Principal Blog Week of 11/15/21

Purpose Corner -This week I share with the West community the announcement I made to our entire student body regarding expectations of what it means to be a Wolverine, specifically in what we say to each other, as words matter. The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link.

Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) App - Students and families, the SUSO app is on every district iPad for use. Students, please take the time to go through the presentation link here on SUSO, to understand what SUSO is so you can use it as/if needed. There is also a link on the main page of the West website that will take you to the SUSO website. If you have any further questions about SUSO after going through the information, please ask any trusted adult in our building about this app and they will get you the information you need. You can... see something, say something, do something through this app.

  

Welcome to West Night - It is an expectation for students at West High School to stretch themselves and select a rigorous course schedule. For all underclassmen, the scheduling process happens in early February, but we encourage our students and families to begin thinking about that schedule today. All current families are welcome to Attend our “Welcome to West Night” on Monday, December 6th to connect with teachers and learn more about courses and programs we offer at West. Below is the one-page flyer for this event, we hope to see you there!!

Christmas Clearing Council - Our Ignition Mentors club has consistently partnered with the Christmas Clearing Council to support students and their families in our community during the holiday months. The Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC) promotes and coordinates giving to families in need during the holiday season. They provide a clearinghouse that matches these families with area groups, other families, businesses, and individuals who wish to help people less fortunate on a person-to-person basis. If you are interested in financially supporting local families please consider donating to the Council. Student mentors plan to collect cash or check donations on Tuesday the 16th, Wednesday the 17th, and Thursday the 18th, of November during 5th hour. Checks can be made out to Waukesha West. Parents are welcome to donate as well and can drop off that donation at our front kiosk anytime during the school day. Mentors will also have members collecting donations at the West Girls Basketball game on November 19th.

Dress Code Reminders - Below in italics is the dress code for all Waukesha high school students. As we move into winter, I want to clarify that winter coats are not allowed to be worn in the classroom, but light jackets and sweatshirts are allowed. 

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The Board of Education recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference.  The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices interfere with the educational program of the schools.

Accordingly, grooming guidelines are necessary to promote discipline, maintain order, secure the safety of students, and provide a healthy environment conducive to academic purposes.  The following will be used as a guideline for student dress and grooming; does it:

1. present a hazard to the health or safety of the student himself/herself or to others in the school:

2. interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program;

3. cause excessive wear or damage to school property;

4. prevent the student from achieving his/her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.

Students are prohibited from wearing hats or other headwear (including hoodies) and coats in school on regular school days. The administration of any school may allow exceptions to this policy for legitimate reasons (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 expectations may receive disciplinary consequences.

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2021-2022 will be meeting this week, Wednesday, November 17th. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward in our monthly meetings. Please access the updated meeting minutes linked here:

Angela Schaaf	angelamschaaf@gmail.com
Erica Kasseckert	ericak0409@gmail.com
Keva Estrada	Fourestrada@gmail.com
Kim Sadowski	kimbersadowski@gmail.com
Karen Anderson	kammom@att.net
Tera Nehring	Teranehring@gmail.com
Michelle Cameron	tiki424ma@gmail.com
Krista Bitzan	smileyfish76@hotmail.com
Patti Bloom	pbloom27@wi.rr.com
Susan Fogelstrom	beezerpup@gmail.com

JIT (Just-In-Time) - JIT has been going well here at West!! JIT is a critical part of that journey. This is to ensure our students start strong in their academics!

WHO? 

Any student who has a failed learning target at every 4 ½ week progress check or before that time

OR

 Any student who is missing work for that previous

week or is in need of academic support in that class

              WHAT?

The student is assigned in IC (students need to check IC for their JIT assignment on Monday afternoons) for a two-week period to receive teacher support in order to complete missing work and be passing the learning target. Students may be released early based on completed work. Students may be grouped together to work on similar targets/summatives

WHEN?

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:20-

7:50 A.M. Attendance will be taken and recorded in IC

HOW?

A standard email communication will go out to both

parents/guardians and student

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

Principal Blog Week of 11/9/21

Purpose Corner -This week I describe our professional development focus on "scaffolds" for students. What is a "scaffold" and how is it used in our classrooms here at West? The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link.

Welcome to West Night - It is an expectation for students at West High School to stretch themselves and select a rigorous course schedule. For all underclassmen, the scheduling process happens in early February, but we encourage our students and families to begin thinking about that schedule today. All current families are welcome to Attend our “Welcome to West Night” on Monday, December 6th to connect with teachers and learn more about courses and programs we offer at West. Below is the one-page flyer for this event, we hope to see you there!!

