Our 5th graders became real-world matter detectives as they explored Mixtures vs. Solutions. They mixed, stirred, observed, and recorded how different substances interact—learning firsthand that while all solutions are mixtures, not all mixtures are solutions! 💡
31 minutes ago, Southwestern Elementary
students exploring mixtures and solutions
students exploring mixtures and solutions
students exploring mixtures and solutions
🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 Sign ups are now OPEN for our Southwestern Fun Run!

We’re raising $20,000 for A new mascot costume and wrapping doors and windows, and when you sign up at MyBooster.com, your pack has the chance to head to @greatwolflodge!

We have some fun in store for our families while we fundraise to reach our goal, but you must be registered on MyBooster.com to qualify. Plus, just for receiving their first donation, students can earn their very own Wolf Ears!

📅 Sign Up online at MyBooster.com – TODAY!
🎉 Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 09/30/2026
👟 Event Day – 10/08/2026

Save the date and stay tuned for the exciting adventure to come!
about 24 hours ago, Southwestern Elementary
picture of students running with pom poms and the text my booster.com

🎙️ Season 4 of Amplified is here! We’re starting the new season with Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker, who sits down with us to talk about his first weeks in Chesapeake. From what has impressed him about our schools and students to what brought his family to Chesapeake, Dr. Brubaker shares his early impressions and what he’s looking forward to in the year ahead.
Listen today at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

4 days ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Amplified: Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker - Dr. Brubaker speaking on the mic.
Help us make dismissal a breeze this year! 🎒

If your students are parent pick-up, please take a moment to complete the 2026–2027 form below. Only one form is needed per family—just make sure to include all your students on it.

👉 Click here to fill out the form: https://tinyurl.com/4d3bc432
16 days ago, Southwestern Elementary
Parent Pick Up
✅ Reminder: SWE Meet & Greet is Tomorrow!

We can't wait to welcome back our Bruins tomorrow, Thursday, September 3rd! Students can visit their new classrooms, meet their teachers, and drop off school supplies before the first day.

To help ease traffic and ensure quality time with teachers, please attend during your assigned time slot:

Last Names A–M: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

Last Names N–Z: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Quick Links & Tips:

Check your grade-level Supply List online so you can bring your materials ready to drop off: https://www.cpschools.com/page/supply-lists

Pro-Tip: Over-ear headphones tend to last much longer than earbuds!

We're looking forward to kicking off an amazing school year together!
16 days ago, Southwestern Elementary
Meet and Greet
✏️ Help Us Start the School Year Off Right! ✏️

The new school year is right around the corner! We’re gearing up to launch our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program on Day 1!

We need your help stocking our PBIS Store before the first bell rings so our kids are motivated from week one! 🌟

🛒 Shop our Wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1D3UA1BP6FQ57?ref_=wl_share

Every item purchased ships directly to the school and goes straight toward rewarding a student's hard work. Thank you for supporting our kids—please share! ❤️
24 days ago, Southwestern Elementary
PBIS for Positive Behavior - We need your help!
STOP🛑Are you enrolled for school yet? Let’s get your bus ride ready!

Attention families of rising kindergartners and students new to the City of Chesapeake: If you haven’t completed enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year yet, please submit your registration by August 3, 2026.

Registering by this deadline guarantees bus transportation for your child on the first day of school! Enrollments completed after August 3, 2026, will still receive a bus assignment as soon as possible, but enrolling early helps us plan for a smooth start to the school year! 🚌

Register today:

Kindergarten: cpschools.com/kindergarten

New to Chesapeake Students (Grades 1-12): cpschools.com/enrollment

Know a new neighbor? Help us spread the word and tag them below 👇
about 2 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Smiling crossing guard ready for school. Text states: are you enrolled for school, yet?
We are thrilled to introduce our new principal, Dr. Jessica Dace! 🐻✨

Dr. Dace brings 18 years of experience to SWE, having taught both primary and intermediate students before entering administration. Most recently, she served as the principal of Rena B. Wright Primary since 2023.

Dr. Dace is looking forward to new opportunities to learn and grow alongside our amazing students, staff, and families. 💙💛

Welcome to the Southwestern Elementary family! 🎉
3 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
Dr dace

We are hiring, and stories like Perry Hunt’s reflect the impact educators have in Chesapeake Public Schools. From iteach participant to Portlock Primary School Teacher of the Year, Perry’s journey highlights the opportunities available for individuals ready to step into education and make a difference. ✨

View Perry's story here and learn how you can join a team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students. We are currently hiring reading specialists, media specialists, general education teachers (preK–5), special education teachers (K–12), and math teachers! Visit cpschools.com/careers to apply today! 🎉

3 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Perry Hunt smiling at his students.

A special episode of Amplified is now available! 🎙

As he prepares for retirement, Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton joins us for a candid conversation about his time leading Chesapeake Public Schools and the journey that brought him back home to serve the community that helped shape him.

From navigating the challenges of a pandemic to expanding opportunities for students and supporting employees, Dr. Cotton reflects on the experiences, accomplishments, and people that have made an impact throughout his career.
Join us as he shares memories, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and a final message to the Chesapeake community. #EmpowerCPS #CPSCelebrates

🎧 Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.

