Take Home Tuesday

Dear Sward Families:

While academics are important, safety is always the most important focus at Sward School. As stated in the last few Take Home Tuesday newsletters, today we had a special focus on safety with our Drill Day. We performed multiple safety drills throughout the course of the day. I am proud to say that our students did a phenomenal job of following the Eagle Expectations of being safe, responsible, and respectful during the course of these drills. Their behavior and attentiveness was complimented by the police and fire officials that were present.

Please ask your child what they did today and why. The children will be able to tell you what kind of drills they took part in as well as why they practiced them (in age appropriate terms). They will be able to tell you the various procedures they completed and how they led by example the whole time.

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

Picture forms were sent home last week! 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

Your child brought home a "PTA Muffins with Misses" form last week. 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.

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. Please remember that this is a general overview of the curriculum and procedures for the year and not an individual conference time. Our Family Conferences will be held on the 13th and 14th of October.

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.

The PTA Sward Family Block Party was a HUGE success!! Thank you to all of the people on the planning committee as well as the many families who donated cakes for the cakewalk and Ferrera Pan who donated candy for the candy walk. There were so many smiles and loads of excitement!

Join us for our first PTA meeting of the year. Wednesday, September 7. We will be meeting in the Sward main gym at 6:30 p.m. Hope you can join us!

Families of students in all grade levels can sign up for the device insurance program for only $25/year 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.

• Friday, September 2- Fall Picture Day
  
• Monday, September 5- No School- Labor 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