SUPERSTAR NEWS

These meetings will not be held in-person at school. Rather, teachers will communicate with parents via a Webex meeting, phone call, or email.

What makes the difference in how your child performs in school? The answer might surprise you. It’s not your child’s IQ, the teacher, the school, or your educational level. Although all of these play a part, study after study tells the same story. Children who do best in school have parents who are actively involved in their child’s education. One of the best ways to get involved is continuing to build a strong parent-teacher partnership.

You are encourage to come to your communication conference with questions and information that will help both you and the teacher strengthen the team effort you share educating your child.

Thank you.

Mrs. Jennifer Harr

The Book Fair is HERE! Our Scholastic Book Fair begins March 9th- March 10th. Twenty-five percent of the sales will go directly to Swanson School. Click below to start shopping today! Happy Reading!

The Community Club sponsors an annual week to treat our Swanson Staff in conjunction with the district's Staff Appreciation Week. One of the best gifts our staff can receive is a personal note, card, picture, or letter from your child sharing what they like about them. See how we are celebrating our Swanson staff all week!

The final week of March is Spring Break for Westside Community Schools. We hope that all of our students, staff, and their families are able to plan some fun things to do and rest up before the final two months of school!

Our 3rd through 6th grade students will take part in Nebraska's Annual state testing in reading and math with 5th graders also participating in science. These tests, known as NSCAS (Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) are one of many ways we measure how well our instruction is working to support student learning. If your child is a 3rd through 6th grader, their teacher will be communicating testing dates. It's important on testing days that students are well fed, well rested, and ready to do their best!

Please consider sending additional masks to school with your child for outdoor play. When students return back to the classroom they are requesting new masks. Masks tend to absorb moisture when outside for recess making them uncomfortable to wear.

Good luck to SWANSON Teams at the 2021 Battle of the Books on March 20! We're so proud of our amazing readers!

Reading Rabbits: Lauren C., Libby B., Megan K., Emmy K., Kendall L.

The Book Bros.: Jack I., Louie T., Mara W., Marley A., Rex M.

Star Readers: Evie P., Isabella R., Hazel H., Arrow H., Aliya M.

Da Big Brainz: Maxwell W., Oliver L., Evan W., Brody S.

Raiders of the Lost Library: Reece R., Addy S., Jasper W., Rex K., Peter L.

Above Average Height: Drew K., Alexander Y., Dominic D.

The Galaxy Readers: Lila H., Marie B., Nina L., Evi S., Sanjay O.

Fourth Grade Nothings: Isabel V., Finn D., Irish G., Annil M.

Phoenix Readers: Tess B., Aishoo P., Maya S.

Congratulations to our Swanson Speech Contestants and to all of our 6th grade for their hard work on their speeches. All 6th grade students presented their speeches in class and six finalists were selected to present their speeches to determine the Swanson winner. Our six finalists included:

• Emily A.
• Medley H.
• Brooke O.
• Adriana P.
• Reese R.
• Quinn S.

We would like to congratulate Adriana P. (1st), Medley H. (2nd), and Brooke O. (3rd). They all did a fantastic job. Adriana will go on to represent Swanson in the District Speech Contest at Westside Middle School. Good luck Adriana!

Bring your smile and your pre-paid picture order form!

The photographer will only take pictures of students who have a order form in hand. These pictures are optional but a fun picture to have to see growth and changes throughout the year!.

Do you live in the District and have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten this fall? Do you know of other Westside residents with children who will be ready to start school in August?

Kindergarten enrollment for 2021-22 begins February 15th. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible on or after February 15th.

Students entering kindergarten for 2021-22 must be five years old by July 31, 2021. Parents may opt to hold their children out of kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska state law mandates that a child who reaches six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year must be enrolled in school.

If you have questions, you may call the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.

In accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children residing in the District as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2021. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.

If you are a District resident who would like your K-6 child(ren) to attend an elementary school other than the school that serves your attendance area for next school year, you must submit a completed In-District Transfer (IDT) Request form to the Office of Student Services for review.

The District gives priority to families living within the District ​prior to ​placing Option Enrollment applicants who reside outside the District. We must receive a Student In-District Transfer Request form no later than ​4:00 p.m. on March 15 ​for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.

IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and our District website.​ Click here to complete the form electronically.​ An IDT request form must be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has one or more siblings currently attending a school outside their home attendance area. Transfers are approved or denied based on available space and other resources. If you have questions about the in- district transfer process, please call 402-390-2107.

If you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. ​Westside’s Office of Student Services must receive Option Enrollment Applications no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15​. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website.

Click here to complete the form electronically.

Under Option Enrollment statutes, first priority for admission is given to siblings who seek to attend in the District where an older sibling is already enrolled, provided an Option Enrollment form is submitted by March 15 ​and ​provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level. If you have questions, you may call Julie at 402-390-2107.

Swanson Community Club is excited to offer some fun new Swanson Spirit Wear items, just in time for Spring! Be sure to register on the CC website and place your order by Monday, March 22nd. www.swansoncommunityclub.com

Each first Friday of the month is Swanson Spirit Day. On this day we all wear our Swanson logo wear or school colors, blue and white, to show our spirit. We begin our day by saying the Swanson Pledge together. It’s a fun day filled with terrific Swanson spirit! Our next First Friday Spirit Day is Friday, April 9th.

Check out Westside Community Schools Online Breakfast and Lunch Menu! https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/SwansonElementarySchool

Please continue to be vigilant in accessing your child each morning before sending them to school. Children’s Hospital COVID-19 Help Line - 402.955.3200

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org/Symptoms to access Children’s COVID-19 Symptom Checker, an online assessment tool developed by Children’s to help parents and supplement our 24/7 COVID-19 Help Line.

March 4 - 10 Virtual Scholastic Book Fair

March 8-11 Parent/Teacher Communication

March 11-12 NO SCHOOL - for students

March 22-26 Staff Appreciation Week

March 26 Spring Picture Day

Mar. 29/Apr. 2 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

April 6 C.C. Mtg., 6:30 pm

April 23 NO SCHOOL

Mission

The Mission of Swanson School, as a dynamic community alliance and model of innovative education, is to support and empower all learners to achieve academic excellence.

School Improvement

Swanson's school improvement goal is all students will increase reading comprehension.

Swanson's Expectations

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible

Email: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: swanson.westside66.org
Location: 410 South 86th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6485
Facebook: facebook.com/SwansonElementary
Twitter: @swansonstars66