SWHS Principal's mid summer updates and reminders

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with some mid summer updates and reminders...

First and foremost, I hope that each and every one of you are enjoying your summer. With that being said, I would like to welcome the incoming freshmen, the class of 2022 and also congratulate while challenging the incoming senior class, the class of 2019, as we need your help in leading the way for a very positive and successful school year. For those of you new to my communications, once school starts you will receive a weekly phone message on Sunday evenings. This message will be posted on the school's website, posted to Facebook and Twitter and I am working to get future postings on Instagram as well. This will be a great way to review my messages and keep you connected to what's happening on the ranch. 

Freshman Orientation is on August 23rd with only students reporting from 8:30Am -12:30 and parents reporting that evening from 6:30PM to 8:00. This orientation has proven to be extremely successful in providing a very successful transition for both the students and parents who attend this event. 

We are a little over a month away from the start of the school year. The first day for all students is Monday, August 27th. All students should have already started their summer reading. Students will be tested in the first couple weeks of school. If a student has English in their 2nd semester, they can still get their test out of the way during the beginning of the first semester. Summer reading lists for all grade levels can be found under the students tab on the SWHS website. https://www.gcsnc.com/southwest_guilford_high

This summer, Guilford County Schools created a uniform Open House schedule for all Elementary, Middle and High schools. Open House for all High Schools, specifically SWHS,  will be August 20th from 5:30-7PM. This is an opportunity for students and/or parents to pick up schedules as well as walk the building and meet teachers. There will be a food truck on site which will provide a percentage of the proceeds back to the PTSA if you are interested in eating dinner this evening. This will also be an opportunity to sign up for the PTSA, order the jean day incentive bracelet, pay for the student parking lot pass, and more. It is important to become well versed with the student dress code before you go shopping for clothes. Last, GCS recently increased the student parking lot passes to $30 for the year so we feel it is important you are aware of this information prior to the start of the school year. You will have the opportunity to pay for your child's parking pass at open house.  

As it relates to schedules for this coming school year, it has been informed to us that students are viewing schedules online. Please understand that these schedules are not finalized. Due to the daily fluctuation in enrollments, this causes us to alter classes, levels, and times of the day in which they are taught. This causes a ton of shifting in the scheduling matrix. As this is a daily process. we appreciate your understanding with this and we look forward to providing a more firm schedule come August 20th. At that time, if you need more guidance with your schedule, feel free to contact the assigned counselor. Counseling responsibilities are now alphabetically assigned in grades 10-12.
9th grade will all have Ms. Compton
A-D  - Ms. Graves
E-L - Mr.  Hawkins
M-R - Mrs. Richards
S-Z - Mrs. Hudgens 

The following information comes from Mrs. Meier, our Media Specialist... Library will be open on Monday July 23, 10am-Noon for student check out and on August 8, 1-3.  Also, summer reading incentive – student can earn a ticket to Kersey Valley Spooky Woods or Maize Adventure just by reading and logging their time over the summer.  Students will also get extra credit on their summer reading assignments.  See the website for details!

In regards to Safety and security, one of our two main entrances have now been installed with magnetic door locks with surveillance. We are anticipating the other install before the school year starts. We are also expecting a pilot program for a student identification card system as well as a visitor monitoring system. We will keep everyone updated as we receive these programs in place. Thank you for working with these changes and understanding that these measures are being put in place to increase the level of safety and security at SWHS.

 On the morning of July 23rd, the HP Police department will be using our Freshman Academy building for training. Please do not be alarmed if you see a couple of dozen Police vehicles on site.

As it relates to athletics,

The first official day of fall athletic practices start on Monday, July 30^th.  Times and locations can be found on our athletic webpage at www.cowboysports.org .

All athletes are required to have a current physical and concussion form on file at school in order to practice and tryout.

There is a required GCS Athletic Fair Play Meeting for football, volleyball and cheerleading on Aug. 2^nd at 6:30 PM in the auditorium.  This meeting is to inform you of the eligibility requirements, fair play paperwork, residency form requirements, and GCS Athletic Fee of $45 that is required by all student athletes.

A second Fair Play meeting will be held on Monday, August 6^th at 6:30 PM for golf, tennis, soccer and any others that missed the first meeting.

Questions and concerns in required to practices, please call SWGHS during the office hours of 8-5 PM.

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 and Twitter and son, Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for June 11

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with your weekly updates and reminders...

Tomorrow is our last final exam day, block 4 state exams, with Tuesday being a make up exam day. 

Please make sure you are reaching out to teachers before Wednesday with any questions or concerns before they are off for the summer. 

