West Side Story 2.0
January 6th 2025
Welcome Back and Happy New year!
Welcome back to another exciting chapter of our academic journey! I hope each of you had a restful and joyful winter break, filled with moments of laughter, warmth, and connection with loved ones. The break was undoubtedly a time for recharging and reflection, and I am confident that each of you returns with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Our dedicated teachers and staff are ready to support you as we embark on the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. Let's approach the remainder of the semester with enthusiasm, determination, and a commitment to excellence. Here's to a successful finish to semester 1!
Student Council- Fundraiser
The Student Council is hosting another fundraiser to prepare for Snow Week! Head over to Buffalo Wild Wings on Monday, January 6th, for dinner, and make sure to mention you are there for the West Student Council Fundraiser so we can put on the best Snow Week yet. Check out the posters around the school for more information!
Semester 1 and Finals
January 24th is the last day of semester 1. On January 23rd and 24th, we will run a different schedule as we will be engaging in end-of-semester final exams. Classes will be 80-minute periods, and you will find the schedule below. Each course will have a final assessment. This final assessment will not be a separate category in the grade book but will be the last summative assessment for the semester.
Now is a great time to check grades in Infinite Campus, if the semester ended today, these would be the grades posted to your transcript.
2nd Semester Course Schedules - Can I make changes to my schedule?
Schedule adjustments/corrections are considered when the following criteria apply:
A. A schedule conflict due to two or more courses being offered in the same hour.
B. PSEO students who need to change their schedule to accommodate college courses.
C. Closed or cancelled courses.
D. Need courses to meet graduation requirements.
E. Special Education requirements
Should a student need to make a schedule adjustment/correction, students are reminded to check the graduation requirements to see if their request can be granted. Then they must meet with their counselor to discuss the change. Some requests may be denied because of student overload in a class, or for other reasons. Program changes after the opening days of school will be granted only in rare cases. The assistant principal must approve all program changes.
If you wish to request a program change, you should be aware of the following:
A. You must carry a minimum of six classes each semester.
B. If you choose to drop a class, and thus take less than the minimum of six classes, you may receive a grade of WF, Withdraw Failing, which will count as an F in computation of your grade point average. You may also be assigned to an additional supervised study hall.
C. If you wish to drop a seventh class, you may do so during the first quarter of the course with the Grade of W, Withdraw, which has no penalty toward your grade point average. You may be assigned to a supervised study hall.
D. If you wish to drop a seventh class after the first quarter of the class, you may receive a WF (see B above).
E. You may not add classes after the first week of the semester.
Triple A and Excel Award Winners
Congratulations to the following students on their achievements and outstanding awards
Triple A Award Winner
Jillian Olsen
Triple A Award Winner
Chase Lindeman
Excel Award Winner
Mason Schreiber
Excel Award Winner
Zoe Williams
Peer Tutoring
If you are signed up for peer tutoring next semester, please pick up the new yellow contracts in the counseling center. Remember, you can only repeat a course once, so check your transcript and ensure your GPA is at least 3.0.
All contracts must be completed, even if you plan to stay in your current placement, as the needs of some teachers may have changed.
Once you have signed the contract, please send me an image of it along with any changes to your class period. If you decide to drop the course, please inform me, as there are many students who would like to take your spot. Thank you!
Laurie Hagberg- lhagbe1@isd77.org
1st Quarter Shining Scarlets
Congratulations to our 1st Quarter Shining Scarlets!
We had a great group of kids and a wonderful breakfast celebrating them. We are very proud of their accomplishments.
Congratulations!
NSHSS- Scam VS. NHS - National Honor Society
We want to alert parents about emails from an organization called the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), which is not affiliated with our school or the National Honor Society (NHS). While NSHSS sends official-looking invitations suggesting students have been specially selected, this is primarily a marketing approach to collect membership fees. Our school hosts an official NHS chapter, where students are officially inducted in the fall. Mankato West NHS members receive their honor cords directly through our school for graduation. Please note that any solicitation to purchase honor cords or membership from NSHSS is not connected to our NHS chapter or school recognition programs. If you have questions about NHS membership or honor cords, please contact our NHS faculty advisor, Matt Moore, at mmoore1@isd77.org.
History Day
Students interested in joining History Day are encouraged to attend a kick-off meeting on January 16th at 8:15 a.m. in room 109 (Mr. Moore's room). History Day is a competitive program for high school students, focusing on historical research and analysis about a topic of their choosing. Students select topics that are connected to a theme, and then showcase their projects at local, regional, state and national competitions. 17,000 students from throughout Minnesota enter the competition each year. If your son or daughter is interested in history, and would like to conduct research on a topic of their choice, please encourage them to attend the kick-off meeting or visit with Mr. Moore in room 109 to pick up paperwork.
Yearbook Ordering
The 2025 yearbook is now on sale. The yearbook staff is working hard to tell the story of all the students this year making this book a one-of-a-kind. Don't miss out on all the great memories!
School ID: 723781
Senior Corner
Grad Pictures for Yearbook
Grad pictures, due date & forms- MARCH 3RD
WEBSITE CREATED TO SHARE https://mankatowestyearbooks.weebly.com/
Scholarship Opportunity - Message from Gustavus
New this year, Gustavus is offering one Mankato West High School senior a full-ride scholarship that covers tuition, housing, meals, and fees—a chance to pursue their degree at Gustavus without financial barriers.
We value our local community and want to celebrate the achievements of students, both inside and outside of the classroom, right here in our hometown. All a student needs to do is apply to Gustavus by February 15 to be considered. No additional scholarship application is required.
Counseling Office
Click here to see the most recent Counseling Office updates.
Upcoming Events
January 6th
FAFSA Event @ 6:00
January 7th
Admissions Visit- Marines from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Scarlet Study from 3:35 pm - 4:30 pm
Girls Varsity Hockey VS. Waseca @ 5:15 pm
Girls Varsity Basketball VS. Hutchinson @ 7:30 pm
January 8th
Early Out- Class ends at 1:35 pm
January 9th
Scarlet Study from 3:35 pm- 4:30 pm
Wrestling VS. St. Clair @ 5:30 pm
January 10th
Girls Varsity Basketball VS. East @ 7:30 pm
January 11th
Boys Varsity Basketball VS. East @ 6:00 pm
January 13th
Girls Varsity Hockey VS. Worthington @ 7:00 pm
January 14
Scarlet Study from 3:35 pm- 4:30 pm
Girls Varsity Basketball VS. Marshall @ 7:30 pm
Boys Varsity Hockey VS. Red Wing @ 7:15 pm
January 16th
Scarlet Study from 3:35 pm- 4:30 pm
January 17th
Gymnastics VS. Red Wing @ 7:15 pm
Boys Varsity Hockey VS. Owatonna @ 7:15 pm
Boys Basketball VS. Rochester John Marshall @ 7:30 pm