January 2018

WELCOME BACK!

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Switlik Families a Happy and Healthy New Year ahead! We hope your holiday was relaxing and filled with memories to cherish.

Switlik School announces their 2018-2019 Governor’s Educators of the Year, Mrs. Gilda Shroyer and Mrs. JoAnne Jones who have been recognized for their dedication and commitment to our Switlik students. The title “Educator of the Year” is well deserved. Congratulations to Mrs. Shroyer and Mrs. Jones!

Report Cards: Please be sure you are ready to access your child’s report card on the district portal website. Report cards will be available on the portal to parents on January 2^nd. Also, please remember that if your Portal log-in does not work, please try the “Forgot My Password” link above BEFORE contacting support, as most issues will be resolved through that feature. Please note that the “Forgot Password” link will work only with parents who have an e-mail as their login ID. For questions or problems with your login ID’s or password (or if you do not have them), please send an email to portalsupport@jacksonsd.org and include your name and phone number, as well as your child’s name, school, grade, student ID number and the problem you are experiencing and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Cold Weather: With the inclement weather upon us and the continuous possibility of early dismissals and delayed openings, it is important that your emergency contact information is up to date. Any changes to your contact information can be updated through the Genesis portal. Please refer to the district website for inclement weather updates and announcements.

Before sending your child out to the bus stop or dropping them off at school, please take a moment to make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather. Depending on the weather, students may go out for recess. Dressing your child in multiple light layers is recommended so that they can remove a top layer if they get too warm while indoors. When it gets cold outside, it gets cold inside the building as well. Don’t be afraid to ask your children whether or not they are comfortable while they are at school; they will often tell you if they are too hot or too cold in their classrooms.

A Note from our School Nurse: In order to minimize risk to others, we encourage parents to keep your children home if they exhibit any flu symptoms which include fever, body aches, chills, headache, coughing or vomiting. We advise that you keep your children home from school until they are fever-free for a full 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medications (such as Tylenol or Advil). While in school, we will be reminding everyone about the importance of preventative actions, such as frequent handwashing and covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The CDC also recommends the Flu Shot for anyone above the age of 6 months and high risk groups.

Lost & Found: It is easy for your child’s winter clothing to get lost – mittens, gloves, hats and scarves are especially at risk for wandering off on their own when no one is looking. To help make sure that your child’s belongings return safely at the end of the day, remember to label each piece of clothing clearly. Please encourage your children to visit the Lost and Found box. There are a number of valuable items waiting to be returned to their owners.

Spelling Bee: Our school level spelling bee was held on Friday, January 12th. Congratulations to Rahil Patel, in Mr. Mathews’ class for winning the spelling bee with the correct spelling of the word strenuous. Rahil and four additional students, Jeff Roldan, Raymond Eldridge, Marlowe Donato and Sarah Cooper will participate in the District Spelling Bee to be held on Thursday, March 22^nd at 6 p.m. at Jackson Memorial High School.

Please see below for further dates to remember from the PTN.

PTN News: There are many ways you can get involved at school – check out our awesome PTN. They do so much to support our school programs with your continuous generosity. Please join us on January 18^th at 10:00 a.m. for our next PTN Meeting.

Looking Ahead:

“NEW” SCHOOL STORE PROCEDURES!! – The school store will now be open for students to shop for supplies once a month during their lunch period in the cafeteria. Students can shop this month on Wednesday, January 17^th.

Family Movie Night: Join us Friday, January 19^th from 6:30-9:00 p.m. to watch Trolls. Popcorn and a water will be provided to guests. Candy bars and Spirit Sticks will be for sale.

Refreshments at 5^th Grade Chorus Concert – Support your favorite 5^th graders on Wednesday, January 24^th. The PTN will be selling refreshments.

5^th Grade Poetry Contest – Poetry theme is Switlik Memories/Panther Pride. All entries due January 31. Poems can be given to your teacher or emailed to switlikyearbook@gamil.com. Contest is open to all 5^th graders. Poems should be a minimum of 5 stanzas and written in verse. Three winning poems will appear in the yearbook.

5^th Grade T-Shirt Contest – All 5^th graders can enter. Entries received by February 6^th will be considered. Drawings must be on 8 ½ x 11” white paper, should relate to school spirit and include “Switlik” and “2018.” Use only red and black in your design. Winning entry will be on the 5^th grade t-shirt.

Kid’s Candy Bingo – will be held on Friday, February 9^th. Details to follow.

Casino Night – Friday, March 9^th – Adults Only

January Up-Coming Dates:

January 3^rd & 4^th – Grades 2&4 In-View Testing

January 5^th & 8^th – Grades 2&4 Make Up In-View Testing

January 12^th – Grades 4 & 5 Spelling Bee

January 15^th – School Closed – Martin Luther King Day

January 16^th & 17^th – Grade 4 Monmouth Trunk Show

January 24^th – Grade 5 Chorus Concert

January 30^th – School is in session for students

February 1st - Staff In-Service Day NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Please be aware that there will be no school for students on Monday, January 15^th in observance of Martin Luther King Day and Thursday, February 1st for In-Service Day.

Sincerely,

Kathleen McKiernan