MES Parent Updates
August 28, 2026
Dear Families,
What an incredible first week! Walking the hallways over the past few days, seeing those bright, eager faces, and feeling the warmth of our school community coming back together has truly made my heart full. Your children brought so much energy, laughter, and curiosity into our classrooms, and I can already tell that this is going to be an unforgettable school year.
Upcoming i-Ready Diagnostic Testing
Starting next week, all students will begin their beginning-of-the-year i-Ready diagnostic assessments. This tool helps us pinpoint exactly where each child is starting academically so we can tailor our instruction to their unique strengths and needs. You can help by ensuring your child gets a good night's sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time ready to do their best.
Important Beginning-of-Year Action Items
Free & Reduced Meal Applications: Please complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application online, regardless of whether you believe your family qualifies. Schoolwide completion directly impacts our Title I funding, which provides essential educational resources, extra support staff, and classroom technology for all of our students.
Visitor Security & ID Check: As a safety reminder, all parents, guardians, and visitors must bring a valid photo ID to the main office whenever visiting the school or picking up a student.
Attendance Policy Updates: Please take a few minutes to review our updated attendance policy below. Consistent daily attendance is crucial to your child's academic success and helps keep them connected to our school community.
PTA Fundraisers: Be sure to check out the current PTA fundraising initiatives listed at the bottom of this newsletter! Our PTA works tirelessly to enrich our school, and your support makes a world of difference.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, trust, and enthusiasm. Together, we are going to make this school year our best one yet!
Warmly,
Mrs. Jordan
Principal
Learn More about the No-New-Millage Bond Issue on Nov. 3 Ballot
On November 3, SWCS will have its first No-New-Millage Bond Issue on the ballot since 2018 focused on high school construction projects - all without raising the tax rate for residents (same since 2009).
Should the No-New-Millage initiative be approved it would allow the district to implement Segment 3 of its long-range facilities plan and bring in approximately $113 million in matching state funds to our district that would result in:
- The construction of a new Grove City High School
- The construction of a new Westland High School
- Address Career-Technical Education waitlists at the South Western Career Academy
- Invest in targeted facility and athletics enhancements to Central Crossing High School and Franklin Heights High School
To assist community members, parents, and staff with inquiries, we have developed a comprehensive FAQ accessible on our website.
Transportation
During our open house you will establish your child’s transportation with their teacher. If you need to change your transportation please contact the office by 1:30 PM each day, or provide the change in writing.
You will choose from the transportation options below for arrival and dismissal:
Bus Rider: Your child rides the bus to and/or from school
Car Rider: Your child exits and/or exits your vehicle from the car rider line at the front of the school!
Walker/Parent Walk-Up: Your child walks to/from school or parents prefer to walk them to/from the doors of the school - through the cafeteria/playground doors.
Daycare Bus: Your child rides daycare provided transportation to/from school
PLEASE VISIT OUR TRANSPORTATION PAGE FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR EACH MODE OF TRANSPORTATION!
If your child will be car rider in the PICK UP line this year, meaning you stay in the car, and the child comes to you, we will be utilizing Car Rider pick up tags to continue to expedite our pick up process, and to increase safety. You can request 2 tags for your family!
*Please only request if you know your child will be a car ride in the afternoon. Do not fill out the form if your child will be a walker, bus rider, day care, or if you plan to park and meet the at the back of the building.
CALL THE OFFICE TO REQUEST OR REPLACE CAR TAGS!
Attendance - We are SO GLAD you're HERE!!!
- Our GOAL for the year is 95%
- Your child should have 9 absences OR LESS
- For absences; call the office or enter in Infinite Campus
- School doors open at 7:55
- Tardy Bell rings at 8:20
- Dismissal Begins at 2:30
- NO SCHOOL FEES
VISIT THE SWCSD ATTENDANCE PAGE FOR UPDATE REGARDING ATTENDANCE FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR!!
Personal Communication Devices
Personal Communication Devices: Any personal device, phone/watch/other, that distracts the learning environment must be off and in backpacks or will be placed in the front office for parent pick up, after an initial warning.
What happens if the rule is broken? - After an initial warning, devices will be placed in the front office for parent pick-up.
We appreciate your partnership in keeping distractions out of the classroom.
Infinite Campus
It will be very important for you to update all of your information in the Parent Portal so that you are sure to continually receive updates throughout the year. To create an IC account. If you already have an IC account, please find directions to update your contact information. It is important to update your child’s annual consent to emergency medical treatment or refusal. This is required by the State of Ohio.
