Semester 1 is in the books and grades will be posted to transcripts on February 3rd.

This week, students are settling in to their new classes and engaging in community building activities to establish classrooms where all feel valued and a sense of belonging. This issue will share some reminders in regard to grading and attendance as we begin a new semester.

Next week, students will begin registering for classes for the 2023-24 school year. Please look for a newsletter each week during the month of February as we focus on supporting students to make informed decisions in their course selection.

Our Adaptive Floor Hockey team on their first victory! This program began last year and the team is a combination of East and West students. Games are played in the Franklin gym. Please see the Family Calendar to see their game schedule.

Ms. Tammy Schindler! Ms. Schindler has been awarded the SCSC Spotlight Member Award for her work to ensure all students feel valued and have a sense of belonging at West High School. She has worked collaboratively to provide her students with high school experiences such as performing in the school talent show and hosting a very special pepfest in her classroom with our football team just before the state tournament. Thank you, Ms. Schindler!

As we begin a new semester it is a good idea to review some grading reminders from our class meetings at the beginning of the year.

Standards Based Learning Practices
Missing formative work will be accepted until the summative assessment.

• An “M” in the gradebook will indicate that the formative assessment has not been completed and can still be completed.

• A “0” in the gradebook will indicate that the formative assessment can no longer be completed.

• Once the summative assessment has been completed, “M”s will be turned into “0”s.

All students are expected to complete (take or turn in) their summative assessment ON the “summative assessment day/deadline.”

• There is no…

• “I’m not ready.”

• “My paper isn’t done.”

Every student will be able to retake each summative assessment one time as long as...

• The 1st attempt at the summative assessment was completed on time (on “summative assessment day/deadline”).

• The student does not cheat/plagiarize on the 1st summative assessment attempt.

• If you cheat/plagiarize, you will have to complete a version of the summative assessment without any opportunity to retake

When you receive the feedback for your 1st summative assessment attempt, you will have 2 days to determine if you would like to retake the assessment AND complete the Retake Form.

• What does this mean?

• In April, you will NOT be able to say, “Can I retake the Ch. 1 test from January?”

• You have 2 DAYS to decide and get the process going.

Progress Reporting

Every Thursday, a missing work alert goes out to students and parents.

Grade books are updated on the following dates:

• February 13
• March 6
• March29
• April 20
• May 15
• June 8

Please check these "if the semester ended today, this would be your grade" dates to monitor progress.

As we start a new semester, here are some reminders from our student handbook.

• Students need to carry a minimum of 6 classes.
• If the student chooses to drop a class, they may do so during the first two weeks of the semester and will receive a W (withdraw) on their transcript, which has no penalty to their GPA.
• If the student chooses to drop a class after the first two weeks, they will receive a WF (withdraw fail) on their transcript.

The following message has been shared with students this week:

We need you in class! Nothing can replace the authentic learning that takes place with the teacher and peers. We also need students to be on time. Being on time is a life skill. Please be aware that if you are tardy, you may be assigned a detention. If you are more than 15 minutes late, it will be recorded as an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences (10) will result in losing credit in a class (WF). We need you in class! Class is better when you are there!

Ready, Set, FAFSA Series, February 2023

Join us this February for a series of financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families to help them prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will be approximately one hour long with a short presentation from financial aid experts followed by time for questions from the audience.

Understand & Prepare to Apply for Financial Aid | Tues, Feb 7 at 7:00 p.m.

• Learn more about the many ways to pay for college—like grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study—and how to apply for them. Register here

Complete the FAFSA | Tues, Feb 14 at 7:00 p.m.

• Find out more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the most important form to get you or your student money for education after high school. Register here

Complete the MN Dream Act | *Thurs, Feb 16 at 7:00 p.m.

• Minnesota also has a form for undocumented students called the Minnesota Dream Act, which allows them to be eligible for in-state tuition. Register here

Understanding Your Offer Letter | Tues, Feb 21 at 7:00 p.m.

• Understanding your financial aid award letter can be complicated, especially if you applied to more than one college. This session will help you understand how to read and compare them. Register here

Scholarship Search | Feb 28 at 7:00 p.m.

• Learn more about how to get scholarships, or free money, for your education after high school. Register here

Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs

Here is a link to our most recent flyer which will give you all the relevant information about our summer program. You will see that we offer both online and in-person options. For more detailed information, please visit Summer Immersion: Online to learn about online study options and for on-campus study, please visit Summer Immersion: New York City. The early registration deadline is February 3. Use the code: HSIM220 to waive the $80 application fee!

To Do:

• Submit your senior photo for the yearbook by Monday, February 27th by clicking here.
• Check your credits and classes for this semester to be sure you are on track for graduation. See Mr. V. if you have questions.
• For those interested in being considered for the Snow Court, submit this form by Monday, January 30 at 4:00pm.

January 27

9th grade Career Navigator

January 30

West Jazz Club - 7:30 pm, Cafeteria

January 30 - February 1

Grade level registration meetings with counselors

January 31

East/West Boys Hockey - 7:30pm, ASA

February 3

Extended Scarlet Time - Snow Week Pepfest

February 7

East/West Girls Hockey - 5:15pm, ASA

February 8

Early Out

February 9

East/West Wrestling - 7:00pm

February 13 - 17

Snow Week

February 13

Conferences 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Snow Week Volleyball Tournament - 7:30pm

February 16

East/West Girls Basketball 7:30 pm

February 17

Snow Week Activities/Coronation

East/West Boys Basketball 7:30pm