The Howl

Welcome Wolves to Year 2: One West. Our Community. Our Future. We couldn't be more excited to begin to launch the second year of our Wolf legacy. This year our theme is: One West. Coming together as staff, parents/caregivers, students and extended community to break down barriers and work together to build on our work last year to create a school community in which ALL students and staff thrive. We are focused on common expectations in and outside the classroom, clear communication and collective efficacy- a sense that together we can and will make a difference to shape the future of West. This is our school, your school. Our community and together we will thrive in 23-24.

Jen Ploeger- Principal- jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org

Chai Lee- Associate Principal- cmlee1@sunprairieschools.org

Ed Ford- Associate Principal- ebford@sunprairieschools.org

Sun Prairie West High School Families,

We are counting down the days to open the 2023-24 school year at West High School. Please plan to attend our back to school registration anytime on August 22nd and August 23rd between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

We ask you to enter through the athletic entrance and exit through the main entrance at West High School.

Please note the following details regarding the services that will be provided on these two days:

Infinite Campus Updates and Permissions

Chromebooks and assistance will be available for you to update your information in Infinite Campus if you have not yet done so.

Yearbook

You can order your 2023-24 yearbook, or pick up information for later.

Bus Tags

Bus tags will be issued to students who are eligible for transportation. These tags are necessary to ride the bus after the initial grace period.

Fees

Course fees will be added to accounts in a few weeks; those can be paid online, but families can purchase an activity pass that will be printed on the student’s ID during registration. Technical support will be available to pay this fee at registration along with the 60$ student parking fee. Students will get their parking tag once the fee is paid.

Parking Permits

Students wishing to apply for a parking permit must present their valid license and have the make, model, color, and license plate for the car(s) they will be parking on campus as part of the back to school registration process.

Please note answers to commonly asked questions regarding parking permits:

• The cost of the permit is $30/semester. This is non-refundable and is not prorated.

• One parking permit can be purchased per household.

• Students/caretakers must agree to the parking guidelines before a permit is issued.

• Students must possess a valid license before the permit is issued. A driving permit cannot secure a parking permit for the future.

• Parking is a privilege and can be revoked.

• We have 505 parking spots. Everyone will be randomly assigned a parking spot. Spots cannot be traded or changed.

• Additional parking is available in the adjacent neighborhoods. Neighborhood street parking regulations and laws are established and monitored by the City of Sun Prairie and the Sun Prairie Police Department.

School Pictures and ID Cards

Photographers will be on site to take school portraits. ID cards will be printed on site as well.

School Tours/Access

Leaders of the Pack will be available to provide directions for students wanting to find their classrooms during registration.

If you are NOT available to attend registration, we will work with students to get caught up in the first week of school. Picture makeup day will be October 19th during the school day.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we of course invite you to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Your SPWHS Administrators

Keys to Success will be held at West High School on Thursday, August 24th from 9:00am-11:00am at West High School. This is an opportunity for students to be welcomed into West, get to know the building and start created connections with staff and students. ALL new students and incoming 9th graders are welcome! We are excited to see you there!

If your student is interested in parking in our SP West parking lot and currently has a valid driver's license (not learning permit) you may purchase a parking permit at registration. Here are the Parking Permit Guidelines for the 23-24 school year. Please review these together as student and parent/caregiver.

SUN PRAIRIE WEST HIGH SCHOOL

PARKING PERMIT GUIDELINES 2023-24

We are excited to be able to provide students and staff with ample parking opportunities to have consistency of parking relatively close to the building. Students may access the student parking lot by purchasing a Sun Prairie West Parking permit for $30/semester and abiding by our parking guidelines.

Students who violate the parking regulations or traffic laws will be subject to various disciplinary actions by the school administration or local police which include but are not limited to:

● Issuance of a $30 Parking Citation (Students and/or parents will be responsible for all fines)

● Repeated violation of parking regulation may result in the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense

● Suspension of parking permit

● Revocation of parking permit

● Issuance of detention, In-School Suspension and Out of School Suspension

Parking Regulations at Sun Prairie West High School:

• Students must park in the student parking lot outside of the Performing Art Center only. Students are not allowed to park in the lot directly in front of the Main Entrance/Athletic Entrance or the side parking lot near Door 24. Both of these parking lots are reserved for staff and visitors.

