Creekside Elementary

Hello Creekside Families,

I hope you and your family are staying warm and healthy during this stretch of winter weather. The freezing temperatures have led to several indoor recess days, and our students are definitely showing extra energy and excitement to get back outside. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to enjoy outdoor recess again soon. Fresh air and space to run make a big difference for everyone.

I also want to share how proud we are of our students for their effort during the AIMSweb winter screener. They worked hard and showed perseverance, and their results will help our teachers plan next steps for instruction.

As a school, we continue to focus on what it means to be a kind and respectful member of our Creekside community. After winter break, students participated in recess and lunch booster sessions to relearn and practice expectations, and we appreciate how seriously they took that work.

Looking ahead, we are excited to move into spring with a strong academic focus in literacy and math. Teachers are using student data to plan purposeful small-group instruction and meet students right where they are, providing the support or extension they need. In some grade levels, students may be grouped flexibly across classrooms for targeted instruction. This allows us to use our time and staff wisely and ensure every student gets what they need to grow.

We are committed to every student making progress in literacy and math, and our teachers are dedicated to this work each and every day. Thank you for your continued partnership and support at home. It truly makes a difference.

Warmly,
Katie Mould
Principal, Creekside Elementary

At the Sun Prairie Area School District we stand by all of our students, staff, and families.

The Sun Prairie Area School District celebrates and values our diverse community. We support and are inclusive of all students, staff, families, and community members of all races, ethnicities, faiths, national origins, immigration statuses, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

We stand by our immigrant students and families. All are welcome and safe in our schools regardless of immigration status. Information and resources for Immigrant Students & Families can be found on the district website. Click here.

All children will be safe and loved in our schools…..Every Child, Every Day.

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 Kindergarten through 5th.

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.

Winter is in full force right now and has really hit our coyotes hard with indoor recess after indoor recess! As the indoor days pile up, it’s normal for students (and parents!) to feel a bit restless. Here are some ideas for making sure your Coyotes (and you!) don’t go completely Bonkers this winter:

"Pass the Movement": One person does a move (like a hop) and the next person repeats it and adds their own. You’ll get some exercise and work on your Coyote’s memory!

Boredom Box: Fill a container with scraps of paper listing activities like "build a fort," "10 jumping jacks," or "draw a robot" so your Coyotes always have a "cure" for being bored.

Read together: Read individually, side-by-side, aloud together, in silly voices, whatever! Just read!

Kitchen Chemistry: Turn the kitchen into a lab by baking together to practice measuring (lots of grades are working on measurement and fractions!)

Research shows that even 20–30 minutes of fresh air can significantly improve a child's mood and focus. Layer up with mittens and hats to explore a local park (SP and Dane County have sooo many great parks) or take a quick walk around the block.

Hang in there, folks! This coldspell will break and we do not have another sunset before 5 PM until November, 2026! Warmer and longer days ahead!

Winter illnesses are here! Good handwashing and enough sleep help us all to ward off those illnesses.

Reminder, if your student has a fever (temp 100.4 or higher) they can return to school once they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

The school district follows the State of WI recommendations for when to keep your child at home. Here is the link for you to check out: Childhood Communicable Disease Wall Chart

Following our winter break, we dove head first into cooperative activities using our mats, scooters and giant omnikin balls. We also challenged our volleying skills with Mrs. Anderson’s FAVORITE SPORT! Our 4th Grade had the opportunity to venture to the Sun Prairie East High School pool for two, 1 hour long swim lessons with the high school lifeguarding class. It was awesome! We will continue to challenge our active bodies through February with some essential skills for a lifetime! Our Unit Focus’ will include bowling, rolling curolling (Curling in the gym) and other Olympic activities! We may venture outside with our snowshoes & cross country skis, it all depends on the wonderful Wisconsin weather!

SAVE THE DATE: Take Your Caregiver to PE Week 3.0 is coming up Monday, 3/30 through Friday, 4/3. This is a tie for favorite unit…Educational Gymnastics!

We will be around for conferences the week of February 23rd so reach out to your scholar’s PE teacher if you are interested in scheduling a conference, or check your email! Links to our sign-up genius has been sent out! Our conferences are OPTIONAL, unless you hear from us!

As always, please let us know if you ever have any questions! Mrs. Alison Anderson (ajander@sunprairieschools.org) teaches 4th & 5th Grade Health, ALL 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade PE, as well as 2nd Grade Wangelin, 2nd Grade Thao, 1st Grade Mitchell and Kindergarten Garvey! Mr. Michael Falk (mcfalk@sunprairieschools.org ) teaches 2nd Grade Langum, 1st Grade Kramer, 1st Grade Lakatos, 1st Grade Brimmer, Kindergarten Vang and Kindergarten Pierce.

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.

Yearbooks will be on sale till April 1st

Throughout the year, Creekside focuses on using PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) to support our social and behavioral learning. Our Coyotes work hard to practice ARROW and the Coyote Way! They are Accepting of others, Resilient when faced with set-backs, being Risk-Takers in their learning, showing Ownership, and Working Collaboratively.

PBIS MONTHLY THEMES:

January’s theme was, “I am resilient.” Everyone makes mistakes. We want to focus on how we move forward after those mistakes. Acknowledging mistakes, practicing healthy self-talk, and finding ways to “fix” things so we can move on are habits that help create happy, successful students.

