SUPERSTAR NEWS
Swanson Elementary School Summer 2020
Welcome and Welcome Back Superstars! -- School Begins Tuesday, August 18th at 8:30 a.m. for Group A or Thursday, August 20th at 8:30 a.m. for Group B! Note the new start time!
Masks on the First Day of School
Students should arrive in a mask on the first day of school. We will have disposable masks on campus for any student who arrives without one. Students will receive one neoprene and two cloth masks to wear on their first on-campus day. Students who are 100% Extended Learning Campus will receive their masks on August 17th or 19th when they pick up their materials.
Message from Principal
There have been two words that I have used throughout this time of Covid-19 and those are fluid and flexible. Fluid meaning the possibility or ability to change and flexible meaning the ability to adapt to that change. Fluidity occurred during eLearning in the spring, the closing and opening of pools, sports teams and businesses this summer, and fluidity will occur again as we plan for the opening of this school year. We will plan procedures, and there is a chance that those will change within a moment's notice to meet the needs of our students, staff and community. Flexibility was necessary during the closing of the schools in spring, many of our summer plans, and flexibility will be needed again as we reopen the school building and become familiar with going back to school. Similarly to last year as we moved into our new building, we ask for your understanding, patience and grace as we implement new procedures, expectations and routines. I ask that we all embrace these two words of fluidity and flexibility as we look to August 18th and the days, weeks and months ahead of us all.
And as I end this note to you, perhaps let me add in a third word: Family. I cannot express enough how excited we all are to have our families back at Swanson! As I told the staff, you are going to need us, we are going to need you, and we are all going to need each other, and that is what a family does. I am so fortunate to be a part of this Swanson family, and if there was any family I would want to be a part of during this school year, it’s Swanson's!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Harr
August 14th - Meet Your Teacher Via Classroom Video Tour
Please look forward to a special introductory video message and classroom tour from your Swanson Teachers on August 14th!
Look for Classroom Placement Letters coming in early August! Check your email for this exciting announcement!
Classroom placement for kindergarteners will be determined after the first four days of school. Your child will enjoy getting to know both teachers their first couple days of school.
Art, Music, Library, and PE
As part of the District Pandemic Plan and to support our learners in school and at home, the Specials schedule has been adjusted.
*30 minute specials daily
*Two week rotation of specials~ PE/Library will be at Swanson for 10 days, then Art/Music will be at Swanson for 10 days.
Extended Learning Campus Student Material Pick-up
For students who opted into the Extended Learning Campus, iPad, materials, and mask pick-up will be available on August 17th or 19th. Your 2020-2021 classroom teacher will contact student families during the week of August 10th to determine day and time for pick-up.
Library Book Return
If you still have Library Books from last school year, please return them to school when your children return the first week of school. We are hoping to recover many of the lost or misplaced books from when we began our previous at-home learning experience in March. Thank you!
Beginning of the Year Kindergarten Schedule
Incoming kindergarten students will come to school during the week of August 18th according to the Kindergarten Group 1 or 2 Letter that was sent to families. Please come to school on the days you were assigned according to the letter:
Group 1: August 18th and 19th
or
Group 2: August 20th and 21st
The Yellow Plan will begin for kindergarten students the week of August 24th. If you have questions or need a reminder if your kindergarten student is in Group 1 or Group 2, please call the office at 402-390-6485.
Returning Student Registration
All RETURNING Westside 66 students must complete the Returning Student Registration for this current school year beginning on August 3rd. Please register your returning Swanson Superstar for the 2020-2021 school year. Mrs. Jolkowski will be very appreciative if you completed this as soon as possible! :)
How do I get started?
Login to your parent PowerSchool account at ps.westside66.org. Click on the Returning Student Registration button. (far left hand column) Remember that registration must be completed for each returning Westside student in your home. Once you're finished, your child will be registered for the 2020-2021 school year.
What if I forgot my PowerSchool account login information?
