Welcome to Southwest Elementary. We are really excited to welcome new and returning students and families for the current school year. We value you as partners in education and are looking forward to working with you for the duration of your child’s experience at Southwest Elementary School.
Southwest is located at 1500 Woodland Street in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and is one of five elementary schools in the Lebanon School District. We currently have over 450 enrolled students in K4 through fifth grade and employ over 60 dedicated staff members. Southwest provides student services such as English Language Development (ELD), special education, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, gifted support, Title 1, and counseling to promote student success for all students.
Student achievement is our main goal in the Lebanon School District. Our number one indicator is for all of our students to have the necessary experiences to develop the knowledge and skills for their chosen career path. Southwest Elementary School is committed to providing students with a fundamental education, giving students all of the tools and resources needed to be successful in all future endeavors. In addition to rigorous academic instruction, students will have the opportunity to learn and practice age-appropriate social skills and develop 21st Century skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and collaboration.
Student achievement is a priority at Southwest Elementary School. Our highly qualified professional teaching staff takes pride in student-centered teaching practices with a focus on individualized learning opportunities. Students are provided with ongoing assessments to provide teachers with the necessary data to make informed educational decisions for all students.
The ARC (American Reading Company) program is a reading program used in all K5 through fifth grade classrooms to ensure that all students receive instruction on their individualized reading level, providing students with specific goals and reading strategies for continued success and growth area of reading. Southwest has a literacy coach to support literacy instruction with ongoing data reviews, staff coaching, and student assessment and intervention supports.
A school-wide positive approach to behavior support helps students as they develop appropriate decision-making skills. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is an evidence-based program used to teach and reward positive behaviors, promoting an environment where staff and students work together to demonstrate respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors.
Social-emotional learning is just as important as academic content. All classrooms utilize the Second Step program to provide developmentally appropriate and highly engaging lessons and activities to promote social-emotional learning on an ongoing basis. Teachers also incorporate social-emotional learning through morning meetings and activities, fostering a safe environment with opportunities to promote collaboration, communication, and inclusion. Southwest has a school counselor and a school-based counselor through Pennsylvania Counseling Services on site at all times to provide students with additional supports as needed.
Community involvement is a powerful service that supports students’ academic and social progress at Southwest Elementary School. We value your input and encourage you to join the Southwest Parent Faculty Organization (PFO) to assist us in making decisions to strengthen the educational programs of the Southwest learning community. Contact the office for further information to become a member of the Southwest PFO.
Southwest strives to:
• enhance achievement for all students through the design of a rigorous curriculum aligned with state standards, content and assessments.
• provide professional learning opportunities that support teachers in implementing differentiated, challenging, and standards-based instruction.
• understand and appreciate diversity in our school community.
• create meaningful parent and community involvement opportunities.
We look forward to partnering with you as we embark on a new school year together. For questions or concerns, please contact the office at (717) 675-2173.
Sincerely,
Miss Staci O’Byle, Assistant Principal
Mr. Craig Colletti, Principal