|
|
Family Newsletter for Monona Grove High School
~ February 2017
|
|
A Message From Dr. Brost
|
Dear Parents and Friends,
As second semester gets under way, February is a long month for students. There are no long weekends and winter starts to drag on. Graduation becomes a reality for seniors as they not only are in their last semester of classes, but participate in their last athletic contest for a sport, last concert, or last Prom. Encourage your student to get enough rest, exercise, and fresh air to stay healthy during this stretch.
Counselors will be in classrooms on February 2 and 3 to explain the registration process for the 2017 - 2018 school year. Please watch for a Course Grid to be brought home as your student fills out classes to be entered electronically on February 8 and 9. We ask that you sign the bottom of the grid to indicate that you have reviewed the course selections and approve. The Course Handbook can be found on the left-hand side of the high school web page. We cannot emphasize the importance of thoughtful course selection enough.
Students will not be allowed to change their course selections unless they are missing a required class or there are extenuating circumstances.
We strongly encourage students to challenge themselves when selecting courses. College admissions counselors place a high priority on the rigor of high school course work. Technical colleges such as Madison College, report that students who do not prepare themselves well in high school often have to take remedial courses. They encourage students to prepare themselves the same way they would if planning to attend a 4-year college. This means taking 4 years of math and science and doing well in all high school classes. Students should also take advantage of classes related to their career interests.
Seniors are beginning to receive responses from college admissions offices. It is recommended that housing applications be completed shortly after a student finalizes his/her college choice. Please contact your counselor if you have any questions regarding college admissions. Seniors need to maintain good grades during second semester as colleges will request final transcripts at the end of the year. If grades are not consistent with past performance, a college may rescind their offer of admission.
The ACT and ACT WorkKeys assessments will be administered to all juniors again this year. The ACT WorkKeys is designed to measure readiness for skills needed in the workplace. The ACT will be given on February 28 and the WorkKeys on March 1. Freshmen and sophomores will take the ACT Aspire exam in April.
Seven students were recognized at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Recognition Breakfast held at Edgewood High School on January 15. Congratulations to Chardae Perkins, Daryan Johnson, Jayden Robinson, Liron Bialock, Marcus Wallace, Jr., Sanaa Semia, and Vanessa Thomas. They were honored for their academic achievements as Outstanding Young Person Awardees.
Thank you for promoting positive sportsmanship at our winter athletic contests. Please continue to be good role models as we approach tournament time.
We look forward to a great second semester.
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal
|
|
2017-18 Student Calendar
|
The 2017-18 School Calendar has been approved by the MGSD Board of Education. Click
here to view it.
|
Parent Educator Forum Meeting
|
All parents/guardians of MGHS students are welcome to attend the Parent Educator Forum meeting on Monday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Parent Educator Forum is an informal meeting in which Dr. Brost gives a brief overview of current issues in education and events occurring at the high school, occasionally followed by group discussion. There is no formal agenda, it's an opportunity for parents to have contact with high school staff, without dues or volunteering. Typically, we meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 in the IMC (library) for about an hour. This is a great opportunity to meet with Dr. Brost in a small group setting, hear what's going on at the high school level and discuss issues!! Parents interested in what is discussed can email Lisa Stangler at jlstangler@hotmail.com to get notes from our most recent meeting. We'd love to see new faces!
The Forum will meet again on March 20, April 17, and May 15.
|
|
News from the Student Services Department
|
Students are encouraged to build a relationship with their school counselor during their high school years. Passes for appointments during school hours may be obtained by stopping in Student Services. Each student has been assigned a counselor based on the student's last name. Ms. Bishop has A-G, Mr. Groff has H-O and Ms. Burke has P-Z. Although students are assigned to a certain counselor, a student may seek assistance from the counselor of their choice.
In addition, the Student Services Department includes Ms. Macias, School to Work Coordinator (co-op and apprenticeship information), Ms. Frain, School Social Worker, and Ms. Smith, School Psychologist. All are available to meet with students and parents to help with academic, career, social and emotional needs.
Student Services welcomes all students! Please remember to stop in to make an appointment.
Scholarship Information
Remember to continue applying for college scholarships. Go to the scholarship page on the Student Services website.
Jobs Information
All jobs and contact information can be found on the Student Services website.
