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 been willing to “call an audible” and completely change their curriculum and delivery methods to ensure that students have access to quality educational resources.  Many teachers have already hosted video conferences with their students, checking in on them to provide some sense of normalcy in these unprecedented times.  Meanwhile, many parents have been pressed into service as home school tutors!

Please click HERE for a video update on our school operations during the extended closure.

Our churches have stepped up in a big way, immediately mobilizing to organize a food collection and distribution schedule for this week and next.  Click HERE for the locations of food pantries and the “Not In Our Town” Food Truck.  If a student has an urgent need for food, they can text 513-327-8539.  Beginning March 30, Power Packs will be available on Mondays and Thursday from 9 AM – Noon at the locations listed HERE.  Students will need to provide their lunch number when picking up the Power Packs.

Also beginning March 30, school work will begin to be assigned in a remote learning setting.  “Brain Bags” for grades K-5 are already available online HERE.  Paper packets will be available for pickup each day from 8 AM – 2 PM at each elementary school.  For students in grades 6-12, work will be assigned through Microsoft Teams.  Students should check Teams and their school (MyWildcats) email addresses regularly.  For those without internet access at home, we have boosted outdoor wireless coverage in the back lot of Harrison Junior School, near the cafeteria and modular classrooms.  You can drive up in this area and use the internet for email, syncing Teams, etc.  If you have any questions regarding classwork, reach out to the teacher in question via email.  Email addresses can be found in the Staff Directory section of our website.

Third quarter report cards were due to be distributed today.  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 click Report Card on the right side of the screen to view the 3^rd quarter report card.  You can access your ProgressBook Parent Access account from the link in the Parent Portal or by going to https://pbaccess.hccanet.org.  If you do not have a ParentAccess Account, you may email ParentAccess@southwestschools.org and a registration code will be sent to you.

Finally, construction on our new buildings continues to progress!  Click HERE for the latest updates, and visit southwestschools.org/facilities for a complete timeline of the project, including progress pictures.  

Continue to check southwestschools.org/wellness for the latest information related to school operations, and continue to follow Governor DeWine and the CDC for the latest guidance designed to help flatten the curve and get the outbreak under control.

Stay safe and healthy,

John C. Hamstra
Superintendent
Southwest Local Schools