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Greetings, Cardinals!
Things at Sun Prairie East are getting more and more exciting each day as we welcome additional staff back to the building and students begin to return as fall sports and activities get started. This week's Cardinal Call includes more detailed information on the "Bell-to-Bell no Cell" roll out. In every Cardinal Call this August we will be diving deeper into this topic so students and families can feel prepared for the new school year. Additionally, we have more information on our upcoming school registration and Keys To Success Event for 9th graders. Stay dry with all this rain!
Sincerely,
Jim Ertel
Principal
Announcements
2025-2026 Registration
All new and returning students must be registered before the school year begins. Registration at Sun Prairie East will take place on Wednesday, August 20th and Thursday, August 21st from 8:00AM - 4:00PM on both days. Please have your student(s) attend with you! Students will be able to take their ID photo, request a parking pass, request a locker, and gain access to GoFan, our student activities app where tickets to athletic events and dances are purchased.
Support for multilingual families will also be available! If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration, please contact Associate Principal Rachel Looper at ryloope@sunprairieschools.org or 608-834-6711.
2025 Keys To Success
Our 9th grade orientation program, Keys to Success will take place here at Sun Prairie East High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 9:00AM - 11:00AM. Incoming 9th graders will spend the morning connecting with their classmates, getting to know Sun Prairie East, and learning how to find success as a Cardinal! If you missed the registration for this event, your 9th grader can still attend, but transportation will not be provided.
Save the Date - Shake Your Tail Feathers
Please join us for a start of the year kick off and tailgate at Ashley Field!
Bell Schedules
Construction Updates
We have two construction projects currently on campus. Building and grounds is working to complete the installation of our multipurpose turf field on the west side of the building. This project will conclude the referendum work that was related to the split of Sun Prairie High School into East and West. The field is similar to the one that was installed at Sun Prairie West and was funded by the 2019 referendum.
Additionally, you may also notice work on the south side of our building. The City of Sun Prairie is currently installing a municipal well at this location and, when completed, we will have an outdoor classroom/pavilion at this location! This will be a wonderful learning area, and some of our science classes are working to restore the natural prairie south of the building.
*Please drive safely in these areas as we do have staff actively working on site to get these projects completed.
Electronic Devices Update
Linked below is our Bell-to-Bell no Cell poster! As students and staff return to our buildings, they will see these posters and flyers in public spaces and classrooms. “Bell-to-Bell no Cell” is the theme for our focus on increasing the use of instructional time and improving scholar outcomes. When students return to school we will have lessons prepared for SP30 and content area classes about electronic device expectations. Our top priority is teaching students how to use devices responsibly and to build skills around safe and productive technology use. When you stop in for registration, please keep a look out for more information in our welcome back packets! We will also be sharing more details on these policies in each Cardinal Call as we get closer to the start of the school year.
Grading Policy Update
While there have been no major changes to our grading policy, there are some updates that will be coming to the 2025/2026 school year. These adjustments center around the quarter marking period, retakes, and the grading percentage floor.
School Supplies
At the High School level we do not have a standard school supply list. Many teachers will let your students know of any specific materials they will need for class during the first couple of days. To start the year please have your student bring a notebook/s, pens/pencils and their Chromebook (more information on Chromebooks to come). As we implement our new electronic devices policy this year, it is essential that every student has a charged Chromebook every day. Many students also benefit from having a binder/s to organize their materials.
Some specific class requests can be found on our website under the "Academics" section.
Reminders for Students and Families
Back to School Event Dates
8/20-8/21 - Registration - EHS Commons
8/25- Teachers Return to School
8/26 - Back to School Night - 6 PM to 8 PM
9/1 - Labor Day!
9/2 - First Day of School
9/5 - Shake Your Tailfeathers Family Tailgate at Ashley Field
10/6-10/11 - Homecoming Week!
Student Services Information
PSAT Information: Attention Juniors!
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a valuable standardized test co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It serves as both practice for the SAT and as the first step toward qualifying for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT helps students assess their skills in key areas—Reading, Math, and Writing/Language.
This test is particularly important for 11th-grade students who are looking to gain insight into their SAT performance and open doors to scholarship opportunities. The PSAT is typically offered in the fall, and 11th-grade students can register to take the exam on an optional basis.
Important: If you would like to take the PSAT exam during the fall of the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday October 15th, please complete the attached Google form by Monday September 8th, 2025.
For more details or questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Thao at pthao@sunprairieschools.org.
Don’t miss this opportunity to start preparing for the future and potentially earn scholarships!
Congressional APP Challenge
As a Member of Congress, Representative Pocan has the honor of nominating outstanding young people from the Second District for an appointment to one of our nation’s service academies. Although a nomination is not a guarantee that a student will attend a U.S. Service Academy, it is required to apply to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.
Our office is accepting nomination applications through Friday, October 17th. We will be holding an informational day for students, parents, and teachers on Wednesday, September 17th, to see presentations on the service academy admissions process. You will have
the opportunity to speak to representatives from each of the five academies and staff from our district office. Please let any interested students know that they can contact our office at 608-258-9800 or email the Service Academy Nominations Coordinator at Diego.Benitez@mail.house.gov with questions.
Ms. Leja has access to copies of the application for interested students.
Athletics & Activities
Welcome Back from the Athletic & Activities Office!
We’re excited to welcome all of our families to a new school year filled with opportunities, growth, and plenty of school spirit! As we gear up for another exciting season of high school athletics, we’re eager to support our student-athletes in representing our school community with pride, sportsmanship, and dedication. Whether your student is joining a team or club for the first time or returning for another season, we’re here to ensure a positive and rewarding experience for all. Our office is located just inside the main doors and our office hours are M-F 8am- 4pm.
Fall Sport registration is open on infinite campus! To get started, families can find sports sign-up details and registration links on our school’s athletics website at https://www.sunprairieeastathletics.com/. Please make sure all athletic forms, including physicals, are up to date and submitted prior to tryouts or the first practice. Team schedules, and ticket information can also be found on the site, with updates posted regularly throughout the season. As always, we expect families and athletes to review the Student-Athlete/Activities Code of Conduct Handbook, which outlines our additional expectations on top of the school handbook.
Let’s work together to make this a successful, spirited, and memorable year—Go Cards!
Here are some helpful links for SPE Athletics.
Thank you!
Jenna Boberg, CAA
Athletics & Activities Director
Name Image and Likeness Seminar
Sun Prairie East & West High Schools will be hosting a virtual workshop led by Influential Athlete, our strategic partner in NIL education, on August 17 at 7 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86943367425...
We encourage all student-athletes and their parents to attend. This workshop will be an invaluable opportunity to learn how to effectively approach NIL, preparing for college athletics and beyond.
Please RSVP using this LINK: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdcpD0fGzbQIh.../viewform
This Week's Events
Please see the linked information for upcoming contests.