Congratulations to the 1^st and 2^nd grade students who performed their Spring musical last night at the HS Performing Arts Center. Pictures will be posted on Facebook this weekend. Additional thanks to the teachers and Mrs. Poling who helped put the performance together.

If you still would like to purchase a yearbook for your child there are still about 10 yearbooks left and will be sold for $15.00 – first come, first sold. Please feel free to come to the office or send your child to school with the money.

You can now follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Please make sure you are members of the correct sites. There were several “unofficial” sites created and we are trying to inactivate them. I have been posting a lot of pictures of events happening at Harrison Elementary. Feel free to send them out to family and friends. This is a great way to keep up on events at school.  

Follow us on Twitter @SLSDHarrisonEl

Like us on Facebook.com/HarrisonElementarySchool

The students continue to demonstrate our Four Core Values – Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership – throughout the day.

Have a great weekend!

Ron Mangus

Principal

Katie Conley

Dean of Students

Field Day 2024 T-shirts – Last Day to Order

For the past couple of years, we have offered students and their families the opportunity to purchase an End of the Year/Field Day T-shirt. Field Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 16^th. Order forms went home, and additional forms can be obtained from the school office. The orders this year are being placed via a QR code located on the half sheet flyer. Orders are due on Friday, April 26^th. No late orders will be accepted to get the shirts back in time for Field Day. I’ve also attached a copy of the form to the bottom of this email if your child’s form did not make it home. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kiefer at Jen.Kiefer@southwestschools.org.

5^th Grade Parent Meeting

Next Thursday, May 2 at 6 pm in the Harrison Elementary School cafeteria there will be a one hour presentation, for all Harrison Elementary incoming 6^th grade parents. Administrators, faculty, and student testimonials will be presented to answer all questions. A flyer went home with your 5^th grade students yesterday and I’ve attached a copy down below. This meeting is ONLY for parents.

2024 – 2025 School Supply Kits

Would you like to let someone else do all the shopping for your child’s school supplies for next year? Click on the link below to purchase next year’s classroom supplies. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. The supplies will be boxed and delivered to your child’s next year classroom in August and ready for you to pick up at Open House.

Link to Brite School Kits - Click Here 

Did You Know…..

Throughout our town halls, surveys, and our recent building tours, we’ve received some questions about the District’s finances.

Ensuring that SLSD is financially responsible and transparent is something we take very seriously.  We've heard throughout our public engagement that it's also a top priority for the community.  Every year, our school district undergoes an audit by the Ohio Auditor of State’s office.  In addition to receiving clean audits every year, we're happy to announce that we received an award for fiscal stewardship from the Ohio Auditor of State for the 4th year in a row!  This is a result of our commitment to financial excellence and transparency.

We are going to continue the conversation on school finance in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for a series of videos that will detail district revenue, district spending, financial transparency, and more.  We continue to look forward to your feedback!

Super Ollie’s Sidekicks Blood Drive – June 4th

Save lives in support of Ollie. Ollie is a second-grade student at Harrison Elementary who has recently had multiple hospital stays and has needed many blood infusions. A Blood Drive in support of Ollie will be held at Harrison Elementary School, on Tuesday, June 4^th from noon to 2pm and 3:30 – 6 pm, in the school gymnasium. See attached flyer for a registration QR Code or by calling Hoxworth at (513) 451-0910. Spots are limited and your help is needed. See you on June 4^th.

Gear up for a summer of learning and fun! 

The SWLSD is pleased to offer a wide range of summer camps tailored to a variety of interests and are eagerly anticipating a summer filled with exciting activities and opportunities for growth. 

Regardless of their interests, our summer camps offer students the opportunity to learn new skills, make lasting friendships, and create cherished memories. With a diverse range of offerings catering to various passions, there's something for everyone to enjoy this summer.

Click HERE for more information on all summer camps, along with the links to register.

STEM Camp

Spark your child’s curiosity and creativity with our all-new Camp Invention® program, Illuminate! at Three Rivers Elementary Campus from June 3rd-7th (9:00 AM -3:30PM). Campers in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges - from designing a light-up ball game to tackling global water challenges to starring in a prototyping game show, each experience adds up to an imagination-stretching, confidence-boosting summer. Visit invent.org/mylocalcamp to secure your spot! Use promo code FUN15 by 5/16 to save $15. Questions? Email kmoorman@trlsd.org.

Wildcat Cares Yard Sale – Junk in Your Trunk – THIS WEEKEND

On Saturday April 27th, Crosby Parking lot will be transformed into a lively outdoor market for vendors to sell garage sale items and hand -crafted items! **Enjoy music by Zoe Nienaber and Lindsey’s Shaved Ice! Sell your stuff by reserving your spot for $30 or two spots for $50. For garage sale vendors: we are looking for gently used clothing (both child and adult), books, toys, houseware, and home decor items. Set up starts at 8am All sellers/vendors must stay open from 9-12 Saturday April 27th, 2024, Sellers keep their profits, all proceeds from reserved spots benefit Wildcats Care. 

