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EVERY FAMILY, EVERY DAY NEWSLETTER
Update from the Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion
The DSEI Community Cabinet is a diverse caregiver group charged with helping to improve communication, transparency, and relational trust between the district and the community. The Community Cabinet meets monthly to Learn, Share, Grow, and Connect on important topics on which they have requested more in-depth information. Community Cabinet members identified five topics of interest for the 2022-2023 school year. District leaders who serve as process leads present and provide a deeper understanding of the respected topics, answer questions, and listen to feedback. During the month of November, we invited Dr. Saron to speak with us on the topic: Politics in Education.  
Join us at the January 9th School Board meeting for an equity update during the superintendent's report. We will be sharing info about this past year's Historically Black College and Universities trip with the board! 
Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan
Director of Systemic Equity & Inclusion
Robyn Rake
Administrative Associate for Systemic Equity & Inclusion
Teran Peterson
Teran Peterson
Community Liaison
Hmong New Year Celebration
For the very first time, Sun Prairie West’s Asian Club collaborated with Sun Prairie East’s Asian Club to create a Hmong New Year Show to showcase the Hmong Culture and the importance of why the Hmong people celebrate the Hmong New Year.

The Hmong New Year Show was a great opportunity for many of our students, staff, and faculty to come and experience the Hmong culture and traditions. The Asian Club students presented their show to SP West students on the afternoon of December 21st. A community show was scheduled for that evening but was postponed due to the weather.
Black History Month
February is right around the corner! The theme for Black History Month this year is "Black Renaissance."

We have a lot of exciting things planned and hope to see you there! Please stay tuned to the District website and social media for updates!
B.E.A.M. Awards 2023
Save the date for the Black Excellence Achievement Makers Awards coming May 7th, 2023. Hosted again at Bank of Sun Prairie stadium at Ashley Field. This community-centered award ceremony is in its 5th year of recognizing Black Excellence in our Sun Prairie Scholars and Teachers. Join us. Nominations are set to open March 1st!
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Sun Prairie will be honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by welcoming the community to a free event that will feature local Black and African American leaders speaking on what this day means to them. The event will take place on Monday, January 16, from 3 pm - 5 pm at Prairie Phoenix Academy - 220 Kroncke Dr., Suite 13. 

Black and African American leaders specific to Sun Prairie will share their experiences as community leaders and how the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King have influenced them. A variety of speakers have been invited to reflect on their leadership style in the different facets they serve in such as politics, education, and social change throughout the community. A variety of commemorative activities will take place in addition to the speaker series. 

Prairie Phoenix Academy’s Black Student Union will have a presence at the event, as well as poetry readings from students and music from DJ Ree Manic. Dania Canon, a local caterer, will provide soul food appetizers. 

This event has been planned and sponsored by representatives from Sunshine Place, Sun Prairie Community Schools, Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, Sun Prairie Schools Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion, and the City of Sun Prairie. 

“It is very inspiring to be in a community where members are willing to come together and plan for how we can honor the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Charlotte Kuchan, Program Specialist at Sunshine Place. 

For event updates, please follow the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/538365424835822?ref=newsfeed
Staff Spotlight
Pang Khang

My name is Pang Khang, and I am the Dean of Students at Sun Prairie East High School. As Dean, I get to partner with students, families, and staff to help build a safe and welcoming environment.

I start my day by welcoming students, helping them find their way to class, and following up on any behavior referrals from staff. Most of my days are spent connecting with students, processing an event with them, and collaboratively coming up with sustainable next steps to increase their positive behavior choices by building on their natural characteristics. I partner with families to break down the barriers that are preventing students from attending school and class so that together, we can help students attend more so they can continue to grow as leaders in our community.
 
The best part about working with high school students is watching them graduate high school while balancing school, work, family, and friendships.
Alysha Justice

I am Alysha Justice, and I am a Restorative Practices Coach at Westside Elementary School.

