Welcome back to another exciting school year at Southwest ISD! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are as eager as we are to embark on a journey of learning, growth, and achievement. Once again, we are excited to have you as part of our school community. If you and your student are new to Southwest ISD, “Welcome, we are glad you are here.” At SWISD, we understand that transitioning to a new school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, and we want to assure you that we are here to support and guide you every step of the way. We believe open communication is essential for a successful partnership between home and school. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We are here to listen and work together to ensure your child's success.
As we gear up for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, we want to provide you with some important information to ensure a smooth transition back to school.
Dress Code:
Maintaining a respectful and conducive learning environment is crucial for students' success. Our dress code policy promotes safety, distracting from the learning mission, and allowance for social norms. This dress code ensures comfort and respect for all students and staff. Please review the dress code guidelines outlined in the student handbook, which you can find on our school website by clicking here. Your cooperation in ensuring your child's adherence to these guidelines is greatly appreciated.
ID Badges:
For the safety and security of our students and staff, all students in grades 6-12 must always wear their school-issued ID badges while on school premises. These badges help us identify individuals and ensure that only authorized individuals are present in the building. Please make sure your child has their ID badge with them every day.
Visitors to Campuses
First Day for Elementary Parents
On the first two days of school (8/21/2023 and 8/22/2023), parents with children in any grade level will be allowed to walk their children into their schools. Parents will be asked to exit the building when the bell rings so teachers can begin instruction. On day three, parents will not be allowed to walk their children into campuses except in very special circumstances, such as special programming and for children enrolled on that specific day. Parents are asked to meet with the school principal regarding special circumstances.
Lunch Visits
Lunch visits will be allowed on the student’s birthday and once a month on a day that the campus principal designates for a special occasion related to district/campus goals, including student achievement, attendance, and customer service. Parents may only bring lunch for their child. Sharing meals and offering lunch to other students is not permitted.
Birthdays & Celebrations
Birthday food items cannot be homemade and must be store-bought. Balloons are not permitted for students on campuses or on buses.
IDs
Visitors to campuses are required to have their picture IDs available at all times. Parents will not be allowed entry past the front offices of each campus, nor will they be allowed to meet with or sign out a student without a picture ID. In case of parent emergencies, when someone other than the parent picks up a student, that individual must be listed on the approved emergency contact list AND have a valid picture ID. Phone or text verifications will not be accepted. To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, proper identification and parent permission granted on the emergency contact list are the only ways to prevent unauthorized individuals from picking up students.
Late Afternoon Check-outs
To ensure a safe and smooth dismissal daily, the district has designated late afternoon check-out times for all campuses. For elementary campuses, 3:00 p.m. is the latest that a parent may sign out a student before dismissal. For middle schools, the cut-off time is 2:30 p.m. For high schools, the cut-off time is 4:00 p.m. Any special circumstances may be discussed with the campus principal.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
In our commitment to enhancing communication and streamlining the reporting process, we are excited to announce that progress reports and report cards will be available exclusively online. You can access your child's academic progress, attendance, and other important information through our secure Parent Self-Serve portal. Instructions for accessing and navigating the parent portal are available on the district website or by clicking here.
Changes to Grading to System
To ensure consistency with the grading approach used for 2nd through 5th grade, all 1st-grade students in SWISD will now receive assessments based on a numeric grading system, replacing the previous letter-based system.
Enrollment Verification for Returning Students
Parents of students returning to Southwest ISD from the previous school year will need to complete an enrollment verification. This will ensure that student information and parent contact information are updated. Enrollment verification can be completed via the district website or by clicking here.
New Communication Tool:
We're embracing technology to stay connected with you! SWISD has launched a new communication tool. Rooms which is housed in the SWISD Mobile App will serve as a communications hub for school updates, announcements, and community engagement. The District will also use this communication tool to send emails and direct text messages to your phone. Please ensure your contact information is updated in Frontline and with your campus. For more information on the SWISD Mobile App and Rooms, click here.
Backpacks
Students are encouraged to bring a backpack to school to hold school materials and supplies. Backpacks do not need to be transparent or mesh, but they must be appropriate for school and not violate dress code standards. Campus administrators may determine whether a backpack is appropriate or inappropriate and take appropriate steps to address any related concerns. Parents, please speak to your children regarding appropriate and inappropriate items to bring to school in their backpacks.
School Supplies
Southwest ISD is stepping up to support our students and families! For the 2023-2024 school year, we are delighted to provide the required school supplies at absolutely no
cost to parents for registered elementary and middle school students! All supplied materials will be kept on campus. This ensures that students have access to the resources they need throughout the school day, creating an environment conducive to learning and engagement.
Infofinder
Navigating transportation logistics is crucial for a seamless school experience. Our InfoFinder tool will provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding bus routes and schedules. New 2023-2024 school year bus information will be available on August 11, 2023, after 5 pm. You can access this tool on our district website or by clicking here to find the most convenient and efficient transportation options for your child.
We are excited to welcome your child back to our school and look forward to partnering with you for another year of academic excellence and personal growth. Your active involvement and support are vital in our shared mission to empower students for success.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. If you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to your home campus.
Here's to a fantastic school year ahead!