There are an amazing number of things happening at the New Harrison Junior School.  We are completing one of the largest projects ever undertaken in our School Community, and we are incredibly excited to share the new facilities with members of our

On Sunday, August 1, the Southwest Local School District will cut the ribbon and officially open three new elementary schools and one new middle school.  The new facilities will provide a modern learning environment for students in grades pre-K through

Our district recently received some updated guidance regarding transportation for the 2021-2022 school year.  Like many of our parents, we have been eagerly awaiting information on this topic and we were able to discuss this at our most recent Board

Harrison Junior School has a new building... and new spirit wear! The Den, the Harrison Athletic Boosters spirit shop, is offering a variety of spirit wear options for HJS students this year!  The packs are being offered by grade level so each

It is hard to believe, but the summer is about halfway complete, and for many of our students they will begin being at Harrison Junior School on a semi-daily basis starting August 1st!  The building is coming along quickly, and while there is still a ton

Southwest Local Schools is looking for School Bus Drivers and Van Drivers for the 2021-2022 school year.  School bus drivers are required to have a CDL with appropriate school bus and passenger endorsements, though paid training to get these is

All students entering grades 7 and 12 are required to be vaccinated against the meningococcal disease. One dose of meningococcal vaccine is required prior to entry into the 7th grade. A second dose of meningococcal vaccine is required prior to entry into the

Thank you to our parents, students and staff for your support of our COVID protocols throughout the school year.  There is no doubt that these measures helped us keep our school doors open, and students in class face-to-face.   Please

Remember, for those age 16 and older who received their first vaccination dose on April 29 – your second dose is coming up this Thursday, May 20, between 9:00 AM and 12:00 Noon at the Activity Center. We are also working with Hamilton County Public

This summer, the Southwest Local School District will be offering a Summer Grow to Know intervention program at churches throughout the District. Students will receive intervention and enrichment at each session. During the two-hour period, students will be

Excitement is in the air as the Harrison Junior School/Great Oaks VEX Robotics Team 1254A prepares for the 2021 World Championship. They are the first team in the school’s history to qualify for world competition after competing at the state

Exciting news today, as the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to include people ages 12 and older.  For more information, click HERE to read the Fact Sheet from the FDA, and

The calendar has turned to May and the finish line is in sight.  Stay the course, both academically and with our COVID protocols.  They have proven to be effective throughout the school year as we worked to keep our school doors open and our

As April wraps up, we enter the home stretch of a school year unlike any other.  Currently, we have no positive cases, district-wide.  We will remain vigilant with mask wearing through the end of this school year, or as long as the Governor’s

Hamilton County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Harrison Activity Center.  This clinic will be providing the Pfizer vaccine, and is open to anyone age 16 and older who would like to be vaccinated.  (Under

The April edition of the "Super Chat" podcast is now online at www.southwestschools.org/podcast. In this episode, Superintendent John Hamstra explains the fundraising campaign for the new schools' playgrounds.  Basic playground equipment is

Do you remember what it was like as a child to hear your parents say that you were going to head to the local park or playground on a sunny afternoon to play? There was not a piece of playground equipment you could not enjoy and there were no long lines

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 second and final drive will take place on Monday, March 15 from 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM.

Below is an update from our tour company regarding May travel. "From what we are hearing Tourism is supposed to start in DC in April. The mayor has set aside personal budget funds for non profits to begin marketing to bring people back in April. Currently

It is incredibly hard to believe that we are preparing to complete registration for the upcoming school year.  This is a very important process for our students, our parents, and our school.  This year, there are some important changes that we want

A reminder that students will have a Remote Learning Day on Thursday, March 11 in order for SLSD staff members to receive their second / final COVID-19 vaccination.  Also, there is no school for students on Friday, March 12.  This is the End of

We are pleased to present information for the 2021 season of Harrison's Youth Track & Field program that is available to the entire community. The design of this program is to introduce the sport of track & field to kids in our area. Participants will

For the third consecutive year, Harrison High School senior Raileigh Legner has spear-headed a district-wide campaign called “Acceptance Week”, taking place March 1-5.  A volunteer with Special Olympics since she was in the 6th grade,

A lifelong friend of education has stepped down from the School Board.  Linda Peak, a 13-year member of the Southwest Local School District Board of Education, submitted her resignation, effective February 18, 2021. Prior to her service on the Board,

Hello All, I wanted to give an update for the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip. Our tour company, Martin Travel, receives 30-60 day outlooks on the status for group travel to Washington D.C. Due to COVID reasons March is still not accessible to tour groups.We

A reminder that students will have a Remote Learning Day on Thursday, March 11 in order for our staff members to receive their second / final COVID-19 vaccination.  Also, there is no school for students on Friday, March 12.  This is the End of Third

Traditionally, the Polar Plunge consists of dozens of teams jumping into a pool of cold water in Newport, KY.  Like so many things in the past year, “traditional” went out the window thanks to the pandemic.  The Harrison Special Olympics

Thursday, February 18:  Southwest Local Schools are CLOSED.

