This week was National School Social Work Week. The theme for National School Social Work Week 2023 is “We Rise.” School Social Workers rise up - supporting their students, families, and school communities. School Social Workers rise to share hope. They rise to listen and understand. They rise to challenge inequities. They rise to support all students. At East, we have three of the most talented School Social Workers, Katie Manders, Rebecca Pucely and Sara Lennertz, who go above and beyond every day to support students, families and the community. They work hard to remove barriers and help our students become college, career and community ready.

Shout-out to Alexander Gonzalez Quintana, who won the first-ever East High barbering cut-off! Intro to Barbering, led by Harry Bernard, was one of the results of MMSD's Big Ideas Initiative in 2021, and the cut-off was a great way for the course's scholars to show their skills off to their peers in a competitive way. Awesome job, Alex!

East High School Junior, Shayla Coleman was one of 6 ProStart Students from the state of Wisconsin selected to assist at the James Beard Invitational at Sand Valley Golf Resort March 3-5. Shayla worked alongside Madison's own Tory Miller of L'Etoile and Graze for the weekend, assisting with serving guests, a culinary demo and preparations for a five course meal. ProStart students had an amazing weekend filled with hands-on culinary opportunities and networking with some of the country's best chefs. 

This week members of East's Sisterhood and Raza United groups volunteered at Babies & Beyond. Babies & Beyond journeys with women and families through the challenges and joys of pregnancy and early childhood by providing life-affirming, compassionate support, sharing materials and creating community connections.

The current phase of lower-level locker room renovations is nearly complete, just in time for spring athletics to start up in the coming weeks. Next, construction will shift focus to the locker room renovations adjacent to the pool.

In the academic wing, final finishes are being installed in the science classrooms. Construction crews will then move to the second floor to begin renovation work in the career services and other supporting classrooms.

Updates on current work:

Registration for the Wisconsin Education Fairs (WEF) COLLEGE FAIR is now open! All Dane County students & families are invited, and there will be more than 70 Colleges in attendance.

When: March 13, 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm

Where: Madison College – Truax Campus

Cost: FREE

See your school counselor for information on how to sign up for transportation.

During Health classes in March staff will teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend, using a program called SOS, Signs of Suicide. SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades.

Through the program, students learn:

Check out these resources (English, Spanish) parents can use when talking with their student(s).

Parents who want to opt their student out of the depression screening, or have any questions or concerns about their child's participation in this program can contact Sara Lennertz at 608-204-1634 or [email protected] by Monday March 13th.

Achievement Connections is a math tutoring program where AmeriCorps members and community volunteers come together to work alongside and support students in Algebra 1 and Geometry. We find tutor-student matches where they can come together twice a week to review fundamental math skills, practice with current class material, and build the academic skills and habits necessary to be successful in high school and beyond. We need YOUR support, though, to be able to best support students at East High! If you are: open to flexing and refreshing, your algebra 1 and geometry skills; patient; and interested in supporting students at East – we need you! You can reach out to Jared Miles with any questions or to express interest in volunteering with Achievement Connections.

Check out these slides with next week's new scholarships, jobs, events, and college visits.