Swanson Weekly Update
March 17, 2023
Thank you!
Scholastic Book Fair
Thank you to Mrs. Melissa England and her committee of Book Fair Volunteers for running a successful Book Fair! Your time and talent in promoting, setting up and helping families with the Book Fair was tremendous. We appreciate all who stopped by the library to check-out the Fair!
Spring Picture Day! Thursday, March 23rd!/Order your Spring School Pictures today!
Bring your smile and your pre-paid picture order form!
The photographer will only take pictures of students who have a order form in hand. These pictures are optional but a fun picture to have to see growth and changes throughout the year!.
You now have the convenience to place an online order for School Pictures. The order must be placed by midnight the night before your picture date on March 23rd since not every child will have an individual picture taken.
Please click the link below to place your order.
Order Your Swanson Yearbook Today!

Swanson Roller Skating Party @ Skate City

Swanson Staff Appreciation Week: March 27th-31st
Hey Swanson Families! It is almost time to shower our wonderful Swanson staff with love and gratitude for Staff Appreciation Week! We are looking for donations to make this week extra special. Please use this link to donate drinks for the week. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAAAE28A5F49-swanson2
We are also looking for gift card donations to shower on each staff member. Please consider purchasing a $15 gift card (or 2 or 3!) for our gift card shower. Think coffee shops, restaurants, local Westside businesses, etc. These can be dropped off at school or given to Jackie Proctor. You can also Venmo a monetary donation to @Jackie-Proctor on Venmo. If cash or check works better, please contact jackieproctor80@gmail.com to arrange a drop off time.

Dear Swanson Parents,
It is that time of year when parents might inquire about their child’s placement for next year. Before the end of this school year, all professional staff will meet with appropriate grade level teams to determine the best placement for all students.
Much thought, dialogue and time will go into establishing classroom lists for the 2023-24 school year. Our teachers are insightful and qualified to place students in classrooms with teachers who best fit student educational needs. Many considerations are involved in the process. The following criteria will be used to determine placements.
Staff input
Number of students
Number of boys/girls
Academic abilities/needs
Social/behavioral needs
Independent/dependent learners
Leadership skills
Peer relations
Learning styles
As a parent, you may offer your thoughts about your child’s placement. You are an important part of your child’s educational team and we value your feedback. If you choose to provide input, we ask that you:
Make a formal request in writing (by email to harr.jennifer@westside66.net is acceptable) no later than March 24th, 2023
Requests should reference your child’s learning style and type, not the specific teacher you wish your child to have.
If there has been a request made in a previous year that still applies, please make sure we are aware of the necessary details for placement in the 2023-2024 school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. We appreciate your support and understanding of our placement process and the guidelines set forth.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Harr and The Swanson Staff
District Wide Instrumental Music Festivals:
Fifth and Sixth grade Band and String students will be participating in district wide Instrumental music festivals. These concerts will feature students from fifth grade, sixth grade, Westside Middle School and Westside High School. Detailed information about our rehearsals and performances will be sent out through students, please mark you family calendar for the following events:
Westfest String Festival
5th and 6th grade String Students: violin, viola, cello and bass)
Monday, March 20, Westside High School, 7:00 pm*
*sixth grade parents will be able to attend the Outdoor Ed Meeting prior to the concert
Band-o-rama Extravaganza
5th and 6th grade Band Students: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone and percussion
Tuesday, March 21, Westside High School, 7:00 pm
6th Grade Parent Night
Hello, 6th Grade Parents!
We are excited to welcome your student to Westside Middle School next year! We have several important dates we hope you mark on your calendar. Your first event is 6th Grade Information Night, an event organized to help introduce you and your student to their future school. Both students and parents are invited to 6th Grade Information Night; you may pick the night that works best for you. When you arrive, you will report to the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00 - 7:30pm
Monday, March 27th at 6:00 - 7:30pm
6th Grade Parent Night
Parents/guardians, as well as students, are invited to join us at Westside Middle School as our building leaders discuss ‘WMS 101’! We will cover curriculum, expectations, activities, clubs, sports and grading.
Please choose one of these sessions; it is not necessary to attend both evenings.
May 12, during the school day
Warrior Walkabout
We will bus our 6th grade students to Westside Middle School for a special event: Warrior Walkabout! This opportunity allows students to see their new school firsthand and learn about what their new school day/year will look like.
Warrior Walkabout is split into two groups based on school. Information will be sent from all elementary schools for specific times and details.
Students will be transported back to their elementary schools for regular dismissal times and procedures.
We are excited to meet our new students and their families! If you have questions, please reach out to communications@westside66.net.
Kim Eymann
Principal, Westside Middle School

