The Howl

As we continue to prepare for this upcoming school year, we are beyond excited. Our fall sports teams are up and in full swing with many participating in their first competitions of the year. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing out important information regarding the launch of Year 2 both logistically: times and dates of important events and culturally: who are we going to be this year! This week’s Newsletter includes: more information about One West, admin team introductions, grounding information about PACK, athletics and activities calendar, the student handbook, yearbook inforamtion, PSAT information, annual asbestos report and reminders from last week. Keep this one in a safe spot as there is a lot here and you may want to refer back to it. Here we go!

Jen Ploeger- Principal- jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org

Chai Lee- Associate Principal- cmlee1@sunprairieschools.org

Ed Ford- Associate Principal- ebford@sunprairieschools.org

Last year we did a thing that has not been done in over 40 years in Wisconsin: we launched a comprehensive, public High School! The work that was done by this community was no small feat. From learning new spaces, overcoming logistically obstacles to every team, every organization, every system and structure being implemented was all new. As a staff we came the historic High School, CHUMS and from across the state and beyond to enter a new building and become the staff of West High School. We experienced significant successes and accomplishments, challenges and difficulties. We are ready to launch year 2: focusing on our successes and addressing our areas of challenge.

One West. Our Community. Our Future. Our theme for the year is One West. Our Community Our Future.

• Staff. As a staff our year long focus is to break down barriers and create partnerships across teams, departments and experience from Youth Advocates to Teachers to Student Services, Nutrition, Custodial, Admin Associates and beyond. Every adult that works with our students is an educator. This year we are intentionally deepening community and intentional connection.

• Students. As we continue to build West and focus on One West. It is our goal to have 100% of students engaged in a sport, club or activity throughout the year. Our data has shown an incredibly high correlation between involvement in one club or activity and academic success. We are in the process of launching several new clubs/activities and developing additional student voice feedback opportunities including our new Student Senate which will consist of leaders from groups across West to collaborate, break down walls and co-create what it means to be a Wolf.

• Parents/Caregivers. As we enter Year 2 we are focused on communication and connection with our parent/caregivers: increased communication from the classroom and increased opportunities for connection and involvement.

As we continue to create our identity and pride in being Sun Prairie West High School, we strive to foster a positive school culture and safe, effective, engaging learning environment for all students by being ONE PACK living out our community agreements every day.

• Pride: I do my best at all times.

• Accountability: I take responsibility for my actions.

• Collaboration: I work well with others.

• Kindness: I try to understand others and their feelings.

We will be grounding ourselves in PACK at the start and throughout the year in the classrooms, hallways and extracurricular events. Our schools buses, athletic and other curricular events are an extension of school and we will shine to the community by having high expectations in those spaces as well. We will be teaching and learning about PACK during SP30 to launch the year.

We are continuing our Leaders of the Pack program this year. Leaders of the Pack is open to any West Wolf that strives to embody PACK each and every day and is ready to step up as a leader for our community. Activities for leaders of the pack include: volunteering at school wide events, giving school tours, being a buddy for new students and being a guide for our incoming 9th graders. Sign up today!

As we embark on the school year, we are seeking your partnership and support to ensure that students are attending school regularly, reporting to school on time, and remaining in assigned learning spaces throughout the school day.

Missing class through absences, tardies, and leaving during class periods is a lost opportunity for students to learn, negatively impacting them now and in the future, as they transition to their post-high school pathways. Students who attend school regularly achieve at higher levels than those without regular attendance. Regular attendance also allows our teachers and students to build relationships that positively impact learning.

We ask for your partnership to monitor attendance in Infinite Campus, to encourage your student(s) to arrive at school on time, and to fully attend classes to ensure strong attendance and greater academic achievement. For more information about accessing Infinite Campus, please visit this link. If you do not have an account created, you may create one here. If you need any support, please contact your child’s school and speak with the administrative assistant at the school.

The following codes will be used in Infinite Campus for our high schoolers during the 2023-24 school year.

• P- Present: Student attended class for the entire instructional period.

• A- Absent: Student was not in school and/or did not attend any portion of one or more classes.

• T- Tardy: Student was not in school at the start of the school day and/or did not attend a class for the entire instructional period. (If a student is tardy for class, the educator will record the amount of lost instructional time by one of three categories; 1-15 minutes, 16-45 minutes, and longer than 45 minutes.)