A little bit about what I do, I use restorative conversations/restorative circles to help repair the harm that was caused in situations such as physical altercations, friendship fallout, disagreements/arguments, and much more. Using restorative conversations and circles helps give the "victim" in any situation a voice and a chance to allow their feelings and voices to be heard.

My favorite part about my job is listening to the students talk about the problem, and try to fix it by using their own voice.

A fun fact about me: I am a Varsity Head Girls Basketball Coach in Madison. I also have a three year old son named DeKobe. 
AVID News
Congratulations to the following AVID Students on being College Accepted!
Alexander
Sun Prairie West
Isaiah
Sun Prairie West
Lyric
Sun Prairie East
Marie
Sun Prairie West
Rose
Sun Prairie West
Vincent
Sun Prairie West
Community Schools
Sun Prairie Community Schools Celebrating 10 Years
C. H. Bird
Welcome Jenny Divney! 

This month, CH Bird welcomed its new site coordinator, Jenny Divney! We are thrilled to have a smart, thoughtful, and passionate professional to help lead the work at Bird. Please read a little about Jenny below. 
 
Jenny Divney earned a B.A. in Psychology from Marquette University in 1991. Most of her adult life has centered around education; as an adult learning site coordinator, high school librarian, preschool teacher, daycare provider, reading and math interventionist, and substitute teacher. She and her family moved to Sun Prairie in 2017. Jenny joined the Northside Elementary staff as a math interventionist in 2018. In addition to her school duties, she served as the School and Community Organization vice president and president. This past summer, Jenny joined 100 Black Men of Madison's 100 Scholar Program as a teacher in partnership with the Sun Prairie Area School District. This program serves to support the whole child and family, offering supplemental literacy and math support on Saturday mornings. Finally, Jenny has served as an active member of Northside's Community School Site Leadership Council. These experiences fueled her passion for community work and the idea that by working together, we can meet the needs of every person while growing and thriving at our best. She believes we each bring our own strengths and gifts to our community, and when we pool those resources and collaborate, the result is a stronger community where everyone feels valued, seen, and celebrated. Jenny is thrilled to be joining the CH Bird community as the Community Schools Site Coordinator.
Creekside
On your next visit to Creekside, stop in and visit Mrs. Collins, who is loving her new role as Community Schools Site Coordinator. While Mrs. Collins was a Creekside staff person in years past, she is really enjoying her new role where she can continue to build relationships with her Coyotes and Creekside staff while helping them with support and resources that they may have. One of her focus areas has been planning after-school events for those Coyotes and their families.  

Since school has started, Creekside has had the following events and programs:

  • Back to School Picnic in September
  • Trunk or Treat in October
  • Hmong New Year in November
Northside
In Room 109 at Northside Elementary, you will find the Community School room. It is a space in our school that is welcoming to all and offers programs, resources, and support for students, families, staff, neighbors, and community partners. When you visit you will find: 
  • A robust resource library for staff, students, and families to find community resources to best support their individual needs, as well as a knowledgeable site coordinator that can assist in the referral process. 
  • There is a Keurig coffee maker for all visitors and staff to enjoy a warm cup of coffee and connect with one another and their site coordinator. The goal is to connect in a meaningful way with all that walk into the school; it is not about the coffee!
  • A food pantry with dry goods, cold and frozen food, a pantry filled with household items, clothing, and winter apparel for anyone in need. There are also snacks for teachers to grab as needed and hand out to students. 
  • The Thursday Afterschool Program (TAP), in partnership with the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, enjoys using the Community Schools room for the variety of programs they offer, like ukulele lessons! 
  • Students will gather in this space before, after, and during programs like Reading Buddies, Kindness Council projects, or anything they need a space to gather in.
  • The adult learning space offers several computers and printers for families to apply for jobs, take online classes, work on resumes, or do anything else that fits them. Site coordinators are here to offer support in that process and assist in finding programs that can support each individual's personal goals. They are also offering an adult learning opportunity by offering a FREE parenting class to all parents in partnership with EXPLORE Children’s Museum. This will kick off in the new year! 
Patrick Marsh
  • Panther Day was successful, with over 600 participants and 14 different fun stations for students! (you can find lots of pictures on the community school's Facebook page) 
  • Students from Patrick Marsh also attended the award ceremony for our food waste project. They also took home 250 Dollars to donate to Sunshine Place.
  • Adult GED classes are open and ready for students. Reach out if interested!
Prairie Phoenix Academy
Prairie Phoenix is proud to announce a collaboration with UW- Extension and FoodWise. The Dane County UW-Extension FoodWise program responds to community needs with research-based education and partnerships that support Wisconsin families and communities. 

