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Our JEDI Alliance recently gathered to reflect on current events and their impact on families and students in our community. The discussion centered on the challenges and changes shaping the world around us, from social and economic shifts to policies affecting education and equity. Members shared insights on how these realities are influencing children’s well-being, engagement in learning, and family dynamics. We explored ways to support students in navigating uncertainty, ensuring that our classrooms remain spaces of inclusion, safety, and empowerment.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, the Sun Prairie Area School District is seeking to better understand how our parents/caregivers, students, staff, and community members engage with our current communication tools.

Your input will help us assess the effectiveness of these tools and guide us in exploring new ways to inform and engage our community.

Click HERE to take the survey in English.
Click HERE to take the survey in Spanish.

The survey will be open through Wednesday, March 5. Thank you for taking a few minutes to provide us with your feedback.

This year, we are excited to announce that the Read Your Heart Out (RYHO) event took place at all nine elementary schools. Each site has been trained by Michelle Belnavis, the founder of RYHO, and is now officially certified to host this meaningful initiative.

For the first time, all elementary schools participated in this impactful event as part of our Black History Month celebration. Read Your Heart Out promotes literacy through culturally relevant authors and stories, fostering a love for reading while honoring Black voices in literature.

As part of the event, African American readers—including parents, community members, local leaders, middle and high school Black Student Union (BSU) students, and other selected high school student groups—engage with elementary students through shared reading experiences.

We thank the organizers and guests for helping to celebrate literacy, culture, and community through this inspiring initiative. A special shoutout to our Sun Prairie Community Schools site coordinators for their leadership in their buildings.

Our District continues to create meaningful opportunities to support and engage our Hmong students and families. Through our monthly Hmong Student Luncheons at East and West High School, students have found a space to explore their culture, roots, and identity. These discussions have inspired them to think about how they can shape the next 50 years for future generations. One exciting outcome of this work is the opportunity for 10 Hmong juniors and seniors to attend the Hmong National Development Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a national gathering focused on leadership, education, and community empowerment. We are also preparing for Hmong Heritage Night on Thursday, April 24, 2025, a special event that brings students, families, and the community together to celebrate Hmong culture.

In addition to student engagement, we continue to strengthen family partnerships. Our Caregiver Advisory Group met in early February to discuss ways to support students with scholarship applications and increase involvement in schools and the community. To keep families informed, we also shared a Hmong Newsletter, highlighting the incredible accomplishments and opportunities available this year.

We remain committed to fostering engagement, celebrating culture, and creating new opportunities for our Hmong students and families.

Taking the ACT can be a nerve-wracking experience for students. Our high schools have developed an in-depth web page that explores the different parts of the ACT, explains why the exam is important, and gives tips to help students prepare to give their best effort. Learn more by visiting one of our high schools’ Be ACT Ready web pages:

SP East | SP West | PPA

At Sun Prairie, we’re dedicated to preparing students for success after graduation. Through programs like AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), we help students in grades 7-12 build the skills and confidence to thrive in college or a career and beyond. What makes this journey even more meaningful is seeing AVID graduates return as coaches. Alumni like Adrian Jones (‘21) and Linda Thao (‘24) are now mentoring the next generation, creating a powerful cycle of support that strengthens our community

Adrian Jones, a 2021 SPASD graduate, currently works at FedEx, serves as an AVID Coach, and is an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) assistant teacher. Her motivation to become an AVID coach came from Mrs. Griffin, who encouraged her to give coaching a try during classroom observations. Having struggled with academic performance in both K-12 and college, Adrian has always been passionate about helping others overcome similar challenges. She believes that seeing an AVID coach who genuinely cares about their success gives students someone to look to for advice and support—especially someone who has been through the same struggles. By sharing her own journey, she prepares them for the reality that success is not always a straight path. She encourages them to persevere through setbacks, knowing that the key is to keep trying no matter the obstacles.

Linda Thao graduated in 2024 and is currently working part-time as an AVID Coach and attending Madison Area Technical College. She became an AVID coach because she wanted to give back to the program that had helped her. She realized that you never fully understand the impact of those around you until you are older. She wants to be someone that students can look back on and feel that she made a positive impact on their lives as well. Being an AVID alum helps her understand what students are going through because she has been in their shoes. She can share her experiences, struggles, and successes to show them what’s possible.

