurs Inc., and Elite Cuisine. Catalyst raised $7000 in funding for the winners of the pitch. 24 student business teams pitched for a total of $7000 in funding. Students representing Parkway Spark! Catalyst, Maplewood, Jennings, Thrive, and South County Tech all participated. Catalyst divided the teams into 2 brackets with 1st-$2000, 2nd- $1000, 3rd- $500 prizes for each bracket.

Endure Hoops- Matt Enright took home 1st place $2000 and Essential Candles- Ava Bruckel, Adelyn Armstrong, Mackenzie Fisk, Savannah Haney- 3rd Place $500!

Beginning this Thursday, the Webster Groves School District will offer COVID-19 testing for the public from 2-4 p.m. in the board room at the central office, 400 E. Lockwood Ave. Testing will continue to be offered here on Thursdays at this time except for during spring break.

Rapid antigen and PCR testing will be available through Visionary Vaccine Services. No appointment is needed. Masks will be required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian. Your insurance will be billed for the service and there are no fees for the uninsured. Everyone tested will receive a letter documenting the date of service, type of testing and results.

Testing will also be offered for the public in other school districts:

Mondays and Wednesdays in the Ladue School District at the Fifth Grade Center, 10900 Ladue Rd., inside the lower level athletic entrance to the building from 9-11 a.m.

On Tuesdays, at the Clayton District's Administration Center, #2 Mark Twain Circle in Clayton, from 9-11 a.m.

The Webster Groves School District is currently determining transportation needs for the fee-based service for the 2022-2023 school year. If your student will be attending Webster Groves High School or Hixson Middle School and you would like bus transportation for your student for the 2022-2023 school year, you must complete the application at the link below. Even if your student rode the bus last year, you must fill out a new application for the 2022-2023 school year. Please read the information in the link and fill out the form if you want your student to ride the bus for the 2022-2023 school year.

2022-23 Bus Form

Application deadline is May 15, 2022.

Thank you,

WGSD Transportation

314-963-6413

WGHS 2022 Summer School Opportunities/Program Information and Expectations

Summer School Session: June 6 - July 8, 2022 (Monday - Friday)

Registration

The online application for WGHS Summer School is now open!

https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Domain/4074

Completing an application does not guarantee enrollment as enrollment is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that we will be offering online (100% asynchronous) and in-person courses at WGHS for the 2022 Summer School program. Courses with fewer than 15 students will not be offered.

Notification Process

You will receive an email regarding your enrollment status (enrolled or wait listed) by the beginning of April. If enrolled, a course schedule with teacher information will be mailed home one week prior to the start of summer school with classroom numbers.

Attendance Policy

During the summer session, attendance is most important because of the condensed period in which we have to work. Doctor appointments are unexcused for summer school and count towards absences and tardies.

With this in mind, the following attendance regulations have been adopted:

• A student may not accumulate more than 3 absences in a class.

• Any students arriving after the start of a class (5 minutes) will be considered tardy.

• Any students leaving prior to the end of class (less than 30 minutes) will be considered tardy.

• Any student arriving/leaving more than 30 minutes after the start/end of a class will be given an absence for the class even if he or she remains/stays the rest of the class period.

• Three (3) tardies to a class will be equal to one absence.

• Any student exceeding the three (3) absences for a class will receive a grade of “F” for the class and will be withdrawn from the class with no credit.

• Any student who is withdrawn from a class after three (3) days of summer school will be issued and “F” for the specified class.

• PE - Students will be graded on attendance and participation. Due to the length of summer school classes, please note that if a student sustains an injury while enrolled in PE and needs to miss more than 3 days of class participation due to the injury the student will need to be withdrawn from the summer PE course.

ALL WGHS SCHOOL RULES WILL BE ENFORCED DURING SUMMER SCHOOL

Please note that consequences for discipline issues may be increased due to the short length of summer school. Disciplinary infractions may include withdrawal from summer school. If withdrawn, students will receive no credit for their course(s).

For additional questions please contact

Ms. Stacia Giulvezan Summer School Principal, 314-918-4118 or email giulvezan.stacia@wgmail.org

Course Descriptions and Information

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential Learning (ExL) is the process of creating knowledge from direct experience. Chelsea Center students engage in ExL learning through community-based experiences & reflection on those experiences.

How can my child get involved?

All students now have access to a Chelsea Center course that connects them to our new online platform, GivePulse. Within GivePulse, students can search for opportunities in service learning, internships, and leadership programming, as well as summer opportunities. We also meet with students one on one and in small groups to coach them through finding the just-right experiences for them. We are in Room 200 at WGHS and are eager to help!

Opportunity Spotlight

Check out these new opportunities available through GivePulse via the Chelsea Center Canvas course.

