December 2020
Upcoming Events
Dec. 3 - School-wide Anti-racism Discussion
Dec. 16 - Virtual Band Concert
Dec. 21 - Jan. 1 - No School - Winter Break
Jan. 4 - School Resumes

December Counseling News

You can also visit the West High School Counseling website and Facebook page for updates all year round.
From Principal Boran
Happy December.

I live in the country and I love winter.  Yep, I am one of those people who love to walk in fresh snow; luckily, I live by a Dane County park and can take advantage of easy access, challenging terrain, and breathtaking vistas.  I know that these walks will be an outcome of the past few months that I’ll keep doing long after the past months have faded from memory...
Winter Athletic Updates
If you are interested in participating in athletics at Madison West High School you show your interest by completing the registration steps. By doing your online permissions you let the athletic department and coach know that you are interested in a certain sport. There are three steps and are clearly outlined on our website. 

Student athletes can reach out to the coaches who are listed on the individual sport pages on the West Athletics Website.  

1. Pick the sport that you would like to participate in. If you are considering multiple sports complete #2 for all the sports you are interested in participating in for the current school year.

2. Complete the online permissions - both the student athlete and parent do these permissions. The login for these permissions are the login the student athlete and parent use for Infinite Campus.

3. All student athletes are required to have a physical on file with the athletic department. There are forms on the website that student athletes can take to the doctor's office to have them fill out, but most of the doctor's offices have a WIAA form that they can use too. This way if they don't have the form with them they can still get it completed at that time and not have to go back or contact them again.
Theater News - Musical Auditions
Auditions for the West Spring Musical!
The West Spring Musical will be pre-recorded and virtual this March. If interested in auditioning, please visit the theater website for more details. Due date to submit your form and audition materials is December 8th at 4pm.
Band Concert Goes Virtual!
The West Band will play a virtual concert on Wednesday, December 16th.
All three West bands are going to be producing a full group recording of one of the pieces they have been working on this year, and the videos will be played to give a live concert feel! Exciting news: this concert will be the world premiere of a commissioned piece by composer Benjamin Taylor. It will be, as far as we know, the first live full ensemble piece written for and performed live over Zoom. Band students worked with Benjamin across multiple class periods - they learned about composition and provided their input on what the piece should be about and sound like. All of the ideas and some of the music was actually created by the students! Benjamin Taylor will be with present that night to talk to all of the parents and students about the piece before it is performed.
DECA and Key Club's Trick or Can Event
This year, DECA and Key Club partnered to put on our annual Trick or Can event.
Trick or Can is a volunteer opportunity where students go out into neighborhoods in Madison and collect non-perishable food items to be donated to West High families. On Wednesday, October 28th, 40 volunteers from Key Club and DECA collected non-perishables from Shorewood, Nakoma, Hill Farms and Regent. Astonishingly, in only two hours, our volunteers collect 1,369 donations. This amount of donations tripled what we have gotten in years past and we are proud to be able to give so many items to families. Once collected, donations were delivered to Westminster Presbyterian Church where they were sorted by the officers and eventually were given out to families of West High students.
Giftcard Donations for West Families for the Holidays
We asked you for gift card donations to help families with food this holiday season, and we are humbled by what we have received in response. We can't tell you how thankful we are for your gift card donations that will go to West families in need, making the season brighter for all of us.
Now, we have another ask! Gift giving season is almost upon us, so we are asking for gift card donations from Amazon, Target, and Walmart, for $10, $25, or $50. These gift cards will go to families in need to help cover holiday gifts.  
 
There are two ways for you to make a donation:
 
1) You can buy the gift card(s) online, and have them mailed to:
Brenda Buchanan 
West High School
30 Ash Street
Madison, WI 53713
 
2) You can drop off gift cards in person on December 3rd and 4th, from 3:30-6pm. Student Services will be by the Ash steps in order to collect the gift card donations.
 
Either way, please make sure that the gift cards are labeled with the amount that is on them!
 
Thank you!
West High Face Masks For Sale!
Support the West Dance Team by purchasing a West face mask!
The West Dance Team now has Madison West face masks available just in time for the holidays! There are two options, either navy with the yellow W logo or yellow with the blue Reggie logo. The masks can be ordered off the website below and shipped directly to you. Orders are due by 12/13/20 and will be shipped on 1/4/21. Stock up now to show your WEST pride in the community and so you’re ready when we’re all back together again!
Madison West High School | Visit our website!