West Counseling Dept Newsletter
January 2021
Happy New Year Regents!
Who's ready to jump into 2021?
Make the most of the new year & read on to find out about
upcoming events, deadlines and opportunities
available to you in 2021!
info for seniors
Let us Celebrate Your Good News!
Does your college need your Mid-Year Grades?
For more information on sending your transcript via parchment.com, visit the Senior Launchpad.
Scholarships
Seniors should check out MMSD's directory of local scholarships by logging into Xello and clicking on "College Resources." This scholarship list is continually being updated as we find out about local scholarships. Students can also save a list of scholarships they wish to apply to and track their application progress in Xello.
West High Scholarships
What is it? Each year, many local organizations and individuals generously provide approximately 45 scholarships for West Seniors. Each scholarship donor determines the criteria for their scholarship. The criteria vary widely, but may include one or more of the following: academic achievement, leadership, school/community service, athletic achievement, financial need, special interests/talents, personal character, or intended area of study.
Who can Apply? ALL SENIORS who have attended high school in the Madison Metropolitan School District for a minimum of three (3) full semesters. The 8th, or final, semester must be at West. West students at Early College STEM Academy are eligible to apply. In addition, seniors must complete and submit the West High Scholarship application to be considered for these scholarships.
The West HS scholarship application was shared with seniors via email on January 13th, 2021 and the deadline to apply will be February 5th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. The application can be accessed HERE and will also be posted on the West counseling website on January 13th. Students must complete this application by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 in order to be considered for any of the West Scholarships.
The Scholarship Committee will begin meeting in April and will use the information provided on the applications to select the recipients for the various scholarships. If you have trouble accessing the application or need any assistance completing it, please contact Lisa Lehman or Kelly Anderle in the counseling department. West Scholarships will be announced at the Senior Honors Convocation in May 27, 2021.
Madison College Scholars of Promise
MADISON COLLEGE SCHOLARS OF PROMISE
We can help pay your college tuition!
The Scholars of Promise program provides low-income, graduating high school students an opportunity to access a college education without worrying about how to pay for it.
Program benefits include:
- Tuition Assistance: We cover tuition and fee costs that grants and scholarships do not for up to six consecutive semesters - summers excluded.
- Mentorship: Work with a mentor your first year, become a mentor your second year.
- Financial Aid Application Assistance: Dedicated support through focused application completion workshops.
- Academic Support: Academic advising and career counseling focused on SoP students.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Our newsletter helps you complete the required eight hours of service per term.
- Promise to Promise: Direct college transfer opportunities with UW-Madison's Scholars of Promise program.
info for juniors
Virtual Junior Conferences Happening Now!
Counselors are meeting with Juniors now through March 2021 for their Junior Conference. Instructions on how to sign up for a conference were emailed to all Juniors and parents after the December 8th and shared in Science google classrooms in early December.
All juniors should schedule an individual junior conference with their counselor to discuss the following topics:
- reviewing your transcript for graduation progress
- class selection for senior year
- discuss your post-high school plan
The Junior Conference is an important opportunity for students to work with their counselor in preparing for senior year, and to create a road map for achieving your post-high school goals.
ACT Information
No decision has been made at this time regarding the administration of the March ACT at West HS. At this time, all standardized tests in MMSD have been cancelled.
The ACT is a national college admissions test that is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. The test covers four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The ACT + Writing test includes a 40-minute writing section.
LOOKING FOR FREE ACT TEST PREP?
ACT Academy on the ACT website also provides FREE test prep. You can sign up for an account HERE
National Honors Society
The purpose of this organization is “to recognize academic achievement while developing characteristics essential to citizens living in a democracy.” These qualities include leadership skills, good character and commitment to public service. At West, NHS is service-oriented. NHS puts on fall and spring blood drives and does other service projects to improve the West community. They promote service among younger students.
In the spring of each year a new group of members is added at a formal initiation ceremony. All NHS members are expected to follow the NHS honor code, the Madison Metropolitan School District Behavior Education Plan and MMSD Athletic Code. NHS members who have been “active” and have participated in at least two NHS sponsored service projects each semester will have a NHS insignia on their diploma. Membership in the National Honor Society is NOT AUTOMATIC and is not determined by 3.5 GPA alone.
NEW!!The number of service hours required to apply to NHS has been reduced to 30 hours due to the pandemic.
Find out more about the Selection Process Here
High School Science Research Internship Program
Application deadline is February 12, 2021.
Are you interested in science and looking for a unique summer opportunity to delve into research? The 11th Grade High School Science Research Internship Program is a partnership between the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
During the summer, MMSD students connect with a research group at UW-Madison for an authentic science research experience as an intern. Each intern works as a volunteer over the course of the summer under the guidance of a professor, degree candidate, postdoctoral candidate or research associate.
Following the summer research internship experience, interns design a scientific poster which allows the interns to celebrate the completion of their internship as they gain experience in communicating scientific findings to an audience of university faculty and students, teachers, friends and family.
Students earn college credit from UW and high school credit from MMSD for completing the requirements of the program.
Flier with additional information/links here.
info for sophomores
BUSINESS EMERGING LEADERS (BEL) PROGRAM
Are you interested in learning more about a future career in the business field?
The Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) Program is designed for promising students who come from diverse backgrounds and have strong academic records and demonstrated leadership skills. Program participation gives students a distinct competitive advantage when adjusting to college life, learning in classes, and applying for internship opportunities, ultimately preparing them for successful careers in business.
