From the District April 15, 2022
WGHS Assistant Principal Dwight Kirksey Honored
Dwight Kirksey of Webster Groves High School, has been chosen Assistant Principal of the Year by the St. Louis Association of Secondary School Principals.
The awards program recognizes exemplary performance among secondary school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. He received this honor at a surprise ceremony in the school auditorium.
WGSD Awarded $172,500 in State Grants for Teacher Recruitment, Retention
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has awarded the Webster Groves School District two grants totaling $172,500 for teacher recruitment and retention. The money for the grants -- which comes from federal COVID-19 relief funds -- is to be used to attract students to pursue careers in education and keep high quality teachers in the profession.
Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said, "By allocating money to every district and charter school and offering a wide range of recommended best practices to effect change in recruitment and retention, we are allowing local school leaders to determine the most appropriate course of action to meet their local needs."
Building and Facility Needs Recommendations Made to Board of Education
At its meeting last night, the board heard recommendations from two citizens committees regarding building and facility needs and a possible $45 million no-tax-increase bond issue to address them.
The board will decide later this month whether to put a proposition on the Aug. 2 to pay for safety/security, accessibility and infrastructure projects throughout the district.
Sean Eickoff from the Building Advisory Committee and Cullen Kuhn of the Finance Advisory Committee reported on their recommendations to the board. Eickoff reviewed current building and facility needs; Kuhn said that the Finance Committee recommended a bond issue, if the board decides to move forward with the recommended projects.
The district has sought feedback on building and facility priorities from the community through a survey as well as a series of open houses. You can read survey results here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/24000 A major project for a possible bond issue would be building a new Moss Field stadium. Districtwide projects would address mortar, brickwork and plaster issues; interior and exterior doors, water issues in educational spaces, accessibility improvements, replacement of aging boilers, roofs, tuckpointing and more.
School Board Swears in Members, Elects Officers
Incumbents Alex Kahn and Allen Todd, as well as newly elected board member Tara Scheer, were sworn in as Board of Education directors at the meeting this week. In addition, the board elected Jo Doll as president, Christine Keller as vice president and David Addison as secretary.
WGHS Students Earn Top Ratings at Missouri Journalism Event
Webster Groves High School students received top awards at the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Journalism Education Association Day at the University of Missouri-Columbia recently.
Echo Yearbook and WG Echo’s online platform earned overall superior ratings. The Echo newspaper, the Echo News Roundup and Voices of Webster earned overall excellent ratings.
Senior Jackson Parks earned Best of Show for his online op-od package “English teacher unfairly suspended.”
The following students received All Missouri ratings: Emily Goben, Owen Crews, Layla Johnson, Claire Vogl, Bridget Moehlman, J.J. Peel and Maren DeMargel.
The students who eared Superior ratings are Max Biundo, Ella Mahacek , Ava Musgraves, Jackson Parks, Roy Smith, Matthew Grace, Gigi Tetley, Lydia Urice, Ali Schulz, Eleanor Kanerva, Macie Savala, Emma Forsee and Anna Barr.
Zeke La Mantia, Jackson Parks, Ava Musgraves, Izzy Poole, JJ Peel, Max Biundo and Claire Vogl received excellent ratings.
WGHS Names New Head Football, Swimming Coaches
The High School has named Conner White and Evyn Spencer as head football coach and head swimming coach, respectively. Both are teachers at the High School.
White, who has both collegiate and high school coaching experience, was the football team's defensive coordinator last season. He coached at Central Methodist University -- where he was a three-time all-conference linebacker as a student -- and Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City. While at Helias, he was head strength coach and special teams coordinator during their 2020 undefeated state championship season. He is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist.
Spencer has been assistant swimming coach at WGHS. She has 14 years of coaching experience for club teams and two years as assistant coach at Lafayette High School, where the girls team placed in the top ten in the state both years. Spencer has been a two-time state champion in the 200 medley relay in high school and also swam for Truman State University, where she was a 12-time NCAA Division II All-American. She holds two individual school records.
Free Meals for All to End May 27
Because the U.S. Department of Agriculture didn’t extend free meals for all students past this school year, the last day for free meals will be May 27. Students will be charged for breakfast and lunch for summer school. Please note that free and reduced-price meals for students who qualify under the National School Lunch Program will be available this summer and beyond.
Summer school students not in the free and reduced-price lunch program will need to ensure that they have enough money in their accounts to cover breakfast and lunch if they choose to eat during summer school. Breakfast at the High School and Hixson will be $1.80; elementary school breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch for High School and Hixson students will be $2.85 and $2.80 for elementary students.
The district’s Food and Nutrition Office will continue to accept free and reduced-price meal applications for the school year. You can find the application at the link https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=7748&dataid=38468&FileName=21%20-%2022%20Free%20and%20Reduced%20Application.pdf