Take Home Tuesday

Greetings Sward Families:

Our annual D123 Leaf Raking Event is right around the corner this Saturday. Please click HERE for additional information and to learn how to register. If you have any questions about this event or would like to learn more, please reach out to the Sward main office at (708)423-7820.

This event is definitely a "feel good" event. There are lots of smiles and great conversation as we work together to help our neighbors throughout the community.

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

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.

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.

Thanks to the generosity of our Sward families during our PTA Scholastic Book Fair, we were able to donate 105 books to Advocate Children's Hospital.

Now that Covid 19 vaccines are available for 5-11 year olds, it can be helpful to let the office know if your child has received the vaccine. They are considered fully vaccinated after 2 weeks of the second shot. If they are fully vaccinated and have symptoms they still are required to get a Covid test to return early from being sent home or being called in for symptoms. However if they come in contact with a Covid positive person they will not be required to quarantine if fully vaccinated. A copy of their vaccination card will be requested at that time. If there are any questions please contact the Health Office.

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.

In partnership with the Arab American Family Services and the Illinois State Board of Education, our parent mentoring program (that was put on hold due to Covid) is back. We are looking forward for our parent volunteers to come work in our classrooms.

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!!!
https://www.remind.com/join/swardpta2

...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 12- End of Trimester 1
  
• Saturday, November 13- D123 Leaf Raking Event
• Friday, November 19- Ronald McDonald House PTA Pajama Day Fundraiser (please wear pajamas... and bring $1 to donate if you are able)

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