Take Home Tuesday (on Monday)

Greetings Sward Families:

Today's Take Home Tuesday actually comes on Monday due to our Teacher Institute Day tomorrow. Tomorrow our district's staff members will be taking part in a variety of professional development opportunities. Even as adults, our learning continues. We are excited to take what we learn tomorrow and apply it to our teaching right away the next day.

So, while there is no school for the students tomorrow... the learning continues. :)

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Candy Kramer

Sward School Principal

Sward PTA Presents: Ice Cream Friday Fundraiser

Please click HERE for the updated information. Last Friday, the PTA ice cream sale got rained out. But, the good news is, it will be rescheduled :) 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 date will be held after school this Friday, November 5. There have been more cups purchased and more flavors will be available. Might want to keep that $1 in a safe spot for easy access :)

If you have any extra candy you'd like to donate... here is an opportunity to provide your thanks to our troops. Please click HERE to learn more about Operation Gratitude.

You will be receiving paper bricks today. These are for our Veteran Wall of Honor. If you have a veteran in your life that you would like to honor, please compete a brick for each veteran. This display will be photographed and shared on social media and with our school community as we express our gratitude to our veterans.

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.

The 43rd Annual Fire & Public Safety Coloring Book were sent home. 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.

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.

Our D123 Ed Foundation's Tacos and Trivia Night is back in person. The Ed Foundation provides our students and staff with such wonderful opportunities and experiences. Please click HERE for more details about the event as well as information about registration.

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

• Tuesday, November 2- No School for students- Staff Institute Day
  
• Wednesday, November 3- Book Fair Early Bird Sale 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 4- Book Fair Evening Family Sale 6:00-8:00 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