Hooray, it’s March!! Spring cannot be too far away…………….
Kindergarten registration has
begun. It is always fun to see new and
shiny faces that will become part of Southwest in the fall. If you know of anyone who plans on enrolling
their child at Southwest in any grade level, please encourage them to
contact Sue Panico at the district office as soon as possible.
Fifth grade students have
completed the D.A.R.E. program. We are very proud of them and know that what
they have learned will help them to make positive choices in the future. A culmination assembly was attended by
student guests and our fourth grade students to help celebrate this event.
It is wonderful to
see that more and more students are reaching their grade level math goals. CONGRATULATIONS to them all! I truly believe our math program in
partnership with our grade level expectations, are the two main factors
contributing to our great math scores.
Please work with your child each night on memorization of math facts.
ISAT testing has begun in
grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 and will continue until March 12th. A good night’s sleep and a good breakfast
will help your child perform to the best of his/her ability. As much as we try to lessen the stress of
testing, children still worry and want to do well. Maintaining a nurturing and supportive environment in the
classroom and at home will enable the children to feel more comfortable.
Upon completion of ISAT
testing we will be participating in St. Baldrick’s activities to raise money
for childhood cancer research. It is
not too late for students to participate………..all are welcome!
What a joy it was to watch
the PTA Talent Show! Southwest has some
very talented students whom I believe we will see on “America Has Talent”
someday! Thank you to Mrs. Minard for
all of her hard work in organizing this event.
Students in grades three
through six have just completed instruction on Internet Safety presented by Mrs.
Harroun, a member of our district tech department. The students were given valuable information during these sessions. Hopefully, it will make the Internet a safer
place for all.
I hope you agree with me that
there are many things to be grateful for and proud of at Southwest School. But this past month, I have received two
very special letters that make me particularly proud and blessed to be a part
of this great school. One letter is
from a principal in Oak Lawn who stated he attended Kindergarten at Southwest
fifty years ago. As he nears
retirement,
he reflected on his
educational journey and decided to show his appreciation. He chose fifty books and donated them to our
school library in gratitude of his experience and also to recognize the “continued
reputation of excellence in education” that Southwest continues to be known
for.
The second letter is
attached. It is from the Illinois State
Board of Education. It informs us that
Southwest School has been awarded the Academic Excellence Award and has now
been placed on the Illinois Honor Roll.
This honor is for exemplary academic performance.
Teaching and learning in our
world today has become more and more challenging for all those involved –
teachers, students, and parents. The
staff of Southwest School accepts our responsibility of student success very
seriously, not just for this school year, but for life. Thank you, parents, for entrusting your
child/ren to us. They are a joy to
experience every day.
Proudly,
Ms.
Thomas