Close

Community Commitments

To understand how working together can benefit your child, it is first important to understand the district’s and school’s vision, mission, and goals for student academic achievement.

Sun Prairie School District Vision: To be a high-performing district of choice that reflects the cultures of our diverse community.

Sun Prairie School District Mission: Futures depend on us to inspire and prepare every child, every day by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.

SP4K- Early Learning Belief Statement: We believe that 4-year-old children are entitled to an education that includes high-quality, developmentally appropriate practices, child-centered, culturally responsive play-based curriculum.  Recognizing and meeting the unique needs of individuals, families, while partnering with parents, and our community partners. 4-Year-Old Kindergarten does NOT replace 5-Year-Old Kindergarten and is not a “down-sizing” of the 5-Year-Old Kindergarten curriculum.

SP4K- Early Learning Equity Belief Statement: We believe in equitable and inclusive classrooms where all children are provided with opportunities to learn and engage in developmentally appropriate activities. All children, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or physical or cognitive ability are accepted and cared for by adults and peers alike. Team members develop collaborative relationships with families, students, and each other to provide the highest quality learning environment for all children. 

We believe in providing embedded-inclusive services that include direct-instruction, adaptations, and modifications within natural environments routines, and classroom activities.

 

In SP4K-Early Learning, We Believe…

  • In developing, trusting, lasting partnerships between schools, families, caregivers, and the community.
  • Families and caregivers will be treated as full partners in the educations process and in decisions that affect their children.
  • Schools will be open, helpful, and friendly. Resources and expectations will be clear and easily accessible to all families.
  • Communication is a shared, two-way responsibility that is regular, meaningful and relational.
  • To effectively communicate, all parties must be aware of and address, issues such as racial identity, gender identity, educational background, differing abilities, as well as cultural and language differences.

Teachers will:

  • Share student learning goals and communicate progress frequently with students and their families/caregivers.
  • Show respect, integrity, and compassion, to empower the diverse needs and strengths of our students, families, and community.
  • Instruct in culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate ways to all all students to acquire essential learning.
  • Create a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment to promote growth and self-esteem.
  • Commit to learning and growing, as professional educators, to understand the racial opportunity gaps that exist beginning at age 4.

Families will:

  • Ensure their child arrives at school every day, on time, and ready to learn.
  • Support the 4K- Early Learning expectations to Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Respectful.
  • Encourage their child to do their best.
  • Communicate with their child's teachers and school.

Students will:

  • Work to Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful.
  • Learn through playful, hands-on, whole-child experiences.
  • Learn through engaging and diverse experiences at school.
  • Learn to value racial diversity and inclusion through activities and the school environment.

We will communicate in the following ways:

  • Classroom Newsletters
  • Monthly District Newsletters
  • Seesaw
  • Text, email, phone calls
  • Blackboard Connect
  • School and District Website

Who do I contact with questions?

The best place to start with your child's teacher.  They have close contact with your child and have deep understanding of their program and can most quickly address any of your concerns.  The teacher may advise you to reach out to other, more appropriate, individuals if necessary.

Other Contact Information:

  • Elizabeth Knudten- 4K Program Supervisor, elknudt@sunprairieschools.org,  478-5176
  • Cindy Schmitz- 4K Secretary, csschmi@sunprairieschools.org,  478-5145
  • Becky Penticoff- Early Childhood Program Manager, rcpenti@sunprairieschools.org,  478-5178
  • Colleen Deal- Early Childhood Specialist-  cadeal@sunprairieschools.org,  478- 5187

A printable PDF version of our Community Commitments is available HERE.