See this update in: Spanish / Hmong / French / Khmer
February 23rd, 2022
Happening Now
Reminder about Attendance Procedures
As the second semester continues, we’d like to remind you of the attendance procedures in place to keep our building safe and our students successful!
 
If your child is going to be absent or late for school, please call/email your SLC office or fill out this online form by 8:00am. 
 
Even with prior parent permission and the absence reported to the school, partial day absences require the student to check in and/or out of their Small Learning Community (SLC) Office. 
 
Leaving early? Grab a pass from your secretary in your SLC office when you arrive at school or during a passing period - you can then use that pass to leave class and leave the building at the designated time (no need to stop back in the office). This counts as "checking out."

Coming late or returning from an appointment? Enter the building through the Welcome Center - you will get a pass up to your SLC office, and your secretary will give you a pass to class. This counts as "checking in."
 
National Honor Society
Juniors interested in being considered for membership in the National Honor Society at West need to have volunteered a total of at least 45 service hours in two or more activities; no more than 25 hours from a single service activity. In addition, a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.5. Service forms can be found through the West High home page, or at https://west.madison.k12.wi.us/students/national-honor-society

First week of March – Letters of Invitation to join NHS will be sent to eligible Juniors in email and US Mail. Students will apply by submitting two short essays and all service forms documenting 45 volunteer hours. This will all be made clear in the Letter of Invitation.

March 24th – Thursday. NHS application materials due by 4:00 p.m. in room 2032. 

April 11-15th -- Congratulations letters will be sent out to inductees.

End of April – Our NHS Ceremony of Induction will not be in person, and instead feature a video tribute and celebration of students’ performance. These new torchbearers will have come a long way--often through dimly lit passages of time--and will be encouraged to hold their torches high in the years to come through their character, scholarship, leadership and service!

Karly Frisch advises our NHS current Senior members’ organization. For admissions questions, please contact the Chair of the Selection Committee, Gary Powell, at gmpowell@madison.k12.wi.us  Looking forward to our new inductees’ Character, Leadership, Scholarship and Service in the new year!

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little   
  matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” -Colin Powell
West High Establishing School Archive: Students Show Interest After Viewing Historical Artifacts
By Amitabha Shatdal, with contributions from Lukas Weinhold

Throughout the years, many of the worthy elements and values of West High have been lost to time. To ensure that we are not complacent with mediocrity, we need to reflect upon and learn from the past. Teachers, pupils, staff and alumni are all collaborating to do just that by developing a school archive that safe-keeps, makes tangible, and provides access to West High history. West High memorabilia are currently being unearthed after being stored away for decades in the farthest reaches of the school and deep within teacher’s and alumni’s homes. If you have anything to contribute, please reach out to westhigharchive@gmail.com.

Get Involved
Athletics Update
Spring Sports start in March - complete your Online Permissions & Physicals ASAP!

More information on:
Boys Golf (student info meeting 2/28 afterschool)
Boys Tennis (student info meeting 2/23 afterschool)
Girls & Boys Track & Field
Costa Rica Youth Exchange
Yes you can learn Spanish! Thrive by actively living and breathing it.
 
Join our lively, spirited summer of youth, where friendships inspire fluency. Language after all is about bringing people together to celebrate the good life. Don’t miss out - on a wonderful journey filled with new people and exciting opportunities. The most fulfilling careers are those that can cross borders and bridge community and culture. Join our Costa Rica Youth Exchange, you will thrive in our youth-driven village adventure. www.highschoolspanish.org
Carefest Essential Supplies Giveaway Event