Welcome Back Counseling Newsletter

The Counseling Department welcomes all new and returning students and families to West High School for the 2022-23 school year. We look forward to a positive and productive year!

For freshmen coming from middle school, we look forward to getting to know you and helping you make a successful transition to West.

We feel that in a large metropolitan high school, it is important to communicate information in a timely and effective manner. This newsletter is intended to give you a summary of important grade level counseling information which should be useful in making plans and navigating high school as well as life after graduation. It is published monthly, so be sure to check the counseling website for the latest edition (or subscribe and get the newsletter delivered right to your inbox!)

If you have questions please contact your assigned counselor, who is listed at the bottom of your schedule in Row 10.

Front Row Left to Right: Ms Anderle, Ms. Coombs, Ms. Williams, Ms. Badillo

Back Row Left to Right: Ms. Glynn, Ms. Hoffman, Ms. Alvis, Ms. Dyer

Students needing to meet in-person with their counselor may schedule appointments through their counselor's youcanbookme calendar (found on the West Counseling Website below).

Students should attempt to schedule appointments during a study hall or lunch whenever possible.

After booking your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email. Use this email as your pass to come to your appointment.

Welcome to the newest members of the West High School Counseling Department!

We are so glad to have Ms. Alvis at West! She will be working with students in the Ash and Van Hise SLC's.

A few fun facts about her:

What did you do prior to coming to West?

I moved to Madison last year and worked as a School Counselor at La Follette HS. Prior to moving, I was a HS School Counselor for five years in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Before I was a school counselor, I did government relations and policy advocacy for ten years for DC-based nonprofits.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to a strong collaborative relationship with all Regent students, families, and staff!

Favorite Books?

Too many books to mention! Currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Favorite Quote:

Do what you love. Love what you do.

We are very excited to welcome Ms. Badillo to West! She will be working with our EL students as the Bilingual School Counselor.

A few fun facts about her:

What did you do prior to coming to West?

Dual Language Immersion 4th Grade Teacher

Something she is looking forward to this year:

Supporting students and families in their journey toward graduation!

Favorite Movie?

Sleepless in Seattle

Favorite Quote:

"It always seems impossible until it's done."

MMSD AP Exams and Registration: Open September 12 through October 23, 2022

The College Board will continue with all in-person, pencil/paper exams for May 2023. MMSD will only be providing pencil/paper options this school year with the exception of Chinese and Japanese Language exams which remain computer-based.

Timeline for 2022-2023 AP Exam Registration:

• Registration window opens 9/12/22

• Registration window closes 10/23/22 (this is based on meeting College Board’s fall registration deadlines for all districts)

• Second semester-only courses will have a second registration opportunity between 1/23/23 through 2/24/23.

Registration occurs at aptsusa.com/mmsd

12th graders have received their progress toward graduation letters which outline which (if any) graduation requirements they need to complete. Reach out to your counselor with any questions.

As a reminder for students in all grades, transcripts are viewable in Infinite Campus and should be verified after each semester for accuracy.

College Rep Visits are back! We are excited to be able to once again host in-person college rep visits here at West. Attending a rep visit session is a great way for students to meet face to face with the colleges/universities they are interested in. You'll learn more about the school, what campus life is like and what opportunities each school offers. All visits are held in the Counseling Office Room 2218. Students will be asked to sign in upon arrival for a college visit and attendance will be updated by the end of each day.

We have many schools lined up for fall visits. See the full calendar below.

The UW System Online Application is open for the Fall 2023 term. Students may apply using the UW System Online Application at apply.wisconsin.edu.

Register for a live demonstration of the UW System Application for Fall 2023 and walk through the application as a new freshman student. Learn how to create an account, list course information, and more!

• Tuesday, September 27th at 4:00 PM - Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N6VDNhkqRo6LmsXg26jAmA

UW HELP is offering an online presentation featuring a panel of representatives from UW-Green Bay and UW-La Crosse to discuss accessibility/disability services as students transition from high school to college. This is a great opportunity to learn about available services, understand the similarities and differences of services in a college setting, policies and procedures, and more. Students, families, school counselors, and other academic professionals are encouraged to attend.

