Lauren Bielicki Hired as Ambrose Family Center Director

The Webster Groves School District has hired Lauren Bielicki as the next director of the Walter Ambrose Family Center, effective July 1. She currently is the curriculum coordinator for the center. Her duties as director will include leading the district preschool, the Adventure Club before- and after-school program and FaCE , the district’s family and community engagement program. She has a master’s degree in teaching from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Lindenwood University.

Bielicki taught at the preschool for ten years and has been in her current role for four years. She’s facilitated professional development opportunities for school district staff members, led multiple school studies as well as an effort to improve the educational experience of children receiving special services. She was a key leader in re-envisioning the preschool as it pivoted to become a place where children direct their own learning.

Superintendent John Simpson described her as “one of the most outstanding teachers and developers with whom I have ever worked.” He said she has a “deep understanding of the strengths and growth areas for the WAFC programs…With every decision she makes, children will be at the center.”

School Board Reorganizes, Elects Officers

Congratulations to David Addison and Jo Doll, who were re-elected by the Board of Education as president and vice president respectively at its April 8 meeting. Congratulations also to Christine Keller and Kita Quinn, who were sworn in for their second terms.

Board Member Jo Doll Achieves Master Certification

Board of Education Vice President Jo Doll recently completed the requirements for master board member from the Missouri School Boards' Association. MSBA provides training that forms the foundation for becoming effective board members.

MSBA Executive Director Melissa Randol said that ongoing professional training is crucial for board members "to maximize their contributions" to a district's leadership team.

MSBA is a private, not-for profit organization that  provides training, comprehensive policy support, legal assistance, superintendent search guidance and other services designed to allow school boards to put maximum resources in the classroom.

Jim Schoemehl Run May 1

The Jim Schoemehl Run, sponsored by the High School’s marketing II class, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! The run is Saturday, May 1, at 7:30 a.m. at Webster Groves High School. The class goal is to raise $18,000 for ALS sponsor, Bo Powell and his family, and to have over 200 participants in the run.  This year's run will have a hybrid style format where runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate either virtually or in person. Covid-19 precautions to keep participants and volunteers safe (check out our FAQ for more details! http://jims5k.org/faq) will be followed during the 5k run. 

Registration is now open at  https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/SaintLouis/JimSchoemehlRunforALS?fbclid=IwAR0IWIFeVqsDAKAZR655gV2lU6AJARIB-kB8_sYTXGvEhozYMLDtIJnrg5E   #20yearsrunning!

Freestyle Pool Pass for Individuals and Families

Help make the pool more inclusive! Webster Groves is a great place to live, work and play--and our community is striving to be consciously inclusive. We're asking questions like, "Who's present? Who's missing? Why?" and digging into our history to consider our shared experiences. We want everyone to feel welcome, included and vital in all spaces.

To this end, the Alliance for Interracial Dignity, Webster Groves School District, and Webster Rock Hill Ministries have joined forces to create the new Freestyle Pool Pass. The Freestyle Pass will remove barriers to the community swimming pool by providing free daily swim passes for individuals and families who require financial assistance.

Please join your neighbors in supporting this initiative with a monetary donation to the Freestyle Pool Pass Fund. The goal is to raise $10,000, which would cover at least two visits to the pool this summer for participating families and individuals. Everyone is welcome and wanted at the pool, and we want to be sure everyone can swim and play with friends and neighbors, regardless of their ability to pay.

This fund will be 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 bit.ly/wgfreestyle. Questions? Email freestyleswimpass@gmail.com.

We’ll see you at the pool!

**Families who are residents of the city of Webster Groves may also consider applying for a city recreational scholarship at https://www.webstergroves.org/611/Scholarship

Missouri Interscholastic Press Association Honors WGHS Students

The Missouri Interscholastic Press Association recently honored the Webster Groves Echo online with an All Missouri Rating. In addition, the Echo yearbook and the Voices of Webster Podcast received superior ratings. The print version of the Echo newspaper and the Echo News Roundup newscast received excellent ratings

Webster Groves High School students received the following individual awards: All Missouri ratings include senior Jaden Fields, junior Zeke La Mantia (who also received a superior rating), senior Elise Wilke-Grimm (who also received a superior rating) and sophomore Calvin Lescher.

Students who earned superior ratings include sophomore Maren DeMargel, sophomore Izzy Poole, senior Addie Palmquist, junior Jackson Parks and sophomore Lydia Urice. Excellent ratings went to senior Sophie Schnieders and the yearbook staff as well as Palmquist, Fields, Urice and Wilke-Grimm.

Honorable mentions were earned by freshman Joe Harned, senior Kelly Woodyard, Fields, freshman Calum Shank, junior Myah King, senior Ben Miller, Urice, DeMargel and Poole.

Statesmen Service Awards

Congratulations to the Webster Groves High School students who have received the Statesmen Service Award! They are

Adelyn Armstrong, Jack Armstrong, Andrew Bacon, Daisy Bradford, Jack Callahan, Sloane Carfield, Ivy Clark, Taylor Clifton, Matthew Curtis, Luke Davidson, Carina Dickie, Ella Erb, Gavin Erutti, Julia Fowler, Shea Goggin, Savannah Haney, Jocelyn Hill, Kate Johnson, Amanda Juelich, Aaliyah Keith, Olivia King, Ginny Northcott, Scarlett Patton, Racquel Robinson, Sophie Schnieders, Michael Sherblom, Solia Simpson, Lillie Torbit, Sarah Veldhuizen, Claire Vogl and Joey Vogl.

Kindergarten Enrollment Is Open

Do you have a child who will attend kindergarten in the coming school year? Kindergarten enrollment is now open! Enroll now! https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/23052

Please enroll your student as soon as possible so class assignments can be made and resources allocated.

Free School Meals For All; Other Resources for Families

Would you like a free breakfast and or lunch for your students? All district students have access to free breakfast and lunch this semester. Every meal served provides more funding from the state for our schools.

Virtual students can have free home delivery. For meal delivery sign up, please visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfH08CJCOJnb0mqz6Cg45vKq9mllDBcKBWFJWwbBoiM96s-9A/viewform?usp=pp_url  or contact us at pelant.nancy@wgmail.org with any questions. Students who attend in-person can receive free breakfast and free lunch at their schools.

In addition, the district operates the Community Care Food Pantry, for families in need. You can find information about the pantry here https://mo02202299.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=23454  You will find details about how to pick up a box of food or how to donate.

You can find more information for families, including mental health resources, rent/utility assistance, food and COVID-19 information, on this page  https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=23101

 

WAFC PRESCHOOL REFLECTION GARDEN AND MS. TC'S BENCH

 

The Reflection Garden at the WAFC Preschool is a place where children can pause their day and make sense of what they may be feeling, seeing, experiencing. It is a place to remember a happy time, a sad thought, a creative explosion of ideas, or just wonder about the sky, the clouds, the flowers, the butterflies. It is a peaceful place to plant a flower or gently sit in an elegant, whimsical butterfly bench: TC's Bench - named for our beautiful, happy, spirited, kind, and playful teacher lost to COVID in 2020. 

If you’d like to donate to TC’s Bench, a monetary donation can be sent via Venmo or paypal.  Please include your email address in the memo, so we can send our appreciation.

VENMO: @AmbrosePTO (Meghan Godwin)

Paypal: ambrosetreasurerpto@gmail.com