Seniors, this is a reminder that you must be aware of the graduation calendar that is posted on the web and has been distributed to you multiple times already. Attending graduation practice is a must. Most universities and colleges, as well as employers, are extremely flexible if you are communicating this ahead of time. Senior awards is tomorrow, Monday, at 1:30 PM in the auditorium. If any senior is receiving an award, he/she has been invited, however, all are encouraged to attend. Mandatory graduation practice is tomorrow as well, Monday, at 4PM. Seniors must be in the foyer of the auditorium by 3:30. The practice will last until at least 6PM. Tuesday is another mandatory graduation practice from 4-6 at the Greensboro Coliseum. seniors must be in the foyer of the coliseum by 3:15 on Tuesday. Information can be found on the school's website. Graduation is at 9:00 on Saturday and seniors must be there by 7:45AM.

If you know of any students in the area who are looking to complete Boy Scout or Girl Scout projects and would like to complete them on the campus of Southwest, please have them touch base with either Mr. Hettenbach or Coach Christman. We have a wide variety of projects we are looking to be accomplished. 

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium (Seniors receiving awards will be notified ahead of time)

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium (Graduation tickets will be distributed)

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation - Greensboro Coliseum - seniors must be at the coliseum by 7:45AM

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 and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for June 4

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with your weekly updates and reminders...

We are now heading into exam week. 

Monday and Tuesday are teacher made exams. These are regular days and students are required to attend the entire day. We do not want anyone to have their exemption card revoked or find themselves having to make up any time due to any last minute poor choices in attending school so please assist us in making sure your child attends Monday and Tuesday. 
Wednesday is the start of state exams. Wednesday is block 1 exam and the day ends at 1:05. Thursday is block 2, Friday is block 3, and the following Monday is block 4. All of these four state exam days end at 1:05. If your child has already taken an exam for this particular block, they are not expected to attend school that day. We will run buses at 3:35 as well for any students who have made arrangements with any of our teachers for tutoring or make up time. That should be discussed with the teacher prior to that day. 

Good luck on finishing the semester strong!

Seniors, a reminder that you must be aware of the graduation calendar that is posted on the web and has been distributed to you multiple times already. Attending graduation practice is a must. Most universities and colleges, as well as employers, are extremely flexible if you are communicating ahead of time. 

If you know of any students in the area who are looking to complete Boy Scout or Girl Scout projects and would like to complete them on the campus of Southwest, please have them touch base with either Mr. Hettenbach or Coach Christman. We have a wide variety of projects we are looking to be accomplished. 

June 4

1st and 3rd block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 2 and 4 are regular classes

1^st Block:  8:40am -10:30am

2^nd Block: 10:35am – 11:45am

Lunches are normal times

3^rd & 4^th Blocks:  Regular schedule

June 5

2nd and 4th block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 1 and 3 are regular classes

1^st Block: 8:40am – 9:50am

2^nd Block:  9:55am – 11:45am

3^rd Block:  11:50am – 1:40pm

Lunches

1^st: 11:45-12:10

2^nd: 12:15-12:40

3^rd: 12:45-1:10

4^th: 1:15-1:40

4th Block:  1:45 – 3:35pm

June 6

1st Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 7

2nd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 8

3rd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium (Seniors receiving awards will be notified ahead of time)

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium (Graduation tickets will be distributed)

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation - Greensboro Coliseum

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 and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for May 28

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with your weekly updates and reminders...

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces.Please take a moment to reflect during the weekend and think about those who have served. I hope everyone enjoys this extra day of this weekend gets the opportunity to relax as we push into these last weeks of school.  

On behalf of the senior class, what a great day we had on Friday! Thank you to everyone who contributed in every single activity that the seniors participated in. The amount of work that takes place behind the scenes is beyond what one can imagine. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who was involved!!  

Tuesday, come out and help us celebrate our spring athletes at our our Spring Sports banquet in the auditorium from 6PM to 8PM.

This Wednesday, in the auditorium, we have a Sandy Hook Promise, Know the Signs training for our community. We look forward to seeing everyone at this special event which is provided by Guilford County Schools.

Also, this Wednesday, we are providing athletic physicals in the Coggins gym from 5:30-7:30 for only $5. You will need the payment along with a physicals form, which can be found online, or in the front office. 

This Thursday is the Beta Club Dogeball Tournament for Charity from 6:30PM - 8:30PM in the Coggins Gym

This Saturday, June 2nd, we have EOC exam Boot Camps right here on our campus. Please reach out to your child's Math 1, English 10, or Biology teacher for more information. 

We now find ourselves with only 4 days of instruction followed by a week of exams.  Please reach out to your child's teachers to seek out any academic support opportunities that may be available for exams as we near the end of the school year. 

Seniors and parents of seniors, please make sure all scholarship/grant awards are turned in to their counselor even if they will not be attending the university that has given them the award.

