Take Home Tuesday

Dear Sward Families,

Morning drop off procedures have been put into place for an efficient and safe arrival to school. Please follow these guidelines. They are the same as they were at the beginning of the school year... but, looking at the actual drop off, you may not think these expectations are the same. On the cold, wet, rainy, or snowy days, the "no parking" cones do not go out. There are no patrol guards to bring them back in on the inclement. On the days that there aren't any cones, please simply imagine they are there. This is to keep the traffic flow moving to get the children into the building. If you notice someone has parked to get out of the car and escort their child up to the door, it doesn't mean the guidelines have changed but rather that this person is not following the guidelines. Please know that we will be making this person aware that they are not to park in that area. Please refrain from yelling curse words or giving hand gestures to let this person know how you are feeling because there are many little ears listening and many little eyes watching.

If you would like to walk your child to their line, help your child out of the car and assist with their backpack, or watch until your child makes it into the building, please know that these things are ALL super okay... but, please please please simply park in a place that would not have the orange "no parking" cones. We have 531 students at Sward and the guidelines we have set are to get many students into the building in a short amount of time to begin their learning. When our students start the day hearing adults curse at each other it causes anxiety and is not an ideal way to start the day. When they see adults not following the guidelines, they think it is okay to not follow the guidelines themselves.

Additionally, please do not cut through the staff parking lot. There are too many instances of little ones running through the staff parking lot while their adult walks far behind them. It takes a village. Please work TOGETHER for the safety of everyone. We know that no one wants their own child hurt or to see the child of anyone else get hurt.

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

2023-2024 Preschool Registration is now open!

For more information and to start the process please visit:

https://www.d123.org/departments/student-services/early-learning-programs

2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration is now open!

For more information and to start the process please visit:

https://www.d123.org/departments/teaching-learning/programs/kindergarten

Just a reminder that breakfast does not begin until 8:10. If you are bringing your child to the north doors for breakfast, please wait until the door duty supervisors come to the door to let your child into the building. While there is a doorbell there, it is only for the students taking part in the FLASH program (which is an Oak Lawn Park District before and after school care program for which there is a fee).

In order for your child to take part in the breakfast, please have them at the north door no earlier than 8:10, but no later than 8:20. The first bell rings at 8:25, so the children must be done eating by then and on their way to their classrooms. If you would like your child to eat breakfast here at school, they must arrive between 8:10-8:20.

Great News!! The Smile Illinois in- school Dentist is coming to Sward on Tuesday March 21, 2023. Dentists can provide an examination, cleaning, fluoride, x-rays and sealants. Restoration services such as fillings and other minimally invasive procedures may be provided. This program accepts all insurances including Medicaid and All Kids. Please fill out the application that has been sent home and return it to school by February 28, 2023. Please call the Health Office with any questions.

Our fourth and fifth grade Candor Health presentations are right around the corner. Parents will receive a permission form for their child to participate in these presentations. Our fifth grade presentation is scheduled for January 27 and the fourth grade presentation is scheduled for April.

We have received links for the parent overview of each of these programs.

5th Grade - Human Reproduction & Embryology: https://vimeo.com/742714743

4th Grade- Substance Abuse Prevention: Foundation: https://vimeo.com/749296642

Password for both programs is - Preparation23

We have some excess inventory of Sward Spirit Wear. This will be sold on a first come first served basis. Please come to the Sward main office if you are interested. You may want to call first to see if the item you are interested is still available.

• Tye Dye Tee ($15)
• 1 youth small
• 1 adult large
• Sweatpants ($20)
• 1 youth small
• Crewneck Sweatshirt Blue ($17)
• 1 youth large
• Gray T-Shirt ($10)
• 1 adult small
• Blue T-Shirt ($10)
• 3 youth large
• 1 youth XL
• 1 adult small
• Heather Blue Zip Hoodie ($32)
• 1 adult XL
• Blue Zip Hoodie ($32)
• 1 adult small
• 1 adult medium

Please click here for more information about our Sward girls and their special person.

If you are looking for a position as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, or special educator... D123 is the place to be! Click here for details and browse d123.org/apply to browse open positions.

The annual Taco and Trivia Event planning is underway... click HERE for more details. Save the date of Friday, May 5 for this 21 and older event.

When you "catch your child" using real life math outside of school, please send a photo and statement of explanation to ckramer@d123.org . Check out this example of our Eagle adding up his score at the end of his golf tournament. The photos and explanations will be added to a "Math Outside of School" bulletin board for all to see.

Sward now has our very own Twitter handle. Throughout the weeks, you will see postings of exciting things happening throughout our building. It is always fun to have a glimpse into the learning or our students. Be sure to check us out at @D123Sward or scan the QR code to the side!

• Friday, January 27- PTA Father Daughter Dance 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, February 1- Districtwide Late Start (students begin classes at 9:30 a.m.)
• Wednesday, February 1- PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 9- Family Math Night 6:00-7:30 p.m.

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