Hixson Happenings

135th Issue, January 13, 2023

Important Dates

January 16 - MLK Day, No School

January 19 & 20 - 6th & 7th grade course requests entered

January 23 - Late Start Day

January 26 & 27 - NWEA Test

February 1 - 7 Integrity to Junior Achievement

February 2 - 7 Bravery to Junior Achievement

February 3 - 7 Unity to Junior Achievement

February 13 - Late Start Day
February 17 - No School - District Professional Development Day

February 20 - President's Day; No School

February 24 - 8th grade glow party!

February 27 - Late Start Day

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - 1:1 Technology

Dear parents/guardians,

We have recently had several students work to get around our filters and our system so that they can gain access to social media outlets, games, and more. Please take a moment to remind your child that the school-issued Chromebooks are made available to them for the purposes of school work. Any deviation from this is a violation of the Webster Groves School District acceptable use policy (AUP) and is subject to disciplinary action that could include a revocation of your student's access to school issued technology.

Please have a conversation with your child about how they use their Chromebooks. Remind them that the device issued to them belongs to Webster Groves School District and while it is in their possession, it is their responsibility to take care of and use it in a manner that is in line with the WGSD AUP policy.

Thank you for your support as we help our students navigate the digital world and work to become responsible and caring individuals in our community.

Dr. Mayes
Principal of Hixson Middle School

Course Selection for 23-24 School Year

This week, the Hixson administration and counseling team shared with sixth- and seventh-grade students course options for the 23-24 school year. Students were given a course description guide and planning form to take home and share with parents/guardians. If your child has misplaced theirs, you may find all of the information on the following site: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Page/23613.

Next Thursday and Friday, administrators and counselors will visit classrooms to assist students with entering their elective course requests in SIS. After all requests have been entered, we will send additional communication on how to review what your child entered in SIS to ensure that it is correct.

Bus Transportation for the 23-24 School Year

An email regarding signing up for bus transportation for next year will come from district offices in February. Please disregard the information that was emailed to sixth- and seventh-grade families this week; it is incorrect.

NWEA Testing - January 26 & 27

Since our second NWEA testing window is quickly approaching (January 26 & 27), I wanted to share some wording with you about how to talk about the importance of the test with your child. It is extremely important that we are talking about the test with our students in a positive way that helps them understand its purpose.

"The NWEA test is important because it helps your teachers determine what you are doing really well, and what additional academic support you need to be successful. Your teachers will look at the results from the test and decide how they are going to support you. This is why they ask you to do your very best on the test. We know the test takes a lot of time and that some parts of it may be hard for you, but please do your best and show what you know!

The testing schedule will be shared in the coming weeks. Please be on the look out!

Gateway to Wellness: Yoga & Mindfulness for Youth

The Gateway to Wellness Program is coming back to Hixson! Gateway to Wellness: Yoga and Mindfulness for Youth is a free holistic mental wellness program for school-aged students. The program integrates evidence-based practices of yoga, social emotional learning, and restorative circles. This program aims to support the whole child by helping students cope with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and other issues of mental health.

We will offer this program as an after school activity. The details will be communicated in the Hixson Happenings next week. Stay tuned!

8th grade Glow Party!

2nd Semester 8th grade Festivities!

Six Flags Trip

When: Friday, May 12th, 2023
Departure from school: 9:00am
Arrival back to school: 5:00pm
Students will need money for food/drink
Cost per student: $37; if students have a Six Flags season pass, they will only need to pay $7 to cover transportation.

To pay:

Make check payable to WGSD: drop off at Hixson main office
Cash payments can be dropped off in a sealed envelope marked “Six Flags” with student name on the envelope at the Hixson main office
Follow the link below to make credit card payments

Webster Groves SD (you will need to create an account to utilize this option: All questions pertaining to this option can be answered by Sarah Magruder, Administrative Assistant. You can reach her at magruder.sarah@wgmail.org

All students will ride the bus to and from Six Flags, returning to Hixson Middle School at 5:00pm. Park Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm on this day. VICC transportation home is available for those enrolled in the program. Scholarships are available (on a limited basis). Please contact Mr. Atterberry (atterberry.jeff@wgmail.org) or Ms. Reif (reif.lynne@wgmail.org) for more information.

8th Grade Social

When: Friday, February 24, 2023

Where: Hixson Middle School

Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

-The 8th grade social will be an after school event. To celebrate the achievements of the class of 2023, there will be a social gathering full of music, dancing and fun! This event is free and open to all 8th graders. This event is sponsored in conjunction with the Hixson PTO.

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

When: Monday, May 22, 2023
Where: Webster Groves High School, Roberts Gym
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

-The 8th grade celebration is a time to honor the Hixson 8th grade class of 2023.

-If any parent is interested in volunteering to create a video presentation honoring the class of 2023 please contact Mr. Atterberry at atterberry.jeff@wgmail.org

More communication for all events will continue to come out as we get closer to these events. As always please feel free to reach out to Mr. Atterberry at atterberry.jeff@wgmail.org or by calling 314-918-4661 with any questions.