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Newsletter for Monona Grove High School
December 2016
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A Message From Dr. Brost
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Dear Parents and Friends,
We are heading into the holiday season! This can be a difficult time for many students and families. Please communicate with our Student Services staff if your student needs some additional support.
As the weather makes the roads more challenging, please encourage your student to leave some extra time in the morning to get to school safely and promptly. With snow season, we need to plan for bad weather. If school is cancelled, students will have a "skinny" schedule the next day when they return. Students will have all of their "A & B" classes and they will be 47 minutes in length. This allows us to stay on our A/B schedule for the semester. The "skinny schedule" is posted on our web site under "Calendars and Schedules." It is unlikely that we would have two consecutive snow days. However, if this were to happen, we would have a regular "A" or "B" day when students return to school.
Even though we have seven weeks of school remaining in first semester, the time will go by quickly. Encourage your student to work hard in December and go into the winter break in "good standing" in all of his/her classes. When we return from break, there are just a couple of weeks of classes and then final exams.
We are beginning initial preparations for the 2017-2018 school year. Shortly after Winter Break, counselors will be going into classrooms to talk with students about course registration. We encourage you to take an active role in the course selections for your student. Preparation for post-secondary plans should drive student schedules with consideration given for rigor and balance. Teachers and school counselors are also happy to assist with course decisions.
The high school staff is focusing on Growth Mindset and Student Engagement in our continuous improvement efforts this year. The Leadership Team plans our staff development time primarily around these two improvement plans. We are working hard to change thinking and language that promotes a "fixed mindset" both in ourselves and our students. For example, a student may think, and even say, "I'm not good at science." Research is very clear that all students (and adults) can continue to expand their knowledge and skills and make new connections in our brains if we put forth a concerted effort to do so.
Congratulations to our swimmers who qualified for the Girls State Dive and Swim Meet; Nikki Benedict competed in diving and Cassandra Keller, Lauryn Christianson, Kylie Cook, Maddie Kneubuehl, Samantha Mauel, Fiona Smith, and Mckenzy Schreiner competed in relays. Lauryn Christianson also competed in the 100 breaststroke and set a new school record this year.
We are also very proud of our football team for their tremendous post-season play and State Runner-Up finish in Division II. It was no surprise to us that we received several communications from other schools praising our players and student fans for their sportsmanship and respectful behavior.
As we begin the winter sports seasons, please be positive role models for sportsmanship. Our student athletes work hard and deserve to be represented in a positive manner by student and adult fans.
Enjoy your time with family during winter break!
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal
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Holiday Office Hours
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The MGHS Main Office and
Student Services Office
will be closed
December 23 - January 3, 2017.
The offices will reopen on
January 4 at 7:30 a.m.
Happy Holidays from the MGHS Staff!
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Welcome Nicole!
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There is a new face in the MGHS Main Office. Nicole Poley has joined the staff as the new Administrative Assistant to the Activities Director (Jeff Schreiner). Nicole will be taking over for Kristi Massey who will be retiring on December 2. Best wishes to Kristi as she retires after 23 years with the Monona Grove School District.
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Parent Educator Forum Meeting
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All parents/guardians of MGHS students are welcome to attend the Parent Educator Forum meeting on Monday, December 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 January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, and May 15.
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News from the Student Services Department
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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 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.
Jobs Information
All jobs and contact information can be found on the Student Services website.
Junior Seminars
The Monona Grove High School Student Services Department is excited to be hosting Junior Seminars for junior students and their parents/guardians.
These seminars will be delivered in a group format of ten families to thoroughly outline information needed for post-secondary planning.
Each family will receive a folder of important documents that are personal to your student's academic progress. The presentations will take place in the Monona Grove High School IMC.
We are looking forward to meeting with you.
For questions about Junior Seminars, please contact Michelle Boyde, Student Services Administrative Assistant,
at 608-316-1373.
ACT and WorkKeys
The ACT is designed to assess a students' readiness for college and WorkKeys helps assess a students' readiness for work and for life. All MGHS juniors will take the ACT on February 28 and WorkKeys on March 1.
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Course Registration Timeline for 2017-2018
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Important dates for 8th grade students and their families:
- January 10: Course handbook will be posted to Monona Grove High School website
- January 17-19: School counselors will meet with eighth grade students at Glacial Drumlin School
- January 30:Future Freshmen Night at Monona Grove High School
- February 2-3: Current eight grade students make course selections in Infinite Campus
Important dates for freshmen, sophomores and juniors:
- February 2-3: School counselors in high school classrooms
- February 8-9: MGHS students make course selections in Infinite Campus
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Mental Health Resources
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The Monona Grove School District is committed to supporting the social/emotional/academic well being of your student. As an adolescent, working to grow up and to be a successful young adult requires the support and guidance of all the student's trusted adults. The MGHS Student Services team would like to share some resources with parents, to promote a better understanding of when your teen may be in need of mental health support. Below are two links to mental health resources. Please review, and if you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to contact a Student Services staff member.
