February Mini Grants were awarded to both teachers AND students at WGHS and Edgar Road School.  

Congratulations to the teachers at WGHS for being awarded 3 different grants. The “Physical Activity Backpacks” grant is an opportunity for Statesmen Preschool Students to take home physical activity backpacks each with unique equipment and activity ideas.  Preschoolers will be learning the importance of a variety of skills including cooperation, hand eye coordination, hand foot eye coordination, gross motor skills, appropriate use of resources, safety and more! Congratulations to students Glory Patrick and Ashli Wagner for their awarded grant!

The “Responsive Spaces” grant was awarded to Sara Herrera and Jennifer Aguado for their students in speech and language therapy.  This new space will allow for different seating spaces, brainstorming ideas, and different learning options for all their students. Students will now be able to be more innovative and move around differently and use different materials in the classroom. This innovative space will allow for students to collaborate, showcase their learning and have an area where there is a quiet place for them to learn.

“This is What a Scientist Looks Like” grant was awarded to Joe Boeckman, Skylar Garcia, Greg Heard and Jeanette Hencken.  Members of the science department at WGHS believe it is important for students to know that people of all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, socio-economic backgrounds, and ages are scientists and are currently involved in scientific research.  The grant will allow for the purchase of posters to be framed and displayed in the science halls to demonstrate that scientists make up a diverse-cross section of human beings 

Congratulations to Edgar Road School! Incoming Kindergartners will feel welcome and at ease about the transition to elementary school with the funded grant for all incoming families to read the book Kindergarten, Here I Come! We are happy to be able to welcome the new families to the Edgar Road School Community!

The Webster Groves School District Foundation continues to be dedicated to a tradition of academic excellence by expanding innovative dynamic learning opportunities that impact student success. 

February 11th was another wonderful night for the WGSD Foundation.  The sounds of the WGHS Jazz Band and the Kevin Squared Jazz Quartet filled the room with music from a New Orleans inspired celebration.  Community members, alumni and district families enjoyed a night of great music, food and drinks all for a great cause.  Money raised from this event helps support our ability to award grants to teachers around our district for innovative and dynamic learning opportunities in the classroom

Special thanks goes to Cyrano’s Café for hosting our event. Also, thanks to WGHS Jazz Band, the Kevin Squared Jazz Quartet, Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ and Triumph Grill. View the slideshow of pictures from the event below.  Photography provided by Holly Kunze Photography. 

 Congratulations to Meghan Casey at Walter Ambrose Family Center for her awarded grant titled “Connecting with the Outdoors”.  Funds from this grant will allow our youngest learners in the district the opportunity to create waterways, construct hideout and smaller spaces and explore the world of art.  The children will grow their creativity and expand their cognitive abilities, increase peer interaction by working collaboratively and doing this all while experience the joy of nature.  Congratulations again to Meghan Casey for helping to construct an outdoor space to problem solve, construct and create spaces of wonder!  

Congratulations to 7th grade teacher, Leslie Creath, for her awarded Grant titled “Responsive Spaces”.  The definition of Responsive Spaces can be defined as “A classroom where the teacher follows the Responsive Classroom approach is a positive space where students' voices are heard and where they play an active role in their education.

​Responsive Spaces provide an opportunity for students to collaborate and learn in different ways.  Teaching in the 21st century is requiring teachers to rethink the traditional model of school.  With this grant from the WGSDF, Leslie will be able to provide new seating options in her classroom. Her students will be able to engage in new, innovative and dynamic formats.

The end of November was an exciting time for many teachers around the WGSD. This year for the first time, the WGSDF awarded Major Grants during the fall semester.  This opportunity gives teachers more time to implement a larger project during the academic year.  Typically, major grants were only awarded during the spring semester.

Grant checks were awarded to Hudson Elementary, Steger 6th Grade Center and The Computer School, Edgar Road School, WGHS and Avery Elementary.  Below is a summary of the awarded grants. 

Congratulations to Hudson Elementary for their Grant to fund Lego League 2.O.  Lego League is part of the international FIRST LEGO League Jr. Program. The program objectives are to introduce STEM concepts through LEGOs, promote teamwork and inclusion and build confidence and have fun!! Hudson Parent, Chris Jackson, submitted the grant and coordinates the program at Hudson Elementary. 

Congratulations to Steger 6th Grade Center and The Computer School for their grant to fund “Video Production for All”. Kendall Olsen, Librarian at Steger plans to teach her 4th – 6th graders “Bloxels” materials, which will give them experience in computer coding and producing their own video games.   The video games that the students create will be tied into their curriculum in other content area and core classes. 