You can reset your password using the “Forgot Username or Password?” link on the login page (ps.westside66.org). Please be aware that the recovery email will be sent to the email address you used to create the account, which may not be your current email address. If you need further assistance please email powerschool.support@westside66.net or call 402-390-2100.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance. In using guidance from health officials throughout the metro and beyond, as well as District Guidelines and Policies, listed are measures we have developed in order to provide a safe and healthy educational environment for our Swanson students and staff. To view Westside’s full pandemic plan, including the information below, please refer to the Westside Pandemic Plan below or you can visit our district website. More information, expectations and procedures will occur throughout each classroom in Swanson upon our return to school. As guidelines change, communication will be made from the District and/or the school.
Masks - Masks will be required. There will be mask breaks taken throughout the day. Masks will be required upon arrival and dismissal of the school day.
Social Distancing - With the wearing of masks, students and staff will maintain social distancing in the hallways and classroom seating.
Hand Washing & Sanitizing - Hand washing and sanitizing procedures will be taught throughout the building and will occur frequently throughout the day. Classrooms will be stocked with hand sanitizer for students and staff to use.
Plexiglass - Plexiglass will be used throughout Swanson most specifically in the office area and the Art and Library classrooms.
Lunchroom - Students will eat lunch in the lunchroom with social distancing measures.
Specials - Specials will occur with Music and P.E. being held inside the gym or outside for instructional purposes. The gymnasium provides space great enough to provide social distancing in these two disciplines. Art and Library will travel to the classrooms.
Student Supplies - Students will use individual supplies, textbooks and resources. Items will not be shared among the community in the classroom as well as in specials.
Water Bottles - Students should bring their own water bottles that are clearly labeled with their name. Touchless hydration stations will be installed in the upcoming weeks.
NEW START TIME: School Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Our instructional school day will start at 8:30 a.m. Doors will be opened at 8:20 a.m. allowing students plenty of time to walk to classrooms, hang up backpacks, check in with teachers and peers, and be ready for those first important words of the day at 8:30 a.m. Give your students every advantage of a successful day by having them here at 8:20 a.m.!
Interim Restrictions for Visitors
Access to Swanson will be limited to current students, current staff, approved vendors and contractors, and invited visitors with administrative approval. Until further notice, no other visitors will be permitted. For more specific information, please view the district’s pandemic plan.
School Arrival
School Start Time
Our school day begins at 8:30 a.m. Students may enter the building at 8:20 am. We will have supervision outside starting at 8:10 a.m. We ask that students not arrive before 8:10 a.m., unless:
Participating in a school activity
Serving on Safety Patrol
Working with a teacher
Attending Club 66 Before & After Care program
2020-21 Pick-up and Drop-Off Procedures
There is one entrance/exit off of 85th Ave to the parking lot and drop off/pick-up queue. We will have one driving lane that moves counterclockwise from the entrance, around the parking spaces, past the school entrance, and back to 85th Ave.
During Arrival and Dismissal, you will drop-off and pick-up your child in the Drop-off and Pick-up Zone.
Arrival:
You will drop-off your child in the Drop-off and Pick-up Zone. Please see the Arrival/Dismissal map for exact locations.
After drop-off, students will then go to their designated grade level: K-2, 3-4 & 5-6 to de-densify and be supervised by grade level and specialist teachers. Please refer to the map for grade level locations.
Students will enter and exit to and from in the following locations: K-2 (Southeast doors); 3-4 (Front Entrance doors); 5-6 (North Dock doors). If a child arrives after 8:30 a.m., he/she will enter the Front Entrance.
Please do not leave the vehicle in the drop-off and pick-up lane.
Dismissal:
During dismissal, students will go with classroom or grade levels teachers to designated area (same as arrival).
Staff and students will be responsible to watch for parent vehicles and bring/send student(s) to car.
Please do not leave the vehicle in the drop-off and pick-up lane.
Students will still be able to leave the west exit doors to Harney Street and be supervised by Swanson staff.
