Vol 5. December 2024 Versión en español

Welcome back! I hope your fall break was rejuvenating and filled with quality time spent with loved ones. As we enter December, we are energized and ready for the final push to close out 2024!

The weeks ahead are an opportunity to focus on maintaining Madison West’s tradition of academic excellence. The learning environment continues to be a huge focus for us. We want rigor, information, and our scholars who think critically. Achieving this requires regrounding in the West House—Values that unite and define our school community.

In December, we will reground scholars in our key initiatives.

• Positive Attendance and Engagement: Every class (including Study Hall!) matters. So, scholars, your presence and active participation are key. Get to Class on Time!
• Electronic Device Policy (Cell Phone): During the Day, Phones Off and Away! Enough Said! (technically, students can use phones during lunch)
• West Culture of Inclusivity: Together, we will continue to build a community where every scholar feels included and takes pride in being part of The Madison West traditions. 

Lastly, we have some fantastic events coming in the New Year: We Are One Dance, All Nations Day Celebration, and the annual Soul Food Luncheon…just to name a few. We can wait!

Best Regards,

Dan Kigeya

Principal

The Madison West HS

The Multilingual Families Group meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Wright Middle School (1717 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, WI 53713). The topic of the meeting will be the ACCESS Test for English learners (ELs). All families of English learners are invited. Childcare & light refreshments will be provided.

APPLICATION WINDOW NOW OPEN!

We are excited to release information for the 2024-2025 application to the Early College STEM Academy. This continued partnership with Madison College expands access to college courses in science, technology, engineering and math in order to increase opportunities for students to earn college credit as high school students at no cost to them or their families. We hope to increase students underrepresented in STEM related careers, including students of color, females, first-generation students, and/or students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Students are selected to participate in the STEM Academy as a 2-year cohort, attending 11th and 12th grade at Madison College. Students will have access to expertise and state-of-the-art STEM labs and equipment for hands-on learning with Madison College and Madison school district instructors.

Students will earn high school and college dual credits at no cost to them and their families. With those credits, students can be more competitive when applying to four-year colleges. We know from research that students who participate in dual credit courses have greater success going to and staying in college, as well as achieving higher GPAs and college graduation rates.

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum 2.25 grade point average
• 90% attendance rate
• Submit application by January 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM

If eligible, a selection team will review applications and set up an interview with each applicant at their high school. Upon acceptance, Madison College will notify students and families by early March 2025.

We encourage you to attend an information session with Madison College to learn more about this opportunity. Please save the date for one or more of the information sessions listed below. You may also contact your student’s counselor with questions.

• December 11, 2024  6-7pm, via Google Meet Link here

• Jan 16, 2025 6-7pm, via Google Meet Link here

**West High School will be hosting a Stem Academy student panel on December 12 during lunch in the College and Career Center!  Students who attend will have a chance to hear from current STEM Academy students about their experiences and can ask questions.  

You may also view the website for more information, including a link to the application.

Audition Dates:

Monday: Dec. 9th or Tuesday: Dec. 10th

• Sign Up Sheets: posted on the Theater board outside rm 3333, Dec. 2nd
• Only fill in the empty spots. Do not add name to full time slot
• Auditions take place in rm. 3331

More information? See this link from the theater department.

ACCESS Test of English Proficiency!

For our students with multiple languages at West High School, the window for their state-mandated test of English proficiency opens on December 2 and runs through January 31st. Students will be testing during their English classes the first week(s) of December, and one more date tbd in January. Contact Ryan Watson rwatson@madison.k12.wi.us , Rachel Wood rewood@madison.k12.wi.us, Katie Medema kmedema@madison.k12.wi.us  for questions on the ACCESS test, or Faith Hoenecke fahoenecke@madison.k12.wi.us on the State Seal of Biliteracy.

Upcoming West High Band & Choir Benefits

The Heights

11 N. Allen St. Madison, WI

We will be donating a portion of sales to the West High School Band over the weekend of December 11-14 and to the West High School Choir the weekend of December 18-21. Grab a parking spot early! Join us for a glass before the performances or just swing by to chip in for West Arts!

Blood Drive on Thursday January 2nd at Covenant Presbyterian Church

West NHS students will be hosting a blood drive at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Thursday January 2nd from 9:30am to 2:30 pm. This drive is open to everyone (students, parents, staff, and West friends & neighbors)! Come celebrate National Blood Donor month and help maintain the blood supply during a time when donor recruitment is challenging!

