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Family Newsletter for Monona Grove High School
~ January 2019
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A Message From Dr. Brost
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January 2, 2019
Happy New Year:
The end of first semester is quickly approaching. Final exams are scheduled for January 15, 16, & 17. Please encourage your student to make sure that all semester projects are turned in on time and remind him/her to begin studying for finals early. During finals, students who are assigned to Academic Study Halls or Resource Centers must report to their rooms to review for finals. The Social Studies Resource Center and the English Resource Center will meet in the IMC during Finals. Otherwise, all students have open campus except during their exam times.
Exams begin at the usual school starting time and are completed by 11:55 each day. The schedule is available on our web site. Buses pick up at the usual time, but will leave school at noon. We have a Skinny Day Schedule on January 14 so students will meet with all of their classes for 47 minutes of review prior to exams beginning the next day. Students do not have school on January 18 or 21.
We take the integrity of all assessments seriously. Final exams are especially important because of their potential impact on semester grades. Students must have their cell phones turned off and put away during exams. Having a cell phone out any time during the 70-minute exam is an Academic Honesty violation.
With the end of first semester, it is also time to begin thinking about scheduling classes for the 2019 - 2020 school year. School Counselors will be in classrooms on February 1 & 4 to begin the process of going over requirements and course options for next year. Students will enter course selections on February 11 & 12 to register for classes. You may reference the Course Handbook on the MGHS web site. We strongly encourage parents to be involved in course selection. We will continue to make our best effort to enroll students in the courses of their choice. It is important that students make informed course selections in February as the Master Schedule is built to accommodate these numbers.
It is common for college admission offices to list "Rigor of High School Coursework" as their highest priority in the admissions process. We also know that a rigorous high school schedule better prepares students for success in college once they have been admitted. However, students need to develop a course schedule that allows them to maintain some "life balance." Again this year, we will be requiring students who enroll in four or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses to have a form signed by the AP teachers prior to their schedule being entered. This is NOT an approval process. On the form will be the approximate summer and school year time commitment of the AP Course so students (and parents) can see what time commitment will be needed for this course load.
Congratulations to senior, Katie Klauser, for being selected as one of twenty state-level nominees for the national U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. All parents are welcome to attend the monthly Parent/Educator Forums with me in the IMC. The meetings are informal. Current topics are shared and it is an opportunity for me to get feedback. The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal
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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 Tuesday,
January 22nd
in the library.
This is a great opportunity to meet with Dr. Brost in a small group setting, hear what's going on at the high school level and discuss issues!!
Parents interested in what is discussed can email Cathy Bernards at
[email protected]
to get notes from our most recent meeting. We'd love to see new faces!
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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 class. Some students may be assigned to Overtime by their teachers if there is a need.
Overtime takes place each week on Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 3:30-4:30 in the Library. 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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News from the Student Services Department
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Course Registration Timeline for 2019-2020
Important dates for 8th grade students and their families:
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January 7: Course Handbook 2019-2020 will be posted to Monona Grove High School website
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January 14: Future Freshman Night at Monona Grove High School
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January 15: School counselors meet with eighth grade students at Glacial Drumlin School
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By January 25: Current eighth grade students enter course selections in Infinite Campus
Important dates for freshman, sophomores, juniors, and their families:
Future Freshman Night - January 14, 2019
Welcome to the class of 2023! Families and current eighth grade students are invited to attend Future Freshman Night on Monday, January 14. The evening will begin at 6:00 pm 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.