AVID creates a close-knit, supportive community where students, staff, and alumni feel deeply connected. It’s a place where students grow together, lifting each other up through both triumphs and challenges. Alumni often stay in touch, offering a lasting network of support. Beyond academics, AVID builds confidence, helping students navigate college, scholarships, and careers. Middle schoolers start dreaming about their futures, while high schoolers take steps toward their goals, with many earning scholarships along the way. What makes AVID special is how alumni return to mentor and inspire the next generation, sharing their experiences and helping students reach higher. This spirit of empowerment is passed down, creating a legacy that endures.

The 2nd Annual BeYOUtiful Women’s Showcase originally scheduled for March 15th has been postponed. Please stay tuned for further details, including the rescheduled date once it is finalized.

Creekside Elementary offers Coyote Club, a free afterschool program that runs Monday-Thursday. This program provides academic support and a variety of extracurricular sports and activities. On Thursdays, students from Prairie Phoenix Academy come over and provide small group tutoring and mentorship for the Coyotes. This supports elementary academics as well as practice in the foundational elementary of reading and math for the tutors.

Providing enhanced and enriched learning opportunities is one of the six key practices of the Community Schools strategy.

As a part of Black History Month, Sun Prairie Community Schools has supported the Black Women’s Wellness Self Care program and the Honoring STEAM, Black Invention, Diversity & the Combination to Success program - these were both held at the Sun Prairie Public Library on Saturday afternoons this past month. These events are an example of powerful student and family engagement as well as nurturing a culture of belonging, safety, and care - two of the six key practices of the Community Schools strategy.

On January 20, over 250 people braved the cold to join the Sun Prairie Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration held at the Boys & Girls Club. The event included a speech by Mizzier Campbell (Central Heights Community Schools Site Coordinator), the Black National Anthem sung by Sydney (SPWHS student), and performances by Northside POETICS and the Prairie View Dance Team. This event was planned in partnership with Sun Prairie Community Schools, the City of Sun Prairie, the Sunshine Place, and the Boys & Girls Club.

The Big 8 Conference recently celebrated the fourth annual MLK Basketball Showcase, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through education-based athletics and community building. Boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, coaches, and athletes from across the Big 8 Conference gathered on January 15th at Sun Prairie West High School to reflect on Dr. King’s vision of unity and inclusion. Events included a trivia challenge and a Q&A panel with SP West Girls Basketball Coach Ronda McLin, Madison Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, Sun Prairie Director of Systemic Equity & Inclusion Dr. Michael Morgan, the 100 Black Men of Madison’s Dr. Floyd Rose, and Sun Prairie Police Officer Tommy Foy. The event emphasized personal growth, belonging, and resilience, aligning with the values Dr. King championed as a Civil Rights leader.

The event continued on Saturday, January 18th, with the Basketball Showcase. All Big 8 Conference girls varsity teams competed at Sun Prairie West, while the Big 8 Conference boys varsity teams competed at Sun Prairie East. This meaningful celebration combined spirited competition with opportunities for learning and reflection, leaving a lasting impact on all involved. The Big 8 Conference is proud to support events that honor diversity and uplift the brilliance within its schools and communities. Special thanks go to the teams, coaches, and partners who made this showcase a success and to the SP East and SP West athletic departments for their work hosting this event in our District.

The event was also featured by WMTV15 News. Their story is below:

Our District is committed to fostering a diverse and highly qualified workforce that reflects the students we serve. One of the initiatives supporting this mission is the Grow Your Own program, which provides employees with opportunities to earn teaching certifications while continuing to work within our schools. Not only does this program help us recruit and retain talented educators, but it also addresses staffing shortages in high-need areas.

A Proven Track Record of Success Since the program graduated its first cohort in 2018, Grow Your Own has demonstrated impressive retention and impact:

• 18 employees have graduated, and 16 of them remain with the district—a testament to the program’s effectiveness in fostering long-term commitment.
• 7 graduates have specialized in Cross Categorical (Special Education), filling a critical staffing need.
• 2 graduates have pursued Student Services certifications, supporting students beyond the classroom.
• 9 graduates are employees of color, helping our District better reflect the diversity of our student body.

Currently, 12 employees are enrolled in coursework as they work toward certification, and 1 employee is completing student teaching—ensuring that our pipeline of future educators remains strong.

How the Grow Your Own Program Works Each winter, employees are invited to apply for the Grow Your Own program. The application process is designed to be inclusive and flexible, offering pathways for those with different educational backgrounds:

• Applicants must either hold a bachelor’s degree in another field or have a high school diploma and a desire to pursue a teaching career.
• Candidates are interviewed by principals and our Human Resources Manager.
• Approved candidates receive $1,500 per semester in tuition reimbursement.
• During their student teaching semester, participants continue to receive their current salary, reducing financial barriers to program completion.
• Candidates have the flexibility to choose a college or university that aligns with their schedule and career goals, with guidance from HR to ensure a smooth transition.

