Inside WGSD

We had a wonderful time at our Opening Day celebration with all staff. Thank you for the vital role you play inspiring the lives of our students. Have a great week and start to the school year. Thank you for all you do to support our students, families, communities, and each other.

See all the photos here on ParentSquare. Login with your Webster Google account to access.

Watch our video that played during the even here. This is Us.

Open Enrollment is available today through August 31.

Open Enrollment sessions are an opportunity for you to get answers to your questions and/or concerns as well as make changes to your benefits. Assistance with benefits enrollment will be scheduled this week and the weeks of August 21, and August 28.

There will be in-person Open Enrollment Q&A sessions and three virtual sessions via zoom. Please click on the Open Enrollment link to view the schedule. All other dates and times will be open for assistance if you are unable to attend the scheduled in-person and/or virtual meetings. Please contact LaNita Harrison at harrison.lanita@wgmail.org to schedule an appointment.

We utilize Empyrean as our benefits enrollment system. Instructions are enclosed on how to access the enrollment system. Log onto http://compass.empyreanbenefits.com/CSDTRUST to enroll or make changes to your benefits. If you do not want to make any changes, you should at least check your life insurance beneficiaries to make sure they are current and accurate. Also, please use this opportunity to look at your account and send me any updated personal information (i.e. address, phone number, email address, etc.).

Please note if you have a flex spending account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you are required to elect the amount of money you would like to deposit into the plan annually. Please contact LaNita Harrison at harrison.lanita@wgmail.org if you have any questions or concerns.

For an overview of our benefits, click here.

For a video overview of our benefits, click here.

We value wellness and understand the importance of prioritizing your well-being. With this in mind, we are thrilled to introduce a new benefits package designed to support you in taking time for yourself. Our new Wellness Benefits Package includes the following:

• We are excited to present the Webster Black Card, which grants you a 10% discount at various local establishments within our district. This not only contributes to your financial wellness but also strengthens our connection with the community we serve. These cards will be distributed to all teachers and staff soon.
  
  

• In addition, we are working on offering a recreation discount exclusively for our employees. This allows you to enjoy recreational activities and facilities in our community at a reduced cost, providing opportunities for relaxation, rejuvenation, and personal well-being.
  
  

• Recognizing the benefits of remote work and flexibility, we have introduced two new work options. For our 12-month staff, you now have the opportunity to work from home one day per week during the summer, provided it aligns with your role's expectations. This flexibility promotes a healthier work-life balance.
  
  

• To further enhance flexibility, we have implemented a four 10-hour workday option during summer months. This alternative schedule allows you to work four days a week, with longer weekends and more time for personal commitments.

• Participation in these options is entirely voluntary, and we provide a two-week trial period for you to evaluate their suitability. Please inform us of your decision so that we can ensure adequate departmental coverage.
  
  

• We are committed to holistic well-being and will organize monthly 'yoga' sessions via Zoom, offering relaxation, stress reduction, and rejuvenation. Additionally, monthly Recognition Days, such as meet & greets, will foster connections and relationships among colleagues, creating a supportive and collaborative work environment.
  
  

• Emphasizing the significance of social connections, we encourage you to engage with your peers during and outside of working hours. By organizing events and informal gatherings, we aim to promote interactions that boost happiness and productivity.

  
  

We are enthusiastic about these initiatives and confident they will contribute to a healthier and more fulfilling work experience. Your personal and professional growth is our priority.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work in making Webster Groves School District a great place to learn and work!

Twenty-nine new teachers began their careers in Webster this week! They participated in new teacher orientation, which included a bus tour of the district, a welcome to our staff, and much more. We wish them a terrific first year in our schools!

Say 'hi' to our new educators on Facebook here!

Administrative assistants from our schools took part in the professional development this week. Join us in thanking them for all they do in supporting our students!

Pictured: Anissa Witherspoon, WGHS; Renee Peeples, Givens; Nikita Hicks, Hixson; Nanci Pollihan, Avery; Sarah Macgruder, Hixson; Teresa Mueller, Bristol; Lisa Eckert, Edgar Road; Charleyne Coil, Hixson; Lindsey Pelosi, WGHS; Julia Huelsman, WGHS; Maura Floretta, WGHS; Kim Edwards, WGHS; Julie Simonson, WGHS; Bev Brooks, Service Center, and AJ Rodgers, Service Center.

Come join us for an exciting evening at Moss Field as we commemorate 75 years of cherished memories and unforgettable moments. This event promises fun for all ages, with interactive sports activities that will keep everyone engaged and entertained. Participate in mini-drills and witness impressive showcases by talented members of our community.

We are honored to have two exceptional musical guests gracing our celebration. Adam Hansbrough, Class of 1998, will share his musical talent and entertain us with his melodies. And get ready to groove to the beats of Steve Ewing, Class of 1988, renowned singer of The Urge and proud owner of Steve's Hot Dogs.

Check out the video narrated by Joe Buck and share the Facebook event here.

The 2nd Annual WGSD Family BBQ will be held on Saturday, September 9, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Ivory Crockett Park. The event is free and includes food, fun, games, and vendor tables.

We invite you to attend! Share the event on Facebook here.

We are excited to announce that we adopted a new form of school-to-home communication at Webster Groves School District called ParentSquare.

This unified communications platform is designed to keep staff informed as well as parents and guardians. ParentSquare allows us to to:

ParentSquare is not just for parents, it's for all employees as well. All teachers and staff should have received a signup email. We will resend this a few more times. Signup is not required to receive communication from us.

Learn more about ParentSquare here.

Our new employee website is now live. This is a place where you can get all your work calendars, benefits information, newsletters and more.

You can use your Webster Google account to login by clicking the 'Login with Google' button below the login space.

Aug 15-21 Building Level Activities

Aug 16 Farewell to Moss Field, 6 p.m., Moss Field

Aug 22 First Day of School

Aug 24 Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Service Center

If you have a group photo of your school staff or department that you would like to be featured in an upcoming staff newsletter, email connect@wgmail.org.