The Eagle Express

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A Message From the Principal

Dear Sward Families:

I am so happy to welcome all of you for our first day of school for grades 1-5 tomorrow, Wednesday, August 23rd. This is a half day of school, so students will not eat lunch tomorrow. Students will be in attendance from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. tomorrow (the typical hours on a school day are 8:30-3:20.)

Sward staff members will be outside the building that day. Non-classroom teachers will have an alphabetical list to assist you in finding your line-up spot on our campus.

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please refer to THIS drop off map and the procedures for parking and drop off that are included. Mornings can be a hectic time and following the procedures will lead to a calm and safe start to your child’s day.

Just a reminder that August 25th is Kindergarten's 1st day of school. In order to ensure our Kindergarten students have a smooth first day, they will have their own arrival and dismissal time. On August 25th, Kindergarten will be in attendance from 9:30 - 11:00. During this time, Kindergarten parents will have the opportunity to escort their children into their classroom at 9:30 and meet with the PTA and the principal for a welcome breakfast at 10:00am. Dismissal for Kindergarten is at 11:00am.

Kindergarten parents and “new to Sward” parents are welcome to join our PTA in the Sward Faculty Room from 10:00 - 11:00 on Friday, August 25th for our Welcome Breakfast. This event is sponsored by the Sward PTA and will be a time for new parents to connect with other new parents as well as our PTA Executive Board and hear about the variety of exciting volunteer opportunities that are available to you. Once your students have gone into the building, come around to the front doors on Brandt Ave. and our office staff will direct you. After school on Friday, PTA is having an ice cream social in front of the main office where they will be passing out ice cream for parents and students to end their school week with a sweet treat. See you tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Suzanne Amra

Sward School Principal

Lunch

Families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch do have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals this school year at no cost or a discounted rate.

Breakfast and Lunch Cost

Breakfast is $1.60
Lunch (including milk) is $3.15
Milk is 65 cents.

If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here.

Click Here for the August lunch menu.

Breakfast

Breakfast is available to our students before the school day begins. If you would like your child to eat breakfast at school, they will enter through the 98th St. door #11 as early as 8:10 a.m. and no later than 8:20 a.m. The charge for the breakfast is $1.60 and will be charged to their Skyward account. When they are finished eating breakfast, they will go to join their class. Click Here for the August Breakfast Menu.

Drop Off/ Pick Up Procedures

Please click HERE for the drop off and pick up procedures to ensure a safe, smooth, and efficient arrival to and departure from school.

At dismissal time, we ask that you stand back and away from the doors. When the parents stand in a group close to the dismissal doors, it becomes difficult for the children to see "their adult" which becomes scary and overwhelming for the children.

MAP Growth Test

On 8/28 and 8/29 your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a computer or tablet. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.

PTA

The PTA will be hosting a Welcome Breakfast for all families that are new to Sward on Friday, August 25th right after school begins. Please enter through the main office following the arrival bell and you will be guided to the staff lounge. There, you will learn about all of the wonderful things the PTA does for our students, staff, school, families, and community while enjoying some breakfast items.

If you are looking for a fun family event to attend, the first PTA function of the year will be the PTA Back to School Block Party right in front of the school building. There will be food, games, and entertainment. One of the games that will be available is a cake walk. The PTA is looking for store bought cake donations. If you would be willing to donate a store bought cake, please click here for the sign up link. You are welcome to bring your whole family. It will begin at 5:00pm - 7:00pm on Friday, September 1st.

Student Device Insurance

The student device insurance policy provides full replacement cost coverage and protects the item worldwide (on and off school grounds) for only $25/year. The policy will be transferred to any replacement device that your child may be issued. Without insurance D123 families are fully responsible for the costs associated with the repair/replacement of their student's device. Insurance coverage is for the device only and does not extend to the case or the charger.

Families of students in all grade levels can sign up for this insurance program by adding the optional “Student Device Insurance” fee through Skyward Family Access. You have until September 30 to purchase device insurance every year. Additional information about the student device insurance program and deductibles can be found at: https://d123.org/about/technology/student-device-insurance/

Please view either the written or video tutorial on how to add Chromebook / iPad insurance to your student's account.

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, August 23- First Day of School for students in Grades 1-5 (**Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.)
Thursday, August 24- First Full Day of School for students in Grades 1-5
Friday, August 25- First Day of School for Kindergarten Students (9am -11:30am)
Saturday, August 26- Back to School Extravaganza (11 am - 11:30 @ OLHMS)
Monday, August 28 - MAP Testing
Tuesday, August 29 - MAP Testing
Friday, September 1- Fall Picture Day
Friday, September 1- Sward Block Party (5pm - 7pm)
Monday, September 4- No School- Labor Day
Wednesday, September 6 - Late Start Day (9:30 - 3:30)
Wednesday, September 6- PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m. All Parent are Welcome (parents may sign up for classroom parties at this time)
Wednesday, September 13 - Open House 6:30-8:00 p.m.

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