THE HOWL
Monday, September 7th, 2026
Monday, September 7th, 2026
Principals Message
Welcome Back!
Our students and staff have officially kicked off Semester 1 of the 2026–2027 school year! The energy in the building during these first few days has been fantastic. Much of our initial focus is centered on establishing community agreements, building strong relationships, and setting up daily classroom routines that set our students up for success all year long.
Grade-Level Assemblies & Homecoming
Next week, each grade level will meet with the administration team during dedicated assemblies. We’ll be reviewing our student handbook and key expectations, as well as sharing details about our upcoming Homecoming celebration, which is right around the corner the week of September 28th - October 2nd!
A Few Quick Reminders to Keep Things Running Smoothly:
Attendance & Timeliness: Being present and on time every day makes a massive difference in academic success and staying connected. Please help us reinforce the importance of daily attendance with your student.
Stay Connected: Make sure your contact information is updated in our parent portal so you don't miss important updates regarding Homecoming dress-up days, spirit events, and academic announcements.
Thank you for your partnership as we launch into another great school year. We are looking forward to working together to support your student’s growth and success.
Warmly,
Peg
Important Upcoming Dates 📆
September 7th - No School - Labor Day
September 14th - Homecoming Guest Forms Available in the Front Office
September 17th - Picture Make Up Day
September 22nd - Fall Pre-ACT for 9th, 10th, 11th Graders. 12th Graders Regular Schedule.
September 25th - Homecoming Guest Forms Due
September 28th - October 2nd - Homecoming Week! Stay tuned for more information regarding Homecoming week!
Keeping Our School Vape-Free
Vaping continues to be a significant concern among adolescents, including the use of both nicotine and THC products. We are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and focused learning environment for all students. Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing adolescent brain, including areas related to attention, learning, and addiction. Vape devices can also contain THC and other substances.
This year, we are using Vape Sensors in our restrooms as one part of our overall approach to prevention and student support. When a sensor alerts, all students present in the restroom at the time of the alert are escorted out and receive a limited search. A limited search includes checking pockets, hoods, backpacks/purses, and shoes for prohibited items.
Resources for Families
Families play an important role in helping students make healthy choices. We encourage parents and caregivers to have ongoing, open conversations about vaping, nicotine, THC, addiction, and expectations. The American Lung Association and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both provide resources to help families have these conversations.
If you have concerns about your student’s vaping or substance use, please reach out to SPW Student Services. We are here to support students and families and connect them with appropriate resources.
Understanding the Consequences
We also want families to be aware of the progressive consequences for possession of marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine at school. Consequences increase with subsequent offenses, while also incorporating education and support.
Marijuana, Alcohol & Other Substances
1st Offense: Remainder of the day in ISS, 2 days OSS, and Stanford REACH Lab My Healthy Futures harm-reduction programming upon return.
2nd Offense: Remainder of the day in ISS, 3 days OSS, AODA education, and a conversation with the School Resource Officer.
3rd & Subsequent Offenses: 5 days OSS, SBIRT referral to Student Services with parent consent, police referral, behavior contract, and potentially additional searches.
Nicotine
1st Offense: Remainder of the day in ISS, 1 day OSS, and Stanford REACH Lab My Healthy Futures harm-reduction programming upon return.
2nd Offense: Remainder of the day in ISS, 2 days OSS, AODA education, and a police warning.
3rd & Subsequent Offenses: 3 days OSS, SBIRT referral to Student Services with parent consent, police referral, behavior contract, and potentially additional searches.
AODA education is designed to provide students with information, reflection, and strategies to reduce substance-related harm. Students who are required to complete AODA education have the opportunity to participate within the month; failure to attend results in an additional day of ISS. When appropriate and with parent/guardian consent, students may also be connected with Student Services for additional support through SBIRT.
Our approach combines accountability, education, prevention, and support. We want students to understand that there are meaningful consequences for bringing or possessing substances at school while also ensuring they have access to resources that can help them make healthier choices.
Newsletter Translation
Need the HOWL translated? At the top of the newsletter, readers have the option to translate the newsletter into the language of their choice. Once a reader selects a language, the entire newsletter is translated at once. Smore offers more than 100 languages!
