"Webster Reads": Summer Reading Program

WGHS Senior Receives State Citizenship Award

Good afternoon,

"Congratulations" to Jessica Oliphant, senior at WGHS, who was just recognized as one of 8 seniors in the state of Missouri to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship Award!  Below is an excerpt from the official DESE press release.  

Congratulations, Jessica!

Each child, Each day...John

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Eight public high school students were honored as recipients of the 2015 Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship Award. The honorees were recognized at an April luncheon at the Missouri Bar in Jefferson City.

Representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Board of Education and The Missouri Bar presented the awards. Each student received a plaque and is enrolled in the American Bar Association’s Citizenship Honor Roll.

“It is important that students take an active role in their community while gaining an understanding of the principles of government,” said Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “These students are to be commended for their hard work in the classroom and community.”

Students are selected for the award on the basis of their academic achievement in civics and government courses, performance in civics and government-related extracurricular activities and exemplary community service. Students also must submit an essay about the importance of citizenship.

Educators and members of The Missouri Bar’s Advisory Committee on Citizenship Education reviewed the nominations and selected the winners. The Missouri General Assembly established the citizenship award in 1990.

The WGSD Solving Crimes!

Good morning,

Students in the Webster Groves School District are helping solve crimes across the country through their learning.  Check it out!

Each child, Each day...John

http://www.wsmv.com/story/28973269/news-4-schools-forensic-science-class-at-webster-groves-high-school

Equity in Education - Minutes and BBQ

Good evening,

Please take a moment to review the April minutes from the district's Equity in Education Team.  As a learning community that values learning, individuality, and community, this group actively learns and works to support equity in learning for all children and adults.  

Also, if you're available on May 2 to attend the End of School BBQ, we'd encourage you to do so.  It's a wonderful event for all ages!

Each child, Each day...John

Collaborative Learning Experience with SLPS

Good morning,

Last week, WGSD 3rd grade students in Project Plus participated in a "Creative Convention Day" at Hudson Elementary along with 3rd grade students from Kennard Classical Junior Academy (St. Louis Public Schools).  As part of the experience, Ed Grooms, our district fine arts coordinator, invited Mick Fumo to share how he uses creativity in his daily life as a chef at Cielo in the Four Seasons Hotel.  Students learned about new vegetables like carnival cauliflower and were encouraged to play with their food (see picture below)!

Each child, Each day...John

"HixsonHub"

Good afternoon,

Jason Heisel, Building Technology Specialist and Webmaster at Hixson Middle School, has dedicated much time and effort in supporting students in producing a student-created, student-maintained web site.  The site is very inviting and showcases some rich and meaningful learning on behalf of the children!

Here is what Jason shared: 

"TechYes students launched their student site http://hixsonhub.com a site designed, built and maintained by students, an 8th grade TechYes member mentored some 7th grade students on coding as part of their 20% project (pictured), and our art Teacher Jenny Hannel had her students check out the Google Cultural institute and virtually tour some art museums where students picked a piece of art work to discuss and share in her Google Classroom."

Please check out the wonderful work of our middle school children...: http://hixsonhub.com

Each child, Each day....John

One Thoughtful Teacher...

Good afternoon (again),

Last year, Lauren Forsythe, wonderful teacher at the WAFC, participated in Thought Session, one of the long term learning opportunities offered through iDEA (our district's professional development committee).  During that year-long experience, she engaged in some really powerful action research regarding the role a child’s peers might play in his/her successful transition from one space to another.  Hearing Lauren speak about the child, who was the impetus for her research, was and still is quite moving.  Since the conclusion of her research, Lauren has shared her work with DESE and others around the state.  Just recently, Lauren’s research was published in Voices of Practitioners, the teacher research of journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

I would encourage you to read Lauren's research article below!

Each child, Each day...John

http://issuu.com/naeyc/docs/vop_winter_2015?e=0/11273191