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EVERY FAMILY, EVERY DAY NEWSLETTER
Black History Month
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Black History Month this year!

We spent the month of February celebrating Black Excellence in our schools, in our community, and in our society. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and talents to help organize the BHM events, and thanks to everyone who attended them!

To help us plan for next year, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to provide feedback regarding this year's Black History Month using this FEEDBACK FORM.

Below are some highlights from this year's events:
Read Your Heart Out

Our annual "Read Your Heart Out" event took place at Creekside Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Northside Elementary schools. This event was celebrated on Friday, Feb. 18, engaging nearly 1,000 students from kindergarten to fifth grade, along with caregivers, community members, and members of the District’s leadership team.

"Read Your Heart Out" is a special way to celebrate Black and African American students’ culture through the love of reading, while also bringing the community together. It has been held at Westside Elementary for eight years and Northside Elementary for five years. Creekside Elementary participated in the event for the first time this year. 

Community members volunteer to read culturally relevant materials to classrooms that feature Black and African American main characters and African American authors and/or illustrators. Volunteers select the books of their choosing. 

Some of this year’s special guests included Mayor Paul Esser, members of the Sun Prairie Fire Department, Superintendent Brad Saron, William Greer from the 100 Black Men of Madison, Director of Systemic Equity and Inclusion Michael Morgan, and students from Prairie Phoenix Academy.
Movie Night

On February 20, we had a movie night at Cardinal Heights. Guests watched the movie, King Richard: the story of Richard Williams and his journey in writing his two daughters, Venus and Serena, into history.
Soul Food Night

Thank you to everyone who helped with and came to the drive-thru Soul Food Dinner to support the Sun Prairie BSU! Even with COVID, it was a sold-out event!
Spoken Word Night

On February 25, we had our third annual Spoken Word Night. Attendees were invited to bring their poetry to perform and listen to others share at the Westside Community Center. This year's event was hosted by DJ M. White.
Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion Community Cabinet
The inaugural DSEICC Members were selected in January and had their first meeting on January 17th, 2022. After the expectations and norms of the group were set, the members all came together and got to work immediately., They were asked to select topics of focus that we were going to focus on together as a group. 

Prior to the February 21st meeting, survey results were prepared to be revealed to the group. Michael and Teran revealed the topics and spoke about having partnerships with district leaders who specialize in those specific fields. DSEICC members were briefed on the activities that occurred during Black History Month and then went into breakout rooms to discuss how we are going to support other heritage months throughout the year.
Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes Visits Sun Prairie High School
Our students loved getting to hear from some of our local government leaders. Thank you to Lt. Governor Barnes and Representative Hebl for supporting our schools and students.
Sun Prairie West High School
Mr. Jamie Sims Selected to be Sun Prairie West High School Principal

Mr. Sims currently is an adjunct instructor in the master’s degree program for Educational Leadership at Edgewood College and has 17 years of service in the educational field. He has held numerous leadership positions in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District and the Madison Metropolitan School District, including Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Athletic Director. Prior to his work in leadership, Mr. Sims was a high school teacher and coach in his home state of Georgia. 

Mr. Sims went through an extensive and comprehensive interview process, whereby a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, caregivers, staff, and building and district administrators, evaluated candidates. His extensive experience and ability to create transformational change regarding issues connected to race, equity, belonging, and instructional leadership led the interview committee to determine he is well suited for this leadership role. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from the University of West Georgia and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College.

Mr. Sims will officially begin his work as principal of Sun Prairie West High School on Jul. 1, 2022.
School Board Equity Statement
The Equity Statement below was unanymously approved by the School Board at the Board meeting on February 14, 2022.

We stand by our Black and Brown students, staff, and families of color. We will continue to speak and swiftly act against statements of bigotry, social injustice, discrimination, racism, and hate that may plague members of our community. We are committed to the development and implementation of strategies and best practices that dismantle racism, bigotry, and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our schools and school district.
AVID Students Awarded Scholarships
Congratulations to our AVID students who have been accepted into college. Many were offered wonderful scholarships as well!
Npliaglias
AVID Senior Npliaglias was accepted to Carroll College, UW-Platteville, Superior, LaCrosse, St. Norbert, Winona, Madison College, Hamline, and Marquette University. She has also been offered almost $200,000 in scholarships. Npliaglias is undecided at this point where she will attend - but the doors are open!
Tiara
AVID Senior Scholar Tiara was accepted to Columbia College of Chicago. She was offered almost $50,000 in scholarship money!
Kadin
AVID Senior Kadin was accepted to Madison College. He will be entering the ABC Program (apprenticeship) to become an HVAC technician or electrician! 
4th Annual B.E.A.M. Awards
B.E.A.M. Awards

The BEAM team has been hard at work planning this year's event for Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Ashley Field. The submission form for teachers is live and they are rolling in! As of this writing time, we are at 245 submissions and will be open for two more weeks! As a reminder, the awards categories are Models Excellence in Academics, Models Excellence in Teamwork, Exemplary Peer Leadership, Models Excellence in Responsibility, and Extraordinary Growth. 
Secondary Boundary & Bell Time Changes - Beginning Fall 2022
Beginning in the fall of 2022:

  • Sun Prairie West High School will open as a 9-12 grade High School
  • The Cardinal Heights building will become the District’s third middle school (serving grades 6-8) and will be called Central Heights joining Prairie View and Patrick Marsh.
  • Prairie Phoenix Academy will be relocated to the Central Heights building with a separate and dedicated space.

