Rising from the Prairie

Sept 12, 2025

Greetings, PPA Caregivers, Families, and Friends

Next week marks the third week of school! We truly enjoy having your student with us each day, as consistent attendance is essential for their academic success and social-emotional growth.

Students who have attended less than 80% of school so far will meet with our building principal, Mr. Barrett. Following that conversation, families will receive communication outlining the next steps to ensure our scholars arrive every day ready to learn.

In addition, this week, students had the opportunity to learn about the Start College Now program from our school counselor. Students interested in taking a college course for Spring 2026 must complete an application form by October 1st. Please take some time to talk with your student about this exciting opportunity and how it could support their future goals.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s education.

September 16th-

• Juniors! Deadline for signing up for the PSAT.

Please reach out to your PPA school counselor, Lisa Yang, to get signed up!

September 19 - Picture day

September 23rd- PreACT for 9th-11th graders (see more details below!); No school for 12th grade students

October1 Start College Now Applications due to school

Link to view classes that are available at MATC - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TpmsmabXC4pJQdS4fCm88te7st0-Di65a5Z0SiuaGBQ/edit?usp=sharing

October 2 Wisconsin Education Fair at SP West! Swing by Miss. Yang’s office to sign up! For now, only 11th-12th grade students

October 2nd- Hispanic/Latino Family Night, 5:00-7:00 pm at Meadowview

October 13th-17th- Homecoming Week!

October 22nd- PSAT (Optional test for Juniors- pre-registration required)

Homecoming Dates

As we get closer to our homecoming celebration, please keep a lookout for communication around guest forms and ticket sales. In the meantime, here are our celebration dates.

Homecoming Dates -SPE

• September 22 - Homecoming Guest Forms are available in the main office

• October 2 at 3:45 pm - Guest Forms Due

• October 6 at 8 am - Homecoming Tickets go on sale via GoFan

• October 8 - Homecoming Parade, 6 PM on Main Street

• October 9 at midnight - Ticket Sales End

• October 10 - Homecoming Football Game, Kickoff 7 PM

• October 11 - Homecoming Dance, 7 PM - 10 PM

Homecoming Dates -SPWH

• September 29th- SP West Homecoming Dance GUEST FORMS available in the FRONT OFFICE

• October 9th- SP West Homecoming Dance GUEST FORMS due in the wooden box in the front office 3:45 pm- HARD DEADLINE

• October 13th- SP West Homecoming Dance TICKETS on sale on Go Fan, use your ID number as the code.

• October 15th- SP West Homecoming Parade- 6:00 pm- on Main

• October 16th- SP West Homecoming Dance TICKET SALE closes- 12:00 pm (HARD DEADLINE- no exceptions)- NOON

• October 17th- Homecoming Game at 7:00 pm Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium

• October 18th- SP West Homecoming Dance 7:00-10:00 pm at West

Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s success at school. When students are present every day, they build stronger relationships, stay on top of lessons, and feel more connected to their school community. Even missing just a couple of days each month can add up and impact learning. Please encourage your child to be on time and ready for school each day. Together, we can ensure students maximize their instructional time and are set up for future college and career readiness!

As a reminder, this year, we’re making a significant change to help everyone stay more focused, connected, and ready to learn. We’ll be implementing a schoolwide cell phone and electronics policy with clear, consistent expectations in every classroom, and we will enforce it throughout the school day and the entire school year.

You’ll hear three universal phrases:

• Off and Away – Devices, including AirPods, are stored out of sight in class (in a pocket, backpack, or locker).
  
  

• Teacher Directed – Devices are used for a specific, teacher-approved activity. Music is set, then the phone stays face down.
  
  

• Phone Break – A short, teacher-announced break where you can use your device freely.
  

This week, our staff met to discuss the impact of cell phones in the classroom and how they can interfere with learning and the connection between students and teachers. We want students fully engaged in their education, and to that end, we will be implementing clear expectations and steps if students are not in compliance with our cell phone policy:

• First Reminder: The Student will be asked to put the phone away.
  
