Cardinal Call
Greetings, Cardinals!
April marks the start of Hmong Heritage Month. This year's celebration will be held at Sun Prairie West on April 23. Please stop out if you have a chance. Our last full standardized testing day of the school year is this week. 11th and 12th grade students do not have school on Tuesday, while 9th and 10th grade students do. There is much more comprehensive information about the PreACT later in the newsletter. Finally, our PBIS team is bringing back Food Truck Fridays! On April 24 we will have our spring food truck celebration.
Sincerely,
Jim Ertel
Principal
Spring Standardized Testing - PreACT Secure
Dear 9th and 10th Grade Scholars, Families, and Caregivers,
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, we will administer the PreACT Secure exam to all 9th & 10th grade students during the school day.
Why the PreACT?
The PreACT Secure is a state-mandated assessment that helps monitor students’ academic readiness for college and careers. There is no cost for participation. In addition to providing data to our educators to inform future instruction, it also provides valuable information to support student growth. The assessment helps students:
Identify academic strengths
Spot areas to improve
Gain experience with ACT-style questions
Plan for college and career readiness
What’s on the PreACT Secure?
English – 35 minutes | 48 multiple-choice questions
Math – 45 minutes | 36 multiple-choice questions
Reading – 40 minutes | 33 multiple-choice questions
Science – 35 minutes | 36 multiple-choice questions
Testing Location
9th and 10th grade students will test at their primary school of enrollment
JEDI Virtual students will test at the Prairie Phoenix Academy location
Test Day Details
Students will begin testing at the regular school start time. Dismissal will be at 1:00pm. Students with individualized testing schedules will receive additional communication from assessment coordinators.
Bring your fully charged device, a water bottle, and a snack (you may access your snack during break). All other testing materials will be provided. It is optional to bring an approved calculator.
Room assignments will be posted in common areas.
To maintain a secure testing environment: Large bags, cell phones, smart watches, and other electronics are not permitted in testing rooms.
Bus routes will run as usual for students testing that day.
We ask that 9-10th graders arrive between 8:00 and 8:35 am, with testing beginning promptly at 9:00 am. Room assignments will be communicated directly with scholars and posted on test day. All students must be in their assigned location at 8:35 am. Failure to do so will result in scholars needing to make up the exam at a later date and time.
Testing Schedule
8:05-8:35 am
9-10th graders report to testing locations for check-in
9:00 am
Test sessions begin. Scholars arriving after this time will not be permitted to take the test and will need to make up for the test at a later date and time.
12:00
Morning testing is completed. Students will have lunch.
1:00 pm
- Buses run after school routes.
*Students with accommodations may have a different schedule for this day. If applicable, a separate communication will be shared.
Students approved for testing accommodations will receive additional information about their individualized schedules. If you have questions, please contact your school’s assessment or student services team: Amy Kohl or Ami Fimreite (504) or Mallory Long (Student Services)
Preparing for the PreACT Secure
Students are encouraged to explore preparation resources, tutorials, and practice questions to become familiar with the testing experience.
Learn more about the PreACT Secure here:
ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - English
ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Spanish
ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Hmong
The PreACT mirrors the ACT, so these materials can double as preparation for both assessments: Test Prep & Kaplan Test Prep & PreACT Secure Practice Tests
All students also have access to free ACT & SAT prep through a program called Methodize that students can find under the Resources tab on Xello (an academic & career planning application on school issued devices).
We look forward to this opportunity for our scholars to demonstrate their college and career readiness and take the next steps toward their post-secondary goals.
Sincerely,
Beth Butler
Junior Class Meetings
As we move into an important season of planning for life after high school, we encourage all juniors to schedule a meeting with their school counselor during the month of April.
This one-on-one meeting is a valuable opportunity for students to:
Review graduation progress and senior year course options
Explore a variety of post-high school pathways, including college, career, military, and workforce options
Identify next steps based on individual goals, interests, and strengths
Get guidance on college applications, scholarships, and timelines
Ask questions and create a clear plan for the months ahead
Taking time now to meet with a counselor can help reduce stress and ensure students are on track for a successful senior year and beyond. Parents are welcome to attend these conferences.
Use the links below to schedule an appointment with your counselor:
Sarah Albright (Last Names A-F)
Amy Karsten (Last Names G-L)
Steven Jordan (Last Names M-S)
Phau Thao (Last Names T-Z)
Hmong Heritage Month
April is Hmong Heritage Month. From Our Roots, We Rise honors the strength and resilience of Hmong heritage while uplifting the next generation. Our roots live in our language, traditions, and family stories. As we honor our past, we rise—using our voices to lead, share our stories, and carry our culture forward. Through our students, Hmong history and traditions will continue to grow and thrive. The 2024 Proclamation in Recognition of Hmong Heritage Month was signed by the School Board on March 11, 2024.
HMONG HERITAGE NIGHT The district is proud to celebrate our 3rd Annual Hmong Heritage Night! Join us as we celebrate the Hmong community in the Sun Prairie Area School District on Thursday, April 23rd from 5:00-7:00 pm at Sun Prairie West High School. Check out the flyers in Hmong, English, or Spanish. This district-wide event will feature:
Food & local vendors
Music & cultural performances
Art showcase
Games & activities, raffle prizes
Community Hmong businesses & leaders
Our school store got a face lift over spring break! If you have time to check it out- please do! All student athletes had the opportunity to vote on naming the school store earlier this year at our code meeting. The athletic office narrowed down the final four possible choices from the vote and our SALT Team voted on Redzone as the winner.
Jenna Boberg, CAA
Athletics & Activities Director
Sun Prairie East High School
Principal: Jim Ertel
Asst. Principal: Pang Khang, Rachel Looper
Main Office: 608-834-6703
Website: https://www.sunprairieschools.org/east-high
Location: 888 Grove Street, Sun Prairie WI 53590