Principal Blog Week of 4/15/24

Purpose Corner - With Spring upon us, I want to remind students and families about our dress code policy. Our school has a dress code under the same premise that any business or workplace etc. will have a dress code. Below is the partial narrative from our "Student Handbook" on Dress & Grooming expectations. Here is the link to our handbook and a link to School Board Policy 5511 on Dress & Grooming for anyone to reference.

Dress and Grooming (5511)

Students are prohibited from the wearing of hats, hoods, or other headwear (including hoodies) and coats or jackets in school on regular school days. The Principal of any school may allow exceptions to this policy for any legitimate reason (religious, medical, or otherwise) or in the celebration of a specified pep rally, spirit day, or hat day. 

Any clothing, jewelry, body art, or any accessory advertising alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs are at a counter purpose with district AODA programs and therefore deemed inappropriate. Students should dress appropriately for school and must refrain from wearing items that display excessive midriffs, low-cut tops, and undergarments.  Students who violate the above rules/guidance will not be admitted to class and may be suspended from school.

Teacher Appreciation Week! - I have sent a couple of emails to West families about this week, so please check your inbox and calendar this week if you would like to show some appreciation!!

Graduation 2024 - Graduation day for all three Waukesha Legacy high schools will be Saturday, June 8th, 2024. Waukesha West High School will be holding graduation ceremonies in the West Fieldhouse on this date beginning at 11:00 A.M. As we are one community divided into three high schools, graduation times among all three high schools are staggered to enable friends and family to attend multiple ceremonies if they so choose. South High School ceremonies will begin at 9:00 A.M. and North High School ceremonies will begin at 1:00 P.M. on this date. Please begin informing friends and family who will be attending! Access this link to see all things our Graduates must do to prepare for graduation!

Senior Vs. Staff Basketball Game - This game was played on Friday, April 5th and The West High staff wins again!!!! Not sure what the final score was, but I will say the students put up a good fight and stayed around longer than any teams have in the past!! In previous blog posts in years prior, I have shared a picture of me after our championship games holding the trophy! I am 81% sure this is me again with our newest championship trophy, though I do not really even resemble my school picture! Way to go West staff!!

Scholarship Blog is active!! - This scholarship blog site is linked here and is accessible through our school website. Students can search for all the different scholarships available such as West only, Local, WEF (Waukesha Educational Foundation), State, and National scholarships. Pay close attention to deadlines as some applications will not be available until the New Year. You can also sign up to receive email alerts each time a new scholarship is uploaded. Please see Mrs. Brown in Student Services with any questions or email her at jbrown@waukesha.k12.wi.us

MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is coming for students! - Starting this month we are rolling out Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to high school student accounts. West students start this through their homerooms. What is MFA you ask? Think of it as having a second key to your school account. Right now, you have one key or factor to your account; your password. But passwords can get leaked or guessed and that is where your second factor is going to come in. In the form of a device notification with your district iPad. You can read about it more here: What is Multifactor Authentication

Why:

Many of you probably already use MFA for Xbox accounts, college courses from other schools or maybe even online banking. Many places already require this to keep your information safe and we are following suit. Your school and personal information is very important to guard so this is why we are taking this safeguard step.  Staff here at SDW already have to use MFA to access the same resources as you. In the modern world with the increase of cyber crime, this is no longer a general precaution but a must.

Dates: Each Grade level will have a different date in which MFA will be enabled for their account.

 

What will I use to set up MFA?

You will use the Microsoft Authenticator app. It is already installed on your district iPad. 

How do I set up MFA?

We have directions to set up MFA for whichever device you want to use. Directions are here

We find it easier to use two different devices to set up MFA. One device that will be used to authenticate (your iPad) and another to try to log into which will prompt you with the directions.

¿Qué usaré para configurar la autenticación multifactor (MFA)?

Utilizará la aplicación Microsoft Authenticator. Ya está instalado en el iPad de su distrito.

¿Cómo debe configurar la autenticación multifactor (MFA)?

Tenemos las instrucciones para configurar la autenticación multifactor (MFA) para cualquier dispositivo que desees utilizar. Las instrucciones están aquí.

Hemos determinado que es más fácil utilizar dos dispositivos diferentes para configurar la autenticación multifactor (MFA). Un dispositivo que se utilizará para autenticarse (puede ser tu iPad) y otro dispositivo para intentar iniciar una sesión y te indicará las instrucciones. Tendremos un Chromebook designado en la biblioteca para ayudar con esto.

¿Cuándo se me pedirá que me autentique? 

Solamente se requerirá la autenticación multifactor (MFA) cuando intentes tener acceso a tus cuentas escolares cuando estés fuera de la escuela. Esto le proporcionará a tu cuenta una protección adicional contra intrusos externos, pero no ocasionará ningún retraso mientras estás en la escuela.

¿Cuándo tengo que hacer esto?

Desde el día de inicio mencionado anteriormente, tendrás dos semanas para configurarlo antes de que te obligue a configurarlo antes de poder ingresar. Tendrás la opción de omitir esto por un momento, pero ¡te recomendamos que lo hagas lo más pronto posible!

