West Side Story 2.0
Wednesday, December 14th, 2016
Be Your BEST at West!
Each week in December we have been highlighting the different areas of our “Be Your BEST at West” campaign to reinforce the great students and behaviors here at West while also reminding students to strive to be their BEST every single day.
We encourage you to discuss these areas with your children and encourage them to demonstrate their BEST qualities both in and out of school.
Be Respectful
Engage in Learning
Show Integrity
Take Responsibility
Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students
Mankato Area high school students have access to exciting Work-Based Learning opportunities. These programs allow students to deepen their knowledge and experience in a career pathway of interest while earning school credit.
Career Internships provide opportunities in areas related to:
- Business, Management, and Administration
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Arts, Communication, and Information Systems
- Engineering and Engineering Manufacturing
- Health Science Technology
- Human Services
Additionally, Youth Employment Acceleration Program (YEAP) is a youth apprenticeship in manufacturing.
To find out more about Work-Based Learning Opportunities and how to apply, see the attached documents.
Chromebook Care
We are off to a great school year! Our students have been respectful and responsible using their Chromebooks in and out of the classroom, but there have been some issues with physically protecting the Chromebooks.
Currently, the majority of the damage reported is in the form of broken screens. Many times the student reports that the broken screens are coming from the Chromebook being carried in their backpack rather than in their district provided carrying case. This “pressure crack” is caused by pressure being applied either to the screen itself or to the back of the unit. In the case of devices being carried in backpacks, the pressure can come from books or other items in the backpack.
Please encourage your student to engage in the following practices to prevent damage on their Chromebooks:
ALWAYS carry the Chromebook in your carrying case
Keep the carrying case zipped up
Carry only the Chromebook in the district provided bag
Do not put the Chromebook in a backpack
Do not attempt to clean your Chromebook with cleaning products
Keep liquids away from your device
Charge your device in a safe location where it will not fall off of something
When charging be aware of the cord location so others do not trip on the cord
Always travel with the power cord in the extra pouch
Order a Yearbook Today!
Yearbooks are now on sale! Don’t wait to purchase your copy of the 2016-2017 Mankato West High School yearbook. Buy today and get your student’s yearbook at the lowest price of the year. This $55.00 yearbook is now on sale for only $50.00 if you purchase by December 15th. To order online, please go to www.mankatowestyearbook.com. If you have already purchased your yearbook, thank you!
APPROACHING DEADLINE: Senior Portraits
Can you believe it is already December?! The year is certainly flying by and since it is already the holiday season, that means the deadlines for submitting senior photos and grad ads are just around the corner.
Senior Photos need to be submitted by Friday, January 20th, 2017. We would love to have a picture for each student. If you do not have a senior photo, please let me know and we will work to try and find a way to take a picture for the yearbook. Options for graduation photo submissions:
[Preferred] Photos can be emailed to Ms. Mayra: mmayra1@isd77.k12.mn.us
Photos can be submitted electronically through the yearbook website. <community.pictavo.com>
Photos can be mailed to Ms. Mayra through the Main Office at Mankato West or hand-delivered to room 210. Please include a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) to ensure photos are returned to you.
Grad Ads are optional “ads” for your graduating senior. They are 1/8 of a page and will be placed in the 2017 yearbook. The cost is $25.00 and you can include a photo(s) and message to your graduating senior. These ads need to be submitted by Friday, February 19th, 2017. You can design and create your own ad by going to our pictavo community web page OR you can submit your photos/message and money directly to Meredith Mayra for a yearbook staff member to design on your behalf.
Further guidelines for senior portraits and directions for submitting both senior portraits and grad ads can be found by visiting our Mankato West Yearbook Website. Related questions can be directed to Meredith Mayra at mmayra1@isd77.k12.mn.us
Winter Weather
As we find ourselves immersed in another Minnesota winter, please review the following information regarding how to access weather-related information for Mankato Area Public Schools.
School closings and early dismissal notifications will be broadcast on local radio and televisions stations (KTOE, KDOG, KYSM, KATO, KXLP, KXAC, KEEZ, KMSU, KRBI, KMKO, KRRW, KEYX-TV12, KSTP-TV, KARE 11-TV, FOX 9/UPN 29 TV, WCCO Radio and TV) along with the Mankato Free Press Online.
Coming Soon: Other Important Dates
- Friday, December 23rd - Monday, January 2nd: NO SCHOOL [Winter Break]
- Tuesday, January 10th: Late Start
- Wednesday, January 25th: 1st Semester Finals for Periods 1-4
- Thursday, January 26th: 1st Semester Finals for Periods 5-7
- Friday, January 27th: NO SCHOOL [Teacher Prep/End of 2nd Quarter]
College Visits: Representatives from the following colleges and universities will meet in the Counseling Center on the following dates. Students receive a pass from Jen Clark in the Counseling Center if they want to attend one of these visits.
- University of Wisconsin (Superior): Thursday, December 15th @ 10:15 am