Greetings West Wolves and Parent/Caregivers,

As we start this new week I reflect on all that we went through together as a community last week. The reality is that we live in a society where schools are not always a safe place and that fear hit very close to home last week. However, our community is our strength and led us to solving the situation quickly. We talk about co-creating the future together and last week was an example of just that. Students, staff, parents/caregivers and administration all working together to help one another and keep everyone safe. Thank you for your part in that process, from sharing information to open dialog and conversation we truly are stronger together. While there is no threat to SP West, the emotions that last week caused are real. Please talk to your students and check-in. Also a reminder that our student services team is ready and available to support on the 3rd floor.

This week we dive into Women's History month, host our first ACT experience at SP West, and dive into a schoolwide attendance competition. Excited for all that March will hold!

Jen Ploeger- Principal- jrploeg@sunprairieschools.org

Chai Lee- Associate Principal- cmlee1@sunprairieschools.org

Chad Whalley- Associate Principal- ctwhall@sunprairieschools.org

Tomorrow is the day! Our 11th grade students will arrive at school at 8:35am like a normal school day but will be taking the ACT! Our scholars are brilliant, incredible young people and we know that this test is simply one snapshot of that picture on one day. We are here to support you to do your very best on this exam and we also know it doesn't capture so many important elements of who they are as incredible humans.

While 9th, 10th and 12th grade students will NOT report to the building tomorrow, they will be engaging in asynchronous work from home to make up instructional minutes from snow days. Every student has assignments that have already been posted in their Google Classroom. The lessons are focused around social emotional learning and our focus on a culture of care. It is 100% okay to complete those today if that works best for the student, it will still count for attendance. All work needs to be complete by 3:00pm tomorrow for attendance purposes. Please note: Study hall classes do not have assigned work to complete.

Do any of these items look familiar to you? Over the last couple of months or Lost and Found has grown exponentially and we are out of space. Any remaining items will be donated this afternoon. Please come claim your items this morning.

Our scholars and staff did an incredible job decorating for our First Annual Den decorating contest for Black History month. Check out these incredible decorations on our virtual tour of our building celebrating Black Renaissance.

If Seniors have not ordered a cap and gown yet, they should contact Midwest Scholastic immediately. The website for Midwest Scholastic is www.mwscholastic.com. If you have a question about caps and gowns please email them to questions@mwscholastic.com.

Last Tuesday we held our monthly parent/caregiver partnership meeting. As it was the day that the threatening note was found on campus we had a round table discussion about the situation. This was a great opportunity for 2-way communication and feedback around the process, communication to students, parents/caregivers and the community and to unpack the situation. We also reflected on growth based on the feedback from last month's meeting including improvements to this newsletter: including announcement slides from the TVs, upcoming activities for the week, information about vaping and this debrief of the monthly parent/caregiver partnership meeting.

Our Wolf scholars put on an incredible run of our Spring Play this past weekend performing to an entirely sold out run, including an added performance on Sunday evening. Incredible job to our cast and crew!

Check-out the announcements that are currently running on our TVs in school and that were sent to your students last week of upcoming events/opportunities.

Check out this week's events and activities here!

Please consider taking a moment to celebrate a staff member that has had a positive impact you so far this year! This may be someone that you have connected well with, you have seen working hard, has tried something new or you just want to pause and recognize for all of their work as we launch SP West. You can fill out the form as many times as you would like to recognize different staff. They will receive an email with your note and, if public, will be included in our staff Newsletter next week! https://tinyurl.com/SPWestStaffShoutOut

SP United's gymnastics team competed this past weekend at State! Our very own Martha Guelker competed on Vault. We are proud of Coach Maly and the entire team for their awesome season!

Vapes are unsafe whether a nicotine vape or THC vape and all are prohibited from school property (including adults attending events). The possession, consumption and distribution of vapes on school property or at school events comes with a consequence up to and including: in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and recommendation for expulsion.

In Sun Prairie and in surrounding areas young people have been sent to the ER for reactions to vape cartridges. This may be due to physical reactions from smoking THC and nicotine (ie. heart rate), nicotine overdose or otherwise called “nic sick”, or cartridges that have unknown substances.

Is your student interested in confidential support around vaping? Reach out to your social worker Ms. Sirianni or Ms. Fahey. HERE is our Student Services contact information. Your student can work with West Student Services staff on a quitplan, for more education, and other community resource referrals. You can also call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW or text "READY" to 200-400.

Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence

on their decision whether to drink or not. Don’t assume they know - Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of the use or misuse of drugs, including the harms of vaping..

Read more about Nicotine and The Brain HERE

Brought to you by our Social Workers.

Are you interested in getting yourself or student connected to mental health supports? Check out this community event at Sunshine Place! You can also reach out to your alphabetical school social worker or counselor for support.

As we look forward to the next couple of months a couple important dates to put on your calendar.

• Tuesday, March 7th- JUNIOR ONLY DAY. Our juniors will be taking the ACT. 9th, 10th and 12th graders will NOT come into the building that day so that our juniors can focus and rock out this test. 9th, 10th and 12th grades students will engage in asynchronous learning in their Google classrooms AT HOME. All asynchronous work is due at 3:00pm.

• Wednesday, March 29th- FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE ONLY DAY. Our 9th and 10th graders will be taking the ACT Secure the new state assessment for 9th and 10th graders that also prepares them for the ACT. 11th and 12th graders will NOT come to school that day. 11th and 12th grades students will engage in asynchronous learning in their Google classrooms AT HOME. All asynchronous work is due at 3:00pm.

• Friday, April 7th- All students will engage in asynchronous learning in their Google classrooms AT HOME. All asynchronous work is due at 3:00pm.

• Friday, May 26th- This date was originally scheduled as a professional development day. With the snow day last week it is now a student attendance day. Please mark your calendars and plan for students to be AT school this day!

A few reminders as we continue 2nd semester:

• Parents/Caregivers be sure to use the pick-up/drop-off lane for dropping off and picking up your scholar. DO NOT pull into the student lot or the staff/visitor lot as this causes congestion and potential accidents.

• Handicap stalls are ALWAYS reserved for vehicles with a license plate or placard. Never pull into a handicap stall to wait for someone you are picking up or dropping off. We have had several instances where our scholars are unable to be picked up by their accessible vehicle because other vehicles were in those spaces.

• Students: make sure you have your parking pass and parking in the student lot.

• As we continue 2nd semester we will be rebooting parking lot enforcement including tickets. Please reach out with what questions you have.

The main entrance door closes at 4:00pm. Athletes that may leave and come back please enter through door 24. Also a reminder that the building closes at 4:00pm. At that time all students need to exit the building or be with an adult.

Bus Delays and Emergencies

Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.”

If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc.) students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.

Bus Tags- Every day.

A reminder that students need to show their bus tags to drivers every day to get on the bus. If you need a new bus tag please see Ms. Detert in the front office. You can also pull up your transportation tab in IC.

As we prepare to start the year we are in need of awesome subs to help take care of our students when staff are out. Are you looking for a new opportunity? Do you know someone looking? Can you help spread the word? Please help us get the word out so that we can ensure that our students have the very best people supporting them even on days staff (teachers or support staff) need to be out. Having an ample supply of fantastic subs is also a great way to support our staff by allowing them peace of mind when they are out. Contact mtiseli@sunprairieschools.org with any interest/questions or contacts.

• Support Staff Substitutes

• Substitute Teachers