  

• Second Reminder: The Phone will be held by the teacher until the end of class.
  
  

• Repeated Non-Compliance: Phone will be turned in to the office, and a parent/guardian will be contacted to pick it up.
  
  

Students will still have break times built into the school day. They will receive time after lessons and work completion, along with a combined lunch and break period totaling one hour. Outside of those times, we expect students to be “all in” during the remaining five hours of learning each day.

Before consequences are issued, students will be given several opportunities to make positive choices through our restorative practices and student support services. This approach enables us to redirect students, teach them responsibility, and keep them in class whenever possible.

We ask for your partnership in reviewing the cell phone policy with your child. This is not only a school practice but also a School Board policy; families and staff must work together to ensure students are ready to learn.

Additionally, if you are traveling to the East or West, students will need to follow the respective cell phone policies for those schools. Here’s more info.

NoCellBell-to-Bell

As we approach the start of the school year, we are excited to support teachers, students, and our classroom communities as they engage with one another and learn with fewer distractions. No Cell Bell-to-Bell. Phones down. Futures up. Is designed to focus on in-person connections, strengthen community within classrooms, deepen learning while supporting students with life-long skills in regulating their use of phones/technology.

Students will be able to access their phones during passing time and lunch, but phones will be off and away from bell-to-bell, every block, every class, every day. Check out this story from NBC15 this week.

Sun Prairie High School enforces a stricter phone policy

This school year, there will be consequences for cell phone usage during class at Sun Prairie East and West High Schools.

As we all prepare for our fall schedules, starting the first day of school on September 2nd, our building hours are as follows:

• The building opens at 8:30. Students may enter the building at 8:35 and will remain in the Cafeteria from 9:00. Students may eat breakfast and socialize in the Cafe. At 8:45, students may begin to move to their classes.

• Suppose your transportation situation makes it impossible to drop off your students later than 8:30. In that case, they will be allowed to stand in the vestibule (between the glass doors) until 8:35, particularly on inclement weather days.

• Building Closes at 4:00 PM: The building closes daily at 4:00 PM. All students must be accompanied by an adult (coach, club/activity, 5th hour tutoring, etc.) or leave the building for safety, as we do not have supervision available after 4:00 pm.

Please plan rides and drop-off/pick-up accordingly.

DOORS OPEN

BREAKFAST

ADVISORY

WORKSHOP 1

WORKSHOP 2

ON CAMPUS BREAK

LUNCH (CLOSED CAMPUS)

WORKSHOP 3

ADVISORY (WINN/SP30)

WORKSHOP 5/PERSONALIZED LEARNING

Did you know that green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and black tea are all made from the same plant? Although they are all from the same plant, they exhibit different colors, flavors, and aromas due to variations in their growth and processing methods. Last week, students in Blair’s Tea workshop learned all about different tea processing methods and the chemistry behind them! Next week, we’ll have a hands-on lab and collect data on how different teas look and taste based on variables.

In Demographics, students are creating charts that break a population down into groups in 6 different ways. Students have a choice about what population they are investigating and what groups they are using to break that population down. Next week, we’ll turn towards Economics standards and learn how marketers use demographic information to sell goods and services.

Students in Journaling are writing every day! We are building stamina to be able to journal for 20 minutes without distraction. Next week, we will read excerpts from published journals and try out some artistic journaling methods like junk journaling and doodle diaries.

Today, Kay's Central American History class took a delicious detour to Guatemala, transforming the classroom into a vibrant kitchen. The students, or "Phoenix Chefs" as they are now called, worked together to create authentic Guatemalan-style tacos and churros. The air was filled with the sizzle of beef and the sweet scent of cinnamon as the teams worked their culinary magic.