¿Necesita traducir el boletín "HOWL"? En la parte superior del boletín, los lectores tienen la opción de traducirlo a su idioma preferido. Una vez que el lector selecciona un idioma, todo el boletín se traduce al instante. ¡Smore ofrece más de 100 idiomas!
Koj puas xav txhais tsab ntawv xov xum "HOWL"? Nyob rau sab saum toj ntawm tsab ntawv xov xwm, cov neeg nyeem muaj kev xaiv los txhais nws mus rau hauv hom lus uas lawv xav tau. Thaum tus neeg nyeem xaiv hom lus lawm, tag nrho tsab ntawv xov xwm yuav raug txhais tam sim ntawd. Smore muaj ntau tshaj 100 hom lus!
Restorative Justice Leaders
What’s up, Wolves! Want to change the vibe at Sun Prairie West? The Peer Restorative Justice Program is all about shifting the mindset from "you're in trouble" to "let's fix this together." We are looking for student leaders who are ready to replace traditional punishments with real conversations, interactive community circles, and peer mediation. Through this program, you’ll be trained to be a circle facilitator, master conflict resolution, and use restorative practices to repair harm in a way that actually feels supportive and engaging. Join us to learn how to turn conflict into connection, build a stronger community, and make our school a place where everyone actually feels safe and heard!
Applications can be picked up in Room 1423 before school, passing time, or after school. You can also email Ms Vivi (vmvelas@sunprairieschools.org) to get one sent electronically via email or if you have additional questions!
Parking and Traffic Updates
🚗 Pick-Up Line Reminder
To help keep dismissal safe, smooth, and fair for everyone, we ask that all families join the end of the pick-up line and wait their turn. Please do not pull in or cut ahead of vehicles already waiting.
Bypassing the parent pickup line can result in being sent to the end of the line and repeat offenses will involve revocation of student pick up privileges.
Each parent/caregiver should remain in the pick-up line until their student comes out and is ready to be picked up. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in keeping dismissal running safely and efficiently!
We want to bring to your attention that for the 2026-2027 school year, we are adjust locations for our bus pickup/drop off and our parent/caregiver pick up/drop off. Please refer to the map to see the new route.
Avoid using the Bus Drop Off and Pick Up lane during the hours of 8:15 - 8:45am and 3:30 - 4:00pm during the school day. Please see the additional information regarding general parking and traffic expectations below.
🚗Arrival & Dismissal Safety Reminders
Keeping our students safe is our top priority. Please review these important procedures carefully:
🔄Drop Off & Pick Up Lane
❗❗NEW Bus Lane & Student Parking = No Parent Drop Off❗❗
ALL parents/caregivers must use the designated drop off/pick up lane located in front of the Main Entrance.
Using other areas to avoid the line creates serious safety concerns. Please allow extra time in the morning and afternoon so you are not rushed.
🚫Do NOT drop off in:
The bus lane
The student parking lot
We will be monitoring these areas closely.
♿Respect Disabled Parking — 24/7
Accessible parking spaces are reserved for individuals with disabilities at all times.
🚫Do NOT:
Park in disabled spaces without authorization
Block these spaces while waiting
These actions prevent students and families with disabilities from safely arriving and leaving.
🎫Ticketing will be enforced.
📢Student Parking Requirements
Students must:
Have a current student parking registration
Park ONLY in the designated student lot
Students parked in:
Staff lots (front of building)
Athletic side lots
Visitor or staff spaces will be ticketed.
🚒Fire Lane — Emergency Use Only
🚫The fire lane behind the school is NOT a shortcut.
No driving around the building through the fire lane.
📅Beginning August 26 - Gates will be closed on school days from 7:00am–4:00pm.
West Side Circle Drive
The circle drive on the west side of the building is RESERVED for specialized transportation only.
When other vehicles use this space for drop off or pick up, it creates a significant safety hazard for students with disabilities who rely on specialized transportation.
Please respect this reserved area.
Building Access
A reminder that during the school day, students will be required to show their school ID when entering the building. We will be using a new scanning system to help manage student arrivals and departures during the school day. Your school ID will be needed for this.
