May 24, 2013

Ms. Longchamp's Retirement and New Position

This afternoon, I sent a note to all of you about my retirement and new position as Director of Professional Programs at Vermont NEA.  Please announce this to your children this weekend and we will announce it on Tuesday during Kiva.  Knowing every student has different reactions to change, we felt this was the best approach.  It will be a very emotional month for me, but please be assured that Swift is my family and I will not be a stranger.  It is important in my new position to be very well-versed in what is going on in classrooms, and the professional needs of teachers.  It is important for me to keep my contact with Williston because this school is a leader in education, from the classroom level work to the manner in which the school operates.  I was so fortunate to have my own children in this school (and Swift House) and now I am in Minnesota today preparing for Johanna's college graduation!

The school will be posting the position and the Swift teachers will be involved in the hiring.  We are more than confident that the new Swift Facilitator will be as passionate about middle school students and empowering learners as the rest of us.

Again, I cannot even begin to tell you how much I am going to miss this job, but as Gary Howard, one of the original Swift Teacher always told students, it is important to "Leave the Comfort Zone!"  This is really hard.... but I know I will be learning as a result and continuing to impact education on a different stage.

~Julie Longchamp

Julie with Bernie Caron, Al Meyers and Gary Howard in the first days of planning Swift House..

We will miss you, Julie!

Congratulations...

• Eva Rocheleau- Winner of the YWP Farm Project (see her photo and writing piece here)

• Young Playwright Participants: Ella Workman, Zachary Varrichione, Julia Cronan

• Julia Cronan for receiving and Honorable Mention for her Young Playwrights play!

• Band and Chorus Members on a fabulous concert!

• Eva Rocheleau again- For teaching and directing two pieces for the entire 7th and 8th grade chorus!  Wow!

• Matthew Murakami- For having his opinion piece published in the Observer 

End of the Year Dates

It's that time of the year when the schedule is simply busy.  Here are our important events:

June 11th @ 9:30: 8th Grade Challenge Presentations to Community Panels
June 12th:  Swift 8th Grade Celebration Picnic (more information coming)
June 12th 6:30 PM:  END OF YEAR OPEN HOUSE - Students will be presenting their end-of-year projects and 8th grade challenge projects
June 13th: Eighth Grade Graduation
June 18th:  Last day for K-7 students (half day)

Community Panel Members Needed

Swift House is holding their annual panel presentations of 8th grade challenge projects on Tuesday, June 11.  We are in need of 16 community volunteers, parents, grandparents, mentors, or family friends can volunteer.  The presentations will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 12:00 PM,  with a luncheon following from 12:00-1:00. The volunteers will listen to approximately 5 student presentations, 20 minutes each. During this time the panel members give feedback to the 8th graders. If you or someone you know, are interested in joining us on June 11, please email Lisa Barland as soon as possible.

8th Grade Graduation and Dance- Help Needed from 7th Grade Families

Dear Parents,

We are in need of snack and drink donations for the 8th Grade Graduation Dance. Donations can be dropped off at the WCS front office on June 13th. Please follow the steps below to sign up.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kathleen Eustace (kathleeneustace@comcast.net) or Heather Thompson (htthompsonvt@comcast.net). Thanks very much for your help in making this special event a success!

Please sign up for 8th Grade Graduation Dance:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page: http://vols.pt/oVzGri

2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)

3. Click the "Go Standard" button

4. Sign up: Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders.

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Kathleen Eustace at kathleeneustace@comcast.net and I can sign you up manually.

CVU Theater Announcement- From the CVU Drama Director

This is Candy Padula, the Director of the Co-Curricular Theatre Program at CVUHS.  Last week at a Theatre Meeting at CVU I announced that we will be doing SPAMALOT as our 2013 Fall Musical.   Several 8th graders from the sending schools attended the meeting.  But I’m sending you some information that I’d like to have you pass along to 8th graders who may not have been able to attend the meeting.  I appreciate your help in getting the word out.

THE 2013 CVUHS FALL MUSICAL will be the Hilarious Monty Python musical SPAMALOT! 

SPAMALOT will be performed during the last weekend in October.  Auditions will be held on Aug. 15th & 16th.  8th graders who are interested in becoming involved should contact the CVU Co-Curricular Theatre Program Director - Candy Padula to get additional information at yourtheatrenews@gmail.com.

For students who will not be available in August there will be a one & only early audition date offered on Monday, June 17th from 3:00-5:30 at CVU. Contact Director, Candy Padula for early audition information ASAP.

You can also visit the CVU Theatre website for additional details at https://sites.google.com/a/cvuhs.org/cvu-theater/home/spamalot.  There will also be roles available for people who do not sing or dance.  Please visit the CVU web site for more details.

Williston Runs is One Week Away

Click here for the flyer for this 5 k race on June 1st, raising funds for the FAP!