Youth Apprenticeship Program
The Youth Apprenticeship Program is open to juniors and seniors. If your current sophomore or junior is interested in applying for the Youth Apprenticeship program for next year, please have them make an appointment with Ms. Deibele in the month of January. During the meeting, Ms. Deibele will discuss the application process and will help determine if the program is a good fit for your student. Please direct any questions to Ms. Deibele at
[email protected]
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ACT and WorkKeys
All MGHS juniors will take the ACT on Wednesday, February 20 and the WorkKeys on Thursday, February 21. The ACT includes reading, math, English, science and writing. It is designed to assess a student's readiness for college, provide information to build rigorous high school course plans and identify career areas that align with their interests. The WorkKeys includes applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents. It helps students understand how they can improve their career readiness skills and employers may also use this information to determine whether individuals are qualified for positions. Participation in both tests is mandatory for all juniors; please schedule non-school related appointments outside of these days.
ZAPS ACT Test Prep Seminar for Juniors
Juniors - Register today for the upcoming ZAPS ACT Test-Prep Seminar. The seminar will be held at MGHS on Saturday, February 9 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. Register at https://www.doorwaytocollege.com
or call 877-927-8378. New for 2019...participants will receive the Doorway to College full length, online ACT Practice Test with seminar registration.
There are a limited number of seminar scholarships available for students who have demonstrated financial need; please see Ms. Burke in Student Services.
ACT Academy - Free, personalized test prep
ACT has launched free, personalized test preparation through the https://academy.act.org
. ACT Academy is free to all students. Students, teachers, and parents can create an account. Having an account allows students to track their progress and keep moving forward in their test preparation. Short quizzes are designed to help students identify the content they have mastered and to clarify areas where more focus is needed. If students have already taken the ACT, they can simply enter their scores and custom playlists will be automatically created. ACT Academy creates automated daily playlists to hit on the basic lessons each student needs to master the ACT. After each lesson, a short quiz will determine if the resources given helped the student learn the material.
Here is a video to learn more
about the ACT Academy.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
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AP Exams will take place from May 6 - May 17.
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Students currently enrolled in AP courses should begin conversations with AP teachers and parents about the exams offered in May and if taking the exams seems like a good fit.
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Registration for AP Exams begins on February 7 and ends on February 22. Please sign up early; late fees will be added beginning on February 20.
No registrations are allowed after February 22.
Employment Opportunities
https://www.mononagrove.org/mghs/jobopportunities.cfm
Mental Health Resources
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.
Suicide Prevention and Assistance
SENIOR NEWS
Scholarship Information
Scholarship information can be found on the MG website in the student services tab under "Post-Secondary Planning". It is up to the students to check this regularly for updates. Most colleges/universities also offer their own annual scholarship opportunities to incoming freshmen. Students are highly encouraged to explore these by contacting their future school(s) of choice or by visiting school websites.
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News from the Athletic Department
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Spring Sport Meeting Dates
Believe it or not, spring sports are just around the corner! Pre-season meetings for spring sports will be held on the following dates. Please mark these dates on your calendar, to meet your students' coaches and learn more about sport expectations.
Baseball - March 21, 7:00 pm, MGHS IMC
Boys Golf - March 11, 6:30 pm, Door Creek Golf Course
Girls Soccer - February 25, 6:30 pm, MGHS Commons
Softball - February 25. 6:00 pm, MGHS IMC
Boys Tennis - March 11, 6:00 pm, MGHS Room 130
Boys Track & Field -- February 25, 6:30 pm, MGHS Auditorium
Girls Track & Field -- February 25, 6:30 pm, MGHS Gymnasium
Spring Sport START Dates
Practices for spring sports will begin on the following dates. Online registration for spring sports will open at the beginning of February.
Baseball - March 18
Boys Golf - March 25
Girls Soccer - March 18
Softball - March 11
Boys Tennis - March 25
Boys & Girls Track & Field - March 4
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Early Learning Fair |
On Monday, February 4th, 2019, 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 2019-2020 T4K program. Registration information will be sent to families in mid December. Parents will need 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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Calendar and Office Hours
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Monona Grove School District Calendars: click
HERE
MGHS Office Hours: 7:30am-4pm
MGHS Student Services Office Hours: 7
:15-3:45pm
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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? 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.
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.
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Let's Eat!! |
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.
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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 7:00-3:30. 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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