We are working in close partnership with the Hamilton County Health Department and as a school district, we are excited about the progress being made with vaccine distribution. Our number one priority is student and staff safety - each and every day. As a

Dear Harrison Elementary School Parents and Students, Let me be one of the first people to wish you a Happy New Year. 2020 has given us all many challenges to face and hopefully we have gotten stronger. I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday break. The

Paper copies of transportation information were sent home the week of December 14 with all elementary students who will be receiving transportation services for the 2nd semester.  For Junior School students, we did not have that opportunity as students

How we conduct the first week of 2nd semester (January 4-8, 2021) will depend on the case count in our schools and community. We aim to give our families as much notice as possible, but with the fluidity of the situation, this decision can be tricky. 

Southwest Local Schools will continue to offer the state minimum required 1/2 day Kindergarten programs at each elementary school as we always have. However, with the increased classroom space at the 3 new elementary schools, we are excited to offer a full

The Harrison High School Art Department presents a virtual art show, highlighting selected works from first semester art students. All artwork represented includes selected pieces from courses taught by Ms. Keller, Mrs. Kravetz, and Mrs. Cummings. Click

Wednesday, December 16:  Southwest Local Schools are on a TWO-HOUR DELAY, with no morning kindergarten, pre-school, or head start. 

Junior School and High School students who are already remote this week, your day will begin at 9:50 AM in your 3rd Period TEAMS page.

As was previously communicated, Harrison High School and Harrison Junior School have moved to Remote Learning this week, due to a spike in positive COVID-19 cases and close contact quarantines amongst both staff and students.  This applies to Harrison

Again this year, the Southwest Local School District is proud to partner with the Harrison Mayor’s Fund, This City His City, Christ’s Loving Hands, and JTM Food Group to provide for those in need in our community this holiday season. Collection

Harrison Elementary currently has no phone service and no internet service.  We will advise when service has been restored.

As we have mentioned from the start of this school year, our goal is to educate students face to face (F2F), and with the remote option for those that choose that route, for as long as possible. We have also spoken to the criteria that would put a

As was previously communicated, Harrison High School will be moving to Remote Learning this coming week, December 14-18, due to a spike in positive COVID-19 cases and close contact quarantines amongst both staff and students.  This applies to Harrison

We are seeing a significant spike in COVID+ cases this week at Harrison High School and Harrison Junior School.  At the high school alone, cases have more than tripled in recent days.  Positive cases, as well as the numbers of both students and

Again this year, the Southwest Local School District is proud to partner with the Harrison Mayor’s Fund, This City His City, Christ’s Loving Hands, and JTM Food Group to provide for those in need in our community this holiday season. The annual

On Friday, December 4, the Ohio Department of Health adopted the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding the length of quarantines.  The updated information can be found HERE.  For some students currently out on quarantine,

Spikes in both cases and hospitalizations are occurring throughout the State of Ohio and Hamilton County.  Small group gatherings, as well as community events, are major spreader events in our area.  When holiday spikes occur in the community,

Southwest Local Schools' Superintendent John Hamstra and Harrison High School Athletic Director / Assistant Principal Mark Meibers have been recognized by the Greater Harrison Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Hamstra has been awarded the Mary Lou Smith

Our school community appreciates everyone’s efforts to keep each other safe. Let’s continue this commitment to healthy practices as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend. It’s up to all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19.

As we approach the holiday season, vigilance becomes paramount.  It will take everyone doing their part over the holidays by avoiding gatherings outside of immediate family – as challenging as that will be.  A spike in cases could force

As we approach the holiday season, vigilance becomes paramount.  It will take everyone doing their part over the holidays by avoiding gatherings outside of immediate family – as challenging as that will be.  A spike in cases could force

COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate in Western Hamilton County.  We are dangerously close to having to close several of our school buildings and shift to remote learning due to community spread and the inability to safely staff our schools. 

COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate in Western Hamilton County.  We are dangerously close to having to close several of our school buildings and shift to remote learning due to community spread and the inability to safely staff our schools. 

COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate in Western Hamilton County.  It is vitally important to limit group gatherings both large and small, and to wear masks and practice social distancing.  Keep the same COVID prevention protocols in place

Hello, SLSD Families! Below you will find the link to go into Final Forms and enter your preference for your child's or children's Second Semester placement (January 4 - May 28, 2021), either attending school in-person, face-to-face, or participating in the

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 Good Afternoon, SLSD Parents and Guardians, This afternoon (Wed. Nov. 4) between 4:00-5:00 PM, there will be a test of the School Messenger mass notification system.  School Messenger is used to communicate weather-related

Please click HERE for the bi-weekly health update from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School

The USDA recently received approval from Congress to extend the meal waiver program through the end of this school year.  Originally slated to end on December 31 (or when the money was completely spent), our waiver will now expire in June when our school

Please click HERE for the bi-weekly health update from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

SLSD Families: It’s hard to believe that we finished the first quarter of our school year on Thursday, October 29! Time flies when you are having fun! It has been incredible witnessing the resilience of our in-person and at home learners, as well as

Southwest Local School District families, This afternoon, Officer Willig, our School Resource Officer on the secondary campus, was struck by a hit-and-run driver during junior school dismissal.  The driver ignored his command to stop, attempted to pull

By now you have likely seen on the news that Hamilton County is approaching the Alert Level 4 (Purple) designation in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, indicating severe exposure and spread of COVID-19 in the County.  Please know that as a school

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

The Harrison High School senior class is once again teaming up with Hoxworth Blood Center to sponsor two blood drives at the Activity Center this school year.  The first will take place on Thursday, October 29 from 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM.   The drive is

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Student fees for 2020-2021 have been assigned for all grades.  The fee for elementary students is $50.  The fees for grades 6-12 depend on the courses the student is taking. You may view your assigned fees at payforit.net, accessible through the

Once again this morning (Friday 10/9) I awarded two students a gift card for early order turn in for our annual Magazine/Cookie Dough Fundraiser. Students receive a slip with their name on it for each order that is submitted. Packets were sent home on

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

To the Parents/Guardians of Third Grade Virtual Students: Third Grade Fall English Language Arts state testing begins the week of October 19, 2020.  These tests are required by federal and state law and, at this point in time, are still required for the

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

The Southwest Local School District has multiple openings for full-time school bus drivers.  Drivers work a "split shift" of 6 hours per day on days where school is in session for students, plus they receive paid holidays and benefits.  A CDL with

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Another great week behind us. On Tuesday we kicked off our annual Magazine/Cookie Dough Fundraiser. Packets went home that day and orders can be taken up till October 14th. Special drawings will begin NEXT Friday for any orders turned in before October 14th.

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

We have posted the codes that parents, and students need for our Parent Portal and ProgressBook Parent Access to the “Student and Parent Access Codes” form in FinalForms.  You may access these codes by signing into your FinalForms

Another great week behind us. Student pictures on Tuesday went on flawlessly along with opportunities for virtual students to come in later that evening to get their pictures taken. We are hoping to have picture packets back towards the end of October. Retake

Please click HERE for an important Health Alert from Hamilton County Public Health and the Southwest Local School District.

Virtual students and parents, please click HERE for a webinar orientation, led by Southwest Local School District Assistant Superintendent Corinne Hayes, explaining how students can log in and navigate the virtual learning platform.  Mrs. Hayes also

The USDA and the state of Ohio have determined that all students, regardless of your financial situation, may participate in school breakfast and lunch programs for free through December 31, 2020.  Beginning on Tuesday September 8th, 2020 no child will

SLSD pushed out the final transportation update prior to the start of the school year Friday afternoon.  Families can again log into their students’ Final Forms accounts via the Abre Student/Parent portal, and click on Forms to view the

The Southwest Local School District administrative team provides the yearly "State of the Schools" presentation, a yearly update to stakeholders covering all facets of district operations. Our design and construction team, SHP and Skanska-Megen, provide a

On August 28, our district pushed out preliminary bus routes, times, and pick-up locations to our families via Final Forms.  Please log into your Final Forms account via the Online Forms portion of the Abre Parent/Student Portal.  You will click on

Southwest Local Schools has switched programs for our lunchtime software this coming school year as a part of the upgrades to our existing buildings and in preparation for a move to new buildings next summer.  As a result of this move, the district will

The Harrison Elementary School administration, teachers, and staff have been working diligently to safely re-open our K-5 school building for the 2020-21 school year.  Safety is our number one priority and several changes have been made to help protect

Southwest Local School District Superintendent John Hamstra and Assistant Superintendent Corinne Hayes provide updates to stakeholders as students prepare to return for the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. Hamstra speaks to the safety and protocols in place, and

For students and families who have selected the Virtual Learning Model for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year, we have compiled the following list of FAQs based on parent feedback.  Please click HERE for the list.

