Principal's weekly updates for the week of December 3

Good evening Southwest!

The countdown continues. We have just a little over 4 weeks left before 1st semester exams start. As we continue to approach exam time, it is crucial for students to have all work turned in, time made up and that each student is making every effort to finish strong right through exams. Please make sure you are monitoring attendance and grades on Powerschool and never hesitate to reach out to your student's teachers.

The district has informed us that the one card student identification cards will be distributed this coming week and the scanning process will begin this Thursday.  As Southwest High School is one of seven pilot schools for the district as well as the largest pilot school, the current plan is to distribute the cards on Wednesday in homerooms. Students will be responsible to have these cards in their possession while on the campus at all times. We will be providing the students with a lanyard to assist them. Students will be responsible for paying for any cards or lanyards lost.   More information will follow if dates change along with additional information to keep you in the loop.

A big thank you to all the coaching staff from this past fall season. Please help me in thanking them for shaping our young people into great young adults on and off the field. These coaches make a major impact on the positive culture of Southwest and I am sure I speak for everyone that their efforts do not go unnoticed. Additionally, thank you for all the parents for all of your contributions as well as the student athletes who represented our school at the highest level of character.

As it relates to athletic schedules, please visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org

Monday, December 3

No Events

Tuesday, December 4

9 - 11 - Pictures taken for Onecard (only for students who missed pictures)

9 - 10 - EOS visit (Equal Opportunities School)

4:30 PM Coed Varsity Track SWGHS Invitational @ JDL Home 
5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Basketball High Point Central High School Away 
6:00 PM Mens Varsity Basketball High Point Central High School Home 
6:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Basketball High Point Central High School Away 
7:30 PM Womens Varsity Basketball High Point Central High School Home 

Wednesday, December 5

7:45 - 8:35 Faculty Meeting - Media Center
Homeroom - One Card distribution

6:00 PM Mens Varsity Wrestling Tri-Meet @ Oak Grove/RJ Reynolds Away

Thursday, December 6

4:00 PM All Winter Team Pictures (School) 

Friday, December 7
5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Basketball West Forsyth High School Home 

6:00 PM Womens Varsity Basketball West Forsyth High School Away 
6:00 PM Coed Varsity Swimming Conference Meet @ Smith Pool Home 
6:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Basketball West Forsyth High School Home 
7:30 PM Mens Varsity Basketball West Forsyth High School Away 

Saturday, December 8

9:00 AM Mens Varsity Wrestling Jim Coggins HOF Classic @ SWGHS Home

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's Weekly Updates and Reminders for the week of November 26th

Good evening Southwest!

I hope each and every one of you enjoyed quality time with the ones you love. We are now roughly 5 weeks away from the 1st semester final exams. This time coming up will fly by before we know it. It is important that we are monitoring grades, attendance and making sure the students are motivated to finish strong. 

This coming Wednesday is the first interim report for the 2nd quarter. Please make sure your child brings this report home. If they do not, please reach out to your child's teachers for updates. 

The district has informed us that the one card student identification scanning process now has dates assigned. As Southwest High School is one of seven pilot schools for the district as well as the largest pilot school, the current plan is to distribute the cards this coming week. Students will be responsible for holding on to these cards and will have to pay for a replacement card if lost. The following week, we plan on training our staff and implementing the process on December 6th. More information will follow if dates change along with additional information to keep you in the loop.

As we are on the topic of safety and security, we now have the other entrance of the school on the magnetic entry door system. This means both entrances are now locked and you must buzz in to get into the school. Also - we will be implementing a new visitor system very soon. All visitors will be required to check in with the front office using the new Access411 system at all times. Once again, thank you for being patient as we implement yet another layer of safety and security in our school.

As it relates to athletic schedules, please visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org

Monday, November 26

6:00PM - 8:00PM PTSA Meeting - C132

Tuesday, November 27

6:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Basketball Ronald Reagan High School Away 

7:30 PM Womens Varsity Basketball Ronald Reagan High School Away 

Wednesday, November 28

1st interim report for 2nd quarter
5:00 PM Coed Varsity Swimming Tri-meet vs. HPC/RJR Home 

6:00 PM Mens Varsity Wrestling Tri-Meet with Dudley/E. Forsyth Home

Thursday, November 29

No events

Friday, November 30

PTSA Jean Day
5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Basketball Ragsdale High School Home 
6:00 PM Mens Varsity Wrestling Falcon Frenzy @ West Henderson Away 
6:00 PM Womens Varsity Basketball Ragsdale High School Away 
6:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Basketball Ragsdale High School Home
7:30 PM Mens Varsity Basketball Ragsdale High School Away

Saturday, December 1

9:00 AM Mens Varsity Wrestling Falcon Frenzy @ West Henderson Away

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for the week of November 19

Good evening Southwest!

