Parent-Student Handbook

2026-2027 School Year

Principal Message

Welcome Back Shwabees!

We are so excited to welcome students back into the school building! Some things are the same. While some things are new. We have our classrooms set up and ready to go. We have worked hard this summer to receive additional training on some new information we will be teaching you all about. We are entering our fifth year as an AVID school which supports ALL students in preparing for college and career readiness. We will also begin working with a new math curriculum and standards, while entering our fifth year with the Wit and Wisdom and TNFoundational Skills Curriculum.

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. In our quest to prepare all students for college and career readiness our primary focus this year will be organization, and our commitment to you is to increase communication around all things Shwab. As you begin the school year and get acquainted with your student(s) homeroom teachers you may notice that some organizational things will be aligned according to the grade level. Students in grades PreK–2 will bring home a communication folder each day that will provide you with a daily communication, as well as, important updates. Students in grades 3–5 will carry a binder back and forth each day that will include a daily communication found in their agenda, and additional information.

Social media has been a focus for us, and we would like to continue to provide options using technology for you to be able to join us. As of right now we have many events set to be in person. You can access our event calendar by visiting our “Bee in the Know” bulletin board on the front porch, or by accessing our school website.

A copy of our yearly event calendar will be sent home in students First Day Packet. We would like to invite you to join us on social media. We have a school Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter page. We also have a YouTube page where recorded events can be located. Please see information for accessing this information at the bottom of this letter.

Please take moment to read through it. If you have questions about anything included in it, please let your teacher know.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Shwab ES staff to help with any questions that you may have. We look forward to continuing to partner with you! 

Your PrinciPAL & Chief AVID Officer (CEO),
Dr. Cheryl Bowman
Executive Principal

Follow Us on Social Media

• Facebook: Shwab Elementary
• Instagram: @ShwabElementary
• Twitter: @ShwabMNPS
• YouTube: Shwab Elementary

Shwab Elementary School’s Guaranteed Experience

• Students at Shwab ES are guaranteed an education that is grounded in preparing them for college and career readiness by providing the academic and social skills necessary for the classroom and beyond.
• Community resources enable us to elevate the educational experience our students receive through field trips, guest speakers, and assemblies.
• We teach the whole child through social emotional learning (SEL) practices to prepare students for college and careers as well as a lifetime of problem-solving and critical thinking.

Mission and Vision

Mission

Shwab Elementary provides a respectful, engaging environment that fosters relationships, personal growth, and academic achievement through data-informed decisions.

Vision

Empowering ALL to “BEE” multi-talented lifelong learners.

Schedules

Each day, students receive instruction in reading, math, science/social studies, and intervention. Additionally, students can participate in PE, Music, Art, Library, and GATE. We are excited to offer this new opportunity to all Shwabees!

Breakfast and Lunch

Students will be able to eat breakfast and lunch free of charge this year. Also, throughout the year, food bags will be available for take-home. Students are also provided with a healthy fruit snack daily that is shared in their classrooms. Families will continue to be allowed to join their Shwabees for lunch on the assigned day. Please see the schedule.

Visitors Lunch Days & Times (Beginning Oct. 19)

• Kindergarten – 10:55 – 11:25 (Monday)
• 1st grade – 12:15 – 12:45 (Tuesday)
• 2nd grade – 11:15 – 11:45 (Wednesday)
• 3rd grade – 11:40 – 12:10 (Thursday)
• 4th grade – 10:50 – 11:20 (Friday)
• 5th grade – 12:00 – 12:30 (Friday)

Outside Snacks and Lunchboxes

Promoting healthy eating continues to be an area of focus here at Shwab Elementary. Students may bring one snack of their choice from home each day. Students who bring a lunchbox are required to have a full lunch that includes protein, fruit/vegetable, grain, and dairy. Students who bring lunchboxes with multiple snacks will be asked to get a lunch tray for the day. 

Snacks vs Lunch

• One outside individual/unopened snack allowed.
• No sodas allowed.
• Students with multiple snacks will be asked to select and to get a school lunch tray.

