Newsletter for Monona Grove High School October 2016  
In This Issue
A Message From Dr. Brost
Dear Parents and Friends, 

The school year is underway and students have gotten into their new routines. Progress Reports will be available on Infinite Campus the week of October 10. I will send you an e-mail when they are ready. Please stay in touch with your student's teachers and school counselor if you have any concerns.
 
The Fall Academic Awards Banquet will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 9. To qualify for an award, students must earn 6, 12 or 18 points. Students are awarded points each semester based on their GPA:   3.0 - 3.49 = 1 pt., 3.5 - 3.74 = 2 pts., 3.75 - 4.0 = 3 pts. Lists of award winners who qualify will be posted in the Student Services Office window so students can check their status.
 
Beginning with this year's graduating class, the state legislature has mandated that every student pass the Citizenship Exam. This assessment is being administered in our Government classes. Students may retake the exam, if needed, and the students who receive testing accommodations for classroom assessments will be supported. Wisconsin also increased the graduation requirement for math and science from 2 credits to 3 credits beginning with the Class of 2017. Most students take 4 credits of math and science and we have been monitoring student progress in these areas.
 
The enrollment at the high school has increased gradually over the last few years. We are back to 2006 levels with a count of 987 students this September. We had dropped down closer to 900 students a few years ago. With the passing of the Levy Referendum, we have been able to keep class sizes at reasonable levels during these last few years of growth. We will continue to experience an increase in enrollment over the next two years as larger classes join us from GDS. We are very fortunate to have enrollment growth in our schools as most schools in Wisconsin are decreasing in enrollment.
 
Seniors should be completing college applications. Many colleges began accepting applications on September 15. It is often advantageous to have applications completed in September and October. Once you receive acceptance letters, you can begin planning for housing and financial aid which will be available in January. The date that the FAFSA can be submitted for financial aid purposes has been moved up. As a result, the counselors are hosting our Financial Aid Night on October 19. We strongly encourage all senior parents to attend and junior parents are welcome. There are resources for post-secondary planning available on our web site. Also, contact your school counselor with questions.
 
We are very proud of science instructor, Juan Botella. He has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This is a prestigious national award sponsored by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. Mr. Botella travelled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the award ceremony in September.
 
Homecoming is the week of October 10 with the pep assembly and parade on October 14 and the dance on October 15.
 
Parent/Teacher Conferences are on the evenings of November 10 and 16. We will be utilizing Sign-up Genius to schedule the meetings on-line. You will receive an e-mail with directions as the time gets closer. Parents may also sign up on teacher doors the nights of conferences for time slots that are not prescheduled. However, openings will be very limited.
 
You are invited to attend the Parent/Educator Forum at 6:30 p.m. on October 17. Please e-mail or call us at 221 - 7666 with any questions or concerns.
 
Sincerely,
   
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal

Graduation Orders
Midwest Scholastics will meet with seniors on October 24 regarding graduation announcements, caps and gowns.  Please be sure to ask your senior for ordering information.
 
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.
Homecoming Festivities
Homecoming festivities begin with Dress Up days on Monday, October 10. The theme this year is Olympics.
  • Monday:  pajama day
  • Tuesday:  tie dye day 
  • Wednesday:  class t-shirts
  • Thursday:  Olympics
  • Friday:  MG spirit wear

There will be a pep assembly on Friday followed by the Homecoming parade and football game.

The parade will start at approximately 4:15 p.m.   The parade will start and Nichols School and end at the United Methodist Church

The Homecoming dance will be held on Saturday, October 15 at MGHS.
Pink Day - October 19
The City of Monona has declared October 19 as Pink Day in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Students and staff at MGHS will be "pretty in pink" in support of Pink Day.
Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing
The Monona Grove School District Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 5, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Room 310 of the District Office, 5301 Monona Drive. All district residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
 
News from the Student Services Department
Students are encouraged to build 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, the student services department 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.
 

SENIOR NEWS
Senior Meetings
All seniors are asked to schedule your senior meeting with your school counselor as soon as possible. We will discuss your post high school plans and answer your questions. Also, remember to review the post-secondary planning power point that was sent to you in early September.
 
Letters of recommendation 
Many of you plan to ask your counselor, teacher or employer for a letter of recommendation. Quality recommendations take some time to write! Please request your letters at least two weeks - preferably more - prior to your deadline.
 
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.
 
