Take Home Tuesday

Dear Sward Families:

As we continue to plan for the World Day for Cultural Diversity celebration on May 23, we are looking to learn the great variety of cultures represented within our Sward community! So far, we have only 44 replies to the newsletters that have been sent out... but, we have 509 students here at Sward. If you have not filled out the link below, please consider doing so.

We are excited to celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity on May 23. In order to learn more about the various cultures our Sward families represent, we are asking for you to click here and type in your family’s country(ies) of origin. You may also share a region or continent. We would like to know the various cultures that are represented within our Sward community. Please mark your calendar for the evening of Monday, May 23 when we will be hosting a Family Event to celebrate our diversity!

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

A few friendly reminders:

• The number of tardies is on the rise... The first bell rings at 8:25 a.m.
• We go out for recess whenever possible. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather.

Your child brought home a Back-To-School Supply Kit form in their Take Home Tuesday folder today. This form includes ordering instructions. They are grade level specific and will be delivered to your child's classroom for the first day of school. If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole at npirklgoodfellow@gmail.com

Registration for the D123 Summer Programs will begins today. Please click here for additional information about the programs that will be offered. This year's Launch and Discovery programs will be held at Covington School from June 20-30 AND July 11-21.

Registration for the Oak Lawn Outlaws youth football and cheerleading has begun. Please click HERE and HERE for 2 flyers with additional information.

Attention parents of children going into 6th grade for the 2022-2023 school year:

School kit sales have begun and is an online only sale.

The School Kits photo is attached by clicking here and the link is below.

The school kits account number for OLHMS is19643

https://www.shopttkits.com/

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 form for your child. Your child will also need to receive at least one (or more) additional immunizations. Forms completed now satisfy the 6th grade requirements and can be turned into Sward's health office to be reviewed and entered. After the last day of school, those forms can be turned in directly to OLHMS.

Returning student registration began today. Please log into Family Access on your Skyward account to begin the process.

The open enrollment for the 2022-2023 Tuition Preschool Programs began on January 19. A link for the registration can be found at: https://www.d123.org/departments/teaching-learning/programs/tuition-preschool

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year also began January 19. A link for the kindergarten registration can be found at: https://www.d123.org/departments/teaching-learning/programs/kindergarten

PTA news!

Join Remind to get up to the minute reminders about PTA events right to your phone!!!
https://www.remind.com/join/swardpta2

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 If you choose to remove your child from the program after they have already been in the program, please call the Sward main office at (708)423-7820 to ensure that they have been removed from the system.

• Tuesday, April 26- PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m.
  
• Thursday, April 28- D123 Art Show 6:30- 8:00 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