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Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are looking forward to meeting our ninth grade students, and families new to our district, and to our continued work with our returning students.
School Counselors:
- Susan Bishop - students with last names A-F
- Don Karsh - students with last names G - La
- Scott Groff - students with last names Le - R
- Melissa Burke - students with last names S -Z
School Psychologist: Melissa Smith
School Social Worker: Kayla Barnes-Patrick
Engagement Specialist: Jack Jackson
School Resource Officer: Luke Wunsch
Administrative Assistant: Michelle Boyde
Student Services Department: 608-316-1373
All team members are available to meet with students and parents to support students’ academic, career, and social/emotional needs. Michelle Boyde is available to help students and families with general questions and to set up appointments with a student services team member. Student services welcomes all students! Please remember to stop in or email to make an appointment.
SENIOR NEWS
Postsecondary Planning Resources
There are MANY resources for seniors posted on our postsecondary planning page; encourage students to review the site for the following pieces of information:
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Senior Presentation: After the Senior presentation in September, we will post the slides for all seniors to revisit as needed. Whether you plan to apply to a 4-year or 2-year college, apply to an apprenticeship or job opportunity, or join the military, this is helpful information for all of you.
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Senior Checklist: This is a list of essential steps as you prepare to complete your college applications. It contains helpful tips and links to essential information.
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Senior Application Procedures: This is a two-page document that provides step-by-step instructions for completing applications for 4-year and 2-year colleges (page one) and for completing the Common Application (page two).
Senior Meetings
After the school year is underway, all seniors are asked to schedule an individual Senior Meeting with their school counselor. We will discuss your post high school plans and answer your questions.
Letters of Recommendation
Many students plan to ask a teacher, employer, or coach for a letter of recommendation. Quality recommendations take some time to write! Please remind your student to request their letters at least two weeks - preferably more - prior to their deadline. A senior information form should be provided to anyone asked to write a letter and a copy given to the student's school counselor.
Scholarship Information
Scholarship information can be found on the MG website in the student services tab under "Post-Secondary Planning". Students are responsible for checking this site regularly for updates. Most colleges/universities also offer their own scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen. Students are highly encouraged to explore these by contacting their future school(s) of choice or by visiting school websites.
FAFSA Changes and Financial Aid Night
The FAFSA is undergoing a makeover and the new version is scheduled to roll out on December 1, 2023. (For those of you who have older students who have been through the financial aid process, note that this is much later than the typical October 1 rollout and will return to October 1 in future years.) Please watch your email for additional information regarding the MGHS Financial Aid Night which will be held closer to the December 1 roll out. Financial Aid Night will provide families with a general overview of the financial aid process as well as share information about important financial aid changes. Go to the Federal Student Aid site to learn more about the FAFSA Simplification Act or click here for an article explaining the changes.
WEF (WISCONSIN EDUCATION FAIR) FIELD TRIP
Juniors and seniors are invited to attend a Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) at Sun Prairie West High School on Friday, September 29th, 2023. Buses leave at 9:30 AM and return around 11:15 AM. Students must take the bus from MGHS and fill out a permission slip in order to attend.
Attending a Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) is a great step in the process of planning for your future. Each fair may host up to 100+ colleges (including all UW System schools, Wisconsin private schools, and others from around the country) as well as specialty schools and military branches.
At this fair, students will have the opportunity to talk directly to a representative. Each representative will answer questions students have about tuition & fees, classes, majors, prerequisites, extra-curricular opportunities, financial aid, scholarships & grants, studying abroad, athletics, etc.
Permission slips are due by Tuesday, September 19th to Michelle Boyde in Student Services. You may print a permission slip using this link or pick one up in the Student Services Office.
PSAT FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
Students will have the choice to take the PSAT/NMSQT on one of our two scheduled days this year: Saturday, October 14th or Wednesday, October 18th. Both exams will run from 7:45AM-12:30PM and be held at the District Office Building on the 3rd floor. The PSAT is an optional test for sophomores and juniors only. This is a national test, and therefore, the only two test dates we offer for the PSAT/NMSQT at Monona Grove. You may sign-up for the test from now until Tuesday, September 13 by using this online registration form. A paper version of this can be made available upon request in the main office. Please note that this is not the same form that was sent out at the end of last year. Students must fill out a registration form in order to be able to take this exam. The cost for the exam is $23.00 paid through Infinite Campus, by cash, or check payable to “MGHS” with PSAT in the memo line. If you are eligible for free/reduced lunch, please contact Mr. McLaughlin or Ms. Michelle Boyde to waive the exam fee.