To de-densify the school premises and follow social distancing guidelines, we are highly recommending families to use the drop-off/pick-up lane and stay in your vehicle until you get to grade-level locations. If you need to park your vehicle, please park and get the attention of a Swanson staff member who will assist your child and walk them across the crosswalk to get to the sidewalk in the morning or bring them to your vehicle in the afternoon. We are asking that parents not cross the crosswalk during arrival and dismissal to assist with de-densifying. When you are ready to leave after parking, please enter the queue and wait to exit the parking lot.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as arrival and dismissal may take longer than in year’s past. These procedures are subject to change as we begin this year. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Bus Information
Swanson has bus transportation available for students who live two miles or more from school. Please call Westside administration at 402-390-2107 to register for bus service or if you have any questions regarding where the bus stops are located or what time pick up and drop off times are.
Students riding on bus will
-Wear a mask
-Sit in an assigned seat
Bus driver will
-Wear a mask
-Clean bus before and after routes
-Assign student seats
CHIEF BUS COMPANY
392-2144
Attendance
Each school day begins with taking attendance. It is very important that students be in their classrooms by 8:30 a.m. so they are not missed during this procedure. Please have students arrive at school at 8:20 a.m. so they can be in their classrooms at 8:30 a.m.
We will also take attendance immediately following the lunch recess, which again means that if students leave campus for lunch with parents, that they need to be back when that attendance is taken. Our school secretary will attempt to email/call the home or work of parents who have not called in and reported their child’s absence. Please help us with this by calling in by 8:30 a.m. when your student is not coming to school.
Students coming in after attendance has been taken either in the morning or at noon must stop at the office and sign in on the attendance sheet. Students coming or going during the day for appointments, illness, etc. must also sign in and out through the office. There are no exceptions.
I appreciate the staffs’ dedication to this process and thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We all are committed to making things as secure as possible for everyone at Swanson.
Mrs. Harr
TO REPORT ABSENCES...
CALL:
Office - 402-390-6485
(Available 24 hours a day)
You are welcome to leave a message with your child’s name and reason for the absence
Arrangements for Students Leaving Early/Change in Plans
Please send a note or email to your child’s teacher if you are picking up your child early in the day or have a change in transportation arrangements. It is difficult to notify the students and teachers during the school day especially last minute calls after 2:30 p.m. You may call the office when you are on your way to pick up your child and we will call them to the office at that time.
Thanks for your help!
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
Visit our web page for current information on school happenings and activities during the year. Go to www.westside66.org and click on schools and then the Swanson link.
School Supplies
We are asking families to consider purchasing school supplies again for the 2020/21 school year. Attached is the list of school supplies needed for your child’s grade level. If you choose to purchase supplies, please consider purchasing a few additional items for those families who are unable to provide these supplies for their children.
Due to restriction of visitors to the building, please feel free to send school supplies over a couple of days if it is too much to carry. Please make sure that a water bottle is brought to school on the first day. We understand this list is long, thank you for purchasing what you can during this time.
Swanson Dress Expectations
Dear Parents,
In order to ensure a positive learning environment where all feel comfortable and respected, please follow our Swanson dress expectations.
We expect our Superstars will wear clothing that:
• is clean, safe, and in good condition.
• is considerate of others.
• is free of advertisements, graphics or language on drugs, alcohol or bars, tobacco or violence.
• is free of sexual or disrespectful comments or graphics.
• entirely covers stomach, chest, back, the upper part of shoulders & all undergarments.
Thank you for seeing that your Superstar is following these expectations.
Mrs. Harr
(For the complete guideline for proper student dress please refer to our District Elementary Handbook.)
A Message from Mrs. Denton
Hello Swanson parents and families! My name is Allie Denton and I am the School Psychologist here at Swanson Elementary. I am a dual role psychologist, which means I fulfill the counseling role as well. As this school year begins, I wanted to be sure to introduce myself and provide you with my contact information. We hear often that this is going to be a challenging year for everyone and I would like to invite you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. I don’t and won’t have all the answers, but will do everything I can to support our Swanson families. We are expecting students, families, and staff to be anxious, unsure, and a host of other emotions. As you are preparing to start school, don’t forget to remind your students that we are doing everything necessary to keep them safe at school. You can have students practice wearing their mask for extended time periods, washing their hands for 20 seconds, and keeping their distance from others. I like to think of the masks as just another “back to school” item that I’m adding to my list. I am expecting students to excitedly show me their new masks just like they show me their new backpacks and shoes. We are preparing for all the emotions and are excited to get students geared up for another GREAT school year, no matter what it looks like. Although we’ve never had a school year like this before, we will grow through this together as a Swanson family!