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Future Freshmen Night - January 30
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Spread the Word! MGHS is preparing to welcome the
Class of 2021!
Future Freshmen Night will begin at 5:45 p.m. with an Activities and Athletics Fair in the Commons followed by a short program in the Auditorium. Families will then have an opportunity to visit elective classrooms.
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Homework Help
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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.
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Academic Awards Night
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The Academic Awards Program was held on November 9. MGHS proudly recognized over 240 students for their academic accomplishments. Student received a certificate, academic letter or a pin, depending on how many points they have accumulated. Cake and punch were served at a reception following the awards ceremony.
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Sign Up for Sporting/Activities Updates
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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 2:00 p.m. 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
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Have you paid your fees?
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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.
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Infinite Campus Information
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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.
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2016 Holiday Project
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The 2016 MGHS Holiday Project is underway. This year we have many MGHS families who can benefit from the generosity of our community. As in years past, we have a
tree
outside the main office with tags for household needs and gifts that MGHS families in need have requested.
If you are interested in helping out a member of the MGHS community please consider picking up a gift tag or two. Detailed instructions are posted near the
tree
. Gifts should be returned to room 257 at the high school no later than Friday December 16. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Nichole North Hester (
nichole.hester@mgschools.net
)
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Early Learning Fair
Monday, February 6
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On Monday, February 6, 2017, the Monona Grove School District will hold its annual Early Learning Fair and Together 4 Kids Registration at Nichols School (MG District Office) in Monona. This event is a free service to families of pre-school children. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with a professional to share information about their child's development and to register for the 2017-2018 T4K program. Registration information will be sent to families in mid December. Parents should call the Early Education Office at 839-2113 to schedule an appointment upon receipt of registration materials. If you have any new neighbors with young children aged birth to 4 ½, please have them call Gina in the Early Education Office at 839-2113.
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Infinite Campus Mobile App
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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.
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DECA Emerging Leaders Conference
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Several DECA students spent the past two days representing Monona Grove in the Dells at the Emerging Leaders Conference. They learned networking skills, how to make a great first impression, and how to do well in competition. They also had a blast at the water park and the DECA dance, all while making new friends from around the state!
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Badger Honor Flight Fundraiser
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Thank you to everyone that bought a ribbon in recognition of Veteran's Day. BSU sold red/white/blue ribbon pins at lunch and at Parent Teacher Conferences to raise money for Badger Honor Flight.
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Dangers of Inattentive/Impaired Driving
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Student in Ms. Magnor's Health classes experience the dangers of texting and driving and driving under the influence with the help of AAA simulators.
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Interior Design Students Decorate Pumpkins
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Ms. Personke's Interior Design students designed and decorated Halloween themed pumpkins.
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Girl's Swim Team Goes to State
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State Send Off for the girls Swim Team today at MGHS! Good luck!
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Silver Eagles Bring Home Silver!
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Monona Grove High School Silver Eagles received the silver ball after the WIAA Division 2 state championship game. MG lost 42-36 to Brookfield East. This was MG's fifth State title game appearance and the first since winning the Division 3 title in 2013.
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HOSA News
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HOSA Blood Drive Update
Monona Grove HOSA hosted a blood drive at the high school on Wednesday, November 2nd. The HOSA officers helped to recruit donors and HOSA members in all grades volunteered to help the American Red Cross staff throughout the event.
Community members and students took time out of their day to donate blood and save numerous lives. The drive collected over 50 units of blood! HOSA would like to thank everyone for their help and support. The next hosted blood drive is
March 21st, 2017.
HOSA Fall Leadership Conference
Wisconsin State HOSA sponsored a fall leadership conference on Monday, October 31st. Monona Grove HOSA sent almost 30 members to learn about different health careers, scholarship opportunities, leadership skills, and community service outreach.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
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It was wonderful to see so many parents attend Parent Teacher Conferences on November 10 and 16. We had one of the highest turnouts in years with over 300 families attending conferences.
Spring Conferences will be held on March 16 and 22. We hope to see even more families join us in the spring!
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Reminders from the Attendance Office
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 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.
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