Welcome to May, affectionately known as Maycember. It is a time of celebration, community, recognitions and reflection on an incredible year. It can be a incredibly busy time of year (if you need a good laugh, take a look at this video). Throughout the month we will be celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander month, recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, celebrating our seniors, hosting our 2nd annual Junior Prom, NHS induction, AVID celebration and so much more. This week we also start AP testing. Students have been preparing all year learning, growing and preparing to show what they know over the next two weeks. Regardless of their scores, we are proud of these scholars. We have a 25% increase in students participating in AP testing this year than last year with over 800 exams being taken over the next two weeks. It's Maycember and we are excited to celebrate the end of our 2nd year as a community with YOU!

• Upcoming Events
• Daily Announcements
  
• May Celebrations and Recognitions
• Celebration
• SP West Educator Appreciation Week
• AP Exams- Proctors Needed
• Job Fair for Students
• Senior Meeting
• Multilingual Learner Family Night
• Housing Information
• Prom Season is HERE! (Guest forms due Tuesday at 1:30pm- HARD DEADLINE)
• 5th Hour Tutoring
• Classroom and Student Spotlight
• In Case You Missed It!

• April 26th- Guest forms for SP West's Prom available in the Front office

• May 6th-May 17th- AP Testing

• May 7th at 1:30pm- Guest forms for SP West's Prom due to the box in the front office (hard deadline- no exceptions)

• May 9th (8:00am)- May 15th (4:00pm- hard deadline)- Prom tickets for sale (juniors and seniors) on GoFan

• May 15th- Senior Celebration Night

• May 18th- Junior Prom (open to juniors and seniors)

• May 21st- AVID Senior Celebration Night @ SP East 6:00pm-8:00pm

• May 22nd- Wolf Welcome- 8th Grade Transition Day and Evening

• May 23rd- NHS Induction Ceremony @SP West 6:00pm-7:00pm

• June 7th- Graduation at 5:00pm at Alliant Energy Center (no tickets necessary)

Have you ever walked by the screens while in the building at West and thought, I want to make sure my student knows about that? Here are our student announcements so that parents/caregivers can have the same information to remind and encourage student involvement.

In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Explore Smithsonian events happening online and in-person and find resources, podcasts, and collection items to learn more about AANHPI contributions.

At West we are proud to be hosting an art display in partnership with the Madison Area Chinese Community Organization. We are excited to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community during Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The organization has prepared exhibitions of Chinese calligraphy and drawings, one of which we are hosting here at West for the month of May. The next time you are in the building check out this gorgeous display in the commons. The purpose of this display is to showcase the artistic talents within our community and to promote cross-cultural understanding.

This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the Take the Moment campaign. We encourage you to join us in fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding. Checkout these resources from NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness):

Everyone has mental health and it is just as important as physical health. Check out this short video focusing specifically on the importance of mental health awareness for teens and caregivers of teens:

As we approach the end of the school year we are beginning to review our summative data for the year to compare to last year or the beginning of the year. Particularly as we launch our Educator Appreciation Week we want to celebrate gains made by our students!

• Over the past 5 years SPASD has experienced a decline in our ACT scores, however, from our first year to second year in existence are ACT scores maintained or increased almost across the board! We have met our District Scorecard goals for both Math and Reading.

• ACCESS is an exam taken by our multilingual learners to monitor their languages development. A growth of .4 is the expected annual growth. This year 67% of our students made their expected growth with 37% making EXCEPTIONAL growth (over double expected growth) and 16 students will be reclassified as beginning to exit from multilingual programming. This is a testament to our Multilingual Staff and each and every one of you providing support to our students through strong core instruction and supports.

If we can help our students accomplish this growth through our first two year with the challenges we have faced, the sky is the limit for our scholars and community.

We are preparing for our SP West Educator Appreciation week and we need YOUR HELP! We have three ways for you to help celebrate our educators (all our staff are educators):

• Financial Donation: Please consider donating to support our educator appreciation week by either through Venmo at @john-nelson-160 (last 4-7296) or by donating directly to our Financial Admin Assistant Tina in the Front Office all donations will go to our staff celebration fund.
  

• Personalized Note: One of the things that our educators (all staff are educators) cherish the most is individualized notes from students and/or parents/caregivers. Please share a note here: tinyurl.com/SPWestStaffShoutOut24

• Tacos!: Please consider donating to our Taco celebration for staff on Thursday, May 9th. Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/TacoMay9

Check out the celebrations we have prepared for our educators this week!

Starting tomorrow our Wolves are going to begin sitting for over 800 AP test over the next 2 weeks. This is a 25% increase in students taking AP tests since last year. This is FANTASTIC. However, we are in desperate need of AP proctors still. If you would be available to help proctor sometime during the next two weeks please reach out to Amy Cassiday ASAP: akcassi@sunprairieschools.org.

