March 4, 2010 - Message from SWES Principal Dr. Peña to Incoming Families
February 23, 2010 - Plan 3 Approved by AISD Board
December 15, 2009 - New Principal Announced for SWES in Meridian

The new phone number for Southwest Elementary is 841-8900.

March 4 , 2010 - Message from SWES Principal Dr. Peña to Incoming Families

Hello and a BIG Welcome to all of the New Southwest Elementary School Families:

The construction of our new school is moving along and I can see the numerous fun- filled possibilities as we get closer to opening our doors!

Now that our school boundaries have been approved, it is time to come together to build the heart of the school: "our school family" and our relationships.

I would like us to get our PTA started, however, we cannot do that until our school is officially named. The AISD school board is scheduled to approve the name on March 29th. I contacted Andy Anderson, the ACPTA president and he informed me that we must have two meetings to get our PTA started. With that in mind, I have scheduled two organizational PTA meetings so that we can get started with our new school's association. It is going to be very important to have representation from as many families as possible at these two organizational PTA meetings. I would also ask at this time that you consider a leadership role on our PTA and be ready to put your name forth at the first organizational meeting.

The meeting dates are as follows:

• March 30th-6:30 p.m. at Clayton Elementary in the cafeteria - at this meeting, an ACPTA representative will discuss the association and help us form some committees and hold nominations for our PTA Board.
• April 6th-6:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Elementary in the cafeteria- at this meeting,  an ACPTA representative will conduct the PTA Board elections. After this, we will have an official PTA!

The next event that I would like to invite everyone to is a "Southwest Elementary" Community Meet and Greet.  At this gathering  we will cast our opinions on our school colors and mascot but most importantly spend some time getting to know each other and bridging our two current learning communities into ONE . I hope to see all of you on that afternoon!

Community Meet and Greet-Date: April 10th
Location: Clayton Elementary Covered Basketball Area
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

During the spring semester, I will also schedule some transition activities with your children at their current schools. I will send out this information as these events are scheduled. I am waiting on the official student rosters and numbers from AISD Student Services before scheduling any of these events/activities.  I look forward to working with all of our families from Clayton and Oak Hill to build a strong learning community at the new southwest elementary!

Kind Regards,
Rosa M. Peña
Southwest Elementary Principal
                                 

February 23, 2010 - Plan 3 Approved by AISD Board

Trustees approved the recommendations of the Facility Use and Boundary Task Force (FUBTF) (Plan 3) to create attendance boundaries for the new Southwest Elementary School, and address overcrowding and under-capacity at Boone, Clayton, Cowan, Kiker, Mills, Oak Hill, Patton, and Sunset Valley elementary schools. Approved recommendations also include:

• Grandfathering will be allowed for students entering fifth grade in 2010-2011; and
• Current staffing levels at Boone and Sunset Valley elementary schools will be maintained, at District expense, for at least the next school year.

The Southwest Elementary School will open in August 2010. Trustees are scheduled to name the campus on March 29.

Special thanks to Clayton representatives Matt Devlin and Susan Haddad who dedicated countless hours to this boundary process.

More information regarding grandfathering options for current 4th (rising 5th) graders will be forthcoming from the school and district.

December 15, 2009 - New Principal of SWES in Meridian Announced

AISD's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Rosa Peña as the founding principal of the new Southwest Elementary School located in Meridian. She will begin late January 2010 for the 2010-2011 opening year. Dr. Peña is currently the Principal of Zavala Elementary School and has 13 years of experience as an elementary school administrator. For more information, click here for the letter from AISD's Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools.



Clayton FUBTF Representatives:

Susan Haddad and Matt Devlin
boundaryreps@claytoncardinals.org