Take Home Tuesday

Dear Sward Families,

As our weather outside gets more and more beautiful, we are seeing more walkers at arrival and dismissal. This brings about some friendly reminders:

• Please remind your child to cross at the cross walks and not cut through the middle of the street.
• Please remember that dogs are not permitted on the school grounds at arrival or dismissal.
• Please do not park in or cut through the staff parking lot on 99th Street. The amount of small children running unattended through the parking lot has increased recently and we want to be sure we avoid accidents. Many of these children are shorter than the cars and when they run out from in between them, it is quite startling.
• If you decide to stay with your child at the playground after school, please ensure that you are supervising them and once they have left the building, they are not to come back in to use the restroom.

Thanks for helping to keep everyone safe!

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

If your child placed orders for the S & T Provisions PTA Fundraiser, the vouchers will be coming home with them today. Please check their backpacks when they get home.

Additionally... congratulations to Mrs. Kangas' kindergarten class! They placed the highest amount of sales for this fundraiser and won a popsicle party! Way to go!

If you would like to place the order for your child's school supplies for the 2023-24 school year, please click HERE for more information. Orders can be placed anytime prior to July 1.

In partnership with Worth Township, the Family and Community Resource Network is providing an opportunity for utility bill assistance. If you believe you might be eligible or would like to learn more information, please click here.

Wow!! Sward School collected a grand total of $22,234.15 for the American Heart Association through the Kids Heart Challenge! This incredibly successful fundraiser's conclusion was celebrated with a variety of exciting physical activities... the students had a GREAT TIME! Thank you for your generosity and dedication to making this a success! ...amazing!!!

The students are having a great time reading through the books included in the March Madness!!

Who says the excitement of March Madness should be limited to the basketball court? At Sward, Mrs. Keblusek is bringing this excitement right into our library!! The students (and staff) are enjoying reading the books, voting on their favorites, and watching the results on the brackets in the hallway just outside the library! Click here to learn how the process works, read descriptions of the books, and receive links to listen to the books with your children.

We can't wait to see which book ends up as the champion of Sward!!

Spring Picture forms have been sent home. Spring pictures will occur on March 15. All students will be photographed...NO Payment is needed at this time. Proofs will be sent home that will include package and ordering information.

SWARD SIBLINGS maybe photographed together. If siblings have their picture taken together, they will not be photographed individually.

Your child brought home this letter last week in their Take Home Tuesday folder. Our Career Day is planned for Thursday, April 27 with sessions for our Kindergarten through Grade 2 students in the morning, sessions for our Grade 3 through 5 students in the afternoon, and sessions for our preschoolers spread throughout the day. If you or someone you know would like to introduce your career to our Sward Eagles, please complete the bottom portion of this form and send it to Sward as soon as you are able.

Our Lost and Found bin is bursting at the seams... and there are many items wanting to make their way back home. Thank you to Mrs. Neylon who created a website dedicated to helping these items find their way home. Click here to view the website. All items are numbered. If you see an item that belongs to your child, please click on the "claim link" at the top of the website to enter your child's name, teacher's name and the item number and their item will be returned to them.

Save the date!

Saturday, April 29th in the Sward Main Gym.

If you are crafty or have a small business, consider joining us. Please reach out to Kim Candos at kimcandos@gmail.com or Brittney Berryman at brittneyberryman17@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information.

Once again Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 will participate in the 11th annual statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions conducted by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This survey provides a platform for students, teachers, and parents to express their opinions on ways to improve their community's schools. Please take a moment to ensure your voice is part of the process by participating in the survey. The 5Essentials survey helps school administrators in District 123 prioritize and plan for the upcoming school year. Our school will only receive the results of the survey if enough families, staff, and students participate.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

2023-2024 Preschool Registration is now open!

For more information and to start the process please visit:

https://www.d123.org/departments/student-services/early-learning-programs

2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration is now open!

For more information and to start the process please visit:

https://www.d123.org/departments/teaching-learning/programs/kindergarten

Attention 5th grade parents, this is an exciting time for your children as they will be heading off to middle school. Illinois regulations require you to submit a newly completed health exam and dental exam form for your child. Your child will also need to receive one (or more) additional immunizations. Forms completed now satisfy the sixth grade requirements and can be turned in to Sward's health office to be reviewed and entered. After the last day of school, those forms can be turned in directly to OLHMS.

Our fourth grade Candor Health presentation is right around the corner. Parents will receive a permission form for their child to participate in this presentations. Our fourth grade presentation is scheduled for April.

We have received a link for the parent overview of this program.

4th Grade- Substance Abuse Prevention: Foundation: https://vimeo.com/749296642

Password for both programs is - Preparation23

We have only 2 items remaining of excess Sward Spirit Wear inventory. This will be sold on a first come first served basis. Please come to the Sward main office if you are interested. You may want to call first to see if the item you are interested is still available.

• Blue T-Shirt ($10)
  
• 1 youth large
• Blue Zip Hoodie ($32)
• 1 adult medium

Click here for additional information about the Oak Lawn Baseball and Softball program.

If you are looking for a position as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, or special educator... D123 is the place to be! Click here for details and browse d123.org/apply to browse open positions.

The annual Taco and Trivia Event planning is underway... click HERE for more details. Save the date of Friday, May 5 for this 21 and older event.

Sward now has our very own Twitter handle. Throughout the weeks, you will see postings of exciting things happening throughout our building. It is always fun to have a glimpse into the learning or our students. Be sure to check us out at @D123Sward or scan the QR code to the side!

• Sunday, March 12- PTA Mother/Son Bowling Event 4:00-6:00 p.m. (rsvp required: flyer sent home 2/21 and replies were due Friday, March 3)
  
• Wednesday, March 15- Spring Pictures
• March 27-March 31- No School- Spring Break
• Tuesday, April 4- Staff Institute Day (no school for students)
• Friday, April 7 & Monday, April 10- No School
• Thursday, April 27- D123 Art Show 7:00- 8:30 p.m. at OLHMS

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