Allie Denton
402-408-8707
Monthly Newsletters
Swanson, along with all Westside Elementary Schools, will continue to email monthly newsletters the first Friday of the month and post these important communication publications on school websites. Students will still bring home flyers advertising various non-profit activities, along with a printed monthly school lunch menu. We will also print a limited number of newsletters for those families who request them. Please make sure we have your most current e-mail address.
Two Parent Households
What if you only see your child a couple of times a week? You can still be involved in your child’s education.
* Inform the office of your current phone number, address and email.
* Inform the teacher you would like to receive progress reports (this may be electronic), conference schedules (when appropriate), and notices about school activities.
* Attend parent/teacher conferences to show your child that both parents are behind him/her - acting as a team.
* Provide your child with a special folder to save school papers for you. That way, you’ll see your child’s finished work as well as the teacher’s comments.
Use of Telephone
All after school arrangements need to be made by children and parents before arriving at school on any given day. Students will not be able to use the phone to make after school arrangements. Phone calls during the day will not be transferred to students.
Medication at School
**If your child has prescription or non-prescription medication, inhalers, Epi-pens, etc. to be kept at school, please call the office and make an appointment to drop off any needed medication BEFORE the first day of school.
The school district will not purchase, prescribe, or provide any medication for any student.
To facilitate the safe administration of medications in school, parents are requested to use the appropriate medication permission form.
Before any prescribed medications will be administered at school, the AUTHORIZATION FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AT SCHOOL FORM must be signed by both the physician and the parent.
Prescription medications must be brought to school in the prescription bottle, labeled with the student’s name, the date, the medication name, the time, and the dose that is to be given. Most pharmacies will provide you with an extra-labeled bottle upon your request.
Non-prescription medications and ointments (i.e. cough syrup, cough drops, cold medicine, Vaseline, Tylenol/Ibuprofen/Benadryl, Neosporin, lotions, etc.) must be brought to school in the original bottle/box/container, with the time and dose to be given noted on the signed AUTHORIZATION FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AT SCHOOL FORM. For the safety of all students, these medications must be kept in the locked cupboard in the health office.
Please keep this information available for use in the event your child will need to take medication during school hours. Please arrange medication administration outside of school hours, whenever possible.
Before and After School Care
Club “66” is dedicated to making extended school time a safe, fun, and enjoyable experience. Arts and crafts, physical activity, center time, group activities, music, free movement, and computers are among the many activities we will be offering. Children will be encouraged to participate in activities, but may choose to read, listen to music, do homework, or just have some quiet time to themselves. One of the goals for this program is to create a structured environment with many options so the children feel free to participate in any activity they choose. We want to strive to make Club 66 a place the children can’t wait to come to every day. Our staff will utilize a facilitative approach; encouraging and guiding when necessary.
We look forward to another successful year at Swanson Elementary. If you have any questions, or are interested in enrolling your child in Club 66, please call 390-3324.
Cell Phone Procedures and Electronic Devices
Cell Phones
Students are discouraged from bringing cellphones to school. While students are permitted to bring phones with them to school, phones may not be on a student’s person between the school start and dismissal times. During school hours, phones must be either checked in with staff for safekeeping or kept in the student’s backpack.
Please Leave Electronic Devices
at Home
Electronic devices may not be brought to school or Club 66. These include iPods, MP3 players, portable DVD players, tablets, video games, handheld games, etc. Thank you for following this guideline.
No Cellphone Use in the Pick up and Drop Off Lane!
No Cell Phones, Please!
We are asking drivers to please hang up cell phones before entering the drop-off and pick-up lane so we can be totally focused on the safety of our students and not distracted.
