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