Sign up to donate using this link.

You can also sign up using the blood donor app and sponsor code: Westhighschoolwi

Donors will receive a long sleeve Red Cross T shirt and will earn points in the new donor rewards system. Donors who are age 18+ will also be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Qi2uSSiUh0sYME6cMmcEHlwa3302zM2F

Denny Love West Alum came to visit last Friday.  Love spent the day talking with West Theater students about his Theater training and how it started with West Theater Dept.  After high school Love continued his theatrical studies at the  University of Illinois DePaul with a BFA Theater Major.  After graduating from college Love quickly began his professional acting career. You can find Denny in: Hulu's -Looking For Alaska,  Paramount's - Mayor of Kingston, and Warner Brother Studios -The Duel.  When not on set filming Love travels as a professional stand up comic.  You can follow Love's work on social media. 

Just a reminder that graduation orders are due. To avoid late fees that start soon, please order online at www.mwscholastic.com, or mail Midwest Scholastic your paper order form and deposit to:

Midwest Scholastic

PO Box 83 

Mt Horeb, WI 53572

If you have any questions, please email Midwest Scholastic at questions@mwscholastic.com

For questions concerning Graduation 2025, please reach out to Katie Medema - kmedema@madison.k12.wi.us

Did you know we have a West Attendance Website.  One of the items on there is a West Attendance brochure (English and Spanish) that includes information on our attendance systems here at West.

Contact Sarah Quinn if you’re interested in speaking on a career panel, presenting at the Equity Symposium, or have an opportunity for students that we should post on the Job/Volunteer/Internship board!

Are you a Madison Metropolitan School District 11th grader gearing up for the ACT on March 11, 2025? Methodize can help you achieve your best score! This innovative online learning platform offers a self-paced ACT prep course designed to boost your knowledge and test-taking skills. With expert-led video lessons, practice tests, and personalized feedback, Methodize empowers you to learn at your own pace and conquer the ACT. On average, students who've used Methodize have seen a 3-point increase in their scores. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your full potential. Visit Methodize today to start your journey to ACT success!

Did you know that your ACT score can unlock a world of opportunities beyond college admissions? A higher score can net you millions of dollars in scholarships, allowing you to pursue your dream school without breaking the bank. Plus, a strong ACT performance can help you skip introductory college courses, saving you time and money. And that's not all! A good ACT score can even open doors to local apprenticeships and high-paying jobs. So, let's make the most of this chance to shape your future. Here is more information about Methodize and how to log in today (link).

Dear 11th grade students and families,

On November 21st, 11th grade students participated in an Academic and Career Planning (ACP) lesson on Junior Conferences.  Conferences are an opportunity for students to connect one-on-one with their School Counselor, to discuss their progress to graduation, and take steps to plan for after high school. 

As a part of the lesson, students made a copy of their own Future Planning Worksheet as well as scheduled their junior conference.   Please connect with your student to confirm they have started working on the worksheet and have a conference scheduled.  

As a part of the junior conference lesson, we shared with students that MMSD has partnered with Madison College to offer four Academies, where students would spend their senior year at Madison College earning college credits and completing the requirements of their high school diploma.  The four Academies are as follows:

Early College Education Academy

Early College Biomedical Academy

Early College Networking & Cybersecurity Academy

Running Start: Personalized Academy

Eligibility Requirements

• Current junior
• 90% attendance rate
• Commit to taking all senior year classes at Madison College
• Submit application (open now) by January 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM

If eligible, a selection team will review applications and set up an interview with each applicant at their high school.  Upon acceptance, Madison College will notify students and families by early March 2025.

We encourage you to attend an information session with Madison College to learn more about this opportunity. Please save the date for one or more of the information sessions listed below. You may also contact your student’s counselor with questions.

• December 11, 2024  6-7pm, via Google Meet Link here
• Jan 16, 2025 6-7pm, via Google Meet Link here

**West High School will be hosting a Senior  Academies info session on December 13 during 3rd hour in the College and Career Center!  Students who attend will have a chance to hear about the four academies and time to ask questions.  

If you have any questions, please contact your student's School Counselor.

Take care,

The West School Counselors