The Howl

January 26th- No School - Professional Development Day

January 27th- 2nd Semester Starts

January 30th- Food Trucks!

February 23rd- Our History, Our Plate - BSU Soul Food - 6PM - 8PM

February 25th- BSU Showcase - 6PM - 8PM

February 26th- Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - 4PM - PM

February 27th- No School - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - 7AM - 12PM

Our primary goals are to keep your children safe and to ensure they receive the highest quality education possible during the hours they are with us. To better support these goals, we are making a slight adjustment to our hallway and restroom procedures starting on February 2, 2026. Many teachers have already employed this system within the classroom.

🚨 The Challenge: "Digital Loitering"

Over the past semester, we have noticed a significant increase in the amount of time students are spending out of class during restroom breaks. In many cases, these breaks have extended to 15 or 20 minutes because students are using the time to check social media, text, or play games on their phones.

This "digital loitering" creates two major problems:

1. Lost Learning: Students are missing critical instruction time.

2. Fairness: When one student occupies a restroom stall for 20 minutes to scroll through their phone, it prevents other students who genuinely need the facility from using it.

✅ The Solution: The "Phone for Pass" Exchange

To help students self-regulate and return to class promptly, we are implementing a straightforward exchange system for restroom use:

1. The Exchange: When a student asks to use the restroom, they will place their cell phone in a designated basket or holder on the teacher’s desk.

2. The Pass: Once the phone is placed, the student receives the hall pass.

3. The Return: As soon as the student returns to the room and hands back the pass, they immediately retrieve their phone.

🤝 How You Can Help

Please discuss this change with your student. Remind them that this policy is not about punishment; it is about respecting their own learning time and being considerate of their classmates who are waiting to use the restroom.

Please review the document Important Update - Enhancing Student Privacy & Instructional Time for additional information.

📅 Make sure you check Infinite Campus for your NEW schedule!

🔄 Schedules have been changing over the last couple of weeks due to various needs, so it’s important to confirm that you have your most current and correct schedule.

📸 Do not use a screenshot from the beginning of the year — your schedule has likely changed since then!

📝 If something is incorrect and you need a schedule change, please fill out this form:
👉 https://forms.gle/zPyf7V7KVMvD5ZuT8

⏰ Reminder:

• Schedule changes can only be requested within the first 10 days of the semester

• A schedule change is a request, not a guarantee

🚫 Schedules will NOT be changed:

• To be in a class with a friend

• For a teacher change

📚 Additional notes:

• Yearlong drop requests will be reviewed by Administration

• AP drop requests will be reviewed by our Equitable Multilevel Systems of Support Coordinator, Ms. Cassidy

🔵 Tuesday is a B Day!

We invite you to attend our food truck event on Friday, January 30th. The food trucks will be accessible during both lunch periods. The class with the most improved attendance in the third block will receive early access to the food trucks, allowing them to obtain their meals before lines form at lunch!

Join SP West’s BSU for a shared meal on Monday, February 23rd, as we celebrate a cuisine that is close to our hearts: Soul Food. This event will take place from 6 to 8 PM in the Commons, where we will enjoy food, listen to music, and build community together. The cost per plate is $15. Please fill out the information below to reserve your seat in advance. For any inquiries, reach out to Shay Pollard at sjpolla@sunprairieschools.org. We can't wait to see you there!

Join us on February 25th, for an exciting evening celebrating talent and culture at the BSU Showcase!

📍Location: SP West PAC

⏰Time: 6PM - 8PM

💲Admission: $5

🎉Sun Prairie West and East High Schools Earn Statewide Award for AP Performance!

There are no classes available to add new students to Behind the Wheel training. Students who are eager to complete their license should pursue a Private Driving School.

Representatives from the following college will be in Student Services during SP30 this week.

Thursday, January 29 - Madison College

The following opportunities are being offered by the UW Madison School of Business and Precollege Programs. Event information and application materials are included in the linked handout:

Her View, Her Voice: Exploring Business - April 11, open to all grade levels (applications due March 13)

Precollege Summer Camp: Business Basics - June 15-18, for current freshmen (applications due by April 30)

Precollege Summer Camp: Junior Business Basics - June 22-25 OR June 29-July 2, for current sophomores and juniors (applications due by April 30)

UW Madison is hosting an Engineering Summer Program from July 11-July 31. Current sophomores and juniors can apply by March 2. More information and application links can be found on this website.

The following construction pre-apprenticeship classes are available for students through the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center in Fitchburg. More information and details on how to register are available through each of the linked handouts.

The Builders Club - February 2-March 11 (ages 15-18)

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program - February 2-May 30 (ages 16-18)

SOPHOMORES: STEM Academy applications are due by Thursday, February 12, at 12:00 p.m. Applications should be turned into Student Services.

Dane County is hosting virtual Youth Apprenticeship Information Meetings in January, February and March. More information and links to register for the information sessions can be found HERE.

February 18 - General Session

March 11 - Healthcare and BioTech Pathways

Seniors: Remember that you need to place your order for your Senior Cap and Gown for graduation. Orders can be placed through the Midwest Scholastic store linked here.

To purchase a yearbook, go to www.jostens.com. Type in “Sun Prairie West” and make sure you click Sun Prairie West High School. You may also visit the following link directly: https://tinyurl.com/SPWHSYRBK26

Yearbooks must be pre-ordered by February, 20th 2026 to be guaranteed a copy of the 2026 Yearbook.

We continue to run together as a PACK. Our universal expectations are that we approach everything we do in our community with Pride, Accountability, Collaboration and Kindness.

If you don't already, please follow SP West on Facebook!

We kindly invite you to support our school community by contributing to student recognition, staff appreciation efforts, and cap-and-gown assistance for graduating seniors. Your generosity helps us celebrate hard work, honor dedication, and ensure every student can walk proudly at graduation. Thank you for making a meaningful difference! Donations can now be made through the Infinite Campus school store. Donation Link

Please review the SPASD event guidelines. Our athletes are ready to take the field, stage, pool, court, pitch, course and so much more this school year. Together we will continue to make these fantastic, safe and enjoyable events for all.

All West students will need their student ID or if they have not yet received their 25/26 student ID, they will need to look up their Infinite Campus profile. This can be done in advance and screenshotted for quick access.

• Building opens at 8:05: Students may enter the building at 8:05 and will remain in the commons 8:20. Between 8:05-8:20 students may eat breakfast and socialize in the commons. At 8:20 students may begin to move to their classes.
• If your transportation situation makes it impossible to drop off your students later than 8:05 they will be allowed to stand in the vestibule (between the glass doors) until 8:05, particularly on inclement weather days

• Building Closes at 4:00: At 4:00pm the building closes daily. All students must be with an adult (coach, club/activity, 5th hour tutoring, etc) or leave the building for safety as we do not have supervision available after 4:00pm.

Please plan rides, drop off/pick up accordingly.

Our A/B Day Schedule and our Regular Bell Schedule. The A/B Day schedule is set for the year and will not change even if we have snow/cold days. Please note that Semester 1 starts and ends on an A Day and Semester 2 starts and ends on a B Day.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.

(SPASD District Policy JB)

If a student or parent/caregiver would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.

If a student or parent/caregiver would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.