Regent Reporter - November 23rd, 2021

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, the desserts, and the connection with family and friends. I love the change in seasons and the gradual shift from the growing of the farms and fields around me to the resting of winter for the growing season to come.

It’s also a time to take stock of and create appreciation for the things that are going well in our lives. For me, that’s saying publicly how awesome my husband is and how he makes everything I do possible because of his unwavering support over our forty years together. And it’s saying publicly how proud I am of our students and staff as they continue to rise above the pandemic and find ways to excel.

It’s also time to say how much I have appreciated the letters and comments of support for our work here at West. This year has been hard. It’s been hard for you, for your students, their teachers, and the staff at West. What makes it worthwhile are your children. They are awesome, funny, quirky, frank, and full of life and ideas and inspirations. That’s because of their fabulous families, and we thank you for that.

If you are traveling, travel safely. If you are home, stay warm.

And thank you all for your continued support.

Happening Now

Required Senior Survey

Attention Seniors: Please take a few minutes to fill out the REQUIRED MMSD Survey about your Post High School Plans. We want to ensure that all students have a plan and are supported with the steps required to meet your goals. Currently 44% of Seniors have filled out the form. Access the survey through this link or through Classlink (look for Post HS Survey).

Update about MMSD Wireless

Beginning November 15, the use of guest wireless networks will be for visitors needing to gain access for presentations of professional purposes. Students will not have access to the guest network, during school hours, and are encouraged to utilize their district-issued devices, which automatically log in to the secure network. The guest wireless network will be available to students from 3:45 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

What does this mean for our students?

Most importantly, their own personal computers will no longer be able to connect to the internet during school hours. They will have to use their MMSD issued Chromebook. If you have a student who does not have an MMSD Chromebook, please remind them to stop in the library before November 15 to be issued a Chromebook.
Student phones will not be able to connect to the internet during school hours. Students will have to use their cellular data during school hours to access the internet from their phones.
As of November 15, the library will NOT be lending forgot-it loaner Chromebooks until further notice.

New COVID Testing Clinic Location

The COVID testing clinic that has been on the Ash lawn has been relocated inside the building, at the bottom of the steps on Regent, near the bus stop. If you are driving, you may pull into the parking lot and drive to the door marked COVID testing. You can double park the cars in the lot during testing. Here is a map of the testing location.

MMSD Wellness Survey

MMSD is working to collect input from students, staff, families, and community partners on how we can create healthier schools for students and staff. This input will drive revisions of our current MMSD Wellness Policy that will be voted on by the Board of Education in second semester of this school year.

Please complete the 5-10 minute survey by Tuesday, November 30th to make sure your voice is heard.

Your input is valued and appreciated!

UW Madison Brain Development Study

The BRAVE Research Center (located within the Department of Psychiatry at UW-Madison) is conducting a study focused on brain development in youth and the impact of child adversity on the brain. All visits take place outside of school hours at their clinic on the West side of Madison and families are compensated after each study visit. If you are interested in more info, please see this flyer.

Upcoming Events

Summer Immersion Opportunity to Costa Rica

I'm writing to let you know about our upcoming summer of youth program in Costa Rica. I think you'll find it's unlike anything else out there. Language is foremost about people and actualizing relationships. The joy is in the pure vividness of belonging to something greater. By elevating our social interaction, Spanish not only becomes part of us, it opens a new path towards a wellspring of friends and opportunity. True wellness after all, fosters healthy vibrant relationships. Contact me to learn more about our rural high school adventure in the green highland community of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Youth Exchange 2022

Our program enrollment is filling up early for summer 2022, (12 openings, 2-sessions).

Would you like us to hold a spot for you? please confirm - https://www.highschoolspanish.org/store/p10/Application2022.html

Gracias, Ilba Prego Toll free 1-888-674-0408

Princeton Summer Journalism Program

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program application will open on November 30.

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) offers a tuition-free journalism institute and college counseling program for high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. Participants spend 10 days in late July/early August at Princeton University, where they learn about inquiry and truth in reporting through workshops taught by Princeton University professors and professional journalists. The summer institute culminates in the publication of the student-produced newspaper, The Princeton Summer Journal. Although we welcome students who have been actively involved in journalistic activities, no prior experience is required to qualify.

Students apply through three rounds of consideration during their junior year and begin participation the following summer. During their senior year, students work closely with a volunteer college counselor to complete the college admissions process.

Covers all programmatic costs, including housing, travel, meals, and supplies.

The application opens Nov 30 and will be due in late February. We will send more information as the date approaches, but please do spread the word to students and educators in the meantime. Learn more about PSJP application process and refer a student to receive more information via our website.