MHS Newsletter October 9, 2026
MUKWONAGO HIGH SCHOOL
Important Upcoming Dates:
October:
11 - Phantom Fest
19 - Picture Retakes for Students (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
20 - PSAT Testing / NMSQT (Select Juniors)
20 - Parent / Teacher Conferences (4 - 7 p.m.)
28 - District - Wide Early Release @ 12:45 p.m.
28 - Parent / Teacher Conferences (2-7 p.m.)
29 - No School
30 - No School
November:
1 - Senior Pictures Due
4 - Jostens Rep Visits MHS & Hands Out Senior Packets
4 - Muk Ready Day
11 - Jostens Rep Collects Senior Packet Orders (during lunches)
25-27 - Thanksgiving Break (school resumes Monday 11/30)
Prom: April 24, 2027
Graduation: May 23, 2027 at 2:00 p.m.
Student Picture Retake Day: Oct 19
MHS Students are welcome to get their picture taken this day if they don't like their photo they had previously taken, or if they never had one taken for the 26-27 school year.
Please note that individuals who previously ordered a photo package must return that package to the photographer. We will then replace their original order with the new retake photo.
Muk Ready Day: Nov 4
Our annual "Muk Ready Day" will be held on Wednesday, November 4th. This event will offer many career exploration and engagement opportunities for your 9th-12th grade student(s). Over 200 guests are scheduled to be on-site to help make this a valuable experience for your child. At MHS, our mission is "All students, College and Career Ready." Muk Ready Day is one way we prepare our students for life after MHS, and it is an important milestone in their "Muk Ready" journey. Highlights of the day include:
9th/10th Grade:
More than 40 career speakers will engage with our 9th and 10th grade students. Students will have the opportunity to explore three career sessions of their choice!
11th Grade:
There will be informational sessions covering many post-high school pathways, including Registered Apprenticeships, 4-year public and private education, 2-year schools, the Technical College System, and branches of the Military. All juniors will also have a chance to walk through the Career Fair in the West Gym. Over 75 employers are scheduled to speak about current and future career opportunities for your child.
12th Grade:
All seniors will meet with our Jostens representative to discuss senior year activities and graduation, including cap and gown orders, invitations, and more. This year, we are thrilled to offer seniors a "reality check" for all seniors brought to them by Educators Credit Union who will speak about preparing for life after Mukwonago High School. Seniors will also attend the Career Fair, where over 75 employers will share information about current and future job opportunities.
Muk Ready Day is a fantastic opportunity for our Mukwonago High School students and a great way for our community to engage with students and staff.
🎓 Seniors: Muk Ready Capstone LIVE
During advisory on October 5, the Class of 2027 was introduced to our Muk Ready Capstone LIVE project for this school year!
On April 6, students will prepare and present to a small group that includes a teacher, community member, and family member, sharing their experiences at Mukwonago High School. Their presentation will include curricular and co-curricular artifacts, post-secondary artifacts, transformative experiences, future plans, and advice for MHS students.
We are excited to give our seniors an opportunity to reflect on their MHS experience, celebrate their growth, and share what comes next!
Students who choose to opt out must submit their form by October 16. Students who opt out will meet with Mr. Paul and Mrs. Perkins and will instead create a digital, screen-recorded version of their Muk Ready Capstone presentation.
Questions? Please contact:
Mrs. Perkins
College & Career Readiness Coordinator
perkich@masd.k12.wi.us
Mr. Paul
MHS School Counselor
paulan@masd.k12.wi.us
Direct Admit Updates:
Please remember if you received Direct Admit Wisconsin offers to take the next step and submit the Direct Admit Form. Submitting the form notifies UWs that made admissions offers that students are interested and want to learn more. It's a key step towards enrollment in the UW of their choice. Once students submit the Direct Admit Form, they will get an email confirmation from each UW they have selected, with the subject line: "You have successfully submitted your Direct Admit form to [UW campus name]."
Direct Admit Wisconsin Form: Step by step Guide
Scholarships:
Scholarship season is officially underway! We encourage all seniors to explore the many scholarship opportunities available to help fund their post-secondary education. A variety of Scholarship opportunities will be shared through various platforms throughout the year via the MHS counseling office. Seniors should check the MHS Scholarship page on a regular basis for updates. An additional way to access scholarships is through the college or university you plan to attend. Click the link below for more information and to access application details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements. Don't miss out on these valuable opportunities! The MHS Local Scholarship application will open to all senior students on January 4th, 2027.
University of Wisconsin & Wisconsin Private Colleges and University Scholarship Information Click HERE
Wisconsin/Waukesha County & MHS Specific Scholarships Click HERE
Dress Code Policy
We’d like to remind everyone about our dress code (policy #5511) to ensure a positive and productive learning environment. At Mukwonago Area School District, we ask that all students dress with self-respect, decency, and the learning environment in mind.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
Hats, hoods, and other head coverings: Students are not allowed to wear hats or headwear during the school day unless given special permission by the principal for medical, religious, or school event reasons.
Clothing should be appropriate for school: Shirts should cover the midriff and have shoulder straps. Pants and skirts should be worn at the waist, and undergarments should not be visible. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should provide sufficient coverage.