The accurate coding of attendance in the Infinite Campus system will allow our staff to determine which scholars need support to attend all minutes of their classes to avoid lost instructional time. If you/your scholar is experiencing difficulty attending school and needs support, please contact your school's Student Services team.

We are so excited as our athletes have begun to take our fields! Before we know it they will be on the pitch, in the pool, on the stage and on the court as well. Please bookmark our 2023-2024 Athletic and Activities Calendar to mark your personal calendars for exciting upcoming events for the year.

As we move into year 2 of an SPASD community with 3 High Schools in Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West and Prairie Phoenix Academy) we are united in our high expectations and high levels of support for students. Please grab a cup of coffee, refill your water or your favorite beverage and carefully read through our Student Handbook. This includes LOTS of important information from academics to student/parent/caregiver support to school nutrition and student fees.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This test gives students practice for taking the SAT and is the first step in entering scholarship programs conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The test consists of three sections: reading, math, and writing/language. 11th-grade students can register to take the optional exam in the fall. Please look for information for signing up for PSAT at registration.

We are very excited to introduce to you, our West admin team! Please continue to check The Howl for staff spotlights as we introduce our team to you in upcoming editions. We also received feedback that you would love to learn more about your teachers, stay tuned! We will have a teacher highlight once they return in a couple of weeks.

• Jen Ploeger- Principal

• Ed Ford- Associate Principal (A-Le)

• Chai Lee- Associate Principal (Li-Z)

• Felix Giboney- Dean of Students (A-Le)

• Jamie Diaz- Dean of Students (Li-Z)

• Kellie Miesbauer- Program Manager (Special Education support)

• Mallory Saurer- Restorative Practices Coach

• Amy Cassiday- Equitable Multi-level System of Supports (EMLSS) Site Coordinator

Our scholars have been busy throughout the summer! Working, volunteering, studying, pursuing current passions and discovering new passions. A shout out to all of our students enrolled in Summer School. Across our Summer High School we had 380 students participate including credit recovery, strength and conditioning, the summer musical and traffic safety.

Sun Prairie High School students came together across sites this summer to make music and put on beautiful shows both on the stage and on the field. Sun Prairie Summer High School launched our first summer musical, putting on a show from start to show time in 3 1/2 weeks. Learn more about the incredible production of Legally Blonde here.

Students from across town came together as well in in Sound of Sun Prairie entertained and competed throughout Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin this summer as a part of the DCI Midwest Circuit with 71 students participating!

• Tuesday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 23rd- Registration for ALL students and parents/caregivers (come get your picture taken!) 8:00am-4:00pm
• Thursday, August 24th- Keys to Success for Incoming 9th Graders and New Students 9:00am-11:00am
• Monday, August 28th- Staff return to work to prepare for students!
• Wednesday, August 30th- 9th Grade Student/Parent/Caregiver Orientation 7pm SP West PAC
• Thursday, August 31st- 10th-12th Grade Student/Parent/Caregiver Orientation 7pm SP West PAC

The safety of our students, parents/caregivers, staff and community is our top priority. Please see our attached annual asbestos report.

Sun Prairie West High School Families,

We are counting down the days to open the 2023-24 school year at West High School. Please plan to attend our back to school registration anytime on August 22nd and August 23rd between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

We ask you to enter through the athletic entrance and exit through the main entrance at West High School.

Please note the following details regarding the services that will be provided on these two days:

Infinite Campus Updates and Permissions

Chromebooks and assistance will be available for you to update your information in Infinite Campus if you have not yet done so.

Yearbook

You can order your 2023-24 yearbook, or pick up information for later.

Bus Tags

Bus tags will be issued to students who are eligible for transportation. These tags are necessary to ride the bus after the initial grace period.

Fees

Course fees will be added to accounts in a few weeks; those can be paid online, but families can purchase an activity pass that will be printed on the student’s ID during registration. Technical support will be available to pay this fee at registration along with the 60$ student parking fee. Students will get their parking tag once the fee is paid.

Parking Permits

Students wishing to apply for a parking permit must present their valid license and have the make, model, color, and license plate for the car(s) they will be parking on campus as part of the back to school registration process.

Please note answers to commonly asked questions regarding parking permits:

• The cost of the permit is $30/semester. This is non-refundable and is not prorated.

• One parking permit can be purchased per household.

• Students/caretakers must agree to the parking guidelines before a permit is issued.

• Students must possess a valid license before the permit is issued. A driving permit cannot secure a parking permit for the future.