School Board Authorizes Master Facilities Bond Phase II
In 2013, Westside Community Schools developed a 15-year Facilities Master Plan, identifying approximately $240 million dollars in work that needed to be completed throughout District 66 in the coming years. In 2014, voters approved the bond for Phase I of this plan, for $79.9 million dollars worth of work focusing on safety and security throughout all buildings and campuses, including new buildings for Sunset Hills, Oakdale, Swanson and Prairie Lane, and extensive remodeling work at Westside Middle School. All projects were completed on time and on budget.
At the February 21, 2023, Board of Education meeting, members voted unanimously to authorize Westside Community Schools to pursue Phase II of the Facilities Master Plan initially established in 2013. Extensive research and discussion involving the Westside Facilities Task Force identified top needs as part of this phase, with an estimated cost of $121 million dollars. This will be decided by our voters on May 9th through a MAIL-IN election.
Phase II will include:
- new schools for Westgate Elementary, Hillside Elementary and Loveland Elementary;
- repairs and projects at Westside Middle School, Westside High School and Westbrook Elementary;
- new storm shelter, gym and early childhood areas at Paddock Road Elementary and Rockbrook Elementary;
- and handicap accessibility at the ABC Administration Building, as well as needs at Underwood Hills Early Childhood Center.
The Bond for Phase II, if passed by voters, will require Westside Community Schools to increase the tax levy by a maximum of 4.9 cents. It is important to note our current tax levy is 9.9 cents lower than it was in 2018-2019.
- This would add $49 of annual, additional taxes to the owner of a $100,000 home.
- This would add $98 of annual, additional taxes to the owner of a $200,000 home.
- This would add $147 of annual, additional taxes to the owner of a $300,000 home.
Westside Community Schools leaders will hold at least 25 public meetings and tours across the district throughout March, April and May, to offer as much transparency and information as possible regarding this important initiative. Please click the button below for locations, dates and times. You may also email communications@westside66.net with any questions you may have.
The first meeting will take place Thursday, March 2 at Hillside Elementary beginning at 6:30pm; all are welcome to attend.




First Friday Spirit Day!
Each first Friday of the month is Swanson Spirit Day. On this day we all wear our Swanson logo wear or school colors, blue and white, to show our spirit. We begin our day by saying the Swanson Pledge together. It’s a fun day filled with terrific Swanson spirit! Our next First Friday Spirit Day is Friday, April 14th.
22/23 Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Email is a great way to communicate with your child’s teacher. The Westside format is as follows:
lastname.firstname@westside66.net
Sample: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Swanson Web Page
No School - April 3 - 7 - Spring Break
Calendar Reminders
March 3 Pizza/Bingo Night @ WMS, 6 pm
March 6 Community Club Meeting, 6:30 pm
March 16-17 Scholastic Book FairMarch 16 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8-4 pm
March 16-17 No School for Students
March 20 Westfest @ WHS, 7 pm
March 20 6th Gr. Outdoor Ed Parent Mtg. @ WHS (Little Theater), 6 pm
March 21 5th/6th Grade Band-O-Rama, @ WHS, 7 pm
March 23 Spring Picture Day
March 22 OR 27 6th Gr. Parent Night, 6-7:30 pm @ WMS
March 28 Skating Party at Skate City, TBD
March 27-31 Staff Appreciation Week
March 30 6 Gr. Vocal Music Festival, 7 pm @ WHS
April 3-7 NO School-Spring Break
April 10 C.C. Mtg., 6:30 pm
Welcome to Swanson! Home of the Superstars!
The Mission of Swanson School, as a dynamic community alliance and model of innovative education, is to support and empower all learners to achieve academic excellence.
School Improvement
Swanson's school improvement goal is all students will increase reading comprehension.
Swanson's Expectations
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible