Every Family, Every Day | Dec. 2024
Celebrating our diverse students, staff, and families
We are excited to share that our 2025 Black History Month theme will be “Black Dreams Matter.” In alignment with the national theme, African Americans and Labor, we aim to honor the contributions and resilience of African Americans throughout history.
This year, we will celebrate the legacy of our ancestors, recognize the achievements of today’s workforce, and inspire the future leaders shaping tomorrow. Together, we will reflect on the rich history of African American labor and uplift the dreams that continue to drive progress for our communities.
Our District’s annual Read Your Heart Out (RYHO) initiative, which recognizes National African American Parent Involvement Day, is growing! For the first time ever, ALL NINE of our elementary schools will host RYHO events in February!
During RYHO, schools celebrate Black and African American students' culture through the love of reading while bringing the community together. Community members and volunteers come into the schools to read a book to our students and connect with them through storytelling. Reach out to your child’s school to learn how to be a reader or for more information.
This unique opportunity will provide up to 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.
Now accepting online donations HERE. Our students give their gratitude for your donation and support to have the opportunity of touring HBCU colleges and universities in multiple states this spring.
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"
On November 7, 2024, the First Nations Intertribal Community of Sun Prairie, in partnership with the Department of Systemic Equity & Inclusion and Sun Prairie Community Schools, proudly hosted a First Nations Feast to honor and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and invaluable contributions of Native American and Indigenous communities. This special evening featured traditional foods, stories, and activities that honored the traditions and wisdom of First Nations peoples.
We are grateful to the elders, artists, and community members who shared their stories, wisdom, and culture, creating an immersive learning experience for all attendees.
The District recently held another meeting of the Latino Family Advisory Group, showcasing our commitment to fostering inclusive spaces for all students and families. This event provided a valuable opportunity for meaningful dialogue about the district’s bullying prevention efforts.
Jennifer Apodaca, one of our Directors of Student Services, and Bridget Kotarak, our Director of Student Policy & School Operations, joined the conversation. With full Spanish interpretation support, they ensured every family member could fully participate and engage in the discussion.
The meeting focused on educating parents about the District's processes and procedures for handling bullying incidents—from reporting an issue to closing the report. Parents gained a clearer understanding of the support available to students, staff, and families throughout this process.
An essential aspect of this discussion was empowering parents to share what they learned with others in the community. Equipped with this knowledge, parents are now better prepared to recognize, report, and respond to bullying situations affecting their children or peers.
By hosting these conversations and collaborating with diverse families, the District continues to emphasize its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment where every student can thrive.
Thank you to the families who attended and to Dania Cannon, Spanish Multilingual Family Liaison, for her work hosting this event for our families.
The Parent Leadership Council is a group made up of our School Community Organizations’ members and our school leaders. Last year, the group focused their discussions on equity and identifying how this lives in the work that School Community Organizations (SCOs) do in Sun Prairie. The group focused on teacher and staff appreciation, family experiences, the establishment of a shared/community-wide SCO, and representation from families. They have also shared staff appreciation funds and created a shared 501(c)(3).
100% of our elementary SCOs signed to ratify bylaws for an umbrella SCO organization called SPASCO. This will support a shared strategy and funding resources for our elementary staff and students.
On Tuesday, November 5, voters in the Sun Prairie Area School District passed a $25 million operating referendum, marking a significant commitment to the District’s future. The referendum passed with an vote of 57% Yes to 43% No.
Superintendent Brad Saron expressed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the District, stating, “The Sun Prairie Area School District would like to thank the community for supporting our operational referendum. Your vote of confidence in our District is a testament to the value you place on education, the care you have for our students and staff, and the vision you have for our community.”
With the passage of this referendum, the District will be able to:
Stabilize the budget and address structural deficits, ensuring the District's financial health for years to come and protecting essential educational programs and services.
Maintain competitive wages across employee groups, enabling the District to attract and retain high-quality educators and staff, which is crucial for delivering excellent education.
Support educational programming for a growing and diverse student body, allowing the District to meet the varied needs of all students.
School Board President Diana McFarland adds, “Your support will have a direct and positive impact on our students, staff, and community for years to come. We are committed to being responsible stewards of your tax dollars and ensuring that every investment benefits our students.”
The Sun Prairie Area School District extends its thanks to the community for this impactful decision. The District remains committed to delivering educational excellence and enhancing the future for every student, backed by the unwavering support of Sun Prairie's residents.
Coyote Club Brings Learning to Life at Creekside
Expanded & enriched learning opportunities are an essential part of the Community Schools strategy, offering students before- and after-school, weekend, and summer programs to explore new passions and strengthen their skills. At Creekside Elementary, the Coyote Club is a shining example of this approach, providing fun and engaging activities . In November, students in the Coyote Club created multimedia art pieces inspired by the vibrant colors of fall leaves, blending artistic expression with hands-on learning. These experiences help grow young minds and broaden their horizons, making learning both meaningful and memorable.
Falcon Readers Take Flight as Mentors
Prairie View Middle School is proud to celebrate the launch of Falcon Readers! This program connects Prairie View students with young children at Royal Oaks during their 4K playgroup on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In their first session, Falcons read books, danced, played with Play-Doh, and whipped up imaginary breakfasts in the play kitchen—all while showing leadership, patience, and kindness. We are so proud of these students for stepping into mentorship roles and look forward to seeing the positive impact they’ll have throughout the winter!
STEM Club Continues at Central Heights
Westside Celebrates Literacy with Free Book Fair
Westside Elementary extends a heartfelt thank you to Madison Reading Project, Inc. for hosting a free book fair on November 21st! Every Wildcat—students and teachers alike—had the chance to pick brand-new books to keep forever.
At Westside, we are committed to literacy as the foundation for success. This partnership brought inclusive and engaging books in both English and Spanish to our students, ensuring they see themselves reflected in the stories they read. We’re thrilled to continue fostering a love of reading across our school community!
