Inside WGSD
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Open positions for summer school
Elementary summer school positions at Avery
There are staffing positions open for the Summer Exploration Experience at Avery Elementary. Summer school begins June 5 and ends July 7. There is no school on June 19 or July 4. If you are already a WGSD staff member and are interested, you can email Claire Diemler here. If you know someone who may be interested, but isn't currently a WGSD staff member, they can apply here.
High School summer school positions at WGHS
Summer is quickly approaching and we are excited for the learning opportunities that will be offered this year. Summer school begins June 5 and ends July 7. There is no school on June 19 or July 4. Please consider joining the team! If you are interested in summer school opportunities at the high school please reach out to Ebonie Davis here.
Our People | WGSD Cares
Today we are profiling Emily Burst, who is the Assistant Principal at Bristol Elementary School. Emily is in her second year with WGSD. Before coming here, she was an assistant principal at Hancock Elementary. She began her career in the Wentzville School District, and then moved closer to home to work as an elementary school teacher and summer school principal in the Affton School District.
Christina Shapiro, SSD social worker in WGSD, says "Emily is always smiling - what a great personality to have in a building full of children! She lights up the room and children respond accordingly. She is active in promoting the teachers and students best interests and she handles herself with grace and is easy to get along with, while maintaining her professionalism. Emily is very welcoming of students and staff and is a valuable resource to anyone that has had the opportunity to work with her."
Emily says she "absolutely loves her job!" She loves the "energy that the kids bring and how excited they are to come to school" and she loves the "passion and commitment from the adults" she gets to work with. She also loves the community and traditions of the Webster Groves community. Emily's grandpa was a biology teacher in WGSD and every year her family would attend the July 4 parade and would "hear excited screams from students and parents chanting" her grandfather's name, Mr. Horak. Like her grandpa, Emily hopes to "form positive connections and relationships with students and families that will last forever."
When asked about what the toughest part of her job is, Emily said, "As an educator and as a mom, I am constantly researching and learning new ideas, tools, tricks, and methods to ensure each and every child has the best learning opportunities available to them. It is also critical that we create relationships and environments that allow each child to feel safe, respected, loved, and welcome in our community. All kids come to us with differing life circumstances and differing abilities. Sometimes children show us what they need most through big behaviors and big emotions. This can be challenging, but every child deserves a champion. A champion that continues to remind them You Matter! You Are Somebody! You Will Be Successful! I Believe In You!"
Wow! We are beyond grateful to have such a passionate and inspirational educator right here in our district. And just like our students matter, so do all of our staff members. So today we want to thank you, Emily, for reminding us that we can be each other's champions and work together to make sure the needs of all of our students are met.
Do you know someone who deserves recognition? We would love to profile them in our newsletter and give them our WGSD Cares pin. Nominate them here!
Pictured, Emily Burst, Assistant Principal at Bristol Elementary with Bristol students
Free hearing screenings
During the month of March, the Southwestern Hearing Center will be providing Webster Groves School District employees, retirees, and their significant others with complimentary hearing screenings performed by Southwestern Hearing Centers. The screenings will be available to you at no cost at the clinic location most convenient for you. Your screening will include an otoscopic evaluation, a full hearing screening, and a copy of your results at no charge. You can schedule your screening here.
Teacher and helping professional appreciation weekends at Origin Wellness
Origin Wellness has opportunities for WGSD staff to receive free Wellness Services and/or Well-Being Coaching.
Staff can receive 1 free wellness service each month at Origin Wellness. Teacher & Helping Professional Appreciation Weekend is the first full weekend of each month and staff can receive 1 free service from their 3-pack menu (plus 25% off any additional services that day) and the next appreciation weekend is this weekend, March 4 and 5.. Walk-ins are welcome, but spaces do fill up, so Origin recommends calling ahead at 314-899-0808 to make your reservation.
Staff can also receive up to 12 free well-being coaching sessions with a certified Anthropedia Coach., who you can talk to about the difficulties that you are facing in your personal and professional life. During these sessions, you can learn practical, evidence-based tools to increase your resilience and decrease feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed, and burnt-out. Free coaching is available to all residents of Kirkwood and Webster, so feel free to pass along this invitation to anyone you think might be interested!
Please reach out to Origin with any questions at info@originwellnessSTL.com or 314-899-0808.
Pathways to Self-Discovery
Over the next few months, we will be highlighting each goal in our strategic plan. Goal 2 is Pathways to Self-Discovery.
In order to help ensure students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and beliefs to flourish upon graduation, we must provide them with a variety of rich educational opportunities and pathways to explore and learn based on their strengths, interests and/or passions.
Through the development and use of flexible, individualized plans, students will be better equipped to tailor their educational experiences in WGSD to help meet their current and postsecondary goals.
Learn more about Goal 2 and the entire WGSD strategic plan.
