Unfortunately, CESA 2 Driver Education has temporarily closed Behind the Wheel (BTW) registrations (effective 12/06/2022) for 6 area school districts, including Monona Grove SD, due to the negative pandemic effects/impact on BTW scheduling. They will continue conducting BTW lessons for teens who were already registered for their BTW by 12/06/2022. They apologize for the inconvenience for this temporary closing of BTW registrations in our district. They will update their website, as well as MGHS, when they reopen BTW registrations.

During this time they are focusing on the students in our district they already have registered for BTW. The CESA2 classroom and online course is recognized and accepted by the DMV and DPI as an approved Driver Education course which can transfer to commercial schools for BTW instruction.

Please email them at driversedsupport@cesa2.org if you have any questions.

Their classroom and online course offerings remain the same. Here is the registration form.

As you are cleaning and organizing for the New Year - please send Library books back to school!  

We will gladly take any school book and make sure they get to the right place!

Cold and flu season are in full swing and we are seeing numberous illnesses throughout the school. If your child is sick, please keep them home! The following is a list of symptoms that warrant students staying at home and/or communicating with their physician and or getting a COVID test, along with other respiratory tests. 

• Fever (100° or higher), chills or shaking chills. Must remain at home until 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever reducing agents
• Nausea or Vomiting. Must remain at home for 24 hours from last episode of vomiting
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Headache (in addition to other symptoms)
• Fatigue (in addition to other symptoms)
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies)
• Muscle or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known causes, such as a chronic cough)
• Sore throat
• Eye Drainage that is green/yellow and crusty
• Rash on hands, feet or mouth not due to exposure to allergen

A reminder to all staff, students and families that latex balloons are strictly prohibited inside Monona Grove Schools including Monona Grove High School. We have students with life-threatening allergies to latex (meaning it could cause students serious injury and/or death). It is extremely important that this rule is followed. Due to students, staff and families having a difficult time distinguishing between latex and non-latex balloons we are asking that NO balloons be brought into the school.

We appreciate your help in ensuring all of our students are safe while at school!

FUTURE NINTH GRADE INFORMATION - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Welcome to the class of 2027! Families and current eighth grade students are invited to attend the MGHS Future Ninth Grade Overview on Wednesday, January 11. The evening will begin at 5:15 pm with an Activities and Athletics Fair in the commons from 5:15 - 5:45, followed by a short program in the auditorium. The presentation will share general information regarding expectations at the high school as well as provide an overview of the required classes at MGHS. Families will then have an opportunity to visit elective classrooms to learn about the elective offerings at MGHS so that you can make informed choices for the courses you choose. See the “Course Registration Timeline” below for more information.

COURSE REGISTRATION TIMELINE FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

Important Dates for 8th grade students and their families:

• January 11: MGHS Future Ninth Grade Night at Monona Grove High School
• January 17 & 18: School counselors meet with eighth grade students at Glacial Drumlin School
• Week of January 23: Current eighth grade students enter course selections into Infinite Campus; students must have their completed course offering sheet - signed by a parent/guardian - and their Chromebook.

Important Dates for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and their families:

• January 25 - ACP: Students will watch a registration video, view a slide presentation, receive course selection sheet and review course offerings in the Course Handbook (online)
• February 8 & 9: During their English 9 classes, ninth grade students enter course selections into Infinite Campus; students must have their completed course offering sheet - signed by a parent/guardian - and their Chromebook.  
• February 6 through February 17: Students in grades ten and eleven should have their course selections completed by Monday, February 6. Each student will be assigned a time for a 15-minute meeting with their counselor to review and enter their course selections. Meetings will begin on Monday, February 6 through Friday, February 17. More information will be shared with students as the date approaches.

SENIORS - LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE ON JANUARY 31, 2023!

All seniors are encouraged to complete the local scholarship application! Students will receive an email on December 1, 2022 with the link to the 2023 Local Scholarship Application. By filling out this application, students will be in the running for 30-40 local scholarships that are selected by either the local scholarship committee, or in some instances, by the donors themselves. Students must access the application through their Monona Grove High School email account by clicking on the link included in the email they received. The application should take approximately an hour to complete. 

