Family Newsletter for Monona Grove High School ~ September 2019
In This Issue
A Message From Dr. Brost
Office Hours
Senior Pictures and Ads For Grads
Yearbook Orders
2019-2020 Student Calendar
Parent Educator Forum
Homework Help
Student Services News
CHROMEBOOK PROTECTION PLAN
Menus
News from the Athletic Department
Infinite Campus
How to Pay Fees
Attendance Information
A Message From Dr. Brost
Dear Parents:
 
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! The high school staff is looking forward to working with your students and having another outstanding year at MGHS. We welcome 14 teachers who are new to our school. Mr. Kling will be introducing new staff to our students during Friday announcements over the next few weeks. Mr. Kling is the associate principal who will be supporting the 9th and 11th grade students. Ms. Hahn will work with the 10th and 12th graders. Our three school counselors divide the students alphabetically. Ms. Bishop is the counselor serving students with last names beginning with A-G, Mr. Groff has H-O, and Ms. Burke has P-Z. Maggie Danielson is our new Social Worker. She is replacing Jessica Frain who accepted a position at MG21 Charter School.
 
We are now in the third year of every student having their own Chromebook. As these devices become more and more a part of our regular instructional routine, it is important that students have their Chromebook charged every day. Please talk with your student about having a routine to charge his/her Chromebook overnight and to keep track of the charger if it is brought to school. With the availability of Chromebooks, there are now very few educational uses for cell phones during class. Students will be asked to place their phones in a cell phone holder in many classes. If a classroom is not utilizing a cell phone holder, then students will be asked to leave their phone off and out of sight.
 
The high school staff will continue our focus on Equity this school year. Specific goals include improvement in Career and College Readiness (ACT) Skills and Students Feeling Connected. We are also seeking to improve our attendance rates as a decline in our attendance began two years ago and continued through last year. You should have received an e-mail from me last week regarding attendance concerns. Our staff development time will be primarily dedicated to these areas.
 
Homecoming will be the week of October 7 with the pep assembly taking place on October 11 and the dance on October 12. The Class Officers will be working hard to plan all of the details that go into this week. Encourage your student to listen to announcements and get involved.
 
Seniors should be filling out their college applications and scheduling appointments with their school 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. The College Board has moved the registration for Advanced Placement exams to the fall. This is new as students used to register for AP exams in early spring. AP teachers will be communicating details of this change to their classes.
 
Back-to-School night is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. 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 16. We are looking forward to a great school year. Thank you for supporting your student's education.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Paul Brost, Ph.D.
Principal
Office Hours
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The MGHS Main Office and 
Student Services Office are open from
7:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
Senior Pictures and Ads for Grads
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Senior pictures AND Ads for Grads  must be turned into the high school office by Friday, September 27, 2019, in order to make the deadline for the 2019-2020 Yearbook.

The digital photo can be on a CD or emailed to [email protected]. Write your child's name in permanent marker on the disk. Most photographers have this option available and will send pictures to us directly. Some photographers charge for a CD or for the digital image. Please check with your photographer. A printed senior picture will not be accepted.
 
Please remember that no hats or weapons can 
appear in any of the pictures and  
senior pictures must be from the waist up. Pictures must be portrait orientation, NOT landscape.
 
Please make sure you have your pictures taken in plenty of time before the September 27th deadline. Photographers need several weeks to get proofs back from the lab. If your child takes their pictures the week before September 27, you will not be able to meet our deadline.  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.  

Click HERE for the 2019 Ads-For-Grads Order Form.
 
If you have any questions call or email Ms. Dames.
608-316-1858   [email protected].
Yearbook Order Deadline is November 1st
Yearbooks cost $45. To order your student a yearbook, pay $45 either on the parent portal OR cash/check can be brought to the main office. (payable to MGHS) Click on My Accounts to access the optional fees and add them to your cart.
Deadline is November 1st.
2019-2020 Calendars and Schedules
District Student Calendars:
Click  HERE to view the English version.
Click  HERE to view the Spanish version.

District Events Calendar Link:

Athletics Calendar Link:  

MGHS CALENDARS MAIN PAGE IS  HERE
A/B Calendar is: HERE
Bell Schedule is:   HERE
Parent Educator Forum Meeting
All parents/guardians of MGHS students are welcome to attend the Parent Educator Forum meeting on Monday,
September 16.

