Rocket News

Rocket Families!

I hope this December Newsletter finds you all well rested from the feasting of Thanksgiving and excited for the holiday season ahead. December is an action packed month at an elementary school….so many emotions running through all our minds. One thing I’ve learned personally and professionally is that if I can maintain some type of structure, December (and the holidays) is much more enjoyable and fulfilling. Please help us maintain a structure for our Rockets: regular bedtimes, healthy meals (hard with all the sweets this time of year), and a predictable schedule help us all.

The Power of the PLT (Professional Learning Team)!

I have said for years, the best way to improve student learning is to improve teacher instruction, and the best way to improve teacher instruction is to let teachers collaborate, work together, and learn from each other. In essence, that is the entire purpose of Early Release Thursdays–letting teachers collaborate around student learning and behavior. I have explained the Power of the PLT in much more detail in the video below. I hope you enjoy this learning.

As I mentioned in the video, we are exploring new and different ways to communicate with you! Personally, I love a good, concise video to share information and learning. I hope you enjoy it.

It is crazy to think that we are already into the month of December. Family Learning Night was a big hit. We are grateful that so many of you were able to attend that evening. It is a great way for your Rocket to “show you the ropes” here at school.

Have a great December and Holiday Break. Our next newsletter will be the first of 2026.

As always, reach out with any questions.

Love,

Mr. Ackley

What an incredible evening of learning, laughter, and cultural celebration! Thank you to all the families, students, and staff who joined us for our Family Learning Night. The building was buzzing with excitement as families worked together on hands-on activities, explored new ideas, and made memories that will last well beyond the school day!

💃 A Stunning Ballet Folklórico Performance
The night was made even more magical with a vibrant Ballet Folklórico performance! Dancers took the stage in colorful traditional costumes, sharing the beauty, rhythm, and heritage of Mexican culture. The energy, music, and artistry had everyone cheering and clapping along!

🎉 Thank You!
We are so grateful to:
• Our amazing students and families
• The talented Ballet Folklórico performers
• Our dedicated staff who made the event possible

Events like this remind us how strong and connected our school community is. We can’t wait to see you at the next celebration of learning!

Our fall Lost & Found is overflowing, and we want to make sure items find their way home before we donate them.

We will be donating all remaining fall Lost & Found items this Friday.
Please stop by and take a quick look if your student may be missing something!

We are off to a great start here in the music room this year! All 2nd through 5th grade students are currently working hard on some Composition Projects. A musical composition is a song or piece created by combining melodies and rhythms. Students are using percussion instruments around the room to write their own music! In some of the photos below you can see students hard at work on the flipForm risers in our music room.

Kindergarten and 1st grade students are hard at work building their musical skills, learning about famous composers and musical stories, and developing their skills as a musician. Ask your 1st grade Rocket about the Carnival of the Animals if you’re curious about their current learning. And Kindergarten Rockets can tell you all about Opera, and the Papageno Masks they made when we read The Magic Flute. Or ask them about Ballet, and Swan Lake or the Nutcracker– bonus points if they can remember the name of the guy who wrote those ballets– Tchaikovsky.

Have fun taking a peek at the pictures and videos of some of my favorite moments of our learning so far this year, and enjoy a peek into the Royal Oaks Music Room!

A big thank-you to everyone who supported our World Kindness Day collection! With your help, we created 80 birthday cake kits for Sunshine Place. These kits will allow families visiting the food pantry to celebrate special moments with a homemade birthday cake.

January 5 – First Day Back from Winter Break
• January 13 – ROSCO Meeting @ 6:30 PM
• January 15 – ROSCO Fundraiser at Forage Kitchen
• January 19 – No School
• January 23 – End of 2nd Quarter
• January 26 – No School
• January 30 – ROSCO Winter Festival @ 6:00 PM

Right before Thanksgiving break, 3rd–5th graders stepped back in time with the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Hands-On History program! Students explored real artifacts and discovered how they reveal the history of Indigenous communities and the fur trade in Wisconsin.

In November we celebrated World Kindness Day by hosting a Cultural Dress Day, where students proudly wore clothing representing their cultures or kindness-themed messages. What a wonderful way to share kindness through learning and celebrating our diverse community!

It's a busy world, and making sure our kids get a healthy, filling, and affordable lunch every day can be a challenge. But guess what? Your school cafeteria is here to help! School meals offer amazing value, great nutrition, and unbeatable convenience. Let's dive into why choosing school meals is a win-win for everyone!

Positive Nutritional Benefits

School meals aren't just easy on your wallet; they're also very healthy! Did you know that school lunch and breakfast programs must meet strict guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)?

• Fruits and Veggies: School meals always include plenty of fruits and vegetables. This helps make sure students get the vitamins and fiber they need.

• Whole Grains: You'll see more whole-grain foods, like whole-wheat bread and pasta, which provide long-lasting energy.

• Lean Protein: Meals include healthy protein sources like chicken, beans, or cheese, which help build muscles and keep kids full.

• Less of the Bad Stuff: School meals are designed to have healthy limits on sodium (salt), saturated fat, and added sugars.

• Fuel for Focus: A well-balanced meal helps students feel alert and focused in the classroom, which is key to learning!

• Complete Meal: The price you pay (or the no-cost benefit you receive) covers a complete meal. This includes an entrée, vegetables, fruit, and milk—all the items needed to meet the requirements for a healthy meal.

Unbeatable Convenience

Think about all the time and effort school meals save you!

• No Morning Rush: Say goodbye to rushing to pack a lunch box before the bus arrives. When students buy school meals, they can spend less time packing and more time getting ready for the day.

• Less Stress: No more worrying about whether your child will have a nutritious meal. You can be confident that the school cafeteria is providing a healthy option every single day.

• Everything is Provided: From the food to the milk and utensils, everything is ready and waiting for your child when it's time to eat.

School meals offer a great combination of low cost, high nutrition, and total convenience. They are truly a smart choice for fueling your student's success!

Get ready, Sun Prairie. It’s time to Race Through the Prairie, presented by the Sun Prairie Area School Community Organization!

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, teams of kids, adults, and families will take on an Amazing Race–style adventure throughout our city. You’ll solve clues, complete fun challenges at local landmarks, and test your teamwork and creativity.

Prefer to stay in one spot? Join the kid- and family-friendly challenges at West High School, where you can still be part of the fun without traveling around town.

Everything leads up to a big community celebration at West High School in the afternoon, open to everyone! Music, food, games, and plenty of cheering as we celebrate our racers and our schools.

About SPASCO: The Sun Prairie Area School Community Organization (SPASCO) brings together the school-community organizations of all nine Sun Prairie elementary schools to support kids, teachers, and staff. SPASCO believes our community is stronger together than we are apart, and works to ensure every school has equitable community support.

Interested in forming a team? Fill out our interest form.
Want to volunteer or join a subcommittee? Let us know here.
Ready to learn more about sponsoring the event? Email us at spascofundraising@gmail.com.

Mark your calendar and get ready for a day full of teamwork, laughter, and community pride — all for Sun Prairie kids!

SPASCO Board + Race Through the Prairie Planning Committee