If you are looking for a part-time job that aligns with your SLSD child's school calendar, we have an opportunity for you!  SLSD Food Service is looking for part time cooks to assist with serving lunch in our kitchens.  Shifts are generally about 3

Harrison Elementary Reopening Plan - 2020-2021 Rev. 8-18-2020 Welcome to another exciting new school year. As we prepare for our first day on September 8th, I know many of you have a million questions. I hope you find the information below informative and

UPDATE:  August 6, 2020 SLSD Parents and Guardians, Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to refine our “Back to School 2020” plan to reflect the latest guidance we continue to receive from the State of Ohio and Hamilton

August 3, 2020 Dear Southwest Local School District parents / guardians; At our July 30th Board of Education meeting, we had a deep discussion and ultimately a unanimous vote to reduce our transportation services to Ohio’s state minimums.  After

Please see the following from our friends at Church on Fire!   Highlighter is coming! "What's Highlighter", you ask?Highlighter is a back-to-school event, hosted at Church on Fire for students that have a need for school supplies. It's on Friday,

The Southwest Local School District is hiring an internal substitute teacher for each of their school buildings (Crosby Elem., Miamitown Elem., Harrison Elem., Whitewater Valley Elem., Harrison Junior School and Harrison High School). Substitute teachers

The Southwest Local School District has multiple openings for full-time school bus drivers.  Drivers work a "split shift" of 6 hours per day on days where school is in session for students, plus they receive paid holidays and benefits.  A CDL with

Thank you, parents and guardians, for the phone calls and emails giving input on the 2020-2021 re-opening plan.  In response to several concerns regarding the masking requirements in the heat, our administrative team has made the decision to delay

Hoxworth Blood Center has an urgent need for donors.  To help facilitate this, the Southwest Local School District has partnered with Hoxworth to hold a Summer Blood Drive.  The drive will take place in the air-conditioned Harrison Junior School

Southwest Local School District elementary Field Days are always one of the highlights of the end of the school year.  Of course, they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) school closures. To keep this annual tradition alive, SLSD P.E.

Kindergarten registration is now open.  Click this link for more information, including the kindergarten packet with required documents, instructions for completing online forms, the link to online registration forms, and the required Ohio Health History

The indoor walking track at the Activity Center has been re-opened to the public as of Monday, June 8.  The track is open during the normal summer hours of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday-Friday.   While enhanced cleaning/sanitizing procedures

Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 we are not scheduling in-person appointments at this time. However, once you have completed your online registration through Final Forms, you may scan the required documents as PDFs, and we will accept them via

All four Southwest Local School District elementary schools had just celebrated the grand opening of the Elementary Art Show at the Harrison Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered life as we know

One of the highlights of the end of the school year is Field Day.  Since we can't be together to enjoy this tradition with each other, we have created some activities that you can participate in at home to create your own Field Day! If you don’t

Welcome to our Incoming 6th Grade Parents & Families, We are so excited to welcome you to Harrison Junior School.  Even with COVID-19, we still want to find ways to connect with our families and students! Over the coming weeks, we will be sending

Harrison Elementary is scheduling student supplies pick-up through a web-based program called Signup Genius. Each grade level has been assigned a day of the week between May 18th – May 27th to pick up the items that were left in their

Brain Bag #2 Turn-in and Brain Bag #3 Pick-up Information Monday, May 4, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm will be our collection day for Brain Bag #2. Grade level boxes will once again be located outside the school lobby for you to deposit Brain Bag #2. Please

Around April of each year, the transportation department begins to work on the bus routes for the following year.  While it isn't as feasible to send out a personalized form for each students as we have in year's past, we would like to know who is

Looking at the Weeks Ahead By now, most of you should have heard that Governor DeWine has determined that schools in Ohio will be working remotely for the remainder of the school year. The students WILL NOT be going back to school in our building for the

We hope that you are continuing to live out our four core values, despite our distance!  During the upcoming week, take pictures highlighting students performing acts of TRUST, RESPECT, OWNERSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP.  Post them on Twitter, Instagram

On April 20, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that remote learning would continue for the remainder of the academic year.  Please click HERE for details on how it will impact the 4th quarter, and the traditional end-of-year activities. 

BRAIN BAG #1 TURN-IN: Monday, April 13 Brain Bag #1 drop-off will be at the front doors between 8AM-2PM.  Large containers, labeled by grade level, will be available for you to drop your child’s packet in. Please make sure your child’s name

With the closure of Ohio schools now stretching until May 1, we will be canceling the Harrison Youth Track program (Grades K-6) for 2020. If you have already registered, you will be receiving a check from the Athletic Boosters to refund your money. We look forward to seeing you in 2021.