General Guidance

School Hours

School begins this year at 8:10 a.m. Doors will open for you beginning at 7:55 a.m. Students are to line up on the front porch and will be escorted in by school staff beginning at 7:55 a.m. School dismisses at 3:10 p.m. for grades K-5. Early dismissal ends at 1:10 p.m. for Pre-K students and 2:10 p.m. for students in grades K-5. No student can be dismissed "early" after this time.

Arrival and Dismissal

To maintain a smooth and safe transition for you and your peers, we ask parents who are dropping off to use the car rider circle located at the front of the building. Our circle is a “One Way” circle. This was put in place to keep everyone safe in the mornings. Many of our students walk and are crossing with parents from the parking lot. It is important to ensure that they can cross the street from the parking lot to the school safely, and for our staff to be able to manage the traffic appropriately. Once students have exited the cars, we ask that you do not attempt to drive around other cars. Cars will not be allowed to cross into the parking lot from the first entrance. If you would like to walk your student(s) to the door, please park in the parking lot using the entrance closest to The Dive Hotel.

When a change in your dismissal is necessary, your parent must contact the school in writing by note, email, or text message—not a phone call—to inform them of the change.

Traffic Guidelines

We need your help! To keep all students safe, we must follow guidelines set forth by Shwab Elementary. Shwab's staff has been trained and is expected to always act in the best interest of student safety. Please plan to comply with all requests and know that procedures have been established to act in the best interests of all students.

• Please drive at a speed limit of 15 mph on school grounds at all times.
• While driving on school grounds, please remain cell phone free.

Pre-K Dismissal Procedures

• Dismissal begins at 2:10 p.m. and goes until 2:25 p.m. daily.
• Remain in your car until you are in the circle area closest to the school.
• An approved adult must sign students up (must be at least 18 years old) with a photo ID.
• You may park by the playground and fence that borders The Dive Motel if you want to walk to the building—not anywhere else.
• Once in your car with your student, do not start driving. Wait until you are told to go by whoever is directing traffic.

Car & Booster Seat Safety Information

K–5 Dismissal Procedures

• Dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m. and goes until 3:25 p.m. daily.
• Due to Pre-K dismissal, please park and do not enter the pickup circle until 2:20 p.m.
• Do not park anywhere but a parking spot.
• No line creating in the parking lot that blocks parking spots for staff and visitors.
• Please remain in your cars during dismissal and wait for students to be escorted to the car by a staff member.
• One lane of traffic will be released at a time.
• Walkers will be escorted by a staff member and released to approved adults in the field located on the left side of the building, closest to the Laundry Mat.
• Walkers will not be released to parents in the car rider line.
• All parents will be asked to clear the porch and wait in their self-selected pick-up areas.

Late Pick-Up

Students are considered late pick-up at 3:25 PM. Shwab staff members are not available to remain with students after 3:15 PM. Please ensure that students are picked up on time each day. Failure to do so could result in a progression of protocols required by MNPS policy.  After-care options are available through the Boys and Girls Club. This is an option, but not guaranteed. There is a $25 registration fee and a $20 weekly fee. The Boys and Girls Club generally follows the school's schedule. Communication is shared in advance when the schedule does not align. It is the parents' responsibility to make dismissal arrangements for 3:10 PM these days.

Achievement Ball

This year, we want to celebrate our students' hard work by hosting a school event. In March, we will host our third Achievement Ball here at the school. This dance will celebrate students' achievements, as measured against their grade-level criteria. To participate, students must meet one of the expectations assigned to their grade level. Please reach out to your child's teacher for more information regarding this event.

Attendance

Consistent attendance is vital to learning experience. Get into the routine of coming to school on time. If you must be absent, be sure you return with an excuse note from your parent. We will accept only 6 parent notes (3 for the first semester and 3 for the second). If you are out for three consecutive days (three days in a row), a doctor's note is required to be considered excused. After 5 days of being absent (both excused and unexcused), Parents will receive a notice of concern for truancy. You are considered truant after 9 days of absence. If you arrive at 8 am or later, you will report to the office for a tardy slip. Parents must sign up late.

