Our son is now a senior at DePauw in Indiana where he is studying business and just wrapped up playing football. The school has been a wonderful fit for our son, and we are appreciative of the teachers and coaches that supported his development and this opportunity. Like most colleges, it is evolving to the needs of students and the world they will emerge into after graduation. It also has had a history of navigating fluctuations of well over a century of existence.

For several years prior to the pandemic, the school was rocked to its foundation during a period of required austerity and leadership tumult. After some time in the wilderness, one of the school's professors wrote an article ("DePauw’s Big Mess On Campus" by Lili Wright) that shared the story of the institution's reckoning with multiple issues. Her perspective relays the ultimate ability of the school to regain its storied stride:

“DePauw will find a solution. A new president will bring fresh energy and ideas. The remaining faculty members are devoted, and alumni still love the school—and open their wallets. The college just finished a fundraising campaign, netting $380 million. What’s more, DePauw rose 10 spots in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, landing back in the top 50. As the legendary English professor Raymond Pence liked to write on student papers: ‘This is too good not to be better.’ ” I see many parallels with WGHS: new leadership, generous alumni as well as community support, and multiple wins to celebrate.

This message resonated with me in that DePauw had some hurdles but was resolute in their beliefs and ultimately, optimistic in their outlook. It also tells of a recognition of where growth can and should occur. Like DePauw, we have realities, like any institution, we must navigate. Many are larger waves--not of our making--that crash into our bow and require steady seamanship. I am grateful for our leadership team and our staff to have the chance to be good and also seek better.

Best,

Matt Irvin

Quill and Scroll is an international high school journalism honor society. Its goal is to recognize and encourage individual and group achievements in scholastic journalism.

Sam Enlund, Echo publications staff members, was inducted into Quill and Scroll today.

Also the online version of the WG Echo earned a Second Class rating from National Scholastic Press Association.

Spring Parent Conferences are scheduled for March 10-11 and will be a combination of in-person and via Zoom. Conference times are below:

March 10: 4:30 - 8:30, in person

March 11: 4:30 - 8:30, virtual

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. 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 Patrick Bommarito (bommarito.patrick@wgmail.org) in Chelsea Center with any GivePulse inquiries.

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 by student last name.

Jennedy Lombard (A-K) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Mrs. Lombard

Cassie Aschinger (L-Z) Click HERE to schedule your meeting with Mrs. Aschinger

Special School District is proud to co-host the 4th annual St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase

Families and students in grades 6 through 12, as well as recent graduates, are invited to these FREE events to experience a variety of careers through interactive exhibits and discussions with industry professionals.

Saturday, March 1st at 1pm at South Technical High School

Free STEM College and Career Fair at WashU on March 9th!

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) invites students, parents, and counselors to explore the college search process at the NACAC STEM College and Career Fair held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. at Washington University in St. Louis.

• Meet with admission representatives from various colleges, universities, and the armed forces.
• For more information and to register: Click Here
  

Save the Date!

All Juniors will take the ACT on April 8th during the regular school day. No registration needed. This will be a paper/pencil traditional format exam.

Looking for ways to prepare for the ACT/ SAT? Check out free prep and practice tests through the Varsity Tutors app - accessible to all students through their Clever account.

Looking to register for other exams? Please visit www.act.org or www.sat.org to view test dates and deadlines.

March 6 is Maintenance Appreciation Day!

Special thanks to our WGHS Maintenance team, Mr. Mark Sweet and Mr. Willie Bates, for keeping our historic building beautiful and functional!

Seniors now have until March 7 to submit the Parents' Club Scholarship. Recipients will be notified at Senior Awards Night. Click here to apply.

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.

Career Exploration Opportunity: Art, Architecture and Design at PGAV Destinations

Students are invited to join a career exploration trip to PGAV Destinations. PGAV defines its workforce as "thrill seekers at the drawing board," and is the architecture and design firm behind exhibits at the Missouri History Museum, the Grand Canyon, the Pyramids of Giza, the Biltmore Estate, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Niagara Falls, Kennedy Space Center, and PortAventura.

On our visit to PGAV's world headquarters, students will get behind-the-scenes sneak peeks into the everyday operations of careers in architecture and design, as well as meet with related professionals employed by this firm in this industry, including sculptors, illustrators, animators, urban planners, and creative writers. Check out the firm's website to be truly inspired. We encourage students to come out to explore interesting career possibilities and make connections in the field!

Transportation and lunch will be provided; there is no cost for this trip. This trip will count for three A+ job shadow hours, and the excused absence will be arranged with the unit offices. Students should log in to GivePulse and register their interest for this event. We will then reach out to provide a permission slip and additional details to the student.

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