This will change the grades served at each middle and high school. 
  • There will no longer be an upper middle school. 
  • Eighth graders will be redistributed to the District’s three middle schools.
  • Ninth graders will shift to Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West High Schools. 
 
This new configuration will eliminate one school transition for students as they progress through the grades, allowing for more stability and relationship building while attending a school. 
 
Please check Infinite Campus to see what school your secondary students will attend next year. Click on More and then on 2022-2023 School Assignment
 
Since September 2020, the Secondary Boundary and Bell Time Task Force has diligently worked to recommend new boundaries for all secondary schools and to examine district-wide bell times to be effective September 2022. 

Sun Prairie Schools FUTURE BELL SCHEDULE (Fall 2022)

4-Year-Old Kindergarten - District Sites
  • Start Time: 7:40 a.m. / 11:42 a.m.
  • End Time: 10:23 a.m. / 2:40 p.m.

4-Year-Old Kindergarten - Partner Sites
  • Start Time: 7:50 a.m. / 11:32 a.m.
  • End Time: 10:33 a.m. / 2:30 p.m.

Elementary School (Grades K5)
  • Start Time: 7:40 a.m.
  • End Time: 2:40 p.m.

Middle School (Grades 68)
  • Start Time: 8:25 a.m.
  • End Time: 3:35 p.m.

High School (Grades 912)
  • Start Time: 8:35 a.m.
  • End Time: 3:45 p.m.
Tell Us Something Good
District Communications Team Launches ‘Tell Us Something Good’ Campaign

With all the negativity surrounding us these days, we want to shine a light on the positive. Please take a moment to share with us something great happening in our schools.” 

To thank a staff member, congratulate a student on an accomplishment, or tell us something else amazing happening in our District, click here

Here Are Some Things We Have Heard so Far:

“Kelly Reindl at Sun Prairie High School is truly amazing! Not only does she successfully update every attendance call we make, she truly cares about each student that comes to her desk. She told my child they were beautiful today -- and it made such an impact, more than Kelly will likely ever know."

"Ms. Compton at Horizon Elementary goes above and beyond for her students. The way she advocates but balances that with constructive challenges has made all the difference in helping us make decisions for our son. Tara and the spec. ed team at Horizon are a blessing and we are so grateful to have them in our village!"

"The gentleman who stands out front of Northside Elementary greeting children in the morning is amazing! He knows so many kids by name. He is always smiling and shouting good morning and have a nice day to the van and bus drivers. He's great at keeping kids on the sidewalk and safe zone in the center of the cars and buses. Having that friendly face when kids walk up to the school is awesome!"
Sun Prairie Experience Community Newsletter
Be sure to check your mailbox for the 2022 edition of the Sun Prairie Experience Community Newsletter! We are so excited to have this opportunity to share with our community some of the amazing things happening in your School District! You can find it online here.
Community Schools
Little Black Wall Street
C.H. Bird students showcased their business ideas that they have developed in BSU over the past two months. They showed them off during family-teacher conferences in late February!
Alwyn Foster Speaks with Black Student Union at Patrick Marsh Middle School
School Board Member Alwyn Foster visited the Black Student Union at Patrick Marsh Middle School. He spoke with them about the importance of making Black History, and not just reading about it.
100 Scholars Saturday
On February 26, Sun Prairie Community Schools launched its 100 Scholars Saturday at Northside in partnership with 100 Black Men of Madison. Cracker Barrel catered an impressive breakfast that helped get the scholars ready to learn.
WE ARE HIRING!
We are seeking to diversify our workforce. To see all available positions, including the positions listed below, please scan the QR Code or visit Frontline.

  • Substitute Teacher
  • College, Career, and Life Readiness Coordinator - Sun Prairie East High School
  • Dean of Students - Sun Prairie West High School
  • Restorative Practices Coach - District-Wide
  • Substitute Nurse
  • Substitute Support Staff
  • Community Schools Instructor: Certified
  • Community Schools Instructor: Non-Certified
  • Community Schools Instructional Support
  • Computer Concepts Teacher - Central Heights Middle School
  • Maintenance Technician - District-Wide
  • 6th Grade Science/Social Studies Teacher - Patrick Marsh Middle School
  • English Teacher - Sun Prairie East High School
  • Elementary School Counselor - Royal Oaks Elementary School
  • 4th Grade Long Term Substitute - Meadow View Elementary School
  • 3rd Grade Long Term Substitute - Horizon Elementary School
HUMAN RESOURCES CONTACTS:
Chris Sadler, Human Resources Director    
Isabel Simonetti, Employee Relations Manager     
humanresources@sunprairieschools.org
Mission

Futures depend on us to inspire and prepare every child, every day by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.

Vision

To be a high performing district of choice that reflects the cultures of our diverse community.