Cardinal Call
Greetings, Cardinals!
This week is Black History Month spirit week! We have dress up days planned for the week as well as an assembly to celebrate on Thursday. We are also coming up on statewide ACT testing for 11th graders on March 11th. Please pay close attention to ACT announcements as we get closer to testing. Finally, a big congratulations to our boys basketball team that clinched the first ever Sun Prairie East conference championship on Friday night. Let's have a great week!
Sincerely,
Jim Ertel
Interim Principal
General Announcements
ACT
Dear 11th Grade Scholars, Families, and Caregivers,
On March 11th, all SPASD 11th graders will be taking the ACT at SP East, SP West, and PPA (you take the assessment at your primary school. JEDI students take the exam at the PPA). The ACT is our state test for High School students and communicates academic readiness for college and careers. The ACT on March 11th is free to all juniors (and required).
Why
Demonstrate your learning, skills, and post-secondary readiness.
State-required test for 11th graders
This information is used for:
State report cards
District scorecard for your school
Students can choose to share with colleges, scholarships etc.
Your school uses it schoolwide to identify areas of success and areas of growth
Registration
Students will pre-register for the ACT the week of March 3rd at school. Look for more information coming from your site.
Students will need a fully charged Chromebook for registration on March 3rd.
Test Preparation
Free ACT Prep! Log into your Xello account. Scroll to the bottom and click on Methodize Test Prep in the bottom right corner.
Other information and resources for students can be found here.
Testing Day
What to bring:
Picture ID
Fully charged Chromebook and charger
May bring ACT-approved calculators.
What not to bring: The following will not be allowed in the testing room. Students will be provided a locked/supervised place for these items:
Backpacks
Large bags
Cell phones
Smart watches
All other electronics
Food
Drinks
Important Info:
Students arriving after the start time will be assigned to the retake assessment on March 18th.
Students will be dismissed following testing (shortened day) and busing will be provided as normal.
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
Information to come:
Room assignments
Testing schedule
Detailed information about the testing experience for students with accommodations through an IEP or 504
Results
Students can access their results in their myACT once results have been published (takes several weeks after testing)
Paper copy of results is mailed 3-8 weeks after testing
Students choose whether or not to send their results to colleges through myACT
Students can add schools to send their results to in myACT up to 2 days after testing
ACT Test Prep WIN
Now Available: ACT Prep WIN time! Please sign up for Wednesdays and Thursdays in Flexi. We will use the Methodize test prep in Xello, and we will work on it together.
ACT Breakfast Sponsorship
If you would like to sign up to bring breakfast snacks prior to the ACT test on March 11th, please use the sign up genius below. Our hope is to have some grab and go snacks for scholars as they arrive for the exam in the morning. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Mitlyng.
ACT Tips
Below are some ACT tips from our high school leadership teams. Take a look as we get closer to ACT day for juniors on March 11th.
National Breakfast Week
March 3rd-7th marks national breakfast week. Let's keep our eye out for a mystery guest at lunch!
Spring Conferences
Conferences will take place on Thursday February 27, 2025 from 4:15 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday, February 28, 2025 from 7:30 AM to 11:45 AM. If you’re unable to make these dates and times, please connect with your scholar's teachers for an update on your scholar’s progress or schedule an alternate time to meet.
Sun Prairie Education Foundation
Thank you to the Sun Prairie Education Foundation for surprising our winners in the, "One BIG Thank You Contest." Congratulations to our winners Ms. Siegel and Ms. Plomedahl.
Reminders for Students and Families
Attention Seniors - Scholarship Information
The local scholarship application is now open. Deadline to complete is February 28th. This is a great opportunity to be considered for scholarships that are only available to Sun Prairie students.
5th Hour - Tutoring Continues All School Year
Tutoring is available after school in the LMC on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have staff on hand that can help with all core content areas and students are able to make up summative assessments during 5th hour with coordination from their instructor.
Student Services Information
ASVAB Test Available on March 10th at East High School
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-choice test that measures a person's aptitude for military service and other careers. It's also used to help students identify their interests and potential career paths. You don’t have to be planning on joining the Military to take the test.
What the ASVAB measures
Aptitude: The ASVAB measures aptitude in verbal, math, science and technical, and spatial domains.
Future potential: The ASVAB helps predict future academic and occupational success.
Who can take the ASVAB
High school students in grades 10 through 12 may take the ASVAB to help them identify their interests and potential career paths.
