The Howl

February 12th- STEM Academy Applications Due!

February 15th- Boys Golf Meeting - Room 1202 - 3PM - 4PM

February 20th- Deadline to Order a Yearbook

February 23rd- Our History, Our Plate - BSU Soul Food - 6PM - 8PM

February 23rd-26th- Black Spirit Week 💚💛💖

February 25th- BSU Showcase - 6PM - 8PM

February 26th- Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - 4PM - 8PM

February 27th- No School - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - 7AM - 12PM

March 10th- ACT - JUNIORS ONLY, NO SCHOOL FOR 9TH, 10TH, 12TH GRADE

Dear Sun Prairie West High School Students, Parents, and Caregivers,

We are writing to provide an update on the hiring process for the next principal of Sun Prairie West High School. The position will be posted this week, and our goal is to recommend a candidate to the Board of Education this spring.

To identify and select the best candidate, we are designing a multi-round interview process that will take place in the coming weeks.

Your perspective is invaluable in this process. We invite you to complete a brief survey to share your thoughts and provide input into the hiring process. Additionally, the survey includes an option to express interest in joining our interview teams, which are tentatively scheduled for April 3rd and April 7th during school hours. Please note that, depending on the number of interested students, parents, and caregivers, we may be unable to accommodate all who volunteer. Invitations for selected participants will be sent in March. We are also planning for a community session open to all interested during the evening of April 7th.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We appreciate your support as we work together to hire the next leader of Sun Prairie West High School.

Best regards,

Dr. Sarah Chaja-Clardy

Director of Secondary - Teaching, Learning, and Equity

Join SP West’s BSU for a shared meal on Monday, February 23rd, as we celebrate a cuisine that is close to our hearts: Soul Food. This event will take place from 6 to 8 PM in the Commons, where we will enjoy food, listen to music, and build community together. The cost per plate is $15. Please fill out the information below to reserve your seat in advance. For any inquiries, reach out to Shay Pollard at sjpolla@sunprairieschools.org. We can't wait to see you there!

Join us on February 25th, for an exciting evening celebrating talent and culture at the BSU Showcase!

📍Location: SP West PAC

⏰Time: 6PM - 8PM

💲Admission: $5

To purchase a yearbook, go to www.jostens.com. Type in “Sun Prairie West” and make sure you click Sun Prairie West High School. You may also visit the following link directly: https://tinyurl.com/SPWHSYRBK26

Yearbooks must be pre-ordered by February, 20th 2026 to be guaranteed a copy of the 2026 Yearbook.

On Tuesday, March 10, all SPASD 11th grade scholars will participate in the ACT during the school day. Students will test at their primary school site (Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, or PPA for JEDI scholars).

The ACT is Wisconsin’s state-required assessment for juniors, is free to students, and is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and readiness for college and career pathways.

🎯 Why the ACT?

The ACT allows students to:

• Demonstrate academic learning and skills

• Show college and career readiness

• Decide whether to share scores with colleges and scholarship programs

ACT results are also used for:

• State and district accountability reporting

• Schoolwide reflection on strengths and growth areas

📝 Registration

Students will pre-register at school during the week of March 2 utilizing a personal email

📚 Test Preparation & Resources

• Be ACT Ready!

• Free ACT Prep is available through Methodize in Xello
  (Students Log in → scroll to the bottom → select Methodize Test Prep)

• Additional ACT preparation resources will be shared by school staff

🔍 Test Day Details (March 10)

What to bring:

• Picture ID

• Fully charged Chromebook and charger

• May bring ACT-approved calculators

What not to bring (Items will be secured in a locked/supervised location):

• Backpacks or large bag

• Cell phones, smart watches, or other electronics

• Food or drinks

Important notes:

• Students arriving after testing begins will be scheduled for the make-up test on March 17

• Dismissal will be at 1pm. Students with individualized testing schedules will receive additional communication from assessment coordinators.

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Testing room assignments and schedules will be shared closer to the test date

• Students testing with accommodations through an IEP, 504 Plan, or Multilianguage Learner Plan will receive additional details

• Family resources:

• ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - English

• ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Spanish

• ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Hmong

📊 Results

• Scores will be available in myACT several weeks after testing

• Paper score reports are mailed 3–8 weeks after testing

• Students choose whether to send scores to colleges and may add schools in myACT up to two days after testing (as long as they pre-register); students can make selections as part of the pre-registration process during the week of March 2

Thank you for partnering with us to support our 11th grade scholars during this important milestone. We look forward to a smooth, supportive testing experience for all students.

With appreciation,
SPASD Assessment Team

In the next week, our District will be engaged in Learning Walks across all Sun Prairie schools. On February 18, twenty-seven school and district instructional leaders will visit West classrooms. A Learning Walk is a method used by instructional leader to measure the implementation of the District’s Instructional Framework.

Bus Driver Recognition Week

February 9–13, 2026 is School Bus Driver Recognition Week in the State of Wisconsin. This is a special time to recognize and thank the dedicated men and women who safely transport our students to and from school each day.

Families are encouraged to take a moment to share their appreciation; whether through a kind word, a note, or a small token made by your child.

Thoughtful gestures like these can truly brighten a bus driver’s week and let them know how much they are valued!