Governor DeWine extended the closure of all Ohio schools through at least Friday, May 1.   Click HERE for the latest updates from Superintendent John Hamstra. Thanks to our staff, students and parents for a great start to Remote Learning.  If

Food Distribution began on March 30, 2020.  All elementary schools as well as the junior school have meal bags and power packs on hand to distribute to ANY STUDENT in SLSD with a food need - not just for those on Free and Reduced.  Distribution

The staff at Harrison Elementary has sent you a very important surprise video! Please click on the YouTube link below to view this very special message, and make sure your children see it as

Please note the following information from Lisa Daniel at Church on FireMarch 24, 2020 IMPORTANT COMMUNITY FOOD UPDATES: We have some important food updates we want to make you aware of:  FOOD TRUCK FEEDINGS: In an effort to keep our community as

Third Quarter report cards were due to be distributed on March 20, 2020.  Due to the school closure, we are making the report card available via your ProgressBook ParentAccess account. You may login to your ProgressBook Parent Access account and

Greetings, SLSD Parents and Guardians, We are now one week into our unexpected school closure due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.  I’ve been impressed at the resilience of our staff, students, and parents.  From day one, teachers have

Linked below are the first round of "Brain Bags" which have been prepared by grade level / content area, by teachers at each school.  Contact the respective teacher via email with any questions.  Students should be prepared to return these

Local churches and food pantries have partnered with the Southwest Local School District to ensure that no child goes hungry during the extended school closure due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. Power Packs will be available for pickup beginning

Governor DeWine and the Department of Health closed K – 12 schools in Ohio this afternoon, March 12, for three weeks. Obviously, the decision to close schools, and cancel athletics and other performance events, was not made lightly. The primary

Stay current on the latest news and guidance regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its effect on the Southwest Local School District by visiting southwestschools.org/wellness.

March 11, 2020 Due to recent cases of the Coronavirus (COVID – 19) making their way into Ohio, under the advisement of the Hamilton County Health Department, school districts across the State of Ohio are making contingency plans for both academics and

Pre-School registration is now closed.  Thank you for your interest.

The Southwest Local School District's Elementary Art Show is taking place at the Harrison Public Library.  An opening reception will take place Tuesday, March 10 from 6:30-8:00 PM, and work will be on display through the end of March. Selected works from each class will be featured (about 3-4 pieces per class).

Enrollment is now underway for Head Start for the 2020-2021 school year.  The program is run by the Hamilton County Educational Service Center, is housed at Harrison Elementary School, and is open to any family living within the Southwest Local School

The "Empty Bowls" dinner makes its return to Harrison on Wednesday, March 18 in the Activity Center Bistro.  The first seating will be from 5:00-6:00 PM, and the second seating from 6:30-7:30 PM. Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists and

Harrison High School Student Council invites you to this year's Mom Prom and Daddy Daughter Dances.  Tickets can be purchased at the links below.  There are two separate order forms, so please select the dance you will be attending when purchasing

Preschool Registration for the 2020-2021 school year will open Monday, March 9th, 2020 (Registration packets will only be available on-line beginning midnight March 9th)   Registration is processed on a first come first served basis.   What you

Each month, SLSD Superintendent John Hamstra holds informal “coffee chat” sessions, designed as a way for any parent, guardian or community member to get a better understanding of our school district and get answers to any questions they may

The Harrison Wellness Coalition is pleased to partner with several local organizations to offer Building Healthy Families, a free workshop on Saturday, Feb. 22.  The purpose of this workshop is to help local families overcome barriers and learn skills to

Construction of our new school buildings is in full swing, with the project remaining on time and on budget.  The endeavor consists of three new elementary schools, one new middle school, and extensive renovations to the current high

UPDATE:  Friday, February 7, 2020:  Southwest Local Schools are now CLOSED.

The Harrison High School Creative Arts Theatre is proud to present the 50's and 60's rock and roll band, "The Belairs" in concert on Saturday, January 18. Formerly known as "Hot Wax", The Belairs Show is dedicated to those who can appreciate the memorable

The Southwest Local School District is looking to fill multiple transportation positions.  Hours are typically 6-9  AM and 1:30-4:30 PM.  Positions can be for 3-6 hours per day, or as a "sub" on an as-needed basis.  Job descriptions for