Congratulations to Edgar Road School for their grant for “One Book, One School”. The grant idea came from Julie Wuch, Kelly Lee and Susan Berger.  The focus of the project will be to look at equity in a variety of ways using literature and art in a whole school and community approach.  This multi media project incorporates speakers, students, teachers, parent involvement and community artists to motivate and encourage learning in a variety of areas of English Language Arts and Art Education. 
 
Also awarded were funds to help support the grant “Tools to Practice Anti-Racism”. Colleen Schrappen, Teacher at Edgar Road School wrote a grant to help fund a program called “Witnessing Whiteness”, a training program and book study about the need to talk about race and how to do it.  The focus being on taking action and being an agent for change – not just “admiring the problem”. 

Congratulations to Stacey Kuschel at Avery Elementary for her grant titled “Water Filtration”. This funded grant will allow students to now understand the issues of water pollution and importance of clean water. Studens will experiment with filtering various substances from water by making their own simple water filters. This activity will allow students to think about our planet’s major problems and by working with small scale models, students could begin to problem solve global issues.  

Congratulations to Spanish Teacher, Jaime Schwartz at WGHS, for her grant titled “A Classroom to Reflect Redefined Teaching Strategies”. The focus is to have a more communicative and collaborative space to better instruct students in their target language. A greater emphasis can be placed on speaking, reading, watching and listening by students not sitting in traditional desk format. With help from the WGHS Parent Club and the WGSD Foundation, Jaime has transformed her classroom and the students LOVE the space!

Congratulations to Nicholas Kirschman at WGHS for his grant titled “Physical Computing”. This funded grant will purchase a Digi-Comp II, which is a mechanical computer that can be used to demonstrate binary thinking and more broadly, how a computer works.  The Statemen Robotics Team will use this tool to increase community outreach and to educate and inform people about robotics and technology. Their outreach efforts span across our district to different elementary schools and also the St. Louis Science Center and the Rotary Club.  Additional Math and Computer Programming classes with benefit as well.
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Congratulations to all the teachers who will be implementing innovative and creative learning in their classrooms!
 

​The WGSDF had the pleasure of awarding Fall Mini Grants across the WGSD in September and October. Grant recipients are from Edgar Road School and WGHS.

Congratulations go out to Betsy Moppert, District Science Coordinator and Administrative Intern at Edgar Road School. In September, Betsy was awarded a $1,000 check for her grant titled “STEMetize my Learning”. This grant is a Professional Development opportunity for teachers in the district to learn how to create interactive hands-on creative learning for students with STEM activities. STEM activities and projects are a great way to motivate students to take learning outside of the classroom and combine multiple content areas into a relevant project.  Congratulations Betsy!!  

In October two Mini Grants were awarded! Mebbie Landsness, Chemistry and Physics Teacher at WGHS, was awarded a $1,000 grant for her project titled “Inquiry in Physics:  Electricity Comes to Life”.  Mebbie will be using the CASTLE (Capacitor-Aided Systems for Teaching and Learning Electricity) approach to allow students to “see” electricity. Students will have a hands-on inquiry lab based curriculum that allows them to be fully engaged in their learning. New electricity supplies will allow students to discover and really connect with the ideas surrounding electricity. Congratulations Mebbie!

Also in October, the WGSDF awarded a grant to Edgar Road School Kindergarten teachers, Samantha Gegg, Kelly Wilkes, and Kerry Anne Cocos for $425.  Kindergarten students can “Wake Up and Be Awesome” at Edgar Road School!  Interactive, hands-on, problem solving, creative and fun supplies will be added to their morning routine. This new approach will encourage a new way for Kindergartners to learn in non-traditional ways.  Congratulations Edgar Road School! 

On October 21st, 2017, in front of Webster Groves High School, the 14th Annual Ivory Crocket Run for Webster was the start of another fantastic Webster Groves community event! As always, all the participants and volunteers were thrilled with the sense of community evident on race day. From the 5K through the beautiful streets of Webster Groves, to the 1 mile fun run and walk that brought families together, and the signature 100 Yard Dash with its endless smiles, the morning was a huge success - even with a little rain.
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On you Mark… Get Set… GO!! The raced kicked off with words from Ivory Crockett, the fastest man in the world, (read more about his story here)  the runners and walkers were on their way!  Coming in first place were some pretty fast kids from our own Hixson Middle School!  Overall male and female winners, Emerson Lack and Grace Ely, are in the 8th grade at Hixson. Congratulations to them both!

As finishers completed the run, the excitement continued inside the high school at the Pancake Breakfast and Kids Activities Fair.  Chris’ Cakes outperformed again and served THOUSANDS of pancakes to hungry families. And while the parents waited in the line, the little kids kept busy with the Kids Activity Fair hosted by the Child Development Department at WGHS.  Arts and crafts, sticky fingers, full bellies and lot of smiles filled the inside of WGHS!