Semana de reconocimiento a los conductores de autobús escolares

Del 9 al 13 de febrero de 2026 se celebra la Semana de Reconocimiento a los Conductores de Autobuses Escolares en el estado de Wisconsin. Este es un momento especial para reconocer y agradecer a los dedicados hombres y mujeres que transportan de manera segura a nuestros estudiantes hacia y desde la escuela todos los días.

Se anima a las familias a tomarse un momento para expresar su agradecimiento, ya sea con unas palabras amables, una nota o un pequeño detalle hecho por su hijo(a).

Gestos considerados como estos pueden realmente alegrar la semana de un conductor de autobús y hacerles saber cuánto se les valora.

West to East Shuttle Schedule

SOPHOMORES: STEM Academy applications are due by Thursday, February 12, at 12:00 p.m. Applications should be turned into Student Services.

Dane County is hosting virtual Youth Apprenticeship Information Meetings in February and March. More information and links to register for the information sessions can be found HERE.

February 18 - General Session

March 11 - Healthcare and BioTech Pathways*

*All students interested in a Youth Apprenticeship with UW Health or BTCI must attend the meeting on March 11.

Juniors interested in UW Madison’s College Access Program in Education (CAPE) can attend a CAPE application support session during WIN time on Tuesday, February 10. Students should sign up in FlexiSched with Mrs. Griffin.

Biology students extracted DNA from strawberries. They manipulated variables during the extraction process to see how the amount of DNA extracted changed.

Drawing 3 students are working on a challenging skill review: drawing clear glass on black paper with white colored pencils, chalk, and gel pens. Students arranged their own composition of clear glass objects and reviewed proportion and shading techniques that will help them render their objects three dimensionally.

This past weekend our Science Olympiad Team competed at the Madison Science Olympiad Regional Division C Competition at Hamilton Middle School in Madison. Our young team learned a lot! Our Material Science team placed 2nd. Congratulations to Rithvik Chandrasekaram and Ashmith Siddharth! Our next competition is March 7 for the Badger Invitational.

Registration for Spring Sports is OPEN!

Register through Infinite Campus using the School Store.

UPDATED DEADLINE: The Local Scholarship Application now closes on February 12 at 11:59 p.m.

The local scholarship provides students with an opportunity to apply for multiple scholarships available only to Sun Prairie students. The link to apply can be found here.

The following opportunities are being offered by the UW Madison School of Business and Precollege Programs. Event information and application materials are included in the linked handout:

Her View, Her Voice: Exploring Business - April 11, open to all grade levels (applications due March 13)

Precollege Summer Camp: Business Basics - June 15-18, for current freshmen (applications due by April 30)

Precollege Summer Camp: Junior Business Basics - June 22-25 OR June 29-July 2, for current sophomores and juniors (applications due by April 30)

UW Madison is hosting an Engineering Summer Program from July 11-July 31. Current sophomores and juniors can apply by March 2. More information and application links can be found on this website.

8th-11th Graders: Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) is now accepting applications for its summer sessions. The high school program, Expand Your Mind, offers academic enrichment, the opportunity to experience life on a college campus, and a way to connect with peers who share common interests. Students select from over 20 STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses and can stay in the dorms at Macalester College or attend as a day student. Need-based financial aid is available. This is a great opportunity for bright and motivated young people to explore their passions and meet their people.

The following construction pre-apprenticeship classes are available for students through the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center in Fitchburg. More information and details on how to register are available through each of the linked handouts.

The Builders Club - February 2-March 11 (ages 15-18)

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program - February 2-May 30 (ages 16-18)

Seniors: Remember that you need to place your order for your Senior Cap and Gown for graduation. Orders can be placed through the Midwest Scholastic store linked here.

We continue to run together as a PACK. Our universal expectations are that we approach everything we do in our community with Pride, Accountability, Collaboration and Kindness.

If you don't already, please follow SP West on Facebook!

We kindly invite you to support our school community by contributing to student recognition, staff appreciation efforts, and cap-and-gown assistance for graduating seniors. Your generosity helps us celebrate hard work, honor dedication, and ensure every student can walk proudly at graduation. Thank you for making a meaningful difference! Donations can now be made through the Infinite Campus school store. Donation Link

Please review the SPASD event guidelines. Our athletes are ready to take the field, stage, pool, court, pitch, course and so much more this school year. Together we will continue to make these fantastic, safe and enjoyable events for all.

All West students will need their student ID or if they have not yet received their 25/26 student ID, they will need to look up their Infinite Campus profile. This can be done in advance and screenshotted for quick access.

• Building opens at 8:05: Students may enter the building at 8:05 and will remain in the commons 8:20. Between 8:05-8:20 students may eat breakfast and socialize in the commons. At 8:20 students may begin to move to their classes.
• If your transportation situation makes it impossible to drop off your students later than 8:05 they will be allowed to stand in the vestibule (between the glass doors) until 8:05, particularly on inclement weather days

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

Please plan rides, drop off/pick up accordingly.

Our A/B Day Schedule and our Regular Bell Schedule. The A/B Day schedule is set for the year and will not change even if we have snow/cold days. Please note that Semester 1 starts and ends on an A Day and Semester 2 starts and ends on a B Day.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.

(SPASD District Policy JB)

If a student or parent/caregiver would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.

If a student or parent/caregiver would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.