If you know of any students in the area who are looking to complete Boy Scout or Girl Scout projects and would like to complete them on the campus of Southwest, please have them touch base with either Mr. Hettenbach or Coach Christman. We have a wide variety of projects we are looking to be accomplished. 

May 28

No School - Memorial Day

May 29

6:00pm - 8:00pm - Spring Sports Banquet - Auditorium

May 30

6:00PM - 7:30PM - Sandy Hook Promise Training - Know The Signs - Auditorium

5:30pm - 7:30pm - Athletic Physicals - Coggins Gym (Physicals Form and $5 needed)

May 31 

Exam exemption card distribution - Freshman cards will be distributed before school in Freshman Gym. Upper classmen cards will be distributed in all 4 lunches. 

6:30PM - 8:30PM - Beta Club Dogeball Tournament for Charity - Coggins Gym

June 2

8AM - Noon - EOC Boot Camps - Check with your child's Bio, Math 1 or English 10 teachers if they are conducting a review session.

June 4

1st and 3rd block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 2 and 4 are regular classes

1^st Block:  8:40am -10:30am

2^nd Block: 10:35am – 11:45am

Lunches are normal times

3^rd & 4^th Blocks:  Regular schedule

June 5

2nd and 4th block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 1 and 3 are regular classes

1^st Block: 8:40am – 9:50am

2^nd Block:  9:55am – 11:45am

3^rd Block:  11:50am – 1:40pm

Lunches

1^st: 11:45-12:10

2^nd: 12:15-12:40

3^rd: 12:45-1:10

4^th: 1:15-1:40

4th Block:  1:45 – 3:35pm

June 6

1st Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 7

2nd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 8

3rd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium (Seniors receiving awards will be notified ahead of time)

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium (Graduation tickets will be distributed)

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation - Greensboro Coliseum

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 and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly reminders for May 21

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with your weekly updates and reminders...

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week at SWHS. Thank you to not only our staff at SWHS for everything they do on a daily basis, but to everyone who contributed in making this such a success, our wonderful PTSA, Pat Murphy and his family for the coffee mugs donated, and all the SWHS families who donated all the gift cards and additional items. Our staff certainly deserves the best, and I believe, with your help, they received just that.Thank you. 

A huge congratulations for the outstanding performance of all our spring athletic teams. I am not only proud of all the accomplishments for this spring, but for the entire year. In fact, we have demonstrated a tremendous year overall. I am quite sure Coach Christman can confirm with me that this was one of the most successful overall athletic years this school has ever seen. With that being said, thank you to all of our athletes, coaches and to everyone who supported our athletic programs. 

Seniors - there is a mandatory senior meting/graduation practice at 10:10 in the Coggins Gym on Monday. There will be a sign in sheet at each entrance of the Coggins gym. Please make sure you are on time. 

We now find ourselves with only 9 days of instruction followed by a week of exams.  Please reach out to your child's teachers to seek out any academic support opportunities that may be available for exams as we near the end of the school year. 

This coming Saturday, May 26, is our last Saturday school from 8AM to Noon in the media center for make up time. Please encourage your child to attend if they owe any time due to absences. 

Seniors and parents of seniors, please make sure all scholarship/grant awards are turned in to their counselor even if they will not be attending the university that has given them the award.

If you know of any students in the area who are looking to complete Boy Scout or Girl Scout projects and would like to complete them on the campus of Southwest, please have them touch base with either Mr. Hettenbach or Coach Christman. We have a wide variety of projects we are looking to be accomplished. 

The student yearbook staff asked me to share that there are only a limited number of yearbooks left. The cost is $80.00 each. Cash and checks are accepted and can be brought to Room, D124. Distribution of yearbooks start on May 25th.

Monday, May 21

• Last Interim Report for the year! Please look out for this report form your child. They will be distirbuted to every student on this day.
• 10:10 - TBD - MANDATORY Senior Graduation Meeting - Auditorium 

Tuesday, May 22

•  6:30PM-8:30PM - Orchestra Concert - Auditorium

Wednesday, May 23

• 8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP English Language Composition 

Thursday, May 24

• 6:30PM-8:30PM - Chorus recital - Auditorium

Friday, May 25

• 8:45 - 11:15 - Graduation walks at Florence and SWES - seniors meet in auditorium with cap and gown
• 11:30am - 2:00pm - Senior Picnic - Stadium

Saturday, May 26

• 8:00AM - Noon - Saturday School - Media Center

COMING UP......
May 28

No School - Memorial Day

May 29

6:00pm - 8:00pm - Spring Sports Banquet - Auditorium

May 30

PM - Sandy Hook Promise Training - Know The Signs - Auditorium

5:30pm - 7:30pm - Athletic Physicals - Coggins Gym (Physicals Form and $5 needed)

May 31 

Exam exemption card distribution - Freshman cards will be distributed before school in Freshman Gym. Upper classmen cards will be distributed in all 4 lunches. 

