The Howl

Welcome to February! We are excited to launch this year's Black History Month with the theme: Black Dreams Matter. Over the next several weeks we will be celebrating our Black community and learning more about Black History which is all of our history. Check out the Black History Month section for upcoming events including a community BSU showcase this year. We are also heading into the 2nd week of the semester and finalizing course requests. It's an exciting time of year. Finally, don't forget to check out the upcoming start dates for spring sports and to register for spring sports in Infinite Campus. Remember, that our goal is everyone in 2. Research shows us that students who are in 2 or more clubs/activities/sports throughout the school year experience higher success in and outside of the classroom. Have an outstanding week.

In this week's Howl:

• Greetings Wolf Pack!
• Upcoming Events
• Black History Month
• Submit Day is Tuesday!
• Student School Board Member Application
• Cafeteria Connection
• Scholar Thursdays
• Ultimate Frisbee Club
• JUNIORS!
• Classroom and Student Spotlight
• Wolf Study Lounge
• In Case You Missed It!

February 2nd- Registration for Spring Sports is OPEN in Infinite Campus. Register today!

February 4th- Course Requests due in Infinite Campus!

February, 14th- Deadline to order a yearbook. Order here.

February 16th- February Frost 5K 9am-11am

February 24th- STEM Applications Close for 10th grade at NOON

March 1st- Deadline for Early College Credit and Start College Now

March 10th- Boys and Girls Track Begins

March 17th- Softball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse Begin

March 24th- Baseball, Girls Soccer Begin

March 31st- Boys Tennis, Boys Golf Begin

May 10th- Prom!

Welcome to 2025 Black History Month. This year's theme: Black Dreams Matter. Throughout the month we will have community events, learning, celebration and unity events. Mark your calendar today for Black Spirit Week- February 17th-February 21st

At the heart of Black Spirit Week is our 3rd Annual BSU Showcase, including, new this year an EVENING COMMUNITY EVENT. Mark your calendars TODAY to join us.

We launch this Black History Month in The Howl with these inspiring, dreaming words

As we celebrate Black History month we also stand on our School Board Equity Vision and celebrate and honor the intersectionality of our community.

Over the last two weeks our staff and students have been investing in students being able to make intentional decisions about the courses they are requesting for next year. As of this afternoon 60% of our students have completed their course requests! Please check in with your scholar today to see if their requests are complete. ALL requests need to be submitted in Infinite Campus by 4:00pm on Tuesday, February 4th.

Did you know?

• That all of our staffing decisions for next year start with student voice through course requests?
• Whether or not a class runs starts with course requests?
• Choices that students make for their 9th and 10th grade year can set them up for more opportunities their 11th and 12th grade year?
• Here's the one stop shop with all the resources you need to help make final course request decisions including
• Course guide
• Virtual Course Expo
• Career Cluster Blueprints
• College, Career Life Readiness One Pagers

Questions to ask your scholar TODAY:

• Where are you in the course request process?
• Have you submitted your course requests in Infinite Campus yet?
• Did you have at least 32 units selected + alternates?
• Which of your course requests are you the most excited about?

Are you interested in helping represent your school on a district level? All current sophomores are eligible to apply to be a Student Representative to the SPASD School Board. As a student representative, you would attend board meetings, meet with district and school administrators, and work on projects to help your school community with your senior student board representative. Applications are due February 28th. If you have any questions please reach out to a current board representative for your school.

Link to application

Current Student Board Representatives:

East Senior: Isabella Roberts

West Senior: Jojo Knauss

East Junior: Reagan Loomis

West Junior: Devin Willis

PPA Representative: Ella Miller

*Note: People who are applying to the STEM Academy will not be able to also be the board representative.

We want to inform you about a change in our school cafeteria policy. In an effort to be more fiscally responsible and reduce food waste, our nutrition department will now be charging for extra condiments in both middle and high schools. This decision was not made lightly, but we believe it will help us maintain our high standards of meal quality while also teaching our students about responsible consumption. These 4 high cost condiments will be affected by this change in policy:

Marinara Cups, Salsa Cups, Sour Cream Packets, Salad Dressing Packets

Here's what you need to know:

- Condiment cups listed on the menus will still be provided free of charge with meals

- Extra or additional condiments will have a small fee

- This change applies to middle and high school students only

- The goal is to reduce waste and manage costs more effectively

We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement this new policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our nutrition department.

