Congratulations to the Class of 2022; Graduation is May 24
Congratulations to the outstanding High School class of 2022. Two hundred and sixty members of the class collectively earned $36.5 million in scholarships. College acceptances for this year's class include Washington University, University of Missouri - Columbia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Notre Dame University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Oberlin College and Sarah Lawrence College.
Graduation this year will be Tues., May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., St. Louis.
No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Issue Would Provide Improvements For All District Schools
On Aug. 2, voters in the Webster Groves School District will have the opportunity to approve significant improvements for all school buildings and learning environments through Proposition S, a $45 million no-tax-rate increase bond issue. The projects include rebuilding Moss Field stadium, improving roofs, gutters and doors; safety and security enhancements; greater accessibility; tuck-pointing and masonry work; electrical updating; better exterior lighting; mitigation of water infiltration and more.
You can find the projects for each school on the district’s Proposition S informational site, https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/24000
Look for the April 14 Bond Priorities and Budget document.
If you have questions about the bond issue, please use the question box here Proposition S
Share Your Opinions on WGSD Priorities Survey
Over the last several months, the district’s Strategic Planning Committee has been working on purpose and principles for WGSD as well as a Profile of a Graduate. You can read more about that here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/24067 . As the work continues, families and staff are encouraged to share their perspectives on priorities through a survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KLP5N68
Your input is critical to this important process as the committee moves forward on specific priorities, measurements and action steps. Please take a moment to respond to the questions.
#Teacher Feature Jarrod Jones, Hixson Middle School
Hixson Middle School offers seventh grade students the opportunity to learn about reading and writing from a published author, Jarrod Jones.
Three of Jones’ children have graduated from WGSD (the youngest is currently a junior at the High School) so when the opportunity opened for Jones to teach at Hixson, he took it. “I 
had met so many teachers, coaches, and parents over the years, it felt like home to me,” Jones said.
“I love when students reach reading and writing goals they didn't think they could achieve. I love to see students succeed and are proud of themselves. I love giving information and watching that information turn into masterpieces in the form of writing,” Jones said.
What Jones, author of the young adult novel “My Invisible Father,” loves most about Webster Groves is the small town feel. “When I was away in college many years ago, I was in a small town, and I enjoyed the atmosphere so much. I enjoyed walking to places and seeing people in the city. Webster has a similar feel, yet it's still big enough to have many places to go and things to do,” he said.
If Jones weren’t a teacher, he said he’d write full-time. He writes in his free time now. He also likes to read, play basketball and write and produce songs. “I helped write and produce a six-song EP as a soundtrack for my novel,” Jones noted.
Jones said his love of writing and teaching comes from his middle school English teacher. “In middle school, my English teacher encouraged me in my writing, and at that time, I decided I wanted to become a writer. But because I loved my learning experience in middle school, I also wanted to teach.
“One of my most exciting or, better yet, memorable moments in teaching happened during my first year in my previous district. At the end of the school year, my students were to give an oral presentation. I remember three seventh-grade boys who had many rough moments in my class came to school dressed in business attire to give their presentations," he said. "That wasn’t required, but they were proud to wear the suits and ties to give their presentations, and it showed me that even students who may not always follow the rules or be on their best behavior have the potential to do remarkable things still,” he said.
District Dedicates Kopplin Field at Webster Groves High School
spoke about Richard Kopplin, class of 1917, who enlisted in the United States Army immediately after graduating and was the first Webster Groves High School student killed in combat in World War I. Earlier this year, the Board of Education approved a recommendation to rename Plymouth Field as Kopplin Field. A plaque will be installed at the field. Corp. Kopplin was killed at Hilsenfirst Alsace Gerardmer, with 50 others who were part of the 138th Missouri National Guard. In 1918, the High School and his classmates raised money for a granite marker in his memory, which is on the corner of the student parking lot on Bradford Avenue.
community swimming pool by providing free daily swim passes for individuals and families that require financial assistance. Thanks to the generosity of this amazing community, 604 pool passes were used last summer!The Freestlye Pool Pass is a partnership of the Alliance for Interracial Dignity, the Webster Groves School District, and Webster Rock Hill Ministries.
To those families who may currently be in need of financial support to access the pool, the goal (pending funding) is to provide:
· WGSD PreK – 5th grade students: 4 Freestyle Pool Passes per student upon request
· WGSD 6th – 12th grade students: 2 Freestyle Pool Passes per student upon request
· If you have more than one child attending the same WGSD school, then you will receive a family pack of Freestyle Pool Passes.
If you need financial assistance and are interested in receiving Freestyle Pool Passes (each is good for one daily admission), then please complete the form here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4bhUthcOuROBzAkY_-R53T6eqYG5BNVMSm41q5-oJl_70AQ/viewform by today, May 13, or contact your child’s counselor. The passes will be given to your child May 19 - 20, 2022. During pool season, Freestyle Pool Passes will also be available at Webster Rock Hill Ministries and inside the Rec Center front desk.
As the Freestyle Pool Pass program continues to find its footing in future years, we hope to expand the program to include snack bar vouchers and possibly swim instruction. We are not actively fundraising for summer 2022, but If you would like to support the program's future, the fund is being held by Webster Rock Hill Ministries (WRHM). Checks can be made payable to WRHM and mailed or brought to 111 East Waymire, Webster Groves, 63119. Checks must include “Freestyle Pass Fund” in the memo line. You can also donate online at Pool Pass
