Vol 3. September 19, 2023

From Mr. Kigeya

 Dear Madison West Scholars and Community,

Happy Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month! This is a time for us to celebrate and honor the rich cultural contributions and the vibrant traditions that Hispanic and Latinx communities have brought to our nation and to Madison West. Let us take this opportunity to embrace our incredible diversity, foster inclusivity, and learn from one another's unique perspectives.

As we commemorate this special month, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates and upcoming events at Madison West:

Homecoming is right around the corner!  Mark your calendars for September 29th, as we are eager to continue the beloved tradition of the West Aud and Parade.  It's a time for us to showcase our school spirit, unity, and pride. Please stay tuned for more info; students should expect a revised Friday, September 29th, class schedule.  Those students who wish to remain for the Aud can do so, and those with permission and transportation home can leave early.  As always, we will be running buses at the end of the day.  Lastly, we’ll host the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September 30th, 7-10PM.  Continue reading your Regent Reporter for more information on Homecoming.

Also, we are aware of the ongoing challenges with our transportation system, particularly buses arriving late in the morning. Rest assured that we are diligently working to address these issues and provide a smoother experience for our students and staff. Ultimately, students need to be here on time in order to learn. Your patience and understanding during this period are greatly appreciated, and we are committed to finding solutions. Please know students will not be penalized for morning tardies due to transportation issues. If they are, please call the attendance line, and we’ll correct it. 

Family Night is another event we are looking forward to. This year, it is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4th. It is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to connect and build meaningful relationships. We can't wait to see you there and make it an unforgettable evening.  Look for another message specifically for Family Night next week with more information. 

In addition to our events, our school continues to make progress with construction. We are excited to announce the opening of even more classrooms, offices, and athletic facilities.  This also includes a state-of-the-art pool and a brand-new gymnasium. These facilities will enhance our students' educational experiences and provide more physical fitness and recreation opportunities.

Madison West High School is a remarkable place; together, we will continue to thrive and achieve even more greatness.  It’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we look forward to

creating even more memorable experiences for students.  

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable in shaping our school community.

Thank you for being an essential part of Madison West, and here's to an exceptional school year ahead!

Best regards,

Dan Kigeya

Principal 

Madison West High School

Homecoming week is right around the corner! The Homecoming Parade and Assembly will be on Friday, 9/29, with the Football game against Memorial that evening. 

The Parade kicks off at 1:45p at the Chadbourne/Spooner intersection and ends at the Chadbourne/Ash intersection. Our Homecoming Assembly will begin at approximately 2:45p in the Stevens Gym. 

Parade signup is well underway. If you wish to register your West High School Club/Group or Sports team, fill out this form by Monday, the 25th.

Tickets for the Dance go on sale on 9/25. We will be utilizing ‘GoFan’ for cashless ticket sales this year. Students will purchase Dance tickets through an app, much similar to how students purchase tickets to Athletics events. Tickets are $10 9/25-9/28 and $15 on 9/29. Ticket sales will go live at 8am on 9/25. No students from outside schools are allowed to attend the Dance.

Linked here is the Bell Schedule for Friday, 9/29. 

If you have any questions regarding Homecoming, please reach out to Katie Medema - kmedema@madison.k12.wi.us

We are excited to welcome you to our first in-person Go To School Night since 2019! We will open our doors at 5:30pm to allow you to view our new spaces. At 6:30pm, families go directly to their student’s first hour class, and then follow their student’s course schedule from 6:30pm-8:15pm. We look forward to showcasing our new (but also still under construction) West High School spaces!

As we settle into a new school year, we want to remind you of resources to access and maintain your student’s meal balances. MMSD utilizes School Café to connect families with all Foods and Nutrition related information, including access to school menus, payment options and the free and reduced lunch application.

In addition to paying previous meal balances, School Cafe also allows families to proactively deposit funds into your student’s account. As a reminder, costs are published on the Foods and Nutrition website annually:

• Breakfast: $1.60 in elementary schools, $1.85 in middle and high schools.
• Lunch: $2.95 in elementary schools, $3.35 in middle schools, and $4.15 high schools
• Reduced price is $0.40 for lunch in all grade levels. Your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls within the limits on the Federal Income Chart.

Once you have created or logged into your School Cafe account, click “make a payment” to pay fees or deposit funds via credit card or bank account information. Alternatively, you can send a check or cash ($50 limit) with your student to school, where they can add funds to their account with the food service staff. Students can take the check or cash to the point-of-sale station in the cafeteria and it can be deposited on their account when they purchase a meal or they can just take cash or check to the point-of-sale station to deposit the funds. 

Please note, we serve meals to students at school regardless of their balance, in order to support equitable access to full, nutritious meals for all scholars. A la carte purchases, including milk, are only allowable with a positive fund balance or cash.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to MMSD Foods and Nutrition staff at studentfees@madison.k12.wi.us.

