IN THIS ISSUE...
IMPORTANT DATES
September
Monday, September 7th
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8th
First Day of School
Orientation Day - All Grades
Beginning of 1st Semester
Beginning of 1st Quarter

Wednesday, September 16th
9th Grade Parent Meeting (Virtual)
October
 Thursday, October 1st
West Community Info Session on the Referenda

Friday, October 16th
Senior Pictures Due

Friday, October 23rd
NO SCHOOL - Staff Only Day

Wednesday, October 30th
End of 1st Quarter
West Virtual Learning Information
 
MMSD 2020-2021 School Calendar
QUICK LINKS



September 2020
From Principal Boran
Hello and welcome to fall (at least, from the temperature). Yes, the Regent Reporter usually arrives in your inbox on the first of the month (and you can still expect that in the future), but this month we thought we'd hold off a bit to keep your inboxes concise with important start-of-the-year info.

It's been a busy few days as we have worked with our students to get connected, help them understand the changes to our systems, and communicate our more rigorous expectations than they experienced this spring.

Our teachers and staff have been working hard and we know that we are ready to embrace rigorous teaching and learning at West.  It won't look the same as in the past because it's not the past -- virtual learning this semester is not the same as the spring, and certainly not the same as face-to-face learning. We ask for your patience and grace as classes start and formal learning begins.

Thank you for supporting your students in their virtual learning experience - the West community is a strong one, and we look forward to the rest of the quarter.

Karen
Counseling News
Our West Counselors have put together a Welcome Back Counseling Newsletter for students and parents with every bit of info you need to know from the counseling department. Also, check out the West High School Counseling website  and Facebook page to stay informed about academic planning and more.


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.
MMSD Athletics
The Regent Sports Kick-off meeting is joined this year with the MMSD athletic kickoff and is available for viewing on  YouTube.  

Interested in Competing in Sports after High School? Learn More
 
Please remember to complete all online forms - this is how we know you want to participate in a sport. Sign up for every sport you are interested in. Please have a current physical on file to be ready for participation when we return to athletics. You can send the copy of the physical via a scanned email image to Sara Anderson at [email protected] or to West HS through US Mail.

West Gear: Spiritwear
Mental Health: Resources
Meditation/Focus: Info

Fall Virtual Opportunities for Fitness & Health for all students & teachers through TeamBuildr App. Speed and Strength, yoga, mindfulness, rehab and prehab, and leadership opportunities. Sign up for TeamBuildr here (free)
 
TeamBuildr will be populated with:


 

  • Speed and Strength live classes Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 5-6pm (starting 9/15)
  • Sports Specific Speed & Strength Training posted daily for individualized workouts
  • YogaBites (20 min sessions) posted Wednesday & Friday


 

Other Offerings will be:


 

  • Prehab and Rehab times with our athletic trainer, Allison Schwarz
  • Sport specific contact dates will begin 9/21
  • Tuesday Nights 6pm - Big 8 Special Zoom Sessions, TBA
  • Special Topics for athletes: Equity, Leadership, Community Service


 

Please contact athletic director, Alicia Pelton, at [email protected] for additional information.

Stay tuned,
Alicia
West Has An In-House DLI Coordinator!
Among other exciting changes this year, West High School now has an in-house coordinator for our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program! Please contact me with any questions about the program. I'm here to help support West staff that work with DLI students, as well as connect with our DLI students and families.

¡Entre otros cambios emocionantes este año, el colegio de West tiene una coordinadora del Programa de Doble Inmersión (DLI por sus signos en inglés)! Pónganse en contacto conmigo con cualquier pregunta sobre el programa. Estoy aquí para apoyar a los educadores de West quienes trabajan con los estudiantes de DLI, además de conectar con nuestros estudiantes del programa y sus familias.

Contact information/Información de contacto:
(Profesora) Faith Hoenecke
Email/Correo: [email protected]
Google phone/teléfono: (608) 492-4332 (call or text)
Availability/Disponibilidad: 12pm-4pm






Bucky Books for Sale!
DECA's Bucky Book Sales

You can grab this year's Bucky Book through an online sale this year! Purchase online and they will ship right to your home! Support businesses while saving money! Money raised from sales will offset the costs of students participating in DECA.

Fall Play - An Evening of Shakespeare
Virtual Performance Dates
November 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st at 7pm
(ticket sale information will be available at a later date)

Virtual Auditions

Video Audition Due: Tuesday - September 22nd, 8pm (can audition up until that date)
More information about auditions will be available at a later date on the West Theater webpage - form will be available there with the link to film!
Please prepare:
Shakespeare piece (10-20 lines) - Memorization encouraged but not required

Virtual Callbacks

Cold Reading - Friday - September 25th @ 5pm-7:30pm/8pm

First Virtual Rehearsal

Friday - October 1st after 4pm

Contact Holly Walker at [email protected] with questions!
West Science Olympiad 20-21 Season
The West Science Olympiad Team is enthusiastically moving into the new 20-21 session.  Though Sci O will look different this year we will build the team, organize event coaching opportunities and find ways to compete!  As always our goal is to provide students opportunity to engage in and develop greater understanding in science and technology. To learn more about Science Olympiad go to https://www.wisconsinso.org/what-we-do
We hope to have the opportunity to compete at Invitational and State tournaments later this year. Until then we will create event study groups that will be guided virtually by coaches to develop student's skills in each Division C event. https://www.wisconsinso.org/events
If you are interested in joining the Science Olympiad Team at West, please register at the link below. 
Deadline to Register, September 30, 2021.
Cost in the past for Science Olympiad has been $100, which covers the usual tournament fees and transportation.  Since we are not sure about future tournaments, we will start the year with a 
fee of $25 and ask for more when tournaments can resume.  Write check to -West Science Olympiad.
Please mail your check to Lori Vogel, Science Olympiad, West High School, 30 Ash St, Madison, WI 53726
Registered students and their parents will receive notification of how to choose events (September), an introductory Zoom parent meeting for families new to Science O (end of Sept) and virtual meetings for students (October).
We look forward to continuing to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in science and technology!