Más preguntas:

Puede visitar a la Sra. Lucey en la Biblioteca para obtener ayuda o si tienes cualquier otra pregunta.

2024 - 2025 Board-Approved School Calendar - Below is the board-approved calendar for the 24-25 school year and you can access it through this link or through the West website.

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2023-2024 met last on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, and did not meet in March due to my being ill on our scheduled meeting day. We are meeting this Wednesday, April 17th. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward for the meeting in April.

Manisha Nabke	mynabke@hotmail.com
Robin Herbner	rherbner@gmail.com
Audra O'Connell	audraoconnellis@gmail.com
Melissa Shera	Melissa_marie423@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Mcdowell	elizabeth.mcdowell526@gmail.com
Kari Doepke	Teamdoepkewarnes@gmail.com
Wendy Hamilton	wendyhamilton4@gmail.com

Archived Announcements (Link) Please access this link to find all of the information in our daily announcements from previous weeks. 

GO WOLVERINES...WHOOP!!

Principal Blog Week of February 26th, 2024

 Purpose Corner - This week I provide information on the "Mock Block Schedule" students will be experiencing the week of March 18th, 2024. The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link and a Spanish transcript can be accessed through this link.

"Mock Block Schedule" for the week of March 18th, 2024 - The schedule below is what is referenced in the video and transcript as to what schedule we will follow the week of March 18th, 2024.

Girls Cheer - State Runner-Up!! - Congratulations to our Varsity Cheerleaders for taking 2nd place in the "Game Day" division at the WACPC State Cheer Championship this past weekend! Also a big shout-out to Kaitlyn Krause for being selected for the WACPC All-State Team!

 

eSports at State!! - Congratulations to the Waukesha West Esports team for placing 12th in the State eSports tournament! Go Wolverines!!

Individual West Wrestlers to State!! - Congratulations to our 9 West wrestlers who punched their ticket to the WIAA individual State wrestling tournament this past weekend held at the Kohl Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. West had the most individuals represent any one school in Division 1 at the tournament! Congratulations on a great season!

State Send-Offs - If you were not aware, we get to send off any of our competitive club or athletic teams to their State competitions. We have parents and family come in to see it as well and it is a great moment for students to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. Below is a video I took today as members of our FBLA headed out to their State competition, for you to have a glimpse into the send-off celebration!

 West End Players - "Miss Holmes" - "Miss Holmes" is a captivating play that puts a fresh twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories. Follow the brilliant detective duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson, as they solve a mysterious case involving a string of murders. With its clever storytelling, strong female leads, and suspenseful plot, Miss Holmes is a thrilling and empowering theatrical experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Tickets are on sale for the performances on March 8th,9th, and 10th!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Waukesha West was one of only 29 schools nationwide to be allowed to perform this play! This reflects the quality drama program we have here at Waukesha West High School. It will be performed in the fall of 2024. Below are the links for three articles about it by local media:

JSOnline Article Link

Fox6News Article Link

Freeman Article Link

ACT Day - Junior Information! - The ACT test continues to be a piece of the puzzle when it comes to college admissions. Though some colleges have moved to put little or no emphasis on it, many colleges still have a minimum ACT score they require for admission. The State of Wisconsin mandates that all high school Juniors in the state take this test annually. The nice thing is that they fund this mandated test and also allow students to take the ACT again on a national test date immediately after the State test date. This year our Juniors will take the test on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 here at West. The information has been sent to Junior students in preparation for the test on this day. More info will be sent out to 9th and 10th-grade students and families who will also be participating in school-wide testing on this day.

Graduation 2024 - Graduation day for all three Waukesha Legacy high schools will be Saturday, June 8th, 2024. Waukesha West High School will be holding graduation ceremonies in the West Fieldhouse on this date beginning at 11:00 A.M. As we are one community divided into three high schools, graduation times among all three high schools are staggered to enable friends and family to attend multiple ceremonies if they so choose. South High School ceremonies will begin at 9:00 A.M. and North High School ceremonies will begin at 1:00 P.M. on this date. Please begin informing friends and family who will be attending!

Scholarship Blog is active!! - This scholarship blog site is linked here and is accessible through our school website. Students can search for all the different scholarships available such as West only, Local, WEF (Waukesha Educational Foundation), State, and National scholarships. Pay close attention to deadlines as some applications will not be available until the New Year. You can also sign up to receive email alerts each time a new scholarship is uploaded. Please see Mrs. Brown in Student Services with any questions or email her at jbrown@waukesha.k12.wi.us

2024 - 2025 Board-Approved School Calendar - Below is the board-approved calendar for the 24-25 school year and you can access it through this link or through the West website.

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2023-2024 met last week on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024. Please reach out to one of your reps with any specific questions, as we do not have minutes for the meeting. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward for the meeting in March.

