South Western High School (only) is CLOSED - Friday, November 13, 2026 - due to a power outage.
Come out to support the SWHS Drama Department. Tickets are on sale for A Gift To Remember. November 19, 20, 21, 2026 at 7 PM. $5.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door. https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DYYZ
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our school is excited to bring Flocking back to the elementary schools! This is a fun Mini-THON fundraiser that has been a tradition at the high school for years!
Here’s how it works:
Students and families can make a donation to Mini-THON.
In return, we’ll decorate a classroom with bright pink flamingos.
The decorations stay up for a short time, then “fly” to their next location.
This fun tradition helps us raise money for Mini-THON’s mission of supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Each elementary school will be flocked either for one week in November, or the first week of December. Baresville will be flocked November 9th-13th, Park Hills will be flocked November 16th-20th, Manheim will be flocked November 23rd and 24th, and West Manheim will be flocked December 1st-4th.
👉 If your family would like to participate, please use this link: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/southwesternhsminithonflocking
Thank you for helping us spread joy (and flamingos!) through our school community while supporting such an important cause. Flocking will last throughout the month of November.
Thanks for your support,
South Western Mini-THON
Our school is excited to bring Flocking back to the elementary schools! This is a fun Mini-THON fundraiser that has been a tradition at the high school for years!
Here’s how it works:
Students and families can make a donation to Mini-THON.
In return, we’ll decorate a classroom with bright pink flamingos.
The decorations stay up for a short time, then “fly” to their next location.
This fun tradition helps us raise money for Mini-THON’s mission of supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Each elementary school will be flocked either for one week in November, or the first week of December. Baresville will be flocked November 9th-13th, Park Hills will be flocked November 16th-20th, Manheim will be flocked November 23rd and 24th, and West Manheim will be flocked December 1st-4th.
👉 If your family would like to participate, please use this link: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/southwesternhsminithonflocking
Thank you for helping us spread joy (and flamingos!) through our school community while supporting such an important cause. Flocking will last throughout the month of November.
Thanks for your support,
South Western Mini-THON
Evening Hours for Volunteer Registration Processing ---
Monday, October 12, 2026 - there will be extended hours offered from 4:30PM until 8:00PM - for the purpose of processing volunteer renewals and new registrations. New registrations should continue to schedule an appointment time. Renewals may walk-in during the extended hours.
Join us as we write the next chapter! ----
We are thrilled to invite our alumni, students, families, and community members to the official Rededication Ceremony of South Western High School. Come tour our upgraded spaces, celebrate our rich history, and see what’s in store for the future of the South Western Mustangs! Check out the event flyer for specific ceremony details! --
🎟 RSVP here -- https://forms.gle/aFsno2yMBj9vfjnS6
We are thrilled to invite our alumni, students, families, and community members to the official Rededication Ceremony of South Western High School. Come tour our upgraded spaces, celebrate our rich history, and see what’s in store for the future of the South Western Mustangs! Check out the event flyer for specific ceremony details! --
🎟 RSVP here -- https://forms.gle/aFsno2yMBj9vfjnS6
South Western America 250:
Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future
https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/sw-america-250
Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future
https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/sw-america-250
The South Western School District is announcing an upcoming vacancy on the South Western Board of School Directors due to the unexpected resignation of current school board member Mrs. Katy Bauer. The South Western Board of School Directors is scheduled to consider and formally accept Mrs. Bauer's resignation at the September 9, 2026 planning meeting. Upon acceptance of the resignation, the resulting vacancy will be filled in accordance with applicable laws and district procedures.
The district is accepting applications from individuals interested in being considered for the appointment of the vacant school board position. Applications will be accepted through Friday September 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in the administration office (225 Bowman Road, Hanover, PA). Interested individuals should submit their application materials care of Mr. Duane Bull, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent. Applications received after September 18th at 4:00 p.m. will not be considered.
Following the application period, the School Board will review the applications and applicants will be provided additional information regarding the interview process and schedule for that selection decision. The South Western School District encourages qualified members of the community who are interested in serving the students, families, staff, and community of the District to submit an application.
For questions, please contact the Administration Office of the South Western School District at 717-632-2500.
The district is accepting applications from individuals interested in being considered for the appointment of the vacant school board position. Applications will be accepted through Friday September 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in the administration office (225 Bowman Road, Hanover, PA). Interested individuals should submit their application materials care of Mr. Duane Bull, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent. Applications received after September 18th at 4:00 p.m. will not be considered.
Following the application period, the School Board will review the applications and applicants will be provided additional information regarding the interview process and schedule for that selection decision. The South Western School District encourages qualified members of the community who are interested in serving the students, families, staff, and community of the District to submit an application.
For questions, please contact the Administration Office of the South Western School District at 717-632-2500.
As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States, South Western School District wishes to honor the courage, service, and sacrifice of the veterans in our local community.
We invite students, staff, families, and community members to share stories and photos of family members who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Submissions will be featured in a special tribute gallery on the South Western School District website, Mustang Vision, School Board Meetings, and other morning announcements.
Veterans Response Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdITeaOeA_h-_53cQVjAQSK0S3Igt3u6AEdLYXK9zYvQKOJDw/viewform
We invite students, staff, families, and community members to share stories and photos of family members who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Submissions will be featured in a special tribute gallery on the South Western School District website, Mustang Vision, School Board Meetings, and other morning announcements.