Thursday, March 11 will be a Remote Learning Day, to allow over 350 staff members to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and the accompanying side effects of this phase of the process.  Additionally, students will not have classes on

Tuesday, February 16:  Southwest Local Schools are CLOSED.

Remember that we will be having Remote Learning Days, for all grades, TOMORROW (Thursday, February 11) and Thursday, March 11 in order to allow our staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.  We are grateful to Mercy Health and the Harrison Fire and

Tuesday, February 9, 2021:  Southwest Local Schools are CLOSED.  Stay safe and enjoy the day!  

As previously communicated, we will be having Remote Learning Days, for all grades, on Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, March 11 in order to allow our staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.  We are grateful to Mercy Health and the Harrison Fire

We are excited to learn that we have confirmed dates for our staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination!  Shot 1 will take place on Thursday, February 11 and shot 2 will take place on Thursday, March 11.  We will be having Remote Learning Days, for

Monday, February 1:  Southwest Local Schools are on a TWO-HOUR DELAY, with no morning kindergarten, pre-school, or head start. We will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions throughout the district.  Our district covers 68 square miles

We appreciate the support we have received, and continue to receive, from families during what can only be described as a school year full of facing the unknown.  With the number of positive student cases currently on the decline, clearing stations that

Thursday, January 28:  Southwest Local Schools are on a TWO-HOUR DELAY, with no morning kindergarten, pre-school, or head start. 

The Southwest Local School District is anxiously preparing for the grand opening of three new elementary schools and a new junior school in August of 2021.  The new buildings will shape the face of education in our community for the next 50+ years and we

SLSD Families, We will be keeping a close eye on the weather overnight, and will be checking back roads, parking lots, and sidewalks early tomorrow morning.  Please stay tuned tomorrow morning in the event a weather announcement becomes necessary. 

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

With today’s announcement that we will be going Remote from Tuesday, January 26 through Monday, February 1, we want to share with our students and staff specific expectations that we will have in place to ensure that all of us (students, teachers,

Current 8th Grade Families – A Message from the High School On February 25th, Current 8th grade students will meet for the High School Registration meeting 1st bell in the Activity Center (socially distanced of course). The High School

We are currently seeing a spike in cases at Harrison Junior School, particularly among staff members.  Parents should be prepared for the possibility of going remote temporarily if the current trend continues.  We are keeping a close eye on the

Academic GrowthNext week is our MAP Assessment! MAP testing the week of January 25th.   Our teachers have been charged with working to grow our students 1.5 Academic Years during a standard school year.  This is a major checkpoint for us. 

Please click HERE for the bi-weekly health update.

Please click HERE for the bi-weekly health update.

Vaccine distribution for school personnel is now expected to begin in early February, with the exact timing a bit up in the air.  The timing could necessitate us having to utilize remote learning day(s) in order complete staff vaccinations. Time will

What an awesome return to school.  It has been incredible to see so many students back from Virtual, as well as our students back from Christmas break.  It has been a big week in the world, but this week has also been a big week for our students as

Vaccine distribution for school personnel is now expected to begin in early February, with the exact timing a bit up in the air.  The timing could necessitate us having to utilize remote learning day(s) in order complete staff vaccinations. Time

Vaccine distribution for school personnel is expected to begin in mid-January.  We will more than likely utilize two remote learning days in order for staff who choose to be vaccinated to receive their shots.  (One remote learning day for the first

Parents of 6th-10th graders: If you feel your student may be interested in Great Oaks, join representatives from Great Oaks Career Campuses & At The Core in January for an interactive discussion for parents about the unique opportunities available to your

As we wrap up the winter holiday break, it is our hope that each of you found time to rest, rejuvenate, and build into family.  Thank you to those families who have kept us informed over the break if their child tested positive for COVID-19.  As of

The July edition of the "Super Chat" podcast is now online at www.southwestschools.org/podcast. In this episode, Superintendent John Hamstra provides an update on the home stretch of the new building construction project, including the Ribbon

The Southwest Local School District in Harrison, OH has selected GovDeals, a leading online auction marketplace for government agencies and educational institutions to offer their surplus equipment for sale. The district joins more than 14,000