Did you know that AP testing dates are set nationally? Here's the schedule for the next two weeks. Tests will take place in the Black Box Theater, the North Gym and in other conference rooms around the building. Students- please be mindful if you see a "testing in progress" sign so that your peers can focus and do their very best.

Here is the schedule for late testing- late testing is only available in the case of an unavoidable conflict, illness, etc.

Sun Prairie West is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, May 8th in the North Gym. Students will have the opportunity to attend during their lunch.

What’s gonna be there:

• 30+ businesses offering full-time, part-time, and/or internship opportunities for a variety of age ranges!

• Trades, healthcare, city works, childcare, transport industries and more!

There will be a senior class meeting during SP30 on Monday, 5/13. We will discuss graduation logistics and answer questions. If students are unable to attend, we will send out the slideshow and resources presented through the HOWL after the presentation.

Frequently asked questions can be found here (English and Spanish linked)

Looking for housing or more information on housing stability steps? Check out these community events coming up with our partners at Sunshine Place!

Students also have the opportunity to attend the Renting 101 workshop! If your student is interested, have them speak with their school social worker Ms. Sirianni or Ms. Fahey

A reminder that guest forms for SP West students to bring a guest to SP West prom are DUE Tuesday, May 7th at 1:30pm. This is a HARD DEADLINE with NO EXCEPTIONS. The box will be removed from the front office when the 1:30pm end of lunch bell rings. Please make plans NOW to make sure that it is turned in on time.

Tickets go on sale (available to Juniors and Seniors only), Thursday, May 9th at 8:00am via Go Fan and end May 15th at 4:00pm (HARD DEADLINE the app will shut down).

If you are interested in attending prom at another school (including SP East) you will need to have a Guest Form signed. The Guest Form is obtained at the school whose prom you are planning to attend and needs to be signed by an administrator here at West.

• Bring your Guest Form for a DIFFERENT school to the back ADMIN OFFICE to Ms. Blank
• You grades, attendance and behavior will be reviewed. If you are failing a class, have missed more than 10% of the school year or have had a suspension you will need to meet with an administrator to check-in before the form will be signed. This does NOT mean you won't be able to go, however, it is an opportunity for a check-in and planning for success for the remaining 6 weeks of the school year.
• Behavior that has led to suspension may result in not being able to attend, particularly suspension occurring between now and the end of prom season.

As we begin to approach the end of the school year, remember that 5th Hour Tutoring is available to ALL students. Make plans to come and get that extra help/encouragement to get that grade up! Coaches encourage student-athletes to ensure their academics are taken care of first, so if you need to attend and may miss some practice, please talk to your coach!

April 12 - 14th The Sun Prairie Orchestras went on tour to Minneapolis! We enjoyed an orchestra exchange with Hudson High School Orchestras, seeing a Minnesota Orchestra Concert, going to the Walker Art Museum and seeing a musical at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.

Sun Prairie West Orchestra also performed at State Solo Ensemble at UW-Whitewater this past weekend as well as Vaughn Phippen. Congratulations to Vaughn who earned that rating of a 1!

It was an exciting night at Monday's School Board meeting as two new Student Representatives were sworn in to begin their service on the Board!

Welcome to Reagan Loomis, the new Junior Representative for SP East, and Devin Willis, the new Junior Representative for SP West! They join Senior Representatives Isabella Roberts from SP East and Jojo Knauss from SP West to represent their fellow students. #SPMovesTogether

On April 24th, students in Economics visited Sun Prairie East for Reality Rocks! This is a personal finance simulation where students have a household profile with an income that they will use to manage their expenses for the month. We have many community volunteers who run the businesses and economic activities in Reality Rocks! and students gain valuable personal finance experience.

On Thursday, April 18th we celebrated Hmong Heritage Family Fun Night at Prairie View Middle School. The event was fun and exciting with games, activities, food, and prizes. The Hmong Heritage Family Fun Night was attended by more than 100 students, parents/caregivers, community members, and staff and was a night to remember. Special thank you to Briana Kurlinkus and Jennifer Yang for co-leading the planning of this incredible event. Many more thanks to the many staff and community members who volunteered. The event was a huge success and we are looking forward to expanding the event next year. Pictures are shared below from the night of celebration.

Check out two of our track coaches highlighted here:

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.

Information from previous Howls that's too important to miss!

Kobussen has a Lost & Found for items left on the bus. The driver keeps the lost item on the bus for a few days, then turns it in at the Kobussen terminal. If your child has a lost item don’t forget to check with Kobussen. Feel free to stop by the terminal at 1500 Forward Drive, Sun Prairie or call (608) 825-8700.

