The Howl

February 12th- STEM Academy Applications Due!

February 15th- Boys Golf Meeting - Room 1202 - 3PM - 4PM

February 20th- Deadline to Order a Yearbook

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

February 23rd-26th- Black Spirit Week 💚💛💖

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

February 26th- Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - 4PM - 8PM

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

Dear Sun Prairie West High School Students, Parents, and Caregivers,

We are writing to provide an update on the hiring process for the next principal of Sun Prairie West High School. The position will be posted this week, and our goal is to recommend a candidate to the Board of Education this spring.

To identify and select the best candidate, we are designing a multi-round interview process that will take place in the coming weeks.

Your perspective is invaluable in this process. We invite you to complete a brief survey to share your thoughts and provide input into the hiring process. Additionally, the survey includes an option to express interest in joining our interview teams, which are tentatively scheduled for April 3rd and April 7th during school hours. Please note that, depending on the number of interested students, parents, and caregivers, we may be unable to accommodate all who volunteer. Invitations for selected participants will be sent in March. We are also planning for a community session open to all interested during the evening of April 7th.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We appreciate your support as we work together to hire the next leader of Sun Prairie West High School.

Best regards,

Dr. Sarah Chaja-Clardy

Director of Secondary - Teaching, Learning, and Equity

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

UPDATED DEADLINE: The Local Scholarship Application now closes on February 12 at 11:59 p.m.

The local scholarship provides students with an opportunity to apply for multiple scholarships available only to Sun Prairie students. The link to apply can be found here.

Our Spring Active Threat Assessment will be conducted on Wednesday, February 4 during Block 1. There will be an increase in police presence within the building, as this drill is conducted in partnership with SPPD.

February 2nd - 9th is National School Counselor Week! Thank you Mr. Medema, Ms. Wagner, Ms. Saldana, and Ms. Thao!

Take a moment to send them a note of appreciation:

• Last names A-G: Chelsea Saldana- cmsalda@sunprairieschools.org
• Last names- H-M: Keith Medema- kamedem@sunprairieschools.org
• Last names- N-T: Monica Wagner- mmwagne@sunprairieschools.org
• Last names- U-Z: Phau Thao- pthao@sunprairieschools.org

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.

A representative from Madison College’s STEM Academy will be at lunches on Thursday, February 5, to answer questions about the program and application process.

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

8th-11th Graders: Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) is now accepting applications for its summer sessions. The high school program, Expand Your Mind, offers academic enrichment, the opportunity to experience life on a college campus, and a way to connect with peers who share common interests. Students select from over 20 STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses and can stay in the dorms at Macalester College or attend as a day student. Need-based financial aid is available. This is a great opportunity for bright and motivated young people to explore their passions and meet their people.

Registration for Spring Sports is OPEN!

Register through Infinite Campus using the School Store.

CAPE application support will be available during WIN time on Tuesday, February 10.

UW Madison’s College Access Program in Education (CAPE) will be at lunches on Thursday, February 5, to share free summer opportunities for current juniors interested in Education or Health Professions.

🎉 B.A.G. Recognition Program Spotlight 🎉
We are proud to recognize the following students through our B.A.G. (Behavior, Attendance, & Grades) Recognition Program:

• Juanita Ayala

• Demarkis Betts

• Brynn Borchert

• Brandon Brito

• Stella Hague

• Jagger Hale

• Heaven Horton

• Ben Kalberer

• Analeigha LaBarge

• Sonny Lee

• Yaylem Martinez

• Sari Marks

• Bruno Ordonez

• Dereon Pope

• Aiyana Poore

• Vitale Snyder

• Megan Scholz

• Téa Schmoldt

• Mantasha Ajaz Shaikh

• Ishaan Shukla

• Iseabal Singleton

• Poorvika Sridhar

• Hiro Thao

• Kensington Thiede

• Andrew Tjong

• Alex Teran

• Elizabeth Villarreal

• Briyexi Arias Venegas

• Kyle Weng

• Amonte Weeks

Each quarter, departments select students who demonstrate growth, consistency, improvement, or excellence in Behavior, Attendance, or Grades. These students will be celebrated in announcements and newsletters and receive a small incentive in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations to our B.A.G. honorees, we are so proud of you!

The SP United Dance Team is Statebound this Friday and Saturday!

3 Soloist’s earned a spot at State including West Freshman Hannah Rollins! The team’s Hip Hop routine will also be competing. Way to go Wolves!!

AP United States History is moving forward by exploring relevant historical topics like labor strikes and the Populist movement as students prepare for the AP exam in May!

Students in the Intro to Education class hosted a showcase to celebrate what they learned first semester. As part of the class, they spent time volunteering in an elementary school classroom. Thank you to the 25 SPASD elementary teachers who served as partner teachers for these future educators in the fall semester.

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

📝 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. Cassiday

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)

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.

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.