C-Heights Monthly Newsletter
January 2020
Turning the Page
Keeping You Up to Date - SPASD News
Over the next three years, we are charged with designing and constructing a second high school, reconfiguring our middle schools and our alternative high school (PPA), and rebuilding Ashley Field. The SPASD is committed to keeping our community informed, engaging community and staff, gathering input and ideas as the logistical and design committees progress through the planning and design processes. In order to better understand the processes that will help shape the future of the SPASD, we’ve developed a number of committees and planning teams as well as a project timeline. Additionally, we’ve developed a webpage for you to easily access information about the design, construction, and logistical processes.
Recent Updates:
The Sun Prairie City Council passed the Development Plan for Ashley Field on November 19th (starting on page 237).
The SPASD School Board approved the new names and mascots on October 28th.
The SPASD School Board approved the student migration plan on October 28th.
The SPASD School Board acted on new procedures for Voluntary Placement and “Grandfathering” Provisions on October 14th.
The following planning committees are “in progress” to develop plans/recommendations related to the successful completion of the second high school and Ashely Field projects:
Core Planning Team
Activities, Athletics, and Recreation Sub-Committee
Current and Second High School Sub-Committee
Operations and Capital Maintenance Sub-Committee
Middle School, Prairie Phoenix Academy, and Professional Development Sub-Committee
Athletics and Activities Future Configuration Committee
Naming Rights Committee
Traffic Safety Committee
Middle School Schedule Committee
The School Attendance Boundary Taskforce is slated to begin in the Fall of 2020, with a recommendation to the School Board in the Spring of 2021. Volunteers to serve on this committee will be able to submit their participation intent prior to the development of the taskforce.
Because school staffing plans are dependent on curriculum decisions and attendance boundary decisions, the staffing plan process is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021.
For more information and to keep informed, please visit our Building for Our Future webpage, which we keep up-to-date for clear and transparent communication with our community!
Please put this content in a Feature Box to accompany the content above:
“Grandfather” Provision Policy Change
When the School Board has approved boundary changes in the past, Grandfathering has historically been a practice as a part of Procedure JC-R. Grandfathering will now be reviewed each time there is a boundary adjustment.
Grandfathering related to a family move during the school year is addressed in Policy JC, allowing for the option that students finish the current school year in their current school without an educational disruption. Grandfathering beyond the current year (19-20) will not be allowed.
Voluntary Placement Process for Siblings Only
Families with students who have received Voluntary Placement approval prior to the start of the 19-20 school year will be allowed to apply for younger siblings to attend the same school. No new applications will be accepted for voluntary placement.
Final Exam Week
Freshman Planning Night - Course Expo and Science Fair
On Tuesday January 28th, 2020, Cardinal Heights will hold a 9th Grade Planning Night and Course Expo (for all current 8th grade students and families). It is the science fair that night as well.
Students will receive a scheduling card to assist with course choices and counselors will meet with current 8th grade students and parents in 3 shifts in the auditorium. FYI, here are the start times for families:
Students with the last names beginning with A-G begin at 5:30pm.
Students with the last names beginning with H-O begin at 6:15pm.
Students with the last names beginning with P-Z begin at 7:00pm.
The Course Expo which will be held in the Cardinal Heights cafeteria from 5:45 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This event will consist of 9th grade teachers displaying projects from their courses and talking with students about what they can expect to learn in class.
Top Cardinals of the Month - December
Miles Inman, Javon Howse, Satori Lucas-Jones, Darla Swanek, Bennett Peterson
Avree Antony, Suvan Sharma, Rubie Hollar, Caleb Hudson, Lilli Nichols, Lilly O'Connor
Adam Davidov, Srinidhi Chenna, Alianne (Julie) Gomez Zamudio, Bralen Blue
Jon Morina, Mariama Jadama, Shavonna Winzer, Marli Davenport, and Grace Feisthammel
8th Grade Science Shout Out
8th Grade Science Shout-Out
We hope winter break provided an opportunity for your students to rest and recharge their batteries a bit.
We are off and running with physics. We are just beginning Lesson 3 in the Energy, Forces and Motion unit. In early January we plan to quiz over Lesson 2.
Semester exams aren’t too far away. Be sure your student has their science materials organized. The semester exam will be made up of ALL the material the students have learned the first half of the school year. All of the Weather and Climate Systems Unit as well as the beginning of the Energy, Forces and Motion Unit (Lesson 2 for sure, maybe Lesson 3 also). The Students will receive a study guide for the exam about one week before their exam. They are highly encouraged to complete the study guide. The students will be permitted to use their science notebook(s), previous study guides, previous quizzes, and the exam study guide on their semester exam.
Remember that students are able to access course information on the 8th grade science website: http://www.tinyurl.com/science8chums
We encourage you to check it out, bookmark it or make it a favorite!
Happy New Year,
Ms. Pletz, Ms. Perkins, Mrs. Kademan, and Mrs. Harmon
8th Grade Athletics
8th Grade boys basketball and wrestling completed their seasons in December!
8th Grade girls basketball starts up Wednesday, January 8th!
Practices are located at Cardinal Heights from 3:05pm - 4:05pm, M-F. Tryouts will be from Jan. 8th - 10th. There are no cuts. There will be 2 A teams and 2 B teams.
Home games are located at Patrick Marsh and/or Prairie View. A shuttle will provide one-way transportation for athletes on game days at 3:45pm. There are no practices or games when we do not have school.
January home basketball games:
Thursday January 23rd: PMMS, PVMS
Thursday January 30th: PMMS, PVMS
Looking ahead:
Boys and Girls Track & Field will start after spring break on Tuesday, April 7th, 2020. Practices will be from 3:05pm - 4:05pm at the Cardinal Heights track, Monday - Friday. Sign up anytime in the main office!
See detailed information about schedules, practices, and paperwork on the Cardinal Heights Athletic Website.
Forensics (4N6)
Transportation Updates and Reminders
Crossing Guard Recognition Week
January 13-17, 2020 is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in Wisconsin. Please take a moment or two to thank the hard-working men and women who show up every day in our unpredictable Wisconsin weather to make sure your kids arrive to school and home safely.
Lost and Found
Kobussen has a lost and found for all items left on the bus. The driver will keep the lost item on the bus for a few days, then turn it in at the terminal. If your child has a lost item don’t forget to check with Kobussen. Feel free to stop by the terminal at 1500 Forward Drive, Sun Prairie to check the lost and found.
Stopping for Flashing Red Lights
Please remember, drivers must stop on the street or highway 20 feet or more from any school bus that has stopped and is flashing red warning lights.
This applies both to vehicles approaching from the rear and from the opposing lanes.
All lanes of traffic must stop for the school bus, except in opposing lanes if the highway is divided with a center median.
No vehicle may proceed until the bus resumes motion and has turned off the red warning lights.
The stop arm on the bus is an added communication to other drivers, but the lack of an extended stop arm is not a reason to pass a bus whose red lights are flashing.
For more school bus and student transportation safety tips, click here.
Bus Delays and Emergencies
Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.”
If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc) students are not allowed to leave the scene. Students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.