When is sick too sick for school? Read the MNPS health and wellness page.

Attendance Events

Monthly attendance events will be held for students with perfect attendance for the previous month. Attendance is a focus for us as a school, and our goal is to have our students present "All day. Every day!" Daily attendance improves academics. Please reach out to a member of our staff with any questions that you may have.

Birthdays

Shwab wants to celebrate our students. However, we do not have the capacity to host birthday parties. Students celebrating a birthday will be allowed to bring in one treat to share with the class during lunchtime. To protect instructional time, no classroom parties will be permitted.

Communication

All students will transport a folder (Pre-K – 2) or a binder (3-5) from home to school each day. Students will have time to reflect upon their day. Their reflection will be included in their folder/binder. Please make time to review the folder/binder and sign it each day.  Callouts and emails are provided to families to share important news and events. All teachers will set up a form of electronic communication with parents. This will be used to provide quick reminders and updates to families. Lastly, grade levels will be sending home monthly newsletters on the first Thursday/Friday of the month. This is all to keep everyone informed about the great things happening here at Shwab ES.

Grades

Parent(s) will be able to access quarterly grades through Schoology. You will be given an access code to create an account and view your grades. If you are new to MNPS or do not have an account, here is a video you and your parents can watch to learn how to sign up for an account after you receive your Schoology access code

Metro Schools Schoology page.

PBIS Events

PBIS is our system to encourage positive behavior. When students meet school expectations by being respectful, responsible, and safe, they will receive Bee Bucks. Students are responsible for keeping up with their Bucks. Classrooms will begin counting Bee Bucks in preparation for monthly PBIS events. In addition to these events, students will be able to enter drawings, buy coins for the book vending machine, purchase special event tickets and prizes, and shop at the Bee Buck Store at the end of each semester.

Retake Policy

Students will have the opportunity to retake assessments to show mastery of standards. Each grade level will develop their own retake policy. Be sure to speak with your teacher regarding the policy.

Recognition

Students will be recognized in various ways. Quarterly Awards Assemblies will be held to recognize students for both their academic and social achievements. Attendance impacts students' ability to excel in both areas. Ensuring that students are on time and ready for learning each day will give them a head start as they work to meet their academic and social goals.

Standard School Attire

Students should look and feel prepared for scholarly learning. Students are required to wear standard school attire that includes black, khaki (any shade), and blue bottoms, and any solid-colored shirt. Polos and button-downs are acceptable. Pants such as jeans, yoga pants, form fitting pants/leggings are not permitted. If you come to school without the appropriate attire, you will be asked to call home to arrange a change of clothes in the main office.

Change of Clothes

Students in the younger grades, Pre-K-1st, are still learning how school works and sometimes need extra support. To manage accidents that may occur along the way, we ask that all students in grades Pre-K-1 have an extra change of clothes. This will help to alleviate some frustration on the front end, as students work through their personal goals and transitions.

Technology

All students in grades PreK-5 will be assigned a laptop. Students in grades 3-5 will have the option to transport laptops to and from home as needed. Students in grades 3-5 are responsible for their laptop computer and charger cord. Anytime school technology is in use, interactions while operating the computer are the parents' or students' responsibility. If students visit a website, send a message, or send an email, there is an electronic record of it. Please understand that cyberbullying will not be tolerated. If the computer is lost or stolen, your parent must file a police report and get an incident report number. Shwab ES cannot check out a new computer to you unless you bring the police report number. If your computer is damaged, you must tell your teachers.

Here are some helpful tips on how to take care of your school-issued computer:

• Be sure you use your case to carry and protect your computer
• Be sure you clean your hands after eating or handling sticky items.
• Be sure you keep food and drinks away from your computer and charger cord.
• Be sure always to use 2 hands to carry your computer.
• Be gentle with your computer.

Visitors

All visitors must have a photo ID and must be Raptored into the front office. Classroom visits will be permitted only with administrative approval. We can only welcome visitors for educational purposes. If a parent would like to meet with your child's teacher, please schedule a time. No unscheduled meetings will be allowed.