Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!

District Receives $1 Million Commitment for Chelsea Center at High School

The Webster Groves School District has received a gift of $100,000 this year from Glenn Detrick for the Chelsea Detrick Experiential Learning Center at Webster Groves High School, as part of a commitment for $100,000 a year for the next ten years.
Eleven years ago, the High School established the Chelsea Detrick Experiential Learning Center with the financial support of Mr. Detrick. This additional contribution will fund programs and scholarships at the center, which is named for Mr. Detrick’s late daughter, a High School alumna.

The Board of Education approved the donation at its meeting this week. Dr. Kerry Arens, coordinator of the center, updated the board on the center’s activities, including opportunities for career exploration through job shadowing and interning, service learning projects, passion pursuit and travel. 

District and Foundation Announce New Partnership
The Webster Groves School District Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, will  partner with the WGSD and the WGSD Alumni Relations Office beginning this year to be a central resource on overall fundraising and educational giving for the district. Since 1988, the Foundation has supported our district’s mission for academic and personal success for every student by raising funds and awarding grants to teachers and staff that expanded innovative learning in the district. The WGSDF will continue to host community events such as the Ivory Crockett Run for Webster, a 5k run held each October and Webster on Wheels, a family-oriented bike ramble held each May.

The district’s needs have expanded – and now, so will the Foundation’s support. 
While the Foundation will still run and manage donations independently, we will work much more closely with the district, including sharing fundraising duties with the district's Office of Alumni Relations. This partnership greatly expands our potential impact – such as facility upgrades, support for district families, equity endeavors and more.

For information on the Foundation and its activities, please visit its website at https://www.wgsdfoundation.org/

Save the Date  Sunday, Sept. 19 for Hixson Community Open House

The Webster Groves School District community is invited to an open house at Hixson Middle School from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Tour the building and take a look at the new improvements and additions including a new entrance on South Elm Avenue, library, gymnasium/safe room, expanded cafeteria, two-story academic addition and more.

The Proposition E bond issue funded the work at Hixson as well as safety/security and accessibility projects at all district schools, including elevators at Avery, Bristol and Edgar Road schools; construction of secure vestibules, electronically controlled entry devices, video monitoring, window and door security and other improvements.

Congratulations WGHS Athletics!

The St. Louis Suburban Athletic Conference has awarded its Commissioner's Cup to Webster Groves High School for the 2020-21 school year. The Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of overall improvement and excellence in Suburban and Missouri State High School Activities Association sponsored championships. The award was established in 2015.

Despite the difficulty, uncertainty and ever changing restrictions last year caused by COVID-19, the athletic program persevered and achieved unprecedented success. Statesmen teams won five Suburban Conference championships, five MSHSAA District championships, advanced to four state final fours and won one team state championship. In addition, two WGHS student-athletes won individual state championships.

Congratulations to the following champions from last year!
Softball - Class 4 State Champions and District Champions
Bennet Loving - Class 1 Diving State Champion
Eliza Maupin - Class 6 High Jump State Champion
Girls Basketball - Class 6 State 2nd Place, District Champions, and Conference Champions
Boys Volleyball - Class 3 State 2nd Place and District Champions
Boys Golf - Class 4 State 3rd Place, District Champions, and Conference Champions
Boys Soccer - District Champions
Boys Basketball - Conference Champions
Girls Swimming - Conference Champions
Boys Track - Conference Champions

Adventure Club Seeks Staff Members

Adventure Club, the district's before- and after-school child-care program, is seeking additional staff members for this school year. After-school positions are available Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:45 p.m.; salary is $12.36 an hour. You can apply at http://bit.ly/WGAdvClubJobs

If you have questions, email rempinski.autumn@wgmail.org  .

WGSD Updates Return to School Plan

The district has posted an updated Return to School Plan for the coming year. You can read it here https://mo02202299.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=23726

Free School Meals For All in 2021-22 School Year

Thanks to federal funding, Webster Groves School District and Chartwells are offering free breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 and under. You can see the menu here https://webster.nutrislice.com

In addition, families that qualify financially are eligible for a number of additional benefits/opportunities by completing a free and reduced-price meal application.These additional savings and benefits include up to $50 off your monthly internet bill, bus transportation and emergency P-EBT benefits. Visit your school's office or this web page https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/3088 for more information and to apply. Signing up only takes a few minutes.

Bus Driver Shortage Affects District

As you may have heard, a shortage of school bus drivers is affecting school districts nationwide. Both First Student, which serves Webster Groves School District, and Missouri Central, which transports district students participating in the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice program, are currently seeking additional drivers. Because of this shortage, you may have noticed things like fewer bus stops or three students to a seat in some instances.  We are asking everyone to be patient as First Student and Missouri Central work to fill all vacant positions. When we have further information on the situation, we will share it with you.

Communications and Alumni Office Merge

This year, the district communications office will expand to include the district's alumni relations department. Shannon Daniel, from the alumni office, will become a communications/alumni relations specialist. In addition, the district is in the process of hiring a communications/alumni relations coordinator who will assist with communications, alumni relations and WGSD Foundation fundraising.