Many years of research has estimated that after the “summer slide,” the average student loses a little more than one month’s worth of skill or knowledge in math and reading by the time school resumes in the fall. And there has been evidence of further decline after the virtual periods/instructional disruption we have endured. Below are some low-tech options that I will be nagging my children about the coming months:




• 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 Jerry Collins at collins.jerry@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.







Have a restful summer,

Matt Irvin

Final report cards will be available on the parent portal on June 2. 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, students will pick up schedules as follows:

Students with no fines and who are current on immunizations =

Class of 2024, 8:00 -11:00 a. m., August 7

Class of 2025, 12:00 - 3:00 p. m., August 7

Class of 2026, 8:00 - 11:00 a. m,. August 8

Class of 2027, 12:00 - 3:00 p. m., August 8

Students with fines or those not current on immunizations =

All Classes, 8:00 - 12:00 p. m., August 17

Summer School: June 5 - July 7

Future Leaders Seminar: July 10-13

• 5/26: Last day of school; school dismisses at 11:40 am.

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.

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.

Freshmen and Sophomores 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

danb@wgmail.org

Amy Wibbenmeyer

Technology Specialist

Webster Groves High School

Wibbenmeyer.amy@wgmail.org

Please be aware that all 2023-2024 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, 2023.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Thank you!

District Lead Nurse

Webster Groves School District

P. 314-918-4150

F. 314-963-6483

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.

We greatly value student input at Webster Groves High School, and this year we invited students to participate in our school culture/climate survey that was twice administered during Advisory through the Panorama Survey platform. Counselors and administrators analyzed the data and created a plan to improve our school based on the patterns and trends that were demonstrated in the data. We appreciate the insights gained from the surveys and look to improve the students' experience at Webster Groves High School.

Learn the fundamentals of field hockey and sign up for camp June 6-8! Campers in grades 3-12 will have the opportunity to work with high school coaches and varsity field hockey players. We will have individual instruction and small games.

Register and learn more here.

Scholarship Opportunities and Searches:

St. Louis Area Scholarship Search

St. Louis Graduates Scholarship Central (Note: Many of these applications have not opened up yet so keep checking back.) This is also where you can apply for Interest Free Student Loans from Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

Where can you find other scholarships? There are a number of national scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be rewarding if you put some time into it.

National Scholarship Searches
Fastweb
College Board’s Big Future
Peterson’s
Unigo
Cappex

Anytown 7/23/23-7/29/23

The Anytown Leadership Institute, a program of NCCJ St. Louis, is a unique 7-day residential program for high-school-aged youth. Anytown's goal is to prepare youth to be effective leaders and change agents who are dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and oppression. Youth participate in experiential learning activities and dialogue sessions designed to increase their understanding of human relations issues and of their own responsibility to create a community based on inclusion, trust, and mutual respect. The Chelsea Center can provide funding for up to 3 students selected for this program who are also willing to simultaneously enroll in a Chelsea Center course.

Looking for other experiences?

If your child is looking to explore a passion area or career, have them visit the Chelsea Center to learn more about local opportunities, ways they might earn credit for engaging in these opportunities, and potential funding available to support experiential learning in the summer as well! Students can access wgsd.givepulse.com with their school Gmail account information to explore upcoming experiences as well.

The 2023-24 school year starts on August 22. Sports dead week is July 29-August 5, and fall sports begin on August 7.

The full 2023-24 calendar is now available on our website.

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