West Counseling Dept Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

Early College Credit/Start College Now Deadline

Junior Conference Sign Up Information

National Honor Society

Upcoming College Fairs

Youth Apprenticeship Info Nights

West Tutoring Program

and much more!

Semester 1 grades have now been added to student transcripts. School Counselors will be uploading mid-year reports/transcripts to Common Application schools.

If your school is NOT on the Common Application, students are required to request their mid-year transcript via parchment.com to be sent to any schools they applied to that are outside of the Common App.

Seniors should check out MMSD's directory of local scholarships by logging into Xello and clicking on "College Resources." This scholarship list is continually being updated as we find out about local scholarships. Students can also save a list of scholarships they wish to apply to and track their application progress in Xello. Xello can be accessed via ClassLink

If you plan to request to enroll in a college course through Early College Credit Program or Start College Now for the Fall 2024 semester, be sure to submit your application to your counselor by the March 1st deadline.

More information about each program, as well as the application can be found HERE

Interested in learning more? Attend an upcoming Parent Info Session:

Tuesday, February 6th; 7:00 - 8:00pm (Google Meet Link - Session #3)

Tuesday, February 13th; 7:00 - 8:00pm (Google Meet Link - Session #4)

Stay tuned about rep visits by checking out the College & Career Rep Visit Calendar. More schools will be visiting West this Spring. Check back frequently to see the most recent updates.

These visits are held in the College & Career Center (Room 2405) and are a great way to learn more about a particular college or university and ask your questions directly to an admissions rep!

Don't let financial barriers keep you from going to college!

Scholars of Promise empowers income-eligible students attending Madison College to start their higher education journey with strong programs and financial support to reach their academic dreams.

Applications due April 1st

Find out more details HERE

If you have not yet met with your counselor for your Junior Conference, be sure to book your appointment ASAP!

During your conference, you and your counselor will discuss the following topics:

Review your High School Action Plan & Answer Any Questions You May Have

• Transcript Review
  
• Course selection for Senior year
  
• Discussion of post-high school plans

Students should complete the Future Planning Worksheet prior to their conference and review the Preparation for your Junior Conference slides before your conference. This document will be shared with families following the conference.

• All Juniors will take the ACT at West High School on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. This is a junior only school day

• School staff will reach out to families to communicate the registration process as this date approaches

• There is free online ACT prep through Xello (Methodize), as well as on the ACTstudent.org website

Juniors interested in being considered for membership in the National Honor Society at West need to have volunteered a total of at least 45 service hours in two or more activities; no more than 23 hours from a single service activity. In addition, a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.5.

For more information about selection and application deadlines, Click HERE

Real Talk events were created to provide Black students and their families with the tools they need to feel confident as students start planning for their future after high school.

Free Virtual Events! Upcoming Topics include:

3 Ways to Attend College with Less Debt

Secure the Bag & Your Dream Job

Find more resources HERE

Here's an opportunity for local sophomores!

Take a diagnostic ACT test for FREE on Tuesday, March 12 while the Juniors are taking the real deal. Four library locations are partnering with Galin Education to offer a realistic ACT experience. This diagnostic will help you work out some test-taking jitters, as well as help focus your studying.

Pencils and scratch paper will be provided but please bring a calculator.

Sign Up to Participate:

• Alicia Ashman Library: 10am - 1:45pm
• Goodman South Madison Library: 10:30am - 1:30pm
• Lakeview Library: 11am - 2:30pm
• Sequoya Library: 11:30am - 3pm

Registration is required. Sign up by clicking the links above or scan the QR code in the flyer below.

Galin Scholars runs a two-year college preparation program for Dane County students with strong academic potential who are from low-to-middle income families and from demographic groups underrepresented in college. Students participate in ACT preparation, college advising, academic tutoring (as needed) and support for extracurricular opportunities. The program is provided at no cost for the scholars who are selected during the second semester of 10th grade. Applications are due on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Students have access to their transcript in Infinite Campus. It's in their student portal, under the "documents" section. Scroll down past the report cards. It's a good idea to review your transcript after each grading period to make sure everything is accurate.

Semester 1 grades are now posted on student transcripts.

Students will be reviewing their Semester 1 transcript during the Academic & Career Planning Lesson on 2/7/24.

Are you looking for some academic support this semester?

West Peer Tutors are available for any subject! Students can meet with a tutor during a Resource or Study Hall or during lunch. Request a tutor using the following form'23-24 Tutor Request Form

Are you interested in tutoring your West classmates?

Ms. Schumacher is looking for tutors in all subject areas. Peer tutors can earn volunteer hours for tutoring and it looks great on college/scholarship applications! Fill out the following form to get started on being a Peer Tutor: '23-24 Peer Tutor Interest Form

The 2024 Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program is a 8-week internship provides Madison youth with the space to build valuable connections, learn about the City of Madison, and gain crucial professional development skills, all with supportive mentorship. Interns will work, on average, 16 hours per week and wages start at $15.50/hour for this internship opportunity.

For more information, please visit Common Wealth’s website

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sam Heim at samantha@cwd.org or via phone at 608-220-8155.

National School Counseling Week 2024 (#NSCW24) is Feb. 5-9, 2024, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems.

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.