Each sponsoring individual, family, or organization established the selection criteria for their scholarship award. Scholarship criteria may include some or all of the following: GPA, intended major/program of study, co-curricular activities, community service, and/or leadership. The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, January 31, 2023; late applications will not be accepted.

In addition, be sure to check out Monona Grove High School’s Scholarship webpage. You will find this page to be a great resource to you as you explore other local, state, and national scholarship opportunities. 

FAIR OPPORTUNITES PROJECT OFFERS FREE 1:1 FAFSA SUPPORT

The Fair Opportunity Project has launched a 1:1 FAFSA help service statewide. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the federally required form needed for students seeking financial aid, such as grants and loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first and most important step in qualifying for aid to help pay for college. Seniors can sign up for a 45-minute virtual session with a trained FAFSA completion coach through this link: Student Services Interest Form. 

Find out more about Fair Opportunity Project Resources for juniors and seniors here: https://www.fairopportunityproject.org/for-counselors

ZAPS ACT TEST PREP SEMINAR FOR JUNIORS - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 10:30 AM TO 4:00 PM

Juniors - Register today for the upcoming ZAPS ACT Test-Prep Seminar. The seminar will be held at a yet to be determined location on Saturday, February 4 from 10:30 am until 4:00 pm and is a great way to prepare for the March ACT. Register at www.doorwaytocollege.org or call 877-927-8378. There are a limited number of seminar scholarships available for students who have demonstrated financial need; please see Ms. Burke in Student Services.

ACT FOR ALL JUNIORS - TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 

The ACT test will be administered to all MGHS juniors on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The ACT includes reading, math, English, science and writing. It is designed to assess a student’s readiness for college, provide information to build rigorous high school course plans and identify career areas that align with their interests. This ACT is an official test date and students may elect to have scores submitted to colleges for admission purposes. Participation in the ACT is mandatory for all juniors; please schedule non-school related appointments outside of this day. Additionally, juniors will create their MyACT account and complete non-test information in advisory on February 15; students are encouraged to consider which colleges they would like to have their ACT scores reported to so they are prepared to enter codes for each college/university.

Check out these free ACT test prep opportunities on the ACT site. Students may access an ACT study guide, study tips, a full-length practice test and video lessons for free! There are also fee-based opportunities for test prep. CESA #2 is currently enrolling students for an ACT Prep Course at McFarland High School.

YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

What is Youth Apprenticeship? It is a state-certified program that allows 11th and 12th-grade students the chance to:

• Earn school credit—1 full elective credit each semester of work (2 credits for the year)
• Work with a mentor in a chosen career pathway
• Have PAID employment
• Walk away with an industry-recognized certification
• Take technical-related courses that align to your career interests
• Be eligible for school approved YA work release time throughout the year

Visit the Dane County School Consortium website to learn more about Youth Apprenticeship and to see the variety of program options. 

Interested in Youth Apprenticeship?

Please have your son or daughter email Ms. Anna D’Amelio (Monona Grove’s Career and Technical Education Coordinator) so they can set up an appointment with her to discuss the Youth Apprenticeship program and their individual career goals. Her email address is anna.damelio@mgschools.net. 

Also, attend one of the Youth Apprenticeship Family information sessions that are held over the next few months. Register for one of the following dates using the links provided below:

1. Monday, January 23 @ 6:30 pm (virtual) Registration Link
2. Wednesday, February 15 @ 6:30 pm (in person at Monona Grove High School) Registration Link
3. Tuesday, March 7 @ 6:30 pm (virtual) Registration Link

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS

AP exams will be in person and will be administered as paper and pencil exams (with the exception of AP Literature and AP U.S. History, which are in person, but digital and AP 2-D Art and AP Drawing which have a digital portfolio to submit ).  

