Southwest School Corporation
Volume 2: End of 2nd Nine Weeks
A Message from SWSC Superintendent Chris Stitzle
Dear SWSC Community,
It is hard to believe the first semester is over! It really has been a great first semester, and I have seen renewed energy in both our students and staff. It is so nice to see the students laughing, smiling, singing, playing, acting, competing, leading, and volunteering in so many activities including the Veterans Day and Christmas programs, choir and band concerts, the Disco Fever play, CEO Christmas Extravaganza, and bell-ringing, just to name a few.
We missed the first snowstorm of the 2022-23 school year, but barely. As a reminder, we are limited to use of 3 e-Learning days this school year. If we have more than 3 school closings, we will need to make up those days. We have built in the following days to our calendar: February 17, February 20, March 24, and May 26. Any additional days would be added after Memorial Day.
Our elementary schools have been focused on literacy and reading skills with much of our staff getting trained in researched-based, multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham approach. More staff training is planned second semester and next summer. We are really excited about the potential of this reading strategy to increase our students' literacy skills.
Some projects in the works or completed since our last newsletter.
- CEMS - A new awning was installed on the back of the school for the drop-off and pick-up area.
- SES - New playground equipment was recently installed. It will be ready for use when we return from Christmas Break.
- SHS - The athletic track renovation has been completed. It really looks awesome! The baseball restrooms were recently demolished and updated facilities will be built prior to the start of the 2023 season.
- SWSC Police Department - The corporation recently purchased three used police vehicles. There are in the process of being equipped with lights and sirens and being lettered with the SWSC logo. They should be ready for the start of the second semester.
Hoping each of you have a great Christmas Break!!
School resumes on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Thank you to all students, teachers, staff, parents, and community members for your extraordinary support of our schools.
Remember…We are the best, we are Southwest!
Stitz
IDOE Awards SWSC a $50,000 STEM Acceleration Grant
An Amazing Community Turn-Out for the SES and CES Trunk or Treats!
SWSC Schools Honor Veterans
SES - Stephen Strange
CES/CMS - Kevin Arnett
SMS - Kevin Arnett
SHS - John Lee
SES Receives Set of Decodable Readers from the Scottish Rite
To support their mission of battling dyslexia, the Scottish Rite will be partnering with Crew Carwash in January. For every eWash that is purchased in January, the organization will receive 50% of the proceeds. These proceeds will be used to provide books, materials, and training to local teachers to help improve the reading abilities of children that are having difficulty learning to read, have been identified as being at risk of dyslexia, or have been identified as having dyslexia. In January, you can click on the this link to purchase eWashes: https://crewcarwash.com/fundraisers/a-a-s-r-valley-of-terre-haute/
SHS National HIstory Honor Society Awarded 100 Women Who Care Grant
Carlisle 3rd Grade Teachers Mix It Up with Monthly Transformation Days
SMS 8th Graders Tour USI
FFA Chapter and Students Earn More Awards, Hosts Events
Three former SWSC FFA students earned the prestigious American FFA Degree, joining an elite group of National FFA members. They are Chance Stewart-Hayne, Ridge Kennedy, and Bonnie Whitt. They join 15 SWSC alums in earning this award.
FFA students also hosted their annual Halloween Fright Night and recently hosted their first Christmas at the Barn.
SHS Seniors Give Back
SHS Freshmen Get a Dose of Reality in Make it Real
Beta Convention Highlights
Many BETA Club members from all SWSC schools attended and competed at the Indiana BETA Convention in November. Students are able to compete in various competitions including apparel and jewelry design, photography, book battle, creative writing, art, engineering, literature, language arts, marketing, math, performing arts, poetry, pottery, quilling, robotics, science, social studies, Spanish, speech, spelling, technology, wood-working, campaign skits, and club trading pins.
At the elementary level, SES BETAs won 18 awards and CES BETAs won 20 awards.
At the middle school level, SMS BETAs won 34 awards and CMS won 26 awards.
SHS BETAs won 44 awards, which they believe is their best year.
Well done, BETAs! Thank you to all of their sponsors and volunteers. We know that so much work goes into getting the students prepared for the state convention.