West Side Story 2.0
Tuesday, December 5th, 2017
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
The National Honor Society is an organization that recognizes students who excel not only in academics (scholarship), but also in areas of leadership, service, and character. In order to be eligible for membership, students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate involvement in their community, leadership among their peers, and strong moral character.
Congratulations to all new NHS members!
Shining Scarlet Awards for 1st Quarter
Congratulations to all of our Shining Scarlet Award winners who have started the year out strong!
2017 Fall Musical: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Full Cast, Crew, and Musicians
Joeseph (played by Joey Falgren)
Brothers Reunited
What's going on in the building?
As a follow up to the leadership retreat, Link Crew Leaders met with their freshmen last week to discuss kindness. They were tasked with the job of spreading kindness here at West. Each student group created a specific goal as to how they are going to speak kindness at West and given a bracelet that reads, "You can be anything...be kind."
Freshman will meet with their Link Crew leaders several more times throughout the year in order to continue this work of spreading positivity and kindness throughout our hallways.
Preparing Students for Success: Engineering PLTW Courses
Mankato West currently offers five different Project Lead the Way courses in exploring and developing skills in engineering. If your student is interested in a future career involving engineering, architecture, and/or computer science, encourage them to look into these course offerings as we head into registration this February.
Introduction to Engineering Design (Full year) Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3D modeling software & printers, and use an engineering notebook to document their work.
Principles of Engineering (Full year) Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore and build a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students use VEX Robotics components to build their creations. Students also develop skills in problem-solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (Full year) Students learn important aspects of building and site design and development. They apply math, science, and standard engineering practices to design both residential and commercial projects and document their work using 3D architectural design software called Revit.
Computer Science Principles (Full year) Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSP’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment.
Engineering Design and Development (Full year) The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW come together in Engineering Design and Development as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers and our PLTW advisory team. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process and build their invention/innovation.
Parent Volunteers Needed
If you would like to find out more about these two groups or are interested in joining, please contact Jodi Buettner in the front office of West at (507)207-3801.
Order Your Yearbook Today!
Yearbooks are now on sale! Don’t wait to purchase your copy of the 2017-2018 Mankato West High School yearbook. To order online, please go to www.mankatowestyearbook.com. If you have already purchased your yearbook, thank you!
Approaching Deadlines: Senior Portraits and Grad Ads for the Yearbook
It is already December, and the deadlines for submitting senior photos and grad ads are just around the corner. Please review the following information. If you have any questions, please email Meredith Mayra at mmayra1@isd77.org.
Senior Photos need to be submitted by Friday, January 19th, 2018. 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.org
Photos can be submitted electronically through the yearbook website: Pictavo Community.
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 2018 yearbook. The cost is $25.00 and you can include a photo(s) and message to your graduating senior. The deadline for submitting these ads is Friday, March 2nd, 2018. 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.
Holiday Festival of Music Concert & Fundraiser
Holiday Festival of Music Dinner [RSVP Only]
- WHEN: Friday, December 8th @ 6:00pm-7:30pm (The actual concert starts at 7:30.)
- WHERE: West Cafeteria
- WHAT: Pulled pork sandwiches, sides, dessert, and beverages from Vernon Center Market and Buster's Catering. Dinner performances provided by West small ensembles, including West Connection, Chamber Orchestra I, and Jazz I
- COST: $10/adults, $5/kids ages 12 and under ($ collected at the door)
Holiday Festival of Music Concert [Open to the Public]
- WHEN: Friday, December 8th @ 7:30pm
- WHERE: West Auditorium
- WHAT: Performances by West music groups.
- COST: FREE!
Friday, Dec 8, 2017, 07:30 PM
Mankato West High School, South Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN, United States
"No Shave November" at West
Coming Soon: Other Important Dates
- Tuesday, December 12th: Late Start
- Monday, December 25th -- Tuesday, January 2nd: No School (Winter Break)