Testing Dates: April 28 – May 8
✏️ ELA (Grades 3–5):
📅 April 28 (Tuesday)
📅 April 29 (Wednesday)
📅 April 30 (Thursday)
🏠 May 1 (Friday): At-Home Learning Day
➕ Math (Grades 3–5):
📅 May 4 (Monday)
📅 May 5 (Tuesday)
🔬 Science (Grade 5 Only):
📅 May 6 (Wednesday)
📝 Make-Ups:
📅 May 7–8 (Thursday & Friday)
💡 Helpful Reminders:
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Arrive on time
• Encourage your child to do their very best!
Happy Administrative Assistant Day! 💙
Today we celebrate two very special members of our Swain family—Taylor Martin and Robin Bohannon! These ladies are truly the heart of our front office. From greeting everyone with a smile, answering countless phone calls, keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, and helping students, staff, and families throughout the day—they do it all!
Their kindness, patience, and dedication do not go unnoticed. They go above and beyond to support our school in so many ways, and we are incredibly thankful for everything they do each and every day.
Be sure to show them some love today!
#SwainNation
Yesterday, our 5th grade students proudly graduated from the C.H.A.M.P.S. program, a character education and safety initiative presented by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. Throughout this program, students learned valuable lessons about making good choices, building strong character, resisting negative peer pressure, and becoming responsible citizens. We are so proud of our students for their hard work and commitment during this program. A special thank you to our local Sheriff’s Office, especially Officer Ochoa, for investing in our students and helping guide them toward a positive future. Congratulations to our C.H.A.M.P.S. graduates! Each year in the C.H.A.M.P.S. program, students complete both an essay and a poster to showcase what they have learned. From these, one winner is selected in each category. We are proud to recognize this year’s winners: Poster Winner: Jason Ramos Macal Essay Winner: Kylie Womack In addition, students are observed throughout the program for demonstrating what it truly means to be a C.H.A.M.P.S. student—Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety while showing growth and strong character. One student is selected as the C.H.A.M.P.S. Student of the Year based on these qualities. C.H.A.M.P.S. Student of the Year: Emmett Law We are so proud of these students and the example they set for others.
Swain Elementary School invites parents of students entering Kindergarten for the 2026–2027 school year to attend a parent meeting focused on helping your child successfully transition to Kindergarten. Join us to gain helpful ideas, tips, and resources to support your child’s readiness for this exciting milestone.
April 20, 2026
8:40 am - 9:10 am.
Please check in at the front office.
For more information contact Connie VanHouten
cvhouten@gcbe.org
April 20, 2026
8:40 am - 9:10 am.
Please check in at the front office.
For more information contact Connie VanHouten
cvhouten@gcbe.org
We Value Your Feedback!
Thank you to everyone who has attended our face-to-face parent input with our Title I elementary and middle schools.
If you were not able to attend our recent in-person meetings, take advantage of this opportunity to provide input and suggestions on many important school documents for the 2026-2027 school year. This online feedback begins today and is open through April 15.
All Gordon County parents, families, school staff, students and community members, are invited to provide feedback on the following documents:
• School Improvement Plan
• School-Parent Compact
• Parent & Family Engagement Funds
• School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan
View the information and participate in the online survey here:
https://gordoncountyschoolsga.sites.thrillshare.com/page/parent-and-family-engagement-input
Thank you to everyone who has attended our face-to-face parent input with our Title I elementary and middle schools.
If you were not able to attend our recent in-person meetings, take advantage of this opportunity to provide input and suggestions on many important school documents for the 2026-2027 school year. This online feedback begins today and is open through April 15.
All Gordon County parents, families, school staff, students and community members, are invited to provide feedback on the following documents:
• School Improvement Plan
• School-Parent Compact
• Parent & Family Engagement Funds
• School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan
View the information and participate in the online survey here:
https://gordoncountyschoolsga.sites.thrillshare.com/page/parent-and-family-engagement-input
We Value Your Feedback!
Thank you to everyone who has attended our face-to-face parent input with our Title I elementary and middle schools.
