January 30th, 2015

Open House- MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd

One last reminder-- we look forward to seeing you and your child at the Open House @ 6:30 Monday in Swift House.  Students' projects will be set up in their core classroom.  Be sure to circulate throughout Swift House to learn about an excellent array of topics.  Students will ask you to complete an evaluation form, too, after they have presented. 

Sneak Peek: Olivia V's trifold on immigration...

Marko

Please keep selling those Marko tickets.  The most important step in making this fundraiser a success if to have a full auditorium!  If you are helping with the show and would like to attend it as well, purchase tickets using the ticket form (click here for link).  Share the form with any group you know that might be interested as well.

Student-Led Literature Groups

Students have submitted lesson plans and rubrics to us, hoping for final approval to lead a literature group!  We have been impressed with their self-motivation on this challenging task.  We will finalize the list of Student-Led literature groups and send home a sign-up survey next week.  

Immigration Studies

Seventh and eighth graders have been engaged in an immigration simulation. In small groups they were assigned a country, had to take on an identity, determine the push/pull factors for immigrating, determine cost of voyage and write three journals in character reflecting on the process. Click on the image below to view a presentation about immigrating from Vietnam by Varsha, Madi and Bray.

 

Relative Sizes

Seventh and eighth graders have been calculating and plotting the relative size and distance between planets.  They discovered that if the sun was 30 cm in diameter Earth would be a mere 0.27 centimeters.  Using this same scale to model distances, Pluto would be 77 miles away from the sun.  We have discovered why it is so challenging to create a true scale model of the solar system!

Bennett and Nick holding up the solar system

Scale model (in diameter only)

Koell and Bryce with their planets

January 24, 2015

Open House- Date Change

We wanted to let you know that since CVU changed their 8th grade parent night to January 29th, which was the originally scheduled date for our Open House, we have decided to reschedule our Open House. Our new date is Monday, February 2nd at 6:30pm. We hope that this does not cause conflicts for anyone, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

We have been reminding students that their attendance is required.  Let us know if transportation is an issue.  Your attendance, of course, makes the whole night worth while!  Students want to present their projects to as many parents as possible.  We hope you will be able to learn something next Monday night from these enthusiastic presenters.

The next major due date is the visual, due Tuesday, January 27th.  It may take the form of a tri-fold, online presentation or something new.

School Days...

5th and 6th Graders are working on clearly explaining the reasons for the moon's phases

Eve and Evan ready to reveal the sign

The new Swift sign!

7th Graders used scale factor to enlarge an image of their choice, such as this sloth by Eric C

Marko the Magician

Friday February 13th, 6:30 pm WCS Auditorium

Our next big fundraiser for the Washington, DC field trip is coming up. We will be hosting Marko the Magician at WCS on February 13th from 6:30-8:30 pm. We will need many people to help in a variety of capacities. If your child is going to DC and has not done two fundraisers yet, he/she needs to sign up to help with Marko in some way. Here is the link to sign up. Thanks!

Another way to support this fundraiser is by selling tickets. Please help spread the word and the ticket form.  General admission tickets are $8 each.  Click here for the ticket form.

Coming to WCS: "In Search of Air"

From the Flynn Theater's Study Guide:

"In Search of Air is a solo inter-disciplinary piece performed by Lida Winfield. It tells the story of Lida’s struggles with dyslexia and her journey towards learning to read; something she didn’t fully accomplish until her early 20’s. On a set comprised of book sculptures, fabric panels, and simple lighting, Lida employs her unique blend of storytelling and improvisational movement to invite us into her experiences. Although these experiences are personal, the struggle and triumph is universal and the performance’s use of swimming and drowning as a metaphor for those times in life when we struggle, creates a beautiful and sometimes haunting window into the emotions triggered by this type of struggle."

From Chris Form, WCS Guidance Counselor...

"We have arranged for Lida Winfield to perform for our 7th and 8th grade students on Wednesday, January 28 at 1:30. This event is in conjunction with our school-wide read of the book, Rules by Cynthia Lord. Our hope is that Lida's performance will be another opportunity for our 7th and 8th graders to learn more about individuals living with a disability and to foster more compassion, understanding, and support for anyone who may be different or have unique challenges."

The CSSU faculty attended Lida Winfield's performance of "In Search of Air" this past August and we were moved beyond all expectations; it was an emotional, reflective and uplifting experience.  To learn more about the performance, please see the Flynn's Performance Study Guide here.

8th Grade Challenge Updates

Our Feb 2nd Open House marks the first installment of the 8th Grade Challenge Project.  All 8th graders will have their first report and a visual to present.  They will then continue working on the project through the end of the year. Those going on the end of the year trip will need a DC connection and an interview while they are in the city.

Throughout the spring, all 8th graders will add to their reports, complete community service and then present their whole project during the last week of school to a panel of community members.  As always, the 8th Grade Challenge topics are wonderfully diverse.  Be sure to ask students about them at the Open House.

Champlain Valley Union High School: An Invitation

Who: To 8th Grade Parents and Students of the Class of 2019
What: 8th Grade Student & Parent Night
Where: Champlain Valley Union High School Gym
When: Thursday, January 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Why: This evening will provide you and your son/daughter an introduction to the academic and elective programs they will experience in the 9th grade.

8th Grade Baby Photo

Wow, eighth graders are in demand.  The are invited to bring in a baby photo of themselves for the yearbook by February 6th.  Their name and house should be printed on the back of the photo.  Swift House 8th graders should submit their photos to Ms.  Barland.

