Newsletter for Monona Grove High School September 2016  
In This Issue
A Message From Dr. Brost
Dear Parents and Friends,  
Welcome to the 2016 - 2017 school year! We are off to another great start. Students are getting acquainted with their teachers and the school routine. There are sixteen new instructors who are also getting used to a new school and routine. We are excited about the energy and talents that they bring to MGHS. Mr. Kling will be introducing new staff to our students during Friday announcements.
 
Ms. Langer will be supporting the juniors and freshmen this year and Mr. Kling will work with the seniors and sophomores. The Student Services Department is one of the areas with a number of new staff. Ms. Bishop and Ms. Burke are experienced counselors, but new to MG. Ms. Bishop is working with students whose last names begin with A - G and Ms. Burke is working with students whose last names begin P - Z. Mr. Groff continues to work with the middle of the alphabet. Ms. Frain is our new Social Worker and Ms. Macias has transitioned to the School -to-College & Career position. Please let us know if we can assist you.
 
The Leadership Team is focusing on two primary continuous improvement strategies this year; Growth Mindset and Student Engagement. We are supporting the work of the new Strategic Plan that was recently completed. Students will continue to SOAR; being Scholarly, Organized, Accountable, and Respectful. This includes being on time to class, coming prepared, completing all homework on time, and treating everyone with respect.
 
Seniors should be filling out their college applications and scheduling appointments with their guidance counselors for post-secondary planning. Some colleges begin taking applications on September 15 and there can be an advantage to applying early depending on the school. Counselors can assist families with accessing resources and making informed decisions.
 
Back-to-School night is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21. This is a chance for you to run through your student's schedule and meet teachers.

All parents are invited to attend the Parent/Educator Forums with me at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the IMC. The first meeting is on September 19.

We are looking forward to a great school year. Thank you for supporting your student's education.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal

Back to School Night
Back-to-School Night 
September 21
 6:30 p.m.

Parents/guardians are invited to Monona Grove High School on Wednesday, September 21, to meet the faculty. You will have an opportunity to follow the daily schedule of your son/daughter. Please bring a copy of their schedule with you .
 
Student Dress Code
It is the responsibility of the school to prohibit students from attending school when their personal appearance or attire is of a nature that interferes with the instructional purpose of the school or attracts undue attention that is detrimental to the normal operation of the school. Any student wearing apparel displaying any type of profanity or offensive language or otherwise deemed inappropriate will be asked to either change his/her clothing, wear something over the article of clothing that is offensive or inappropriate, or go home. Tops need to have a strap on each shoulder no less than one inch in width. The administration has the right to deem any top "too revealing" and/or inappropriate.
 
Examples of inappropriate attire are "co-ed naked" tee shirts, sexually explicit or provocative tee shirts or clothing, tops that expose the bare midriff or back, low-cut spaghetti strap tops, halter tops, and clothing with holes that indecently expose the body. To be consistent in the Monona Grove School District's commitment to maintain a drug-free environment, any attire that includes any reference to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products is prohibited.
 
Clothing that is gang-related is also disruptive to a safe and orderly environment. Students are not permitted to display any article of clothing or item that may be interpreted as identification with a gang. These may include, but are not limited to the following: caps, coats, jackets, vest-jackets, tattoos, hand signals, chains, dog collars, graffiti, jewelry, haircuts, belt buckles, bandannas, head scarves, handkerchiefs, gloves, pant legs, and straps. A school official and the police liaison officer will determine whether something is a gang identifier. Final interpretation of inappropriate attire will be made by administration.
 
Monona Grove High School has adopted a policy to ban hats, head gear, and coats during the school day. Hats and head gear need to be removed before entering the building. These articles of clothing are to be kept in the student's locker during school hours.
Lunch Guidelines
Students may leave the school campus for lunch, but each student is expected to be back to school in time for their next class. If students stay at school for lunch, they may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch in the cafeteria. Students are expected to eat only in the designated lunch area unless permission is granted for a specific reason.
No Backpacks in Classrooms
Students are not allowed to bring backpacks or bags large enough to carry a standard textbook, notebook, or binder to class. Students may bring their textbooks or binders to class as well as a small bag to carry their pencils, pens, calculators, and other small items. Backpacks, purses, gym bags, and other large bags are to be kept in the student's locker during the school day.
Reminders from the Attendance Office
24 hour Attendance Line: 608-316-1393

The Attendance Office is open from 7:15-3:45. Parents may call before or after school and leave a message regarding their child's attendance. Parents are required to call the Attendance Line prior to 10:00 A.M. on the day of the absence. Please be sure to indicate the student's name, grade, date of absence and reason for absence when calling. Students must have absences excused within 24 hours after they return or the absences will be considered unexcused.
 
The MGSD recognizes a positive relationship between good school attendance and success in school and employment.   A student's attendance in school becomes part of his/her permanent school record and is often the subject of inquiry by employers. Most importantly, however, is the need for students to be in school to interact with the teacher and with other students as they gain the knowledge that is necessary for successful completion of the course of studies Monona Grove High School provides.

