October 26th, 2013

FAP Craft Fair 

The FAP is sponsoring the Craft Fair this Saturday at WCS. They are looking for adult volunteers to help with set up and other tasks. Here is a link to the sign-up sheet. There are slots available for Friday night, 11/1, for set up and two hour shifts throughout the day on Sat. 11/2.

Save Your Returnable Bottles 

Please start saving any redeemable bottles for the Swift House bottle drive on December 7th. All proceeds will go to the NYC field trip.

Portfolios

Believe it or not, there are four weeks left in the first trimester of the school.  I suppose the first signs of snow tell us that time has passed!  The end of the trimester means portfolio time here in Swift House.   Facilitators and student mentors will be working with new students to set up their first portfolios which will include two major sections.  The first section has Nexus or Jupitergrades reports from each class: Literature, Math, Social Studies, Science, Word Study, Related Arts and World Language.  The second section is dedicated to students' personal plan goals.  Students assemble evidence of their work on their unique goals.

In order to assemble 101 portfolios in the next month we ask that students have their portfolios at school with dividers and plastic sheet protectors before next Friday, November 1st.  We have extra supplies at school if needed.  Finished portfolios will go home December 6th and parent/teacher conferences will begin shortly after that.

Nexus

For trimester reports we use a unique evaluation program created by former Swift House teacher, Rick McCraw.  This program- called Nexus- allows students to self-evaluate on the standards for each class with both scores and a comment.  Facilitators then score students and add their own comment. We have yet to find a program commercially available that allows for such student input.  It is amazing to see how self-aware students become when consistently self-evaluating themselves.  The ability to do so helps us all improve our own work and performance.  You can identify Nexus reports in the portfolio by the Swift House logo on top.  We owe Mr. McCraw a huge thank you for his continuous technical support with this program!

Science Update

Fifth and sixth graders have explored the topic of density and matter through hands-on experiences such as detecting matter that they can not see and comparing the masses of a variety of liquids with the same volume.  Essential vocabulary includes: matter, density, mass, volume, grams, and liters. They also worked on the skill of measuring mass and volume accurately.  They will be taking a quiz on these concepts Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on their groups.

Seventh and eighth graders have explored the elements, the building blocks of our entire universe.  They have also learned how to build molecules from atoms and write the corresponding chemical formula.  Currently they are researching the elements within one object, such as the human body with is actually 61% oxygen by mass!  Essential vocabulary includes: element, atom, molecule, mass, volume, and density.  They will be presenting their projects and taking a quiz on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on their groups.

Measuring the mass of 50 mL of Liquid "A"

Observing the "thickness" of Liquid "C"

A group works to create layers from six liquids with different masses

New York City Trip

If your child is interested in attending the Swift Field Trip in June to New York City, a deposit of $200 needs to be submitted by Friday, November 1st. The deposit is for each student and chaperone that would like to participate. For example, if you and your child are both going on the trip a $400 deposit is due. Bus seating and lodging is limited. A deposit received by the deadline will secure a spot for both. We will try to accommodate late deposits based on availability but there is no guarantee. We need to submit our deposit money for the bus and lodging soon, so please be timely and send in your money if you have not already done so. Also, each student needs to hand in 3 forms: permission slip, extended medical form and an eligibility form.  Lisa Barland e-mailed these forms home this week if you needed copies.

Red Ribbon Week: October 28th- November 1, 2013 

Dear 5th-8th Grade Students and Families,

Red Ribbon Week is a national event designed to help kids make healthy choices. The red ribbon is a symbol of living substance free. “A Healthy Me is Drug Free.”

 Here are three ways to get involved next week at WCS:

1. Red Ribbon Theme Days:

• Monday, Oct. 28th: SLEEP OUT DRUGS – Wear PJ’s 
• Tuesday, Oct. 29th: SHADE OUT DRUGS – Wear Sunglasses 
• Wednesday, Oct 30th: STAY IN THE GAME - Wear our school colors, blue + gold, or sports gear
• Thursday, Oct 31th: BE FREE FROM DRUGS– Wear Red, White + Blue 
• Friday, November 1st: RED RIBBON DAY – Wear Red or a Red BANDANA! 

Everyone that dresses up will get a ribbon that day during recess. At the end of the week, there will be prizes for anyone who has all five ribbons.

2. Fit Facts – Everyday, at recess, there will be a “fit fact” question with raffled prizes from local businesses. Look on the school SAP webpage for facts to review at home for a better chance to win!

3.Contract for Life – Parents and kids, read this over, talk about your expectations to be substance free and safe and sign it together! Have your child bring in the signed form with their name and house clearly marked. All contracts will be to be entered into a raffle for a prize from a local business and will be returned to you after Red Ribbon Week.

Thanks so much for your participation in Red Ribbon Week and for your help in getting the word out –You are too S.M.A.R.T. to start!

Signed, Your WCS Vermont Kids Against Tobacco (VKAT)

FAPAC October Meeting Highlights 

To: Swift Parents
From: Sarah Forbes & Gabrielle Young, Swift FAPAC Representatives

The FAP Advisory Council held it's second monthly meeting of the year on October 10th. As you know, FAP is our parent-teacher organization. The FAP meetings are open to all. We will send highlights of the meeting each month but if you are interested in reviewing the complete minutes, you can read them HERE. The following are just a few highlights from our meeting.

Administration Report: Walter Nardelli, District Principal, talked with the group about NECAP testing going on right now throughout the school. The Williston results on the science NECAPS are especially strong this year. Williston is one of only five schools in the state making progress on the socio-economic achievement gap. Mr. Nardelli also talked extensively about the SPARK program which is serving as both intervention and enrichment after school. SPARK runs in five week cycles with small groups and lots of teacher attention and offers exciting and interesting programs geared to kids interests.

Williston Annual Fund: Thanks to all those families that have already sent in their donation. As you know, this fund pays for your children's field trips and other education enrichment, saving you from writing a check each time. We are still well below the participation we need to meet our budget and support school activities. Please take a moment and send in your donation or donate on line HERE.

Upcoming FAP Events Check the School Bell regularly for more info and dates; the FAP website also has a full listing of events.

• Learning Expo and Potluck--Thursday, 10/24/13-- parents were invited to enjoy a potluck dinner and the opportunity to browse among 25+ informational booths about different school programs. Thank you to any parents who were able to attend.
• Craft Fair at WCS-- Saturday, 11/2/13-- start your holiday shopping and support the school; volunteers needed and welcome. If you can help, please click HERE
• Circus Smirkus-- After School Camp and Performance -- 11/4-11/8/13
• Scholastic Book Fair -- 11/11-11/15/13 
• Speaker Series: Look for information in the School Bell about a mindfulness speaker series we are supporting on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 3:15-4:15 pm at WCS. Join teachers and parents as we learn to calm our busy minds and re-focus on what's most important. 
• Media Exposure: Also keep your eyes open for an upcoming presentation on Media Exposure- raise your awareness about your child's exposure to media, how to help them manage screen time and even some 1:1 help with setting limitations on specific devices.