Thanks for a fantastic first round of conferences this week. We hope you had an opportunity to connect with your student's teachers to celebrate, problem solve and partner together for success for the rest of the semester and year. Thank you also for the feedback you have given on the Howl. The Howl continues to get accolades across parents/caregivers/staff/students and district wide for the content. We also hear you about the length and navigability of the information. A reminder that if you open it in a web browser there is a clickable table of contents on the left for you to prioritize where you need to go. We have also created dedicated sections for Seniors (parent/caregiver request) and for College, Career, Life, Readiness. We try our very best not to repeat things from one week to another on the top half, so make sure you check out the In Case you Missed It! at the end each week. There are specific areas that will continue to show up each week: heritage month celebrations and referendum until November 5th but the contents changes weekly. If you are able to vote, make your voting plan today to ensure you have voted by November 5th. This week we have a LOT of celebrations in the Classroom Corner and Student Celebrations, check out the awesome learning taking place in our classrooms and the sports teams going deep into playoff season!

• Greetings Wolf Pack!
• Upcoming Events
• Bullying Prevention Month
• Referendum 2024
• Attention Seniors!
• College, Career, Life Readiness Corner
• Classroom Corner and Student Celebrations
• Your Ideas in the Howl
• In Case you Missed It!

October 31st-

• Costume Day Spirit Day- Support your Volleyball Team with SP West Pride!
• Cheer on our REGIONAL CHAMPION GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM at Oregon vs Mukwonago

November 1st- Senior pictures due for Yearbook

November 8th, 9th, 10th, 15, 16, 17- Seussical!

November 11th-

• Boys and girls hockey starts
• Girls basketball starts
• Girls gymnastics

November 18th-

• Boys and girls wrestling starts
• Boys swim and dive starts
• Boys basketball starts

Checkout Daily Announcements here.

As we end Bullying Prevention Month we take a look this week at our Dane County specific data. The following is data from the 2024 Dane County Youth Assessment, this includes our kids, this is our story.

Bookmark this form for your easy access all year long. Bullying can be reported by anyone here or to any adult at any time.

November is National Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month! As we honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples, every Sun Prairie school will be providing a special meal to mark this important month. On the 22nd, lunch provided the following: Fish Sandwich, long grain and wild rice, roasted butternut squash, blueberries, and strawberries. The meal highlighted traditional flavors and ingredients cherished in Native American cuisine, most closely resembling the diets of Ojibew (Chippewa) Ho-Chunk Nation, and Menominee tribes.

Question: "Shall the Sun Prairie Area School District, Dane and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $25,000,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses to provide for staff compensation and benefits, for educational programming, and to maintain operations?"

Senior Photo Upload (due November 1st): We understand that some of you have experienced difficulties when trying to upload your senior photos. We sincerely apologize for any frustration this may have caused. Please ensure your photo meets the required specifications, and if you continue to face issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You can upload your photos directly through this link: https://images.jostens.com/0N-YNwMNFMvERHtViLbZwBA

You should not have to enter a User ID, if it directs you to an ID please let me know!

• photos may be in color or black/white

• use JPEG file formation. Do NOT use a TIFF or PNG file

• vertical shots work best, horizontal shots will be cropped

• Name the file with the student's name

• photo quality - minimum of 300 dpi

If you would like someone at the school to take your senior portrait, please let me know as that can be arranged!

Parents and caregivers, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your seniors! Recognition ads can be purchased through https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=3151854 . Please create an account and follow the instructions provided on the website to create a personalized message and select your preferred layout.

Siblings of the senior class should check their email Monday morning for a message from Ms. Fowler! In that email are directions with how to submit a message and a photo for their senior sibling to be included in the Yearbook. Messages are needed by December 1st, 2024.

Here are the slides from the information sessions last week.

Your SP West Wolves are STATE BOUND in GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY as SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS. At their meet on Saturday all 7 athletes had a PERSONAL RECORD. Congratulations and good luck at STATE!

Congratulations to YOUR REGIONAL CHAMPION GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM! SP West takes on Mukwonago at Oregon on Thursday night.

In their 2nd year in existence the SP United Boys Volleyball team has their first post-season win!

Good luck to our girls swim team as we host the conference finals this coming weekend!

Ecology students went on a field trip to the Wastewater Treatment Plant:

APES students dissected owl pellets to analyze the diet of the owl. From that students can determine owl diet, generate food webs, determine how much energy is lost from one trophic level to the next, and what might happen if a species is removed from the food web.

AP Physics students recently applied their knowledge of 2 dimensional projectile motion to calculate and measure out the maximum height and horizontal range of a projectile! The result was exciting -- a successful calculation and a gratifying trip for a marble through 2 hoops!