Excused Absences
Parents may excuse, in writing, a student for any reason PRIOR to the day of the absence. (Wis. Stats. 118.15(3)(c). If an excuse is not given prior to an absence, the school, not a student's parent, excuses an absence. Monona Grove High School will excuse a student from school for the following reasons:
  •  personal illness;
  •  illness in the family for which the student is required at home;
  •  funerals and weddings;
  •  religious holidays;
  •  legal obligations;
  •  dental, medical, and orthodontic appointments;
  •  family vacations that cannot be scheduled during  non-school times or other family approved vacations or school visits with prior approval; and
  •  an emergency situation which must be reviewed by the assistant principal.
Unexcused Absences
The school will not excuse an absence for any reason other than those listed above. Specifically:
  •  single period absences for illness when the student fails to report to the Nurse's Office
  •  absences related to vehicle problems during the school day
  •  oversleeping
  •  absences due to working on other school work will not be excused unless it's a school-sponsored field trip.
 Parents will be notified of unexcused absences by phone or mail. Students with unexcused absences from classes or study halls will be assigned one, two-hour after school detention per period missed.
 
Leaving School Early
Monona Grove High School is a closed campus except for the following occasions: lunch, cooperative education programs, medical/dental appointments, sudden illness, or open campus students. During passing times, students must remain on school grounds. All students wishing to leave school must obtain permission from their parent, the assistant principal, or the school nurse in case of illness. Students will not be allowed out of class for illness unless they are going home. At that time, the student must sign out in the Attendance Office and receive an out pass. If he/she plans to return to school, he/she must sign in upon returning. Students are not allowed to have other students drive them anywhere during the school day.
 
Planned Absences and Vacations
Occasionally a student will know in advance that he/she will be absent from school. This can be excused if, and only if, a planned absence form is completed prior to the absence. This requires that the student notify his/her teachers of the planned absence so that school work missed during the absence can be given to the student. This must be done at least three days prior to the planned absence. Planned absence forms are available in the Attendance Office and are required for absences of 2 or more days. If forms are not completed and returned before the student leaves, the absences will be unexcused.
Senior Pictures and Ads for Grads Due!
camera.jpg

Senior pictures and Ads for Grads

must be turned into the high school office by Friday, September 30, 2016 in order to make the deadline for the 2016 yearbook.   

 

Please remember that no hats or weapons can appear in any of the pictures and  

senior pictures must be from the waist up.

 

If you do not make the deadline, you will not be able to have your child's senior picture or Ad for Grad in the yearbook.

 

If you have any questions, you can call Ms. Dames at 608-316-1855 or e-mail her at mg.yearbook@mgschools.net.  

Sign Up for Sporting/Activities Updates
Have you ever wondered if a sporting event or activity has been cancelled? If so, it's time to get registered to receive email notification of the cancelled/changed sport/activity. MGHS waits until approximately 2:00pm to cancel a sporting event. When the decision is made to cancel an event, the HS Athletic web page is updated. 

To register to receive email notification, click here
Winter Sports Parent and Athlete Meeting - November 1
If your student is planning to play a winter sport, please mark your calendar and plan to attend the Winter Sports Parent and Athlete Meeting on November 1, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at MGHS.  This is a chance for parents and athletes to meet the coaches and learn about the team.  Blue slips will not be issued at the meeting. 
Blue Slips for Winter Sports
Winter Sports Registration for winter athletes will be held in the MGHS Main Office between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during the following weeks: 
 
Boys & Girls Hockey: Oct. 24 - Oct. 28
Gymnastics:  Oct. 24 - Oct. 28
Girls Basketball: Oct. 31 - Nov. 4
Boys Basketball: Oct. 31 - Nov. 4
Boys Swim: Nov. 7 - Nov. 11
Wrestling: Nov. 7 - Nov. 11

BE SURE TO BRING ALL FORMS LISTED BELOW WITH YOU TO THE HIGH SCHOOL MAIN OFFICE DURING THE DESIGNATED WEEKS LISTED ABOVE:
  • Physical/Alternate Year Card 
    If the date on the physical is BEFORE April 1, 2015, a new physical is needed (green form).  If the date is AFTER April 1, 2015, an alternate year physical form will need to be completed (yellow form).
  • Athletic Emergency Form
  • Acknowledgement of Risk Form
  • Parent Athlete Rules of Eligibility Form (WIAA)
  • Concussion Form
  • $80.00 check made out to Monona Grove HS
All forms are available on the website or by clicking here 
Include articles on topics of interest to your readers, relevant news and events. If you find an interesting article on the Web, you can easily ask the author's permission to summarize the article and link to it from your newsletter. Drive traffic to your website by entering teaser text for the article with a link to your website for readers to view the full text.
 
Scholarship Information
It is never too early to start thinking about scholarships for college.  The Student Services Department  will be sending out a weekly email to all seniors with scholarship news and updates. Seniors should be checking their email for scholarship information.