ACT and WorkKeys
The ACT is designed to assess a students' readiness for college and WorkKeys helps assess a students' readiness for work and for life. All MGHS juniors will take the ACT on February 28 and WorkKeys on March 1. Links to free practice materials can be found here
.
|
Course Registration Timeline for 2017-2018
|
Important dates for 8th grade students and their families:
- February 2-3: Current eight grade students make course selections in Infinite Campus
Important dates for freshmen, sophomores and juniors:
- February 2-3: School counselors in high school classrooms
- February 8-9: MGHS students make course selections in Infinite Campus
|
AP Testing
|
Taking the Advanced Placement (AP) exams is an important part of all AP courses. Monona Grove High School encourages all students take AP exams for the AP classes that they have taken. Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit for their high school class, saving a significant amount on tuition. Click
here for more information on the tests and
here for information on the AP Exam Policy.
The 2017 AP Exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 1-5 and May 8 through 12.
|
ACT Test Prep for Juniors
|
The ZAPS ACT Test-Prep Seminar will be held at MGHS on Saturday, February 11 from 9am-3:00pm. Register at
www.doorwaytocollege.com. or call
877-927-8378. There are a limited number of scholarships available for students who receive free or reduced lunch; please see Ms. Burke in Student Services.
|
Youth Apprenticeship Programs
|
The application process for admittance into one of our Youth Apprenticeship Programs has begun. If your student (junior or senior) plans to pursue one of the apprenticeships listed below, please be sure they email Jennifer Macias before registration to make an appointment.
During the meeting, your student's individual needs and career plans will be discussed. If a an apprenticeship is deemed appropriate, the application process will be explained. In addition, there is a family meeting for parents and students to attend in February.
- Veterinary Assistant*
- Architecture and Construction
- Finance/Accounting/Banking/Insurance
- Health Sciences: Nursing
- Health Sciences: Pharmacy Technician*
- Health Sciences: Medical Office Assistant
- Hospitality
- Marketing
- Information Technology (IT)
- Manufacturing
- Bio Technology
- Automotive Tech
*=only available for seniors
Visit DCSC.org to review program highlights for each area.
|
Mental Health Resources
|
The Monona Grove School District is committed to supporting the social/emotional/academic well being of your student. As an adolescent, working to grow up and to be a successful young adult requires the support and guidance of all the student's trusted adults. The MGHS Student Services team would like to share some resources with parents, to promote a better understanding of when your teen may be in need of mental health support. Below are two links to mental health resources. Please review, and if you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to contact a Student Services staff member.
|
|
Therapy Dogs Help Reduce
Stress of Final Exams
|
The Monona Grove HOSA chapter hosted a Pet Therapy session to relieve stress during finals week. Dogs and volunteers from the organization 'Dogs on Call' came to the high school and were available to hang out with students as needed. Students and staff both enjoyed hugging and petting their new four-legged friends! All proceeds from the Pet Therapy activity will be donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
|
Homework Help
|
The Overtime Program is a program for students who need a place to do homework after school and for students who need extra time to complete an assignment or get extra help in a class. Some students may be assigned to Overtime by their teachers if there is a need.
Overtime takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 in the IMC. Please encourage your student to take advantage of the Overtime Program if they need additional help with an assignment or in one of their classes.
|
Educational Workshop for Parents of Adolescents
|
The Cracking the Code program is a 4-week educational workshop that provides adults with the tools to successfully navigate the often rocky terrain of parenting through adolescence.
By nature, adolescence is a process of kids pushing away from parent support and striving for independence. It is also a time during which learning and growth are accompanied by risks and struggle, which can put strain on the relationship between caring parents and their autonomy-seeking children.
Cracking the Code was designed specifically with the retention of a positive parent-child relationship in mind. Participants will learn skills needed to manage these challenges, to modify habits that impact relationships, and will gain insights into teen-relevant topics including: relationships, bullying sex and emerging sexuality,technology use/risk management, academics and future planning.
This program will be facilitated by DJ Hilley, MSEd, LPC.
|
ATOD Prevention Newsletter
|
Family Service Madison Youth ATOD Prevention Newsletter
Substance Abuse Prevention promotes health and safety in individuals and in communities.
The goals are to slow down the age of onset of substance use for youth; and in communities, prevention works to change community conditions to prevent the use of substances by youth. Click
here for the January newsletter.
|
Badger Honor Flight
|
BSU made red, white, and blue ribbons for the week of Veteran's Day. The Monona Grove HS Black Student Union (BSU) sold the ribbons at lunches and during parent/teacher conferences for the week, which raised $245.64 for the Badger Honor Flight. Students presented a check to Badger Honor Flight at their January meeting.
