Southwestern Elementary

🚁 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! 💻✨

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

So incredibly proud of our SWE Girls on the Run team for showing up and digging deep at the Virginia Beach 10 Miler & 5K last weekend! 🌊 Huge shoutout to the coaches, parents, and volunteers who cheered us on. Our girls didn't just reach the finish line; they realized they can do hard things! #GirlsOnTheRun #SWE #VABeach10Miler #BuildingConfidence #FinishLineFeels

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

Field Day 2026 was a total success! 🏆 Huge thanks to Mrs. Tyson for the quick thinking to bring the fun indoors, and to our amazing volunteers for keeping the games running smoothly. Seeing those smiles made it all worth it! #swebruins #BestDayEver #fielddayfun

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

students and staff enjoying indoor Field day activities

Last Thursday, we gathered for our district retirement ceremony to celebrate the “Noteworthy Impact” our 2026 retirees have made across Chesapeake Public Schools. 💙✨

Together, we honored 166 dedicated employees whose service, leadership, and compassion have helped shape the lives of students, staff, families, and our entire community. Together, they represent 3,499 collective years of commitment to public education and student success. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS

📸 See the photo gallery from the ceremony: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThqnjmPcaGbTH7Lw7
📖 View the full list of retirees: https://canva.link/cpsretirement2026
🎥 Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/7niBtbGHZgs

From classrooms and cafeterias to buses, offices, and beyond, we thank our retirees for the lasting difference they have made across our district. 🌟

6 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools

Superintendent Dr. Cotton receiving his retirement plaque with the School Board Chair.

A retiree crying in a happy way for being honored for her contributions.

Retiree shaking hands with the Superintendent.

Retiree smiling speaking and laughing with his principal.

We can't let the week end without shouting out the heart of our clinic: Mrs. Klewer. Whether it’s a bandage or a big medical plan, she handles everything with such care! Thank you, Nurse. Klewer, for looking after our SWE students and staff!

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

SWE is feeling the love!🍎

Our incredible teachers and staff have been showered with treats all week long! From snacks and morning breakfast to a full baked potato bar luncheon, our Southwestern Elementary PTA has been busy fueling the team that fuels our students' dreams. 🥔✨

Thank you to our teachers and staff for all you do for our students every single day. You are the heart of SWE! ❤️ #cpstaw26 #swebruins #CPSInspires

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

teachers receiving treats for teacher appreciation

Our 3rd graders became historians for the day! 📜✨ A big thank you to Mrs. Berz from Silk Road Notes for visiting our school. Our students loved exploring ancient civilizations through her amazing stories and hands-on artifacts. It was a fantastic day of learning and discovery!

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

students exploring artifacts from ancient China

Big news! 🎨 Please join us in congratulating the winners of our Yearbook Cover Contest! Ava and Neriah’s incredible artwork will be featured on the front and back covers of this year’s yearbook.

To celebrate, they received a surprise visit from the Chick-fil-A Cow and scored some awesome Chick-fil-A swag! 🐮✨ We are so proud of our talented artists! 👏📚

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

student with the chick FIL a cow holding their yearbook cover

What an incredible way to wrap up Month of the Military Child! 💜🎖️SWE rounded off our MOMC celebrations with a school-wide parade! Our hallways were filled with so much pride as we celebrated the strength and resilience of our military-connected students.

Thank you for your service to your families and our country! 🇺🇸✨

#MOMC #PurpleUp #MilitaryChild #SouthwesternElementary

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

Thank you for coming out to our Kindergarten Kickoff! 🎒 It was a busy night at SWE, and we appreciate all of the families that took the time to join us to discuss registration, health info, and more.

Missed the event? Don’t worry! You can still get your child ready for their big debut:

💻 Online Registration: Click the following link to start the process: https://www.cpschools.com/page/register-online-enrollment
📞 Questions? Give our front office a call at 757-465-6310.

We can't wait to see these little ones in the hallways this fall! 🖍️✨

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

students and families at kindergarten kick off

So proud of our Battle of the Books Team! They competed fiercely in the Battle of the Books last weekend and they tackled every question with focus and supported each other every step of the way! Way to represent SWE with heart and spirit! We are so proud of our readers. 📚✨#CPSCelebrates #BattleOfTheBooks #swebruins

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

We want to give a massive shout-out to the incredible United Way of South Hampton Roads volunteers who spent their day at Southwestern Elementary! Our garden beds have never looked better. Thank you for making a difference! 🧤✨

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

A huge thank you to all the military families who joined us for our 'Camo and Coffee' event! ☕️🪖 It was an honor to celebrate our resilient military children and show our appreciation for the sacrifices your families make every day. We loved seeing everyone there!

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

military members and their students at the camo and Coffee event

We’ve been celebrating our Administrative Professionals all week long! 🌟

Today’s highlight? Our Kindergarteners surprised these amazing ladies with handmade signs of appreciation. There’s nothing quite like a 'thank you' from our youngest learners to make the day extra special! 🎨❤️

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

kindergarten students with heart signs appreciating the secretaries

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated team whose hard work ensures our school runs smoothly! Incredible talent like theirs is hard to find—we’re lucky to have them!

6 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! thank you Mrs. donely

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! thank you Mrs. carter

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! thank you Ms. drake

What does student-centered learning look like in your child’s classroom? In Chesapeake Public Schools, our teachers are creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences for students. In our latest episode, nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker joins us to highlight how this work is taking shape in our classrooms, from increasing student voice and choice to building stronger connections that support learning. 🎧 Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.

6 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools

Dr. Tucker smiling proudly in front of the School Administration Building.

Making the Shift with Dr. Catlin Tucker - Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast. Dr. Tucker smiling sitting on a chair. Episode 29

Reading Month went out with a BANG at SWE! 💥📚

SWE students celebrated by comparing the Charlotte’s Web book and movie before heading to Spring Break. The best part? Every single student walked away with a new book thanks to our Book Blast by Books Are Fun and the amazing support of our community!

Huge thanks to TowneBank for supporting One School, One Book and keeping the magic of reading alive at SWE. 🌟

7 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

students and teachers wearing reading shirts

Spring Break may have paused our calendar, but it didn't pause our appreciation! We are officially celebrating National Assistant Principals Week this week to honor the amazing Mrs. Johnson.

From supporting our teachers to mentoring students, Mrs. Johnson’s leadership keeps our school running smoothly every single day. We are so grateful for her hard work and dedication.

Please join us in saying a huge THANK YOU to Mrs. Johnson! 🍎✨

7 months ago, Southwestern Elementary

national assistant principals week southwestern elementary Mrs. dawn Johnson with a photo of the assistant principal

a group of teachers and the assistant principal with a sign showing appreciation

the assistant principal with a sign showing appreciation

Poppin in and post-it to say thanks for all you do sign and popcorn for staff to appreciate the assistant principal

Our Chesapeake Preschool Initiative (CPI) program is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. 🚸 CPI is a free, full-day program that gives eligible children a head start on their education.

What makes a child eligible?
Must live in the City of Chesapeake
Must be 4 years old by September 30, 2026
Must meet program eligibility criteria

Visit our website to review the details and start your application today: http://cpschools.com/cpi

7 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools

Child is excited for the open registration of the Chesapeake Preschool Initiative

Important Calendar Updates & Reminders! 📅

April 6 - 10 is Spring Break. Schools will be closed. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break! 🌸

April 13 is a Teacher Workday. No school for students.

April 21 is now an Asynchronous Day for all students. Meals will also be available at select school sites. More information is available here: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=53908933

As a reminder, you can full our full calendar of events here: https://www.cpschools.com/events

7 months ago, Chesapeake Public Schools