SPHS Newsletter February 2026

You've heard a lot from me this month. So you probably don't need to hear much more. I'll just leave you with this little nugget for the day.

We completed registration for next year today. Well really we completed student requests for 26-27 today. There is a long and arduous process to turn those requests into classes. But in those course requests, we see patterns and trends that help us make decisions about staffing and resource allocation. Here's the trend that pops out to me on first looking at the data.

For the 2016-2017 School year, in February of 2016, we had 535 student requests to take AP classes. This year we have 948! (And no, our total enrollment isn't very different.) That means students at SPHS are almost twice as likely to take our most rigorous courses as they were a decade ago!

Proud of our Eagles and the staff members who make those opportunities possible!

State and Federal law require that all students are regularly assessed in ELA, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies. Student performance on these assessments is reported in proficiency categories and used for accountability determination at the school, district and state levels. Students in grades 9 through 11 will be taking their state assessments on Tuesday, March 17th.

• Grade 9: PreACT Secure

• Grade 10: PreACT Secure and Forward Social Studies

• Grade 11: ACT + Writing

• Grade 12: Attendance not required. Use the time to explore Academic and Career Planning options independently

During homeroom, Juniors will create a MyACT account and will be able to use their ACT score from this test date when applying to college(s), scholarships, and other educational opportunities that require an official ACT score. MyACT accounts are personal to the student, and school staff are not able to help with MyACT login issues. Students can send their ACT plus Writing scores to up to four of the institutions for free, and to more schools for a fee. If they do not list institutions and want to send scores later, they will be assessed a fee. In addition, your child’s ACT test results will be available online three to six weeks after testing.

There is nothing you or your child need to do to register for this specific ACT or PreACT Secure test date. Your child just needs to report to school on March 17th, 2026 for testing. Testing will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude approximately between noon and 1:00 p.m. Please note for students that ride the bus, the buses will run at their regularly scheduled time, with students able to wait in the commons with supervision.

The high school staff and administration are eager for all students to perform well on these tests and want students to be as prepared as possible. Students will need to bring their Chromebooks (charged), Chromebook charger, pencils, and a calculator on test day (if they do not want to use the calculator available on the system). Calculators will not be available through school. In addition, students will not be allowed to have personal electronic devices, including smartphones and smart watches, during testing.

In addition, students should prepare themselves to do their best on their assessments by attending the test well-rested and prepared to test. More information about the ACT and PreACT Secure. can be found at www.actstudent.org or dpi.wi.gov/assessment/act.

If you have any questions about the assessment your child will be taking, please feel free to contact Chad Harnisch at chad.harnisch@saukprairieschools.org.

Important Senior information regarding scholarship opportunies, graduation orders, graduation tickets, and Save the Date events, can be found in the Class of 2026 Newsletter. If you are a parent of a senior and are not receiving Class of 2026 Newsletter please contact Harriett Peterson to be sure we have your current email address.

Any question just ask us, we're here to help!

Michele Fingerson, michele.fingerson@saukprairieschools.org

Stephanie Beglinger, stephanie.beglinger@saukprairieschools.org

Happy February to you all! I, your friendly school librarian, just wanted to bring everyone’s attention to a wonderful resource the library provides to our SPHS students – Novelist.

Found on the first line of “tiles” on the library webpage, right underneath the library calendars, clicking on the Novelist tile will take you to a ~magical~ website that specializes in finding “readalike” books. So, if your student reads a book and really enjoys it; they can type the title into the search bar, and Novelist will supply a whole list of books that might also be of interest! This resource requires no student sign-in, and can be accessed anytime through the library webpage. If your SPHS student(s) are looking for their next new read, remind them of this awesome resource the SPHS library offers to them!

Owen Murphy, Counselor / Last Names A-K

608-644-2856 owen.murphy@saukprairieschools.org

Tonya Lassanske, Counselor / Last Names L-Z

608-644-2854 tonya.lassanske@saukprairieschools.org

Kevin Pratt, Academic & Career Planning Coordinator

608-644-2860 kevin.pratt@saukprairieschools.org

Chelsi Schlough, Administrative Assistant

608-644-2855 chelsi.schlough@saukprairieschools.org

Important Senior information regarding scholarship opportunies and FAFSA can be found in the Senior Newsletter.

UW DIRECT ADMIT WISCONSIN

Direct Admit Wisconsin is an initiative by the Universities of Wisconsin to proactively offer admission to qualifying high school students in between their junior and senior years of high school. Sauk Prairie High School is participating in the Direct Admit Wisconsin program. Direct Admit Wisconsin does not require a traditional application for admission. Students offered direct admission will need to complete the Direct Admit Form.

View the Next Steps Checklist and complete the Direct Admit Form via the Universities of Wisconsin Admissions Pathway Portal.

Josh Boyer, Activities Director, Sauk Prairie High School

608-644-2808 joshua.boyer@saukprairieschools.org

Julie Lamberty, Athletics Administrative Assistant

608-644-2802 julia.lambery@saukprairieschools.org

• WHEN: MONDAY, March 2, 2026

• WHERE: SAUK PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL MAIN GYM

• TIME: 6:00 PM

This is the time for parents/guardians and athletes to meet with coaches and find out the specific details of your spring sport. Online registration for spring sports will open February 13th and close March 4th at 8:00 AM.

SPSD employs school nurses to meet the health needs of students while they are in school. If you have questions regarding your student or a health related issue you can contact Juan Ramirez, RN

Direct Line: 608-644-2806 Cell: 608-218-4219,

E-Mail Juan Ramirez, RN, Health Services Website

Medication at school is permitted with an up to date medication form signed by physician, if applicable, and parent. Please have your physician complete the attached form if you would like this option.

HS | SPSD NON-Rx SELF ADMINISTRATION MEDICATION CONSENT

HS | SPSD Rx MEDICATION CONSENT FORM

Lisa Krayer, Director Food Service

608-643-5971, lisa.krayer@saukprairieschools.org

Tammy Smith, Administrative Assistant, Food Service

608-643-5983, tammy.smith@saukprairieschools.org

For information on Lunch Menus, prices, adding funds to your student lunch account, Free & Reduced applications, and Permission to Waive District Fees click HERE

2/11 - WCT Early Release at 2:40 pm

2/13 - No School - PT Conference Comp Day

2/16 - No School - Staff Inservice Day

2/18 - District PLC Day - High School Early Release @ 1:50pm

2/23 - 2/27 FFA Week

2/25 - WCT Early Release at 2:40 pm

3/2 - High School Spring Sports meeting

3/4 - WCT Early Release at 2:40 pm

3/11 - WCT Early Release at 2:40 pm

3/12 - Last Day of Trimester 2

3/13 - No School - Teacher work Day and Team Meetings

3/17 - ACT Testing Day!

3/18 - DIstrict PLC Day - High School Early Release @ 1:50 pm

3/30 - 4/3 - No School - Spring Break

For Athletic Events check out the Athletics Calendar

For River Arts Center events click HERE. Check events under the HOME & ART GALLERY.

For FFA Events click HERE, then go to the calendar.

For Sauk Prairie Music Events click HERE

Website: https://high.saukprairieschools.org/
Location: 105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 643-5900