Click on the attached flyer below for more information.

World’s Finest Chocolates

We have roughly 15 boxes of chocolates still available to sell. To make some money on the remaining boxes we are going to sell them for $35 each versus the normal $60. There are only a few almonds boxes with the remaining boxes mixed. If you are interested in purchasing one of the remining boxes for $35 please call or stop by the office. Money is needed at the time you pick up the chocolates and are sales are final.

State Testing Schedule – RESUMING NEXT WEEK

Listed below are the group testing dates for students in 3-5 grades. Please try to avoid scheduling any appointments on these dates. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

April 30 – 4^th and 5^th grade students Math Part 1

May 1 – 3^rd grade students Math Part 1

• 4^th and 5^th grade students Math Part 2

May 2 – 3rd grade students Math Part 2

Food Services

Southwest Schools prides itself on offering the lowest school lunch prices in the area, while still covering all operational costs associated with our food service program.  With that in mind, we do not anticipate raising prices for the 2024-25 school year.  As a reminder, if you feel like your family may be eligible for free or reduced lunch prices based on your household income, then you should apply online via the “Food Service” tab of the district website (www.southwestschools.org).  Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be open in early- to mid-July.  Acceptance into the free or reduced lunch program could also provide other benefits that may include academic fee waivers, holiday church help, or summer EBT program benefits.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sue Toelke or Adam Lohbeck at (513) 367-4139.

Progress Book and Abre

Parents – if you are having trouble accessing ProgressBook or the Abre Parent Portal email parentaccess@southwestschools.org for help.

Kindergarten Registration – 2024 – 2025 – Don’t let time run out!!!

The Southwest Local School District will begin kindergarten registration for the 2024 - 2025 school year Feb 1 beginning at 6 am. Registration can be completed online from any computer. Detailed instructions regarding the online application will be available on the district's website (www.southwestschools.org) under New Student Registration Tab. When your online forms are completed and all required documents have been uploaded, call the district registrar at district office at 513-728-8401 to make sure the documents have been received and are acceptable to complete your registration. See the district page for age requirements and immunization requirements.

April’s Character Traits:

Week of 4/29: “All year, we have been Strength Spotting and sharing what is the best about each of us. It’s been fun getting to know each other and what makes us strong. This week, we celebrate all our strengths.

My name is_______________, and my top strength is ______________. I know ___________ is my top strength because I ___________________________.

Please reinforce these weekly traits at home and throughout the month. 

Update Regarding Ohio’s New Law for Dyslexia Screening

All students in grades K-3 at Southwest Local School District will undergo dyslexia screening as part of Ohio law requirements. This non-intrusive process aims to identify early signs of dyslexia, and if your child is flagged, they may be given a Tier 2 Screener for further assessment and tailored support. This is not a comprehensive dyslexia assessment designed to diagnose your child with dyslexia. The screener is designed to identify areas of concern in specific components of reading that identify your child as being below or well below grade level expectations. 

Students in SLSD will receive an initial screening through Aimsweb Plus. K-3 students are already taking this assessment three times a year (fall, winter, spring).  Students who score in the 25^th percentile or below on the winter administration of Aimsweb Plus, will then be given an additional assessment called the RAN. If your child scores in an at-risk range on the RAN, they will be given the PAST assessment to target areas for intervention. We will notify you if your child will be receiving interventions based on these screenings.

Remaining Timeline for Dyslexia Assessments 2023-2024

Week of April 29: Re-administer PAST to this target group of students

During May data meetings, all students will be placed in MTSS groups for the following Fall based on areas of need. 

PTO Planning Meetings

PTO meetings this school year will take place on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 pm in the school cafeteria. The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday May 20, 2024. This is one week early due to the Memorial Day Holiday.

Please click on the link below for the meeting minutes. 

April PTO Minutes -  Click Here 

Hope to see you soon!

Harrison PTO

Attachments 

Field Day T-shirt Order Form – Click Here 

Super Ollie Blood Drive Flyer – Click Here 

Important Items for the Week Ahead

Monday, April 29 – Dance Catz Recital Rehearsal at the Performing Arts Center

Tuesday, April 30 – 4^th and 5^th grade students Math Part 1

• 7:00 pm – Dance Catz Recital ($3 per person, $5 for two and students free)

Wednesday, May 1 – 4^th and 5^th grade students Math Part 2

• 3^rd grade students Math Part 1

Thursday, May 2 – 3^rd grade students Math Part 2

• 5^th Grade, Junior School, Parent Night at Harrison Elementary – 6 pm

DISTRICT MISSION: "Academic and Social Growth for ALL students, EVERY DAY!"

DISTRICT MOTTO: "Excellence through Relationships"

HARRISON ELEMENTARY MOTTO: "Where Children Come First"

DISTRICT CORE VALUES: Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership