Regent Reporter - September 21st, 2021

Opening a giant school like West is a great collaborative effort involving thousands of families, students, and hundreds of staff. It only works well if we keep ourselves focused on the “why” of what we are doing.

In addition to providing world-class education to our students, we’re also in the business of keeping people safe. That’s why we require masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing where possible. We’re making Close Contact calls because they matter, because you as parents plan an important role in keeping us all safe by having your child vaccinated, keeping your child home when sick, and being mindful that when we contact you that your child has been a close contact, you have the responsibility of following through on the tests and expectations.

There’s more on these expectations below, but please remember that we have 1.5 nurses to serve thousands of students. They work hard and your kindness and patience when you talk with them means the world.

Happening Now

Covid & When to Get the PCR Test

We’re getting many questions about when to get which test when you are identified as a close contact or are symptomatic of COVID. If your student has symptoms of COVID-19 they must have a PCR test performed and cannot return to school until they receive a negative result. If your student is designated as a close contact and your student is:

Fully vaccinated- your student doesn’t need to quarantine, but testing (rapid or PCR) is recommended 3 to 5 days after their last exposure

Unvaccinated- your student must quarantine for a minimum of 7 days from the day they were last exposed (which means they cannot attend school). If they have a test (rapid or PCR) on day 6 or 7 that is negative they can return to school eight days after their last exposure. If your student is not tested they must quarantine for 10 days and can return on the 11th day after exposure.

COVID Clinic has partnered with West to test our students and staff that are symptomatic or close contacts. There is no appointment necessary, but you should pre-register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov/en-US/. Covid Clinic is located at the base of the Ash stairs and is open Monday through Friday from 7:45am until 4:15pm.

Work Credit

Is your student working, caregiving, or regularly volunteering for an organization? Did you know that MMSD high school students have the opportunity to earn elective high school credit through paid work or volunteer experiences? . During COVID-19 students also have the opportunity to earn credit through caretaking/babysitting. Enrollment in the program is rolling throughout the year. Learn more about earning credit through work or volunteer experiences by clicking here. For information about earning credit through caretaking, please review this checklist. Questions about Work Based Learning should be directed to your counselor.

SCN (Start College Now)

MMSD students can start college now! On Monday, September 20th, from 7:00-7:30 p.m., Madison College will host a Virtual Informational Session on how 11th and 12th grade MMSD students can take college courses and earn college credit from Madison College (zoom link/ flier). Through the Start College Now program, students have an opportunity to take courses in nursing, early childhood education, firefighting, fitness instruction, social media marketing, and many more! Applications for the Start College Now Spring Session are due October 1st. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on September 20th for the Virtual Information Session (zoom link/ flier) or learn more from the MMSD webpage. Contact Cindy Green for more information at 608.663.5216 or email [email protected]

ACT Voucher for December Test Date

Seniors, you can still request a voucher from MMSD for the December 11th ACT! Fill out this form to request a voucher. Students will register for the test on the ACT’s website and enter their voucher information. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the test; please note, the testing locations are not necessarily at MMSD schools. See more info here!

Tardies, Lunch Detentions and Restricted Regents

West uses a program called Start on Time (SOT) to promote good class attendance and discourage tardies. For the past week we have been practicing with the program, but starting Monday, Sept. 20th we will "go live." In other words, student tardies will now count. They will be tracked weekly, and any student who accumulates 4 or more will be issued a 30 minute lunch detention. Students have a week to serve their lunch detention. If the detention is not served and cleared the student will be put on the Restricted Regent list. Restricted Regents will not be allowed to attend certain school functions, mainly athletic events and dances, until they serve their lunch detention.

Families will be notified if their child/children have received a lunch detention or have been put on the Restricted Regent list. Unfortunately, the robocalls can not specify which student has the detention or is restricted. Please check your child's attendance in IC if you have any questions.

Start College Now - College Credit Opportunity

Representatives from the Madison College Fire Academy & Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) programs will be outside on Ash street at lunch on Friday 9/24 to answer student questions. As part of the Start College Now program, these academies are open to 11th and 12th grade students seeking college credit and a jump start on their career. Interested students of all ages are encouraged to stop by! Learn more and see links to the applications (due October 1st) HERE. For specific questions, please contact Sarah Quinn.

Broken/Lost Chromebook or Charger?

If you have a broken/lost Chromebook or charger, please come to the library AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that we can help you! Fines for these items will begin again on October 1.

For damaged Chromebooks, fines are $50 for the first occurance, $100 for the second, and $150 for the third. Lost Chromebooks are $150. Lost or damaged chargers are $35.

Upcoming Events

Homecoming Update

We are planning to hold some of our traditional Homecoming festivities this year!

A 2021 Homecoming court will be selected by our Seniors and will continue the tradition of developing skits to perform in front of the entire student body. It is still to be determined if this performance will be recorded or performed live, outside after the parade.

Spirit week is September 27th - October 1st

Monday - Class Colors

Freshmen - Red

Sophomores - Green

Juniors - Yellow

Seniors - Blue

Tuesday - Beach/Tourist Day

Wednesday - Decades Day

Freshmen - 1970’s

Sophomores - 1980’s

Juniors - 1990’s

Seniors - 2000’s

Thursday - Pajama Day

Friday - REGENT PRIDE - BLUE & GOLD

We will have a parade this year! Please come and support West High School clubs and sports teams. The parade route begins at Randall Elementary School and ends at the corner of Ash and Van Hise. Following the parade, we’ll have an outdoor assembly on the practice field. The day will end with an ice cream social.

Here is the adjusted bell schedule for the day.

PSAT

Attention, 11th graders:

Registration for the Saturday, October 16th PSAT is now open until Wednesday, September 29th.

Please visit the school counseling website or check your email for information on the test, a link to the online registration form, and details on payment. Both the completed form and payment are due by Sept 29th at 3:45 pm. No late registration/payment accepted.

Click Here for more information on PSAT

Get Involved

Homecoming Club

Are you interested in after school tutoring support? West’s Homework Club is open to all students enrolled at West and will begin its 2021-22 operations on Tuesday, September 28th. Here are the details:

When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (4pm—5:30pm)

Where: 2026 (Resource Hall)

Homework Club provides a safe space, internet access and teacher help upon availability. For more information contact Ms. Mo’ Porter in Room 1131 or by phone at (608) 204-3216 or [email protected]