Manisha Nabke	mynabke@hotmail.com
Robin Herbner	rherbner@gmail.com
Audra O'Connell	audraoconnellis@gmail.com
Melissa Shera	Melissa_marie423@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Mcdowell	elizabeth.mcdowell526@gmail.com
Kari Doepke	Teamdoepkewarnes@gmail.com
Wendy Hamilton	wendyhamilton4@gmail.com

Archived Announcements (Link) Please access this link to find all of the information in our daily announcements from previous weeks. 

GO WOLVERINES...WHOOP!!

Principal Blog Week of February 5th, 2024

Purpose Corner - This week I focus on student language expectations in our hallways and course joking perceptions. The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link and a Spanish transcript can be accessed through this link.

Family Connect Conferences- We will be having our one night of Family Connect virtual conferences, tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7th. Conferences will start at 4:30 P.M. and go until 8:00 P.M. The format of the connection time will be 7-minute conferences with teachers leading the conference by asking these two questions:

1. What successes and challenges has your student shared with you about their performance in this class? 

2. What do I need to know about your student academically and/or personally for your student to have a successful learning experience in my class? 

Parents/guardians... having answers to these two questions will maximize the conference time and can allow for further conversation around academics in the classroom, so you are encouraged to be prepared for your time.

This a reminder to all parents that the sign-up document that has been shared with you via email is currently accessible on our school website and is linked below, after school today will have the links to each teacher's virtual conference room. Once these links appear, all you have to do is click on the teacher's link before your scheduled meeting time and it will take you into their lobby. They will let you in for the virtual conference at the scheduled time.

Family Connect Sign-Up Link (Click Here) 

Schedule for the Week of 2/12/24 - There is an early release day for students next week on Thursday, February 15th, and NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, February 16th. Please note that on Monday, February 12th students will follow a Friday schedule. Then they will follow their normal daily schedules ending the week with a Thursday early release which is below.

Waukesha West Bowling Club - Congratulations to the Waukesha West Bowling Club who qualified for the State competition in Ashwaubenon, WI March 1st through the 4th. Good luck!

2024 - 2025 Board-Approved School Calendar - Below is the board-approved calendar for the 24-25 school year and you can access it through this link or through the West website.

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2023-2024 has met twice since my last blog. We met on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, and on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024. The meeting minutes are linked here for December, 20th and linked here for January, 17th. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward for the meeting in February.

Manisha Nabke	mynabke@hotmail.com
Robin Herbner	rherbner@gmail.com
Audra O'Connell	audraoconnellis@gmail.com
Melissa Shera	Melissa_marie423@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Mcdowell	elizabeth.mcdowell526@gmail.com
Kari Doepke	Teamdoepkewarnes@gmail.com
Wendy Hamilton	wendyhamilton4@gmail.com

Archived Announcements (Link) Please access this link to find all of the information in our daily announcements from previous weeks. 

GO WOLVERINES...WHOOP!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to the entire West community! I wish all of you a restful holiday break, full of joy with lots of peace sprinkled in! This is your friendly reminder that school resumes again on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024!!

Purpose Corner - This week I focus on student community behaviors and driving in our parking lots. This message needs to be heard by very few students, but it is always good for the majority of students to hear expectations reinforced. The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link

Semester 1 Exam Schedule - Semester exams begin on Wednesday, January 16th, 2023. Below are the expectations and schedule for exam week as they have always been......

• Students are expected to be in attendance for all eight class periods during finals week including study halls, they are not optional.

• Students do not have to be in attendance for make-up or review/conferencing time unless required by their teacher. Students who come in during this time need to be in a supervised location for the duration of the time. Students can be with a teacher in their classroom, or in the Media Center or Cafeteria.

• Students do not have the option to miss a scheduled exam hour and then take it during the make-up session unless they have communicated with their teacher a legitimate absence reason. Students risk losing this opportunity to show more evidence of their learning which could affect their semester grades.  

• All students should be in their designated classroom during their final exam hour for the entire period and are NOT to be released early, as other exams are occurring.

West End Players (ELF!) - Congrats to the cast and crew of the drama department for their successful performance of Elf the Musical! They had great crowds with multiple sold-out shows with rave reviews! Please enjoy some pictures from the performance...

2024 - 2025 Board-Approved School Calendar - Below is the board-approved calendar for the 24-25 school year and you can access it through this link or through the West website.

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2023-2024 met on Wednesday, November 15th. The meeting minutes are linked here. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward for the meeting in December which will be on Wednesday the 20th at 6:00 P.M.

Manisha Nabke	mynabke@hotmail.com
Robin Herbner	rherbner@gmail.com
Audra O'Connell	audraoconnellis@gmail.com
Melissa Shera	Melissa_marie423@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Mcdowell	elizabeth.mcdowell526@gmail.com
Kari Doepke	Teamdoepkewarnes@gmail.com
Wendy Hamilton	wendyhamilton4@gmail.com

Archived Announcements (Link) Please access this link to find all of the information in our daily announcements from previous weeks. 

GO WOLVERINES...WHOOP!!