Dear Families and Community Members,

As always, please reach out with questions.

Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent

Did you know? Credit card processing fees cost the District $80,000+ each year—money that could be spent on education, classroom resources, student meals, and programs. Because of these fees, we are making important changes to our payment process.

Starting July 1st, families choosing to pay with a credit or debit card will pay the 3.5% processing fee. This fee can be avoided by making an ACH bank transfer instead, which uses funds directly from an existing bank account. We will also continue to accept payment in cash or by check. Read more information about this transition and the ACH process HERE.

Thank you for helping us make this important transition. By making this small change, our District can put money back into classrooms, supporting students, teachers, and learning.

Congratulations to our newly elected School Board members, Amanda Davis and Melissa Grayson, and our reelected members, Diana McFarland and Colleen Uhlenkamp! Please note that, per statute, the 4th highest vote-getter, Ms. Uhlenkamp, will serve a two-year term through the April 2027 election to fill the remainder of a vacated term.

We also want to thank outgoing Board members Dr. Steve Schroeder and Latoya Holiday for their service to our District.

QUESTION: Why do our students not have final exams?

ANSWER: Beginning with the second semester of the 2020–2021 school year, our (then) upper middle and high school moved away from holding final exams.

• Instead of using culminating final exams, we have used end-of-unit assessments throughout our quarters and semesters to determine student learning, growth, and proficiency on academic standards.

• Students demonstrate learned knowledge and skills through periodic assessments throughout their courses.

• Students may continue to engage in end-of-course projects to demonstrate the totality of learning across a class.
  
  

District Grading and Reporting Guidelines reflect our philosophy and practices around assessments.

QUESTION: Is it optional for a parent/caregiver to pick up their sick child from school?

ANSWER: No, it is not optional when called by the school to pick up your sick child. You can read more about our guidance HERE.

In our video series, Like No One Else: Student Stories, students from across our District share their unique experiences and opportunities, offering a personal glimpse into their journeys. Watch our Facebook page for a new student each week!

Meet Connor, a junior at Sun Prairie East High School! He is part of Unified Physical Education, a class that brings together students of all abilities to learn and grow through sports and activities. Learn more about how, to him, the class is more than just P.E.—it’s a family.

Principals from Sun Prairie East High School, Sun Prairie West High School, and Prairie Phoenix Academy met with Superintendent Dr. Brad Saron and a group of students to discuss consistency across our three high schools related to how students who have passed away will be remembered at graduation. Each of the school principals communicated this plan to their families.

Here is the summary:

• We collaborated with students to ensure that a Moment of Reflection is incorporated into each graduation ceremony.

• A symbolic vase of red, blue, and green flowers will be on graduation stages.

• Anyone with questions should contact the principal of their student’s high school.

We are pleased to announce that pending School Board approval on April 28th, Mr. Nehemirah Barrett has been hired as the new principal of Prairie Phoenix Academy and Other Alternative Programs.

Most recently, Mr. Barrett has been serving as the associate principal of Sun Prairie West High School. Prior to this role, he was an associate principal at Patrick Marsh Middle School and served as a school counselor in previous years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, master’s degrees in School Counseling and Educational Leadership, and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Edgewood College.

Mr. Barrett comes to us with a strong focus on students and a deep understanding of innovation, particularly in alternative education settings. He also brings a commitment to equity, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed. We are confident that his vision and experience will be a great asset to Prairie Phoenix Academy and Other Alternative Programs.

Thank you to the students, staff, parents/caregivers, and community members who provided input and participated in the hiring process.

We are pleased to welcome, pending School Board approval on April 28th, Mr. Shane Boeve as the new principal of Eastside Elementary School. Mr. Boeve (pronunciation rhymes with movie) brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our community, having served as an elementary principal and as a leader of special education services for a region of Iowa. He has a deep understanding of best practices in education and a proven track record of success in supporting students and schools.

Thank you to over forty educators, administrators, parents/caregivers, and community members who provided input and participated in a rigorous hiring process. Mr. Boeve will be working with Principal Coulthart and Associate Principal Freeman on plans for a successful transition.

C. H. Bird Elementary has been engaged in a school turnaround plan since January. This work is focused on ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education in a supportive learning environment. Leading a turnaround school is complex and requires a unique set of skills and experience. In certain situations, like this one, the District may recruit and appoint a leader with highly specialized credentials and a demonstrated track record of success in similar settings to meet an urgent and targeted need.

With that in mind, we want to share that there will be a leadership transition at C. H. Bird. Principal Khang will be moving to an associate principal position at Sun Prairie East High School, where she will continue to lead and work with students in our District. She continues to be an important and valued member of our District’s leadership team.

We are glad to introduce Mr. Ben Ketterer, who has been appointed as principal of C. H. Bird, pending School Board approval on April 28th. Mr. Ketterer was recruited to this position and brings a wealth of experience in school turnaround work, strong instructional leadership, and a deep commitment to building a positive school culture. We are confident that this leadership shift will accelerate the important work already underway at C. H. Bird.

On April 24, our community gathered for an evening of fun with music, performances, art, activities, and food in celebration of the rich and vibrant culture of the Hmong community. This year marks 50 years since the Hmong people first arrived in America. We honor this milestone with the theme: “Our Roots, Our Legacy, Our Future.”

Thank you to the staff, students, and volunteers who made this event possible. And thank you to all the attendees who joined us for an unforgettable evening!

In the latest episode of Homeroom, Janet Thomas, Director of Student Services, talks about behavior interventions and how the District supports creating an environment that supports learning for all students.

If you have questions about any of the content you find in this newsletter, please reach out to the Communications Team at socialmedia@sunprairieschools.org.

No student may be unlawfully discriminated against or harassed because of the student’s sex (including gender identity, gender expression and nonconformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession or demonstration of belief or nonbelief, 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. (SPASD Policy JB)