2026-2027 FIRST WEEK

Location: 14653 Clayton Road Chesterfield, MO 63011

Phone: 314-415-7500

Welcome Back, Longhorns!

The time has come, Longhorns! Tomorrow, the halls of West High will once again be filled with the sounds we know so well—doors opening and closing, the hustle and bustle of students in the halls, friends reconnecting, countless "Good Mornings!", and the unmistakable energy that comes with the start of a new school year.

I could not be more excited to welcome everyone back for the 2026–2027 school year!

There is something special about the first day of school. It is a reset button. A new chapter. A blank page. A chance to pick up where you left off, try something completely different, or simply decide that this year is going to be a little better than the last.

And while the first day can be exciting, it can also come with a few nerves.

Where is my class?
Did my schedule change?
What time is lunch?
Where am I supposed to go?
Did I really need to bring that many pencils?
And why does my first-period classroom suddenly feel like it is on the other side of the building?

If you've ever experienced the first day of school at West High, you know that a little uncertainty can be part of the experience. So, if the thought of tomorrow feels exciting, wonderful. If it feels a little overwhelming, that's okay, too. And if you find yourself at any point standing in the hallway having no idea where to go - everything is fine, someone will be right there to help.

That brings me to one of the things that makes West High special - and one of the most important elements of our motto:

Take Care of Each Other.

Tomorrow, our building will be filled with people who are here to help. Teachers, counselors, administrators, assistants, support staff, student leaders, and classmates who will all be ready to point you in the right direction, answer a question, lend a hand, or simply remind you that you are not doing this alone.

We have all been new at some point.

We have all walked into a room not knowing exactly what to expect.

And we have all benefited from someone who noticed, stopped, and said, “I've got you.”

That is what I hope we continue to do for one another at West High.

As we begin this new school year, I also hope we can lean in on the theme:

Make It Matter.

Make the conversations matter.
Make the class matter.
Make the opportunities matter.
Make the small moments matter.

And most importantly, make each other matter.

Because a great school is not simply a building filled with classrooms. It is a community of people who choose, every day, to make a difference in the lives of the people around them. So, Longhorns, take a deep breath, bring your best self tomorrow, give yourself and others some grace, look out for the person next to you, and enjoy the fact that we are back together.

Welcome back, West High. Take Care of Yourself. Take Care of Each Other. Take Care of West High.

Let's make it a great one.

We Are West High!

With Longhorn Pride,

John McCabe
Principal, Parkway West High

Students and Parents:

Please review this section whether you are riding the bus to school, dropping off your student, or driving yourself.

Officer Paubel (West High SRO) and I will be directing traffic in the morning to assist with drop-off. Please follow the following guidelines.

• Buses will drop-off students in front of the main entrance to school. Students will exit the bus and enter through those main entrance doors.
• Parent Drivers
• you will be directed to the front of school via the main driveway. You should NOT drive in the bus lanes at any point. Please use the lanes to the LEFT of the median and along the curb.
• You should also not use the drive directly into our main senior and staff parking lot in front of the school.
• Pull forward as much as possible as you stop to drop-off to maximize lane usage and lessen the stoppage to the flow of traffic then let your student out.
• Please go slow and yield to students and staff crossing from the main lot. Students should enter through either the Main Entrance or GYM Foyer Doors.
• Junior and Senior Student Drivers
• You may arrive on campus and park in your respective parking locations on campus.
• Juniors - Back of school and pit area unless instructed otherwise.
• Seniors - main lot in front of school and soccer lot in front of school.
• Please go slow and yield to students crossing from the main lot. Student should enter school through Main Entrance, Gym Foyer, and Cafeteria Doors.

• Download the app as outlined in the instructions in the link.
• Share bus numbers with students for easier identification of their buses in the AM and PM.

• 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.

Class of 2027 (Seniors)

West High seniors that have purchased a parking pass for the 2026-2027 school year will have access to identified senior parking areas throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Only senior students that have purchased parking passes from Parkway West High and supplied needed information to their grade level office are permitted to park on West High's campus in designated senior parking lots and spaces. No exceptions.

All students parking on campus are expected to have their school issued parking pass displayed (hanging from mirror) in their vehicle by Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Failure to do so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in fines and / or other consequences. We appreciate your cooperation with this. Any questions regarding parking should begin in the senior office.