Hunger Heroes Fund: Helping Families in Need

Did you know that some of our students have negative lunch account balances? This means they owe money for school meals. Our school district covers these costs, but that takes money away from important educational programs.

That's where the Hunger Heroes Fund comes in! This amazing program helps pay down those negative balances. By doing so, it ensures that every student can enjoy a nutritious meal without worry. At the same time, it allows our district to keep investing in great learning opportunities for all students.

How You Can Help

Want to make a difference? You can become a Hunger Hero too! Here's how:

1. Contact our Nutrition Department to learn about donation options

2. Choose how much you'd like to give

3. Feel great knowing you've helped a family in need

Your donation, big or small, can have a real impact on a student's life. It's a simple way to show that our school community cares for each other. Remember, a well-fed student is a student ready to learn and grow! If you have any questions about the Nutrition Department please don't hesitate to reach out to our Nutrition Department.

Check out these tables at lunch on Thursday, February 6:

• Madison College STEM Academy advisors for SOPHOMORES

• UW Madison College Access Program in Education for EVERYONE:

Join the Sun Prairie United Ultimate Frisbee Club! They are actively recruiting players in grades 9-12, or all genders. Come to our player/family information night on Tuesday, Feb 4th from 7-8pm in the SP East LMC. Email SPHSUltimateClub@gmail.com with any questions.

Are you a member of the Junior class?

We need your help with Prom Planning!!!

• DATE CHANGE: Come to a Junior Class Meeting on Wednesday, 02/12 during WIN time in room 3611

• If you want to help but can’t make it to the meeting, please email Ms. Foster or Ms. Peters

Can’t wait to see you in room 3611!

Sun Prairie High School Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform at Lincoln Center in NYC! Shout out to Mr. McVeigh and all of the students participating in the Jazz Ensemble.

https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-high-school-to-compete-national-jazz-competition

This past week Jazz Ensemble I opened up for Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee. This was a sold out show featuring some of the best jazz musicians in the world!

In just its third year, Sun Prairie West High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program has achieved a historic milestone, securing a second-place finish among 27 schools at Regional Competition. This marks the school’s first-ever top-five finish, a testament to the dedication and talent of its students and particularly the school’s FBLA student leadership team.

Leading the way were first-place finishers who dominated their events:

• Pragnya Vella (Chapter President) – Help Desk

• Andrew Peters – Personal Finance

• Luke Ebersol – Sports and Entertainment Management

• Soliel Curtin – Introduction to Marketing Concepts

• Kyle Weng – Introduction to Business Concepts

• Connor Anderegg, Keagan Johnson, Jonovan Song – International Business (Team)

Their success was bolstered by strong second and third place finishers, all of whom have earned an automatic bid to compete at the FBLA State Leadership Conference:

Second-Place Finishers:

• Audrey Davis & Cora Stewart – Public Service Announcement

• Rylan Headington – Agribusiness

• Johana Knauss – Business Law

• Elizabeth Emerick – Computer Applications

• Rishab Cyril Kotte – Insurance and Risk Management

• Bennett Fandek – Journalism

• Sanjay Jagadeesh & Darsh Rewri – Website Coding and Development

• Ishaan Shukla – Introduction to Event Planning

• Tea Schmoldt – Introduction to Business Procedures

Third-Place Finishers:

• Claire Nading – Job Interview

• Maecie Ledden – Hospitality and Event Management

• Emma Isaak – Electronic Career Portfolio

• Luciana Moreno & Francisco Figueroa – Entrepreneurship

• Priyanshi Verma & Riya Gaikwad – Business Management

• Anubhav Grewal & Fenil Gohel – Financial Statement Analysis

• Sri Lekkala – Networking Infrastructures

Additional fourth and fifth place finishers played a critical role in securing Sun Prairie West’s second-place team finish and will serve as alternates for the State Leadership Conference:

Fourth-Place Finishers:

• Allison Schmidt – Advertising

• Aditya Bhowmick – Economics

• Jace Umland – Business Ethics

• Shelby Schmitz, Jillian Hubbard, Mya Mommaerts – Introduction to Social Media (Team)

