Take Home Tuesday

Dear Sward Families:

As we begin to settle into the school year and try to establish new routines, the bedtime routine always helps to bring closure to the day.

Bedtime stories are always fun... but, math might enjoy a small part of the bedtime routine also.

There is a fantastic website that my own children always enjoyed as a part of their bedtime routine. Check out https://bedtimemath.org/ and enjoy exploring with your child. There is a spot to register with your email address (for free) to receive a daily math story with some problems that go along with the story. There are problems for "wee ones," "little kids," "big kids," and "the sky's the limit." The problems get progressively more challenging and the stories are super interesting.

Enjoy :)

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

Your child brought home a "PTA Muffins with Misses" form today. However, there will be a TIME CHANGE for this event due to this being a late start day. The date and place remain the same but the new time will be 8:50-9:20 a.m.

Picture forms are being sent home today! Picture day is Friday, September 2nd.

We will have re-take pictures and pictures for the Tuition PreSchool students that attend on Tuesdays & Thursdays on Thursday, October 27.

There are two ways to order pictures:

1. Prepay online at www.ordervgil.com

2. Phone orders can be placed by calling Van Gogh Customer Service line at: 847-382-2282 x7

***Additionally, we are looking for 3 parent volunteers to assist on Picture Day from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 12:00 noon. If you are interested, please call the Sward main office at (708)423-7820.

Please be sure your child's name is clearly written on or in their lunch bag. We already have had few lost lunch bags this year!

Interested in joining Cub Scouts? Cub Scouts provide opportunities for your family to do fun things together. Pack 3618 is a family pack with boys and girls grades K-5th. Join us Sunday August 28th at 6pm at Trinity Church (9701 Brandt Ave) for an Ice Cream Social. If you have any questions, please email krystlecastro@hotmail.com

At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for this school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Beginning with the 2022-23 school year on August 17, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals this school year at no cost or a discounted rate. The cost for a lunch (including milk) is $3.05. The cost for an a la carte milk is 60 cents.

If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here.

Click HERE for the August lunch menu. Please click HERE to view the processes and procedures of Sward's lunchtime.

Breakfast is available to our students before the school day begins. If you would like your child to eat breakfast at school, they will enter through the 98th St. door #11 as early as 8:10 a.m. and no later than 8:20 a.m. The charge for the breakfast is $1.50 and will be charged to their Skyward account. When they are finished eating breakfast, they will go to join their class. Click HERE for the August Breakfast Menu.

Attendance and punctuality are important. The bell rings for the students to enter the building at 8:25 a.m. and school begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Please click HERE for attendance procedures.

Please mark your calendars. Sward Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 14 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

There are specific requirements for students entering preschool, kindergarten, second grade and sixth grade, as well as for all new students. Visit our Health Forms & Guidelines page for more information. Please note that these vaccinations and/or health examinations are required by state law.

If you are looking for a fun family event to attend, the first PTA function of the year will be the PTA Back to School Block Party right in front of the school building. There will be food, games, and entertainment. One of the games that will be available is a cake walk. The PTA is looking for store bought cake donations. If you would be willing to donate a store bought cake, please click here for the sign up link. You are welcome to bring your whole family. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until about 8ish on Friday, August 26.

As we enter into a new school year, of course academics are important... but, the safety of our students and staff is the most important thing to us! We will be having a Safety Drill Day on August 30. We will be focus our day on the importance of safety in a variety of scenarios.

The student device insurance policy provides full replacement cost coverage and protects the item worldwide (on and off school grounds) for only $25/year. The policy will be transferred to any replacement device that your child may be issued. Without insurance D123 families are fully responsible for the costs associated with the repair/replacement of their student's device. Insurance coverage is for the device only and does not extend to the case or the charger.

Families of students in all grade levels can sign up for this insurance program by adding the optional “Student Device Insurance” fee through Skyward Family Access. You have until September 30 to purchase device insurance every year. Additional information about the student device insurance program and deductibles can be found at: https://d123.org/about/technology/student-device-insurance/

Please view either the written or video tutorial on how to add Chromebook / iPad insurance to your student's account.

We will be having the Parent Mentor Program again this school year in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Arab American Family Services. Please click HERE for more information.

• Friday, August 26- PTA Sward Family Block Party
  
• Monday, September 5- No School- Labor Day
• Friday, September 2- Sward Fall Picture Day
• Wednesday, September 7- Districtwide Late Start- School Begins at 9:30 a.m.- Muffins with Misses event 8:50-9:20 a.m.- PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m. Welcome new and interested members (parents may sign up for classroom parties at this time)
• Wednesday, September 14- Open House 6:30-8:00 p.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