The Sun Prairie Experience A C ommu nit y News let t er |
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From the Superintendent Every month or so, Ollie Berge and I have lunch together. Ollie was the Sun Prairie Area School District Superintendent from 1962 to 1975. He is now 93 years old. Ollie was Superintendent when our District built Eastside, Westside, C.H. Bird, and Royal Oaks. During Ollie’s tenure, the District also added an auditorium, a technical education wing, and more classrooms to what is today Cardinal Heights but then was the high school. The stories Ollie tells me during our lunches dramatically capture the rapid growth of a farming community. They include the drama of Cape Heart growing and dissolving; the disagreements and decision making surrounding the construction referenda, which ultimately passed; the struggles to provide students access to pools, hockey, and Career and Technical Education classes; and the historical record of a community unremittant in its support of students through innovation and relevance, not only within classrooms but also in activities and athletics. What I find most interesting is the harmony between what Ollie recounts in his stories from the past and the current trials and tribulations I recount while Ashley Field is being fully renovated and our second comprehensive high school is nearing the end of its design phase. The constant in our discussions is the community’s undaunting and timeless support of students. Although our service to the kids and families of the Sun Prairie Area School District is separated by decades, both Ollie and I are both so grateful for the support of this amazing community. The next time you are at the high school, take a walk down the long athletics hallway with pictures of all of Sun Prairie High School’s graduating classes. Locate a photo of a class between 1962 and 1975. Look at the students’ faces as if you were a character in Dead Poets Society. Find Ollie Berge. Tune-in to our video series Conversations with Ollie done in collaboration with the Sun Prairie Media Center, to hear for yourself the chronicle of events from five decades ago. With deep appreciation to Mr. Ollie Berge and to the Sun Prairie community, Brad Saron, Superintendent
IN THIS ISSUE
Read how our staff and students are living out our vision and mission Teaching, Learning & Equity | 4-7 • • • •
Summer School Literacy Securely Seesaw
Workforce Focus | 8-9 • Community Clinic • Staff Wellness • Staff Features
Community Engagement | 10-11
• Task Force on Student Behavior and Bullying
Facilities & Operations | 12-15
• Transformation of Ashley Field • Referendum Update • School Safety
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Tune into Homeroom, the SUN PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT Sun Prairie Area School HOMEROOM PODCAST District’s podcast brought to WITH BRAD SARON you in partnership with the Sun Prairie Media Center. Host Todd Milewski and Superintendent Brad Saron bring in a special guest each episode and give updates on what is happening throughout the District. Homeroom airs on 103.5 The Sun on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. You can also listen anytime on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, or the District website by searching “Homeroom with Brad Saron.”