Every Family, Every Day Newsletter
April 2018
All School Read Book Authors Visit Sun Prairie High School

Sun Prairie High School students have been engaged in an All School Read program using the book, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. The goal was to build bridges of understanding about different points of view through reading and discussing a shared text. By opening the same book, we can open the dialogue about social issues. This book provided excellent opportunities for discussion as it is written from the perspectives of a white and black student. This gave readers insight into both characters' struggles with the complexities of racial issues in our society.

The All School Read was launched just before spring break so students had an opportunity to read the book before events occurred. The high school hosted a variety of special events including book discussions, a visit by the authors, a paint night led by art students and more. Our Prostart class prepared a taco bar meal for the authors during their visit.

Every student and staff member were given the same book to read. All activities, including reading the book, were opt-in. This means that all students were offered a copy of the book, but were not required to read the book or participate in activities.

Visit the website for more information about Sun Prairie High School's All-School Read.

Authors, Jason Reynolds and  B rendan Kiely


Students Shakeem Booker, Raquel Evans, Kiana Sveum and their Prostart  teacher Amanda Speth prepared a meal  for this event

High School Student Destiny Cooper  addressing the crowd
 
New Elementary School Open House

We recently hosted an Open House for families
going to Token Springs and Meadow View Elementary schools this fall. Some staff from the new schools were there to meet the students and show them photos and the floor plan for the buildings. It was an exciting night for both staff and families.


Student Showcase

As part of a writing unit on journalism, 4th grade student Michael Garrett from  Sosha Lund's class at Westside
Elementary interviewed Todd Schmidt  from the District Office about the new lights installation  happening throughout Sun Prairie Schools. 




Middle School Students In Action

Helping a friend skate at the Sun Prairie Ice Arena during a gym unit

Hula Hooping and balancing on one leg takes great coordination

Solar System project fun

Rap Poetry Unit 


JusTme Visits Sun Prairie Schools
 
Many of our schools have been using mindfulness as a tool for helping students and staff with their emotional and mental well being. Our schools have also been providing mindfulness training for staff. Several schools have created a space in the school for mindfulness to occur. For example, CH Bird, calls their space a Mindful Room and at Creekside it is called the Zen Den. This is a place students and staff can go to get some peace, quiet, and practice mindful breathing.

CH Bird recently wrote a grant to get hip hop artist/mindfulness instructor, JusTme (from the Bay Area in California) to come for an Artist in Residence program for two weeks. In December, the Sun Prairie Education Foundation awarded the school with a large grant to make this happen. Judy Thompson, the Soclal Worker at Bird School says, "The students and staff really gravitated towards him and his message of self-love, kindness, and mindfulness in ways we never could have anticipated. JusTme has been working with grade-level classes during Guidance time. He has also met with our staff and provided us with meaningful practices we can use throughout the day for ourselves, and with students. His music and words have inspired us, and we wanted to share his work with others."

JusTme was at Westside Elementary last fall and will be at Creekside Elementary soon. Other elementary schools will be working with JusTme soon.





Survey Engagement

Dr. Lin Posey Maddox and  Curt Mould, our Director of Digital Media, Innovation and Strategy met with students and community members this past week to create new student and parent engagement surveys. We are proud of this collaborative work.

Stay Connected to the Sun Prairie Area School District
 
We invite you to engage with the School District and follow the success of our students and staff. Here are just a few ways to stay connected:

Help spread the word....we are seeking to diversify our workforce. View current employment opportunities here.