As we close in on the month of May, often we reflect on our seniors. I was pondering the manner in which the class of 2025 started at WGHS. The unknown nature of their first year in a new school was mitigated by their ability to embrace the illumination that education affords along with the art, athletics, and activities that enrich the academic experiences. They found refuge in the connections and community with classmates and our staff that provided the needed balance of challenge and support.

As we look forward with our junior students, their paths will begin to diverge after their graduation in 13 months. Options of colleges, careers, or service settings all have innumerable pathways of their own. Once again, uncertainty reigns.

It's my hope that our students will recall both the challenges and successes from their experiences of their freshmen year, and it serves as a compass to navigate to their next destination. The recognition and implementation of their abilities in such moments when clarity is not present is one of many gifts I hope they take with them.

Best,

Matt Irvin

Due to a shortage of required minutes per DESE, we have lengthened our school days on the half-day finals, May 21-23, by 12 minutes per day. The new schedule is below. We will release at 11:52 a.m. on those days instead of 11:40. Also, please note we will have a 9-minute passing period between exams. Finals on these dates will be 99 minutes in length.

Congratulations to our Scholar Bowl team--they're heading to State!

It’s the last hoorah! Let’s show our staff some end-of-the-school-year love with lunch during Teacher Appreciation Week! Every donation goes towards a delish meal with drinks and desserts— let’s show our ENTIRE staff we think they are just incredible!!

https://www.wghsparentsclub.org/StaffAppreciationWeekDonations

Parents' Club is getting our exec board members, committee chairs, and committee members lined up for the 2025-2026 school year. Find where you can get involved on the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0948ACA923A4FA7-55558785-202526

Senior Party Registration is Live!

All seniors who wish to attend the 2025 graduation party must complete this registration and waiver. All students must sign the Parents Club liability waiver; those students who are under 18 must have a parent/legal guardian sign 2 waivers on their behalf.

Senior Party Sign-Up Link: 2025 WGHS Graduation Party Registration

Parents, we need your help to make this year's Senior Party a successful and safe celebration! We need as many parent/adult volunteers to assist with all aspects of the party. Please sign up by using the SignUpGenius link below. Thank you for your continued support!

Volunteer Sign-Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4FA5AE2FA2FA7-54158250-graduation

Sign up at this link! Please sign up for one slot per adult (though the event is for both kids and adults). You may sign up for 1 or 2 hours. Note there are 2 locations.

Bring: WG Parks and Rec will bring tools and gloves, but feel free to bring your own gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, safety glasses, snacks, and/or hat. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The following are helpful but not required: shovels, hand pruners and loppers.

Hosted by: Bristol, Edgar Road, Clark, Avery, Givens, and Hixson PTOs for WGSD families

End of Year tests are approaching!

EOC testing window April 14th -25th

AP Exams May 5 - 16th

Seniors - Mark your calendars!

Decision Day & Senior Breakfast is May 1st during Advisory and Academic Networking! We will spend the time 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.

The last day of school is just a month away! Our last day of school is May 23, and students are released at 11:52 a.m. Please check our school calendar for the final exam schedule.

Seniors: Please check in with your academic counselor regarding A+ status. A+ hours are due May 9th.

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.

Summer A+ Hours Volunteer Opportunity for Freedom School

Students can volunteer to assist with small groups of K-5th grade students at Freedom School this summer and earn ALL their A+ hours for all of high school!! This program will be held at Peace UCC's site on the Eden Campus. Interested students should register on GivePulse, and then Chelsea Center staff will reach out to guide them through the volunteer application process. In the meantime, they can be getting a brief resume together!

The Freedom School organization empowers youth to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families, and communities with hope, education, and action. Volunteers will be working alongside seasoned staff as they mentor younger students through various activities such as reading time, STEM activities, games, etc.

The session will run from June 16 - July 25 from 8 - 4pm. (There will be no school July 19/20, and no school July 4th.) There is a required training session on Tuesday, May 27th from 10am - 12pm (lunch included). Students will receive A+ and Statesmen Service hours for the training day as well as the days they volunteer.

Freedom Schools® at Peace provides enrichment through a research-based and multicultural program model that supports K-5 scholars and their families. The culturally competent learning model is built on literacy, leadership and social advocacy, and its curriculum is rooted in the Freedom Summer of the Civil Rights Movement.

Information about this and other opportunities can always be found on our website at bit.ly/chelseacenternews.

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