Pictured above: Brian Ziegler,President of Badger Honor Flight, Ms. Frain, Michael Hoye, Marcus Wallace, Mary Lott, Mr. Groff, Cailen Andrews
|
MLK Outstanding Person Awards
|
On January 15, 2017, seven MGHS students were acknowledged at the 33rd MLK Jr. Outstanding Young Person Breakfast for their academic achievement, community involvement, artistic abilities and impact they have in their school and home community.
Congratulations to Vanessa Thomas, Marcus Wallace, Chardae Perkins, Daryan Johnson, Liron Blalock, Sanna Semia and Jayden Robinson (not pictured).
|
US 10 History Immigration Unit Lesson
|
As part of the Immigration unit in US History 10, each teacher will be having their students take part in a simulation of experiences at Ellis Island. These simulations will take place
next week Tuesday and Wednesday. In doing so, the US teachers have coordinated paths through the school, with stops at different rooms to simulate stages in the Ellis Island experience.
The US 10 History team has created an engagement lesson titled, "The Great Immigration Debate." Students will be presenting a policy in their classes and the winners in each class will advance to the finals that will be held in the auditorium on Friday, February 17 from 8-10am.
|
Chili and Pops Concert - February 12
|
The Monona Grove High School bands and Glacial Drumlin 8
th-grade band will again combine forces to stage their annual Chili/Soup Luncheon and Pops Concert Sunday, February 12, at Monona Grove High School.
Hot chili, hot soup, and hot music is on the menu from Noon to 1:30 p.m. in the commons, with entertainment provided during the luncheon by two high school jazz ensembles and the GDS jazz band. A 2:00 p.m. performance, featuring the concert bands, follows the luncheon. In addition to chili or soup, the menu includes a salad bar, rolls, dessert and a beverage.
The event is a fundraiser for the district band program. Proceeds are used to offset many expenses of the band program, including travel costs, and maintenance and purchase of instruments.
The concert traditionally features lighter music.
The 8thgrade and is presently preparing music by the groups Fallout Boy and Walk the Moon, as well as a gallop - Mad Dash. The High School Bands are preparing music by Henry Mancini and Charlie Chaplin, and medleys of Disney favorites, songs from the movie The Legend of Zorro, and highlights from Les Miserables.
Cost is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and students, and $3.00 for children 5 and under. There is no admission charged for the 2:00 p.m. concert.
|
Orchestra Concert Featuring Disney Movie Music and Instrument "Petting Zoo"
|
Join the high school orchestras on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm for an evening of
Disney Movie Music
. The concert will feature both orchestras performing music from Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Tangled and many others.
Prior to the concert the students will be offering an "Instrument Petting Zoo." Young children will have the opportunity to try out a violin, viola, cello or bass before the concert as well as do some arts and crafts that will be used during the concert.
The Instrument Petting Zoo will begin at 6:20. Feel free to come dressed as your favorite Disney Character!
|
Spring Sports Information
|
Spring Sports Parent Meeting
February 27, 2017
6:30pm - MGHS
The Spring Sport Parent/Athlete meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 27,
2017, at 6:30pm at MGHS. Please report directly to the following classrooms:
- Girls Track - Main Gym
- Baseball - Room 252
- Boys Golf - Room 160
- Boys Tennis - Room 130
- Boys Track - EF Schwan Fine Arts Center
- Girls Soccer - Commons
- Softball - IMC
Remember, in order to practice you must receive your "Blue Slip". In order to obtain your "Blue Slip" you must register for your sport during the following weeks only in the MGHS Office:
- B & G Track - February 22 - February 26
- Softball - February 29 - March 4
- Soccer & Baseball - March 7 - March 11
- Boys Golf & B Tennis - March 14 - March 18
In order to receive your "Blue Slip", please bring the following items to the MGHS office during your designated week:
- Athletic Emergency Form
- Acknowledgement of Risk Form
- Phhysical/Alternate Form
- WIAA High School Athletic Eligibility Info. Form
- Concussion Form
- $80.00 check made out to Monona Grove High School.
If you have been out for a sport already this year, you will just need to bring the Athletic Emergency Form, Concussion Form and an $80.00 check.
