Blog Entries - 2024

SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Recently, we continued our five part video series about how school finance works at SLSD. In last week’s video, we explored how enrollment and inflation impact expenditures at SLSD. If you missed last week’s video or the previous parts in our
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Last week, we continued our five-part video series about how school finance works at SLSD. In the first video, we discussed the history of past levies here at Southwest, and how SLSD utilizes your tax dollars to ensure a quality education and opportunities
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Summer Camp Information
Gear up for a summer of learning and fun! We are pleased to offer a wide range of summer camps tailored to a variety of interests, and are eagerly anticipating a summer filled with exciting activities and opportunities for growth. Regardless of
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Schedules for Incoming 6th Graders
We are excited to announce that 6th grade schedules for the 2024-2025 school year are completed and ready for pickup! We are thrilled to be sending these out to families to assist them in preparing their children for the transition to middle school
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Thanks for a Great Year!
Today marks the end of the 2023-2024 school year. We are grateful to our families who have partnered with us every step of the way. This collaboration is a major key to success for our students, both in and out of the classroom. As we turn
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Hoxworth Blood Drive Coming Up June 4
Harrison Elementary School is teaming up with Hoxworth Blood Center to sponsor a blood drive in memory of Ollie Rodriguez. "Super Ollie's Sidekicks" Blood Drive will take place on Tuesday, June 4 from 12:00-6:00 PM at Harrison Elementary School. The
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Last week, we continued our five part video series about how school finance works at SLSD. In the first video, we discussed how money is spent across our district, and how that money is focused on investing in people - our students and staff. And in the
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MWE Update
There are so many ways to measure an elementary student's annual growth and achievement. At Miami Whitewater Elementary, we pride ourselves in living the SLSD mission, "Academic and Social Growth for ALL students, EVERY DAY!" However, at the end
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Last week, we launched the first part of a five part video series about how school finance works at SLSD. In that first part, we discussed how money is spent across our district, and how that money is focused on investing in people - our students and staff.
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Important Info for Incoming 6th Grade Families
Incoming 6th grade families, Thank you to those who attended our Parent Q&A Sessions last week. For those that could not make it, we would like to share some important dates and information regarding your student's
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Our “Did You Know?” series continues this week with the first of five videos exploring the ins and outs of finances in the Southwest Local School District. Through all of our community engagement, we've gotten a lot of questions on this topic -
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"Shower With Kindness" Drive May 6-10
SLSD will be having our annual district-wide "Shower with Kindness" Drive from May 6-10. It's sponsored by the Harrison High School Student Council, This is an event that started three years ago at the high school. Shower with
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Ensuring that SLSD is financially responsible and transparent is something we take very seriously. We've heard throughout our public engagement that it's also a top priority for the community. Every year, our school district undergoes an
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Incoming 6th Grade Parent Q&A Nights
Attention Parents of 5th Graders: Please join Harrison Junior School staff members for our parent information and Q&A session regarding the transition to 6th grade and Harrison Junior School. We will be visiting each elementary school
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Last week, we shared what enrollment has looked like at SLSD in the last several years. As a reminder, since 2019 we have added 440 new students to the district. The state of Ohio recently released a report where they projected what our district enrollment
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SLSD Recognized for Clean Audit and Fiscal Stewardship
Southwest Local Schools has earned the Auditor of State Award for transparency and excellence in fiscal stewardship, and has received another clean audit for the 2023 school year. To be eligible for this award an entity must file financial
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
One topic popped up again and again during our town halls and throughout our community survey - increasing enrollment across our district. It's no secret that we live in a growing community, and this naturally results in more students in our
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ABC Countdown
We can’t believe the year is already almost over! It has been a fantastic year, and we are so sad to see it coming to an end. To bring a little bit of fun to our end-of-year countdown, we’ll be doing it ABC style. Each day of school (beginning
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
In the last few years, we've made it a priority to try and get every student in the district to participate in at least one extracurricular activity. During our town halls this year, we heard a lot of participants who wanted to see more involvement and more
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Elementary Dances Coming Soon!
The annual Elementary Dances are coming soon! This year’s theme is “Under the Big Top”. They’re open to all SLSD preschool through 5th graders. Both dances run from 7-9 PM at the Activity Center. Admission is
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MWE Update
They say April showers bring May flowers, and we hope that proverb holds true! This week's rain and threat for severe weather hasn't put a damper on the positivity and happiness here at MWE. Our students are thrilled to be back into a routine
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All After School and Evening Activities Canceled
April 2, 2024: All after school and evening activities are canceled due to the impending severe weather.
