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Simply choose a K-12 school in our list of eligible schools and vote for it weekly through September 8 or when $2.5 million in Target GiftCards® have been awarded, whichever occurs first. A school will receive a $25 Target GiftCard for every 25 votes received during the Promotion Period; up to a maximum of $10,000 in gift cards. For example, schools that receive less than 25 votes will not receive any gift cards, while schools that receive 25-49 votes receive a $25 Target GiftCard and schools that receive 50-74 votes receive $50 in gift cards. If the school you chose is not on our list, please choose another school.

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The above website is the screen on which you can vote for Southwest high school.

you have to enter Southwest  and the Zip Code is 55410

Whooping Coughinformation from MN Dept. Health

Pertussis (Whooping Cough):
Fact Sheet for EMS, Public Safety, and First Responders

Minnesota Department of Health
Revised June, 2006

Download a print version of this document:

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Fact Sheet for EMS, Public Safety, and First Responders (PDF: 21KB/2 pages) 

What is pertussis?

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a disease that affects the lungs.

What is the cause of pertussis?

A bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis.

How is pertussis spread?

Pertussis is spread through the air in droplets produced when an infectious person coughs or sneezes (droplet spread). A person can become infected with pertussis when they are directly coughed at or sneezed on by someone who is infectious with pertussis, or if they are very close to a person with pertussis for an extended period of time.

In general, MDH considers people who are within three feet of someone with pertussis for at least 10 hours a week to be close contacts who are at greater risk of becoming infected with pertussis.

What are the symptoms of pertussis?

The classic symptoms of pertussis start with mild cold-like symptoms, which progress to include sudden, uncontrollable bursts of coughing, gasping for air, and vomiting after a coughing spell. Children may make a high-pitched whooping sound when breathing in after a coughing spell. Whooping is less common in babies and adults. Pertussis is most severe in babies younger than 6 months of age who may have apnea, seizures, and no whoop. Older children and adults typically have milder disease with a cough that can last for many weeks.

I was immunized for pertussis when I was a child, am I immune?

Probably not. The immunity produced by the pertussis vaccine does not provide lifetime immunity and begins to wear off within a few years of the last dose, which is usually given at age 5-6 years. There is currently no pertussis vaccine that is licensed for people older than 6 years, but such a vaccine should be available in the next few years.

How can I protect myself from exposure?

Wear a surgical mask, if one is available, when you are in contact with any coughing patient. This will help protect you against pertussis and also against other diseases that are spread by large respiratory droplets. As always, clean your hands after any patient contact. If there is any suspicion that a coughing patient may have a disease such as TB, you should wear an N95 respirator (or PAPR or SCBA). If SARS or avian influenza is suspected; gloves, gown, and eye protection should be worn in addition to using a respirator.

What if I have an exposure to a patient with pertussis?

If you were wearing a surgical mask, antibiotic prophylaxis would not be recommended. However, if you were not wearing a mask and had close face-to-face contact with an infectious pertussis patient, preventive antibiotics would be recommended.

If I have the type of exposure to a patient that makes it necessary for me to take antibiotics, will I be able to “carry” this illness home to my family?

You cannot infect others unless you are infected yourself.

What should I do if I have been exposed to a patient with pertussis in the last 21 days and develop a respiratory illness?

If you develop cold-like symptoms that progress to a cough within 21 days of exposure, you should seek medical attention immediately and make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your exposure, even if you have taken preventive antibiotics.

Is pertussis reportable to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)?

Yes.
See Reporting Pertussis for more information.

How many cases of pertussis are reported each year in Minnesota?

Most years several hundred cases are reported to MDH, but in 2005, over 1,500 cases of pertussis were reported, the largest number of cases since 1954.

Who investigates cases and identifies persons who need to take preventive antibiotics?

MDH or local public health investigates each case and ensures that public safety personnel and first responders who are identified as having been exposed are notified of their exposure and evaluated to determine if they need antibiotic treatment. In some communities and at some hospitals, the hospital infection control practitioner will contact emergency medical services and first responder services with this information.

Who do I call if I think I may have been exposed to a patient with pertussis?

You may call MDH at 651-201-5414 (or toll free at 1-877-676-5414). While MDH staff cannot share a patient’s diagnosis without specific permission from the patient or his/her next of kin, they can evaluate your exposure and advise you whether or not antibiotic treatment is indicated. Suspect cases are not always reported to MDH immediately so we may learn of a new case from you.

Who do I call if I have other infectious disease questions?

Please call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 (or toll free at 1-877-676-5414). 

