Longhorn Universe

Location: 14653 Clayton Road Chesterfield, MO 63011

Phone: 314-415-7500

Longhorns,

I hope each of you has been enjoying the first month and a half of the school year. It appears as though Fall has actually arrived after a very hot start to the year.

It is hard to believe that nearly six full weeks of school are almost in the books. As I shared with the Longhorn staff this week, the "newness" that accompanies the start of the year is now gone. Our students have found their routine of the school year, are working hard in classes, and are settling into what should be a really great school year here at West High.

We are over halfway through the first quarter of the year. It has been a very action packed six weeks - with all of our Fall sports in full season form, Homecoming festivities complete, activities happening all throughout the weeks, and important learning happening each and every day. Each and every school year has a "feel" and the sentiment shared around the building has been such a positive one. West High is really starting to find its rhythm for school year 2026-2027.

And now, we welcome October.

Hands down one of our busier months of the year. It is also one of the best - fall season playoffs, cooler weather, West High School performances, parent-teacher-conferences, and Halloween. There is no more important time than now for our students to really lock in and lean into the year. If for some reason, it has not been the best start. End the first quarter over the next three weeks on a high note. If you've been making it your best year yet, keep pushing yourselves.

Make some goals, make a plan, and stick to it. I am excited to see what the month ahead brings. Let's make it a great one. Let's Make it Matter. Six great weeks done - many more great ones ahead.

Take Care of Yourself. Take Care of Each Other. Take Care of West High.

We Are West High!

With Longhorn Pride,

John McCabe
Principal, Parkway West High

In an effort to better balance minutes of classes and offer more opportunity for support and intervention, we will add an Academic Lab period to the ODD days preceding a Half-Day Schedule. We have two Half-Day's in October:

• Wednesday, October 7th and Friday, October 16th

We will run an adjusted schedule on the following ODD day preceding the Half Days:

• Tuesday, October 6th and Thursday, October 15th

Parkway West High School Parent Teacher Conferences

• Monday, October 12, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
• Virtual Conferences, Teachers Vary
• Tuesday, October 12, 3:00-6:00 pm
• Virtual Conferences, Teachers Vary
• Thursday, October 15, 3:00 - 8:00 pm
• Virtual Conferences, All Teachers, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• In-Person Conferences, All Teachers, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Online registration for Parent Teacher Conferences will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1st.

You may schedule your individual six-minute conferences with your student’s teachers at www.myconferencetime.com/parkwaywesthigh. Registration may also be accessed by clicking on the Parent Teacher Conference link on the Parkway West High School webpage at https://www.parkwayschools.net/whs.

Please pay close attention when choosing VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON as designated under each teacher’s name. Registration will close at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9th.

Please also note that each teacher is listed multiple times due to the different dates and formats. Pay close attention to when and which type you are selecting. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you sign up for a virtual conference, that email will also contain the link to the Google Meet. Please keep this email and use it to access your conferences at the scheduled time. Feel free to access the link a minute or two in advance. You will be entered into a virtual waiting room and the teacher will admit you to the conference at your scheduled start time.

If you have questions or problems registering, please contact

Mario Pupillo at 314-415-7503/mpupillo@parkwayschools.net or

Jenny Moulton at 314-415-7504/jmoulton@parkwayschools.net.

The Parkway West Speech and Debate Team is hosting our annual Fall Classic Speech and Debate tournament this October 16th & 17th. We request assistance from all Parkway community adults —parents, grandparents, and high school graduates— to volunteer their time to judge. Judges will watch a variety of performances done by high schoolers across the St. Louis area and vote on their favorites. Your support not only motivates our students to take on the responsibility of hosting a tournament, but it also encourages young adults to build their public speaking, argumentation, and persuasion skills in a fun and competitive way. Sign up NOW! For more information visit our WEBSITE or email us at pwestdebate@gmail.com.

Prop P Community Webinar

The cost of operating schools is rising faster than funding, creating a projected $75 million shortfall over the next 10 years. Prop P on the November 3 ballot would provide stable funding for Parkway teachers, classrooms, safety, and student support.

Join Superintendent Dr. Melissa Schneider and Chief Financial Officer Carrie Nunn for a Parkway Community Webinar to learn about Proposition P: why it’s on the ballot, and what passage or failure would mean for Parkway schools and our community.

When: Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m.

Livestream the webinar at https://pkwy.info/community-livestream. Can’t make it live? A recording of the presentation will be available.

Get the facts about Prop P at www.parkwayschools.net/Prop-P

What would Proposition P support in Parkway schools?

• Attracting and retaining teachers and staff

• Safety and security

• Classroom resources

• Student programs and services

• Long-term financial stability

Did you know that before placing Proposition P on the November ballot, Parkway reduced spending by $15.4 million?

The reductions impacted every school and department budget, professional development expenses, and other operating costs. Further reductions would increasingly impact students, teachers, programs, and services. and classrooms.

