Southwest Elementary Newsletter

A Note from Mr. Hofer

Dear Southwest Parents and Students,

It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the end of the first quarter and that Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner! We look forward to these important conversations, as your child’s teachers are eager to share the growth and learning they have seen during the first two months of school. Please plan on attending conferences, and if you have any questions about the time you signed up for, reach out directly to your child’s teacher.

Also included with this newsletter is a directions page that explains how to submit student absences online. We encourage you to review this page carefully, as it is the easiest and most efficient way to report when your child will be absent.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school and your child’s education. We can’t wait to see you at conferences in just a couple of weeks!

Warm regards,

Brian Hofer

Principal, Southwest Elementary

bhofer@geneseoschools.org

pdf

insert_drive_file

CREATING AN ONLINE ABSENCE REQUEST.pdf

Download

487.1 KB

LEAFS Skills on the Report Card

Beginning this year, your child's report card will include a new section for reporting on essential learning behaviors, like engagement, effort, and accountability. We believe these skills are essential for success, both in and out of the classroom.

Our elementary teams are committed to sharing accurate updates on your child's academic progress as well as these important life skills.

In addition to being a part of report cards, and even more importantly, we are working on using LEAFS language consistently throughout our buildings. The LEAFS acronym is continually taught and reinforced to our students. Please take a moment to review the attached LEAFS rubric.

PTA Information

Hello from the PTA! Lots of exciting things for the month of October!

October 1 - Picture Day! Have your student dress their best and smile pretty!

October 6 - Laps For Luke - Luke Teerlinck was a student at Southwest. Every year we have the students run a lap during recess in memory of him. He always had a smile on his face. For running a lap, the children receive a toe token.

October 9 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30pm @ Southwest Elementary School - Child care will be provided

October 13 - PTA will be having a Caramel Apple bar for the teachers!

October 16 - PTA is providing food for the teachers for Parent/Teacher conferences. We will be getting pizza and salads for them this night. If you would like to donate to help cover the cost, please Venmo us @SouthwestElementary-PTA and put a memo "P/T conference."

October 17 - PTA is providing lunch for the teachers for Parent/Teacher conferences. We will be having a taco bar! If you would like to bring in supplies to help make this possible, please click the sign up genius below to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA8AD2CA4FAC70-58952168-parentteacher

October 19 - TRUNK OR TREAT! We are excited to host this event for the 3rd year along with the other elementary schools. We are seeking families or businesses to host a trunk. Please plan on 700 children. Additionally, we are asking for candy donations! There will be a box in the office starting October 1st to put candy in. This will help volunteers that have hosted a trunk. If you would like to donate money for candy purchase instead, please Venmo us @SouthwestElementary-PTA and put a memo "Candy donation." Sign up link for the trunks is below. We can't wait to see you there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0M_NcL6HDZ4RscbKmXvfRCnCDjbcl6j7h7q81bHK1rGaUlg/viewform?usp=header

**Looking ahead for November**

November 3-7 is the Fall Book Fair! Be on the lookout for volunteer sign ups at this year's book fair. We are looking for another great year with Class shopping scheduled for the 3rd-5th and Family nights on the 6th and 7th! More info to come this month. Follow our Facebook page for more information this month!

August/September Calendar Items

October 1: Picture Day

October 2: Ag in the Classroom (K-2)

October 6: Laps for Luke (Teerlinck Family)

October 8: Fire Presentation (K-2)

October 9: Board of Education Meeting 5:30

October 10: End of 1st Quarter, 1 Hr. Early Out for Homecoming Parade

October 16: PT Conferences 3-7 p.m., Hour Early Dismissal

October 17: PT Conferences 8 a.m.- 1 p.m./No School, Report Cards Posted

October 19: PTA Trunk or Treat @ GMS 2:00-4:00

October 20: Teacher Institute (No School)

October 24: PTA School Store

November 6: Ag in the Classroom (K-2)

November 11: Veterans Day Honor Lap @ 8:30

November 13: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30, PTA Meeting @ 6:30

November 18: Picture Retake Day

November 19: 1/2 Day of School, 11:35 Dismissal

November 21: PTA School Store

November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break

December 4: Ag in the Classroom (K-2)

December 11: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30, PTA Meeting @ 6:30

December 12: 1/2 Day of School, 11:35 Dismissal

December 13: Christmas Walk Choir Caroling

December 16: SW Christmas Concert (K/1: 5:15, 2/3: 6:00, 4/5: 7:00)

December 19: SW Christmas Parties

December 22- January 5: Christmas Break

Pick Up & Drop Off

Southwest Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

*It would help us a great deal if car riders and walkers were not dropped off or arrived until after 8 a.m. We understand that may not be possible but we appreciate your consideration. Any students showing up before 7:30 a.m. will be sent to SAFE and the parents will be required to pay the SAFE daily fee. Buses don't begin dropping off until after 7:30.

Health & Wellness

Students are asked to bring a water bottle to school each day because only the water refilling stations will be in use for students to use. Please make sure the bottle is well-marked with your child's name.

Changes in Transportation

If your child has a change in their normal routine for transportation:

Please send a written note to your child(ren)'s teacher informing them of the change.
Indicate on the note the name of anyone other than yourself that may be picking up your child.
If the change happens during the school day, a call needs to be made by 1:00 pm in order to ensure communication and changes get relayed on time.
Do not email transportation changes to your child's teacher as they may not be able to check their email during the school day.