The FoodWise Program comprises two federally-funded nutrition education programs for low-income families and individuals—the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  

FoodWise also provides Eating Smart ~ Being Active (ESBA) taught as a series of fun interactive sessions. Participants will taste nutritious, budget-friendly recipes, learn how to save time and money when shopping for food, and receive helpful items to use at home. Participants must enroll in all eight weeks to receive a completion certificate & a cookbook.  
Westside
On your next visit to Westside, stop in and visit room 114, which is the Community School room. This room is multi-functional, with many programs and resources available to our staff, Wildcats, their families, and community members. Should you stop by, you may see:
  • Small groups of Wildcats meeting here during the school day with the therapy dog, Cody, or the Wildcats in our Advanced Learners Program working together. 
  • Teaching staff stopping in to find that unique item such as toilet paper rolls for a STEAM project, paper plates for a classroom treat, or ribbon for a special craft project - you name it, Room 114 usually has it, and for that reason are affectionately known as the General Store at Westside!
  • The room also has Westside's school food pantry and toiletry and hair items available for anyone. You might have a hungry Wildcat stopping in to get a snack for the day or someone needing another scrunchie for their hair. 
  • Adult Transition Program teachers and students working on projects for Westside in the Community School room every Monday and Wednesday from noon - 2 pm. Projects include helping to inventory the school food pantry, organizing the school supply cabinets and clothing closets, and even helping in the school garden! 
Westside's Adult Learning Center's future plans include bringing back in-person adult classes such as Adult ESL classes which are a collaboration with The Literacy Network and will be held in this space as well. Before the pandemic, these community-wide classes were held twice a week at Westside. However, since then, they have been held virtually. Westside hopes later this Winter or early in Spring that they can again hold these classes in person or a hybrid model in the Adult Learning Center space. They will also again be hosting the Griefshare Support group in collaboration with Door Creek Church every Wednesday night from February - May in this space. They also always have coffee, tea, and hot cocoa brewing, so stop in and enjoy a cup and conversation with Mrs. Darga and each other. They are excited to share this space with the school and our community! 
WE ARE HIRING!
We are seeking to diversify our workforce. To see all available positions, including the positions listed below, please scan the QR Code or visit Frontline.

  • Substitute Teacher - Learn more about becoming a substitute here.
  • Substitute Support Staff - Learn more about becoming a substitute here.
  • Custodians
  • Lead Custodians
  • Instructional Assistants
  • Special Education Assistants
  • Nutrition Team Members
  • 5th Grade Teacher - Westside Elementary
  • Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Teacher
  • Community Schools Site Coordinator - Prairie View Middle School
  • Community Schools Site Coordinator - Central Heights Middle School
  • AVID Academic Coach/Tutor - District-Wide
  • Summer School Teacher - District-Wide
  • Long-Term Substitute Teaches - Horizon Elementary
  • Student Services Administrative Associate - Prairie View Middle School
  • Library Assistant - Sun Prairie West High School
  • Administrative Associate for Digital Media & Strategy and Technology - District Support Center
HUMAN RESOURCES CONTACTS:
Chris Sadler, Human Resources Director    
Isabel Simonetti, Employee Relations Manager     
humanresources@sunprairieschools.org
Mission

Futures depend on us to inspire and prepare every child, every day by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.

Vision

To be a high performing district of choice that reflects the cultures of our diverse community.