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to let you know how thankful I am to work in such a wonderful school community. Thank you for all that you do to assist us in providing the best education to your child. I hope you all have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the special people in your lives.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

The district has informed us that the one card student identification scanning process now has dates assigned. As Southwest High School is one of seven pilot schools for the district as well as the largest pilot school, the current plan is to distribute the cards the week after Thanksgiving. The following week, we plan on training our staff and implementing the process on December 6th. More information will follow if dates change along with additional information to keep you in the loop.

As we are on the topic of safety and security, we now have the other entrance of the school on the magnetic entry door system. This means both entrances are now locked and you must buzz in to get into the school. Also - we have just implemented a new visitor system as of Friday. All visitors must enter and check in with the front office using the new Access411 system at all times. Once again, thank you for being patient as we implement yet another layer of safety and security in our school.

Parents of seniors, please make sure you and your student are working on completing the FAFSA.  Even if you don’t think you will qualify for assistance, many schools – especially private institutions - use the information on this form to offer scholarship and financial aid to their students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor. Also, seniors can order graduation supplies from Herff Jones on Tuesday between Noon and 4PM outside the cafeteria. This is the only time students will be able to order from Herff Jones while on campus. All orders after Tuesday will need to be placed directly with Herff Jones.

If you did not get your child's report card this past Wednesday, please reach out to Ms. Durant in the guidance office.

If you are a Facebook follower, the PTSA has created a Facebook link. Feel free to follow them. https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestGuilfordHSPTSA/
The PTSA is distributing holiday pies to the staff on Tuesday. If interested in assisting, feel free to reach out to the PTSA on the link that can be found on the school's website, or through Facebook. 

As it relates to athletic schedules, please visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org

Monday, November 19

No events

Tuesday, November 20

All Day - Freshman Focus Anti-Bully Walk
PTSA Pie Day for staff
Noon - 4:00PM Seniors - Graduation orders placed with Herff Jones - Cafeteria

5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Basketball Southeast Guilford High School Home 

6:00 PM Womens Varsity Basketball Southeast Guilford High School Away 

6:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Basketball Southeast Guilford High School Home 

7:30 PM Mens Varsity Basketball Southeast Guilford High School Away

Wednesday, November 21

9:00 AM Mens Varsity Wrestling Western Guilford HS Duals Away 
No School - Students and staff

Thursday, November 22

Happy Thanksgiving - No School - Students and staff

Friday, November 23

7:30 PM Mens Varsity Football OPEN DATE 2nd Rd NCHSAA Playoffs vs. TBA Home 
No School - students and staff

Saturday, November 24 
9:00 AM Mens Varsity Wrestling Tigerland Holiday Classic Away 

4:00 PM Mens Varsity Basketball R J Reynolds High School Away

Monday, November 26
6:00PM - 8:00PM PTSA Meeting - C132

Wednesday, November 28
Staff Professional Development - Planning periods - Media Center Lab

Friday, November 30
PTSA Jean Day

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for the week of November 12

Good evening Southwest!

Just a friendly reminder that there is no school tomorrow as we celebrated Veteran's Day today. We would like to honor all veterans of the United States armed forces. Thank you for your service.

This Tuesday, we have a special presentation on vaping from 6:30-7:30 in the SWHS auditorium. The use of vaping products continues to rise dramatically. I urge all of you to come to this event to learn more about this substance that teenagers experiment with at a very alarming rate. 

Sophomores will take the Pre-ACT on Tuesday. Seniors will have a senior meeting and learn what needs to be ordered for Graduation. Seniors will be released immediately after the meeting for the purpose of college visits, college applications, service learning opportunities and job shadowing. 

Report cards for the 1st quarter will be distributed on Wednesday, November 14th. Please make sure you ask your child for their report card. If they do not have it, please call Ms. Durant, our guidance secretary. 

The annual Spikesgiving is this Wednesday, where the men's soccer team takes on the volleyball team in a volleyball match. Also - the faculty game follows thereafter. It is 6:30-8:30. Entry Fee is 2 non-perishable items or $2. Proceeds go to the Out of the Garden Project. 

