West Side Story 2.0

As we near the end of September, I want to take a moment to reflect on the start of this school year and share some important updates with you.

The past few weeks have been filled with excitement and a sense of renewal as our students and staff have settled into their routines. It's been awesome to see the energy and enthusiasm that permeate our hallways and classrooms. Our high school community thrives when we all come together with a common purpose: to provide the best possible education and ensure students feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

Our students and staff are working hard, and we valued your support. Together, we will continue to create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every student can experience success.

Tuesday is Picture Retake Day. If your student wants a retake, they should go to the auditorium. SPX will be here through the lunches. If you student did not get their picture taken, they need to have their picture taken Tuesday in order to be in the yearbook. You do not have to purchase any pictures, but please do have your picture taken. We also use the current pictures for identification in Infinite Campus and on school IDs.

Wednesday, our student led club, Mental Health Connections, is holding a Sunset at 6:00pm in the front lot. Last year, this group raised over $3,000 for The Reach.

Thursday is our first Link Crew Academic follow ups. We will run a different schedule with an extended Scarlet Time. Link Crew leaders will be meeting with their 9th grade groups in the rooms they used during Link Crew orientation.

Homecoming is always a special time at West HS, and it is almost here! Friday, we had our Homecoming Pepfest to announce our Homecoming Court and Dress Up Days.

Dress Up Days:

Monday - Pajama Day

Tuesday - Jersey Day

Wednesday - Class Color Day: 9th grade - Purple, 10th grade - Blue, 11th grade - White, 12th grade - Black

Thursday - Country vs. Country Club

Friday - Red and White/Scarlet Pride

The Dodgeball Tournament is Monday, October 2 at 7:00pm in the gym. Students were emailed a google form to sign up their teams. The cost is $5 per team and forms are due September 29th.

Thursday is our Hall of Fame Banquet at the Mankato Golf Club. Inductees this year are:

Jack Halvorson

Chuck Dietz

Nancy Zalleck

Chris Kunard

Caleb Melby

Steve Dimaglio

If you would like to attend, tickets are $30 and available in the office. Social Hour at 5:30, Dinner at 6:00, Program at 6:30.

Friday the 6th is the big day! Students will report to their 2nd hour class at 8:45 to engage in classroom activities. The Talent Show and Coronation are in the morning. All students have a 1 hour open lunch. Dodgeball play-off, Battle of the Classes, a new 5K Race, and Karaoke are in the afternoon. The football game is at 7:00, and the Dance will follow the game. The Homecoming Dance is for West students only, no guests. The cost is $5, but if you have a Homecoming button, it is $4.

If you come to pick up your student at the end of the school day, please pick up in the back lot (near the YMCA) at door #12. The front lot is designated for student parking and busses.

In the back we have 3 lanes, the drive thru lane, the pick up lane, and the bus lane. Please use the middle pick up lane when picking up students after school. Door #12 is the pick up location. Please do not pick up students at door #19, as that is reserved for students with special transportation needs.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Voting Starts Friday, September 22nd!

On November 7, voters in our community will decide on two referendum questions to update and improve school facilities for today’s students, staff, families, and community as well as the next generation of learners.

For parents who live within the MAPS district boundaries, keep an eye out for a referendum informational brochure in mailboxes this week. The mailing explains the key building projects that the referendum will fund. The projects include:

Question 1: $105 million

• Safety and security at all district schools

• Early learning access for MAPS families

• Learning and wellness spaces for MAPS students and community members

Question 2: $15 million

• Outdoor activities spaces at high schools

The tax impact on an averaged priced home ($250,000) in the school district for Question 1 is $10/month. For Question 2, it is $2.50/month. You can calculate the estimated tax impact of your specific property here.

Learn the facts, and make a plan to vote on or before November 7. Voting is easy—even if you have never voted before.

