Every Family, Every Day | Jun. 2025

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As we close out the 2024-25 school year, the Department of Systemic Equity & Inclusion (DSEI) wants to take a moment to reflect on an incredible year of progress and celebration. This year, we successfully implemented Restorative Justice Practices across the district, leading to a consistent decrease in exclusionary discipline at all levels. We honored and celebrated the rich diversity of our student community through heritage and awareness months including Hispanic/Latinx Heritage, Native American & Indigenous Peoples Heritage, Black History, Women's History, Hmong Heritage, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, and LGBTQIA+ Pride months. Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate Disability Pride Month in July and to introduce additional heritage and awareness observances for the 2025-26 school year—stay tuned.

Our commitment to student growth and cultural connection has been demonstrated through opportunities like sending students on an HBCU trip, participating in the Multicultural Achievement Conference in Michigan, and organizing visits for Hmong students to Milwaukee and the Hmong National Conference in Minnesota. It has truly been a year of meaningful achievements, and as we prepare for a well-deserved summer break, we look forward to continuing this important work and welcoming a new school year full of promise and possibility.

The JEDI Alliance convened for its final meeting of the academic year on Tuesday, May 6th, marking the culmination of a highly productive period of collaboration and growth. Members dedicated time to reflecting on their shared experiences, openly discussing valuable insights gained from their collective efforts, and identifying key opportunities for continued development. The meeting also served as a moment to celebrate the unwavering dedication and significant contributions each member brought to the Alliance, which were instrumental in making this year a resounding success.

As we look to the future of the JEDI Alliance, advancing equity remains a core priority. To ensure that next year's initiatives are impactful and truly responsive to the needs of our school community, all members were strongly encouraged to complete a comprehensive end-of-year survey. The valuable data collected from this survey will directly inform the planning and strategic direction of JEDI Alliance's efforts for the upcoming academic year, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable district for everyone.

HNDC 2025 We Rise, Unite: A Transformative Journey for our Hmong Student Leaders

We’re reflecting on the powerful experiences that have shaped our students’ growth—one of the most impactful being our journey to the 2025 Hmong National Development Conference (HNDC) in Minneapolis.

This transformative opportunity was made possible through our Hmong Student Leadership Luncheon, a space created to build community, explore identity, and develop leadership skills among our Hmong students. Through this space, we were able to support eight student leaders from Sun Prairie West and East High Schools in attending HNDC.

Over four unforgettable days, our students were immersed in workshops, panel discussions, and community-building events led by Hmong professionals, veterans, artists, educators, and changemakers from across the country. They met trailblazers like Dr. Yang Dao—the first Hmong person to earn a doctorate—and heard powerful stories from Hmong nurses and war veterans who served as children.

Read a few quotes from our students about this experience:

“Hearing from the veterans who were just kids during the war really made me reflect. They lost their childhood so we could have ours.”

For many, this was the first time they had ever been surrounded by so many Hmong peers and role models. It was an experience filled with pride, purpose, and belonging.

“I used to be embarrassed to be Hmong, but now I realize it’s my strength.”

Whether volunteering at the event, bonding with peers, or seeing what’s possible through the lives of Hmong leaders, students returned with a renewed commitment to their cultural identity and a clearer vision for their future.

“Volunteering at the conference made me feel like I was a part of something bigger. I felt needed and proud.”

As we mark 50 years since Hmong families began resettling in the U.S., our students are not only honoring the past—they are stepping into the future with confidence and courage. The HNDC experience lit a spark in each of them, and we can’t wait to see how it continues to shape their journey ahead.

In May, 33 Hmong students from Sun Prairie East and West High Schools and four chaperones visited the Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA) in Milwaukee as part of an intentional effort to engage, connect, and empower our Hmong student community.

This trip was driven by a powerful purpose: our Hmong students shared a desire to improve the sense of belonging and connectedness in their schools. They expressed interest in developing an action plan to bring about meaningful change, and this visit served as an opportunity to experience firsthand what culturally responsive and affirming environments can look and feel like. With the support of dedicated adults and school leaders, students have been actively working to actualize their plans and bring forward ideas that reflect their voices, needs, and hopes for a more inclusive school community.

From the moment the visit began, students were fully immersed, asking thoughtful questions, participating in discussions, and showing genuine curiosity and engagement. What stood out most was how confident, expressive, and at home they felt in this culturally affirming space. Many noted how welcome they felt at HAPA, describing it as a place where they could be fully themselves. This was a noticeable contrast to how students may experience school in less culturally responsive environments.

