Rocket News

Rocket Families,

We certainly hope that Jimmy the Groundhog (#therealgroundhog) is accurate this year and it will be an early spring. Jimmy the Groundhog and Punxsutawney Phil had different predictions on Groundhog Day...let's see who is correct this year. It was nice to see so many of you last Friday at our Winter Festival. Thank You ROSCO for putting on a family friendly event for all of us. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to Royal Oaks.

February brings a lot of exciting events: Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Read Your Heart Out (Feb. 20) and of course Parent/Teacher/Caregiver Conferences (Feb. 23-27) to name a few.

February is Black History Month (BHM) and our Rockets will be learning about the many wonderful contributions that Black people have made to our school, city, state, country and world. The culminating activity for BHM is the Read Your Heart Out day where our Black parents, grandparents, community leaders and Black Student Union (BSU) members come and read stories written by Black authors and highlighting Black characters. Similar to other Heritage Months, we get to take February and really focus on our Black students and celebrate them. We hope to fill up our classrooms with local Black leaders that will read and connect with our Rockets on Friday, February 20 from 8:30-11:30.

Parent/Teacher/Caregiver Conferences are scheduled for the week of Feb. 23-27. We recently sent a document with all the links from teachers to sign up for a conference. It is also linked again below my article. You should now have access to your child's report card in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Most importantly, we look forward to the collaboration between home and school. Please consider thinking of some questions that you may have for us. We want to make sure we are responding to you and your questions. Several of our teachers are preparing to ask YOU some questions too. We want to hear from you how you think things are going. "What's going well for your child right now? What is something your child feels proud of? What is the biggest challenge or frustration about your child's school experience? What feedback do you have for me to improve your child's experience or the school in general?" are some of the questions we may ask. We look forward to the conversation whether it's in person or online. Please make sure you sign up for a Parent/Teacher/Caregiver Conference.

Please take some time to read through this newsletter as it has a lot of important and fun information.

Have a great February. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Love,

Mr. Ackley

Royal Oaks Families,

Linked HERE is our Conference Sign Up Sheet for ALL classroom teachers. We are trying something a little different this year where you can find all your teachers' conference sign ups in one locations. We are hopeful this will be easier for you.

The week of PT Conferences is Monday, February 23-Friday, February 27....only three weeks away.

Connecting and discussing your Rocket's growth and achievement along with other important information is essential to help our Rockets meet grade level expectations and beyond and FINISH STRONG.

As always please sign up for a conference and bring any questions you may have. If attending in person is difficult, please reach out to your child's teacher and they will be happy to set up an online meeting or phone call.

Hard to believe we are just past the halfway point of this school year.

Go Rockets!

Congratulations to our 4th & 5th grade Math 24 stars who are advancing to Regionals at UW–Madison on March 4! 🧠➕➖✖️➗

We’re so proud of your hard work and quick thinking—keep aiming high and show everyone how Rockets rock math! 💙🚀

Orchestra Concerts in the SP WEST High School PAC

- Monday February 23rd, 2026

Royal Oaks AND Creekside: Please arrive at 6:45pm so that we can have a combined rehearsal BEFORE the concert. Performance will begin at 7:30pm. Please bring your music, your instrument and your fantastic self! We are dressing in “Picture Day Nice” clothes.

*Audience Members*

Doors will open 15 minutes before the performance is scheduled to start. A rehearsal for students

will take place before the concert.

*If your student/household cannot attend the concert, communicate directly with Ms. Johnson.

kajohns@sunprairieschools.org

For more info, an Infinite Campus message has been sent.

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!

Our crossing guards play an important role in keeping our youngest students safe as they travel to and from school each day. Rain or shine, they greet students with a smile and provide a watchful, caring presence at busy intersections.

We encourage everyone to take a moment to show their appreciation for all they do. A simple “thank you,” a smile, or a small, heartfelt note or drawing from your child can go a long way in letting our crossing guards know how much they are valued and appreciated by our school community.

Dear SPASD Parents and Caregivers,

In response to recent activity impacting students, families, and school communities, we want to reaffirm our district’s mission, vision, and commitment to equity and remind our community of existing district policies related to access to education, protection of student information, and interactions with immigration enforcement.

Our School Board’s Equity Statement affirms:

"We stand by all of our students, staff, and families. We celebrate and value our diverse community and support all students, staff, families, and community members of all races, ethnicities, faiths, national origins, immigration statuses, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. All children will be safe and loved in our schools… Every Child, Every Day."

We want to assure you that all students, families, and staff regardless of immigration status continue to be welcome and safe in our schools. We are committed to standing together and ensuring all members of our community feel seen, supported, and protected. We want to remind families of several important district policies:

• Access to Education: All students, regardless of immigration status, have the legal right to attend school under federal law.

• Protection of Information: The district does not collect social security numbers of students or families, for purposes of enrollment. Student data is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and district policy restricts law enforcement investigations or interviews in schools.

• Immigration Enforcement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not allowed to enter our buildings without a judicial warrant. Any ICE activity or inquiries will be handled by district leadership and our school district legal counsel.

To help families stay informed and connected to resources, we encourage you to visit our Resources for Immigrant Students & Families webpage.

Thank you for being our partner in making SPASD schools a safe and welcoming place for every student, family, and staff member. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Visit the District website's Resources for Immigrant Students and Families page for information and links that can provide additional help. Here is the link: https://www.sunprairieschools.org/families/resources-for-immigrant-students-families.

A New Math Resource for Grades K–5

Beginning next school year, pending School Board approval of the purchase, our district will begin using i-Ready Classroom Mathematics as the core math resource for students in grades K–5.

This decision followed a careful, multi-year review process that included teachers, principals, instructional coaches, and district leaders. The team studied Wisconsin’s updated math standards, reviewed student learning data, gathered feedback from families and staff, and visited other school districts using different math programs before making a recommendation.

What families should know:

• Math learning will focus on understanding, not just answers. Students will solve meaningful problems, explain their thinking, and learn from one another.

• Teachers remain at the center of instruction. Technology supports learning but does not replace classroom teaching.

• The program supports all learners. Lessons include hands-on activities, discussion, visuals, and opportunities for extra support or challenge.

• Families will have clearer tools to support learning at home, including family guides, videos, and online dashboards that show assignments and progress.

• Students and families will have a common experience in grades K-8 as i-Ready is already the middle school math curriculum.

Investment and value:

The total cost of the adoption is estimated to be about $45 per student per school year, averaged across the 8-year adoption cycle. This includes classroom materials, digital resources, and professional learning for teachers to ensure strong implementation.

As implementation begins, families can expect continued communication, opportunities to learn more, and a thoughtful rollout that prioritizes student learning and growth.

Building on the spirit of Equity in Action: Community Conversations, the Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion is excited to launch the first-ever Pizza with a Purpose. This informal gathering creates space for community members to come together, enjoy a slice, and engage in meaningful conversation about the district’s equity work.

Pizza with a Purpose brings the equity conversation out of the district and into the community, increasing access, connection, and shared understanding. The focus will be on the district’s Equity Framework and its five focus areas, highlighting the initiatives and strategies that guide our work. This is a structured space for listening, learning, and dialogue centered on collaboration and growth.

Come for the pizza. Stay for the purpose. Your voice matters.