Fifth-Place Finishers:

• Justin Kohl – Personal Finance

• Paige Malcore & Kennedy Roseleip – Business Plan

• Saanvi Gandhari – Computer Applications

• Aashrith Kamini – Economics

• Maha Lakshmi Kothinti – Introduction to Financial Math

• Lalith Uppu – Introduction to Information Technology

“This incredible achievement is a direct reflection of our students' hard work, dedication, and passion for business leadership,” said Kevin Wagner, Business Educator at Sun Prairie West High School. “To place second among 27 schools in only our third year is a testament to the strength of our program and the bright future ahead for our students.”

With momentum on their side, Sun Prairie West’s FBLA team will now prepare for the Wisconsin FBLA State Leadership Conference, where they will compete for state titles and the opportunity to advance to FBLA Nationals.

For more information, please contact Kevin Wagner at klwagne@sunprairieschools.org.

About Sun Prairie West High School FBLA

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the largest student business organization in the world, preparing students for leadership careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development, and community service. The Sun Prairie West chapter, founded in 2022, has quickly established itself as a competitive force, fostering excellence and innovation in business education.

SP West Forensics hosted this past weekend as they continue to have an absolutely outstanding season. Stay tuned for more updates on the REIGNING STATE CHAMPS.

Congratulations to our Mock Trial Team who is STATE BOUND after regionals this weekend.

Congratulations to the January Member of the Month, Henry Cleveland of the Sun Prairie West FFA Chapter!

Henry...

• Is a Sophomore at Sun Prairie West HS and a 2nd year FFA member!
• Has an SAE project involved within creating and writing food review blogs!
• Is a part of Sun Prairie West's Livestock Evaluation Team!
• Is always willing to help when the officers or members need help!
• Has attended many events and is a welcoming face to the Sun Prairie West's FFA Chapter!

Way to go Henry, keep up the hard work!

Adventure enthusiasts participated in various activities that require diverse physical skills, such as climbing, bouldering, and navigating challenging terrain, all of which contributed to their motor skill development and application.

New Year, Same Supports! We’re excited to share some updates to our before and after school tutoring support program to better support your learning:

• Afternoon Study Lounge Relocated: The afternoon study hall has been moved to a new space—the Library—to provide a more focused and resource-rich environment.

• Additional Teacher Support: We’ve added more teachers to our tutoring sessions to ensure students get the help they need.

Be sure to take advantage of these new changes and set yourself up for success this year!

Let’s make this a fantastic year of learning and growth!

We need YOUR input too! Do you have an idea of something that should be included in the Howl? Your ideas are always welcome. Email our Admin Associate to the Principal, Jordain Blank at jnblank@sunprairieschools.org.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.

(SPASD District Policy JB)

If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.

If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.

We strive to keep The Howl as streamlined as possible with all of the important information for our community. To the end once something has appeared in The Howl, it will move here to the "In Case you Missed It!" section. Take a moment to peruse and make sure you have not missed important info!

Welcome to 2nd Semester. We have had an incredible first half of the year and we are excited for "Act 2". The semester change over is a chance for reflection, goal setting, and resetting of expectations.

Logistics:

• Make sure that you check Infinite Campus tonight or first thing in the morning for your schedule.
• Schedules have been changing over the last couple of weeks due to various needs and we want to make sure you have your current and correct schedule. DO NOT use a screenshot from the beginning of the year. It is probably different now.
• If there is something amiss with your schedule and you need a change please fill out this schedule change form.
• A reminder schedules can only be changed within the first 10 days of the semester and a schedule change is a request not a guarantee. Schedules will NOT be changed: to be in a class with your friend or for a teacher change. Yearlong drop requests will be admin reviewed, AP drop requests will be reviewed by our Equitable Multilevel Systems of Support Coordinator- Ms. Cassiday.
• AND... TUESDAY is a B DAY. Yep, the semester starts on a B Day. Yep, that's a bit weird. Nope, we can't change it but will try to avoid it in the future.

Expectation Reset: As we head into 2nd semester we will be resetting, reinforcing and regrounding in high expectations with high support for all students. Due to the cold day last week our expectation reset slides will be happening in block lessons on Wednesday, 1/29.