FAPAC January Meeting Highlights

To: Swift Parents
From: Sarah Forbes, Katherine Evans, Melissa Akey, FAPAC Representatives

The FAP Advisory Council held its monthly meeting on January 8th. FAP is Williston's equivalent of a parent-teacher organization. Please check the full minutes on the school website in a PDF format by clicking HERE. Below are a few meeting highlights:

School Budget for 2015-2016 — The School Board continues to work with the administration and budget buddies on developing the 2015 - 2016 school budget. A proposed budget will be presented to the Board for voting on Thursday, January 22nd at 4:30 pm in the WCS Dining Room; all are welcome.

Annual Fund Totals So Far — The Annual Fund is now up to $20,450. This continues to be lower than last year’s level and will not be enough to cover field trips and other enriching experiences for students. Calculations we have put together show that parents would pay more per field trip if paying out of pocket than paying the suggested amount to the Annual Fund. And those out of pocket payments are taxable.

Administration Report — Walter Nardelli, District Principal, briefed meeting attendees on the following: decision package voting and the school budget; information on announced retirements; and a draft emergency procedure document entitled “Parents Expectations During a School Emergency.” Check out the full meeting minutes for more details.

Big Basket Raffle Planning — Planning for the The Big Basket Raffle and Silent Auction, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, is underway. If you would like to help, please contact Karen Maklad at karenmaklad@gmail.com.

Variety Show — Have you ever attended the Annual Variety Show? Have you and/or your children performed at this event? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you need to know that we are looking for a new committee of volunteers to plan this event. Please send an email to willistonfap@cssu.org if you want more information on helping with this event or know someone who would be perfect for our planning committee.

Change in Amazon program — The Amazon Associates program has been discontinued in Vermont because of sales tax policy here. However, there is another program — the Amazon Smile Account — that is available. More info to follow.

Please contact me at ( Insert your email address here) if you have feedback or questions on FAP. And consider attending one of our meetings. Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:15 am in the WCS Dining Room. Thanks.

January 9, 2015

Independent Projects

*Save the Date: Open House on Thursday, January 29th @ 6:30 pm*

We are one week into our Independent Project work.  Student topics range from the changes in immigration laws over time to the unique adaptations of koalas.   Our librarian, Ms. Hennig, taught us a lesson in using WCS online library resources this week, which include many powerful databases such as the Vermont Online Library (password: pine) and online encyclopedias.  You can view the complete list of electronic resources here.  Many of these resources require a password when accessed from home.  We have handed students a list of these passwords and/or posted them on Google Classroom.

There are many e-books in the library catalog, as well.  For example, if you click on our main library catalog and search for "adaptations" you will see a book titled  A journey into adaptation with Max Axiom, super scientist.  This is an e-book, as indicated by the blue icon, and can be opened from home.  Students also have a log-in to access these books.  Of course, students also found good old fashioned books in the library to support their work!

Our next due dates include a bibliography on Monday, an introductory paragraph on Tuesday and completed notecards on Wednesday.  Students will practice the skill of taking brief notes on important facts in their own words this week.  For a complete list of due dates from now until the Open House on January 29th, please click here.

Swift Rewind

Hello my name is Jimmy Jiang. For my Eighth Grade Challenge, I am doing Book Writing and Publishing. In order to finish the project, I have to have a community challenge that is connected to my project. I am making a sort of magazine for Swift house filled with pictures, writing pieces and art works, called the Swift Rewind. I hope you encourage your kids to send in submissions for their core journal in Google Classroom next week.

Natural Resources Research

In the weeks leading up to vacation, seventh and eighth graders researched natural resource issues such as renewable energy sources and drilling for oil in the Arctic.  They presented their findings on the issues, including the background and pros and cons for potential solutions or options.  Part of the research required making a video to send to a politician who might have influence on their topic.  Below are a few examples of student videos from the class.

Global Warming- By Jimmy

Plastic in the Ocean- By Lily, Olivia, Camille and Bryant

Hydroelectric Dams- By Colby and Bennett

 

Swift Dance- Thank You!

Thank you chaperones and all of you who donated concessions.  The Swift House sponsored dance went smoothly Friday night thanks to your help.  We had a great showing from the 5th graders at their first dance of the year, as well.  All funds from school dances go to the Student Accounts fund for our field trips; it's a great source of revenue each year.

Student-Led Literature Groups

Perhaps your son or daughter has been talking about leading a literature group.  Each year we provide 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to lead a literature group if they complete the required components ahead of time.  These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• You (and your partner) must both read the entire book prior to January 23rd. Even if you have already read the book, you will need to re-read it as a refresher. Swift House teachers do this, too!
• You must have a verbal recommendation from your core teacher(s) to the other core teachers. This will be based on work quality, personal responsibility, maturity, and work habits. 
• You must have a planned schedule for the each day of the unit, including all reading assignments, class activities, and homework tasks. 
• You should also have an indication of how much time you plan to spend on each activity for each day. Make sure to plan time for Nexus on one of the last two days of class. (Each class period is one hour.) 
• You must have prepared and printed all student handouts (assignment descriptions/instructions, rubrics, checklists, etc.) for every lesson. 
• You must have a detailed written plan for every class activity, and every activity must have a clear purpose that relates to the text.
•  You must have all book discussion questions written for each section of assigned reading. 

These literature group plans are due by Friday, January 23rd.  All student-led literature groups will be supervised by a Swift House adult, as well.  We look forward to this great opportunity for student leadership and teamwork each year!

New Swift Sign

With great thanks to MC Baker and her Spark group, wonderful progress is being made on the new Swift House sign.  See the latest photos below.

Eve tries out placements

The old and the new

In progress...