If you were not able to attend our recent in-person meetings, take advantage of this opportunity to provide input and suggestions on many important school documents for the 2026-2027 school year. This online feedback begins today and is open through April 15.
All Gordon County parents, families, school staff, students and community members, are invited to provide feedback on the following documents:
• School Improvement Plan
• School-Parent Compact
• Parent & Family Engagement Funds
• School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan
View the information and participate in the online survey here:
https://gordoncountyschoolsga.sites.thrillshare.com/page/parent-and-family-engagement-input
Thank you to everyone who has attended our face-to-face parent input with our Title I elementary and middle schools.
If you were not able to attend our recent in-person meetings, take advantage of this opportunity to provide input and suggestions on many important school documents for the 2026-2027 school year. This online feedback begins today and is open through April 15.
All Gordon County parents, families, school staff, students and community members, are invited to provide feedback on the following documents:
• School Improvement Plan
• School-Parent Compact
• Parent & Family Engagement Funds
• School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
• Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan
View the information and participate in the online survey here:
https://gordoncountyschoolsga.sites.thrillshare.com/page/parent-and-family-engagement-input
📢 Attention Future Little Warriors! 📢 Kindergarten Registration is officially OPEN, and we are so excited to welcome our newest Warriors to Swain Nation next year! Get ready for a year full of learning, laughter, friendships, and unforgettable moments! 📝 How to Register: You can print registration forms from our website or stop by the school to pick up a packet. 📌 Please be sure to include copies of the following: • Birth Certificate • Social Security Card • Immunization Form 3231 • Eye, Ear, Dental Form 3300 • Proof of Address (power bill, water bill, gas bill, or rent/lease agreement) 📞 If you have any questions, please call the school—we are happy to help! 706-629-0141 #SwainNation
🎉⭐️🎸March ROCKSTARS 🎸⭐️🎉 Our spotlight continues to shine on some of AMAZING Rockstars at WLS! 🌟 This month, teachers and staff nominated someone who shows true PRIDE—Polite, Responsible, Inclusive, Determined, and Engaged. For the month of March, our focus was on being Inclusive, and these Rockstars make sure they show this every day ✨ 👏 A HUGE congratulations to our PRIDE Winners: 🍎 Teacher Rockstar: Felicia Greeson 🦸 Staff Rockstar: Liz Trumbull These two incredible ladies were chosen for their dedication to students and staff and for always going above and beyond in everything they do. 💙 Let’s give them a big round of applause in the comments below! 👏 Way to go, Rockstars! 🎤⭐️ #ExtraordinaryWLS #SwainNation
W. L. Swain Elementary School
Invites you to join us for a night of fun and learning!
Family STEAM Night
March 19, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30pm
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
This exciting night brings them all together through hands-on activities for the whole family.
Enjoy Free Pizza and Water!
For more information contact Connie Van Houten
706-629-0141 or cvhouten@gcbe.org
Invites you to join us for a night of fun and learning!
Family STEAM Night
March 19, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30pm
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
This exciting night brings them all together through hands-on activities for the whole family.
Enjoy Free Pizza and Water!
For more information contact Connie Van Houten
706-629-0141 or cvhouten@gcbe.org
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
All parents, families, school staff, students, and community members:
We need your input to plan for the 2026–2027 school year. This is an opportunity for you to provide input and suggestions to build new ideas and create positive change in our school.
We will review and revise the following:
School-Parent Compact
School Improvement Plan
School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP)
Come and share ideas about how the 1% set aside for Parent & Family Engagement can be best used.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
March 18, 2026
7:30 am - 12:30 pm Drop-in Session
Swain Elementary. School
For more information, you can contact us or visit our website:
Telephone: 706-629-0141
Fax: 706-879-5291
Email: tgreen@gcbe.org
Website: www.gcbe.org/o/wls
All parents, families, school staff, students, and community members:
We need your input to plan for the 2026–2027 school year. This is an opportunity for you to provide input and suggestions to build new ideas and create positive change in our school.