Learn more about Prop P on the November 3 ballot: www.parkwayschools.net/Prop-P

The month of September has been busy for the band students at West. In addition to all of the curricular bands working towards the November concert, the marching band has been busy with several performances. Last Saturday the marching band performed at the Fox High School contest and received 2nd place in the red division and had the fifth highest score of eighteen bands. The band competes at Washington High School on October 3rd, Ft. Zumwalt North High School on October 10th, and at Marquette High School on October 24th. Everyone is also reminded of the Parkway West Band Arts and Craft Fair on October 31st and November 1st. 150 vendors will be set up in our gyms with a variety of items. Admission is free. Learn more about the band at www.parkwaywestband.com

(photo of the PWHS marching band at Fox High School on 9/26)

Tickets for our play will go on sale October 15th at PWTheatre.Ludus.com

Your child's success in school and life depends on their mental and physical health. To support their well-being, we're excited to offer the Student Wellness Program to students at Parkway West High School. Click below for additional information and to register your student.

• The building opens to students at 06:55 am.
• In the morning, students are expected to enter through Main Entrance and Gym Foyer Doors (bus riders, student drivers and students being dropped off) or Cafeteria Doors (student drivers).
• Breakfast is available from 07:00 am - 07:30 am.
• Classes begin at 07:35 am. Students are expected to be in their assigned room by 07:35 am. For the first few days of school, we will work with students as some adjust to a new building and all to a new schedule.
• The internal set of doors at the main entrance, gym and cafeteria doors will all be locked at 07:35 am. Students tardy to school should visit their grade level office for a pass to be permitted to class. Students will be issued a pass, then report to class.
• All visitors, including parents, are expected to enter through the main entrance and check in using the welcome vestibule at all times of the day.
• Visitors cleared to enter the main building are expected to wear their school issued visitor badge for the duration of their visit to West High.
• Students dismissed during the school day (e.g. for an appointment with a parent) are expected to exit the building through the main entrance.
• Parkway West High is a CLOSED CAMPUS.
• During school hours (07:00 am - 02:30 am), deliveries for students from outside entities, including, but not limited to food delivery services, are not allowed. Parents may continue to drop off items for students (lunch, athletic equipment, etc...), when necessary.
• Students and Visitors should never prop doors for any reason as this could lead to a major security breach.
• Students traveling within the building throughout the day should always have a pass provided to them by their teacher or staff member of Parkway West High. The only exception is passing time between classes.

A - All Day

O - Odd Day

E - Even Day

O-AL - Odd Day w/ Academic Lab

E-HD - Even Half Day

E-FE - Even Day + Final Exam

FE - Final Exam

ATTENTION SOPHOMORES!

Mark your calendar for SOUTH TECH PREVIEW NIGHT, October 21, 5-7 PM. All students interested in applying to Tech are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about our school, programs, and the opportunities we offer.

You can apply when applications open (late September) or after preview night if you are still undecided on which program you want.

About South Tech:

At South Tech, we provide students with real-world experiences, real-world skills, and engaging, hands-on learning to prepare them for college and careers. We celebrate the pursuit of their passion and help them find the right pathway to their own success. Our partial-day schedules keep students engaged in their home high school academics and activities while they enjoy experimental learning in Tech's elective courses.

Our tuition-free, career and technical education (CTE) majors allow students to explore their career interests before graduation while earning industry certifications, college and high school credits, and skills that will last a lifetime. We work with an impressive list of business and industry partners that provide our students with mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, part-time employment, scholarships, and full-time employment offers after high school. Our students are in demand.

Visit our website at www.southtechnical.org

Click here to view the South Tech Video

What is Infinite Campus or IC - Infinite Campus is a comprehensive student information system (SIS). It is used by Parkway Schools to be an information HUB for parents and students. Infinite Campus houses many key things such as:

• Schedule Information
• Attendance Information
• Grades
• Fees and Fines
• So much more

**Please note that because the yearbook captures an entire year of school memories and moments, the yearbook process runs through the upcoming school year. All yearbooks ordered for school year 2026-2027 are distributed the following August (2027) after the book is processed and created.

At the October 13th WPO meeting, Superintendent Dr. Schneider will provide information regarding Prop P, which will appear on the November ballot. Dr. Schneider will be giving a 20 minute presentation followed by an opportunity for parents to ask questions and learn more about the proposal. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm in the West High Library.

We look forward to having our parents in attendance and appreciate your interest and participation.

Still Looking for Volunteers!

Immediate need for the following WPO (West Parent Organization) roles:

• Vice President
• Staff Appreciation
• Concession Team

Click this link to tell us of your interest!

Parkway West High School

Email: westhigh@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://westhigh.parkwayschools.net/
Location: 14653 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63011, USA
Phone: (314) 415-7500