3 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Full Circle with Dr. Jared A Cotton on Amplified the Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast cover art.
Dr. Cotton talking in the studio.
Jay Lewter and Dr. Cotton speaking in the studio.

The future looks bright! 💙💛 Big congratulations to our Southwestern Elementary PTA Scholarship recipients!

We had the joy of presenting these three outstanding Western Branch High School seniors with $1,000 scholarships to help them on their next chapter:

🎉 Amarii Dancy (Joan Smith Scholarship)
🎉 Hailey Girven (Oman Graham Scholarship)
🎉 Amari Snellings Bowden (Darlene Dowell Scholarship)

We are incredibly proud of your dedication and can't wait to see where your journey takes you. Once a Bruin, always a Bruin! Success looks good on you all! 🎓✨

3 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
students receiving scholarship awards
Class of 2038 (yes, you read that right!), you have officially conquered Kindergarten! 🎓✨ From learning to read to making lifelong friends, we are so incredibly proud of our little Bruins. Watch out, 1st grade, here they come! #ClassOf2038 #swebruins
3 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
kindergarten students on stage with balloons
kindergarten students on stage with balloons
kindergarten students on stage with balloons
kindergarten students on stage with balloons
kindergarten students on stage with balloons
🎓✨ 5th Grade Promotion Reminder! ✨🎓 We are so excited to celebrate our amazing students tomorrow! For all families and students who have signed up to attend, here is a quick reminder of the timeline for the big event: 📅 Date: Friday, June 12th, 2026 📍Location: Jolliff Middle School 🚪 Doors Open: 5:15 PM ⏰ Student Arrival: No later than 5:30 PM Please make sure your students arrive on time so we can get everyone lined up and ready to celebrate this incredible milestone! See you there! 🐻💛💙
3 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
5th grade promotion ceremony June 12, 2026 Jolliff Middle School 5:15

📦 Special Delivery! 📦 Our SWE student office workers, Madison and Kaeghlan, started delivering yearbooks today! Don't miss out on these memories.

How to get yours:
🛒 Order online before they run out: https://www.cpschools.com/o/SWE
💵 Or bring $15 cash!

Get yours today before they're gone! 🐻✨

4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
student delivering yearbooks
🎓 Big Congratulations to our SWE Scholarship Winners! 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate three outstanding Western Branch High School seniors who have each been awarded a $1,000 Southwestern Elementary PTA Scholarship! 🏆✨

🐻 Amarii Dancey – Awarded the Joan Smith Scholarship
🐻 Hailey Girven – Awarded the Oman Graham Scholarship
🐻 Amari Snellings Bowden – Awarded the Darlene Dowell Scholarship

We are so incredibly proud of your hard work, dedication, and the amazing future you have ahead of you. Once a Bruin, always a Bruin! 💙💛

4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
Photo of Amarii Dancy
Photo of Hailey Girven
Photo of Amari Snellings-Bowden
💡 WHO SAYS STATE TEST PREP HAS TO BE BORING?! 💡Mrs. Lofay completely transformed her 4th grade classroom into a neon "Glow Room" to tackle SOL math review! ✨ With the black lights on, glow sticks cracked, and neon highlighters buzzing, the students were completely locked in!
4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
students practicing math in black light
Community in Action! 🚓🚒🥋🩺 Our 2nd graders had the best time learning about human, natural, and capital resources, plus goods and services, directly from the experts!

A huge thank you to the Chesapeake Police Department (and the BearCat truck!), the Sheriff’s Department, our local Fire Department, Master Hwang, and parent/healthcare director Mr. Stancil for inspiring our students!

Shout-out to all the incredible teachers, staff, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make this event a huge success.

Check out some of the highlights from our station rotation! 📸👇
4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
students and presenters at community helpers day
Drum roll, please... 🥁 Let’s hear it for the final reveal! The wait is officially over, and she completely blew us away! 🤩🎨

Our courtyard went from a blank canvas to an absolute masterpiece! Thank you Mrs. T for bringing so much color to our school! ✨
4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
image of Pokemon painted in the courtyard
image o Mario and Luigi painted in the courtyard
image of Pete the cat painted in the courtyard
image of hello kitty and friends painted in the courtyard
image of Pokemon painted in the courtyard
image of yoshi and toad painted in the courtyard
image of cats painted in the courtyard
image of flowers painted in the courtyard
On Saturday, our incredible custodial staff was celebrated at the 2026 Custodial Banquet at Grassfield High School!

A huge shoutout to our SWE custodial team, who was recognized for their outstanding teamwork and exemplary service! Not only that, but our very own Mrs. Robinson brilliantly presided over the event!

We are so proud to have this dedicated team keeping our school running every single day. Thank you for everything you do! ❤️

#CPSCelebrates #SWEBruins #ThankYouCustodians
4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
staff at the custodial banquet
staff at the custodial banquet
staff at the custodial banquet
🚁 4th Grade is taking flight! 🚁 Thanks to a generous grant from CPSEF, our students are learning how to code flight paths and exploring how drones are changing careers in search & rescue, agriculture, and filmmaking! 💻✨
4 months ago, Southwestern Elementary
students coding drones
students coding drones
students coding drones
students coding drones
students coding drones
students coding drones