Christmas Clearing Council - Our Ignition Mentors club has consistently partnered with the Christmas Clearing Council to support students and their families in our community during the holiday months. The Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC) promotes and coordinates giving to families in need during the holiday season. They provide a clearinghouse that matches these families with area groups, other families, businesses, and individuals who wish to help people less fortunate on a person-to-person basis. If you are interested in financially supporting local families please consider donating to the Council. Student mentors plan to collect cash or check donations on Tuesday the 16th, Wednesday the 17th, and Thursday the 18th, of November during 5th hour. Checks can be made out to Waukesha West. Parents are welcome to donate as well, and can drop off that donation at our front kiosk anytime during the school day. Mentors will also have members collecting donations at the West Girls Basketball game on November 19th. 

One-Act Festival - Congratulations to all students involved in our One-Act play "Lend Me a Tenor" as they earned a trip to the state competition in Stevens Point! Please enjoy their performance below and break a leg at state!!

Book Drive -  The National Honors Society and the Student Environmental Club are combining efforts to put books to use for the good of our community through a book drive. Beginning November 8th, you can turn in any new or gently used books to your 3rd-hour teacher that you would like to donate to the community. These books can be for kids, teens, or adults. be sure to check your rooms, under your beds, and in bookcases for books to donate! The third-hour class with the most books collected by noon on Friday, November 12th will earn a class donut party! Thank you to everyone and good luck!

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2021-2022 met for the first time Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward in our monthly meetings. Please access the updated meeting minutes linked here:

Angela Schaaf	angelamschaaf@gmail.com
Erica Kasseckert	ericak0409@gmail.com
Keva Estrada	Fourestrada@gmail.com
Kim Sadowski	kimbersadowski@gmail.com
Karen Anderson	kammom@att.net
Tera Nehring	Teranehring@gmail.com
Michelle Cameron	tiki424ma@gmail.com
Krista Bitzan	smileyfish76@hotmail.com
Patti Bloom	pbloom27@wi.rr.com
Susan Fogelstrom	beezerpup@gmail.com

JIT (Just-In-Time) - JIT has been going well here at West!! JIT is a critical part of that journey. This is to ensure our students start strong in their academics!

WHO? 

Any student who has a failed learning target at every 4 ½ week progress check or before that time

OR

 Any student who is missing work for that previous

week or is in need of academic support in that class

              WHAT?

The student is assigned in IC (students need to check IC for their JIT assignment on Monday afternoons) for a two-week period to receive teacher support in order to complete missing work and be passing the learning target. Students may be released early based on completed work. Students may be grouped together to work on similar targets/summatives

WHEN?

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:20-

7:50 A.M. Attendance will be taken and recorded in IC

HOW?

A standard email communication will go out to both

parents/guardians and student

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

Principal Blog Week of 11/1/21

Purpose Corner -This week I continue to talk about our expectant culture of college and career readiness based on some recent student perception survey data The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link.

Happy Halloween - I hope everyone had a nice Halloween weekend, I dressed up as a High School Principal and scared all the kids in the neighborhood!!! Just kidding... I would never be anything that scary. That is not my cat either, but I liked the picture...

Halloween continued... - Our Circle of Friends club did some trick-or-treating around West High School last week and stopped by the office, enjoy the pics!!!

Principal Advisory Committee - The Principal Advisory Council for 2021-2022 met for the first time Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. Please contact any one of the representatives (below) to bring up topics or questions you have to bring forward in our monthly meetings. Please access the updated meeting minutes linked here:

Angela Schaaf	angelamschaaf@gmail.com
Erica Kasseckert	ericak0409@gmail.com
Keva Estrada	Fourestrada@gmail.com
Kim Sadowski	kimbersadowski@gmail.com
Karen Anderson	kammom@att.net
Tera Nehring	Teranehring@gmail.com
Michelle Cameron	tiki424ma@gmail.com
Krista Bitzan	smileyfish76@hotmail.com
Patti Bloom	pbloom27@wi.rr.com
Susan Fogelstrom	beezerpup@gmail.com

JIT (Just-In-Time) - JIT has been going well here at West!! JIT is a critical part of that journey. This is to ensure our students start strong in their academics!

WHO? 

Any student who has a failed learning target at every 4 ½ week progress check or before that time

OR

 Any student who is missing work for that previous

week or is in need of academic support in that class

              WHAT?

The student is assigned in IC (students need to check IC for their JIT assignment on Monday afternoons) for a two-week period to receive teacher support in order to complete missing work and be passing the learning target. Students may be released early based on completed work. Students may be grouped together to work on similar targets/summatives

WHEN?

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:20-

7:50 A.M. Attendance will be taken and recorded in IC

HOW?

A standard email communication will go out to both

parents/guardians and student

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

Principal Blog Week of 10/18/21

Schedule for the Week of 10/18/21 - For next week we are following an alternative schedule as students have a half-day on Wednesday, October 27th, and do not have school on October 28th or 29th. Below is the schedule and it can be accessed on our website through this link. 

