SASD Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting for the Sparta Area School District will take place at Meadowview Middle School on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. We invite all stakeholders to attend the meeting to discuss, evaluate, and plan for the upcoming academic year. This is an opportunity to have all district eligible voters give feedback on the direction the school district should consider when adopting the 2023-24 school budget. By engaging a diverse range of perspectives and expertise, the annual meeting helps the school district chart a well informed course for the future, promoting collaboration and transparency. During the Annual Meeting, district leadership will present an overview of the District and financial status. This information is crucial in providing communication to the community and fostering a sense of accountability. This forum also allows parents and community members to provide feedback and actively participate in the decision making processes that impact their children’s education. A detailed Annual Meeting handout will be available that provides a district and budget overview, tax levy and mill rate information, District expenses, and so much more. Once again, we encourage all community members to attend and participate on October 19, 2023, at Meadowview Middle School at 6:30 p.m.
Extra! Extra! Sparta Spotlight Players Presents Disney’s Newsies The Sparta Spotlight Players is thrilled to perform an exciting musical that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages! Set in turn-of-thecentury New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenage “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! The talented cast, under the guidance of dedicated directors and crew, has a tradition of delivering exceptional performances. Their commitment to excellence and passion for the arts shine through in every show they perform. The team has earned numerous awards including Outstanding Musical from the Jerry Awards. This is a testament to the hard work and talent of the dedicated students and staff. Show times: - November 10, 11, & 12 - November 16, 17, 18, & 19 Disney’s Newsies promises an evening of entertainment and laughter for the whole family. Witness the magic as our students bring this beloved story to life on stage. Scan the QR code to order tickets and see show-times. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
School Safety Over the summer, SASD Administration made numerous additions to our School Safety protocols. School Safety Plans play an important role in safeguarding the well-being of students and staff. Along with adopting the Standard Response Protocol (shown below), administration attended trainings with the Department of Justice and the Office of School Safety to review our Threat Assessment process. Additionally, SASD continues to implement other safety measures inside of each classroom throughout the District. These plans are designed to prepare schools for a wide range of potential emergencies, including natural disasters, medical incidents, and security threats. By outlining clear protocols and response procedures, school safety plans ensure a coordinated and swift reaction in times of emergency, minimizing chaos and enhancing the overall safety of the school community. If any concerning information and/or crisis becomes known, we first consider the Standard Response Protocol and determine if we need to take any of those actions. The Standard Response Protocol is utilized for concerns both in our buildings as well as outside but near our buildings. Any student or community member who suspects child abuse/neglect and/or a threat of violence to school safety should contact law enforcement and/or any staff member by phone or email to report concerns. If there is an immediate danger, please call 911. All staff members are trained as mandatory reporters and are required to report having knowledge of child abuse/neglect and/or a school threat.
SASD partners with STOPit, to help deter harmful or inappropriate conduct. STOPit empowers SASD students in grades 5-12 with an easy app to safely and anonymously report anything of concern to school officials – from cyberbullying to threats of violence or self-harm. STOPit empowers students to stand up for themselves and others while giving our schools the insight we need to keep students safe. With STOPit, students can submit anonymous reports containing text, photos, or video. Administrators are then able to manage incidents. STOPit provides efficient and powerful investigative tools to our staff, including the ability to message with the reporter, which will allow us to address issues instantly. STOPit does more than just help schools address incidents and mitigate risk. STOPit will also help us go beyond reacting to bullying and inappropriate behavior, and instead start deterring it. As young people continue to engage more with technology every day, we are taking a proactive step to empower our students to become Upstanders in our community in the way that they feel most comfortable. We believe our adoption of STOPit is an important step in our continued effort to provide a positive school climate and a safe learning environment for our students.
Facility Study The Sparta Area School District is going through a comprehensive facility assessment and master planning process with Bray Architects and Market & Johnson (M&J). A District-Wide Facility Study was completed on all buildings (excluding Herrman Elementary) in the Sparta Area School District and is available on our website. Through this Facility Study, Bray Architects and their consulting engineers provided observations surrounding the conditions of all buildings and categorized areas by “Good”, “Fair”, or “Poor”. The assessment reviews the plumbing, mechanical, electrical, flooring, roofing, and more. Based on the assessment, the areas with the highest concern were evaluated with viable options for SASD to consider. M&J provided construction cost estimations to address the areas of need and community engagement meetings were held to obtain initial feedback from the community. At the Board of Education Meeting on September 25, the Board approved moving forward with a Community Survey. Additional information about the specific needs at each of our buildings, upcoming meeting dates, and previous presentations is available on our website or by scanning the QR code below.