February’s theme is, “I am an advocate.” Using our voice to stand up and express our own needs and the needs of others in an appropriate way is a lifelong, valuable skill. Our words, tone, timing, and who we approach all matter. We want students to develop this skill and share their needs in an appropriate way. We also want students to demonstrate empathy and care for their peers by speaking up to a safe adult when they see someone being mistreated or in trouble!

PBIS DATA REVIEW - HOME CONNECTION!

An area of focus at Creekside right now is using respectful language with peers. We are working hard to help students understand that they don’t have to like every single classmate or be friends with every single classmate; but they do have to be respectful to each other while they are at school. Many of the small arguments and back-and-forth comments are unnecessary and hurtful. Skills we want to see students develop are:

• Assertively and appropriately telling the person to stop (seek adult help if they don’t)

• Removing themselves from negative interactions (WHY would they want to spend time with someone they don’t feel good around?)

• Keeping negative or hurtful comments and thoughts inside their head rather than saying them out loud

• Knowing when to let something go rather than respond (if a classmate is really having a hard time and screaming negative things to a lot of people, they can see the problem is within the other student - it isn’t about them - they do not need to escalate it -they know it’s not true so they can choose not to listen to it/ believe it).

At home you can support your student by talking about, modeling, and practicing the skills listed above. If your child has an ongoing conflict or frustration with another student, ask them to give you an example of a tough situation. Role play it with them so they know what to do. Talk through their internal thoughts with them so they know how to think about it and what to say to themselves to keep the focus on them, their education, and their well-being!

Thank you for supporting these Creekside expectations and life skills at home!

It has been a busy start to the year for your Creekside CAFE (parent group) team. We are working to support monthly teacher appreciation events including lunches, snacks and treats. Even though it’s hard to believe, planning for our annual Howlin Hustle

Charity Fun Run is already kicking into high gear,

so save the date (Monday, May 18) if you are interested in volunteering.

We will also have a few family share nights coming up at Culver’s and other local

restaurants to help raise money for teacher appreciation and school activities. Stay

tuned for further details.

No CAFE Meeting This Month, You're Invited to Attend Feb. 10 All School Joint SCO Meeting

There will be no CAFE meeting this month, at Creekside, since all the Sun Prairie School SCOs (School Community Organizations) are meeting on February 10, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Professional Learning Center.

This meeting is a chance to for all parents and caregivers to:

• Learn more about SPASCO and how it supports SCOs across the district

• Hear about our upcoming joint fundraiser

• Connect with caregivers and SCO leaders from other elementary schools
  
  

Meeting details:

• Location: Professional Learning Center (PLC), Room 200. The PLC is attached to Central Heights Middle School, located at 220 Kroncke Drive. Please enter through Door 28.

• Time: 6:00–7:30 PM

• Food & childcare: Pizza (for all) and childcare (ages 2+) will be provided

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to creeksidesco@gmail.com and let us know if you need childcare. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Fueling Success: Why School Meals are a Win for Your Family

Providing your child with a healthy start doesn't have to be a morning struggle. School breakfast and lunch programs are designed to be more than just a convenience; they are a powerful tool for your student’s success. When students eat school meals, they are fueling their bodies and brains for a full day of learning, growing, and staying active.

Nutritional Power in Every Bite

One of the biggest advantages of school meals is the high nutritional standard. Each meal is carefully planned to meet federal guidelines, ensuring students get the right balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Research shows that children who eat school meals often consume more milk and produce than those who bring lunch from home. This balanced nutrition is essential for maintaining focus in the classroom and preventing that "afternoon slump."

Savings for Your Budget

In today’s economy, grocery bills can add up quickly. Opting for school meals offers a significant cost benefit for families. Because schools purchase ingredients in bulk and receive federal support, they can provide high-quality meals at a fraction of the cost of store-bought items. For many families, these programs provide a predictable way to manage the monthly food budget while ensuring their children never miss out on a hot, healthy meal.

Reclaiming Your Morning

Beyond health and money, there is the undeniable benefit of convenience. We know how hectic weekday mornings can be. Choosing school breakfast and lunch eliminates the time spent planning, shopping for, and packing meals every night. It’s one less thing on your "to-do" list, giving you back valuable time and peace of mind knowing your child is well-fed without the extra stress.

Black History Month Taste Testing

This February we will be taste testing a new Sweet Potato Bake recipe with all students to help observe Black History Month in our schools. The recipe features sweet potatoes mixed with butter and spices, baked fresh in our school kitchens. We will share taste test results with you in the March newsletters!

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!

Crossing Guard Recognition Week

February 16–20, 2026 is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week 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.

4K registration for the 2026-27 school year starts February 1st

An email was sent by the 4K elementary sites after winter break outlining the registration process and dates.
You can also visit the 4K webpage https://www.sunprairieschools.org/sp4k/enroll

March 3rd & March 5th

February 3- Wear comfy, cozy gear or PJ's today!
February 6- Wear Red for Heart Day
February 11- Wear your Coyote Spirit clothing or colors!
February 13-Wear your red and pink for Read Your Heart Out

February 10- SCO/CAFE Parent Meeting, 6:30-7:30pm

February 11-Family Engagement Night, 5:00pm-7:00pm

February 13- 100th Day of School

February 13- Read Your Heart Out
February 14- Valentines Day

February 23- Orchestra Concert, West SPHS PAC, 6-7:30pm

February 26- No School for 4K students
February 26- Teacher/Caregiver Conferences, 4-8pm
February 27-No School, 4k-12 grade
February 27- Teacher/Caregiver Conferences, 7:30-11:30am

March
March 23-27-Spring Break

• Visit us on Facebook, click here
• Visit the Creekside school website, click here