Cardinal Connection

As we bid February farewell, we would like to express our gratitude for all of your support and encouragement of our Black Student Union scholars as well as SPEHS Black History Month events and activities. We had the opportunity to commemorate and honor 50 years of hip-hop. Our BSU scholars threw a student-led lecture on Thursday, February 29th, which was engaging and enjoyable for everybody. Below are some photos taken during this event.

Now that March is here, we anticipate longer days and pleasant weather. Furthermore, SPEHS is about to enter a busy period. The first day of Women's History Month was Friday, March 1. We will be acknowledging and recognizing women who have made significant contributions to our history daily throughout this month. Only juniors will be present on March 12th, and they will be completing the ACT assessment test at that time. There is still time for you to contribute breakfast supplies to parents and caregivers. Here is the link if you would to donate. In case you have any questions, kindly contact the school.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us by calling the main office where one of our administrative assistants will assist you.

Go Cardinals!!

Renee Coleman, Principal

Christine Mitlyng, Associated Principal

Heidi Walter, Associated Principal

Hello Parents and Caregivers! I am sending a friendly reminder to please submit documentation of any medical or dental appointments - this can be a screenshot of the appointment, a letter from the provider, or discharge paperwork. You may send the documentation in with your student or email it to me at: kmmorri@sunprairieschools.org.

There is an upcoming summer travel opportunity for SPEHS students. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Nick Watkins at nrwatki@sunprairieschools.org.

Photo Challenge for SPEHS scholars. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Naatz.

Support the Sun Prairie AVID program by ordering from MOD (serving individual artisan-style pizzas and salads) in Sun Prairie on Monday, March 18th. Show this flyer or mention Sun Prairie AVID when ordering in person or include the code MODGIVES25 when ordering online. MOD will donate 25% of each bill to Sun Prairie AVID, which will help fund campus field trips and events for our AVID 7-12 scholars!

Did you know??

Each student at SPEHS has access to FREE ACT and SAT prep material through a program called Methodize test prep!

• To access Methodize, your student can log into their Xello Account

• Click on “Methodize” (under “Links and Resources” on your Xello Dashboard.)

On March 12th, Sun Prairie East High School will be closed except for Juniors registered for the ACT. The ACT is a state-mandated educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college and/or careers. There is no fee for completing the assessment. Please see the attached flier below for more information:

ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - English

ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Spanish

ACT High School Assessments Information for Families - Hmong

*11th-grade students take the ACT at their primary school of enrollment. JEDI Virtual School students take the ACT at the Prairie Phoenix Academy location.

Testing Day

Scholars who are testing are required to bring a picture ID and their fully charged Chromebook and charger on the testing day. Students may also bring ACT-approved calculators. Any non-approved calculator will not be permitted. While small purses will be permitted, large bags, cell phones, and all other electronics (including smart watches) are not permitted in the testing environment. Scholars who access medication during the school day will be accommodated. Food or snacks will not be allowed in testing rooms unless it is necessary for medical reasons. Water bottles are only permitted outside of the testing area.

For Juniors who are taking the ACT, bus routes are running as normal. Students arriving later than the start time will not be permitted to their assigned testing room and will be asked to attend the retake assessment on March 19th.

Further information will be shared about the testing schedule for the day in later communication. Please note that for students who will be testing with accommodations, more information will be communicated about their testing experience. Reach out to your scholar's 504 Coordinator (Amy Kohl-East) or Coordinator of Students Services (Mallory Long-East ) if you have further questions.

We look forward to this opportunity for our scholars to demonstrate their college and career readiness and take the next steps toward their post-secondary goals. More information about testing room assignments will be coming as the date gets closer. If you have questions in the meantime, please refer to your school assessment coordinator’s information below.

Sincerely,

Heidi Walter

Assistant Principal - East School

hlwalte@sunprairieschools.org

ACT March 12th - ONLY 11th graders taking the ACT will be in attendance on this day. For all other students, school is closed.

PreACT Secure April 19th - ONLY 9th and 10th graders taking Pre-ACT Secure will be in attendance on this day. For all other students, school is closed. If you have any questions about these state assessments, please contact Blair Feltham at hlwalte@sunprairieschools.org

Changes to FAFSA this year are causing a lot of confusion. Here are some links to help students and caregivers navigate the process:

DPI FAFSA Student Assistance- Numerous resources for students to assist them in filing the FAFSA

Fair Opportunity Project- provides services for students, including FAFSA application assistance, mentoring, and college essay support.

Attention Juniors and Seniors! The Junior Class Prom Planning Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s prom theme is Fire and Ice. Prom is being held at the Monona Terrace on Saturday, May 11th from 8 until 11. Please watch for more information coming soon.

Any juniors who would like to help with prom planning, please email or attend Ms. Josheff’s WIN session on Wednesdays. If you have any prom questions, please contact Ms. Josheff or Mr. Keal.

Working Wednesdays are back! SPEHS invites two employers on Wednesdays to set up an information table at lunch so students have the opportunity to learn more about career opportunities in the area. If you would like to learn more about it please contact Ms. Leja at lllejar@sunprairieschools.org

We are asking scholars and families to check their ACP Google Classrooms often for upcoming opportunities and information.

During schedule fest in January 2024, SPEHS SP30 classes worked on reflecting on their goals and future aspirations. The campfire activity allowed scholars to engage in their reflections and display them.

Happy Youth Art Month! Each week this month, the SPEHS Art Department will share some of the amazing things that our student artists are doing in the Art Department.

This week, we’ll start by showcasing student artists Ava Flores, Princess Deloria, and Madeline Racine-Lehner. Their art was selected by judges to be showcased at the statewide art show happening at East Towne Mall in Madison now. There will be a closing reception on Friday, March 22 at noon. It's a party! There will be a DJ, make-and-take projects, speakers, and lots of prizes to announce and give away. These student artists along with Jackson Nesbit and Kyon Mosby had their art shown at the Commonwealth Gallery in Madison representing Southeastern Wisconsin. Congratulations to all.

Ms. Orcutt wanted to share some awesome student work from the students of Clothing 2! This week they finished up their fabric self-portraits, which include some realistic and some more abstract representations of themselves. Check out the display case across from the 2600 pod.

Prostart students working hard at making their own home-made pasta.

Students in Public Speaking gave informative speeches in small groups and received feedback from their peers.

Students pictured:

Haleigh Benisch

Lydia Budde

Hayden Gomez

Curtis Johnson

Megan Koop

Riley Kopfhamer

Ruby Lodholz

Ella Novoselac

Connor Stauff

Isaac Wendler

French III students were doing a gallery walk and presenting their visual representations of the story we read about climate change in Rwanda.

Check out the SPEHS Music Department. Here is the link to the newsletter.

• March 4th - Cardinal Connector Interested Assembly during SP30
• March 6th - Active Drill at SPEHS
• March 12th - ACT testing for Juniors, No School for 9th, 10th or 12th graders
• March 22nd - Last day before Spring Break; Staff vs Student Basketball game
• March 25th - 29th - SPASD Spring Break