1. You can vote by mail. Click here to download the application form.

2. You can vote early, in-person, starting Friday, September 22nd at Blue Earth County Courthouse during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

3. You can vote on Election Day, November 7, at your assigned polling place. Find your polling place here.

Find complete bond referendum and voting information at www.isd77.org/vote2023.

A secured entrance is at the top of the list for West High School. This addition would put all offices on the ground floor, with a secured entrance in the office area, similar to East High School. Visitors to West would enter the secured area to properly check in before having access to the school. Administrative, Activities, Counseling, and Health Offices would all be located near the entrance.

This addition would also provide two floors of modern classroom space with flex spaces. One area that we are lacking is a larger space for class meetings and testing. In the spring, we have multiple AP exams and the ACT for which the only area large enough is the gym. This displaces our Phy Ed classes for about two weeks. This addition could provide a room to accommodate testing, class meetings, and space for multiple classes to collaborate.

Mankato Area Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted on our district website at bit.ly/4835DET (or directly to our Learn Platform page bit.ly/3R9xvRB). This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to your building principal for additional questions regarding the use of the specific digital tools in classrooms. Please reach out to MAPS technology department regarding data, privacy, and vendor inquiries of the specific digital tools.

We are required to do 5 fire drills and 5 lockdown drills each school year. We have completed 2 fire drills this fall, and will do our first lockdown drill this week. We follow the Lock Down procedures that were shared last week as part of our Safety Response Protocol.

If you have questions about drills, please call 507 387-3461.

Cap and Gown Measurements - this includes submitting your name as you would like it to appear on your diploma, along with your measurements to be sure you have the right cap/gown size for the ceremony. This form is due December 22, 2023.

Need to order a transcript? Use this link.

Direct Admissions:

Seniors are proactively notified of which participating MN colleges and universities they are accepted to - before they even apply!

• Stress-Free College Admissions Process

• No Application Fees

• Boosted Confidence Knowing They Are College-Ready

Direct Admissions - MN Office of Higher Ed

Counselors:

Students can meet with school counselors for the following reasons:

• Social/Emotional Support (processing through problems with family, friends, or other mental health concerns)

• Academic Counseling (creating an academic plan, PSEO, schedule changes)

• College/Career Counseling (post-secondary planning)

• Classroom college/career readiness lessons

• 504 Plans

• Counseling groups (vary by year)

Amanda:

My name is Amanda Bomstad. I am a school counselor for the Class of 2024, and class of 2026 for students' last names beginning with the letters O-Z. My email is abomst1@isd77.org, and my phone number is 507.207.3908.

I earned my Bachelor's degree through the University of Minnesota, Morris. I double majored in Psychology and Human Services and minored in Sociology. I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato for both my Master's degree in K-12 Professional School Counseling as well as my Specialist degree for K-12 Principal.

Prior to becoming a school counselor, I was an admissions officer at MSU and also worked as a mental health practitioner at Adult, Child, and Family Services.

I welcome phone calls and emails, and would love to hear from you!

Justina:

My name is Justina Bisch. I am the school counselor for the Class of 2025 and class of 2026 for students' last names beginning with the letters H-N. My email is jbisch1@isd77.org, and my phone number is 507.387.3461 ext. 3911.

I earned my Bachelor's degree through University of Wisconsin, Stout. I majored in Psychology. I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato for both my Master's degree in K-12 Professional School Counseling as well as my Specialist degree for K-12 Principal.

Prior to joining the West counseling team, I was a school counselor and teacher for 3 years at Owatonna Middle School and spent 7 years prior to that as a school counselor for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Please feel free to reach out by phone or email. I look forward to a great school year!

Tom:

I earned my Undergraduate degree in Corrections at Mankato State University, and my Masters degree in School Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato .

Prior to becoming a school counselor, I was a graduate student at MSU as an admissions officer while working at a juvenile detention center in Saint Peter.

Career as High School Counselor:

St. Peter: HS 1 yr

LeSueur-Henderson: 7 yrs

West HS: 16 yrs and counting!