Class of 2028 (Juniors)

West High Juniors that have purchased a parking pass for the 2026-2027 school year will have access to identified Junior parking areas throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Only Junior students that have purchased parking passes from Parkway West High and supplied needed information to their grade level office are permitted to park on West High's campus in designated junior parking lots and spaces. No exceptions.

All students parking on campus are expected to have their school issued parking pass displayed (hanging from mirror) in their vehicle by Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Failure to do so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in fines and / or other consequences. We appreciate your cooperation with this. Any questions regarding parking should begin in the junior grade level office.

Class of 2029 (Sophomores)

Due to space limitations, Sophomore students are NOT eligible to park on campus during the school day --- no exceptions. Parking is limited to our Juniors and Seniors.

Doing so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in disciplinary consequences. Violations will be ticketed, fines assessed, and multiple violations could result in loss of parking privileges in future years. As you plan for the school year, please make appropriate transportation arrangements. These guidelines will be in place throughout the school year and exceptions are not made. Please plan accordingly and avoid violations.

Class of 2030 (Freshmen)

Freshmen students are not eligible to park on campus during the school day for any reason --- no exceptions. Doing so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in disciplinary consequences. As you plan for the school year, please make appropriate transportation arrangements.

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

We know there are many questions regarding schedules at the beginning of the school year. Our counselors worked through many issues and schedule inquiries throughout the week last week and today.

For TUESDAY:

Go to the classes on your schedule. Counselors will ONLY meet with students regarding schedules if they have one of the following issues:

• Incomplete Schedule

• Incorrect Placement

• Prerequisite Not Fulfilled

• Course Previously Passed

Teachers will not be allowing students to travel to counseling. Students can always send their counselors an email.

Wednesday - Friday:

After Tuesday, students must set appointments with their counselors about schedule changes. Again, please email your counselors to discuss. Because of high volume and working to set all student schedules, please be patient. We will work through all requests over the week.

Please note the breakdown of students who are assigned to each comprehensive counselor this year based on last name spelling:

• Erin Gerber (A-Em) egerber1@parkwayschools.net
• Jen Wibbenmeyer (En-La) jwibbenmeyer@parkwayschools.net
• Jen Skalski (Le-Ro) jskalski@parkwayschools.net
• Jen Spotanski (Ru-Z) jspotanski@parkwayschools.net
• Chris Lorenz (College and Career) clorenz@parkwayschools.net

Reminder: The Cell Phone Policy does not allow students to use cell phones during school hours. Cell phones will need to remain Off and Away. You will not be able to use your phone to look up your schedule.

What to Do:

• Monday, Aug 24: Print or write down your first semester schedule from Infinite Campus.
• At a minimum, know your Block 1 teacher’s name and room number because that is where you will start your day tomorrow.
• If you arrive without your schedule, use your Parkway Chromebook to log in to Infinite Campus and find your Block 1 class.

We look forward to seeing you Tuesday!

~West High Admin Team

• During our first Academic Lab of the year on Friday, August 28th, students from all grade levels will meet as classes with their grade level principals and members of the counseling team to discuss important information for the year.
• Topics covered will include:
• Building Procedures
• Building Guidelines
• Policies
• Grade Level Updates
• Homecoming Information
• Attendance Policies
• and much more.
• Students - Please be present and listening during these sessions.

Save the Date!

West High School Picture Day is Monday, September 28th.

Please note that Picture Day is for all of our 9th, 10th and 11th grade students.

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

Parkway West High does not utilize a "traditional" supply list. The nature of student schedules and the unique needs of different courses makes a supply list more need based.

For the first day of school, students are encouraged to bring general school supplies along with their charged, district issued Chromebook. During the first day together, teachers outline class expectations, cover the course syllabus, and share any additional supplies needed for their course.

This is a dated list of some of the major events to begin the 2026-2027 school year.

There will be much more detailed information shared in grade level specific updates and West High's Longhorn updates as we get closer to school beginning in August.