June 2

8AM - Noon - EOC Boot Camps - Check with your child's Bio, Math 1 or English 10 teachers if they are conducting a review session.

June 4

1st and 3rd block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 2 and 4 are regular classes

1^st Block:  8:40am -10:30am

2^nd Block: 10:35am – 11:45am
Lunches are normal times

3^rd & 4^th Blocks:  Regular schedule

June 5

2nd and 4th block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 1 and 3 are regular classes

1^st Block: 8:40am – 9:50am

2^nd Block:  9:55am – 11:45am

3^rd Block:  11:50am – 1:40pm

Lunches

1^st: 11:45-12:10

2^nd: 12:15-12:40

3^rd: 12:45-1:10

4^th: 1:15-1:40

4th Block:  1:45 – 3:35pm

June 6

1st Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 7

2nd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 8

3rd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium (Seniors receiving awards will be notified ahead of time)

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium (Graduation tickets will be distributed)

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation - Greensboro Coliseum

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 and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!

SWHS Principal's weekly updates for May 14th

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with your weekly updates and reminders...

This week is Teacher Appreciation week at SWHS. I would like to personally express my gratitude for the hard work our teachers perform on a daily basis. Our teachers are second to none. My personal appreciation of them is beyond what one can imagine. Please assist me in showing them appreciation this coming week.  Please reach out to Michele McGuire at michele.mcguire1424@gmail.com to see how you can further assist with recognizing the extraordinary work our teachers at SW do for the students on a daily basis. 

To all Moms out there in Cowboy country. I would like to extend a very happy mother's day to all of you. I hope your day was filled with sunshine, laughter and many smiles.  Happy Mother's Day!

We now find ourselves with only 3 full weeks of instruction followed by a week of exams. AP exams are in their 2nd week and end on Friday.  The AP lit exam, which was originally moved by the county to May 23rd, will remain on the 23rd. This will also give these students extra time to prepare for this exam. Please reach out to your child's teachers to seek out any academic support opportunities are available for exams as we near the end of the school year. 

This Friday is a PTSA Jean day if you have either the PTSA wrist band on OR a SW SAVE shirt. SW SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) shirts can be purchased on Thursday in the cafeteria for $15.

Seniors and parents of seniors, please make sure all scholarship/grant awards are turned in to their counselor even if they will not be attending the university that has given them the award.

The student yearbook staff asked me to share that there are only a limited number of yearbooks left. The cost is $80.00 each. Cash and checks are accepted and can be brought to Room, D124. Distribution of yearbooks start on May 25th.

As it relates to the weekly athletics, please feel free to navigate to the www.cowboysports.org website for detailed information. 

Monday, May 14

8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP Bio and AP Music Theory

Noon - 3:30 - AP Testing - AP Physics C
Athletics - Check www.cowboysports.org for latest playoff information

Tuesday, May 15

8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP Calculus AB and BC

Noon - 3:30 - AP Testing - AP French Language and AP Computer Science

Athletics - Check www.cowboysports.org for latest playoff information

Wednesday, May 16

Optional Teacher Workday
8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP English Language Composition MOVED to May 23rd
Athletics - Check www.cowboysports.org for latest playoff information

Thursday, May 17

SWHS SAVE Shirts on sale in cafeteria
6:30PM - 8:30PM - Band Concert - Auditorium
4:00PM - 6:00PM SW Spurs Dance Tryouts - C105 Dance room
8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP Comparative Government and Politics and  AP World History

Noon - 3:30 - AP Testing - AP Statistics

Athletics - Check www.cowboysports.org for latest playoff information

Friday, May 18

PTSA Jean day with bracelet or SWHS SAVE shirt
8AM - 11:30AM - AP Testing - AP Human Geography and AP Microeconomics

Noon - 3:30 - AP Testing - AP European History and AP Latin
Athletics - Check www.cowboysports.org for latest playoff information

Saturday, May 19

8:00PM - Midnight - PROM 2018 - Union Square (410 English Road, High Point, NC 27262)

Coming Up...

May 21

Last Interim Report for the year! Please make sure you are checking behind your child's attendance, behavior and grades!

May 22

6:30PM - 8:30PM - Orchestra Concert - Auditorium

May 24

6:30PM - 8:30PM - Chorus recital - Auditorium

May 25

Graduation walks at Florence and SWES

Senior Picnic

May 26

8:00AM - Noon - Saturday School - Media Center

June 4

1st and 3rd block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day

June 5

2nd and 4th block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day

June 6

1st Block state exams only - early Release - 1:05

June 7

2nd Block state exams only - early Release - 1:05

June 8

3rd Block state exams state - early Release - 1:05

June 11

4th Block state exams only- early Release - 1:05

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

June 13-15

Teacher Workdays

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 and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!