• Thursday, October 6th at 4:00 PM - Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MJBpIIpMTymo7JJP2QRLdQ

Attend these webinars to hear from UW campus representatives about admission, campus updates, upcoming special campus events and more. Campus representatives will be available to answer any questions students may have regarding admission to these campuses. Students and families are encouraged to attend.

UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, and UW-Superior Panel:

• Tuesday, October 11th at 4:00 PM - Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-ZgcSoOfTymtDaN9U2HVkQ

UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Stout Panel:

• Tuesday, October 25th at 4:00 PM - Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qV5OD0FJS8anDxNne-clKw

UW HELP is offering one-on-one sessions for students wanting assistance completing the online application for admissions. Students can go online and schedule a 15-minute session with one of UW HELP’s Outreach Specialists.

To schedule a one-on-one session, please use the link below:

https://calendly.com/uwhelp/session

UW Eau Claire is hosting an exciting series of Support System Webinars for members of students’ circles – parents, guardians, advisors, etc. – no matter where their student is looking to attend college. Sign up here

• Admissions Process Overview + Timeline
  September 13, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Financial Aid + Paying for College
  October 13, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Encouraging Independence + Supporting Your Student
  November 8, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Check out the following free BigFuture tools to guide you on your college-going journey:

College Search—Exploration tool for students as they research colleges based on such preferences as location, majors, type, and campus life.

Scholarship Search—Matches students to scholarships based on the student’s background, achievements, and future plans.

College Board Opportunity Scholarships—Guides juniors and seniors through college planning steps with chances to earn money for college. No application or essay. No GPA or test score minimum. No citizenship requirement.

Student Search Service—The way thousands of colleges and scholarships connect with more than five million students. Students can opt in online or when registering for a College Board assessment to receive information from colleges and scholarship organizations.

Career Finder™—Career exploration tool that helps students make informed academic and career decisions based on what truly drives them and connects them to compatible schools.

Note: Students will use their College Board accounts to access all these free tools. Students of all grade levels to create a free College Board account if they haven’t done so already.

ACT & SAT Test Scores

It is the student's responsibility to have the appropriate test scores (i.e., ACT or SAT ) sent directly from the testing service to colleges. West High will not send test scores. Most colleges (including UW System Schools) require that your score be sent to the admissions office directly from the ACT or SAT testing company. You can request that your scores be sent when you register for an ACT or SAT by filling in the appropriate college codes. If you took the ACT or SAT as a junior but did not send your scores to colleges at that time, you now need to go online or call the testing company to have your scores sent for an additional fee. (ACT – 319-337-1270; SAT 866-756-7346).

Due to COVID-19, many colleges and universities have continued test-optional admissions for the 2022-23 application season. Please check individual school websites for the latest update on their test policy. Test availability may still limited across the US, including Madison. Students who wish to take the ACT or SAT can register on their own through the test agency's website and search for nearby test locations that are offering testing on their preferred date.

WEST High School Transcripts are ordered and delivered electronically (online). The Madison Metropolitan School District has joined the Wisconsin e-transcript initiative to bring you a quick, confidential, and paperless way to send your transcripts directly to colleges, the NCAA, the Common Application and other destinations of your choice.

It is the student's responsibility to order/send transcripts.

School Counselors do not send student transcripts.

Transcripts can also be viewed in Infinite Campus under the "Documents" tab, scroll down to "Transcript by Grade".

Students in the Madison area can get 1:1 support completing their FAFSA at any of the College Goal WI events in October. Both in-person and virtual support sessions will be held.

Attend a session and get your FAFSA completed in one evening!

