West Counseling Department News
June 2019
Graduating Seniors
Dear Graduates:
The Counseling Department wishes to extend our sincere congratulations to all our graduates. You’ve worked so hard and accomplished so much. We hope that your experiences and achievements as a Regent have prepared you well for your future endeavors. We have enjoyed working with you and wish you all good luck in the future! THANK YOU to all the parents, staff and community who have collaborated to support the success and achievement of all our students!
Senior Celebration
Counselors were able to meet with each senior and hear their final plan for their life after high school. It was a very rewarding experience to have this opportunity with our students. We hope everyone enjoyed a bit of fun and levity during a very hectic time of year!
In the News
How To Save Google Drive Documents for Graduating Seniors
Sending Final Transcripts
As the end of the school year is quickly approaching, we want to remind you of an important task students need to do before leaving West High School. If you plan on attending a college or university next fall, you will need to send your FINAL Transcript to that school.
Many of you may have already received e-mails from your college requesting this transcript.
Your counselor does not send these transcripts, it is your responsibility to request your Final Transcript be sent to your college. See below for instructions on how to do that.
You can request your final transcript through your Parchment account (www.parchment.com).
-To order your final transcript to be sent you can place the order anytime and then select 'Hold for Grades' in the drop down for when to send your transcript.
-Note for Senior students with fee waivers: These expire on July 31. Please place your order for your final transcript prior to this time.
-All Senior students should make sure they use a personal email to log into their Parchment account. If you are currently using your school email address, please go to your Profile, account and add another email to this account and make your personal email the primary email. School email addresses are deactivated after graduation.
-Please note if you want to see your most current transcript in your Parchment account, you can do so by clicking on the current image of your transcript, scroll down and click update. This creates an 'unofficial self view' order which is sent to West High School and West High School will then upload your most recent transcript to your account.
Summer Melt Texting Campaign for Graduated Seniors
Simply fill out the google form HERE to be signed up for the text messaging program.
RISING SENIORS
Continue working on your list of colleges/programs you plan to apply for this fall and WRITE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS!!! Summer is a great time to get that college essay rough draft finished.
Common Application
What information will roll over?
All information within the Common App tab:
* Profile
* Family
* Education
* Testing
* Activities
* Writing
* Courses & Grades
What information will not roll over?
* Answers to college-specific questions
* Recommender invitations
* Forms submitted by recommenders
* Your Release Authorization and FERPA selection
* Responses to questions that have been changed or removed
Save the Date for the College Application Bootcamp!
All Seniors Welcome! No RSVP needed!
RISING JUNIORS
If you are a student who is interested in attending college, use this summer to prepare for the ACT/SAT by taking a prep course through Summer School. The Course is offered at Memorial this year and West students may register.
Students can improve ACT, SAT, PSAT or P-ACT scores through learning test taking and problem-solving strategies and techniques. Students will improve their vocabulary, math problem solving, reading comprehension, and test taking skills. Students will build academic skills that will not only improve their performance on college-board tests, but will also help them to enter college better prepared to handle college level expectations.
ACT Method Test Prep:
Free! Online! Available to all students through your Xello account.
This ACT preparation program is offered through Xello to all MMSD students. It's FREE & students can log-in and start reviewing/practicing for the ACT test which most students start taking in the Winter or Spring of their Junior year. You can access your Xello account from the main West HS Website, scroll to the bottom. Xello is the first link under the blue bar. Log in using your school gmail account.
New! UW EAU CLAIRE'S Apply in July Event
- Speak with UWEC experts in financial aid, advising, housing and admissions.
- Gain early access to important next steps like submitting your enrollment deposit (if admitted), completing your housing application, applying for scholarships and more.
- Be entered to win a $1,000 scholarship* which will be awarded at each of the 12 events.
*Awarded upon enrollment to UW-Eau Claire. Non-renewable. No cash equivalent.
For more information or to register, click HERE
Summer is a great time to do a College Visit!
Top Five Things to Do on a Tour!
- Visit more than one campus. You’ll need to compare several to find the right fit.
- Set your visit up in advance with the college—meet with the admission staff, talk to a current student, and have a meal in the dining hall. Find out if you can sit in on a class.
- Read the college newspaper. Many are online, and it’s a great chance to find out what campus life is really like.
- Spend some independent time on the campus. Do you feel comfortable? Can you imagine living and studying here? Talk to some students and ask them about campus life.
- Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions. And then ask more questions.
Wisconsin Private Colleges is hosting campus visits during WI Private College Week, July 8-13, 2019. See more details HERE
PSAT - Saturday, October 19th 2019
The PSAT is offered only once each year, and is normally taken in the junior year. It is a practice test for the SAT which measures critical reasoning, math problem solving, and writing skills. It is also a qualifying test for the National Merit scholarship program for juniors. We encourage you to plan ahead and save the date!
Note: Occasionally, sophomores elect to take this test if they plan for an early graduation or if they wish to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT, which they would then take again as a junior.
How to register?
Information about registering for the PSAT will be distributed in the fall.
RISING SOPHOMORES
Have a productive summer, whether it is summer school to make up credits, grade replacement, or enrichment, volunteering or working. These activities help to maintain your current skills, as well as provide new ones.
Be sure to check out the following job and volunteer opportunities HERE
Do you have volunteer hours lined up for the summer? Make a copy of this spreadsheet and keep track of your hours!
AP Scores
SUMMER SCHOOL
The 2019 Secondary Summer School sponsored by Madison Metropolitan School District is scheduled for six weeks starting on June 24th and concluding on August 1, 2019 and is designed for students who will be entering grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 in the fall of 2019.
Registration Information:
Counselors mailed letters home to those students who should enroll in summer school courses for credit recovery and/or grade replacement. Families should contact their school counselor if they wish to sign up for summer school.
TYPE OF CREDIT FOR SUMMER SCHOOL COURSES:
Credit Recovery: For the 13 required credits in the areas of English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health and Physical Education, summer school courses may be used to replace a course previously taken or failed.
Elective Courses: All other summer school courses completed will count towards elective credit.
Work Experience: Students can earn .25 elective credit for every 45 hours worked over the summer. Students must sign up for work experience during summer school in order to receive credit.
Cooking for Culture
It's a collaboration between Luna's Groceries and Trained To Grow Incorporated.
The program is completely free and food will be provided. We are looking for 20 teens (13-18 years old) to participate.
Application can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/Cook4Culture
Deadline to apply is Friday, June 7th!
Regent Athletes: Save the Date!
WHAT: Regent Sports Kick-Off Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 from 6:30-8:00pm
WHERE: Madison West High School
All West students who wish to participate in a WIAA sport during the 2019-20 school year must attend with a parent.
See more info here.
August 2019 Enrollment Dates
Online enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year begins August 6, 2019. You can access the MMSD enrollment website HERE