If interested in taking the ASVAB free of charge, fill out the form below:
College Visits
UW - Eau Claire: 3/12/25 Block 2B
Madison College: 3/5/25, 4/2/25
Please see Ms. Johnson in student services for a pass.
Scholarship Coaching for Seniors
Seniors, don’t miss out on free money for college! Join Ms. Albright in room 2760 on Thursdays in the month of February during WIN time for scholarship help (sign up in Flexi). We’ll review general scholarship info, explore valuable resources, and work on applications (especially the local scholarship application). Take advantage of this opportunity to get support and maximize your chances of earning scholarships!
Youth Apprenticeship
STEM Open House
9th, 10th and 12th graders, wondering what to do on March 11th while the juniors take the ACT? Check out the STEM Open House at Madison College. This is ALL of their STEM programming (not the STEM academy). Register HERE
Athletics & Activities
From the Athletic Director's Desk
Spring sports are just around the corner! If you are interested in going out for a spring sport please stop by the athletic office to make sure you are registered and have an up to date physical. All students must be registered and have an up to date physical to participate. Let's go cards!
Ms. Boberg CAA
This is week is Black History Month Spirit Week!
Check out the upcoming spirit days for Black History Month. Sponsored by BSU!
Boys Basketball Conference Champions!
Our boys basketball team clinched their first conference championship in Sun Prairie East history on Friday night at Verona. Way to go! They will take on Badger at home on March 7th at 7:00 PM in first round of the playoffs.
Sun Prairie East and West Members Advocate for FFA During National FFA Week
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is celebrating its organization this week, dubbing it "FFA Week." Wisconsin FFA kicked off FFA Week by holding FFA Day on the Hill at the Wisconsin Capitol. Over 150 FFA members and 37 advisors from across the state convened at the capitol for the event.
Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West FFA members participated in the FFA Day on the Hill by visiting with local elected officials. Sun Prairie FFA members included four East members, Lydia Statz, Lilah Egli, Lauren Alt and Norah Kelly, along with four West members, Jada Danielson, Andrew Knorr, Rylan Headington and Maeci Ledden. These FFA members met with State Senator Melissa Ratcliff and Representative to the State Assembly Andrew Hysell.
FFA members highlighted their experiences within FFA, including their own participation in competitions, community service, educational outreach and personal growth. Additionally, FFA members learned about how the state legislature promotes and works with various stakeholders in supporting Agriculture. FFA members and advisors also advocated for additional funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming and for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).
The Midwest Farm Report also interviewed two FFA members and one advisor about their participation in FFA Day on the Hill. You can find the recording by following this link: https://omny.fm/shows/mid-west-farm-report-madison/ffa-day-on-the-hill-a-valuable-experience-for-sun
Model UN
From February 6-9, Sun Prairie East's Model United Nations took place in a regional/national competition at the University of Chicago. Students attending were Mia Boyd, Lilia Eckholm, EllaGrace Olsen, Ceylon Trinity, Micheal Murdock, Noah Galligan, Abby Lydon, Daryn Eisner, Penelope Schlotz, and Lucy Podoll.
The conference included almost 150 schools and a total of about 1000 delegates from around the region and country joining together for a simulated United Nations. Sun Prairie East had 10 delegates representing two different countries, Iceland and Ireland. All the delegates did really well in their respective committees and helped create and speak (in front of hundreds) on a number of issues including cyberwarfare, the global status of women and use of drones among other topics.
Two of our delegates were recognized for their work, Penelope Schlotz and Lilia Eckholm, on the Economic Committee (ECOFIN) with a third place award called a verbal commendation.
Prom
Our prom theme for this year will be "Night in Paris." The dance will be May 11th from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Alliant Energy Center.
Robotics Team
Sun Prairie is looking to start a robotics team! If you are interested you can reach out to Curt Mould at cdmould@sunprairieschools.org. Please take a look at the flyer below fore more information.
Upcoming Start Dates for Spring Sports
- March 10th- Boys and Girls Track
- March 17th- Softball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse
- March 24th- Baseball, Girls Soccer
- March 31st- Boys Tennis, Golf Boys
WIAA Student-Athlete Leadership Team
The WIAA is seeking applications for its statewide student leadership team. If you are interested, the application is linked below.
This Week's Events
Please see the linked information for upcoming contests.
Upcoming Events
- Spring Conferences - February 27 and 28
- Spring Break - March 24-28
- Prom - May 11th