The tacos were a unique lesson in regional cuisine. Unlike their Mexican counterparts, these tacos were generously stuffed with a savory mixture of seasoned beef and mashed potato. A zesty green sauce, providing a pleasant kick, was the final touch. Students learned how to modify the recipes to fit the available ingredients and tools, showcasing impressive problem-solving and teamwork.

The class successfully tackled the collaborative challenge, producing a delicious feast that highlighted their ability to work together seamlessly. The experience was not just a lesson in cooking, but a testament to their teamwork and adaptability. Every dish turned out perfectly, leaving the students with new recipes and a memorable culinary adventure.

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, our school will administer the PreACT exam to all 9th–11th grade students during the school day.

Why the PreACT?

In the Fall, the PreACT is for practice and feedback and is not used for college admissions or state reporting. 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
  
  

Results will be available about three weeks after testing and will be shared with both students and parents/caregivers.

👉 Learn more about the PreACT here

👉 The PreACT mirrors the ACT so that these materials can double as preparation for both assessments: Test Prep & Kaplan Test Prep & ACT practice test.

👉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).

🕒 Test Day Details for 9th–11th Grade Students

• Students will test during the regular school start time.
  
  

• Dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m. for all 9th–11th graders. Students with individualized testing schedules will receive additional communication from assessment coordinators.
  
  

• Students should bring a fully charged device, along with a water bottle and snack (to be eaten during the scheduled break). All other testing materials will be provided.
  
  

• Testing room assignments will be posted in the school's common areas.

📚 What’s on the PreACT?

• Reading – 30 minutes | 25 multiple-choice questions
  
  

• English – 30 minutes | 45 multiple-choice questions
  
  

• Math – 40 minutes | 36 multiple-choice questions
  
  

• Science – 30 minutes | 30 multiple-choice questions

Information for 12th Grade Students

Seniors (12th graders) will not attend school on September 23. This schedule allows us to provide a focused testing environment for underclassmen. Classes for seniors will resume on Wednesday, September 24.

Attendance line: 608-834-6900 Line 1

Please use this number when calling in a student for an absence, illness or an appointment.

You can call the office at 608-834-6900 ext. 5507 for any reason that your student will be absent. Please call the attendance line or the office at 608-834-6931 if your student needs to leave early. Calls will be made home when students leave grounds without a guardian's permission.

School day is from 9:00am - 3:20pm.

Follow PPA on Facebook! See our events, photos of activities, and other important updates and information. https://www.facebook.com/PPASunPrairie/

PPA Specific information to keep in mind:

As a reminder, students that are driving should review this information. It is important for our student drivers to continue to be safe for themselves and others in our parking lots and on the roads. Please note that students that do not park in the designated student parking session:

First offense- a verbal warning and ask to move their vehicle to the proper area

Second offense- parent communication

Ongoing offenses will be discussed with families and hopes of a resolution

Student parking areas are circled in red.

Scholars should be prepared to learn everyday! Chromebooks should be with students daily. To reduce students transporting their wonderful Chromebooks they have the opportunity to leave the CB’s at PPA to be charged. Those that turned in Chromebooks will be able to pick them up from the main office. We will not issue a Chromebook to students if they have one or more already checked out to them. Please have your scholar return any damaged Chromebooks to the main office. We have a limited number of Chromebooks that students may use as loaners but that is on a first come basis.

The past two weeks in JAG have been full of learning and fun! Last week, we kicked things off with team-building activities. A favorite among students was the Balloon Chair Challenge, where they used balloons, tape, and string to build a chair strong enough to hold a weight. This activity highlighted their teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

We also began exploring career interests. Students reflected on their top three dreams or goals and discussed the steps they can take to achieve them.

This week, our focus has shifted to leadership skills. We talked about what it means to be a strong leader and how students demonstrate leadership in their daily lives. To put these ideas into practice, students participated in a creative challenge: using two random picture cards, they designed a new product and presented a sales pitch to the class. This fun activity encouraged creativity, collaboration, and public speaking.

