The Rise Up Family Newsletter

Greetings PPA Caregivers, Families, and Friends,

Can you believe it, we have two more workshop rotations coming forth. Time is truly flying. Our scholars did really well with our ALICE drill today. It was great to see them work together for safety purposes.

I look forward to seeing caregivers, families, and students this evening and/or tomorrow for conferences. So many celebrations to share and a time to grab a treat while building community.

March 11, 2025 is ACT Testing day for all juniors!! We encourage all of our juniors to take the ACT and do their very best!! As a reminder March 11, 2025 only juniors/11th graders will be in school. Ninth, tenth, and twelfth graders are not in school that day. Woo hoo to ACT!!

Summer will be upon us soon. I ask that you take the time to complete the summer school interest form linked below.

Summer school interest form

Seniors should continue to monitor their grad plans, prepare their portfolios, and plan for their presentations/dissertations. As well, seniors should be focusing on purchasing caps and gowns.

High School Math FYI:

Our Teaching, Learning, and Equity department has been working on resources designed to help parents stay informed and engaged in their student’s math learning journey. These websites provide an overview of course offerings, key learning goals, and ways to support your child at home. We encourage you to explore the sites and connect with us if you have any questions.

Check out our resources here: Middle School Math Curriculum Webpage | High School Math Curriculum Webpage

Be well,

Ms. Sconiers

Feb. 27 - Conferences 4:00PM-8:00PM

Feb. 28 - Conferences 7:30AM-11:30AM

Feb. 28 - No school for students

Mar. 11 - ACT testing (No school for students in grades 9,10 &12)

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 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

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.

Our fourth session's abstract art class has provided students with an enriching experience, delving into the dynamic world of modern abstract expression. The curriculum highlights the contributions of prominent African American artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Reggie Laurent, Alma Thomas, Norman Lewis, and Faith Ringgold, alongside the works of renowned abstract artists like Edvard Munch, Louis Wain, and Wassily Kandinsky. Through hands-on experimentation and skill development, students are fostering curiosity, connection, insight, and deeper cognitive engagement.

Abstract art is a form of neurographic art. It can nurture creativity, mindfulness, and emotional well-being in students of all abilities. It encourages free expression, eliminates the fear of mistakes, and taps into the power of the right brain. Neurographic art empowers the exploration of artistic potential and self-discovery.

We are so proud of our remarkable artists at PPA!

PPA Students, are you interested in taking a second-semester course at your boundary school or taking an online course through JEDI? Please contact Ms. Annetta Wright. Parent, and Principal approval is required.

2024 - 2025 Senior Planning Presentation

UPCOMING FAFSA NIGHT AT PPA!

• Thursday, February 27, 2025: During Family/Teacher Winter Conferences

• Set up FAFSA Accounts here (parent and student should set up separate accounts at least 3-5 days prior to FAFSA Night)
• Laptop (Let us know if you need one)
• An email address with login information
• Social Security number

• Birth, death, marriage, and divorce dates

• Tax returns/W-2s for the prior-prior year to the FAFSA

• Current bank account balance(s)

• Other income amounts (social security, child support, unemployment, etc.)

• Value of any other assets

Madison College Application Dates at PPA! (12:40 pm - 2:35 pm)

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 12:40 pm - 2:35 pm

Students interested in taking Start College Now courses for the 25 -26 school year, please contact Annetta Wright. Applications are due March 01, 2025.

Attention Students: Register for 2025-2026 Courses!

• It’s time to choose your courses for the 2025-2026 school year at your boundary school! See Annetta Wright to complete your course selection. Remember, parent or caregiver permission is required. Don’t miss this important step in planning your future!

Sophomores, the applications for the STEM Academy at Madison Area Technical College are available. Please see Annetta Wright for more information. Click here for the STEM Academy Application

Attention PPA and GEDO Students: Explore Virtual Courses!

• Interested in taking one or two courses online? See Annetta Wright to browse over 700 available options! Parent or caregiver permission is required, so be sure to get their approval. Don’t miss this chance to plan for your future!

We are still accepting applications for our FREE Summer camps! The Wisconsin School of Business offers FREE, Precollege Programs for high school students interested in exploring a career in business through one day workshops and weeklong summer camps. WSB Precollege Programs is available for all high school students, but we will prioritize enrolling students who identify as first generation (first in immediate family to attend four year college/institution) and students who qualify for free or reduced school lunch. Students who do not meet these preferences will be waitlisted.

Attached you will find our 2025 summer camp flyers in English, Hmong, and Spanish. *Please note that precollege summer camps do not offer housing or transportation. Precollege programs will provide snack, lunch, activity supplies, and cover all field trip expenses including transportation and admission fees.

Please review the benefits of our program and consider sharing our summer camp flyers with your students!

Benefits of participating in WSB Precollege programs include:

• Career Exploration: Participants will learn about different business majors and participate in business exploration activities including entrepreneurial challenges and job shadowing field trips. *Job shadowing opportunities are available for 10th and 11th graders participating in the Junior Business Badgers Summer camp.*

• Community: Participants will build meaningful relationships with business-minded students through interactive community building activities. They'll also have the opportunity to learn from college mentors and top business professors and faculty at the Wisconsin School of Business.

• Scholarship Opportunity: Participants who participate in our precollege program will receive preference for the Business Emerging Leaders(BEL) Scholarship. The BEL Scholarship recipients will receive a minimum of $10,000 per year for 4 years. Students can apply for the scholarship during their senior year of high school. Consideration will also be based on students' acceptance to UW-Madison, direct admittance to the Wisconsin School of Business, and completion of the BEL Scholarship application materials. To learn more about the Business Emerging Leaders Scholarship, click here to sign up for one of our Spring, Precollege and BEL virtual info sessions.

Please reach out to myself or our WSB Precollege Program team at wsbprecollege@wsb.wisc.edu, if you have any questions!

• ACT 11th grade Testing - March 11th

• ACT 11th grade Makeup Test - March 18th

• 2025 - 2026 PPA JEDI Junior Presentation

INTERESTED

Please refer folks to the Summer School website. All public facing communication is posted on the site.

My thanks to all of you for your ongoing input, involvement, and support. Let me know if you have any questions.

Ladies, are you interested in coming together with other young women of various ethnicities and cultures to foster a sisterhood that encourages unity, and wellness, while addressing issues and problems concerning young girls of color? Join us in the Dry Lab on Tuesdays at 1:25 pm. See Mz. Annetta for more information.

Caregivers and your PPA scholar are invited to the following events that are coming up in March. Please reach out to Ms.Ayanna if you have questions about any of these days!

"Fueling Up for Learning: Why School Lunches Need Fruits & Veggies"

Hey parents!

Did you know that the government has rules about what makes a "complete" school meal? It has to include fruits or vegetables at breakfast and lunch. This is because healthy food helps kids learn better!

Here's the deal:

• Complete meals = Government funding: When your child takes a complete meal (with fruit or veggies), the school gets money from the government to help cover the cost.

• Incomplete meals = Costs for you: If your child refuses the fruit or veggies, the school doesn't get that funding. This means we might have to charge your account, even if your child gets free or reduced-price meals.

• Lots of tasty options: We offer a variety of fruits and veggies every day, including fresh salads and always at least two fruit choices.

Why it matters:

• Healthy bodies = Healthy minds: Fruits and veggies provide essential vitamins and minerals that help kids grow and learn.

• Fighting childhood obesity: Eating healthy foods helps kids maintain a healthy weight.

Let's work together to make sure our kids are getting the nutrition they need to succeed in school! Encourage them to try something new from the salad bar or fruit options.

Remember: Hungry kids can't learn!

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