Welcome Back Counseling Newsletter

The Counseling Department welcomes all new and returning students and families to West High School for the 2021-22 school year. We look forward to a positive and productive year, despite the uncertainties that the Covid-19 pandemic presents.

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.

Students needing to meet in-person with their counselor may schedule 15 minute appointments on their counselor's booking calendar (available on the Counseling Website after the first week of school). 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 enter the counseling office (Room 2003).

Parents/guardians wishing to meet with their child's school counselor must schedule a zoom or phone meeting. At this time, only students are allowed in the building.

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

We are very excited to welcome Ms. Davis to West! She will be working with students in the Ash SLC.

"Hi! My name is Lianne Davis (she/hers) and I will be a school counselor at West High School. I am originally from the Chicago suburbs so I am a big Chicago sports fan! I love to read, bake (and eat) desserts, and enjoy exercising and going on walks or hikes. I am so excited to be working at West and I can’t wait to meet all of my students!"

A few fun facts about her:

What did you do prior to coming to West?

I was a counselor at Watertown High School for the past four years.

Favorite Book?

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Favorite Movie?

Adventures in Babysitting

Favorite Quote:

"Be brave, my darling. You have faced dark times before and you're still here now."

We are so glad to have Mr. Maloney at West! He will be working with English Learners in a school counseling capacity. Some of you may remember him from his previous time at West. Welcome Back Mr. Maloney!

A few fun facts about him:

What did you do prior to coming to West?

School Counselor

How long have you worked at West?

1990-2000 and Aug 24, 2021-present

Favorite Books?

The Name of the Wind, The Hobbit

Favorite Movie?

Ender's Game

Best Thing About West?

Great kids and staff

Favorite Quote:

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” —Christopher Robin

Additional Info:

I have 3 boys of my own and a wonderful wife, Amy

Another returning team member in the counseling department this year is Ms. Wiesner. She will be our new Registrar. You may remember her friendly face as our former counseling secretary. Ms. Wiesner will handle all things transcripts (among many other behind-the-scenes tasks!). We are so glad to welcome her back to the Counseling office!

Students wishing to change or update their schedule must fill out the Course Appeal Form.

The deadline for starting a new class is Friday, Sept 10th.

After that date, students will not be allowed to enter a new class.

Students may drop a course for a study hall through the 7th week of the semester.

Students who have resource or study hall on their schedules periods 1, 4, 6 and 8 can opt for a late arrival, extended lunch, or early release instead by filling out this form and returning it to your SLC office.

Students who would like to be a teaching, office, or library assistant instead of having a resource or study hall can fill out this form and return it to the Highland Office.

Registration is now open for Spring AP Exams. The registration window is September 13 – October 24, 2021.

Click on the link below to find out all the details and to register.

Find more info HERE.

Counselors will be sending progress toward graduation letters to students in grades 10-12. Keep an eye on your inbox for yours and reach out to your counselor with any questions. As a reminder, transcripts are viewable in Infinite Campus and should be verified after each semester for accuracy.

Check out the following free BigFuture tools to guide you on your college-going journey and to increase equity and access in your school:

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

UW HELP will be hosting online Office Hours every Tuesday at 3:45 PM. During this time, students can drop in and ask questions about the online application or the general admissions process. Registration is not required for this event.

Students are welcome to stop in during Office Hours using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82307518459?pwd=Z0M0MVRadGovZFY5VG9JTVlac3Z3UT09

UW HELP offers one-on-one sessions for students wanting assistance completing the online application for admissions, looking for general information about a specific UW campus, or seeking guidance with the admissions process. 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

Apply now to any number of 55 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) with the Common Black College Application at www.commonblackcollegeapp.com for only $20.

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 announced test-optional admissions for the 2021-22 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".

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.

Students seeking a Youth Apprenticeship can attend the YA Job Fair on Sept. 8th from 11:30-2:00.

WHAT YOU WILL GET FROM THE YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

Meet virtually with multiple businesses in various industries that offer apprenticeship career paths. Talk with employers in real time, explore job openings, and submit your resume.

Check out more info and register HERE

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 your student-athletes.

Due to some supplier issues, Metro Transit does not have the district-funded bus passes ready to distribute. For this reason, Metro is extending the typical one-week “free” period, and students will be able to ride free until we have adequate supply of bus passes. We will share more information as we have it, and students will receive a form to fill out to request a bus pass once we know when they will be available. For those needing to purchase a pass, you can do so through the Metro Transit website.

Metro bus routes and Fitchburg Badger Bus routes have been finalized and can be found on our Transportation webpage.