January 25th, 2014

 New Literature Sign-Ups

Please use this link to sign up for February literature groups. This month's literature class will be based on choice novels. It will begin on Monday, February 3rd and will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until March 7th. Recommended reading levels are listed with each book, but students may choose a book outside of the grade level recommendations if they want a more challenging selection or if they have a particular interest. Please help your child sign up for their selections accordingly.

 

Open House- Monday, February 3rd @ 6:30 pm

Students have completed the second drafts of their Independent Projects and are working on their visuals for the Open House on Monday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm.  Visuals may take the form of a trifold, a Prezi, a video, a slide show, or any other product that allows them to present images and text. These visuals are due by Wednesday.  Students will then start presenting in school for their peers in order to practice for the Open House.  

Attendance at the Open House is required for all students and they will be looking to present to at least three adults beyond their parents, so be ready to learn a lot from enthusiastic students!  They truly have become experts in their fields.

Swift House Sponsored School Dance- February 7th

Thank you so much to the folks who have already signed up to chaperone the dance.  If you would like to do so,  you can sign up here.  This is just a reminder that we need as many families as possible to bring in items to sell for concessions. We are asking for the following:

• Hunt/Donnelly two 2-liter bottles of juice, soda, etc. 
• Skapof/Laberge- Individually wrapped snack items 

If you are coming to chaperone you can bring the concessions with you. Otherwise, please send them into Swift house on Friday, February 7th so we can get the concessions set up ahead of time.

Engineering Challenge 

Our 7th and 8th graders have begun working on this year's spring school-wide science event, in which each group of 3 or 4 students is constructing a design to achieve one of four engineering tasks. On Tuesday, March 18th, all 7th and 8th graders at WCS will converge in the auditorium to compete for prizes and bragging rights. This will be an all day event with time slots set aside for each of the four tasks. More details to come, but we wanted to let you know ahead of time since parents are invited to join us if possible!

Skyping with Germany

Swift House brothers Yoni and Ben H. have spent the past month living and going to school in Germany.  We had the unique opportunity to "Skype" with them using an iPad last week.  During our "face to face" conversation with them students asked questions about school and life in Germany.  The reception was amazingly clear for an international video chat.  Students enjoyed hearing Yoni and Ben speaking German and learning about German foods.

Ben and Yoni Skyping with Kiva

VKAT Retreat

Matt Y, Claire R., Madi H. and Sam L. participated in the VKAT Pizza Putt retreat last week. The focus of the retreat was analyzing the results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).  This survey is administered each year to students around Vermont to collect data about student behaviors. VKAT members will soon be sharing the results of the YRBS with teachers around WCS and presenting action items for the school.

Alli, Madi and Claire

Matt Y Presenting

Zach and Sam Presenting Out

FAPAC

January Meeting Highlights
To: Swift Parents From: Liz Neeld, Sarah Forbes, FAPAC Representatives

Happy NewYear! The FAP held its January meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2014. As the parent-teacher organization for Williston schools, 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 the school budget and the intent of the administration to minimize any potential increases. Please see the full minutes for more on this very important topic. SPARK Academy sign up is happening now for the next 5 week Enrichment session; there are many exciting opportunities for student enrichment through the program.

Amazon Opportunity We have an agreement with Amazon, every time you shop, at no cost to you, money is donated to the Williston FAP. To help generate that revenue, use this link: AmazonLink:

Williston Annual Fund Contributions are still coming in. The Annual Fund funds field trips for every child in Williston in addition to other programs. In order to keep these opportunities available to every Williston student, please make your donation online now by clicking HERE. Upcoming FAP Events January 22, 2014 6:30-8:00 p.m.- Technological Empowerment: Parenting with Technology- This will be a presentation focused on media and its impact on our kids. Also included: workshop and 1:1 support on parental controls on your own devices. Save the Date- May 17, 2014 -Williston Runs for Education! 5k Run and Walk and Kids Fun Run Save the Date- Lake Monsters for Williston families on Sunday, June 29, 2014