See the flyer for more info

Financial Aid Basics - Wednesday, September 29th at 4:00 PM: Join the UW HELP team as they introduce the basics of financial aid, what financial aid is, and the different types of financial aid available: Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3KWSBPXHR9G4MtF5GS_SAA

Budgeting and Financial Aid - Thursday, October 13th at 4:00 PM: UW HELP, along with panelists from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater, will discuss budgeting, the financial aid process, how to compare financial aid offers, and more: Register Here

https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_98CR2Rw_QlSQWqCrhJc9iA

Registration is required for both presentations.

Are you a student who is a strong leader in an academic field? Ms. Schumacher is looking for Peer Tutors! Fill out the Peer Tutor Interest Form (Or use QR Code in flyer below)

Specific subjects are usually All math classes, All science classes, all history, All language classes and ALL AP classes.

Peer Tutors can earn Credit (.25 credit hours on transcript) or Community service hours.

All students at West can request tutor support for a class or classes. Tutors are available to meet with students during a Resource or Study Hall, during lunch or after school. Fill out the form to be connected with a tutor. Tutor Request Form (or use QR code below in flyer)

If you are interested in taking a college course in Spring 2023 through MMSD’s Early College Credit Options program, be sure to visit the program’s website HERE for important information about the application process.

Start College Now (SCN) allows current students in grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin Technical Colleges in the Fall or Spring terms. The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows high school students (please note that most participating universities have restrictions for students in grade 10 or lower) the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin public (University of Wisconsin) and private universities in the Fall, Spring or Summer terms.

Applications for the Spring 2023 term are due to your school counselor by October 1, 2022.

The application process involves multiple steps, but begins with the student completing the application for MMSD approval. Please visit the ECCP website for links to the application. MMSD approval does not mean course approval by the college. Each college/university has its own process which may vary, though most require an additional online application. MMSD decisions are communicated to a student’s MMSD email address. If approved, students will receive information about next steps in the process. Please see your school counselor with any questions.

A message for student athletes from NCAA: As we head into a new school year, please encourage any student-athletes wanting to play sports in college to create an EC account at eligibilitycenter.org . Incoming freshman and undecided student-athletes may want to register for a free Profile Page account. These accounts can be transferred to paid a Certification account at any time. Profile Page account registrants also get an NCAA ID and important reminders from the EC as they complete high school.

Any student-athletes planning to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school need to create a Certification account.

Click here to learn more about which account is right for you.

The 2022-23 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete is now available for download! The guide is designed to assist you with understanding the NCAA, NCAA Eligibility Center registration and academic requirements, and how you can help your student-athletes work toward their collegiate dreams.

This includes information on the upcoming Amateurism-Only Certification account (scheduled for release mid-September).

Students who requested lockers should have received locker assignments by email. With any questions, reach out to Natalie at nkloranger@madison.k12.wi.us.

You may still request a locker if you haven’t done so! Please fill out this form and you will be contacted ASAP with your assignment.

If your student will be absent, please report the absence by 8:00am either through the district online form or by contacting their SLC office:

Regent Office, 608-204-4108 or lcford@madison.k12.wi.us

Van Hise Office, 608-204-3091 or dfitzhugh@madison.k12.wi.us

Highland Office, 608-204-3075 or saschabel@madison.k12.wi.us

Ash Office, 608-204-4116 or nkloranger@madison.k12.us

*Note - Ash students will check-in and check-out in the Regent office, room 1121, at this time.

For more information about attendance, please visit our Attendance webpage.

Bus Routes

• Metro Bus Routes are available here.
• Fitchburg Blue & Red bus routes are available here.

Metro Bus Passes

• Metro will allow students to ride free until September 19th.
• Families needing to purchase Madison Metro semester bus passes should contact Metro Transit.
• Students who qualify for a district-funded bus pass can fill out the request form that was emailed to them yesterday, and then can pick up their pass in their SLC office once they receive an email that it’s ready. Students qualify if they receive free/reduced lunch and live more than 1.5 miles from West.
• Students needing to purchase the 10-ride bus cards may do so in their SLC office.