Hello Southwest Family,

We’ve officially entered Week 40—our final stretch of the 2024–2025 school year! As we close out the year, I want to thank each of you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we've made incredible strides in academic growth, student engagement, and community building.

This week, we are focusing on reflection and celebration. Students will have opportunities to showcase what they’ve learned, and staff will continue to support them with meaningful instruction and end-of-year activities. Please be sure to check your email and our school website for updates on:

• Final Exams & Assignments: Encourage your student to finish strong! Teachers are providing support and review opportunities to help all students succeed.

• Chromebook Collection: Information will be shared this week about when and how devices should be returned.

• Dress Code & Behavior Reminders: As excitement builds, we continue to uphold our expectations for respectful behavior and appropriate dress. Your partnership helps ensure a smooth and positive finish.

Let’s make this final week one to remember. Thank you for being part of our SWA Hero community!

With appreciation,

Mrs. Bomar
#HeroesInTheMaking | #SWACommunity | #Week40

Next year, the district is implementing a new policy governing the use of BCPS devices (Chromebooks). Middle school students will no longer be taking their devices home from school. Devices will, instead, be issued and collected in the schoolhouse on a daily basis.

While more information about daily device deployment will be finalized and released this summer, we have the task of collecting ALL student devices before the end of the school year and assessing any applicable fines for damage or loss. To facilitate the monstrous task, we will be conducting Chromebook collection during A-Day and B-Day Physical Education classes in the following method:

Grade 8 - May 29th and May 30th (8th grade students must satisfy all obligations in order to get their Farewell tickets)

Grade 7 - June 9th and June 10th

Grade 6 - June 11th and June 12th

CONGRATULATIONS! Southwest Academy Magnet School’s nominee, Carmiel Chumbong, has been selected as a 2025 Carson Scholar!

With this honor, they will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for their college education, along with a medal and certificate. Your school will also receive a Carson Scholars Fund trophy if you do not already have one.

Carmiel was chosen because they demonstrate the highest standards of academic achievement, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.

6th: Semi Adejwon, Keathe Orem

7th: Aila Gray, Modou Busso

8th: Justin Jefferson, Zoha Husain

Staff: Mrs. Schmid, Mrs. Ashir, Mr. Brown, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Bill, Ms. Miller

If your student is interested in playing a sport at Woodlawn High School next year, please see the information attached.

Students have been working hard to earn Tiger Bucks through positive behavior, academic effort, and showing SWA pride. They were able to cash in on exciting rewards!

Please continue to encourage your child to earn and spend their Tiger Bucks—the more they earn, the more awesome items they can shop for! Let’s keep up the momentum and make this a fun, rewarding experience for our students.

Thank you for your support in making Tiger Trove a success!

#SWARewards #TigerTrove #EarnItSpendIt

Please click the link: Focus Parent Portal and within you account, there's a Schoology link which allows you to view your child's current grades. Progress reports will be available this Friday, Sept. 27th.

Download the Talking Points app for quick and easy communication with your student's teachers.

We have having an increase in students not coming to school in uniform. This week, we plan on doing uniform checks and items not adhering to the policy will be confiscated, returned at the end of the day and your student will receive detention.

Please ensure that your student adheres to the dress code policy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child's grade level administrator.

Students will also be permitted wear Southwest Academy shirts.

Beginning next school year:

All Southwest Academy students will be required to wear grade-level colored uniform polo shirts and khaki bottoms. Khaki bottoms must be knee-length or longer and may not be shredded or ripped. Students may not wear jeans, sweatpants, leggings, or jeggings. T-shirts, sweatshirts, Hooded sweatshirts or hooded sweaters will not be allowed. Sweaters must be solid and match the grade-level color. Headwear, scarves, and hats will not be not allowed.

Search based on color and your needs not by school.

Cell phones and electronic devices must be POWERED OFF and PUT AWAY FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY. Students WILL NOT be permitted to use cell phones, headphones, or other electronic devices EVEN during lunch next school year.

Consequences for Policy Violations

Consequences for general violations of policy

• First Incident: The personal technology device is confiscated until the end of the student day. Students should turn off or lock devices prior to confiscation. A device that is confiscated during the final period of the student day will be confiscated for the entire next student day. The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day it was originally confiscated to take home but must provide it to the front office upon arrival on the next student day.
• Second Incident & Beyond: The personal technology device is confiscated until it is retrieved by a parent/guardian. Students should turn off or lock devices prior to confiscation.

Consistent attendance is key to academic success! When students come to school every day, on time, and ready to learn, they build strong habits, stay on track with their learning, and set themselves up for success.

We need your partnership to ensure that every student is in school, every day. Here’s how you can help:

✅ Encourage daily attendance – every day counts!

✅ Establish a routine to help your child arrive on time.
✅ Communicate with us if challenges arise—we are here to support you!

Let’s work together to Engage, Empower, and Excel by making attendance a priority. Thank you for your support in helping our students thrive!

If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

#SWAHereEveryDay #AttendanceMatters #SuccessStartsWithShowingUp

We have partnered with BSN/Sideline Sports to offer merchandise options for students and staff. Order now and get an additional 20% off of your purchase. Use the link below to purchase.

June 4

• Field Trip: Maryland Zoo Grade 7
• Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony 5:30pm doors open, 6pm ceremony begins

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all students who were recently inducted into our honor societies! Your hard work, leadership, and dedication have truly set you apart. Thank you to the families, staff, and community members who joined us in celebration—your presence made the event even more special. We are proud of our SWA Heroes!

Website: https://southwestms.bcps.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southwest.academy?igsh=NmdmZGc2ZmFtczZq