|
Final Demonstration of Learning (DoL) Schedule | | |
Wednesday, January 24
8:30 – 10:00 Period 3
10:15 – 11:45 Period 4
12:30 – 2:00 Makeup
Thursday, January 25
8:30 – 10:00 Period 6
10:15 – 11:45 Period 7
12:30 – 2:00 Makeup
Friday, January 26
No School – Staff Only for Grade Reporting
| |
|
ACCESS Test of English Proficiency!
Our ACCESS Testing window will close on January 26th. If you still need to make-up any part of your test, contact Ryan Watson rwatson@madison.k12.wi.us to schedule a time during the D.O.L. week to finish.
| | |
Equity Symposium - April 4th | | |
|
West is excited to be hosting an Equity Symposium for all students and staff on the afternoon of April 4th. This will be an amazing opportunity for students and staff to learn from Madison scholars, community organizers, and leaders.
There are a couple of ways that our West community can support this afternoon of learning.
-
Consider presenting or performing at the symposium. More information on this link.
- Consider donating to help us cover the financial cost of the event.
Reach out to Sarah Quinn (sequinn@madison.k12.wi.us) if you are interested in contributing to the event or would like to learn more.
| | |
West High School Scholarships | | |
|
West High School Scholarships
West also offers a number of scholarships to graduating students. The West HS scholarship application was shared with seniors via email on January 10th, 2024 and the deadline to apply will be February 2nd, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. The application will also be posted on the West counseling website on January 10th.
What is it? Each year, many local organizations and individuals generously provide approximately 45 scholarships for West Seniors. Each scholarship donor determines the criteria for their scholarship. The criteria vary widely, but may include one or more of the following: academic achievement, leadership, school/community service, athletic achievement, financial need, special interests/talents, personal character, or intended area of study.
Who can Apply? ALL SENIORS who have attended high school in the Madison Metropolitan School District for a minimum of three (3) full semesters. The 8th, or final, semester must be at West. West students at Early College STEM Academy are eligible to apply. In addition, seniors must complete and submit the West High Scholarship application to be considered for these scholarships.
| | |
**New Attendance Reporting - Parent Portal** | | |
|
There is a new, convenient way for families to request an absence through their Campus Parent Portal. Beginning the first day of the second semester, January 29th, absences can be requested via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
If you have multiple children who will be absent, including students at different schools within the MMSD, this feature will allow you to select and request absences for multiple students at one time.
Entering an absence request is quick and easy, and can be done using your desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device. Follow these simple steps:
-
Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
- Select More from the Navigation area.
- Select Absence Requests.
- Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.
- Submit your request.
For a quick look at what steps to take, check out our quick guide graphic. For more detailed instructions, visit this Absence Request Guide.
Our staff will be notified of the absence. While you may continue to request absences by calling your school’s attendance line, requesting absences via the Parent Portal is an easy way to process the request from your phone, computer, or tablet.
Please note that even though an absence can be requested via the portal, it does not mean that the absence is excused until it has been reviewed by school staff. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school’s main office.
| | |
Graduation Apparel Ordering | | |
|
Senior students and families: This is a reminder that graduation apparel orders are due soon! To avoid late fees, 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 regarding Graduation Apparel ordering, please email Midwest Scholastic at questions@mwscholastic.com
For questions concerning Graduation 2024, please reach out to Katie Medema - kmedema@madison.k12.wi.us
| |
|
Juniors interested in being considered for membership in the National Honor Society at West High School need to meet the following criteria:
- volunteered a total of at least 45 hours in two or more activities, with no more than 23 hours from a single service activity. These hours can be from activities from summer of 8th grade through March 2024.
-
Service forms can be found on the West NHS Website.
- earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.5.
- have attended West High School for at least one school year
- no unresolved behavioral issues/negative behavior record
Selection Process Timeline:
Early March – Letters of Invitation to join NHS will be emailed to eligible Juniors (and a parent/guardian). Students will apply by submitting two short essay responses (essay prompts will be included in the invitation letter) and all service forms documenting 45 volunteer hours.
Thursday, March 21st – NHS application materials due by 4:00 p.m. in room 1106 (Student Services). No late submissions will be accepted.
April 8-10th -- Letters of Congratulation will be sent out to inductees.
April 22nd – NHS Ceremony of Induction 7 pm West AUD
For admissions questions, please contact NHS Co-Advisor, Amanda Dyer, at acdyer@madison.k12.wi.us
Looking forward to our new inductees’ Character, Leadership, Scholarship and Service this year!
| | |
Restorative Justice at West | | |
|
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
| | |
Teacher Appreciation Event | | |
|
Thanks to our West families' donations, we are able to provide a catered lunch from Banzo for the staff on February 16th, their next staff only day! We are looking for a few volunteers (students or parents) to help Banzo set up and clean up. Please sign up HERE if you are able to help. Email Sara at sleifheit1@gmail.com with any questions.
-Sara Campbell, Karen Dreyfuss, and Ali Burke
| | |
Start On Time/Hallway Intervention | | |
|
As we begin the second semester, West High School is continuing to emphasize the importance of students getting to their classes on time. The goal is to maximize learning opportunities and experiences for all of our students. We know that attendance contributes to the following positive outcomes:
- Passing grades and credit attainment
- Increased sense of belonging
- Increased preparedness for post-secondary goals
- Greater opportunities to develop knowledge and skills
- On-time graduation
West has several interventions in place to encourage and teach appropriate ‘on time’ behaviors, including our Start on Time (SOT) program. As a part of our efforts to encourage students to be on time to class, we will have staff in the hallways to escort students to the Start on Time station or to their class. Students who do not go to class will be escorted to an Alternative Learning Center (ALC) for that period. In those situations, parents will be contacted to partner in supporting each student’s successful return to class.
If you have questions regarding these procedures, be sure to reach out to your child’s Small Learning Community Assistant Principal.
Pheng Lee
Assistant Principal, Regent SLC plee3@madison.k12.wi.us
Sean Storch
Assistant Principal, Van Hise SLC sstorch@madison.k12.wi.us
Katie Medema
Assistant Principal, Ash SLC kmedema@madison.k12.wi.us
Lori Schacht DeThorne
Assistant Principal, Highland SLC lschachtdeth@madison.k12.wi.us
| |
West High Junior, Grace Huang, was selected as a winner in The New York Times Teen Tiny Memoirs competition. Students between the ages of 14-19 were asked to write miniature memoirs-100 words or less. Out of 13,000 entries from all over the world 15 were selected as winners. Grace’s story, "Nap Time With a Kindergartner Who Doesn't Know English" was published in the New York Times on Jan. 17, 2024. Congratulations Grace! | | | | |