Individual Senior Wolf invitations have been sent out for our Senior Celebration on Wednesday, May 15th from 6:00pm-8:00pm (students being recognized need to arrive by 5:15pm). ALL Seniors and their Parents/Caregivers are welcome! Students who are being recognized at the event received an individualized invitation on Friday afternoon via email. We will be celebrating the Class of 2024 through: Academic Awards, Local Scholarship Announcements, Department Awards with refreshments provided by our ProStart students. Excited to see you there.

Its hard to believe that fall sports will be here before we know it! Fall sports have kick off meetings between now and the end of the school year. Are you interested in a fall sport? Reach out to Ms. Beaver and Ms. Ripp in the Athletic Office for more information.

Last week we held College Information Night. Topics covered included:

• Academic and Career Planning

• Accessing Post Secondary Information

• Navigating the College Application Process

• Preparation opportunities for students

• How to Pay for College

• Annual TO DO LISTS

If you missed it you can view it on our website or HERE

This spring there have been measles cases in several states. Measles is a very contagious virus. It spreads easily and quickly when people cough and sneeze. If you haven’t had the measles vaccine, just being in a room with someone who has measles can make you sick.

Measles can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. It can be prevented by the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

• The vaccine is safe and effective. The best protection against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

• Most people are vaccinated as young children because two doses are required to go to school. One dose is usually given at 12-15 months of age, and a second dose is given before the start of kindergarten at 4-6 years of age.

• Most people who get measles are unvaccinated. When the measles finds a group of unvaccinated people, it can spread very quickly.

Check your immunization records

You can check your child’s immunization record on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or with your healthcare provider.

If our school records do not show that your child has received two doses of the MMR vaccine you will receive additional communication from the school.

Get Vaccinated

• If you have health insurance: reach out to your healthcare provider to make an appointment.

• If you don’t have health insurance or if your child is on BadgerCare: You can make an appointment with Public Health on their website or by calling (608) 266-4821.

Watch for Measles Symptoms

Measles symptoms begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body. If you or your child has these symptoms, call your healthcare provider. Do not go to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first.

For more information on measles, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

Do you have the Infinite Campus app on your phone? If not, please download it today! See the directions below on how to access Parent Portal.

Why is Parent Portal important?

• Get real time updates on grades
• Get real time updates on attendance
• Set notifications to keep you up to date on your students progress

Infinite campus is our Number 1 communication tool with parents/caregivers. Have it right at your finger tips!

1. Go to the Sun Prairie Area School District web page

2. Click on Infinite Campus

3. Click on Campus Parent

4. Enter your Username and Password (if you’ve already logged in to Campus Parent Portal

previously/have a username and password)

5. Click on New User? (if you have not set up your Infinite Campus Parent Portal

6. I need to obtain my Activation Key: Please email: enroll@sunprarieschools.org

7. Once you’ve received your Activation Key, copy and paste it directly into the Activation Key

area. You will be prompted to move forward with setting up your Campus Portal Account.

1. Search your app store for Campus Parent
2. Enter your Username and Password (if you’ve already logged in to Campus Parent Portal
3. previously/have a username and password)
4. Click on New User? (if you have not set up your Infinite Campus Parent Porta
5. I need to obtain my Activation Key: Please email: enroll@sunprarieschools.or
6. Once you’ve received your Activation Key, copy and paste it directly into the Activation Key area.
7. You will be prompted to move forward with setting up your Campus Portal Account

A few important parking reminders and expectations as we continue to have situations that are unsafe for students.

• When dropping off students ONLY use the RED Student Drop Off Zone. We are seeing many parents/caregivers dropping students off in the YELLO Bus Loading Zone, Student Parking and Visitor Staff Lots. This creates situations in which there are moving cars where others are trying to park, blocked parking spots and student being nearly hit by cars when trying to walk through designated areas.
• Do NOT pull into light blue designated accessible parking, or block these spots, for any length of time if you do not have a government issued tag/license plate. We have students that require the use of these spots and on a regular basis are having their access limited due to others blocking or being in the locations.
• The DARK BLUE service road behind the building is for Emergency Use only. Prepare for these gates to begin being closed as we have seen an increase in individuals using this back road at the end of the day in an attempt to avoid traffic. Unfortunately this creates unsafe circumstances and a student was nearly hit last week.
• The gray circle near the end of the staff parking and service road is designated for specialized transportation pickup only. The only pick up that should take place in this location is specialized buses and parent/caregivers working with their student's IEP team.
• Finally, students a reminder to park in your student designated parking spot in the GREEN LOT.

We are working to have an increased presence in these locations with our School Resource Officer and Administration to enforce these important safety measures, warnings and tickets may be issued for infractions.

We know that drop-off, pick-up and parking can be difficult and busy times at a comprehensive High School. Please ensure that you are planning ahead with appropriate time. If we all work together the system will work and keep everyone safe.