• Cell Phones: Throughout 1st semester we have seen cell phones cause distraction from learning and from engaging in the class community. As we begin second semester ALL classes will start every class with the first 10 minutes as OFF and AWAY to focus on community building, setting expectations for the time together and centering.

• Attendance Continues to be Focus: As we start 2nd semester we continue to focus on all things attendance. We have seen growth this year but things have slipped a bit. We are focused on:
• Students having a pass EVERY time they are out of the classroom
• No passes first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes
• NO DOUBLE LUNCHING- we have seen an uptick in students missing parts of 3 block because of attending the other lunch
• Missed classes are down but tardies are up. On class to every block, every day.

• Parking and all things Vehicular:
• Students parking in STUDENT LOT only
• Slow down, and stop at stop signs
• Don't use the back fire lane as a cut around
• Parents/caregivers use the designated pick/up drop off location not the front lot

• Strong as a PACK
• Focusing on Pride, Accountability, Collaboration and Kindness both in school and social media
• Restorative resources and community building/conflict resolution

Here's to a fantastic 2nd semester!

This unique opportunity will provide 40 juniors and seniors from Prairie Phoenix Academy, Sun Prairie East, and Sun Prairie West High Schools the chance to visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across multiple states this spring. The experience will include campus tours at institutions such as Central State University, Kentucky State University, Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Lincoln University. In addition, students will visit significant African American historical landmarks, further enriching their learning and awareness.

100% of your donation amount will go directly to our fund for the students taking this trip.

If you would like to provide a donation by check or would like a record of your donation for tax purposes, please follow these steps:

Any donations can be documented on this SPASD Donation Form. Please note "HBCU Trip" in the where/who collected the donation line item. When the donation form has been completed, our business office will keep lookout for an incoming check. If you require an invoice, please email rmrake@sunprairieschools.org and we will have one prepared for you.

• Please make check payable to:
• SPASD Attn: Tara Zuelzke
• 501 S. Bird Street Sun Prairie, WI 53590
• On the memo line please note "HBCU Trip"

Check out all of these amazing upcoming events that can help you discover your college, career path.

Signup for Scholarship Help and Work Time- Wednesdays, WIN- 3411 (after RequestFest)

Help the lost be found. We have a growing collection of coats, hats, gloves, water bottles, etc. Missing something? Come check it out in the front office.

Join us on February 16, 2025 from 9am-11am for a 5k to benefit the Alzheimer's Association put on by our Envision club.

Students, a reminder that you need to park in the student lot only. Last week Officer Sessums (Royse) issued warnings to cars that were parked in appropriately, this week we will be issuing tickets for the following:

• Parking in the staff lot at the front or side of the building near athletics
• Parking in traveling staff spaces
• This has become an extreme issue that traveling staff have no where to park when coming back to West to teach

Additionally, a reminder that the back fire lane is NOT a cut through and should not be driven through. Driving through this is causing dangerous situations for students with disabilities that load buses near door 17. This is also will be a ticketable offense (see the blue line on the map below).

Also safe driving reminders:

• Slow down. The top speed in our parking lots or on the frontage rounds around campus should be 15mph.
• Full stops. Please make sure you are making full stops at all stop signs around campus. When you stop you need to come to a full stop behind the line/stop sign. We have had incidents of near accidents from students not coming to a full stop back far enough next to the stop sign.

The Yearbook Club is excited to share that there’s still time to guarantee a yearbook for your student, but don’t wait too long! To ensure you receive a copy, please make your purchase by Friday, February 14th 2025.

If you’d like to add a personal touch, yearbook personalization orders must be completed by Friday, January 31st 2025. Personalizing your yearbook is a special way to make it even more meaningful!

Yearbooks are typically distributed the week before Memorial Day weekend, so your student will have plenty of time to enjoy flipping through the pages of memories with friends before the school year wraps up.

