Rocket News
December 2022
This Newsletter can be translated!
¡Este boletín se puede traducir!
Primero, haga clic en el enlace "View it in your browser" en la parte superior del correo electrónico (si lo está viendo desde su bandeja de entrada). Luego, desplácese hasta la parte inferior de la página donde dice "Translate" y elija su idioma.
A Letter from Your Principal
Rocket Families,
Happy December!
It is hard to believe that the fall is wrapping up and winter is on the way. I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break. Those five days are a nice chance to reflect on what we are grateful for and look forward to what's ahead.
I am very grateful for how this school year started and how it continues to be a very positive year. We are certainly in "our groove". As I walk through classrooms and observe instruction, I am pleased and grateful with the engagement and growth of our Rockets. I am grateful that our Rockets work hard in the classroom and work hard at showing the Rocket Way--Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy and Self Control. Learning how to be an independent learner and how to overcome barriers to learning and getting along are great life skills. I am proud of our students. They are a great group of kids.
Staying the course, setting/monitoring/measuring goals and maintaining a strong work ethic is essential going forward. I am confident that we have a good plan moving into the second half of the year....yes, we are almost halfway through this school year. Time flies when you're having fun. We talk a lot about our students making good choices both in the classroom and in less structured environments like the playground, cafeteria, hallway, bus, etc. Educating the whole child is what we do. We know that learning extends well beyond our four walls.
We are wrapping up our annual Spirit of Giving food drive next week. Our goal is to provide 40 boxes of food for families in need in our community. Please keep an eye out for any teachers that may be sending any last minute emails with food requests.
Please continue to check in with both your Rocket and your Rocket's teacher. That communication is priceless.
Have a great December.
Love,
Mr. Ackley
Reminder: School Hours
School begins at 7:40 AM- Attendance is taken
School day ends at 2:40 PM
Early Release every Thursday at 1:30 PM
Attendance Line
Parents/caregivers please use the Royal Oaks Attendance Line to report your student absent. Simply call, 608-834-7200, press 1 to report a student absence.
Please leave a short message with the following information:
· Child’s name
· Teacher’s Name or Grade
· Reason for Absence
· Who is calling
Please do NOT call your child’s teacher.
Thank you for your help!
It's Getting Cold Out There!
Please make sure your child has cold weather gear including:
- Coat, snow pants and hat
- Waterproof gloves or mittens (knit mittens get wet easily)
- Waterproof boots (fashion boots are best for indoors)
- Be sure to write your child's name on all of their gear
Indoor Recess Due to Extreme Cold or Wind Chill Temps
The school district provides recess to give students time to play and exercise. All students are expected to go outside during recess. It’s important that parents/caregivers assist their children with dressing appropriately for the day’s weather. If a student needs to remain indoors when coming back to school after an illness or injury, please provide written verification from your child’s healthcare provider.
Students will stay indoors during inclement weather or when the air or wind chill temperature reaches 5 below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Mr. Ackley will check local weather websites for temperature and wind chill factors.
NOTE: School supervision starts at 7:30 AM
Emergency School Closing
The Sun Prairie Area School District uses an electronic notification system to communicate with parents/caregivers in a more timely and efficient manner. In the event of a weather-related school closing or other emergencies, the system allows the district to contact the guardian of each student.
Lunch & Breakfast
Menus can be found on the School District Web Site or simply click the link below.
Cleaning out your closet? Nurse Lori could use the items below!
Boys pants sizes-4-6
Boys long sleeve shirts sz. small
Boys socks size large
Girls socks-medium & large
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!
ALPS (Advanced Learning Program for Students) Update
Greater Dane Writing is underway! Below are the reminders for 1st and final drafts. If your student is entering the competition, please make sure they drop their draft into “The Greater Dane Google Classroom”. Artwork and cartoons will be submitted on paper and don’t need to be entered into google classroom.
December 2 - Rough Draft Due
December 16 - Final Drafts Due
January - Sun Prairie District Judging
March - Dane County Regional Judging
Math 24
A message from Kobussen
Waiting for the Bus
As cold and snowy weather is upon us, here are a few reminders when students are waiting for the bus in the morning. Students should:
- Be waiting at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival time.
- Be dressed appropriately for waiting in cold weather. This includes jackets, hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves.
- Stay out of the road and others’ yards. Wait on the sidewalk or close to the curb if there aren’t sidewalks.
- Wait to cross the road until the driver signals and the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to board.
No Eating On The Bus
Please remember there is absolutely no eating allowed on district buses. Students may have life-threatening food allergies that could be affected by others eating on the bus. If your child does not get a chance to eat breakfast at home, please make sure he/she knows to wait until they arrive at school. If your child is given a snack or treat at the end of the day, we ask that they eat it before leaving school or wait until they get home.
If you have any questions or concerns about this information, or school bus safety, please contact Kobussen at 825-8700, ext 5509.
We are hiring AVID Academic Coaches!
Are you or someone you know looking for a way to become more involved in our school communities? We are currently looking for community members to serve as AVID academic coaches. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college and career readiness system for students in the academic middle and/or students part of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Academic coaches support our AVID students during the tutorial process, a designated time in which students bring points of confusion from their content classes and work through them with an academic coach and small group of their peers. This position pays $16/hr. For more information, please contact the AVID District Coordinator, Katie Janssen at kmjanss@sunprairieschools.org.
We are in need of support at the following sites:
Central Heights Middle School:
Periods 1-2 (8:57 AM - 10:18 AM) on Tuesdays
Prairie View Middle School:
Period 2 (9:39 AM - 10:18 AM) on Tuesdays and Fridays
Periods 8-9 (2:15 PM - 3:35 PM) on Fridays
Sun Prairie East High School:
Block 4B (2:19 PM - 3:35 PM) on Wednesdays or Thursdays
Block 3A (12:11 PM - 2:12 PM) on Wednesdays or Thursdays
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.)