Veterans Response Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdITeaOeA_h-_53cQVjAQSK0S3Igt3u6AEdLYXK9zYvQKOJDw/viewform
Dear Mustang Families and Staff,
In our ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and security of our students, the District is implementing Raptor, our new Visitor Management and Student Pick-up system. While we are excited to launch this enhanced security measure, we are currently experiencing some delays in the full implementation.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these delays may cause and truly appreciate your patience as we work through the final rollout of the system.
To ensure your visit is as smooth and efficient as possible, please plan to arrive early to allow ample time for the verification process.
For every visit, the new system will require the following
A valid Driver’s License.
Your student’s ID Number, which can be found on the Sapphire Community Portal. We recommend keeping this number accessible for future reference.
For added convenience, we highly encourage parents and guardians to download the RaptorSafe mobile app. The app allows you to pre-verify your identity before arriving at the building. Once verified, you will have a QR code that can be used for a faster check-in experience on all visits.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work together to keep our school community safe.
In our ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and security of our students, the District is implementing Raptor, our new Visitor Management and Student Pick-up system. While we are excited to launch this enhanced security measure, we are currently experiencing some delays in the full implementation.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these delays may cause and truly appreciate your patience as we work through the final rollout of the system.
To ensure your visit is as smooth and efficient as possible, please plan to arrive early to allow ample time for the verification process.
For every visit, the new system will require the following
A valid Driver’s License.
Your student’s ID Number, which can be found on the Sapphire Community Portal. We recommend keeping this number accessible for future reference.
For added convenience, we highly encourage parents and guardians to download the RaptorSafe mobile app. The app allows you to pre-verify your identity before arriving at the building. Once verified, you will have a QR code that can be used for a faster check-in experience on all visits.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work together to keep our school community safe.
Stay tuned for information about the upcoming South Western High School Rededication Ceremony on October 25, 2026.
The 2026-2027 South Western School District Activities Calendar is now available on our website. Visit https://aptg.co/vJRyhx.
SW America 250 Fall Kick-Off
The 2026-2027 SWSD Volunteer Registration is now OPEN. Please visit our website page:
https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/mentoring-volunteering.
Please complete the NEW registration form if this is your FIRST time volunteering for the district OR if you did not renew your status in 2025-2026.
If you volunteered in 2025-2026 - please complete the RENEWAL form.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate new systems and processes within the district.
https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/mentoring-volunteering.
Please complete the NEW registration form if this is your FIRST time volunteering for the district OR if you did not renew your status in 2025-2026.
If you volunteered in 2025-2026 - please complete the RENEWAL form.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate new systems and processes within the district.
District Volunteer Update -- Thank you for your continued patience as we prepare to roll out the Raptor Technologies software for our District Volunteer and Visitor Management. The current goal is to open the New Volunteer Registration and the Volunteer Renewal links by the end of the week (August 7, 2026).
SWSD School Board Vacancy Application is available on the School Board Members page and at: https://aptg.co/SJ5Y02. Applications are due to the administration office by 4:00 PM on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Congratulations to the most recent recipients of the SWSD Employee Recognition Program. Left to right: (Row 1) Stephanie Young - EHMMS Paraeducator; Kimberly Birgensmith - EHMMS Custodian; Julie Laudicina - Admin Purchasing Clerk; and (Row 2) Jesse Klinedinst - EHMMS Custodian; Angela Kessel - EHMMS Counselor; Stacy McBride - Baresville Reading Specialist.
The latest edition of the Mustang ROUNDUP district newsletter is available on the district website at: https://aptg.co/QVK1t6. Check out the REFLECTIONS on the 2025-2026 school year.
EHMMS - 2026 Exploratory Showcase - Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 7-8 PM
The South Western School District Elementary Family Science Night will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Park Hills Elementary School between the hours of 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event is open to ALL South Western elementary families. Come enjoy "A Galaxy of Discovery."
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - SW Education Foundation - Hall of Excellence
The South Western Hall of Excellence is proudly sponsored by the South Western Education Foundation. This is the twelfth year that the Foundation is recognizing and celebrating alumni who have achieved significant success post-graduation from South Western High School. To be considered, alumni must have strong moral character, and have excelled in the fields of business, the arts, military, law, education, politics, public service, medicine, or athletics. Nominated alumni must be post-graduation 15 or more years to be considered. A nominating committee reviews all nominations and makes recommendations to a selection committee, who make the final selections.
Please consider recognizing the remarkable achievements and significant success of other South Western alumni by submitting a nomination for this prestigious honor. The nomination form is available at https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/education-foundation (under the Menu > Resources > Community > Education Foundation). Please note nominations from family members will not be accepted. Nomination forms must be received by April 15th.
ONCE A MUSTANG, ALWAYS A MUSTANG!
The South Western Hall of Excellence is proudly sponsored by the South Western Education Foundation. This is the twelfth year that the Foundation is recognizing and celebrating alumni who have achieved significant success post-graduation from South Western High School. To be considered, alumni must have strong moral character, and have excelled in the fields of business, the arts, military, law, education, politics, public service, medicine, or athletics. Nominated alumni must be post-graduation 15 or more years to be considered. A nominating committee reviews all nominations and makes recommendations to a selection committee, who make the final selections.
Please consider recognizing the remarkable achievements and significant success of other South Western alumni by submitting a nomination for this prestigious honor. The nomination form is available at https://www.swsd.k12.pa.us/page/education-foundation (under the Menu > Resources > Community > Education Foundation). Please note nominations from family members will not be accepted. Nomination forms must be received by April 15th.
ONCE A MUSTANG, ALWAYS A MUSTANG!