Happy Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month!! This month, which is a heritage month celebrated across our district, is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural tapestry woven by Hispanic and Latinx communities. It honors the profound contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, encompassing language, art, music, food, and history. This annual observance, from September 15th to October 15th, serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy left by Hispanic and Latinx trailblazers throughout the Americas and beyond. It's a time to appreciate the resilience, creativity, and unity that define this community. Let us embrace this month as an opportunity to learn, share, and celebrate the unique traditions and stories that enrich our collective human experience!

Direct Admit

Direct Admit season is upon us. If you are not interested in your Junior (11th grade) scholar being a part of the Direct Admission process, please fill out the Opt- Out Form linked below.

SPASD Direct Admit Opt-Out form

Linked below is the district website about Direct Admission information:

Direct Admission district website information

Xello Reminder

XELLO is the SPASD Academic and Career Planning software tool used to help students plan for their future. Students can access XELLO by logging in to MySP and clicking on the Xello icon, or by clicking the link provided. Each year and grade level, lessons are released in XELLO that need to be completed. You do not have to go back to complete lessons from prior grades, only the grade you are currently in.

Join us for our Community Talk Kick off!

“Our Year, Our Voice” let’s come together and shape this year together!

Fill out the Google Form to reserve your spot in the conversation September 19th @3:30pm-5pm https://forms.gle/joiE1CRc1X149Zkf6

Medications at School

EpiPens/Inhalers:

The schools and physicians recognize the importance of students being allowed to carry an asthma inhaler and Epi-Pen. However, we need an Inhaler/EpiPen Release Form to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian.

Over-the-counter medications:

Over-the-counter medications (e.g., cold preparations or pain relieving medications) that you want available for school personnel to administer must have the Non-Prescription Medication Consent Form completed and the medication supplied in the original bottle in order for the school to administer.

Prescription medications:

Prescription medications must be in the original bottle labeled by a pharmacist, with the directions for administration matching the doctor's order. To comply with the law, school employees are not allowed to administer prescription medications, without a doctor's written order and parents' written permission. This is the form that will need to be completed, the Prescription Medication Administration Form

All medications to be given in school must have the following information printed on the original container:

1. Student’s Full Name

2. Name of the drug and dosage

3. Time to be administered

4. Physicians name

These forms must be completed and in the school office BEFORE the school staff can legally give your child medication.

If you have any questions please email slbilli@sunprairieschools.org

Medication Administration Form

Preliminary transportation information is viewable in Infinite Campus by logging into Campus Parent, clicking on ‘More’, then choosing the Transportation tab. If the bus stop does not look accurate, please contact Kobussen. Pickup and drop-off times are continually changing as new students enroll and other students move out of the district.

This year, High School students will NOT receive bus tags. Students will need to be able to show their bus assignment through Infinite Campus when asked. Once the bus information is available, take a picture of it and add it to your favorites for easy access.

Please contact Brinda Thompson at brinda.thompson@kobussen.com or (608) 825-8700 ext. 5509 if you have questions or concerns about your child’s bus route or stop. If you have any other questions related to busing, please contact either Lisa Sprindis at lasprin@sunprairieschools.org or Rhonda Page at rspage@sunprairieschools.org. If your child is NOT going to ride the bus but is eligible, please stop by the bus table at Registration or reach out to one of the people above.

At PPA, we have a pantry with household grocery options, including fridge/freezer selections! Families are welcome to access the pantry.

We also have a clothing closet that is OVERFLOWING! Come shop for clothing for the warmer seasons.

Please reach out to Ayanna Hale, ashale@sunprairieschools.org, or call (608) 834-6900 to ask about shopping.

Email: nsconi@sunprairieschools.org
Website: https://www.sunprairieschools.org/prairie-phoenix-academy-home
Location: 220 Kroncke Drive, Suite 13 Sun Prairie, WI 53590, USA
Phone: 6088346901