Thank you,
Mrs. Jennifer Harr
SCHOOL LUNCH 2020/21
SCHOOL LUNCH/BREAKFAST
Daily Hot Lunch = $2.50
Reduced Lunch = .40 cents
(Free/reduce application available)
Breakfast = $1.60
Reduced Breakfast = .30 cents
Milk .50 cents
Adult Lunch $4.10
Checks should be made payable to Swanson School.
Please send lunch money with your child to school and they can take to front office or online at myschoolbucks.com.
Online Lunch Payment System
Westside Nutrition Services is pleased to have an on-line payment system MySchoolBucks (myschoolbucks.com) to fund lunch accounts. You will have 24/7 computer and mobile access to view balances, make payments and monitor your child(ren)’s purchase history. You will be able to set low balance reminders and receive e-mail confirmation that your payment was received. This system accepts credit cards, debit cards and even lets you pay with checks. MySchoolBucks is certified by VISA for its CISP/Cardholder Information Security program.
You will need your student's ID number to set up an account. You may call the office and request their ID number or check your Powerschool account.
Free and Reduced Applications
If your child was receiving free or reduced lunch benefits last year, his/her status will remain in effect until September 11th. You will need to reapply for this school year. New forms for this year are available at www.heartlandapps.com
Breakfast in the Mornings!
Grab and Go Breakfast will be available at 8:15 a.m. each morning in the cafeteria.
Breakfast is $1.60 with a reduced price of 30 cents for students who qualify for reduced lunch. Breakfast is free for those students who qualify for free lunch. For more information, contact Nutrition Services at 390-3380.
2020-21 Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Check out Westside Community Schools Online Breakfast and Lunch Menu! https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/SwansonElementarySchool
Water Bottles at Lunch!
Westside’s Nutrition Services will sell “Westside Water” bottles during lunch for $.50 a bottle. A water bottle is not included as part of the regular meal or price and thus will not be a substitute for milk. Students on free and reduced lunch will be charged $.50 for the water. Please discuss with your child if they are able to purchase a bottle of water. Thank you for your assistance.
Birthday Treats
2020/21 Swanson Elementary Staff
Top Floor Building Map
Bottom Floor Building Map
Outdoor Education 2020-21
Outdoor Education is a time honored tradition for 6th graders in the Westside Community Schools. The experience at Platte River State Platte traditionally takes place in the fall during the sixth grade year. Due to an abundance of caution, Outdoor Education will be postponed and moved to the spring of 2021. The District will continue to evaluate and to receive recommendations from local experts as the year progresses towards spring as we want Outdoor Education to be a positive, safe and healthy experience for all sixth graders and our staff.
Community Club Family Directory
The Swanson School Community Club prints a family directory each fall containing the names of students by class, as well as names of parents, with their home addresses, phone numbers, and email information. Only families who submit information to the Community Club will be included in the directory. Starting in mid-May, parents have the opportunity to electronically submit information to the Community Club when completing the returning student registration online.
Calendar Reminders
August 18 School Begins for Group A , Last names A-K, 8:30 a.m.
August 19 Regular 3:30 Dismissal for Group A
August 20 School Begins for Group B , Last names L-Z, 8:30 a.m.
September 1 Community Club Mtg., 6:30 pm
September 7 No School - Labor Day
September 9 Regular 3:30 Dismissal for Group A
September 14 School Pictures
September 17 School Pictures
September 21 No School for Students
October 6 Community Club Mtg., 6:30 pm
October 15-16 Parent/Teacher Communication Conferences
Annual AHERA Notice
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires that each public school district annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups if an asbestos management plan is in place at their school building. Swanson Elementary School, a newly constructed building opened in 2019 was designed with asbestos-free materials. No management plan or inspections are therefore needed.
The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.
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
Email: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: swanson.westside66.org
Location: 401 South 86 Street Omaha NE 68114
Phone: 402-390-6485
Facebook: facebook.com/SwansonElementary
Twitter: @swansonstars66