Human Anatomy and Physiology students dissected sheep brains

Students in Cosmology were challenged to design and build a moon lander to protect two “astronauts” as they touch down on the moon.

Games and Puzzles help to build teamwork and social skills, necessary to SEL. Students work together to complete challenging puzzles while exercising their brains and problem solving skills.

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.

If you don't already, please follow SP West on Facebook!

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.

As we are over the halfway mark for our first quarter, we wanted to send out a few reminders and clarifications around our summative expectations for students.

Standard gradebook set-up will look like:

• Formative Assessment 10%

• Summative Assessment 90%

• Assessments calculated as “Score %”

Summative assessments that have not been attempted will receive a ‘0’ in the gradebook until they have been attempted or the end of semester. If a student does not complete one half or more of the summative assessments in the course, the student will not be able to pass the course.

For example, if at the end of the course, a student has only completed 2 of 5 assessments, they will be ineligible to pass the course as they have not demonstrated enough content knowledge to sufficiently support their understanding of the course material.

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!

Student Personal Devices are defined as “any electronic devices with communication functions”. This would include personal computers, which are unable to access the student wi-fi and therefore cannot be monitored using Securly.

Students may not use personal electronic devices without teacher permission.

Any student not assigned a school-issued device should visit the library where a chromebook will be assigned for use in school until the student no longer attends West HS.

Alfred Street Baptist Church presents its 22nd Annual Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Festival, a hybrid event being held November 8-9, 2024. The festival is dedicated to connecting high school students and their families to HBCUs, and scholarship opportunities. Approximately 80 colleges and universities will be represented during the two-day event. Many will provide on-the-spot admission decisions, conduct music auditions, and waive application fees. Additionally, seminars and exhibitor presentations will be held to help students navigate the college application process, seek financial aid opportunities and acclimate them to campus life. This event is available virtually.

Register HERE

FAFSA Update: The release of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been delayed until December 1. Sun Prairie East will host College Goal WI on January 7, where students and families can get support on filling out the FAFSA. Here is a resource for updates on the FAFSA and tasks to complete BEFORE it opens on December 1.

This year we are offering the ASVAB Career Exploration Test in December. It is a no-cost career planning tool. The ASVAB offers information about all options after high school for college-bound students and those interested in other pathways. It is a great opportunity for those who are not sure about what they want to do after they finish high school. This test will be available to any sophomore, junior or senior. The test will be administered by Education Service Specialists and school personnel. The test takes about 2 hours to complete and results will be provided a week after. Student scores will NOT be released to the military unless requested .

The ASVAB is designed to help students:

• Learn more about themselves and the world of work.

• Explore occupations in line with their interests and skills.

• Discover all the ways to enter the career fields they are best suited for

• Develop an effective strategy to achieve their career goals.

**Look for sign up information in November

Seniors! Now that you have had time to view and review the Senior Planning Presentation. Schedule a time TODAY to meet with your counselor for your 1:1 Senior meeting. Our goal is to meet with 100% of our seniors to hear your dreams, goals plans for after high school so we can assist you in the next steps. Please use the following Booking Links to meet with your counselor:

Ms. Saldana (Last names A-G): cmsalda.youcanbook.me

Mr. Medema (Last names H-M): https://keithmedema.youcanbook.me/

Ms. Wagner (Last names N-T): https://wagner-counseling.youcanbook.me/

Ms. Thao (Last names U-Z): https://pthao-west.youcanbook.me/

We are currently in the planning stages for 'A Day of Giving' with acts of service within our school and the surrounding community. By engaging in acts of service, our students will gain valuable experiences and volunteer hours that can contribute towards their post-secondary goals.

Your generosity and partnership are deeply appreciated as we strive to foster a culture of positivity, community engagement, and personal growth among our students.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

• Blank Holiday Cards for students to share joy with people in local nursing homes

• Crafting Supplies to do crafts with elementary students

• Non-perishable Snacks for rewarding positive behavior

• Monetary Contributions in the form of cash or check payable to Sun Prairie Area School District

All contributions can be brought to the front office at Sun Prairie West High School.

Sincerely,

SP West PBIS Student Celebrations

Link to Donation Form

Xello is a software tool to support students with Academic and Career plans in grades 6-12. Students engage in three lessons per semester that explore topics such as study habits, work values, career demands and resume writing. These are the lessons that students SP30 grades are based on. Students also use Xello t create a course plan for High School. Ask your student about their first Xello lesson of the year.