Financial Aid Night  
for Juniors and Seniors and Parents/Guardians
Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 - 8:00 pm,
MGHS Auditorium
  Juniors and seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 19 at 6:30 pm for Financial Aid Night in the MGHS auditorium. Karla Weber from the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid will be here to provide families with a general overview of the financial aid process as well as to share information about important updates - including changes to the financial aid application window, tax documentation, and more. Remember, this year the window to complete the FAFSA opens on October 1, 2016 - come learn more about this and other changes from an expert in the field!
 
PSAT for Sophomores and Juniors!
The PSAT will be held at Monona Grove High School on Saturday, October 15 from 7:30 am until approximately 11:30 am. Students may begin checking in at 7:40 a.m. at the north entrance of the building. Please bring your student ID, #2 pencils, and approved calculator.

HOW DO I PREPARE?
When you registered for the PSAT, you received a PSAT Student Bulletin. Please review this carefully before taking the test. It includes a sample of a complete exam which you can self score as well as additional information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. Additional information can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10

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, October 17, 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 November 21, December 19, January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, and May 15.
Homework Help
The Overtime Program is a program for students who need a place to do homework after school and for students who need extra time to complete an assignment or get extra help in a class. Some students may be assigned to Overtime by their teachers if there is a need.
 
Overtime takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 in the IMC.  Please encourage your student to take advantage of the Overtime Program if they need additional help with an assignment or in one of their classes.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held November 10 and November 16.  Your student's teachers will send you a sign-up sheet via "Sign-Up Genius" to schedule your conference time.
Have you paid your fees?
checkbook-pen.jpg
If you haven't done so already, please be sure to pay your student's fees for the 2016-17 school year.

Checks can be mailed to school or parents can pay online in the parent portal.
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.
 
MGEF Gala - November 5
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.
 
Book and Bake Sale - October 8
The Friends of the Monona Public Library will hold their annual Book and Bake Sale on Saturday, October 8, from 10 am to 4 pm (a "Friends-only" presale will be held at 9 am; however, memberships can be purchased at the door). The sale will coincide with Monona's Fall Festival. A bake sale will take place at the library at the same time. On Sunday, October 9, from 1 pm to 3 pm you can fill a grocery bag with books, CDs and DVDs for only $5.

This year the library has received a much-greater-than-usual volume of children's and young adult books, so come early to stock up on reading materials for your children (or if you have a "Little Free Library," this is a great opportunity to stock the box). If you have used books, paperbacks, CDs, or DVDs to donate for the sale, they are welcome.You can drop them off at  the Monona Public Library, 1000 Nichols Road, during library hours (Mon.-Wed. 9-8, Thurs.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5). The materials can be left in the donation bin at the Friends Bookstore, located on the lower level of the library. Please--no textbooks, magazines, old encyclopedia sets, musty or damaged items, garage sale leftovers, or VHS tapes. Donations are gladly accepted through October 4.
 
Volunteers who can help with the sorting and setup, work at the sale, or donate cookies or bars for the bake sale, can add their names to the list at the front desk of the library, or sign up for specific times (or bake sale donations) at the library website,  http://www.mymonona.com/131/Library
What is a Zentangle?
Zentangles are miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract, black and white art created through a very specific method.  A few characteristics of a zentangle are:
  • The tile should not have an "up" or a "down" - it is without orientation.
  • It should not be representative of any certain recognizable object; rather, it should be abstract.
  • The drawing should be completed in black ink on white paper.
  • A zentangle is meant to be portable, so that it can be created at any time the mood strikes.
Drawing zentangles can be beneficial for:
  • Relaxation
  • Simple and quick access to mindfulness
  • Improved sleep by creating Zentangle art before bedtime
  • Self-esteem
  • Panic attacks (for fear of flying, creating Zentangle art during takeoff and landing)
  • Modify behavior
  • Relieve stress
  • Anger management
   

Students in Ms. Valley's 4B Drawing and Paining class work on their Zentangle drawings.
Marching Band Rehearsal
The marching band takes advantage of the dry weather and heads outside to practice.
Vitals Check in Ms. Magnor's Class
Students in Ms. Magnor's U.S. Healthcare Systems class learn how to use a blood pressure cuff and practice on each other.
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.

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.
 

October 5 
MGSD Board of Education Annual Meeting 
7:00 p.m
.

    
October 12 
MGSD Board of
Education Meeting 
7:00 p.m.

October 14 
Homecoming Football Game 
MGHS vs DeForest

October 15
PSAT Testing
Homecoming Dance

October 17  
Parent Educator Forum Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

October 19
Pink Day

Financial Aid Night
6:30 p.m. 
 
October 22
National ACT test date at MGHS

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 9
Fall Academic Awards Night
7:30 p.m.

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