Take Home Tuesday

page background

Updates from the principal's office

Greetings Sward Families:

The Book Fair is coming... the Book Fair is coming! Next week, the main gym will be transformed into a reading wonderland when the Scholastic Book Fair opens for business. While we have some times set aside for the students to come check things out and even to shop, we also have special after school hours for families to come visit, browse, and shop.

There will be an early bird sale on Wednesday, November 3 right after school from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and an evening sale from 6:00-8:00 on Thursday, November 4. Looking forward to seeing you and hearing about your favorite book picks!

Have a super Tuesday!

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

Fire Safety

The 43rd Annual Fire & Public Safety Coloring Book is being sent home today. This contest is for grades K-4. All entries are due December 6th. There will be one lucky winner selected from our entries to get a ride to school on a fire truck! Super cool!

Any questions, please e-mail oaklawnfp@oaklawn-il.gov. or call 708-499-7825.

Ice Cream Friday

Sward PTA Presents: Ice Cream Friday

Please click HERE for the updated information. While still $1... this week, the ice cream cups will be sold on the east, west, and north sides of the building. This PTA sale will be held following the early dismissal at 11:30 this Friday. There have been more cups purchased and more flavors will be available.

IDs for Classroom Parties

If you are on the list of the PTA classroom volunteers for the upcoming fall party, please stop by the office as soon as you are able to get your ID scanned. This way, we will be able to avoid having a long line of people on the day of the party. Otherwise, it could take a long time to check you in and you might be late to your room's party. Looking at the list there are A LOT of names that have not yet had their IDs scanned this year. Even if you were here to help out with last spring's Field Day, you will still need to be rescanned this fall. We scan twice each school year. We only have one machine that scans... if the list stays as it is for the fall party, the line will definitely be out the front door. If you are able to stop by at any time before the party, please do so.

Party/Costume Guidelines

Costume time is coming quickly. Please be aware of the Halloween costume guidelines:

Face masks must still be worn under the state guidance.
Students are allowed to wear their costumes to school in the morning. All hairstyles must be completed at home (no sprays allowed at school).
Costumes of a violent nature are strongly discouraged. Students may not carry weapons- either play or real- as props to their costumes. No Heelys, no roller skates or rollerblades, no sharp metal items, no full face masks (so the children can still see and breathe since they will have their other face mask on).
All students are encouraged to participate in the school’s “parade of costumes” at 9:30. We are hoping for nice weather so we can parade outside! If outside, we will make a complete lap around the entire block of the school. Visitors will be able to stand anywhere around the outside of the building as long as the sidewalk is free for children to walk. If inside, to limit the amount of people in the building, unfortunately parents will not be brought in to view the parade.
Students will be required to take off a full-face mask if they have brought one to school with their costume.
Friday, October 29 is an EARLY DISMISSAL. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. PTA will be providing a "snack" for the students THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE AT DISMISSAL. Details are included in the permission slip your child brought home today. (***Permission form must be signed in order for your child to receive the food items.)
***THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE FROM THE PERMISSION FORM FOR THE CAPRI SUN. IT WILL BE A FRUIT PUNCH- (It does not contain red dye #40)
Please send in your PTA Party fee as soon as possible to help cover the costs of the food and classroom activities your child will be participating in.
If your child would like to distribute trinkets to their classmates, these must be NON-EDIBLE and please ensure there are enough for the entire classroom. If you need a current class count for these non-edible treats, please reach out to your child's teacher.

A Note from the School Nurse

With Halloween approaching there are some safety tips that are worth sharing. Kids under the age of 12 should always go trick or treating with an adult. Have a meeting spot picked out in case your little ones get lost. Older children should go in groups and stay together. They should be familiar with the route and carry a cell phone if possible. All kids should walk on lit streets and use crosswalks. If going trick or treating at night take along a flashlight or glow sticks. Make sure candy is checked by an adult before kids eat it. Throw out any candy that has torn packaging, and watch young children with certain types of candy to prevent choking. Hopefully these tips are helpful in ensuring a safe Halloween!

Illinois Assessment for Readiness

If your child is currently in grade 4 or grade 5, and if they took the spring state testing during the 2020-2021 school year, you will be receiving their IAR test results today. Please click HERE in order to find an informational letter about the test itself as well as how to access a new parent portal that will provide an explanation of the test results for your child. If you have a child that was in fifth grade last year, they will be receiving their reports from OLHMS.

Affy Tapple Fundraiser

The PTA Taffy Apple Sale orders have been submitted. The apples will be ready for pick up on Thursday, October 28 between 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Sward front foyer. Orders must be picked up by a parent/guardian. They will not be sent home with students. If you have questions, please reach out to Blanca Rodriguez at (708)577-9768.

Quarantine Homework Help

...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 is absent

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.

SHIELD Program

Last week we began 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

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, October 26- PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 28- Pumpkin Decorating Contest Drop off is at the main entrance on Brandt between 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 28- Fall photo retake day (***If your child did take an original photo, but you would like a retake- your child must bring the original picture package to return to the photographer on the retake day. Please know that the retake photo REPLACES the original image.)
Thursday, October 28- PTA Taffy Apple Pick Up between 4-7 p.m. (please enter through the main doors on Brandt and the pick up is in the main gym)
Friday, October 29- Costume Parade and Fall Party Day- Early Dismissal for Students: Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 2- No School for students- Staff Institute Day

Loading indicator