Greetings West Wolves and Parent/Caregivers,

Last week our BSU students hosted our first annual BSU showcase and it was simply incredible. Tomorrow morning we will host Mandela Barnes as he comes to West High School for the first time. Our spring play is on this week in our small theater! Our winter sports are finishing their seasons strong with appearances in playoffs and state. There is so much to celebrate. We are looking forward to continuing to partner with you as we Create the Future together, building on our successes and focusing on our areas of growth as we continue through 2nd semester. Please join us tomorrow night for our monthly Parent/Caregiver Partnership meeting where we will revisit our Community Engagement Plan and identify next steps to strengthen our community.

Jen Ploeger- Principal- jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org

Chai Lee- Associate Principal- cmlee1@sunprairieschools.org

Chad Whalley- Associate Principal- ctwhall@sunprairieschools.org

Our monthly in person parent/caregiver partnership meeting is TOMORROW in 1202 at 6:00pm off of the commons. Come and discuss next steps of Creating the Future of West together! Bring a friend. ALL Parent/Caregivers of West Wolves are invited and welcome.

If Seniors have not ordered a cap and gown yet, they should contact Midwest Scholastic immediately. The website for Midwest Scholastic is www.mwscholastic.com. If you have a question about caps and gowns please email them to questions@mwscholastic.com.

Did you know that you have the opportunity to graduate from SPASD with BOTH your High School diploma AND your Associate's Degree? The Early College STEM Academy is an incredible partnership between SPASD and Madison College. Focused on preparing students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math it allows students to take classes full time at Madison College while still being a West Wolf. The program is focused on providing opportunities for groups historically underrepresented in STEM including: first generation college students, students of color, female and gender expansive students, etc. For more information please reach out to Craig Smith at cmsmith@sunprairieschools.org.

WHAT: HBCU Real Talk: Provided by College Board for FREE

WHERE: Virtual

WHEN: March 1 and March 2 @ 6pm CT

Sign up Link: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/communities-events/real-talk

Real Talk is a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. We empower Black students to own their futures their way.

Start Planning for Your Future:

Real Talk is a safe space for you to learn and engage, while also getting answers to your most pressing questions about life after high school. No matter where you are on your journey, we’re here for you. Family members and educators are also encouraged to participate!

Night 1:

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6PM CT

Connect with Black HBCU representatives from:

Dillard University

Fayetteville State University

Florida A&M University

Morgan State University

Tuskegee University

Night 2:

Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6PM CT

Connect with Black HBCU representatives from:

Bethune-Cookman University

Claflin University

Morehouse College

Norfolk State University

Tennessee State University

Texas Southern University

Come to our spring play that is showing THIS WEEK in our small theater. It's a psychological thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. (Please see content warning through the QR code)

Has it been a minute since you have seen your students... coat? hat? air pods? Our lost and found in the front office is growing by the day. Please have your student come and ask if their missing item may be there by NEXT MONDAY. Items will be donated at that beginning of next week.

Are you interested in getting yourself or student connected to mental health supports? Check out this community event at Sunshine Place! You can also reach out to your alphabetical school social worker or counselor for support.

Check-out the announcements that are currently running on our TVs in school and that were sent to your students last week of upcoming events/opportunities.

Check out this week's events and activities here!

We are incredibly proud of our BSU scholars that hosted our First Annual BSU Showcase this past week. The showcase included student written poetry, singing, dancing, history, trivia and FUN! A huge shoutout to everyone involved in making this event a grand success.

Please consider taking a moment to celebrate a staff member that has had a positive impact you so far this year! This may be someone that you have connected well with, you have seen working hard, has tried something new or you just want to pause and recognize for all of their work as we launch SP West. You can fill out the form as many times as you would like to recognize different staff. They will receive an email with your note and, if public, will be included in our staff Newsletter next week! https://tinyurl.com/SPWestStaffShoutOut

Congratulations to our boys swim team who ended their first season at the State Finals!

Vapes are unsafe whether a nicotine vape or THC vape and all are prohibited from school property (including adults attending events). The possession, consumption and distribution of vapes on school property or at school events comes with a consequence up to and including: in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and recommendation for expulsion.

In Sun Prairie and in surrounding areas young people have been sent to the ER for reactions to vape cartridges. This may be due to physical reactions from smoking THC and nicotine (ie. heart rate), nicotine overdose or otherwise called “nic sick”, or cartridges that have unknown substances.

Is your student interested in confidential support around vaping? Reach out to your social worker Ms. Sirianni or Ms. Fahey. Your student can work with West Student Services staff on a quitplan, for more education, and other community resource referrals. You can also call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW or text "READY" to 200-400.

Young people using nicotine, THC, alcohol, or other substances before the age of 21-years-old are most susceptible to addiction. In fact, many experts say that addiction is a “young person’s disease” in that the process of dependence and addiction starts for many during their teen years.

As we look forward to the next couple of months a couple important dates to put on your calendar.

• Tuesday, March 7th- JUNIOR ONLY DAY. Our juniors will be taking the ACT. 9th, 10th and 12th graders will NOT come into the building that day so that our juniors can focus and rock out this test.
• Wednesday, March 29th- FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE ONLY DAY. Our 9th and 10th graders will be taking the ACT Secure the new state assessment for 9th and 10th graders that also prepares them for the ACT. 11th and 12th graders will NOT come to school that day.
• Friday, May 26th- This date was originally scheduled as a professional development day. With the snow day last week it is now a student attendance day. Please mark your calendars and plan for students to be AT school this day!
• Snow Days #5, 6, 7- More information will be shared as soon as possible regarding how we will be making up instructional minutes from snow days #5, 6, and 7 from the last two weeks.

A few reminders as we continue 2nd semester:

• Parents/Caregivers be sure to use the pick-up/drop-off lane for dropping off and picking up your scholar. DO NOT pull into the student lot or the staff/visitor lot as this causes congestion and potential accidents.

• Handicap stalls are ALWAYS reserved for vehicles with a license plate or placard. Never pull into a handicap stall to wait for someone you are picking up or dropping off. We have had several instances where our scholars are unable to be picked up by their accessible vehicle because other vehicles were in those spaces.

• Students: make sure you have your parking pass and parking in the student lot.

• As we continue 2nd semester we will be rebooting parking lot enforcement including tickets. Please reach out with what questions you have.

The main entrance door closes at 4:00pm. Athletes that may leave and come back please enter through door 24. Also a reminder that the building closes at 4:00pm. At that time all students need to exit the building or be with an adult.

Bus Delays and Emergencies

Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.”

If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc.) students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.

Bus Tags- Every day.

A reminder that students need to show their bus tags to drivers every day to get on the bus. If you need a new bus tag please see Ms. Detert in the front office. You can also pull up your transportation tab in IC.

As we prepare to start the year we are in need of awesome subs to help take care of our students when staff are out. Are you looking for a new opportunity? Do you know someone looking? Can you help spread the word? Please help us get the word out so that we can ensure that our students have the very best people supporting them even on days staff (teachers or support staff) need to be out. Having an ample supply of fantastic subs is also a great way to support our staff by allowing them peace of mind when they are out. Contact mtiseli@sunprairieschools.org with any interest/questions or contacts.

• Support Staff Substitutes

• Substitute Teachers