#BePresent this September: Attendance Awareness Month
This September, the South-Western City Schools District (SWCSD) reminds students and families of the importance of #BePresent with Attendance Awareness Month. Attendance Awareness Month is a nationwide recognition of the connection between regular school attendance and academic achievement. Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school. Missing just two days a month places a student at risk of becoming chronically absent.
This month highlights the importance of mobilizing schools, families and community partners to promote regular attendance by developing tiered strategies and personalized interventions to reduce chronic absence. Every September serves as a reminder for all stakeholders to partner together to identify and remove barriers to daily school attendance so each student can thrive in the classroom.
Resources: Stay in the Game! An Attendance Initiative with the Cleveland Browns
CCHS School Store Cashless Payments!
Cashless payments/credit cards will now be accepted at the school store. The charge for you or your student's bank account will appear as "SQ-SWCSD school store". Payments are nonrefundable and paid in full.
Homecoming
We are excited for our Homecoming game and dance right around the corner! A few items that we wanted to share with you regarding the Homecoming dance:
Date and Time: Saturday, September 28 (7:00 - 10:00 pm)
Location: CCHS Auxiliary Gym
Ticket Information: Tickets will be available Monday, September 23 - Friday, September 27. Tickets may be purchased at the Activity WIndow ($10). No tickets will be sold at the door on Saturday, September 28.
Guest Tickets: CCHS students will be permitted to purchase one guest ticket ($10). Guest ticket request forms will be available for pick up beginning Monday, September 16 at the Activity Window, Front Desk, and posted in Google Classroom.
Dr. Fuller & Mrs. Hoffner, Student Council Advisors
Chromebook Swap Out
Over the next few weeks we will be replacing Senior, Junior, and Sophomore Chromebooks/Chargers with updated models. Freshmen received the new devices at Comet Academy or the beginning of the school year. In order to complete this in an organized manner and not disrupt classrooms, students will have the opportunity to replace their devices during lunch periods following the schedule below:
- Seniors: September 3 - 5
- Juniors: September 10 - 12
- Sophomores: September 17 - 19
Students will be called from the cafe during lunch periods to exchange devices over their assigned three days. Students should plan on bringing their device and charger to lunch on their scheduled days.
Students that do not exchange their device during their scheduled window will be able to do so after September 19.
Picture Make Up Day:
Due to some technical difficulties during picture make up day today, our photographer will be returning on Monday, September 16 during lunch periods for another school picture make up day.
Preserving the Integrity of the Learning Environment: Changes to Cell Phone Use in Schools
On May 15, 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250 into law, requiring every school district in Ohio to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours and aims to minimize student use of cell phones in K-12 schools. As a part of this new law, all public schools in Ohio (to include SWCSD) are expected to adopt revised policies that limit student use of cell phones or personal communication devices (PCD’s). This past June, SWCSD passed its revised policy to be compliant with this new state law to preserve the integrity of the learning environment.
The inherent goal with this revised electronic device policy is to increase student attentiveness and time on task in the classroom while also reducing the amount of distractions that inhibit learning. Heading into the 2024-2025 school year, students will be expected to have devices on silent mode and out of sight to keep their attentiveness on learning. Families can help our schools in reinforcing these healthy boundaries, by discussing the new expectations with their student(s) at home. Working collaboratively with families to reinforce these expectations, we look forward to helping students understand the importance of a distraction-free classroom to start the year as a part of our #BePresent campaign to make oneself fully present in daily learning.
For more information on supporting materials for parents visit: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Supports for Families Resources (Link)
Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Applications - Apply Today!
It is that time of year again to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application! For many families, they wonder if they qualify and for some that believe they do not qualify…sometimes they are surprised that they do end up qualifying and avoid unnecessary costs and meal debt in the process. As a rule of thumb, we suggest “it does not hurt to apply!” Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications need to be completed annually each school year.
Free and Reduced-Price Lunch eligibility is determined annually at the federal level using a sliding scale based upon a household’s combined income. Once a family qualifies, they receive either Free or Reduced-Price breakfast and lunch. Additionally, qualifying families are eligible for academic fee waivers for school supplies.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
Parking Permit Registration
Any student desiring to park on school property must obtain a parking permit each school year. Parking permits for the 2024-2025 school year are $25 for the entire school year.
- The deadline to apply is September 6.
- Students must bring a completed application, their driver's license, and proof of insurance to the CCHS Activity Clerk, Tammy Jochem.
- Once the parking permit application is submitted, the fee will be added to your student's account in Infinite Campus.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION.
Graduation Date Update!
Class of 2025, mark your calendars! Graduation will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025. More information to follow about the exact time and event details.
Digital Wellness
As we start off the year, we find ourselves back in the midst of routines that require us to be fully engaged in both school and learning. While we recognize that cell phone usage continues to be a safety mechanism for parents and students, we remind families (and are reminding students in the school) that cell phone usage should be minimal at school and be stored during instructional time. Beyond cell phones, we must be mindful of how best to lead a balanced and healthy digital lifestyle for success in school and at home. WOSU Public Media's Digi-Fit campaign asks students to be mindful of their digital 1) Well-being 2) Citizenship 3) Etiquette 4) and Safety.
As an extension of our Digi-Fit campaign in the South-Western City School District, we encourage students, staff, and families to examine their digital footprint through the lens of T.H.I.N.K.
- Is it True?
- Is it Helpful?
- Is it Inspiring?
- Is it Necessary?
- Is it Kind?
Your Right to View Teacher Qualifications
Under the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the qualifications of their student’s classroom teacher including:
- If the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade level taught and subject matter being taught ESSA Section 1112 (e)(1)(A)(i)(I);
- If the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(a)(i)(II);
- The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major, certification, and field of discipline ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A)(i)(III);
- Whether the student is provided services by a paraprofessional and if so, their qualifications. ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A).
The requested information must be given in a timely manner. ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A).
