October 12, 2012

 Thank You!

Thank you so much to the many parents who brought in snacks to share for each day of NECAP testing this week.  Students looked forward to coming into Swift to see their "snacks of the day!"  Thank you to all parents for sending students in well rested and ready to try their best.  We were impressed with the effort that students put into the reading, writing and math each day.

Before and After School in Swift House

We open our doors at 7:00 am each morning to provide a place for students to get work done.  We are not there to supervise students who are in early to "hang out."   We have had a number of discussions with students lately who are not working in the morning and tell us that they have to be dropped off early.  If you are dropping your son or daughter off before the buses, please help us reinforce the fact that they need to come in, take out work and get started.  Our next step is to call home to ask that you not drop them off early, or have them wait in the lobby until the buses arrive the way others teams do.  Please help us maintain this opportunity as a chance for quiet work in the morning.  The early teachers are happy to assist students in their work if they are having difficulties. 

As for afternoons, students have been great about appropriately taking advantage of our after school hours Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  We encourage students to stay after if they need space or technology to get their work done before they head home.  The late bus leaves WCS Monday-Thursday at 4:40 to all points of Williston and St George.

Fun Night Fundraiser

A huge thank you is in order to Liz Neeld and all of the other parents, students and teachers who made Fun Night at Allen Brook a huge success last Saturday.  With a wonderful variety of games and activities they raised $1350 in one evening.  Amazing!  100% of these funds go towards our Washington DC trip in the spring.

  

Theater Festival Auditions

Auditions for the One Act Plays and Midsummer Night's Dream began on Friday.  Any student interested in a speaking role will need to audition for the part.  Students interested in supporting roles simply need to sign up.

Starting next week, we will split students into two groups: those in large roles and those in supporting roles.  Students with large speaking roles or technical jobs will rehearse each day between Monday and November 9th.  Students in supporting roles will begin our theater unit by reading and studying  Shakespeare and his play "A Midsummer Night's Dream".  They will be called up on stage in the final weeks of rehearsal. 

Picture Retakes

School photos were passed out on Thursday, October 11.  If you would like a retake they are available on Tuesday, October 23 at 9:45 pm.  Be sure to return the original photos on the day of the retakes.  Here are the photographer's guidelines about retakes:

Retakes are offered at no charge for any technical errors, such as lighting, off center or off color.

Second Tries are available for half price for any other reasons such as different hair or different clothing.

Ethan Allen Homestead

Attached you will find a permission slip for a trip to the Ethan Allen Homestead for ecology research on Wednesday, October 17th.  Please print the second page and send it in with your son or daughter by Monday at the latest. You can also scan and send in your form if that is easier.  If you would like us to send home a hard copy of the permission slip e-mail Lisa Barland.

While here at WCS that day, 5th and 6th graders will be engaged in related research.  They will use the wild areas around WCS to collect fall leaves and will learn about how and why leaves change color and fall to the ground.

If you are available to chaperone with the 7th and 8th graders, please e-mail Amy Skapof ASAP so I can be sure we have enough people.  We are still in need of two more parent chaperones.

*REMINDER* Polar Express- December 8th

Swift House has a long tradition in helping with The Polar Express, which raises over $70,000 each year for the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation. Last year we had nearly half our team participate. We will be sending the details when the time gets closer, but we will meet around 2:45 at the downtown Burlington train station, and will be "elves" until 7:45. Gary Howard, our beloved retired Swift Facilitator, will be the "Santa" on this day and we will get our traditional Swift House photo with him! If you would like to participate please sign up here.

Parent Retreat Location?

We are still looking for a home for our parent retreat.  At the retreat, we look at our program, changes that have taken place this year, and other conversations about education for the 21st Century.  This is in the form of a potluck.  Please contact Julie at Jlongchamp@cssu.org if you'd like to open up your house.