Cultural Leadership

Students selected for the Cultural Leadership program participate in an intensive year of over 420 hours of programming that goes from January to October. These programs include cultural activities, public speaking, leadership training, travel, and facilitated workshops on issues of injustice. Through these activities, students engage in their own and each other’s histories, religions, and cultures. They learn to see how systems of oppression have been constructed and function, and then are supported in taking action to bring awareness to and address these issues in their communities. Express your interest via GivePulse for next year’s program.

Missouri Botanical Gardens - SAGE program

SAGE volunteers help children and families experience the Garden through fun and educational activities! Each student has the opportunity to develop job skills through leading fun activities about plants, nature and history in Garden spaces. Opportunities to volunteer are limited from May - Oct, so this could be a great summer service opportunity. Volunteer hours are from 10am - 2:30pm, 7 days a week and some evening events as needed. Express your interest via GivePulse.

All juniors will take the ACT on April 5 from 8:30am-noon. Detailed information about test administration and testing locations will be emailed to students a week prior to the test.

College Fair at Maryville University on April 24

The Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a college fair on Sunday, April 24th from 1-3pm at Maryville University. Click here to see a list of colleges and programs attending.

Interested in attending a selective university? Concerned you don't know the expectations for applying and for acceptance to a selective university? Worried about how to pay for college once you are accepted? Whether you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, if you are considering applying to a selective university, there will be valuable information shared in these webinars.

Please join us for free virtual presentations on April 13 & 14. Get the Inside Scoop on Selective University Admissions directly from admissions officers from University of Chicago, University of Miami, Wake Forest University and Tufts University.. Two topics will be presented each night followed by time for Q & A with the two admissions officers presenting. Registration will give you access to both evening presentations (you may attend one or both sessions). See details below.

Wednesday, April 13; 7:00-8:00 pm CDT

Preparing for College - Will Smith, University of Chicago

Applying to College - Charles Cammack, University of Miami

Thursday, April 14; 7:00-8:00 pm CDT

Alternative Approaches to Starting College - Susan Faust, Wake Forest University

Paying for College - Rae Deveney, Tufts University

Click this link to register for the Zoom webinars on April 13 & 14:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6616419191597/WN_YZsQOZ7LSguYk6G3una9iw

Digital Strike Will Award Online Google Career Certificates

Local digital marketing firm, Digital Strike, has announced they will be awarding 20 area high school students an opportunity to complete an online Google Career Certificate.

Upon completion, this certificate will propel students on the fast track to in-demand jobs within fields that are and will continue to be crucial to our country’s economy, including technology, science, business, finance, energy, and more.

For more information and to apply visit https://www.digitalstrike.com/google-growth-with-digital-strike/

RGA Hosting Actuarial Day for High School Students, Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 3:30-5:00pm (via Zoom)

Do you love Math? High school students interested in learning about the actuarial field should consider attending RGA's Actuarial Day. They will hear presentations by RGA actuaries and have opportunities for Q&A via Zoom. To register, click here.

College Admissions Testing

We have fielded a lot of questions regarding the ACT and SAT lately. Here's an article with answers to some of the top questions we hear.

2022-2023 Course Selections

Counselors are meeting individually with all students (during their Science class) to review student transcripts and finalize course requests for the 2022-2023 school year. Parents can view their child’s course requests in the parent portal by selecting the 2022-2023 school year (dropdown menu in upper right hand corner) and selecting “Course Requests” (menu on left). Please reach out to your child’s counselor if you have any questions.

In Person College Visits are Back

Beginning this week, admissions representatives will visit to meet with prospective juniors and seniors to share information about their institutions. Students who would like to meet with admissions representatives should sign up in the counseling office ahead of time and will receive a pass from class. To visit the full calendar, click here. Check back frequently as visits are being added daily.

College and Career Night Recordings

Thanks to those who joined us for College and Career Night on February 8. Couldn’t make it? Here’s a link to view the recorded sessions.

Upcoming ACT and SAT National Test Dates (Saturdays)

Junior parents: Is your child planning to attend a four year college or university? While many colleges have been “test optional” for the past two years as a result of covid, plans for next year are not yet clear and many colleges will still require ACT or SAT scores for admission and/or scholarships. Here are the ACT and SAT test dates for the rest of the school year.

Are you looking for a summer job? The City of Kirkwood and other local municipalities are hiring summer positions in the areas of Parks, Recreation, Accounting, Electric and Water Distribution. Consider attending the Municipal Job Fair on Friday, March 18 from 2-6pm at The Heights.

The Spirit Store is open! Hours are 8-9:15 a.m. daily.

The online store is open 24 hours a day at https://wghsparentsclub.org/collections.

Every time you shop at the Spirit Store, you are supporting student scholarships and teacher grants!

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