Regent Reporter - September 29th, 2021

We are excited to be able to hold our annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 1st 1:45 -- 2:35 (here’s Friday’s bell schedule, for your convenience). Note that all Homecoming activities are outside, and all will require participants to be masked and to respect social distancing. West students have been amazing in their attention to COVID mitigation activities and we thank you for your continued support.

We received better guidance on holding a homecoming dance and are working to hold the dance on Saturday, October 16th. The student and staff Homecoming team are still working through the details but predict that the venue will be outside, and students and dance staff will be masked, socially distanced, and students will have set times in and out of the dance (to facilitate contact tracing). We are excited to have a chance to hold this event safely and continue an important West tradition.

If you are willing to help in this effort, we could use your help to set up, take down, and as chaperones. Let me know if you are interested (kboran@madison.k12.wi.us).

Happening Now

Attendance Reminders

Excused Absence Procedure - This is a reminder about the procedure for an excused absence. Parents must alert the student’s SLC office of the absence by email, with a phone call, or by using the online absence request. Then, students can follow this process:

Leaving early? Grab a pass from your secretary in your SLC office when you arrive at school or during a passing period - you can then use that pass to leave class and leave the building at the designated time (no need to stop back in the office). This counts as "checking out."
Coming late or returning from an appointment? Enter the building through the Welcome Center - you will get a pass up to your SLC office, and your secretary will give you a pass to class. This counts as "checking in."

Attendance Updates - If a student was present in class but incorrectly marked absent by the teacher, here is the procedure to get the absence remedied:

Pick up an Attendance Update Request form from the SLC office.
Fill out the request form with the details of the class and have the teacher sign it.
Bring the request form back to the SLC office and give to the secretary so they can make the update.

Public Health & Advocacy Club Drive for Afghan Refugees

Public Health and Advocacy club is hosting a month-long drive for Afghan refugees at Volk Field and Fort McCoy, through Team Rubicon. We would love to receive new modest clothing, child-specific items, non-perishable food, water, and hygiene products. Please place the items in any of the bins located in each SLC office. Thank you! We look forward to receiving your donations.

NHS Update

Join West's National Honor Society. Juniors with 3.5 GPA and above and 45 hours of volunteer service can apply. Wait for the invitation in March! Character. Scholarship. Leadership. Service. NHS.

Broken/Lost Chromebook or Charger?

If you have a broken/lost Chromebook or charger, please come to the library AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that we can help you! Fines for these items will begin again on October 1.

For damaged Chromebooks, fines are $50 for the first occurance, $100 for the second, and $150 for the third. Lost or destroyed beyond repair Chromebooks are $150. Lost or damaged chargers are $35.

Here is more information about the MMSD device fine policies.

Upcoming Events

PSAT

Attention, 11th graders:

Registration for the Saturday, October 16th PSAT will close on Wednesday, September 29th at 3:45 pm. Both the REGISTRATION FORM & PAYMENT must be submitted in order to be fully registered for the test. No late registration/payment accepted.

Click Here for more information on PSAT.

Lincoln Elementary Outdoor Food Pantry

Advanced Placement Exam Registration

WHO SHOULD REGISTER? -- All MMSD students seeking to take Spring 2022 AP Exams

WHEN IS THE REGISTRATION WINDOW? -- MMSD's registration dates are September 13 – October 24, 2021 for this spring's final exams. Exam fees remain at $110/exam or $143 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 24, 2022.

WHERE DO I REGISTER? -- Full registration details are found at aptsusa.com/mmsd

WHY SIGN UP IN FALL?: 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 CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?: Specific registration information regarding MMSD's exam sign up, fee payment and AP updates can be found at HERE

Hispanic Heritage Pride

Athletics Updates

Athletic Pass for Games

If you have purchased an athletic pass, we will now REQUIRE a physical student ID with the "AP" printed on it at all athletic home game events going forward. Pulling up IC will no longer suffice. If you have purchased an athletic pass you will be required to have your ID out and visible so it can be seen/scanned at home games. If you need the AP printed on your badge you can have this done in the LMC.

Open Gym for Girls Basketball on Wednesdays and Thursdays

We're starting an open gym for girls basketball Wednesdays and Thursdays.