FAPAC May Meeting Highlights Information

To:  Swift House Parents

From:  Liz Neeld, FAPAC Representative

The FAP Advisory Council held its final monthly meeting of this school year on May 9th.  Check the full minutes and our approved 2013-2014 FAPAC budget in a PDF format by clicking HERE.  Below are a few meeting highlights:

• School Budget Approved on May 7th

• Last Day of School Changed to June 18th, which will be a half-day

• Placement Letters should be mailed by early June.  Parent information nights for transitioning students are scheduled as follows:  4th to 5th grade parents on May 22nd from 6:30 to 8 pm in the WCS Auditorium; and 2nd to 3rd grade parents on June 4th at 6:30 pm in the WCS Auditorium.

• 1 to 1 Initiative--there is an interesting video recently shown at a Rotary Club meeting about 1 to 1 programs.  Please check it out on the school website's school information area under 1 to 1 information or at this link HERE.

• On June 1st, the Williston Runs for Education  will take place (a Fun Run for kids as well as a timed 5K).  Flyers have been in the School Bell, sent home in folders or via email.  Register on-line by going to www.willistonruns.org.   For more event information, contact Sue Scheer at sue@willistonruns.org.  Volunteers are also needed to run this event so if you can help, please go to this LINK.

• There is a Williston Day at the Lake Monsters being planned for July 7th!  Ticket information has been sent home either in folders or by email; has been in the School Bell; and is available at upcoming school events.  Tickets can be turned in for other dates if you are unavailable on July 7th.  Time is running out.  Sales end on May 24th.

• We would like to celebrate our Swift teachers and staff with a luncheon in the next few weeks.  If you would like to help organize that please let me know.

Please contact me at lneeld711@gmail.com if you have feedback or questions on FAP.  Thanks.

Our Superintendent, Elaine Pinckney, Superintendent of the Year!

Yesterday at the Annual Vermont Superintendent's Association meeting, our superintendent and Williston resident, Elaine Pinckney, was awarded the Superintendent of the Year.  If you would like to send a congratulatory note, her email is epinckney@cssu.org.  Her youngest son, Michael, was a Swiftie, many moons ago! 

Pictures from the Week

7th and 8th Grade Chorus

7th and 8th Grade Band Getting Ready

Varietones

 

May 17, 2013

InvestWrite Competition Winner

Congratulations to Ella W, who was selected as the Vermont Winner for the InvestWrite Competition. Students who participated in the Stock Market Game were encouraged to write an essay that asked them to analyze one of the stocks in their portfolio that they either bought and kept, or bough and sold.  Students needed to analyze their decisions as well as think about how their portfolio would have been different if they had made the opposite choices.  Art Woolf from the University of Vermont will present this award to Ella during the Middle School Awards Ceremony.  Congratulations, Ella!

Astronomy Unit

All students in Swift House have been researching and creating presentations on a topic of their choice related to astronomy.  We have been very impressed with the level of presentations as well as the different modes of presentations.  Students have been creating books, Scratch programs, Prezis, Powerpoints, Models, and more.  These will finish up early next week.

Washington, DC Projects and "Home Team" Projects

Students are working on finalizing their drafts for the DC trip and putting together their visual representation for our open house in June.  After they return, they will have a couple days to add to both using the information learned from the trip.

Students not going to DC are now called the "Home Team".  They will be here with Ms. Skapof and Ms. Longchamp.  Students have selected a project to do related to a science or SS class they had during the second half of the school year.  Students have a project deadline list and we will be working with them over the next few weeks.  While students are in DC, we will be working on these projects and completing an engineering task requiring students to design wind turbines that create the most energy.  We would love to have a trip to the wind tunnel in Williston, and sent an email to them this week.  If any parent has a contact, please let us know.   Ms. Skapof and Ms. Longchamp will be finalizing our trips during the DC week next week, so stay tuned!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Thanks so much for the special desserts this week!  We are very fortunate to have you all as partners and it is a privilege to work with your children.  Teaching is a wonderfully rewarding profession!

Williston Observer

Students involved with "Annie" as well as Swiftie Eva Rocheleau are featured in this week's Williston Observer!  Congratulations to all of you!


Pictures from Annie

Many of our students were involved  in "ANNIE" last week.  Here are just a couple of photos. 

Zach and Caroline backstage.

The entire cast and crew of Annie.  Seven of the fifteen crew members were Swifties!

May 3, 2013

****School Budget Vote****

The school new school budget vote is set for Tuesday.  To vote this week you can:

1. Visit the Town Clerk’s Office to vote early.

2. Vote May 7th at the Williston Armory from 7AM to 7PM.   

Drive-thru voting! Enter at the Armory and exit by the police station.

1. Get checked off the checklist 2. Receive ballot, fill out in your car 3. Drop the ballot in the box.

 

Annie Concessions

Swift House will be running the concession at the evening performances of Annie, our school musical. The evening performances are on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. We are in need of donations and volunteers for the concession. Please click here to access the sign up sheet. 

If you are willing to donate items for the concession stand you can either have your student bring them into Swift the morning of May 10, or deliver the items by 6:00 to WCS in the front dining room. Food items should be individually wrapped, in 1-2 dozen quantities. Drinks can be in the form of either bottled waters, liter juices, etc. 

We all really appreciate the wonderful family support! We couldn't do it without you!!