EverFi: EverFi is a software tool to support students with financial literacy in grades 9-12. Students participate in a variety of activities to learn important skills around building smart money habits, consumer skills and budgeting. Lessons also center around education and financial aid. Seniors will have their first EverFi lesson of the year this Friday with other grades following soon.

While we continue to see a tremendous improvement in the behavior in bathrooms this year over the last 2 weeks we have seen a slight uptick in graffiti, specifically in female restrooms. A reminder to all students that any type of writing, drawing, etching etc on school proper is a form of vandalism. This causes undo strain on our custodial staff as well as not respecting our beautiful building. Students found to have participated in graffiti (drawing or writing of any kind of school property not meant to be written on) will have a behavior referral, consequences up to and including in-school, out-of-school suspensions and a ticket as well as a referral to restorative practices.

• Bullying - Deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm. Bullying may be repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power. It includes, but is not necessarily limited to such behaviors as stalking, cyberbullying, intimidating, menacing, coercing, name-calling, taunting,making threats, and hazing. Bullying behavior can be
• Physical (e.g. assault, hitting or punching, kicking, theft, threatening behavior)
• Verbal (e.g. threatening or intimidating language, teasing or name-calling, racist remarks
• Indirect/Psychological (e.g. spreading cruel rumors, manipulating social relationships, intimidation, social exclusion, and cyberbullying)

• Cyberbullying - The use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail, text messages, instant messaging, personal websites, social media, or hacking into or otherwise gaining access to another’s electronic accounts (e-mails, social media, etc.) and posing as that individual to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others and involves an imbalance of power.

• A REMINDER: It is against school policy to take a picture or video of any other person (student, staff, etc) at school or during a school event without their consent. It is also against school policy and violates our PACK agreement (kindness) to SHARE a picture on any platform without the person's consent.

• Hazing - Any intentional or reckless act which endangers the physical health or safety of a student, or is meant to induce pain or humiliation, or that results in property damage or theft and is directed against another student or students, for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, class, club or team sponsored or supported by a school or the school district regardless of students’ willingness to participate.
  

• Current behavior and discipline data in our district indicates that our Black and Brown students experience referrals and exclusionary discipline at a disproportionate rate.

• Our district is committed to disrupting inequities that contribute to the school to prison pipeline for our students.

• Our district is committed to social emotional wellness for all students, including universal Social Emotional Learning instruction and strategies, which prioritizes a focus on the “whole child”.

• Engaging in system-wide learning and implementation around Restorative Practices, Circles, Restorative Justice, and alternatives to discipline will lead to more equitable outcomes for our Black and Brown students.

• It is important to engage in processes that restore harm when a previously established connection between two or more individuals has been broken.

• Implementing and engaging in restorative practices within our system will represent a culture shift.

• A multi-year system-wide implementation plan is necessary to achieve lasting, desired outcomes.

Restorative Practices are a set of techniques and approaches that focus on being, reflecting, forgiving and growing. Instead of relying solely on punishment, they emphasize understanding the root causes of conflict and working together to create positive change. The key principles of restorative practices include relationship building, harm reduction, accountability and healing. Fostering strong connections between individuals and communities is the foundation for ensuring that everyone feels comfortable. Think about it, when people feel connected and supported, they are more likely to engage openly and honestly. Moreover, when there is a conflict with someone you care about, you are going to take the time to address the conflict, listen attentively, take responsibility/reflect and move forward with a resolution. Now that we know the key principles, they can be implemented in the form of circles in the classroom and restorative conferences. In classroom circles, it gives classroom communities equal opportunity to share thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, in restorative conferences, the individuals who have been harmed and those who have caused harm come together to discuss the impact of their actions and develop a plan for repair. Restorative Practices can help create a more positive and inclusive environment by focusing on rebuilding relationships and addressing the underlying causes of conflict. Next week, we will be discussing why at Sun Prairie West, we are delving deep into this work.

Our before and after school tutoring is up and running!!! Schedule out time this week to stop by the Wolf Study lounge to get help, catch up, or study for your classes.

• Morning Tutoring: 8:05 AM – 8:35 AM

• After-School Tutoring: 3:50 PM – 4:40 PM- Activity bus available at 4:45pm
  

Questions? Reach out to Nehemirah Barrett @ntbarre@sunprairieschools.org

We have made INCREDIBLE progress starting in 4th quarter of last year on bathroom behavior. WELL DONE STUDENTS and a shout out to our floor team! We have experienced exponentially less vandalism and have had less vaping in the bathrooms. A reminders of our expectations and processes to keep bathrooms safe and open.

• We don't hang out in bathrooms. Bathrooms are not a gathering space and students should not be gathering in groups in bathrooms. If an adult enters the bathroom and there are students standing around they are immediately ushered out. Repeated behavior of hanging out in bathrooms will result in a behavior referral and may result in a search if accompanied by a vape detector going off or report of vaping.

