WILDCAT NEWS
October 2020
Dear Westside Families,
I hope you are all healthy and doing well. I can hardly believe I am already sending the October Newsletter! Where does the time go?
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the dedication you have shown to your child's education. I feel like our partnerships are strong and we are really coming together as One Westside Family to support our scholars as they navigate through Distance Learning. I know it is not an easy task to support this type of learning. Please know that we see you and you are doing AMAZING! Thank you for partnering with us to give our scholars the best education possible.
Please make sure you are looking at our Distance Learning Website every Sunday or Monday for information about what you can expect from your child's teacher during Distance Learning for that week. This site also has links to Family Resources and includes contact information for our Student Support Team.
In closing, I want to remind you that we are here for you. If there is anything you, your child or your family needs, please do not hesitate to reach out, we are always here for you. We are One Family!
Take care,
Nikki Burke, Principal
Keeping Up with Distance Learning
The Westside Distance Learning Website
will provide you with access to online learning resources.
Attendance in Distance Learning
We will take Attendance on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday because we know being present in class is important to student success. Attendance will not be taken on Wednesdays.
Students will have an entire school day, including the evening hours, to engage with learning and be considered present for class each day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. If you student has not logged in by midnight, you will receive a courtesy blackboard connect email the next day to notify you of the absence. If you feel you received the message in error, please let us know and we would be happy to excuse or adjust the absence as necessary.
If your child will not be participating in Distance Learning on a given day,
please call our school Attendance Line at 608-834-7500 to report the absence.
NEW! Sun Prairie Community Schools and YMCA have partnered to offer free lunches to children 0-18 years old. No sign up is required. Lunches will be handed out at the following locations Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays:
The Element (Clubhouse) 12:00 p.m. -12:30 p.m.
Rolling Prairie Apartments (Clubhouse) 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Vandenburg Park (1020 Vandenburg Street) 12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Sun Prairie Area School District Bullying Prevention
The District has selected curriculum from Common Sense Media which includes instruction on cyberbulling. The focus of this curriculum is to engage students to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life.
The Sun Prairie Area School District is committed to providing a safe positive learning environment for all students. The expectation is that everyone will treat each other with respect and consideration. Actions such as bullying, cyber-bullying, or hazing creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, all types of bullying and hazing are prohibited.
How do you report bullying at SPASD?
Harassment Complaint Procedures
You can also submit a tip to the District's Electronic Safety Tip Line.
OPTS Meetings
We Need You!
We still have positions to fill on the OPTS board! Our Vice President and Volunteer Coordinator toles are open. Now is the best time to be a part of OPTS, as we are re-inventing how our organization supports our students, teachers and families. If you are interested in joining, please email us!
Upcoming Fundraisers
Back by popular demand, we are doing an all virtual Club's Choice fundraiser, which kicks off October 1st and runs through October 23rd. Orders can be placed online and order pick up will be on November 19th, and will look similar to materials pick up at Westside.
We are trying something new this year; a drive-thru taproom! Westside OPTS is partnering with Karben4 and some of Westside's favorite local eateries to bring you a drive-thru night of dining in support of Westside. The event will be held on October 21st, so be on the lookout for more details coming soon.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL FUNDRAISERS THIS YEAR ARE 100% OPTIONAL.
We know everyone loves and supports Westside, but we also know families may not be in a position to participate. If you still want to find ways to give back to Westside this year, here are some free options that you may not be aware of:
Box Tops - Download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts when you purchase any foods with a Box Tops label on the package.
Shoparoo - Free app where you scan any receipt, get bonus points, and pick Westside to receive funds. Monthly/yearly drawings.
AmazonSmile - Visit smile.amazon.com, enter your Amazon credentials, and select Westside OPTS in Sun Prairie as your charitable organization. Then, when you shop on Amazon, AmazonSmile will donate .5% of eligible purchases to Westside OPTS!
Like and follow us here to keep current on all the wonderful things happening at Westside!
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)