I can be contacted by either email or phone. Thanks for reaching out on your child's education!

Molly Fox, School Social Worker

School Social Workers:

• Provide support for all student as needed with one on one support for social emotional learning, family/peer support and addressing mental health concerns

• Groups -Anxiety and Social Emotional Learning

• Partner and problem solve with administration, teachers and the other student support team members to remove barriers and identify strengths

• Connect and collaborate with outside resources for the needs of students and families

• Build relationships with students to provide a safe space to problem solve.

• Support our homeless youth providing resources inside and outside of school

• Support attendance for students as needed

• Co-Advisor for SHINE club (join us!)

• Advisor for Mental Health Community Connections (Please attend our monthly meetings!)

• Attend community collaborative meetings to support students and families

I received my undergraduate degree at Minnesota State University in Corrections and Psychology and my Masters of Social Work degree in Clinical Social Work. Previously I worked as a counselor in a day treatment program as well as a residential facility. I have worked as a School Social Worker for the past 23 years.

You can email or call to make an appointment with me. mnorri1@isd77.org or 507-810-9255. I look forward to getting to know you.

Mikell Franke, School Psychologist

I am excited to join the amazing Student Support Team at West High School this school year! This is my 20th year working as a school psychologist, 18 of which have been with the Mankato Area Public Schools. I received my undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I went on to receive my Masters degree in Education and my Specialist degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. As a school psychologist, I work with students, parents, teachers, and members of the community to assist students with challenges related to learning, behavior, social skills, and mental health. While school psychologists support all students, we are key members of special education assessment teams that determine eligibility for special education services. We help to identify special education students’ strengths and areas of need so that we can team with families and staff to create individualized plans for students.

Please contact me at mfrank1@isd77.org or 507-207-3886.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Discover Mayo Clinic - October 2nd - See flyer for details and registration information

• ACT Test Prep Seminar - October 7th - See flyer for details and registration

• Ridgewater College, Willmar Campus Veterinary Tech Career Fair - October 17th - Informational Flyer and Registration

• Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Open House - October 19th - Information and Registration for Rochester MN event

• Radiology Imaging Programs Open House - October 14th - Information and Registration for Rochester MN event

• Job Corps Open House and Career Fair - November 16th - See flyer for details

• Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Career Immersion Program - Summer 2024 - More information on cost, dates, and registration here

• Dunwoody College Pathways to Careers Scholarship Program - Summer 2024 – Refer to the Brochure and application for more information

Upcoming Visits

Visiting representatives are back again! We will have them located in the lobby during lunch on their visit days. Any upcoming visits will be announced on the slideshow that is displayed on the hallway TVs and on the West High School Family calendar.

• 9/29 - Soren from US Army/ US Army Reserves

• 10/12 - Sarah from Gustavus Adolphus College

• 10/13 - Ben from Bethany Luther College

• 10/17 - Andrea from Minnesota State University, Mankato

• 10/24 - Sarah from College of Saint Benedict + Saint John’s University

• 10/27 - Sophie from Hamline University

• 10/30 - Elaine from Dakota County Technical College

• 10/31 - Peder from Luther College

• 11/7 - Madi from University of Minnesota, Duluth

Wanting More Information?

Looking for a specific college, military branch or trade school to visit? Please let Amy in the Counseling Center know and she can reach out and see about scheduling a visit!

September 26

Picture Retakes 8:00am - 12:30pm

September 27

Mental Health Connections Sunset 6:00 - Front Parking Lot

September 28

Link Crew Academic Follow Up - Extended Scarlet Time

October 2 - 6

Homecoming Week

Dodgeball Tournament - Monday evening

Hall of Fame Banquet - Thursday evening

Special Homecoming Schedule - Friday

October 6

Homecoming

October 9

No School

October 11

Early Out

October 19/20

No School

October 23

Conferences 4:00 - 8:00pm