Continuing to Build a Stronger, More Diverse Workforce Grow Your Own is more than just a pathway to certification—it’s an investment in our district’s future. By nurturing talent from within, we not only fill hard-to-staff positions but also strengthen our commitment to hiring educators who reflect the rich diversity of our students. The success of this program underscores our dedication to providing high-quality education while supporting career growth for our employees.

We look forward to celebrating the continued achievements of our Grow Your Own participants and welcoming future educators into our classrooms!

We have some important updates about the expansion of our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program:

1. The DLI program, which began in the 2023–2024 school year, currently serves Kindergarten and 1st-grade students from five elementary schools (Creekside, Eastside, Royal Oaks, Northside, and Westside).

2. With the community’s support of the fall 2024 referendum for instructional programs, we are planning to extend access to the DLI program for Spanish-speaking ML students in Kindergarten and first grade at all elementary schools by the fall of 2025.

3. Northside Elementary School has space available to accommodate the expansion of the DLI program through 5th grade, even with more students.

4. Westside Elementary School does not have additional space available. To accommodate this growth, the DLI program currently serving Westside and Royal Oaks will relocate to Meadow View Elementary in the fall of 2025. This move will ensure we have the space needed for the program to expand through 5th grade, providing long-term stability for students.

Additional Information:

• Stability and Growth: We understand that changing locations may raise concerns about the program's future stability. Meadow View was selected to provide room for the program to grow and expand through 5th grade, ensuring consistency for your children.

• Transportation: Transportation will continue to be provided for all students in the DLI program. The only exception is for children who live within the walking boundaries of Meadow View Elementary School.

• Transition Activities: To help students adjust, principals and district staff have planned transition activities during the second semester of the school year. These activities included meeting the Meadow View Principal and visiting Meadow View Elementary School.

• Keeping Families Together: Siblings of students in the DLI program will have the opportunity to attend the same school. We want to keep families together.

• Continued Participation: All children and families currently in the DLI program will continue in the program. If families have any questions or concerns, they should reach out to the school principal or their child’s classroom teacher.

The Sun Prairie Area School District is working to apply for the Title VI Indian Education Formula Grant Program.

Why are we applying for this grant program? Sun Prairie has had and continues to have a strong indigenous community. Our school district is learning more about the strengths and needs of this community. Conversations with local tribal community members and the Dane Johnson O’Malley Program (JOM) have suggested that we can work together to serve our tribal community. Tribal leaders have shared that the JOM, through their needs assessment, identified the following priorities:

1. Cultural awareness
2. Academic achievement
3. Career counseling and higher education orientation

It is our hope that the Sun Prairie Area School District will be awarded a Title VI grant and that we can use grant funds to partner with existing initiatives in the tribal community to address these needs of students and families.

We need your help. A requirement of the Title VI application is enrollment verification. Each child who is identified as Native American in the Sun Prairie Area School District needs to have a parent/caregiver complete this ED 506 Form. The form must be filled out completely for each student who is a tribal member (or the child or grandchild of a registered tribal member) and returned to your school office no later than Thursday, March 6, 2025. Please help spread the word to all tribal members in the Sun Prairie Area School District. More copies of this form are available from your school office or by emailing the address below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rick Mueller at rlmuell@sunprairieschools.org.

At their February 24 meeting, the School Board affirmed its Equity Statement and Preamble to Board Governance Policies, reinforcing our District's commitment to every child, every day.

As we reground ourselves in our School Board’s Equity Statement, we know that some members of our community may have mixed emotions about the upcoming days, weeks, and months. In times of transition, it is important for us to remain intentional and committed to our Core Commitments and our Mission, Vision, and Equity Statement.

The SPASD Board of Education affirms our unwavering commitment to supporting immigrant students, families, and staff. Together, our school community plays an essential role in ensuring that our schools are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for Every Student, Every Day.

Please read our letter to staff and families and learn more about trusted sources of information and additional resources on our web page.

A letter was recently sent to all staff, families, and high school students, reminding them that we remain resolute in our School Board’s Equity Statement. You can read the entire letter HERE.

Chris Sadler
Human Resources Director

Isabel Simonetti

Employee Relations Manager

humanresources@sunprairieschools.org

If you have any questions about the content in this newsletter, please contact the District at socialmedia@sunprairieschools.org.