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Throughout our town halls, surveys, and our recent building tours, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about our facilities. Specifically, some concern was raised that our newer buildings were built too small for the rapid pace of enrollment in our
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Community-Wide Yard Sale to Benefit Wildcats Care
On Saturday April 27th, the Crosby Elementary School parking lot will be transformed into a lively outdoor market for vendors to sell garage sale items and hand-crafted items! "Junk in the Trunk" will benefit Wildcats Care, an initiative by
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MWE Update
We’ve kicked off 4th quarter, and our students have been busy learning many things. Our teachers and paraprofessionals are pushing our mission, “Academic and Social growth for ALL students, EVERY DAY!” to the limits! Our goal is grade
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Hoxworth Blood Drive Coming Up Apr. 3
The Harrison High School senior class is once again teaming up with Hoxworth Blood Center to sponsor two blood drives this school year. The second and final drive will take place on Wednesday, April 3 from 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM in the Activity Center
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Summer Athletic Camp Registration Now Open!
It's time to sign up for Youth Athletic Summer Camps! Harrison Wildcats Athletics has put together a great lineup of camps in a variety of sports. Learn a new sport, or refine their skills in a sport they already play. Help keep your child active
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Facilities Town Hall Coming Up on March 19
Throughout our town halls and throughout our public engagement efforts, there was a big focus on the state of our SLSD facilities. We strongly believe that the community should have access to all our buildings so they can get a clear picture of the current
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
Throughout our community engagement, the issue of bullying in our schools came up a lot. We work every day to ensure that our students can learn in an environment that is welcoming and safe. A big part of that process has been to prioritize ways to handle
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Third Quarter Recap
Today marked the end of the third quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. It's been filled with many high points, both academically and socially. Click HERE for an update from Superintendent John Hamstra, along with some recent
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
During our town halls and engagement efforts, we've heard a lot from parents about the need for preparing students for the real world. At SLSD, we have worked hard to provide every student with these opportunities. We call them the “Three
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
During our Town Halls, we heard a lot about the desire for more advanced academic options for our students. We heard you, and we're acting. The district is currently working on offering more advanced options at Harrison Junior School. The math curriculum was
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SLSD: Listening, Learning, Acting
During our Town Halls and Community Survey, we heard a lot from the community about the importance of mental health. While there is still more we can do, we have made a lot of progress as a district to address these growing concerns. The last four years have
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Erin's Law and SAVE Students Act Information
A Parent Information Night was held on February 12, 2024 regarding Erin's Law and the Save Students Act. To listen to an audio recording of the presentation, click HERE. To view the slides presented at the meeting, click HERE. SAVE Students
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"Erin's Law" Parent Info Sessions
Parents: In December of 2022, Ohio’s 134th General Assembly enacted Erin’s Law (Senate Bill 288) which included requirements for student instruction, parent and legal guardian notification, and training for school personnel on sexual
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Kindergarten Registration Now Open
The Southwest Local School District began kindergarten registration for 2024-2025 school year on February 1, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. Kindergarten registration is only available online. Detailed instructions regarding the online application is available on our
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MWE Update
January has been a month full of fresh beginnings and renewed determination at school! Our students, teachers, and staff members are committed to making second semester a success story. There are several updates below that will help MWE families
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CLOSED
Friday, January 19, 2024: Southwest Local Schools are CLOSED.
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Kindergarten Registration Opens Feb. 1 at 6:00 AM
The Southwest Local School District will begin kindergarten registration for 2024-2025 school year on February 1, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. Kindergarten registration will only be available online. Detailed instructions regarding the online application will be
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Total Solar Eclipse - No School April 8
On April 8, 2024, Ohio will experience a once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse event. The last total solar eclipse in Ohio happened 217 years ago in 1806. Many parts of the state, ours included, will be in total darkness for a brief period in the
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Winter Weather Notifications
As winter progresses and the chances for winter weather increase, please make sure your contact information is current in Final Forms. If you are already getting emails, texts and phone calls from your child’s school via the School Messenger Mass
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MWE Update
I hope this message finds you well and that you had a wonderful holiday season surrounded by family and friends! As we step into the new year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership in
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