We will review and revise the following:
School-Parent Compact
School Improvement Plan
School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP)
Come and share ideas about how the 1% set aside for Parent & Family Engagement can be best used.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
March 18, 2026
7:30 am - 12:30 pm Drop-in Session
Swain Elementary. School
For more information, you can contact us or visit our website:
Telephone: 706-629-0141
Fax: 706-879-5291
Email: tgreen@gcbe.org
Website: www.gcbe.org/o/wls
Gordon County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Monday, March 16, due to the potential for severe weather in the morning. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and this delay is being implemented to help ensure the safety of our drivers, bus riders, faculty, and families tomorrow morning.
Please adjust your child’s morning drop-off time by two hours. Buses will also operate on a two-hour delay behind their usual route times. Elementary schools will begin at 9:30 a.m. Middle and high schools will begin at 10:30 a.m.
We will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and are working with local agencies as needed. If any additional changes become necessary, families will be notified promptly through our communication channels.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our school community.
🎶 March is Music In Our Schools Month! 🎶
We want to give a big shoutout to our amazing music teacher, Mr. McLeod and his student teacher, Miss Hudgins!
Mr. McLeod fills our hallways with rhythm, creativity, and joy while helping our Warriors discover their musical talents. From singing and instruments to learning about the power of music, he—along with Miss Hudgins—inspires our students every day and makes learning fun!
Thank you, Mr. McLeod and Miss Hudgins, for sharing your passion for music and helping our students grow in confidence, creativity, and Warrior pride. 🎶
W.L. Swain Elementary 2nd grade teacher Heather Payne reviewed the day’s learning targets with her students as they practiced identifying possessive pronouns. Students also worked on sequencing parts of a story by cutting out sections and arranging them in order using transition words.
The activity helped reinforce both grammar and reading comprehension skills while keeping students actively engaged in the learning process.
#ExtraordinaryGCS #ExtraordinaryWLS
The activity helped reinforce both grammar and reading comprehension skills while keeping students actively engaged in the learning process.
#ExtraordinaryGCS #ExtraordinaryWLS
W. L. Swain Elementary School
Invites you to join us for a night of fun and learning!
Family STEAM Night
March 19, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30pm
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
This exciting night brings them all together through hands-on activities for the whole family.
Enjoy Free Pizza and Water!
For more information contact Connie Van Houten
706-629-0141 or cvhouten@gcbe.org
Invites you to join us for a night of fun and learning!
Family STEAM Night
March 19, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30pm
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
This exciting night brings them all together through hands-on activities for the whole family.
Enjoy Free Pizza and Water!
For more information contact Connie Van Houten
706-629-0141 or cvhouten@gcbe.org
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
All parents, families, school staff, students, and community members:
We need your input to plan for the 2026–2027 school year. This is an opportunity for you to provide input and suggestions to build new ideas and create positive change in our school.
We will review and revise the following:
School-Parent Compact
School Improvement Plan
School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP)
Come and share ideas about how the 1% set aside for Parent & Family Engagement can be best used.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
March 18, 2026
7:30 am - 12:30 pm Drop-in Session
Swain Elementary School
For more information, you can contact us or visit our website:
Telephone: 706-629-0141
Fax: 706-879-5291
Email: tgreen@gcbe.org
Website: www.gcbe.org/o/wls
All parents, families, school staff, students, and community members:
We need your input to plan for the 2026–2027 school year. This is an opportunity for you to provide input and suggestions to build new ideas and create positive change in our school.
We will review and revise the following:
School-Parent Compact
School Improvement Plan
School Parent & Family Engagement Policy
District Parent & Family Engagement Policy
Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP)
Come and share ideas about how the 1% set aside for Parent & Family Engagement can be best used.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
March 18, 2026
7:30 am - 12:30 pm Drop-in Session
Swain Elementary School
For more information, you can contact us or visit our website:
Telephone: 706-629-0141
Fax: 706-879-5291
Email: tgreen@gcbe.org
Website: www.gcbe.org/o/wls
Gordon County families, this is the last week to register for Pre-K if you want to be included in the Pre-K lottery!
