Welcome Back Sward Families,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer break full of quality time with your loved ones! The exciting “Back to School” time has come and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome new and returning Sward Eagles to our 2023-2024 school year. Our Sward Staff is ready to kick off a great new year full of engaging teaching and learning, high expectations, and lots of fun! Below are a few important “Back to School” items to help get you ready for the new school year:
Skyward & Classroom Assignments
Skyward, District 123’s Student Information System, allows families to access all of your student’s profile including: registration, attendance, family conference scheduling, grades, food service, fee management, and health records. Please make sure all contact information is up to date in the system and all emergency contact information reflects current information and lists at least one additional contact to call. Families will be able to access classroom assignments and schedules the afternoon of August 16th. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 708-423-7820.
Save the Dates: Meet and Greet and Open House
Families will have the opportunity to drop off supplies to their child’s classroom beginning on Tuesday, August 22nd between 12:30pm-2:00pm. This is a drop-in event, so please stop by at your leisure. If you are unable to attend during the day, there is an evening drop-in time from 6:00-7:30 p.m. However, please know that during the evening time slot, the Sward teachers will NOT all be in attendance, so you may not get to meet your child's teacher at this time.
Sward’s Open House will be on September 13th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. We will provide you with more information on Open House, communication will be sent home in advance.
First Day of School
We are looking forward to welcoming all of our 1st - 5th graders for their first day of school Wednesday, August 23rd. This is a half day of school, so students will not eat lunch on that day. To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please refer to THIS drop off map for arrival and dismissal guidance and the procedures for parking and drop off. Mornings can be a hectic time and following the procedures will lead to a calm and safe start to your child’s day.
Grades 1-5: Students in grades 1-5 will be in attendance from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23rd.
Kindergarten: 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.
"New Sward Family" Breakfast
Kindergarten parents and “new to Sward” parents are welcome to pop in and join our PTA and principal in the Sward Faculty Room from 10:00am - 11:00am 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.
School Supplies
If you are in need of a school supply list, one can be found by clicking HERE. Families who ordered a school supply kit through PTA for their children and are having it shipped to the school, it will be in your child’s classroom on the first day of school.
I hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer and we look forward to welcoming you back to school!
Mrs. Suzanne Amra
Sward School Principal