• October 12 Academic & Career Planning (ACP) Workday during an extended 3rd hour class. Additional work days for seniors will be on the 2nd Thursday of November, December, and February. See ACP Calendar [linked here]
• October 17 On-site (at West) Admission event with UW-Milwaukee. Students interested in applying to UWM can register for a 15-minute time slot with a UWM rep. Students will receive their admission decision during this brief "interview". Stay tuned for more information.
• October 25th Essay Support in 2405 all day. Bring your draft essay(s) and receive feedback from teachers and volunteers from the community. 

Other important resources:

• College Rep Calendar - students can drop-in to 2405 to visit college representatives. Attendance will be excused by the end of the day. 
• Student Resource Hub - Post HS Plan Page

In order to streamline absence reporting we ask our parents and guardians to use one of two options for the 2023-24 school year. 

• Online Reporting Page (preferred)
• Attendance Phone Line (608 204-4100)

This will remove heavy volumes of calls from our SLC offices which will allow us to be better available to assist our families/students immediate needs throughout the school day. 

If your student is going to be absent or late to school, please use the online reporting link below or call the attendance line by 8:00am.  

If you are excusing your student for an appointment or segment of the day please communicate to your student the exact time frame you are excusing them for. If the student leaves early or is late returning from the time reported the extra time will not be excused until the parent/guardian submits a correction on the Online Reporting Page or Attendance Phone Line.

The MMSD Board of Education invites you to share your thoughts and opinions at upcoming listening sessions to help form the leadership profile for our next superintendent. Search firm Alma Advisory Group will be on-site in early October to collect feedback from teachers and staff, students, parents/families, and community members.

Parent/Family/Community Sessions: 6-7 p.m. Oct 2 (Holtzman); 6-7 p.m. Oct 3 (La Follette); 6-7 p.m. Oct. 4 (Memorial).

Parents, alumni, & friends of West! Are you interested in being part of a career panel? Students benefit from hearing the stories and experiences of adults in professions they are considering. We started these panels last year, and they were exceptional. Check out some the topics we are thinking about [linked here] and contact Sarah Quinn sequinn@madison.k12.wi.us if you are interested in representing your field.



September 2023 Counseling Newsletter

Of over 1.3 million students to enter the 23-24 National Merit Scholarship competition, 16,000 are named Semifinalists. West is pleased to announce their 14 seniors who have earned Semifinalist recognition. These seniors will vie to become finalists and win one of the 7,140 scholarships awarded.  Congratulations, West National Merit Semifinalists!

Gavin An

Ari Blehert

Brynn Dixson-Kruijf

Justin DuBeau

Caleb Ellenberg

Raphael Espinoza-Forlenza

Elliot Fruit-Ross

Robert Henkelmann

Robert Igic

Joseph Kaji

Gannon Mefford

Finn Peters

Ari Rabinowitz

Brynn Ronk

Have you purchased a yearbook?

You can do so in the fees area of Infinite Campus, now through January 3rd. Books that are unpaid by January 3rd will be cleared from IC and not be guaranteed at the end of the year. They will be sold at the end of the year in limited numbers. Please make sure you pre-order your book if you are sure that you would like one.

All Grade Level Photos - New or Retakes (Including Seniors)

September 25th

October 2nd

Senior Pictures

Due October 18th 

For Guidelines, please visit our website.

Submit to whs.seniorpicture@gmail.com

Senior Tribute Information 

Emailed to all senior parents on November 1st

Information is also on our website linked above.

Questions?

1. Check our website.

2. Check our website.

3. Email Ms. Engelbart, jengelbart@madison.k12.wi.us

Advanced Placement Exam Registration

Important Timeline for AP Exam Registration for the 23-24 School Year

The College Board's Advanced Placement exam registration period continues to occur in the fall this school year. 

What do families need to know?

WHO: All MMSD students seeking to take Spring 2024 AP Exams

WHEN: MMSD's registration dates are September 11 – October 22, 2023 for this spring's final exams. Exam fees are $125/exam or $160 for Seminar/Research exams, but please note a $40/exam deposit per exam is due at this time.  The remaining balance will need to be paid between January and February 23, 2024.

WHERE: Full registration details are found at aptsusa.com/mmsd

WHY: Studies have shown students who commit earlier in the school year have a higher engagement and commitment, as well as an increase in scores of 3 or higher across multiple groups.  

HOW: Specific registration information regarding MMSD's exam sign up, fee payment and AP updates can be found at https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/assessments/high-school-assessments-for-families/ap-testing-in-madison"

If you were unable to make it to the Summer school photo sessions-two opportunities for school pictures/retakes are coming up:

September 25th

Start: 7:00am - 3:00pm 

Location: Cafeteria

October 2nd

Start: 7:45am - 3:30pm

Location: Cafeteria  

The PSAT will be offered on Friday October 20th, 2023

(this is a non-attendance day for students)

Registration Instructions

The PSAT Registration Window is Friday, September 15 - Friday, September 29th by 3:45 pm. (Registration and Fee Payment must be submitted by this date. No late registrations/no exceptions)

Registration for YWCA Madison’s Racial Justice Summit is open! High Schoolers will have the opportunity to participate. Dr. Bettina Love will be offering a virtual session for Youth and Educators on Tuesday, October 3. Please click the “Get Tickets” button on our Racial Justice Summit Registration Page and enter the promo code: Youth+Chaperone