State Marching Band - Congratulations to the "Cadets" of Waukesha West for their 5th place finish this last Saturday at UW-Whitewater in the Class AAA Marching Band state championships! Please enjoy their performance of "Celtic Awakening" below:

Marching Band continued... - Please enjoy the video of the school send-off for our Cadets before the state competition, I always love the drumline energy!

State Tennis - Congratulation to Molly Asfeld who won her first two matches and made it to the round of 16 at the Wisconsin state Tennis tournament, a great ending to a great season!

Drama at West!! - The West End Players will be performing “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” this weekend only! Come watch as the crazy characters are hunted by the Stage Door Slasher in a hilarious house, where every twist and turn will leave you to wonder...just who is the killer? Tickets are on sale now at westdrama.com! Enjoy the show!

Bright Lights at West - Last week at the school board meeting students from our Live and Learn class here at West presented to the board and the greater community some of the things they do for their hands-on project-oriented class. They consistently go to places in our community to volunteer time. They are currently working on the Wolverine Wardrobe where students at West will be able to take or exchange clothing at any time they are in the building, it is a neat project! I specifically enjoyed hearing our students talk about how thankful they are to be able to have these community partnerships... the video below says it all, and a big shout out to our students for their presentation!

Representatives to the Board - A shout out to Senior students Ethan Wanner and Avina Elangovan for continuing to represent West after our Live & Learn class students started things off in a positive way. Ethan and Avina presented on all things that have happened at West to start the year and previewed some of the upcoming things we will be experiencing. Thank you!!

JIT (Just-In-Time) - JIT has been going well here at West!! JIT is a critical part of that journey. This is to ensure our students start strong in their academics!

WHO? 

Any student who has a failed learning target at every 4 ½ week progress check or before that time

OR

 Any student who is missing work for that previous

week or is in need of academic support in that class

               WHAT?

The student is assigned in IC (students need to check IC for their JIT assignment on Monday afternoons) for a two-week period to receive teacher support in order to complete missing work and be passing the learning target. Students may be released early based on completed work. Students may be grouped together to work on similar targets/summatives

WHEN?

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:20-

7:50 A.M. Attendance will be taken and recorded in IC

HOW?

A standard email communication will go out to both

parents/guardians and student

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 10/11/21

Purpose Corner - What is "Purpose Corner?" It is mostly the video component of my blog that focuses on things that are happening at West. They may be part of other communications you have received, but I look to make it more relevant with a personal touch so the community can at least hear me speak about topics if they choose. This week I talk about what we are focused on as an organization to ensure our students are prepared academically for their future college and/or career experiences. The transcript of the video can be accessed through this link.

Students need IDs for lunch NOW!! - I am not yelling, just trying to grab your attention to let you know that as of today and moving forward students need to have their ID ready to be scanned as they go through the lunch line. This is a new practice for students. Students have a physical ID and a digital ID as well which will work. If students getting lunch are not ready with their ID the lines can get long and students will have little time to eat. Thank you for being responsible with this!!

National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist! - West High School is proud to recognize Ethan Wanner, Class of 2022, who has been named a Semifinalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program:

This year there are approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program with the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million.

 

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

 

Next steps? Semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application and provide information regarding academic records, school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, honors, and awards.

 

Finalists are selected in February.

Best of luck moving forward in this process Ethan!!!

Hispanic Heritage Month - National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. West High School celebrated this with some door decorating around our building!

Homecoming 2021 - A big thank you to our Student Council members, Powder Puff announcers, Pep Rally emcee's, Mrs. Emily Ortega, Mrs. Kirsten Towers, and all other staff and students who made this week a success!! Please enjoy some pictures from the week of fun activities!

Wall of Fame - In my previous post I introduced the newest members of the West Wall of Fame. Please see below what is written on their plaques that are displayed on the right side wall of our main entrance area as you pass through the secure set of glass doors.

JIT (Just-In-Time) - JIT has been going well here at West!! JIT is a critical part of that journey. This is to ensure our students start strong in their academics!

WHO? 

Any student who has a failed learning target at every 4 ½ week progress check or before that time

OR

 Any student who is missing work for that previous

week or is in need of academic support in that class

               WHAT?

The student is assigned in IC (students need to check IC for their JIT assignment on Monday afternoons) for a two-week period to receive teacher support in order to complete missing work and be passing the learning target. Students may be released early based on completed work. Students may be grouped together to work on similar targets/summatives

WHEN?

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:20-

7:50 A.M. Attendance will be taken and recorded in IC

HOW?

A standard email communication will go out to both

parents/guardians and student

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

GO WOLVERINES...WHOOP!!