Parent Educator Forum is an informal meeting in which Dr. Brost gives a brief overview of current issues in education and events occurring at the high school, occasionally followed by group discussion. There is no formal agenda, it's an opportunity for parents to have contact with high school staff, without dues or volunteering. Typically, we meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 in the IMC (library) for about an hour. 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!
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.
News from the Student Services Department
News from the Student Services Department 
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! We are looking forward to meeting our freshmen students and continuing to work with our returning students. All 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 or emailing your school counselor directly. Each student is 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.

In addition, the student services department includes Ms. Deibele, School to Work Coordinator (apprenticeship information); Ms. Danielson, 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. 

Letters of recommendation - Many of you plan to ask your teacher, employer, coach or counselor 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
Scholarship information can be found on the MG website in the student services tab under "Post-Secondary Planning". It's up to the students to check this regularly for updates. Most colleges/universities also offer their own annual scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen. Students are highly encouraged to explore these by contacting their future school(s) of choice or by visiting school websites.

Save the Date!
Financial Aid Night - Wednesday, October 2, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, MGHS Auditorium 

Juniors and seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 2, at 6:30 pm for Financial Aid Night in the MGHS auditorium. A representative 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. The window to complete the FAFSA opens on October 1, 2019 - come learn the most current financial aid information from an expert in the field! 

We will also be offering the presentation in Spanish. Sal Carranza formerly of the Latino Education Council will be here to share general information about the FAFSA, the different kinds of financial aid available, and scholarship opportunities. He will also share information regarding community-based resources specifically for Spanish-speaking families to receive assistance with completing the FAFSA. The presentation will be on Wednesday, October 2, at 6:30 in the library.

** Please note that Financial Aid Night is primarily for current seniors and their parents/guardians; juniors and parents/guardians may also be interested in attending for a preview of the financial aid process.  

PSAT for Sophomores and Juniors!!
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is scheduled for Saturday, October 19 from 7:30-11:45 a.m. at Monona Grove High School. The PSAT is an optional test. This is a national test date and therefore, the only test date we offer the PSAT at MGHS. If you have an unavoidable scheduling conflict on October 19, or are eligible for free/reduced lunch, please see Mr. Groff in Student Services before signing up.

You may sign-up for the test from September 9 through September 13 in the main office. The cost is $22.00 cash, or have a check payable to MGHS with PSAT in the memo line. When you pay, you will receive a Student Guide which includes a practice PSAT.
CHROMEBOOK PROTECTION PLAN DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30th.
See this link for the  Chromebook Protection Plan .   
THE DEADLINE TO ENROLL IS SEPTEMBER 30TH.   
Pay for it on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Click on My Accounts to access the optional fees and add them to your cart.

Click HERE for the MGSD Technology Services web page.
Let's Eat!!
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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.
News from the Athletic Department
Activity Passes Now Available
2019-20 Activity Passes are now available for both students and adults, and cost $30 for the year. These passes will get you into all home games, with the exception of any WIAA tournament games or invitationals. Please stop into the Main Office or purchase a pass at a home sporting event.

HERE is the link to the Monona Grove High School Athletics and Activities web page.
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.

Infinite Campus Mobile App
Parents and students may access Infinite Campus on their mobile devices. 
How to Pay Fees - in the Parent Portal
  1. Select Fees.
  2. Select Add to Cart next to the Fee you want to pay.
  3. To access Optional Fees for your student/s, please click on the My Accounts folder (right).
  4. Select My Cart.
  5. Select the Payment Method you want to use and enter an Email Address for Receipt (optional).
  6. Select Submit Payment.
Reminders from the Attendance Office
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.

Main Office   
221-7666
 
Student Services 
  316-1373 
 
Athletics
316-1395

Fax
 221-7690

Attendance 
316-1393
  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.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sept 3
First Day - "A" day  ACP Schedule     Academic Career Planning

Sept 4 & 5
MGHS Student Picture Days

Sept 9-13
PSAT Registration for juniors and seniors

Sept 11
ACP Schedule

 Sept 16 
Parent Educator Forum
6:30 p.m. in the IMC

Sept 18  
Advisory Schedule
Back to School Night
 6:30 p.m.

Sept 27
Senior Photos and Ads for Grads Due

LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER 

Oct 2
ACP Schedule
Financial Aid Night
6:30 pm

Oct 7-11
Homecoming Week

Oct 11
Homecoming FB game vs. Fort Atkinson

Oct 12
Homecoming Dance

Oct 19
PSAT Testing

Oct 16
Parent Educator Forum
6:30 p.m. in the IMC

Oct 16
Choir Concert 7:30

Oct 17
Advisory Schedule

Oct 21
Orchestra Concert 7:30

Oct 26
ACT Testing