Respectful and safe attire: Clothing should not display offensive language, promote illegal activities, or demean others based on race, gender, or any other characteristic.
Please remember that if a student's clothing is in violation of the district policy, causes a distraction, or disrupts the educational process, students may be asked to change and could result in further consequences. Our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and focused environment for all students.
Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Future NCAA Athletes
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Initial eligibility for NCAA Division I athletics now requires a core-course GPA of at least a
2.3, 2.2 for Division II, and Division III schools set their own admissions and eligibility
standards. Please review the 26-27 NCAA Student Guide to learn more about how
student-athletes should prepare for initial eligibility.
Please reach out to your counselor with any questions.
Boys Swim & Dive Parent Meeting:
Join us for a Parents Meeting on Tuesday, October 28th, at 7:00 PM in the Library at Waukesha West High School! Whether you’re a returning swim parent or new to high school swimming, this is a great opportunity to meet the coaches, get the details, and ask questions.
Come learn more about the program and get ready for a great season!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
- Chris Foti
Student of the Month for September
Congratulations to Madeline Makarewicz,
who was honored at a Kiwanis Club of Mukwonago dinner at Cotton Exchange on October 7th, to celebrate her selection as the Kiwanis/Mukwonago High School “Student of the Month” for September.
Pictured left to right:
Tom and Stacy Makarewicz (parents), Madeline Makarewicz, Lee Libecki (Kiwanis Treasurer), Christy Peterson (Inspirational Teacher - MHS Science) and Stephanie Blue (MHS Principal).
Phantom Fest - Oct 11
MHS' Performance is at 4:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!
ACT Corner
PreACT Review and Goal Setting
During Advisory on Monday 10/5, all students in grades 9-11 reviewed assessment data on IC Backpack and started setting annual goals. Click on the grade level presentations below, and have a conversation with your student on their plans.
Grade 9 - Reading Your Fall PreACT Results and Goal Setting
We are Hiring!
A Message about Substance Use & Abuse
At MHS, we are committed to helping all students succeed academically and social-emotionally so they can achieve whatever post-secondary dreams they put their minds to. One barrier to this is substance use.
According to the 2023 Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than half of all high school students reported drinking alcohol that year. Cumulative MHS vape detector data from the past few years also confirms that our students have access to nicotine and THC.
It’s no secret that these substances are addictive, but it’s also important to understand how even short term use of them can lead to long term health impairments, not to mention problems with school and social life. Some of these health impairments include difficulty maintaining attention, problems with memory, and lung damage.
To learn more about the dangers of underage substance use, MHS will offer a selection of pamphlets and fact sheets during parent-teacher conferences on October 20th and 28th located in the PAC. Please join us in helping our students get educated about substance use so they can make responsible decisions that positively impact their current and future success!
Sports Corner
Friday, Oct 9
Saturday, Oct 10
👟VARSITY GIRLS XC: @ Arrowhead HS - Starts @ 10:45 a.m.
👟VARSITY BOYS XC: @ Arrowhead HS - Starts @ 11:25 a.m.
🏊🏻♀️VARSITY GIRLS SWIM: @ Beloit Memorial HS - Starts @ 10:00 a.m.
Things That Were in Previous Week's Newsletters:
Volunteers needed for Muk Ready Day!
We are looking for 10–15 adult volunteers to help make our Muk Ready Career Day a success!
📅Wednesday, November 4
🕙8:00–10:30 AM
📍Mukwonago High School – North Gym
Volunteers will work alongside our amazing MHS seniors during Reality Check Day, presented by Educators Credit Union. Students will experience a hands-on simulation of real-world financial decisions, including choosing a career, creating a budget, managing expenses, purchasing a home and car, paying debt, saving for the future, and navigating unexpected financial circumstances.
No financial expertise is needed! Volunteers will receive instructions and training when they arrive.
Know someone who would enjoy helping our students prepare for life after high school? We'd love to have them join us!
Sign up to volunteer: [SIGN UP HERE]
Thank you for supporting our students and helping us make Muk Ready Career Day an incredible experience!
👉🏻 Senior Photo Reminders
Senior pictures must be submitted via this link by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026. Many photographers will submit your photo for you so make sure that they know the deadline AND that your appointment is early enough for pictures to be available before the deadline. We also cannot use a photo with your photographer's logo on it. Please request that they honor this.
Please follow these guidelines when submitting your senior photo:
Image file format
Image must be submitted in digital format
Image Resolution: 300 DPI or higher at 2 ½” X 3 ½”
File Size = approx. 1000 Kb (Slightly smaller sizes are okay; Larger sizes work)
Image file format = .jpg
Color = CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) format is preferred
Image Standards
Your face should be the focal point of the image. Full-body photos are accepted; however, waist-up portraits generally reproduce best in the yearbook. All photos may be cropped as needed to fit the yearbook's design and image dimensions, which may result in portions of the photo being removed.
No other individuals, pets or props included in the photograph.
Appropriate dress as defined by Mukwonago School District’s Code of Conduct and the MHS School’s Dress Code.
Student-submitted senior portraits must meet the image requirements and receive final approval from the yearbook adviser and/or administration.
Any questions, please email Jayme Pruszka at pruszja@masd.k12.wi.us. Thank you.
