Take Home Tuesday

Greetings Sward Families:

As the days grow colder, we will still go outside for recess as frequently as possible. It is great to get some fresh air and have a mask break. Occasionally, the children will give the lunchroom supervisors a difficult time with wearing their coats. However, we follow the guideline of, "If you wore it here in the morning, you wear it outside for recess." Please remind your child that you dressed them for the correct weather that morning and you are counting on us to ensure they are warm through recess. Sometimes, especially on a sunny day, looking through the window is deceiving. While it might look warm outside, the temperature is cool. We want to be sure they are warm enough when they go out to play. Thank you so much for your partnership on this situation.

Moving into our Thanksgiving break, I am thankful for our partnership as we navigate the ins and outs of educating our children through a pandemic. One thing I've learned is that a team approach works wonders! I have also come to look forward to learning something new everyday... and I am very thankful for the smile your children put on my face every single day.

Enjoy your holiday week and I hope you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

Due to shortages from suppliers, there will be a menu change for Wednesday 11/17.

Instead of the pancakes and sausage, there will be turkey sausage and pancakes on a stick.

A menu change for Monday, November 29 will bring the lunch options of mini corn dogs or cheeseburger.

A menu change for Tuesday, November 30 will bring the lunch options of the yogurt fun brunch (yogurt, muffin, and string cheese) or nachos.

PTA volunteers will be setting up the "sale tables" at each dismissal this Friday. This Friday's sale will be hot cocoa for $1. Like the ice cream, this will be a "grab and go" type format. The main entrance on Brandt will have a few ice cream cups and Affy Tapple items that are left from past sales and they will be available only while supplies last.

On Friday, November 19, we will be having a Pajama Day fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Please wear your comfy jammies (and bring $1 to donate, if you are able). Our PTA will be going to make dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in early December. The money raised from this fundraiser will all go to the Ronald McDonald House. We will purchase food for the dinner, and if funds permit, additional items from their wish list.

If your child is in the cast or crew of tomorrow's Drama Performance, you are welcome to come watch them perform/ take care of the stage duties. The performance begins at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, November 17) and the doors will open at 12:45. Please enter through the main office doors to check in with the office prior to going to be seated in the gym.

Please have your children keep Pokemon Cards at home. Pokemon Cards are beginning to tap into instructional time as we continue to have issues with "unfair" trades, cards going missing, accusations of stolen cards, and children forgetting items such as book bags on the playground as they trade just after dismissal.

The winter concert for our kinder and grade 1 students as well as chorus will be held on Monday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. Due to the pandemic, we will be limiting the audience members to 2 tickets per each family that has performers in the concert so that we can space the seats into a socially distanced pattern. Tickets will be provided. Masks will be required. Please do not attend if you are experiencing symptoms. We will be following Covid guidelines with all of our visitors.

If your child forgets their water bottle in the car or at home... no worries... the water fountains are functioning regularly again. This way, if a child needs a drink, they can simply go to the fountain for a sip.

Our Sward PTA will be having a Chipotle fundraiser. Click HERE for details and to view the flyer. Save the date of December 1 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Chipotle at 6230 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. A portion of the proceeds will go to Sward PTA.

PTA news!

Join Remind to get up to the minute reminders about PTA events right to your phone!!!
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...just another friendly reminder that we have after school virtual homework help for the students who are currently in the quarantine protocol. If you would like your child to partake in this, please email ckramer@d123.org and ask for a link to that afternoon's Google Meet. The links change daily and the homework help is from 3:30-4:30.

If your child will be absent:

• Please call the Sward main office to report an absence (708)423-7820. There will be questions that must be asked during this time of pandemic protocol.
• Keep in close contact via email with your child's teacher. They will be able to inform you of the work your child will miss during the absence. They might provide links for your child to access on their device, a packet to pick up in the office, or a mix of both.
• Many days, there will be virtual homework help opportunity for the absent children from 3:30-4:30. Please email ckramer@d123.org for additional information or a meeting link.

We have begun the COVID-19 SHIELD testing at SWARD. This will only be for those that have already completed the OPT-IN form and signed their student up in Skyward Family Access.

The SHIELD Illinois program is a quick, simple, and non-invasive COVID-19 screening test. Students that have opted-in to the program will provide a small amount of saliva that is tested at a professional lab. Results of the test are then provided to families (if the results are positive) and our school district within the days following. The program offers students the opportunity to reduce or waive quarantine requirements in the event of close contact with a positive case or if the student demonstrates symptoms. You can opt-in to the program at any time by accessing Online Forms in Skyward Family Access. More information about the SHIELD Illinois program can be found at: d123.org/shield-illinois-testing-program

• Friday, November 19- Ronald McDonald House PTA Pajama Day Fundraiser (please wear pajamas... and bring $1 to donate if you are able)
  
• Monday, November 22 through Friday, November 26- No School- Thanksgiving Holiday
• Tuesday, November 30- PTA Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 1- Districtwide Late Start: School begins for students at 9:30 a.m.

Website: d123.org/sward
Location: 9830 Brandt Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-423-7820
Twitter: @d123sward

Email: ckramer@d123.org
Website: d123.org/sward
Phone: 708-423-7820
Twitter: @MrsKramerD123