One of the biggest highlights of the morning was the much anticipated 100 yard dash. Our first group of runners was a new and FUN competition this year. Fredbird AND Louie battled it out for who could finish first! It was a photo finish to the end!! Next up was the pre k runners, and followed was each grade though 6th grade. Speedy runners crossed the finish line faster than you could believe!!

The money raised during this fun community event helps the Webster Groves School District Foundation carry out its mission of expanding learning opportunities for the students of the district. In addition to providing students and teachers with innovative new curriculum, materials and experiences, the Foundation uses proceeds from the Run for Webster to award annual Ivory Crockett Scholarships to several graduating seniors who are entering college in health-related fields.  

The Ivory Crockett Run for Webster continues to be one of the best community events in Webster Groves.  Evident by the WGHS Band, WGHS Cheerleaders, WGFD Fire Truck, WG Mayor Gerry Welch, WGSD Student Singers, WGSD Administration, Adult and Student Volunteers and Community Sponsors. Without all this support, none of this could take place. Thank you Webster Groves! We can’t wait to see you next year, October 20th, 2018 at the start line!

view a slideshow of all the FUN below

\With summer winding down, and students back at school, the WGSD Foundation is ready for another successful and excicting year. We are so incredibly thankful for all of our supporters and donors who have given generously to the Foundation over the many, many years.  Without your support we would not be able to make such an impact on the students and teachers within our district.  Over the last five years, the Foundation has awarded over $400,000 of grants and scholarships to the WGSD!!

This new year brings some fresh new faces to the Foundation’s Executive Board and Board of Directors.  The following is a list of those that volunteer to serve on our board and help lead our organization.

Joel Oliver – President
Tim Halls – Vice President
Tricia Nieman – Treasurer
Aimee Muldrow – Recording Secretary
Dave Buck – Events Chair
Melissa McCartie – Grant Co-Chair
Tom Newport – Grant Co-Chair
Judy Dante – Communication Chair
Sara Kotthoff – Board Member
David Addison – School Board Liaison
Kristin Denbow – District Liaison
Becky Hauser - Development Director
 
Visit this news page often to hear more about awarded grants, our events and celebrations.  If you have any questions about the Foundation or would like to volunteer your time, please email info@wgdfoundation.org. We look forward to hearing from you! 

May 7th proved to be another great community day for Webster Groves and the WGSD Foundation.  What a FUN day for the Webster on Wheels (WOW) bike ramble.  WOW is a non-competitive event for kids and families of all ages and cycling abilities.  The event took place on the Bristol Blacktop where there were so many FUN activities for all the participants.  Before the bike ramble began, families could enjoy the bike decorating station, the bike rodeo, and bike safety checks provided by The Hub Bicycle Company.  The bike ramble was a safe and family friendly opportunity to ride either a 1 mile or 5 mile route through the streets of Webster Groves.  After the ramble, music was provided by The Whisky Band Musicians and BBQ was provided from J. Greens Pub. The Bubble Bus made an appearance for lots of fun for the kids and the afternoon wrapped up with a stunt show from the St. Louis Sprockets.  WOW... that was an AWESOME way to end the day!
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Families with kids of all ages had a FANTASTIC day participating in WOW. Thanks again to our sponsors and participants who made the event such a success.  

Spring time brings a sense of excitement to the WGSD Foundation. This Spring we were able to award over $34,000 worth of grants to teachers in the WGSD.  Congratulations to all of our grant recipients. Your hard work makes a difference in the lives of so many students.  Below is a list of grant recipients, their awarded grant and the amount.  For more information about the grant application process, click here. Check out the pictures below to view the celebrations.
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• Justine Fields, all K-6 PE  “Moving and Coding in P.E.”  $4,880
• Steger, Wendy LaRose,  “Steger Star Entrepreneurs.”  $4,000
• WGHS, Greg Fick and Cici Faucher, “ Water, Water, Everywhere….”  $2,700
• WGHS, Beth Rasnic and Anne Gibbs, “Mindfulness For Everyone”  $2,258
• WGHS, Jaime Schwartz/World Language Dept , “Edutainment for World Language” $1,100
• WGHS Emily McEntire and Stacey Bates, WGHS, Leslie Creath, “Visionary Integrated Independent Classroom”, $4,500
• WGHS, Leslie Creath, “Goggle Expedition VR”, $7,000 WGSDF, (In part funded by Alumni Class 1959 + 1961)
• WGHS, Cici Faucher and Science Dept, “Advancing the Environment and Education, AP/ACC Environmental Science”, $8,000 (In part funded by Alumni Class 1959 + 1961)