Make sure to pick up the Student Guide when they are available, which includes a practice test, from the front office after you pay for the exam. The PSAT/NMSQT is almost the same test as the SAT, so it is good preparation for the SAT and for juniors, it is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. We strongly encourage you to use official PSAT/NMSQT practice tests before test day. Additional practice tests are available for free, both online and on paper. Khan Academy also has great resources for preparation found here.
EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRA AND START COLLEGE NOW DEADLINES
The “Early College Credit Program” (ECCP) allows students to take one or more courses at an educational institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a tribally controlled college, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in the state for high school and/or college credit. Individual educational institutions may have specific limitations or rules for students taking an ECCP course(s) at their school. (For instance, to participate in ECCP at UW-Madison, students must be a junior or senior with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 - overall and in the most recent semester.) The cost of attendance for participants in ECCP is split between the district, the state and in some instances, the student.
“Start College Now” allows high school students in grades 11 and 12 and in good academic standing the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin Technical Colleges. The district is responsible for the cost of attendance for students in the Start College Now program.
If the requested course or a comparable course is offered at MGHS, students may not take the course through ECCP or SCN. Students interested in either program should schedule a meeting with the School to Career Coordinator to discuss their plan and to learn about the application process. The application deadline is October 1 for spring courses, March 1 for fall courses, and February 1 for summer courses. (Note that “Start College Now” does not allow students to take summer classes.)
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES AND EXAMS
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to be introductory, college level courses taught at our high school, by our teachers. They are rigorous courses that offer students the opportunity to prepare themselves for their post high school academic plans. A student enrolled in an AP course has the option to take the AP Exam(s) at the end of the year. To see how AP exams will transfer at UW System campuses use this tool.
AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well the student mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. Exams at the end of the year are designed to test the student’s accumulated knowledge from their learning through a multi-part exam. This year all AP courses will move to a digital format for assessment. This means that all tests are completed using a school-issued Chromebooks on test day. Courses with a portfolio, such as AP Art and Design have students submit a portfolio of work for scoring online. Regardless of the exam format, based on a student’s score as well as the college or university a student attends, college credit may be awarded which is another benefit of taking an AP class and exam. The cost for each AP Exam is $98, with an additional Monona Grove administration fee of $5.00 per exam for a total of $103 per AP exam. If there is a financial hardship that would prevent a student from choosing to take an AP exam, please contact Matthew McLaughlin at matthew.mclaughlin@mgschools.net prior to the registration deadline.
AP Exam Registration: Students will need to commit to and pay for any AP Exams that they will take in May by November 3, 2023. More information will be provided directly to students in their AP classes. There will be no late registrations nor will refunds be issued for students who choose to not take any exams after the registration deadline.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
MG Virtual Calming Room
The calming room is a tool for families and students that offers an array of options to help manage emotions in a very stressful and strange time. Check it out!
Housing, Homeless and Doubled-Up Family Resources
If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you lost your housing, or staying in a motel/hotel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you and your children have special rights at school.
MGSD Homeless Liaison: Andrea Fresen, andrea.fresen@mgschools.net, 608-316-1922
Grief Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Resources for supporting the kids in your life who are grieving and support for yourself
Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends
SAMHSA's new resource guide provides information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to take, and how to prevent future attempts and keep your loved one safe.
Mental Health America of Wisconsin - PRISM Program
A new pilot program to connect LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin with trained peer-specialists who can provide mental and emotional support and mentorship. Young LGBTQ+ people around the ages of 16-26 years old may now access this free service by calling 414-336-7974 and leaving a voicemail to get connected with a trained peer-specialist.
Crisis Text Line
Text "HOME" to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1(800)273-8255
211wisconsin.communityos.org
or dial 211 for more resources
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