The cultural visibility throughout HAPA was deeply impactful. From beautiful Hmong artwork to the intentional integration of heritage in curriculum and daily life, the school exemplified how culture, identity, and learning can be seamlessly connected. I will just say this about the food, “It was amazing!” These experiences weren’t just inspiring—they gave our students a vision for what’s possible in their schools.

This trip reflected the values of Sun Prairie’s equity vision, particularly in inclusive learning environments, community partnership, and site excellence. It reaffirmed our collective responsibility to create spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and valued—and equipped students with ideas and inspiration they can use to help make that vision real in our schools. Our Hmong students will be enjoying a much-needed summer break and then resume developing their action plans, which include bringing a great Hmong New Year celebration to Sun Prairie on December 3, 2025. More information will be shared in the fall.

To celebrate Hmong Heritage Month, the SPASD hosted a heritage night with over 200 attendees.

This was the second-ever Hmong Heritage Night, and it was a beautiful evening filled with deep pride, powerful storytelling, and shared joy. Our community came together to honor the 50-year journey since the first Hmong families began resettling in the United States after the Vietnam War.

Through student performances, cultural activities, and a moving art exhibition, we celebrated our community’s roots, legacy, and future. Attendees had the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come through thoughtful artwork, witness students confidently sharing their talents, and watch families connect across generations to honor the journeys that brought us here.

Our theme, “Our Roots, Our Legacy, Our Future,” served as a powerful reminder of the resilience in our stories—and the responsibility we share in carrying that strength forward.

This night would not have been possible without the support of our families, students, staff, and community partners. Your time, energy, and care made this evening truly meaningful. Thank you for being part of it.

Did you attend our event?
We’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to complete this survey. Let us know what you enjoyed most, what impacted you, and how we can continue to grow. Your voice matters and will help shape what comes next.

In April, five Sun Prairie Area School District staff members attended the Cumbre "Nuestra Lucha, Nuestra Liberación" conference in California. The purpose of the Cumbre conference is to strengthen leadership capacity and deepen knowledge to advance racial equity within Latinx communities. While the content centers on supporting Latino populations, the conference is open to all committed to this important work.

Attendees participated in foundational and advanced training in the Courageous Conversation® protocol, a resource partner of our district. They engaged in powerful breakout sessions led by Latino leaders across sectors and heard from keynote speakers who addressed the complexities of race within the Latino community. Sessions focused on challenges facing Latinx students, families, and professionals, and strategies for fostering inclusive leadership and equity-centered practices.

In debrief conversations following the conference, participants expressed deep appreciation for the insights gained and acknowledged the progress and the continued work ahead. It is clear that while we have grown in creating a more welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for our Hispanic/Latinx staff, students, and families, we must continue this critical work to ensure their experiences in Sun Prairie are fully equitable and affirming.

On May 19th, the Class of 2025 AVID Senior Panel event brought nine graduating seniors from Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West to each of the middle schools—Central Heights, Patrick Marsh, and Prairie View.

The seniors shared personal stories about how AVID has shaped their academic journeys, personal growth, and post-graduation plans. Middle school students also had the opportunity to ask questions about high school experiences and the seniors’ future goals. The event served as an inspiring connection between current and future AVID students, highlighting the program’s role in preparing young people for success.

We celebrated the dedication and achievements of our outstanding Class of 2025 AVID with 12 scholars from Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, and Prairie Phoenix Academy.

The Senior Celebration honored each student’s journey and the impact of AVID in helping them reach their post-secondary goals. Members of the Class of 2025 are headed in a variety of exciting directions — entering the workforce, attending trade schools, and pursuing higher education at colleges and universities across Wisconsin and the country.

Their next steps include attending the University of Wisconsin campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Stevens Point, Madison, Oshkosh, and Whitewater; Madison College; Mount Mary University in Milwaukee; Wittenberg University and Central State University in Ohio; Fisk University and Lane College in Tennessee; Loyola University Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, and Concordia University Chicago; Illinois State University and College of DuPage in Illinois; Minnesota State University–Mankato, the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, and Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota; Northern State University in South Dakota; and Alabama A&M University.

It was an inspiring celebration of their hard work, resilience, and the bright futures that lie ahead.

As our District grows, the needs for multilingual programming continue to grow as well. In this in-depth video, we discuss how we define success in this type of programming and how our District is working to support our multilingual families.

Chris Sadler
Human Resources Director

Isabel Simonetti

Human Resources Manager — Employee Relations/Recruitment

humanresources@sunprairieschools.org

If you have any questions about the content in this newsletter, please contact the District 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)