To place your order or personalize a yearbook, please click the link below:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/3151854/Sun-Prairie-West-High-School/

Thank you for supporting this cherished tradition! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Yearbook Advisors, Ms. Fowler at nefowle@sunprairieschools.org or Ms. Blank at jnblank@sunprairieschools.org

It's time! Start applying for scholarships TODAY. Please be on the lookout for WIN opportunities to apply for scholarships with others. The application is open now for the Local Scholarship Application which is due on February 28th at 4:00pm. Also, check out our scholarship page where we will continually update scholarship opportunities as they come in.

Interested in travel but didn't think it could happen for you? Join Ms. Leamy on a trip to beautiful San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala. Scan the QR code to get more information.

Hey parents/caregivers!

Did you know that the government has rules about what makes a "complete" school meal? It has to include fruits or vegetables at breakfast and lunch. This is because healthy food helps kids learn better!

Here's the deal:

• Complete meals = Government funding: When your child takes a complete meal (with fruit or veggies), the school gets money from the government to help cover the cost.

• Incomplete meals = Costs for you: If your child refuses the fruit or veggies, the school doesn't get that funding. This means we might have to charge your account, even if your child gets free or reduced-price meals.

• Lots of tasty options: We offer a variety of fruits and veggies every day, including fresh salads and always at least two fruit choices.

Why it matters:

• Healthy bodies = Healthy minds: Fruits and veggies provide essential vitamins and minerals that help kids grow and learn.

• Fighting childhood obesity: Eating healthy foods helps kids maintain a healthy weight.

Let's work together to make sure our kids are getting the nutrition they need to succeed in school! Encourage them to try something new from the salad bar or fruit options.

Remember: Hungry kids can't learn!

Did you know that you can be a full time Madison College student your Junior and Senior Year studying STEM while still being a Wolf? The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for students thinking about entering those careers and wanting a jumpstart on the next step of their education. This program is FREE and includes additional supports as you transition to the college level. Sophomores, apply today!

At Badger Precollege, we create innovative programs for students in grades 2–12 who want to explore their academic interests, learn more about the college experience and meet new friends. Our programs support educational and social growth by challenging students’ curiosity and expanding their academic interests. Summer 2025 program registration opens January 13

We offer a range of courses, from engineering and computer science to art and psychology. You can explore all of our summer 2025 courses at the link below. Choose a subject you already know and love, or pick something new to explore in a low-risk environment!

Registration for all summer programs opens on January 13, 2025. Courses fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, so mark your calendars and apply early. Limited need-based scholarships are available.

We look forward to seeing you next summer!

Search Badger Precollege classes

Nourishing Our Future: Enhancing School Meals. The Sun Prairie School Nutrition Department is committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals that fuel your child's growth and learning. We are excited to share some of the ways we are improving our school meals program:

1. Fresh, Local Ingredients:

• Farm-to-School Partnerships: We are partnering with our distributors, Gordon Food Service and V. Marchese to bring fresh, seasonal produce to your child's plate. Every Middle School and High School in the district has a Hydroponic growing tower and supplies us with fresh Romaine lettuce for our entree salads and salad bars.

• Reduced Processed Foods: We are minimizing the use of processed foods and artificial additives. Our homemade roasted vegetable recipes are well liked by the students and contain small amounts of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. These include roasted fresh broccoli, butternut squash and green beans.

2. Diverse and Flavorful Menu Options:

• Cultural Cuisine: We are offering a variety of cultural dishes to introduce your child to new flavors and cuisines. New recipes this year include Asian seasoned rice, long grain and wild rice, taco meat made from scratch and more.

• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: We are expanding our vegetarian and vegan menu options to cater to diverse dietary needs. This year at our High Schools and Middle Schools we have plant based chicken nuggets and buffalo wings, spicy black bean burgers, black eyed peas and rice, along with many cheese entrees and salad options.

3. Educational Initiatives:

• Nutrition Education Programs: We are meeting with classes, student council groups and student clubs to share nutrition information and receive feedback from students as to what they would like to see offered for breakfast and lunch at their schools.

• Taste Testing: We are involving students in taste-testing new menu items to encourage their input and preferences.

We believe that healthy eating is essential for a child's overall well-being. By providing nutritious and delicious meals, we are supporting your child's academic success and future health.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, Barb Waara, Director of School Nutrition

bmwaara@sunprairieschools.org 608-834-6527

Great work on the progress made! Keep up the great work.