Southwest Elementary Newsletter

All children will be outside when the "feels like" temperature reaches 10 degrees and above. Please dress accordingly. The children will be inside for recess on days that "feels like" temperature is under 10 degrees.

To determine this temperature we will utilize www.weather.com.

In the upcoming months, we usually start seeing more illnesses as children spend more time indoors. Below are a few reminders to consider:

1. Students must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours prior to returning to school.
   
2. If your child has been vomiting or has diarrhea, please do not send your child to school until they are able to tolerate solid foods without vomiting or having loose stools.
3. If your child needs to take medication during the day (either prescribed or over the counter), a parent or guardian needs to fill out a medical authorization form and turn into the nurse. Medication needs to be brought in by an adult.

If your child has a change in their normal routine for transportation:

• Please send a written note to your child(ren)'s teacher informing them of the change.
• Indicate on the note the name of anyone other than yourself that may be picking up your child.
• If the change happens during the school day, a call needs to be made by 2:00 pm in order to ensure communication and changes get relayed on time.
• Do not email transportation changes to your child's teacher as they may not be able to check their email during the school day.

Only items on the District Approved list will be accepted in the classroom. This includes birthday treats, holiday/party treats, treat-bag items and valentine candy.

Food for personal snacks eaten in the classroom must be an item from the snack list. Snacks may be packaged individually at home.

Safe Snack List

According to our policy, if a child has ten (10) days of excused and/or unexcused absences the following may take place:

• 10 day absence policy letter sent home
• Any student who has accumulated ten (10) days of unexcused and/or excused absences per year must obtain a doctor's note for each and every absence over the ten (10) days to be considered excused.

Reminder: Nine (9) total unexcused absences means a student is in direct violation of the Compulsory Attendance Laws of Illinois. Administration reserves the right to contact the Henry County Truant Officer.

All visitors need to enter the front doors and check in at the office. Visitors will be required to leave a Photo ID in the office to maintain a record of people in the building. If you are eating lunch with your child, please call the office if you will be in need of a lunch. Please remember, if you are volunteering to work with students, we ask that younger siblings do not attend for safety reasons.