Pre-K Registration Period: Ends March 6th
Pre-K Lottery: March 27th
Kindergarten Registration: Now Open!
Pre-K registration for Gordon County Schools is open until March 6th. The Pre-K Lottery will take place March 27th. Children must be four years old on or before September 1st. Children who are five years old by September 1st may attend Pre-K if they have not previously attended a Georgia Pre-K.
For detailed information about Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration, follow the links below or scan the QR Code from the graphics. You may also call your child's in-district school for more information about kindergarten enrollment.
- Pre-K Registration Information: https://www.gcbe.org/page/prek-program
- Kindergarten Registration Information: https://www.gcbe.org/page/student-enrollment
Join our EXTRAORDINARY school system, where we are committed to student success!
🎉⭐️🎸February ROCKSTAR ALERT! 🎸⭐️🎉 Our spotlight continues to shine on some of AMAZING Rockstars at WLS! 🌟 This month, teachers and staff nominated someone who shows true PRIDE—Polite, Responsible, Inclusive, Determined, and Engaged. For the month of February, our focus was on being Responsible, and these Rockstars make sure they show this every day ✨ 👏 A HUGE congratulations to our PRIDE Winners: 🍎 Teacher Rockstar: Heather Payne 🦸 Staff Rockstar: John Latimer These two incredible educators were chosen for their dedication to students and staff and for always going above and beyond in everything they do. 💙 Let’s give them a big round of applause in the comments belo
W.L. Swain Elementary families — we want to hear from you!
Join us on March 18, 2026, from 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM to help plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This is your opportunity to share ideas and suggestions as we review our School Improvement Plan, School-Parent Compact, Parent & Family Engagement policies, and more.
Your partnership makes our school extraordinary. We hope to see you there!
#ExtraordinaryWLS #ExtraordinaryGCS
Join us on March 18, 2026, from 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM to help plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This is your opportunity to share ideas and suggestions as we review our School Improvement Plan, School-Parent Compact, Parent & Family Engagement policies, and more.
Your partnership makes our school extraordinary. We hope to see you there!
#ExtraordinaryWLS #ExtraordinaryGCS
We are excited to announce that Carrie Arnold will serve as the assistant principal of W.L. Swain Elementary beginning in the 2026-2027 school year!
Carrie has been a dedicated member of the Swain family since 2018, serving as the lead special education teacher. She has taught in inclusion, resource, and severe and profound settings. Carrie has been an educator since 2011 and was selected last year as W.L. Swain Elementary Teacher of the Year. Her commitment to students, staff, and families makes her a wonderful fit for this new role.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to current assistant principal Stacy Calvert for her outstanding service to W.L. Swain Elementary. We wish her the very best as she retires at the end of this year and thank her for the lasting impact she has made on our school community.
Carrie has been a dedicated member of the Swain family since 2018, serving as the lead special education teacher. She has taught in inclusion, resource, and severe and profound settings. Carrie has been an educator since 2011 and was selected last year as W.L. Swain Elementary Teacher of the Year. Her commitment to students, staff, and families makes her a wonderful fit for this new role.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to current assistant principal Stacy Calvert for her outstanding service to W.L. Swain Elementary. We wish her the very best as she retires at the end of this year and thank her for the lasting impact she has made on our school community.
Gordon County Schools Registration Information
Pre-K Registration Period: Now - March 6th
Pre-K Lottery: March 27th
Kindergarten Registration: Now Open!
Pre-K registration for Gordon County Schools is open now through March 6th. The Pre-K Lottery will take place March 27th. Children must be four years old on or before September 1st. Children who are five years old by September 1st may attend Pre-K if they have not previously attended a Georgia Pre-K.
For detailed information about Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration, follow the links below or scan the QR Code from the graphics. You may also call your child's in-district school for more information about kindergarten enrollment.
- Pre-K Registration Information: https://www.gcbe.org/page/prek-program
- Kindergarten Registration Information: https://www.gcbe.org/page/student-enrollment
Join our EXTRAORDINARY school system, where we are committed to student success!