The BEL Program meets every summer for three years, beginning the summer after tenth grade. Learn more information on the program and how to apply HERE
*Students will be notified in spring about whether the BEL program will be in-person or virtual for Summer 2021.
Application window closes Feb 12, 2021
info for all grades
MLK Jr. Virtual College Summit: Sat, Jan 16th
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual College Summit
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual College Summit is designed to help high school students and families understand the college admissions and financial aid process. In addition, students and families will also hear directly from current college students and learn more about the student experience. High school students of color, first-generation students, and parents are encouraged to attend. Get a jump start on college planning by registering for this summit in honor and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and advocacy for equal opportunity for all.
Please register by January 13, 2021.
Sponsors and Partners: The College Station, Madison College, UW-Madison, Edgewood College, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Urban League of Greater Madison
Register HERE
Early College Credit Options
MMSD’s goal is for every student to graduate college, career, and community ready. Students who participate in early college credit opportunities before graduating from high school are more likely to enter, persist, and complete a post-high school program. The greatest benefit of early college credit is that students both start college better prepared and they accumulate college credits which assist in graduating college on-time or early while saving money on the overall college costs. Early college credit can take many forms.
Interested students and families are encouraged to view the program specifics on the MMSD Early College Credit webpage.
Start College Now (SCN) allows high school students the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Statute 38. 12 (14) outlines the aspects of the program.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take courses in the fall semester must turn in the application to their high school counselor by March 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by April 15) of each year.
Link to Application / Madison College SCN Website
Google Doc version of the Application (make a copy of the form)
The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows high school students the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin public (University of Wisconsin) and private universities. Statute 118.55 outlines the aspects of the program.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take coursework over the summer term need to submit their application to their high school counselor prior to February 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by March 15) each year.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take courses in the fall semester must turn in the application to their high school counselor by March 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by April 15) of each year.
Link to UW Application / UW Website
Link to Private College Application / Website
Revised Final Exam Week
The unique circumstances presented by the COVID Pandemic has given us the opportunity to re-think some of our traditional structures such as Final Exam Week. As a result we are implementing a shift to our finals week to allow for greater flexibility for teachers and staff to address the individual needs of students in ways a traditional finals week does not.
The purpose will be to concentrate on supporting students who need more support to be successful ending Semester 1. Given the unique and extreme circumstances that we are facing, it is paramount that empathy and understanding drive the decisions we make in how we support students at this time:
- There will not be a finals exam week for the majority of our students. However, there are a few courses that still require finals; some of those include courses taken with Madison College, University of Wisconsin and/or Madison Virtual Campus.
- The last week of the semester will be a “Bridge” week between the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2.
- The schedule for the week will be adjusted to maximize the ability to work with individual students and for students to access support.
- Because Bridge Week takes the place of the "finals week" we've had in the past, students who are not invited for additional support or for other educational reasons as directed by their teacher are not required to attend. Teachers will prioritize meeting with students who are failing or near failure during this week.
- Additional information coming soon
Expectations for Students:
- All students should check email communication from teachers on or before January 18th to determine if they are expected to meet with a teacher(s) during Bridge Week. The email will provide the date and time for any meetings.
- It is expected that students will engage in Bridge Week support experiences as directed by their teacher(s).
Grading Change for Semester 1 F's
2021-22 Course Selection
On Tuesday, Jan 19th, students and families in grades 9-11 will receive an email with grade-level information regarding course selection. This information will include a slide presentation and virtual course card.
Students will talk with teachers, guardians and counselors and make their course selections by February 1st.
Students will input course selections into Infinite Campus (how-to instructions included in slide presentations) the week of February 1st.
All course requests must be entered by Feb. 12th, 2021.
Drop-In Zoom Sessions for Scheduling Questions
Counselors will host drop-in zoom sessions during Bridge Week.
The zoom room for questions will be open on
Wednesday, January 20th from 9am -noon
and on Thursday, January 21st from 1-4pm.
The link to the zoom room can be found in the grade-level slide presentations.
Tutoring Zoom Room
Technology Assistance
Common Wealth Job Training Info
Helping Teens Enter the Job Market
Common Wealth Development has been supporting area teens (ages 14-17) with training and enriching first job experiences since 1991. With the current economic climate, the unemployment rate for the nation’s teens is approximately triple that of adults. Our Youth-Business Mentoring Program helps level the playing field.
Job Placement Follows 2-Week Training
Our Youth-Business Mentoring Program provides youth (ages 14-17) an intensive two week pre-employment training, followed by a job placement with a supportive business. We begin by teaching teens how to effectively find, apply for, and interview for jobs.
Wrap-Around Mentoring Support
After a teen successfully completes our training, the real fun begins! We place participants in a real-world job and, together with their workplace supervisor, our staff mentor program participants during their job placements, focusing on how to keep and excel in a job once they have one. This double-mentoring ensures a youth has the support he or she needs to make the most of their employment opportunity and overcome problems that may arise in a first job.
Work Based Learning
Did you know that MMSD high school students have the opportunity to earn elective high school credit through paid work or volunteer experiences? During COVID-19 students also have the opportunity to earn credit through caretaking/babysitting. Enrollment in the program is rolling throughout the year.
Learn more about earning credit through work or volunteer experiences by clicking here. For information about earning credit through caretaking, please review this checklist.
NAMI Mental Health Supports
Financial Resources Hotline for Madison Residents
8th grade virtual parent night for incoming freshmen
This virtual presentation will be released via email on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
This event is for incoming/prospective Parents & Students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade.
Topics include:
- transition to West
- course selection process
- elective courses
Students are welcome to watch with their family!