Great job to the Men's soccer team as they finished the season against AL Brown in the 3rd round of the state playoffs.  

Good luck to the Men's football team as they travel to South Iredell for the first round of the State Playoffs. 

If you are a Facebook follower, the PTSA has created a Facebook link. Feel free to follow them to stay in the loop of what's happening at SWHS and how you can assist. https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestGuilfordHSPTSA/      

             
Seniors in English the first semester at SWHS will give speeches during the evening of November 15th. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's English teacher.                                  

As it relates to athletic schedules, please visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org

Monday, November 12

Veteran's Day - no school

Tuesday, November 13

6:30-7:30 - Vaping - What parents need to know - Auditorium

Wednesday, November 14

Freshmen Incentive trip rescheduled

7:45 - 8:30AM - Leadership Team Meeting - Media Center

6:30 - 8:30 - Spikesgiving - Coggins Gym

3:00 PM NLI Signing Day- Gym Lobby (School) 

7:00 PM Mens Varsity Wrestling Ben L. Smith High School Away

Report Cards distributed to students

Thursday, November 15

5:00 - 8:00PM  Senior Speeches

Friday, November 16

7:30 PM Mens Varsity Football South Iredell Away

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for the week of November 5

Good evening Southwest!

This is just a friendly reminder that we should have set our clocks back one hour last evening.

This past Friday was the last day of the 1st quarter. As we begin the 2nd quarter, please remember to reach out to your child's teachers, follow your child's attendance and grades on Parent Assist. Please let our data manager, Mrs. Kristy Cline, know if you have any issues with getting access to the Parent Assist program. Report cards for the 1st quarter will be distributed on Wednesday, November 14th.

Great job to the Cross Country team finishing 11th in the states. Also, the Men's soccer team brings home a big win against Hickory 3-1. The men's soccer team's 2nd round game is tentatively scheduled for this Tuesday at home at 7:00 against Monroe.

Congratulations to Ms. Silvas' theatre program on their accomplishments at the 2018 NCTC High School Play Festival! Theatre Arts Award - Excellence in Creative Load In

Barbizon Excellence in Design & Production - Technical Director and Designer, Devyn Meneses

What a great night last night as the community came together to fight Cancer at the Southwest Schools' Relay for Life event. Thank you to Jen Black and all the organizers and individuals who showed their support at such a wonderful event. 

Thank you to Mrs. Dusek and everyone who contributed to the SWHS annual blood drive this past Monday, whether the contributions were donating blood, set up as well as organization of the event. 

This coming Friday is the rescheduled Homecoming football game against Smith. Come on out and support our Cowboys.

New Online Resource for ACT Examinees

ACT Academy

ACT Academy is a free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help students get the best score possible on the ACT test, and well on your way to college and career success.  Through video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to students’ academic needs, ACT Academy provides a personalized study plan based on your previous scores from the ACT, PreACT, Official ACT practice tests, or in platform diagnostics.

Students can enter their PreACT scores today to get a personalized study plan: www.act.org/academy.   

If you are a Facebook follower, the PTSA has created a Facebook link. Feel free to follow them. https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestGuilfordHSPTSA/      

Come out this Thursday evening to meet this years men's and Women's Basketball team. $3 tickets at the door and the event starts at 7:30   

                                    

Seniors in English the first semester at SWHS will give speeches during the evening of November 15th. We need adult volunteers from the community and the "ranch" to judge. If you are interested, we would need you from 5:30-8:30 during the evening of November 15th. A meal is provided and we train you using a rubric to give feedback to the students. e-mail Mrs. Davis if you are interested at davisd9@gcsnc.com. 

                                   

As it relates to athletic schedules, please visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org

Monday, November 5

Nothing scheduled

Tuesday, November 6

7:00 PM Mens Varsity Soccer 2nd Rd NCHSAA Playoffs vs. Monroe Home

Wednesday, November 7

Nothing scheduled

Thursday, November 8

7:00 PM Mens Varsity Soccer OPEN DATE 3rd Rd. NCHSAA Playoffs vs. TBA Home

TBD - Basketball After Dark - Introductions of our Men’s and Women’s basketball team with practice scrimmage - Coggins Gym, $3 entry fee, $2 presale during lunches.

Friday, November 9

7:30 PM Mens Varsity Football Ben L. Smith High School Homecoming Home

Saturday, November 10

TBA Mens Varsity Soccer OPEN DATE 4th Round NCHSAA Playoffs @ TBA Home

Wednesday, November 14
Report cards distributed to students

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!