• Parking permit number must match parking stall number during regular school hours/days-7:00 am-3:45 pm

• Permit must be hung from the rearview mirror clearly visible from the front windshield

• Vehicles must be registered to the assigned parking permit. A change of vehicle must be registered at the Main Office.

• Students are not allowed to loiter in cars during school days/hours.

• Unsafe driving will result in parking permit suspension/revocation

• Students are not allowed to go to their car during the school day, they must ensure they have all their materials with them when entering the building.

• Parking privileges may be suspended or revoked as part of a disciplinary action for violations of the student code of conduct.

• Revoked/suspended parking permits are not refunded.

• Parking permit numbers are randomized and assigned to specific students. Students may not trade parking permits with others.

IF A CAR IS PARKED IN YOUR ASSIGNED PARKING STALL, REPORT THE LICENSE PLATE INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE

Do not take another numbered stall...temporarily park in a visitor stall

Please reference your signed Student Parking Registration Form for additional rules, regulations and notices.

See other side for map of numbered parking stalls.

At the High School level we do not have a standard school supply list. Many teachers will let your teachers know any specific materials they will need for class during the first couple of days. To start the year please have your student bring a notebook/s, pens/pencils and their Chromebook (more information on Chromebooks to come). Especially over the last couple of years Chromebooks have become our students most important school supply. Many students also benefit from having a binder/s.

• Tuesday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 23rd- Registration for ALL students and parents/caregivers (come get your picture taken!) 8:00am-4:00pm
• Thursday, August 24th- Keys to Success for Incoming 9th Graders and New Students 9:00am-11:00am
• Monday, August 28th- Staff return to work to prepare for students!
• Wednesday, August 30th- 9th Grade Student/Parent/Caregiver Orientation 7pm SP West PAC
• Thursday, August 31st- 10th-12th Grade Student/Parent/Caregiver Orientation 7pm SP West PAC

We are extremely excited to welcome Mr. Edward Ford as our new Associate Principal of Sun Prairie West High School! Mr. Ford holds bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Music Education from Michigan State University. Additionally, Mr. Ford holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Mr. Ford joins us having most recently served as Dean of Students at Madison East High School, a position he has held since 2016. Prior to his work at Madison East, Mr. Ford held positions as a Positive Behavior Support Coach, Dean of Students, and Music Department Chair at Sherman Middle School in Madison, WI. Mr. Ford remains active as a musician and music educator. He sings with the Madison Choral Project and performs regularly as a Singer/Songwriter in the Sun Prairie area. Mr. Ford is excited to begin his work serving the students, families, staff, and the community of Sun Prairie West. Please help us warmly welcome Mr. Ford to his new role!

A huge shout out to all of our athletes and coaches that have begun their season or are set to begin next week! Interested in joining a fall sport? Please contact our Athletic Department TODAY! Ms. Ripp and/or Ms. Beaver are ready to answer any questions you may have. We are excited to support our Wolves in the pool, on the field, on the course and on the course this fall! Join us!

During the month of August we will be sending the Howl out weekly with more information as we gear up for the start of the school year! What questions do you have that we could answer in a future addition of the Howl? We are co-creating a brand new school and we want to hear your voice! Please fill out this quick survey with questions, topics for future newsletters and highlights/future events.

September is Suicide Prevention Month and while we aren't in September yet we know that transitions, such as the start of the school year, can cause additional stress for our young people. Here are resources as we work as a community to destigmatize talking about mental health and suicide prevention.. Please remember you are not alone in supporting your child/children and they are not alone. We have student support staff available yet this summer and as we start the school year to support your student, please don't hesitate to reach out and we will get them connected: jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org.

Our scholars have been busy throughout the summer! Working, volunteering, studying, pursuing current passions and discovering new passions. A shout out to all of our students enrolled in Summer School. Across our Summer High School we had 380 students participate including credit recovery, strength and conditioning, the summer musical and traffic safety.

Sun Prairie High School students came together across sites this summer to make music and put on beautiful shows both on the stage and on the field. Sun Prairie Summer High School launched our first summer musical, putting on a show from start to show time in 3 1/2 weeks. Learn more about the incredible production of Legally Blonde here.

Students from across town came together as well in in Sound of Sun Prairie entertained and competed throughout Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin this summer as a part of the DCI Midwest Circuit with 71 students participating!