THE HOWL
Monday, October 12th, 2026
Dear families,
On Friday, our teachers and staff engaged in a productive day of professional learning dedicated to elevating classroom instruction and strengthening student learning.
During our morning session, we delved into the cognitive science behind effective note-taking and long-term memory retention. Teachers explored research surrounding the "forgetting curve"—the natural rate at which new information is forgotten if it isn’t actively revisited. To move key concepts from short-term memory into lasting understanding, students need multiple opportunities to process, reflect on, and retrieve their notes over time. Moving forward, our classrooms will continue to incorporate structured routines for students to regularly revisit and interact with their class notes. You can support this learning at home by encouraging your teenager to review their notes for a few minutes each evening or by asking them to explain a concept they wrote down that week.
In the afternoon, our staff collaborated directly with teachers from Sun Prairie East High School to align and calibrate course-level content. Working side-by-side across our high schools ensures consistent expectations, rigorous curriculum standards, and seamless learning pathways for all students across our district.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we invest in continuous improvement for our school community!
Peg Shoemaker
Principal
Protecting Attention: The Impact of Cell Phones on Learning
📱 Helping Students Take Control of Their Phone Use
This upcoming week, students will participate in a short lesson in SP30 focused on the impact cell phone use can have on attention, learning, and academic success. We are reviewing this learning this week as students will be engaging in grade checks now that progress grades have been posted. Research shows that smartphones can be valuable learning tools, but problematic use and multitasking (particularly during learning) can make it more difficult for students to stay focused and can be associated with lower academic performance.
Our message to students is not that phones are “bad.” Instead, we are encouraging students to think about how, when, and why they use their phones and whether their phone habits are helping or getting in the way of their success.
We encourage caregivers to continue the conversation at home by asking:
When does your phone help you learn?
When does your phone distract you from what you need to accomplish?
How do you handle notifications when you need to focus?
What is one phone habit you could change to help you be more successful?
How could I support you in monitoring your phone usage at school? At home?
We invite you to review this message with your student and have a conversation about how your family can support healthy, purposeful phone habits. Small changes in how students manage their attention can make a meaningful difference in their ability to learn and succeed.
Together, we can help our students learn not only how to use technology, but how to be in control of it.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fD_qTSAgIehEKOXmuwEI85Yzf0zYL6Cp4OJl5pCpocU/edit?usp=sharing
Student ID's
Do you need a new student ID for our new ID policy and check in procedure? We are now able to print ID's in the front office. If you had a photo taken at registration or picture retake day and have misplaced your ID then a replacement ID can be reprinted for you. A fee of $5 will be entered in Infinite Campus. Once the fee is paid the ID will be printed and left in the front office for you to pick up before/after school, during passing time, or during your lunch period. If you still need a photo taken this year you will receive a link to schedule a time to come to the front office to have a photo taken and an ID printed. DO NOT come to the front office without an appointment or during instructional time! Please email Tina Schwersinske @ tmschwe@sunprairieschools.org to request an ID
Wisconsin Education Fair
On Thursday, October 15th, juniors and seniors have the option to attend the Wisconsin Education Fair during the school day, where they will have a chance to meet with over 80 College/University representatives. Students can gather valuable information from 4 year schools, 2 year schools, military and specialty schools. Here is a LIST of the schools attending.
Juniors and Seniors will attend from 9am-9:45am
Students should register HERE
Once registered students will receive a barcode. Students will use that barcode when communicating with the representatives. This way the schools can send follow up material.
**This will be a one time exception for students to use their cell phones during class time. Students can also choose to use their chromebook to access their barcode.
All bags must be left in block 1
Traveling juniors and seniors are welcome to attend and should start the day in room 1202 so we can take their attendance
Read-Along Corner 📖
This week, we dive into Chapters 2 & 3 ofThe Anxious Generation and explore the vital role of physical play, risk-taking, and real-world independence. Haidt asserts that children naturally build resilience and emotional regulation by navigating minor conflicts and physical challenges on their own.
🔑TL;DR- Key Takeaway: Protecting kids from all real-world discomfort can inadvertently make them more fragile. Free, unstructured play is nature's way of teaching resilience.
💬 Table Talk Question: As your students, "Is there an area of daily life where we might be stepping in too quickly to solve a problem for you instead of letting you try first?"
⚡ Try This Week: An "Independence Quest." Give your child one new age-appropriate task this week (e.g., ordering their own meal, walking to a neighbor's house, or making a family grocery list).
Next Chapters: 4 & 5 on October 27
College Goal WI
SENIORS - The FAFSA opened on October 1. Do you need FAFSA help? College Goal WI is Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m. in SP East’s LMC. Financial aid experts will be available to offer support as you fill out the FAFSA. All attendees are entered into a drawing through College Goal WI to earn a scholarship!
It is highly recommended that both the dependent student and a parent/caregiver attend the event together so that the FAFSA can be submitted that evening. Things to bring with you:
Your own device (chromebook or laptop)
FSA IDs for both the student and parent/guardian. You must have this before completing the FAFSA. You can create one here.
2025 Federal Tax Return and W2s.
2025 untaxed income records (if applicable)
Driver’s license
Social Security Number, Alien Registration Card or Permanent Resident Card
Date of birth for parents
Month and year of parents’ marriage, divorce or separation
* If you can’t attend College Goal WI, check out these resources and video guide for filling out the FAFSA form.
College Rep Visits
None this week!
AP Exam & Fee Information
Important Change to AP Exams & Fees
AP Students & Families: AP exam fees have been posted to your students’ Infinite Campus accounts. Each AP exam costs $99, and payment for AP exam fees will be due by November 1st, 2026. Please be aware that students whose AP exam fees have not been paid by the deadline will not have an AP exam ordered for them. Students who need to order a test after November 1st will need to pay an additional $40 late order fee. These fees are set by the College Board, not the district. For students who are on free or reduced lunch programming, AP exam fees are waived due to Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. sec. 120.12(22)).
Please reach out to Amy Cassiday, AP Coordinator, at akcassi@sunprairieschools.org or 608-478-1700 ext. 1888 with questions.