In the meantime, please note the following FALL dates:

• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - AUGUST 25TH
• GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS AND WELCOME BACK STUDENT RALLY - AUGUST 28TH
• WEST HIGH OPEN HOUSE - SEPTEMBER 3RD
• LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL - SEPTEMBER 7TH
• PARENT COFFEE w/ Dr. McCabe - SEPTEMBER 8TH
• HALF DAY DISMISSAL - SEPTEMBER 9TH
• WEST HIGH HOMECOMING WEEK - SEPTEMBER 13TH - 19TH
• POWDER PUFF PRACTICE - SEPTEMBER 15TH AND 16TH
• POWDER PUFF GAME - SEPTEMBER 17TH
• WEST HIGH HOMECOMING PEP RALLY - SEPTEMBER 18TH
• HOMECOMING PARADE - SEPTEMBER 18TH
• HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME - SEPTEMBER 18TH
• HOMECOMING DANCE - SEPTEMBER 19TH
• WEST HIGH SCHOOL PICTURE DAY - SEPTEMBER 28TH
• WEST HIGH FALL CHOIR CONCERT - OCTOBER 6TH
• HALF DAY DISMISSAL - OCTOBER 7TH
• WEST HIGH FALL ORCHESTRA CONCERT - OCTOBER 7TH
• PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - OCTOBER 15TH
• HALF DAY DISMISSAL - OCTOBER 16TH
• END OF FIRST QUARTER - OCTOBER 16TH
• PSAT TEST - OCTOBER 28TH
• BAND CRAFT FAIR - OCTOBER 31ST and NOVEMBER 1ST
• FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS - NOVEMBER 2ND and 3RD

**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.

Athletic and Activity Bus Information

Athletic buses (both Parkway & VICC) will depart the WHS campus at 5:30 pm, Mon - Fri.

Beginning September 8th: Activity buses will depart the WHS campus at 4:00 pm, Mon - Thur.

**All students riding Athletic and Activity Buses must be participating in a sport or club and supervised by a coach or sponsor to access the buses. Students may not ride home on athletic and activity buses without participating in a sport, club or activity.

• If you plan on participating in MSHSAA athletics and activities, please keep in mind that MSHSAA requires that student athletes and competitors enroll in, and pass, at minimum 6 classes each semester in order to participate in athletics.
• All student athletes and competitors must remain in good academic standing and avoid any behavioral consequences that would result in removal from the academic setting in order to remain eligible to play in contests.
• Please contact Emily Lovercheck, Athletic & Activities Director or your grade level principal if you need additional information.

For safety reasons related to student use and their Chromebook, all students will be required to update/change their password tomorrow.

Students should:

• Log in with their normal username (without the @parkwayschools.net) and the password they have been using.
• Students will then be prompted to change their passwords (minimum 12 characters).

• All returning students have their issued Chromebooks, cases, and chargers. Support will be available for any needs when we return on August 25th.
• For any immediate needs, please email Hal Brown (hbrown@parkwayschools.net)
• Students should BE SURE to bring their devices on the first day of school.
• Chromebooks should remain in their assigned cases at all times.
• Decoration of Chromebooks or cases is prohibited.
• Freshman Students Need to Know Chromebook Information:
• Chromebooks for Freshman will be distributed the first week of school through English classes.
• Middle School Chromebooks must be returned as part of an exchange for your high school Chromebook. All freshman students should return their device, charger, and case as part of the swap to avoid any fees.
• Please be aware that a damage assessment will be done when middle school Chromebooks are returned. Damaged Chromebooks are subject to fine.
• New students joining West High as upperclassmen will receive their new devices during Orientation.

Is your current 11th grade student 16 years old or older? Has your 11th grade student had a dose of the Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) at or after age 16?

This dose is required for your student to enter the 12th grade. The meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) is required whether your student is attending virtual or in person classes in the 2025/2026 school year. You can get the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) for your 16-year-old or older student at their physician’s office or one of the St. Louis County Health Department locations.

Once your child has received their vaccination, please email the updated immunization record to kmatus@parkwayschools.net or fax it to 314-415-9530. These notices will continue until the updated immunization record is received.

Thank you for helping us prepare your child for their 2026/2027 Senior year at Parkway West High School!

WE NEED YOU!

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

• Treasurer (Interim for 26/27 school year)
• Class of 2030 Parent Reps
• Concessions Coordinator(s)
• Teacher Appreciation Coordinator & Committee
• Adopt-A-Staff Coordinator & Committee
• Campus Beautification Committee
• Prom 2027 Committee

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