• Parking is a privilege and can be revoked.

• We have 505 parking spots. Everyone will be randomly assigned a parking spot. Spots cannot be traded or changed.

• Additional parking is available in the adjacent neighborhoods. Neighborhood street parking regulations and laws are established and monitored by the City of Sun Prairie and the Sun Prairie Police Department.

School Pictures and ID Cards

Photographers will be on site to take school portraits. ID cards will be printed on site as well.

School Tours/Access

Leaders of the Pack will be available to provide directions for students wanting to find their classrooms during registration.

If you are NOT available to attend registration, we will work with students to get caught up in the first week of school. Picture makeup day will be October 19th during the school day.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we of course invite you to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Your SPWHS Administrators

If your student is interested in parking in our SP West parking lot and currently has a valid driver's license (not learning permit) you may purchase a parking permit at registration. Here are the Parking Permit Guidelines for the 23-24 school year. Please review these together as student and parent/caregiver.

SUN PRAIRIE WEST HIGH SCHOOL

PARKING PERMIT GUIDELINES 2023-24

We are excited to be able to provide students and staff with ample parking opportunities to have consistency of parking relatively close to the building. Students may access the student parking lot by purchasing a Sun Prairie West Parking permit for $30/semester and abiding by our parking guidelines.

Students who violate the parking regulations or traffic laws will be subject to various disciplinary actions by the school administration or local police which include but are not limited to:

● Issuance of a $30 Parking Citation (Students and/or parents will be responsible for all fines)

● Repeated violation of parking regulation may result in the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense

● Suspension of parking permit

● Revocation of parking permit

● Issuance of detention, In-School Suspension and Out of School Suspension

Parking Regulations at Sun Prairie West High School:

• Students must park in the student parking lot outside of the Performing Art Center only. Students are not allowed to park in the lot directly in front of the Main Entrance/Athletic Entrance or the side parking lot near Door 24. Both of these parking lots are reserved for staff and visitors.

• Parking permit number must match parking stall number during regular school hours/days-7:00 am-3:45 pm

• Permit must be hung from the rearview mirror clearly visible from the front windshield

• Vehicles must be registered to the assigned parking permit. A change of vehicle must be registered at the Main Office.

• Students are not allowed to loiter in cars during school days/hours.

• Unsafe driving will result in parking permit suspension/revocation

• Students are not allowed to go to their car during the school day, they must ensure they have all their materials with them when entering the building.

• Parking privileges may be suspended or revoked as part of a disciplinary action for violations of the student code of conduct.

• Revoked/suspended parking permits are not refunded.

• Parking permit numbers are randomized and assigned to specific students. Students may not trade parking permits with others.

IF A CAR IS PARKED IN YOUR ASSIGNED PARKING STALL, REPORT THE LICENSE PLATE INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE

Do not take another numbered stall...temporarily park in a visitor stall

Please reference your signed Student Parking Registration Form for additional rules, regulations and notices.

See other side for map of numbered parking stalls.

Keys to Success will be held at West High School on Thursday, August 24th from 9:00am-11:00am at West High School. This is an opportunity for students to be welcomed into West, get to know the building and start created connections with staff and students. ALL new students and incoming 9th graders are welcome! We are excited to see you there!

September is Suicide Prevention Month and while we aren't in September yet we know that transitions, such as the start of the school year, can cause additional stress for our young people. Here are resources as we work as a community to destigmatize talking about mental health and suicide prevention.. Please remember you are not alone in supporting your child/children and they are not alone. We have student support staff available yet this summer and as we start the school year to support your student, please don't hesitate to reach out and we will get them connected: jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org.

A huge shout out to all of our athletes and coaches that have begun their season or are set to begin next week! Interested in joining a fall sport? Please contact our Athletic Department TODAY! Ms. Ripp and/or Ms. Beaver are ready to answer any questions you may have. We are excited to support our Wolves in the pool, on the field, on the course and on the course this fall! Join us!

At the High School level we do not have a standard school supply list. Many teachers will let your teachers know 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). Especially over the last couple of years Chromebooks have become our students most important school supply. Many students also benefit from having a binder/s.

During the month of August we will be sending the Howl out weekly with more information as we gear up for the start of the school year! What questions do you have that we could answer in a future addition of the Howl? We are co-creating a brand new school and we want to hear your voice! Please fill out this quick survey with questions, topics for future newsletters and highlights/future events.