• One to a stall. There is never a reason for more than one person to be in a bathroom stall. This behavior will result in a behavior referral (this is still true if the door is open... please see previous.. we don't hang out in bathrooms).

• Vaping. We don't vape at school, on school grounds or during school activities. Period. Our bathrooms are equipped with vape sensors. Students in the bathroom when the vape sensor goes off will be searched.

• A note on searches. Students are searched if there is a reasonable suspicion they may have been vaping. This includes: they are in the bathroom when a vape sensor goes off, we receive a report of vaping or the same group of students has been seen in multiple bathrooms during a short period of time. A search includes searching their belongings (backpack, jacket, etc), having the student empty their pockets and removing their shoes and shaking them off. Have no fear... students are not touched during searches. This is a time that the admin team member (Dean, AP, Principal JP) will also check in with the student about grades, attendance, etc.

• Vandalism. We are committed to being good stewards of tax payer resources! Bathrooms are being checked 4 times a day for vandalism and status is recorded. If vandalism is found then cameras are reviewed and any student that was in the bathroom during that time is interviewed. Students found responsible for vandalism will receive school consequences, be responsible for the cost of repairs and receive a vandalism ticket.

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

Are you interested in going into business after High School? Why wait? Start NOW! Join the business incubator opportunity to launch your own business with mentorship and support while receiving your profits. Learn business planning, marketing, and finance in a real-world way while improving creativity, confidence, critical thinking, and communication! Earn a chance to win up to $1,000 in cash and college scholarships!

We have created the JEDI Alliance as a space where people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities feel welcome and supported. We celebrate the unique perspectives that diversity brings and understand that inclusion is key to innovation and growth. We understand that advancing equity is an ongoing journey that requires listening, learning, and adapting. We acknowledge that deep-rooted inequalities exist within our society, and we are committed to identifying and dismantling the policies, practices, and cultural norms that perpetuate these disparities. This includes examining our own organization’s processes and making necessary changes.

We are excited to welcome diverse voices and new perspectives that represent parents and caregivers who have often felt unseen and undervalued to be engaged in learning and questioning topics and matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the District. JEDI Alliance members are invited to share their experiences, triumphs, and concerns and are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback. With a commitment to continuous improvement and transparency, our promise is to be collaborative, informative, and deliberative in lifting our District's Equity Framework.

The JEDI Alliance application is still open. Meetings will occur every first Tuesday of the month starting Oct 1, 2024 through June 3, 2025. Application link JEDI Alliance Application.

Are you ready to get your driver license? Wonder what to do and next steps? Concerned that money may get in the way of this important next step in your life? Wisconsin residents who are 14–19 years of age, are eligible for or are receiving free & reduced lunch, and have not previously held a driver license are eligible to have their classroom and behind-the-wheel driver training paid for through the Driver Education Grant Program. To learn more and apply, visit the Wisconsin DOT website. QUESTIONS? Contact spbtw@sunprairieschools.org

Here at Sun Prairie West, restorative practices can occur throughout the school day in both academic and nonacademic settings. We all utilize restorative practices to build relationships with students and create a safe and accepting school climate. When a restorative school climate is established, students trust staff and each other and feel safe going to an adult for help if something is happening on campus that needs attention. We all, caregivers included, must model how to be able to communicate during conflict, acknowledge when we hurt someone, and ask for forgiveness and have the ability to repair the damage. Below is the form for our community to seek for support regarding conflict resolution and creation of circles for classrooms and schoolwide groups.

Come cheer on and support our adapted soccer athletes this season. Below are the schedules. In addition, here is the clothing store that is open until September 30th, all orders will be picked up at Elite Embroidery in Sun Prairie: https://spadaptive2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/ Exciting times as we take on other districts!!

Mondays are our Future Focus Mondays. Wear your favorite college/career gear on Mondays & join the movement promoting the great opportunities available to all SP West students after graduating high school. Students- this is a great opportunity to ask staff about their career path.

Are you looking for leadership opportunities and want to be a leader within the West community? Do you want to help shape our story? Sign up to be a Leader of the Pack TODAY! We are looking for more Leaders to volunteer for beginning of year events including Keys to Success, Registration and Wolf Welcome Night.

Leaders of the Pack is open to any West Wolf that strives to embody PACK each and every day and is ready to step up as a leader for our community. Activities for leaders of the pack include: serving on Student Senate, volunteering at school wide events, giving school tours, being a buddy for new students and being a guide for our incoming 9th graders. Sign up today!