• AP Exams will take place from May 1 - May 12: 2023 AP Exam Schedule
• All exams will take place at the District Office at 5301 Monona Drive. Transportation is not provided. We encourage all students to carpool as parking is limited. If transportation will be problematic for your student, please contact Matt McLaughlin at least two weeks prior to the test date and she will help make arrangements.
• All students who indicated they will be taking an AP Exam by the registration deadline have had the appropriate exam ordered for them.
• NO electronic devices INCLUDING CELL PHONES, WiFi ENABLED WATCHES, or other wifi connecting devices will be allowed in the testing room. Please leave safely at home, in a locked vehicle or your locker at school prior to entering the exam building. Failure to do so will result in inability to take the exam.
• No food or beverages will be allowed in the testing room.  

LOOKING FOR HELP IN YOUR AP CLASSES?

As you study and prepare for your AP exams, here are some helpful resources you could use!

• Go to Khan Academy and search your AP course. There are videos, lessons, and practice problems to try!
• Go to your AP Classroom site for your class(es). There are videos, lessons, and practice problems here as well!
• Check in with your teacher!
• Ask questions, it always helps!
• See if they are offering any review or help sessions
• Try the Resource Room!
• Stop by and get help when you can!
• Form a study group with peers
• Some of the most successful students are those who make a team

EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM AND START COLLEGE NOW DEADLINES

The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) and Start College Now (SCN) programs were established to allow students to enroll at an institution of higher education in Wisconsin to take courses that lead to credit toward high school graduation. Grades earned at a postsecondary institution will likely count in the high school GPA because the district pays for the courses in most cases.

The ECCP is open to students in grades 9-12 and covers courses taken at a UW System school or private college. Courses may be taken during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The SCN program is open to students in grades 11-12 and covers courses taken at Madison College. Courses may be taken during the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Participating in ECCP/SCN may limit the number of courses a student can take at MGHS. Courses requested can’t be similar or equivalent to courses offered by the district.  Applications are available online (ECCP application link, SCN application link) and from your school counselor. If you wish to participate in ECCP/SCN, discuss your plans with your school counselor. Students must complete the application and return it to their school counselor prior to the state-mandated deadlines (please allow for ample processing time at the school level in order to meet the deadline for submission):

• October 1st for spring courses
• February 1st for summer courses (ECCP only)
• March 1st for fall courses. 

Prospective ECCP/SCN students must register for a full schedule of MGHS courses. Changes to their MGHS schedule will be made upon enrollment in their ECCP/SCN course and as their schedule allows. Students must meet institutional entrance requirements and are only enrolled if there is space available in the requested course. 

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

MG Virtual Calming Room 

The calming room is a tool for families and students that offers an array of options to help manage emotions in a very stressful and strange time. Check it out!

Grief Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Resources for supporting the kids in your life who are grieving and support for yourself

Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends 

SAMHSA's new resource guide provides information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to take, and how to prevent future attempts and keep your loved one safe.

Mental Health America of Wisconsin - PRISM Program

A new pilot program to connect LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin with trained peer-specialists who can provide mental and emotional support and mentorship. Young LGBTQ+ people around the ages of 16-26 years old may now access this free service by calling 414-336-7974 and leaving a voicemail to get connected with a trained peer-specialist.

Housing, Homeless and Doubled-Up Family Resources 

If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you lost your housing, or staying in a motel/hotel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you and your children have special rights at school.

MGSD Homeless Liaison: Andrea Fresen, andrea.fresen@mgschools.net, 608-316-1922

Crisis Text Line

Text "HOME" to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1(800)273-8255

STUDENT SERVIE DEPARTMENT: 608-316-1373

School Counselors:

• Ms. Bishop - students with last names A-F
• Mr. Karsh - students with last names G-La
• Mr. Groff - students with last names Le-R
• Ms. Burke - students with last names S-Z

School Psychologist: Melissa Smith

School Social Worker: Kayla Barnes-Patrick

Engagement Specialist: TBD

School Resource Officer: Luke Wunch

Administrative Assistant: Michelle Boyde