News from the Student Services Department
Students are encouraged to establish a relationship with their school counselor during their high school years. Passes for appointments during school hours may be obtained by stopping in Student Services. Each student has been assigned a counselor based on the student's last name. Ms. Bishop has A-G, Mr. Groff has H-O and Ms. Burke has P-Z. Although students are assigned to a certain counselor, a student may seek assistance from the counselor of their choice.
In addition, Student Services includes Ms. Macias, School to Work Coordinator, (co-op and apprenticeship information),   Ms. Frain, School Social Worker, and Ms. Smith, School Psychologist. All are available to meet with students and parents to help with academic, career, social and emotional needs.
 
Student Services welcomes all students! Please remember to stop in to make an appointment. Special Note to seniors: remember to sign up before December for your senior interview to discuss post high school plans.

PSAT for Sophomores and Juniors!!
The PSAT (preliminary scholastic aptitude test) is scheduled for Saturday, October 15th, 7:30-11:30am, at MGHS.  The PSAT is an optional test.  You may sign-up for the test Monday- Friday, September 12-16 in the Main Office at the High School.  The cost is $18.00.  When you pay, you will receive a Student Guide with practice PSAT.  This is a national test date and therefore the only test date we offer the PSAT at MG.  If you have an unavoidable scheduling conflict on October 15th or are on Free/Reduced lunch, please see Mr. Groff in Student Services before signing up.
 
Click here for information on:
 Letters of Recommendation 
 Schedule Changes
 Youth Options
 
Infinite Campus Mobile App
Parents may access Infinite Campus on their mobile devices. The mobile app information can be found at the bottom of the parent portal window. The District ID is GJGZMY.
Parent Educator Forum Meeting
All parents/guardians of MGHS students are welcome to attend the Parent Educator Forum meeting on Monday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. This is an informal group meeting to encourage communication between home and school. There are no membership dues, fundraising, or required volunteer work. The Forum will meet monthly during the school year on October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, and May 15.
Yearbook Orders
Yearbooks are not included in student fees and must be paid for separately.  Payments can be made in IC by adding the fee and making a payment or sending a check to the Main Office.  Deadline to order a yearbook is October 29.
MGEF Gala Honoring Coach Zweifel
Save the date for the Monona Grove Education Foundation's 3rd Annual Gala Honoring Coach Dan Zweifel presented by Monona State Bank.

This year's Gala will be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 5, 2016 at East Side Businessman's Club. Please join us for appetizers, a silent auction, a dessert auction, presentations from our  2015 Grant Recipients and the honoring of Coach Zweifel.

This is a great night to celebrate our district, our teachers and our students. Tickets will be available online starting September 1, 2016. SPACE IS LIMITED, so please make plans to get your tickets right away. It is sure to be another great night!

Infinite Campus Information
Is your Infinite Campus Information Up to Date?

Do you have a change of information such as a new doctor, a new e-mail address or phone number?   It is very important that all of your information is up to date on Infinite Campus.  Please log into your Parent Portal and enter the new information.
 

Main Office:  221-7666
Attendance:  316-1393
Guidance:  316-1373
Fax: 221-7690
Athletics: 316-1395
 
If your child will be absent from school, arrive late, or need to leave early, please call the Attendance Line by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.  
 
Parents can call the Attendance Line 24 hours a day and leave a message regarding their child's attendance.  
Please be sure to indicate the student's name, grade, date of absence and reason for absence when calling.   Students must have absences excused within 24 hours after they return or the absences will be considered unexcused.


September Events

September 13
MGSD Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.

September 19
Parent Educator Forum
6:30 p.m.

September 21
Back To School Night
6:30 p.m.

September 28
MGSD Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.

September 30
Homecoming Football Game
Senior Photos and Ads for Grads due



Looking Ahead to October    
 
October 5 
MGSD Board of Education Annual Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
 
October 12 
MGSD Board of
Education Meeting 
7:00 p.m.

October 17  
Parent Educator Forum Meeting at 6:30 p.m
 
October 26
MGSD Board of
Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.

October 27 
 Early dismissal at 11:24 
     
October 28
 
No School




Important 
2016-17
Events 
   
November 3
End of 1st quarter

November 4
No School

November 10 & 16
Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 23-25
No School
 
December 2
Early dismissal at 11:24

December 23-January 2
Winter Break  
 
January 16
No School

January 17, 18, 19
Final Exams 

January 19
End of 1st semester

January 20
No School

March 3
Early dismissal at 11:24
 
March 16 & 22
Parent-Teacher Conferences  
 
March 23
End of 3rd quarter

March 24
No School

March 27-31
Spring Break

April 14
No School

May 17
Senior Recognition Ceremony

May 26
Early dismissal at 11:24

May 29
No school
 
May 30, 31
Final Exams for Seniors

June 1
Senior Finals Make up

June 2
Graduation Practice
 
June 4
Commencement Ceremony 1:00 p.m.
 
June 6, 7, 8
Final Exams  
 
June 8
Last day of school