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Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are looking forward to meeting our ninth grade students and families new to our district, and to our continued work with our returning students.
School Counselors:
School Psychologist: Melissa Smith
School Social Worker: Maggie Danielson
Engagement Specialist: Toren Young
School Resource Officer: Luke Wunch
Administrative Assistant: Michelle Boyde
Student Services Department: 608-316-1373
All team members are available to meet with students and parents to support students’ academic, career, and social/emotional needs. Michelle Boyde is available to help students and families with general questions and to set up appointments with a student services team member. Student services welcomes all students! Please remember to stop in or email to make an appointment.
Meet our new School Counselor, Don Karsh
"Hello MG Students and Families! I am thrilled to be a Silver Eagle and work with a cast of incredible educators and serve this community. As part of the school counseling and student services team at MG, I will support students in their academic and personal growth and advocate for their needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. I am here for you.
A little about me- I completed my undergraduate degree at UW-Madison, where I was also a proud member of the Badger Marching Band. Afterwards, I volunteered abroad in Israel and then I completed my graduate degree in counseling at UW-Madison. Before MG, I worked for ten years as a counselor in the Sun Prairie School District. Outside of work, I like to stay active through volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and biking, as well as travel, be outside, and go on adventures with my wife and dog.
Let's have a great start to the year!"
SENIOR NEWS
Postsecondary Planning in a Virtual Setting - There are MANY resources for seniors posted on our Postsecondary Planning page; encourage students to review the site for the following pieces of information:
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Senior Presentation: This slideshow contains information for all seniors. Whether you plan to apply to a 4-year or 2-year college, apply to an apprenticeship or job opportunity, or join the military, this is helpful information for all of you.
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Senior Checklist: This is a list of essential steps as you prepare to complete your college applications. It contains helpful tips and links to essential information.
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Senior Application Procedures: This is a two-page document that provides step-by-step instructions for completing applications for 4-year and 2-year colleges (page one) and for completing the Common Application (page two).
Senior Meetings - After the school year is underway, all seniors are asked to schedule a Senior Meeting with their school counselor. We will discuss your post high school plans and answer your questions.
Letters of Recommendation - Many students plan to ask a teacher, employer, or coach for a letter of recommendation. Quality recommendations take some time to write! Please remind your student to request their letters at least two weeks - preferably more - prior to their deadline. A senior information form should be provided to anyone asked to write a letter and a copy given to the student's school counselor.
Scholarship Information
Scholarship information can be found on the MG website in the student services tab under "Post-Secondary Planning". Students are responsible for checking this site regularly for updates. Most colleges/universities also offer their own 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.
INFORMATION FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS
Save the Date! Financial Aid Night - Wednesday, October 5, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Juniors** and seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 5, at 6:30 pm for Financial Aid Night in the MGHS Auditorium. Kari Temkin, Outreach Coordinator for the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid, will provide families with a general overview of the financial aid process as well as to share information about important financial aid updates. The information applies to all colleges and is NOT specific to UW-Madison. The window to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1, 2022 - join us to learn the most current financial aid information from an expert in the field! Watch your email/IC for additional details later in September.
** 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.
WEF (Wisconsin Education Fair) Field Trip
Juniors and seniors are invited to attend a Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) at Sun Prairie West High School on Friday, October 7th, 2022. Buses leave at 9:30 AM and return around 11:15 AM. Students must take the bus from MGHS and fill out a permission slip in order to attend.
Attending a Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) is a great step in the process of planning for your future. Each fair may host up to 100+ colleges (including all UW System schools, Wisconsin private schools, and others from around the country) as well as specialty schools and military branches.
At this fair, students will have the opportunity to talk directly to a representative. Each representative will answer questions students have about tuition & fees, classes, majors, prerequisites, extra-curricular opportunities, financial aid, scholarships & grants, studying abroad, athletics, etc.
Permission slips are due by Thursday, September 22nd to Michelle Boyde in Student Services. You may print a permission slip using this link or pick one up in the Student Services Office.
PSAT FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS!!
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 from 7:30-12:30 at Monona Grove School District Office. The PSAT is an optional test. This is a national test date and therefore, the only test date we offer sophomores and juniors the PSAT at Monona Grove. You may sign-up for the test from Wednesday, September 7 through Tuesday, September 13 in the main office. The cost is $23.00 by cash or check payable to “MGHS” with PSAT in the memo line. If you are eligible for free/reduced lunch, please see Mr. McGlaughlin, Ms. Michelle Boyde, or one of the school counselors in Student Services before signing up to waive the exam fee.
Make sure to pick up the Student Guide, which includes a practice test, when you pay. The PSAT/NMSQT is almost the same test as the SAT, so it is good preparation for the SAT and for juniors, the PSAT is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. We strongly encourage you to use the official PSAT/NMSQT practice tests before test day. Additional practice tests are available for free, both online and on paper.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES AND EXAMS
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to be introductory, college level courses taught at our high school, by our teachers. They are rigorous courses that offer students the opportunity to prepare themselves for their post high school academic plans. A student enrolled in an AP course has the option to take the AP Exam(s) at the end of the year.
AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well the student mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. Most AP courses have an end-of-the-year paper-and-pencil exam, but a few courses have different ways to assess what a student learned - for example, AP Art and Design students submit a portfolio of work for scoring. Regardless of the exam format, based on a student’s score as well as the college or university a student attends, college credit may be awarded which is another benefit of taking an AP class and exam. The cost for each AP Exam is $97, with an additional Monona Grove administration fee of $5.00 per exam for a total of $102 per AP exam. If there is a financial hardship that would prevent a student from choosing to take an AP exam, please contact Matthew McLaughlin at matthew.mclaughlin@mgschools.net prior to the registration deadline.
AP Exam Registration: Students will need to commit to and pay for any AP Exams that they will take in May by November 3, 2022. More information will be provided directly to students in their AP classes. There will be no late registrations nor will refunds be issued for students who choose to not take any exams after the registration deadline.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
MG Virtual Calming Room
The calming room is a tool for families and students that offers an array of options to help manage emotions in a very stressful and strange time. Check it out!
Back to School Anxiety
This resource can support parents and students in navigating the transition back to school.
Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends
SAMHSA's new resource guide provides information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to take, and how to prevent future attempts and keep your loved one safe.
Mental Health America of Wisconsin - PRISM Program
A new pilot program to connect LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin with trained peer-specialists who can provide mental and emotional support and mentorship. Young LGBTQ+ people around the ages of 16-26 years old may now access this free service by calling 414-336-7974 and leaving a voicemail to get connected with a trained peer-specialist.
Housing, Homeless and Doubled-Up Family Resources
If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you lost your housing, or staying in a motel/hotel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you and your children have special rights at school.
MGSD Homeless Liaison: Andrea Fresen, andrea.fresen@mgschools.net, 608-316-1922
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