Notes from Dr. Irvin
Your WGHS Weekly eNews for May 23
![Notes from Dr. Irvin Your WGHS Weekly eNews for May 23](https://cdn.smore.com/u/da38/b95313bed460fbb73791690a5881cf03.jpg)
Hello WGHS Families,
- Read a book. My mother is a retired reading teacher so this is a familiar directive, but we are now competing with ubiquitous devices for attention and time. This is a struggle in my home that I fear I am losing but no white flag yet from me.
- Play games. This is my new tack with a college-aged "child" in the house. I grew up playing spades in our extended family and we will still get a tournament going when we are all together so I will advocate for family time with the four us over a card game.
- Summer can be the perfect time for high school-aged children to engage in passions they are developing in music, art, or other activities that allow them to explore.
- Athletic camps or teams seem to gearing up for a more traditional summer of workouts, practices, or games. If interested in joining a Webster Groves High School team, please contact Chris Johnson at johnson.chris@wgmail.org.
- Summer is also a good time to sit down and discuss financial aid and other expenses. The Office of Federal Student Aid has prepared checklists geared toward students of all ages.
- Many high school students might also want to take the time to start developing their skills of collaboration and communication. Finding a part-time job can help students gain valuable experience-being directed by an adult that is not their parent can promote growth in teens.
- Volunteering is also an option. Youth-oriented summer camps, local museums, animal shelters and, of course, libraries are often looking for extra help during warmer months. This experience is not only valuable for personal and professional development, but it often looks good on college applications. Find opportunities at our Chelsea Center.
Matt Irvin
Final report cards will be available on the parent portal on May 31. If you have any questions about your child’s grades, please keep in mind that teachers and counselors are out for the summer. The high school main office is open during the entire summer from 8:00 a. m. - 3:00 p. m. Counselors and teachers may stop by during the summer, but will not officially return until late July/early August. If you leave a message on voice mail, please keep these dates in mind, as you may not receive an immediate response.
As you plan ahead, we are no longer hosting a formal "Back-to-School Check-in" in August, since all back-to-school tasks/forms can be completed in the portal or online. However, we are pleased to offer an informal Student Welcome and Open House on August 14. Students will have the opportunity to walk their schedules, find and fill their lockers, submit any forms in person, or speak with their counselors.
Summer School: May 28 - July 28
Future Leaders Seminar: July 15-18
Next Week's Schedule:
Summer Break Begins!
A Peek at the Week Ahead
- 5/24: Records Day; Last day of school
Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors Will Keep Their Chromebooks Over the Summer
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors participating in the 1:1 initiative will not return their Chromebooks prior to summer break. Here are some tips for keeping them safe and ensuring your student doesn't incur any fines from damages or lost items.
Summer Storage
Please store your chromebook indoors within a temperature controlled environment away from moisture, direct sunlight, or physical damage. Do not store the chromebook in a vehicle due to extreme temperatures or unsupervised due to potential theft. Avoid eating or drinking around the chromebook, and do not stack items on top of the chromebook. Clear off chromebooks before closing the lid and always transport the device (holding from the base or the case handle) with the lid closed to help protect the screen.
Charging
Only use the school provided charger with the device. When unplugging your adapter from the wall grasp it by the three prong plug and gently remove it. To reduce the risk of damage to the adapter when removing it from the device, pull the USB C plug in one straight motion. Do not wind cords too tightly as it can damage the wires inside.
Digital Citizenship
If you need to walk away from the device press the search button and L to lock the device. Keep your password and login information private and always follow school rules. Don’t respond to emails or click on links from people you don’t know.
WGHS Property
The chromebook is checked out to you so you should be the only person using the device.
Do not remove any asset tags / barcodes or the protective case, and do not add your own stickers to the device.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
Students are responsible for the general care of the chromebook they have been issued by the district. Any chromebook lost, stolen or damaged must be reported to school authorities immediately. Chromebooks that are damaged, or fail to work properly, must be taken to the building technology specialist as soon as possible. Do not take any district-owned Chromebook to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance.
Contact Information
Dan Broshears
Technical Coordinator
Webster Groves High School
Amy Wibbenmeyer
Technology Specialist
Webster Groves High School
Final Assessments Continue Through Friday
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.
Important Attendance Information
If your student elects to stay home during an Academic Lab exam, student assistant period, Independent Period, Peer Tutoring hour, or study hall, please contact your Assistant Principal’s office for attendance purposes.
Sophomore Awarded Prestigious NSLI-Y Scholarship
Sophomore Elliot Blew has been awarded a prestigious NSLI-Y scholarship to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer! Elliot is one of just 540 high school students selected from thousands across the U.S. for this incredible opportunity, provided by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
In Taiwan, Elliot will live with a host family, immerse in the local culture, and engage with local peers to enhance language skills and foster mutual understanding.
Launched in 2006 as part of a multi-agency U.S. Government initiative, NSLI‑Y increases the number of young Americans with the critical language skills necessary to advance international dialogue, promote economic prosperity and innovation worldwide, and contribute to national security by building understanding across cultures. Many NSLI‑Y alumni go on to pursue education and careers vital to U.S. national security and credit the program experience with helping them improve their academic, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills.
Congratulations, Elliot, on this honor!
Important Immunization Information for Rising Seniors
Please be aware that all 2024-25 12th grade students are required to submit proof that a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) has been received after the age of 16. This vaccine protects against the bacteria that causes meningitis.
According to the State of Missouri and WGSD Board of Education policy, documentation regarding this vaccination is required to attend 12th grade. Exemption cards from the St. Louis County Department of Public Health are also acceptable forms of documentation.
Your child can receive this vaccine from your regular healthcare provider, any of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health locations and most Walgreens/CVS locations. Should you choose to have your child vaccinated at the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, please bring your child’s vaccination record and a letter from me available upon request. The vaccine is routinely given at the 16 year check up so if you believe your child has already received this dose of the vaccine, please obtain that documentation and send it to me via fax, email, or mail.
We ask that the vaccination record be turned in to the nurse's office no later than August 1, 2024.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Thank you!
Rachel Huertas, MPH, RN, CHES®
District Lead Nurse
Webster Groves School District
P. 314-918-4150
F. 314-963-6483
Students Honored in MIJA's April Photo of the Month
Sophomore Sam Enlund won second place in Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association's April Photo of the Month contest, and junior Tate Harcourt earned an honorable mention.
Summer Reading
Each Webster Groves High School student in grades 9-12 will be expected to read a book over the summer. By setting expectations for summer reading, we are supporting our district-wide initiative to build life-long, independent learners. Students will be assigned reading in connection with their next year’s English class, and they may check out their texts from the high school Library this and next week. In addition, course-specific summer reading handouts will be available in hard copy and on the Library home page.
For more information, please visit https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/23211.
2024-25 School Calendar is LIVE
Please visit our 2024-25 school calendar here. This live calendar, specific to WGHS, contains all dates and daily schedule for next year. Dates are subject to change.
Did You Know?
The 2024-25 school year starts on August 20. Sports dead week is August 3-9, and fall sports begin on August 12.
The full 2024-25 calendar is now available on our website.
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