Cardinal Call

We hope everyone was able to enjoy a restful and enjoyable spring break. It is hard to believe, but we only have 11 more weeks until the end of the school year! In this week's newsletter we have some reminders about end of quarter 3 deadlines, PreACT testing, and many updates on our busy Cardinals. I also want to specifically thank the Art Club, who painted a mural last week that will be hung in the office for future students and staff to enjoy. Let's have a great week!

Sincerely,

Jim Ertel

Principal

Key Dates and Deadlines

• March 30: This is the last day students can turn in Quarter 3 assessments that are eligible for retakes.
• April 6: This is the official End of Quarter 3. It is the final deadline for all Quarter 3 work. No late work or retakes for Quarter 3 can be turned in after today.
• April 13: Quarter 3 grades will be posted to IC at 9:00 am.

What Can Be Completed Between March 30 and April 6?

• Students may turn in late work for a first attempt, provided it was already returned to the whole class prior to March 30.
• Students may also complete retakes on work that was originally completed prior to March 30.

Important Grading and Eligibility Reminders

• Any assignments marked as "missing" reflect 40% in IC. These grades will not be changed if they are not attempted.
• To pass any course for the semester, students must complete at least half of all summatives.
• Please note that failing courses will impact athletic eligibility.

Teachers will be notifying caregivers with any student in danger of failing. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students finish the quarter strong!

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.

PreACT Secure Schedule - Tuesday, April 7th

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:

• Sun Prairie East: Amy Kohl (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

eabutle@sunprairieschools.org

Sun Prairie East students were exploring the Europe over spring break! World language students were able to visit France, Germany and Switzerland this past week. Here they are in Paris!

Sun Prairie East, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Reggie, Dr. Morgan, and Dr. Rose would like to applaud Brooklyn, Aisha, and Imani for an amazing competition Saturday, March 14th at the African American History Academic Challenge. They truly did a wonderful job and competed neck and neck with students across the county. They won in their first round against MMSD's high school team. In their second round against Verona's high school team, the answers between both were so close, that the judges had to take several moments to refer back to the book. Verona won the regionals by one question.

Thank you to the students and families that came out for our work based learning and youth apprenticeship night. We had over 80 attendees. If you have any follow up questions please contact Ms. Laura Leja at lllejar@sunprairieschools.org.

Congratulations to Reagan Loomis who was awarded first prize in the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen essay contest. Regan was recognized for crafting the top essay in the state of Wisconsin.

We invite you to join us for a Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday, April 10th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Round Table (1611 N Bristol Street, Sun Prairie) which will benefit the Sun Prairie AVID Program! Proceeds will be used to fund AVID college visits, applications, and events.

Our spring academic awards night will be held on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 PM. More information will be sent out to students and families prior to spring break.

Linked below is the March French Newsletter.

Linked below is the Band program newsletter.

March is Women's History Month! Women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and other movements, especially the peace movement, which create a more fair and just society for all. We celebrate and recognize all the contributions women have made to the success of our schools and community. The 2024 Proclamation in Recognition of Women’s History Month was signed by the School Board on February 26, 2024.

Join us for District Movie Night: Hidden Figures on Monday, March 30th, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Prairie View Middle School Cafetorium! This is a a free, family-friendly event - popcorn and water will be provided. All are welcome! Please contact Bri’ana Kurlinkus at bmkurli@sunprairieschools.org for more information. Flyers ENG ESP

5th Hour Tutoring is up & running for 2025-2026! 5th Hour Tutoring runs Tuesdays - Thursdays from 3:50-4:40PM in the LMC, with teachers from English, math, science, social studies, art, and more available to work with students. Students are able to take the activity bus (which leaves at 4:45PM) home after 5th Hour tutoring.

Versión en español

Jenna Boberg, CAA

Athletics & Activities Director

We had a successful Winter Athletics and Activities Celebration Parade! Another congratulations to our girls hockey team and boys swimmers for making it to state! And congratulations to our boys hockey program for the Big 8 conference title!

Sun Prairie East’s Model UN participated in the 54th annual Wisconsin High School Model UN conference held on the UW Madison campus. Over two days, 650+ student-delegates from over 30 schools participated in simulated modern and historic international government. Sun Prairie East represented the nations of France, Indonesia and Senegal and addressed a number of issues such as the use of bio and nuclear weapons, the expansion of educational opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa, and the danger of climate change to island nations. In the end, all Sun Prairie East students performed admirably building coalitions, sponsoring solutions, and speaking in front of rooms full of their peers. Several students received special recognition from their chairs:

SPECPOL - Dangers of Climate Change to Island Nations

Verbal Commendations - Lillia Eckholm and Abby Lydon (Indonesia)

Outstanding Delegates - Ceylon Trinity and Penelope Schlotz (France)

African Union - Expanding Educational Opportunity and Scientific Research in Africa

Best Delegate - Owen Butcher (Senegal)

ASEAN - Myanmar Civil War & International Piracy

Best Delegate - Ella Grace Olsen (Indonesia)

JCC - Historic Simulation of the War of Roses in 1455

Honorable Mention - Elaina Nicodemus (Roger Vaughn a Welsh Nobleman)

Thank you to the Sun Prairie Education Foundation for their sponsorship of the Art Clubs request to paint a mural for our school. The mural looks great, and it will be hung in the main office so that it can greet everyone when they visit our school in the future.

When Quarter 3 grades are posted, any spring athlete or student participating in activities who has a posted “F” or “INC” will enter an automatic 15 school day and night suspension period.

During this suspension, students may continue to attend and participate in practices, but may not participate in any athletic or activity competitions, games, or events. This suspension is enforced upon grade posting and is not a probationary period.

The 15 school day and night suspension must be served in full. Grades for SP30 assignments are included when determining eligibility.

Students must be accompanied by an advisor or coach when using school facilities when school is not in session. If facilities are locked, students should not attempt to enter by jumping fences or propping open gates or doors.

Our athletes and families are invited to join Influential Athlete’s monthly virtual NIL Masterclasses to learn how to navigate NIL safely while maximizing opportunities and building skills for life after sports. Sessions take place on the last Tuesday of every month (except December) at 6 PM CST.

2025 – 2026 Schedule:

• Mar 31, 2026: Financial Management for NIL Athletes

• Apr 28, 2026: Maximizing Media Exposure

• May 26, 2026: Life After Sports – Using NIL to Build Your Future

Please see the linked information for upcoming contests.

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