All forms can be found at:
www.mononagrove.org Click on Schools > Monona Grove HS> Athletics>Athletic Registration Forms
Spring Sports 2017 Start Dates:
- Baseball March 20
- Boys Golf March 27
- Girls Soccer March 20
- Softball March 13
- Boys Tennis March 27
- B/G Track March 6
|
Sign Up for Sporting/Activities Updates
|
Have you ever wondered if a sporting event or activity has been cancelled? If so, it's time to get registered to receive email notification of the cancelled/changed sport/activity. MGHS waits until approximately 2:00 p.m. to cancel a sporting event. When the decision is made to cancel an event, the HS Athletic web page is updated.
To register to receive email notification, click
here
|
Infinite Campus Information
|
Is your Infinite Campus Information Up to Date?Do you have a change of information such as a new doctor, a new e-mail address or phone number? It is very important that all of your information is up to date on Infinite Campus. Please log into your Parent Portal and enter the new information.
Infinite Campus Mobile App
Parents may access Infinite Campus on their mobile devices. The mobile app information can be found at the bottom of the parent portal window. The District ID is GJGZMY.
|
|
Early Learning Fair
Monday, February 6
|
On Monday, February 6, 2017, the Monona Grove School District will hold its annual Early Learning Fair and Together 4 Kids Registration at Nichols School (MG District Office) in Monona. This event is a free service to families of pre-school children. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with a professional to share information about their child's development and to register for the 2017-2018 T4K program. Registration information will be sent to families in mid December. Parents should call the Early Education Office at 839-2113 to schedule an appointment upon receipt of registration materials. If you have any new neighbors with young children aged birth to 4 ½, please have them call Gina in the Early Education Office at 839-2113.
|
Reminders from the Attendance Office
|
 24 hour Attendance Line: 608-316-1393
The Attendance Office is open from 7:15-3:45. Parents may call before or after school and leave a message regarding their child's attendance.
Parents are required to call the Attendance Line prior to 10:00 A.M. on the day of the absence.
Please be sure to indicate the student's name, grade, date of absence and reason for absence when calling.
Students must have absences excused within 24 hours after they return or the absences will be considered unexcused.
The MGSD recognizes a positive relationship between good school attendance and success in school and employment.
A student's attendance in school becomes part of his/her permanent school record and is often the subject of inquiry by employers. Most importantly, however, is the need for students to be in school to interact with the teacher and with other students as they gain the knowledge that is necessary for successful completion of the course of studies Monona Grove High School provides.
Excused Absences
Parents may excuse, in writing, a student for any reason
PRIOR
to the day of the absence. (Wis. Stats. 118.15(3)(c). If an excuse is not given prior to an absence, the school, not a student's parent, excuses an absence. Monona Grove High School will excuse a student from school for the following reasons:
- personal illness;
- illness in the family for which the student is required at home;
- funerals and weddings;
- religious holidays;
- legal obligations;
- dental, medical, and orthodontic appointments;
- family vacations that cannot be scheduled during non-school times or other family approved vacations or school visits with prior approval; and
- an emergency situation which must be reviewed by the assistant principal.
Unexcused Absences
The school will not excuse an absence for any reason other than those listed above. Specifically:
- single period absences for illness when the student fails to report to the Nurse's Office
- absences related to vehicle problems during the school day
- oversleeping
- absences due to working on other school work will not be excused unless it's a school-sponsored field trip.
Parents will be notified of unexcused absences by phone or mail. Students with unexcused absences from classes or study halls will be assigned one, two-hour after school detention per period missed.
Leaving School Early
Monona Grove High School is a closed campus except for the following occasions: lunch, cooperative education programs, medical/dental appointments, sudden illness, or open campus students. During passing times, students must remain on school grounds. All students wishing to leave school must obtain permission from their parent, the assistant principal, or the school nurse in case of illness. Students will not be allowed out of class for illness unless they are going home. At that time, the student must sign out in the Attendance Office and receive an out pass. If he/she plans to return to school, he/she must sign in upon returning. Students are not allowed to have other students drive them anywhere during the school day.
Planned Absences and Vacations
Occasionally a student will know in advance that he/she will be absent from school. This can be excused if, and only if, a planned absence form is
completed prior to the absence. This requires that the student notify his/her teachers of the planned absence so that school work missed during the absence can be given to the student. This must be done at least three days prior to the planned absence. Planned absence forms are available in the Attendance Office and are required for absences of 2 or more days.
If forms are not completed and returned before the student leaves, the absences will be unexcused.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