Important Safety Update: District Launches Speak Up Speak Out Reporting Tool
Fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and mental health support is essential to the Sun Prairie Area School District. To enhance our campus safety protocols, our district is transitioning to use a reporting system called Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) for all safety concerns. In the past, we used SUSO specifically for reporting threats of school violence. Now, we are transitioning to use it for any safety-related concern.
What is Speak Up Speak Out?
Speak Up Speak Out is a comprehensive, confidential safety reporting system supported by state safety resources.
Students and families can use SUSO to report a wide range of concerns, including:
Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Harassment
Threats of School Violence or Weapons
Peer Mental Health & Crisis Situations (e.g., self-harm, severe distress, depression)
Drug or Alcohol Misuse
Any Other Safety or Campus Concerns
SUSO has many benefits that helped us make the decision to transition away from other electronic reporting systems:
Empowers Student Voice: Gives students a direct, secure option to speak up when they notice concerning behavior online or in person.
100% Confidential Option: Removes the fear of social retaliation by allowing students to submit tips confidentially.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring: Reports are monitored 24/7/365 to ensure urgent threats or mental health crises receive immediate attention.
Collaborative Intervention: Connects school administrators, counselors, and local safety teams to provide targeted supports.
Accessing the Speak Up Speak Out portal is quick and straightforward:
District Website: Click the Speak Up Speak Out link located on the main page of our district and school websites.
Web Search: Search "SUSO Wisconsin" in any browser to reach the main reporting site.
Bookmark this link so you have quick access if you ever need to use it.
We ask that you review this tool with your student and reinforce the message that reporting a concern can save lives, help our schools be safer spaces, and support peers in crisis.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe.
Shuttle Schedule
Traveling between schools for a class on your schedule? We’ve got shuttles to assist with getting students across town.
Early College Course Applications
JUNIORS and SENIORS interested in taking early college courses in Spring 2027 should submit applications by OCTOBER 1. Applications are available in Student Services. The Start College Now program is for courses at Madison College, and the Early College Credit Program is for courses in the UW System.
Auditions for the Fall Musical
Auditions for Finding Neverland!
When: Sept. 9th or 10th, callbacks on Sept. 11th
First rehearsal will be on Saturday, Sept. 12th, 9 - 12
Questions? Contact Mrs. O’Toole - haotool@sunprairieschools.org
Yearbook 📘
General Purchasing Information
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/SPWestYRBK27
Yearbooks must be pre-ordered by February, 19th 2027 to be guaranteed a copy of the 2027 Yearbook.
Senior Portraits
All senior portraits will need to be uploaded directly to Jostens.com using the following link: https://photos.jostens.com/CC2FPK
Be sure to include the student’s first name, last name, and grade (12) in the file name. Ensure that you spell the name correctly, as this is how it will be printed in the yearbook.
All senior portraits are due by Friday, November 13th, 2026.
Senior Recognition Ads
All senior grad ads will be 1/8 of a page and completed directly through Jostens using the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=3151854
You will need to create a Jostens account to create and submit your senior’s grad ad.
All grad ads are due by Friday, November 13th 2026.
PreACT
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, our school will administer the PreACT exam to all 9th–11th grade students during the school day.
Why the PreACT?
In the Fall, the PreACT is for practice and feedback and is not used for college admissions or state reporting. In addition to providing data to our educators to inform future instruction, it also provides valuable information to support student growth. The assessment helps students:
⭐ Identify academic strengths
🔍 Spot areas to improve
📝 Gain experience with ACT-style questions
📊 Plan for college and career readiness
How can I prepare for the PreACT?
In SP30, students will receive key information about preparing and test-taking strategies.
The PreACT mirrors the ACT, so these materials can double as preparation for both assessments: Test Prep & Kaplan Test Prep & ACT practice test.
All students also have access to free ACT & SAT prep through a program called Methodize that students can find under the Resources tab on Xello (an academic & career planning application on school issued devices).
What can I expect on Test Day?
Students will test during the regular school start time.
Students should bring a fully charged device, along with a water bottle and snack to be eaten during the scheduled break. All other testing materials will be provided.
Testing room assignments will be posted in school common areas.
What’s on the PreACT?
English – 35 minutes | 48 items
Math – 45 minutes | 26 items
Reading – 40 minutes | 33 items
Science – 40 minutes | 36 items
Results will be available about three weeks after testing and will be shared with both students and parents/caregivers.