Community Survey
Next Steps
Share your voice! All residents will receive a community survey from SASD. If you would like an additional copy for another person in your household, please contact the District Office at: 608-366-3400. Surveys can be completed on-line or by paper format and will be kept completely confidential.
The Community Survey will stop accepting responses on November 6, 2023. Once that date has passed, Administration will work with School Perceptions (third party company who oversees the survey) to review the results. The results are planning to be shared with the Board of Education on November 27, 2023. After the Board Meeting, the results will also be shared on our Facility Study website page.
Filling out the survey will provide valuable insights into the diverse needs, preferences, and expectations of our stakeholders. The survey offers an avenue for parents, students, teachers, and residents to voice their opinions, concerns, and suggestions while allowing the District to present our current situation and gather your feedback to guide the District’s facility planning process. The first portion of the survey reviews the community interest in supporting an operational referendum to support maintaining current programs, retaining staff, and increasing operational costs. The second portion explores five projects that address the needs at each building except for Herrman Elementary and asks community members to share the priority level they would place on each. The final portion of the survey asks the community to share their tax tolerance on addressing our needs throughout the District. Additional information is available on the District website, www. spartan.org/2023-facility-study, or by scanning the QR code above.
The Board of Education will consider options to move forward with potential operational and/or facility referendum for the April ballot during their December and January meetings. To learn more about the Community Survey, join us for Soup w/ the Sup on October 24 and/or 26 at Sparta High School at 5:30 p.m.
As the autumn leaves begin to change and the air grows crisper, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and highlights from our school district. October is a month of transition, reflection, and growth, and it is an honor to serve as your Superintendent during these dynamic times. Reflecting on Our Achievements: October allows us to pause and reflect on the achievements and progress we have made as a school community since the start of the academic year. From the hard work of our dedicated educators to the enthusiasm of our students, we have much to be proud of. Continuing a Safe Learning Environment: The health and safety of our students, staff, and families remain our top priority. As a school community, we continually strive to make our schools a safe and welcoming place. Celebrating Student Success: October brings with it numerous opportunities to celebrate our students’ successes. Whether it’s academic achievements, artistic accomplishments, or outstanding sports performances, we are immensely proud of our students’ talents and dedication. Enhancing Parent and Community Engagement: We value the partnership we have with parents and our broader community. This month, we will be hosting several events and meetings aimed at strengthening this collaboration. Your input and engagement are vital to our shared mission of providing the best educational journey for our students. Upcoming Events: As we move through October, please mark your calendars for upcoming events, including parent-teacher conferences and community forums. These gatherings offer valuable opportunities for us to connect, learn, and grow as a community. I encourage you to stay engaged with our school district by following our website and social media channels for the latest updates and information. As we embrace the changing seasons and all the opportunities they bring, let us continue to work together to ensure that our students receive the best education possible. Together, we can inspire our children to reach their full potential and create a brighter future. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to all a wonderful fall season filled with learning, growth, and Spartan spirit.
our
schools.
Wishing
you
Go Spartans!!! Sam Russ, Superintendent
Upcoming Events
Did you know? All of our students at elementary schools receive FREE breakfast! The Sparta Area School District understands the importance of a nutritious breakfast in ensuring your child starts the day off right. The FREE breakfast is designed to make sure that all elementary students have access to a wholesome meal to fuel their learning and growth. Continuation of this program depends on participation. We encourage all elementary students to partake in this benefit.
Save the Date!
Soup w/ the Sup! - Sparta High School October 24 & 26 at 5:30 p.m. Annual Meeting - Meadowview Middle October 19 at 6:30 p.m. Community Survey Deadline November 6, 2023 Disney’s Newsies - Sparta High School November 10 - 12 & November 16 - 19
We will DESIGN and DELIVER the best educational journey for ALL and remain #Spartanproud! Sparta Area School District 900 East Montgomery St. Sparta, WI 54656 (608) 366-3400 www.spartan.org