Need Volunteers and interns for:

Southwest has been fortunate to have a wealth of talent within the community.   Numerous individuals have stepped forward to provide services and support in striving to meet the educational challenges of an active student body.

There are numerous opportunities if you are interesting on having s bigger role in the workings of the school.  Being a parent is commitment enough but there are other spots available.  We are looking for parents and community members to serve on the Southwest Leadership Council.  This group meets once a month and is advisory group dealing with policies and long term strategies.  There are standing committees that might meet your interest.  These are Academic Performance, Co-curricular, and Communications.

Our parent organization PTSA - Parent Teacher Student Association - is seeking committee chairs and there will be an opportunity in the opening of school packet to volunteer.  If you are interested you can email me your interest also.

We also need a couple intern positions that have a very small stipend.  One is for
Public Relations/ Marketing,  another is Graphics Artist and a third is for Web  site maintenance.

If you are interest in intern position or volunteering, please email me.

Southwest Class of 1962 Reunion Time

1962 National Honor Society

Varsity S Club - 1962

Southwest High School Class of 1962

Southwest had grown in the past decade and in 1955 there was an addition to the building and increase the number of students.  The senior class increased to 285.  7th and 8th graders joined Southwest and the beginning of being crowded began.

The school play in 1962 was the Diary of Anne Frank.  Honor Roll and Honor Students were recognized.  Service clubs were an important part of student life and Hi-Y program were important.

In sports Badminton, Boys Swimming, Basketball and Cross Country were City Champions.  Badminton was also played by boys but only in "Mixed Doubles."  The Southwest Mixed Doubles took the first three places in the City Championship.

All the information was derived from the 1962 yearbook.  If there are mistakes, please send me correction and I will update the entry.

Hugo and Wonder Struck - Good Summer Reads

Two interesting books a reader and an artist should consider for this summer reading.  Both are by Brian Selznick who is a professional graphic and visual artist.

The first book - Hugo - is now made into a movie.  In general the movie follows the book well.  But the real magic of the book is the dual stories - one is words and one in pictures.  The movie does not capture that concept at all.

Selznick tells the story in the conventional book form with words and then shifts to pencil drawings to continue the story.  Several pages of drawings advance the story and then he shifts to words.

In Wonder Struck - the story in words is that of a boy living in the Iron Range with his mother.  The author spent some time on the Gun Flint Trail and northern Minnesota to write this sections.

The picture story is of a young girl living in New York.  As the independent stories of these two young people continue we learn that they both run away.  The story nicely blend together and become one about 2/3's of the way through. 

A very interesting combination of delightful drawings and both are good stories.

More Scholarships for Southwest Seniors

The following students have won college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships:

Christopher Lee-Foss, Minneapolis. Southwest High School, Minneapolis. Probable career field: Mathematics. Macalester College.

Kirsten Wiard-Bauer, Minneapolis. Southwest High School, Minneapolis. Probable career field: Mathematics. University of Chicago.

CLass of 2012 was a gifted class of scholars.  Many have received college-sponsored scholalrships.  We will continue to update the list as we recieve the information.  The IB and AP programs prepared students to meet their dreams!

1952 Reunion July 28 - Southwest Tour

Southwest Front Doors -- 1952

Southwest Advanced Band - the Marching Band

Choir right side of picture

Choir left side of picture

Southwest Class of 1952.  Information gathered from 1952 yearbook.  If any information is incorrect, please let me know.  The Choir picture was so large is covered two pages.  Exciting to see those number of students involved.

Class of 1952 Graduated 159 students.  The incoming 9th graders numbered 170.  These students were all in the original building -- before the 1955 major addition and the addition of the junior high building (East Unit).  Total school enrollment was probably about 700.

The students in the building won the City Championships in boys Football and Hockey.  Girls sports had organized up to a G.A.A. status - Girls Athletic Association but could not varsity letter or sit on the athletic council.

R.H Classon was Principal and Al Halley Assistant Principal.  Oscar B. Dahle was the legendary vocal teacher.Class of 1952 Valedictorians: Romie Lundquist and Helen King; Salutatorian: Paula Cranston. 

The Senior and Junior Boards were created this year.  Senior Officers: President, Jack Campbell; Vice President, Romie Lundquist; Secretary, Sunny James; Sergeant-at-Arms, Gretchen Meili and Don Dennison and the Treasurer, Jack Steele

Last lines in the yearbook for the Spotlight on Our Senior Year:
"... and we shall never forget our Senior year, nor the other years either, for the memories will linger when silver hairs replace the gold."

For more information about the 1952 reunion contact Bob Gerlicher.