January 2021
National Honor Society Updates
We have some updates about our National Honor Society! This year, half the number of service hours are required. Due to the pandemic, 30 hours of volunteering is required, and possible extensions can also be granted through the end of the school year, if requested by the student applying. At the beginning of March, 2021, Juniors who have a GPA of 3.5 and above, who have a strong discipline record, will be invited by email and US mail to apply to become a member of NHS. Their applications, including record of at least 2 different volunteer service activities, and two short essays (to be announced in the letter of invitation), will be due a few weeks later. More info and specific requirements can always be found in the Student Handbook.
Virtual 8th Grade Parent Meeting & Electives Night
Tuesday, January 19th, 2021
Incoming Freshmen and their parents are invited to join us for our 8th Grade Parent Meeting & Elective Night on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021. There will be a presentation sent by email to view at your convenience. Topics include course selection, course offerings, graduation requirements, and overview of SLC structure and elective classes. Contact Deb Peterson in the Van Hise Office with questions: dfitzhugh@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3091.
Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money
Global Navigator Scholarships
Scholarships Make Study Abroad Dreams a Reality

Get ready. This summer is going to be a game-changer.
West High has again been granted a minimum of $25,000 in Global Navigator Scholarships! These funds help students study abroad in destinations around the world and are offered by the Council on International Educational Exchange. (C.I.E.E.) Any student who is presently a freshmen, sophomore or junior is eligible to apply. Scholarships cover 10% to 100% of the program costs. (Airfare is not included). Students can make a difference in the environment, education, or children's rights with a Service & Leadership program, or learn one of seven languages with a rich Language & Culture program. The Global Discovery program gives students hands-on experience in fields such as marine ecology, filmmaking, conservation and sustainability, or global entrepreneurship. Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need. The deadline to apply is January 15th, 2021.

INTERESTED? Students and parents are invited to attend ongoing Virtual Presentations to find out more about these travel opportunities. For a quick peek at the exciting travel opportunities for summer 2021, check out the CIEE 2021 Flyer.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your local CIEE contact, Nicole Sprague, at nsprague@ciee.org or (207) 553-4083.

The coordinator for the program at West High School is West Spanish Teacher, Kathleen Schneider.
Earning Credit Through Experiential Learning
Are you working or regularly volunteering for an organization?
Did you know that MMSD high school students have the opportunity to earn elective high school credit through work or volunteer experiences?

Enrollment in the program is rolling throughout the year and students can earn up to 5 elective credits over the course of high school. Learn more about earning credit through work or volunteer experiences by clicking here.

Contact Sarah Quinn with questions.
West Athletics
Winter athletics are not in session until the earliest date of Jan. 25 but coaches are doing interactive meetings and workouts including some community building activities. We encourage any interested student-athletes to participate. 
Please note that any decision regarding reopening schools will be shared by Dr. Jenkins on Friday, January 8, 2021. This information will direct when sports can begin. No decision has been made at this time. We understand and empathize with our student-athletes and families as to how difficult this year has been. I can assure you that we want to return to provide our students with the opportunity to participate and compete in all of the sports and activities they cherish. Please continue to check with your West coach(es) & Athletic Department for updates, sport-specific team virtual activities, and helpful resources.

Are You Ready to Play in 2021?
If you are interested in participating in athletics (winter, alternative fall, and/or spring) 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. 


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.
Virtual Orchestra Concert
The Madison West Orchestra Fall Virtual Concert is now available to watch. Due to the limitations of Zoom, it has been impossible for our students to play and hear each other at the same time, thus, like many other performing ensembles in these times, we undertook this virtual orchestra recording project. This project was instituted and led largely by our student leadership committee, Eve Kleiber, President, Colin Corday, Min-Sung Choi, and Maya Desai. Student leaders recorded each part of the orchestra for everyone to listen to and play along. These students were Colin Corday and Ethan Kaji, violin, Henry Severson, Viola, and Min-Sung
Choi, cello. The committee also decided to ask students the simple but powerful question "Why do you play in orchestra?" for which you will see answers throughout.
Thank you, West Community!
Before the holidays, West Student Services requested gift card donations in order to help West families cover the costs of holiday gifts. We were blown away with what we received in response: $7300 in gift card donations!!! Your donations made the holidays so much brighter and cheerier for the West community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!