Adams Farm Market Mother’s Day Flower Sale

Proceeds benefit Swift House DC Field Trip

Order your 10” hanging flower baskets for pick-up at Adams Farm Market between 5/8 and 5/
14. You may select from the hundreds of baskets available in solid or a combination of colors.
Ivy geraniums are available in a limited supply in red, pink and lavender or special order color if
specified. Payment voucher will be e-mailed and must be presented at pick-up.  Find the order form here.

Attention 8th Grade Families- Graduation Launch Meeting

When:  Wednesday, May 8th from 6:00-7:00 pm

Where: WCS Dining Room
Why:  To plan and prepare for the 8th Grade Graduation
Who:  Parents/Guardians of WCS 8th Grade students who want to make the 2013 graduation a memorable event.


What To Bring: Yourself, your schedule and your ideas. Below are some of the items we will be covering.

• Graduation Ceremony

• Graduation Reception

• Graduation Dance

 Questions?  Contact Jackie Parks (jparks@cssu.org).

 

 

Williston Schools Fundraiser: Lake Monsters Game

 

Sunday, July 7

5:05pm game time

Bring your family and join friends and
classmates for an awesome night at
Centennial Field.

Tickets are $6 each -
50% of ticket sales will be donated back to
Williston schools !!!

Drop off order form with payment,
to the front office of either school by May 24. 

Williston Runs for Education

5K Race / Kids Fun Run
Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10 a.m.

Join your friends, family and other community members and show
your support for Williston Schools! Proceeds will fund programs to
benefit students and teachers.  Find the registration form here.

 

FAPAC April Meeting Highlights/Teacher Appreciation Week Information

 

To:  Swift House Parents
From:  Liz Neeld FAPAC Representative

The FAP Advisory Council held its monthly meeting on April 11th.  Check the full minutes in a PDF format by clicking HERE.  At this same link, you will access to a summary of the Williston Wins survey completed earlier this spring.  Below are a few meeting highlights:

School Budget Vote May 7th or Earlier:  The second vote on the School Budget is coming up on May 7th--and it's a drive-thru vote!  You can also vote earlier in Town Hall.  During our FAPAC meeting, Walter Nardelli briefed us on the three changes to this revised budget which is only a 3.8 percent increase and a decrease of 1.3 percent from the original budget. No teachers or services were cut. The reduction comes from eliminating the 1:1 iPad initiative, health insurance costs went down, and staff costs went down. 

Upcoming Events:  On June 1st, Williston Runs for Education (moving the fun run in memory of Steve Mount from the fall to June)—Planning is underway.  If you are interested in helping, please get in touch with Sue Scheer at scheer2@comcast.net.  There is a Williston Day at the Lake Monsters being planned for July 7th!  50% of ticket sales will be donated back to Williston FAP. Tickets may be exchanged for a different date if you cannot make the 7th but plan on going to a Lake Monster’s game this summer. Look for ticket information soon!

Teacher Appreciation Week Information:  Every year, Williston families recognize teachers and staff with a set of events during Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 13th thru May 17th this year.

• FAP provides a breakfast for all staff at both schools on Tuesday, May 14th.  If you are available to help at all with this morning event (7:30 to 9 ish), please contact Karen Maklad at karen.maklad@myfairpoint.net!  We just need a few people per school!!
• Dessert Day on Friday, May 17th--the most popular event of the week is Dessert Day, when families bring in enough desserts so that all staff get to take one home on that Friday!  Here is a link to the sign up sheet for this event--Dessert Day Link.  It is organized by House so please sign up if you can!  We need 22 desserts per House and 5 per Kindergarten classroom!  Thanks in advance for supporting this event!!!
• Many Houses plan other events throughout the week to honor the teachers and staff who do such amazing work with our children.  Your House FAPAC representative will inform you of any other events.

Important:  Evening FAP Parent Forum on May 2nd at 6:30 pm in the WCS Library!

Next FAPAC meeting is on Thursday, May 9th at 8:15 am.  All are welcome!!!

Please contact me at lneeld711@gmail.com if you have feedback or questions on FAP.  Thanks.

Last Day of School Set

We have had four school cancellation days (so far) this year. We have to make-up at least three of those days to meet the minimum number of required school days. The days were:

Oct 30 Wind Day
Feb 8 Snow Day
March 19 Snow Day
April 16 No Power

So, assuming we have no more snow days or unanticipated events, the administrators have said that the last day of school for students will be Tuesday, June 18th. It will be a half day. The last day for teachers will be Wednesday, June 19th.  8th grade graduation will be held on Thursday, June 13th. 8th graders will not attend school after that.

Swift Students Selected for the Fitness Competition

Congratulations to Andrew W., Mariah S., and Jackie R. who were selected to represent Williston at the Vermont State Fitness Competition on Friday, May 10, 2013. 

Pictures of the Week

Students are engaged in an astronomy unit in science.  Here are some students in Mrs. Donnelly's class exploring the phases of the moon.

Jimmy, Bryant and John modeling the phases of the moon.

Eve, Olivia and Emma modeling the phases of the moon.

Eva, Zach and Katie

John, Bryant and Jimmy