May 30, 2015

               There are more Rube Goldberg machines to see at the end of the Flyer...

 

Open House- June 9th @ 6:30 pm

Please Mark Your Calendar

All Swifties will be sharing their spring research projects at this Open House, so be sure to join us!  The evening will begin at 6:30 in the auditorium as 8th graders stand at the podium to give us a one minute overview of their research.  We will then head to Swift House to learn more about students' 8th grade challenge, Washington DC and science and history projects.

As always, you-- the parent audience-- do wonders for the students' excitement and investment.  They are truly enthusiastic about presenting to you, so be ready to hear what they've learned.  Keep in mind that this is a separate event from the 8th Grade Challenge Community Panel presentation which is happening in the morning.

Last Weeks of School

Swifties have two or three major tasks as we head into our last 2.4 weeks of school:

1. Preparing for the Open House on June 9th at 6:30 pm
2. Reflecting on their learning by assembling their portfolios and completing Nexus reports 
3. Preparing the the Community Panel Presentation (8th Graders Only) 

Students should have note-cards prepared and should be practicing for these presentations.  They have great work to share and we want them to share it with pride and confidence.  Please be sure you have taken note of these other upcoming events as well:

 

 Week of June 1-5

• Washington DC -or-
• Home Team Activities

 Week of June 8-12

• June 8th: Fun Day (middle school students volunteer to be helpers)
• June 8th: Awards Ceremony during school day
• June 9th: 8th Grade Challenge Final Presentations & Luncheon @ 8:30 am
• June 9th: 6:30pm: Open House for ALL Swift Students 
• June 11th: Sandbar: Swift House picnic and 8th grade celebration
• June 11th: 8th graders’ last day of school
• June 11th: 8th Grade Graduation @ 6:30 pm 

Week of June 15-16

• June 15th: Students write letters for Core Placement
• June 16th: Last day of school for K-7th grade (1/2 day)

Core Placement- Input Opportunity

On the last day of school, we will meet with fourth grade teachers to learn about our new Swifties for 2015-2016. We will also ask current students to write a letter to us indicating their preference for core placement, including core teachers they would like to work with (top two), peers they would enjoy having in core with them, and whether or not they would like to be a mentor. We use all of their feedback very carefully while balancing cores for the next school year, working hard to balance grade, gender, as well as academic and social needs.

If you have specific input about core placement that you would like us to consider in this process, please e-mail your son or daughter's core teacher before June 15th so we can take it into consideration. As mentioned, it is a great balancing act in which we try to meet everyone's needs!

Rube Goldberg Projects

Swifties displayed stunning perseverance  while working on their Rube Goldberg machines!  They planned, assembled, described,tested, and recorded their machines in five days and many, many tries.  To see a group setting up dominoes for the 8th time, or readjusting their Lego-man zipline to hit the ball just right, is to see the ultimate in student teamwork and determination.

Jonas and Adam building

Ruben placing dominoes

Dylan, Gosha and Storm with more dominoes

Ella and Lily almost ready to test

A selection of videos follows.  To see the list of all videos, visit the WCS Youtube site.  Try to imagine the amount of time required to create 15 seconds of good "Rube Goldberg" video!



Bobby, Baker, Nick and Bryant



Demi, Gabby, Trevor and Gus


Eric, Eve, Jazmyn, Ruben


Jagger's Group


Adam, Koell, Ethan, Jonas



Bray, Lily, Alexis, Ella

Jimmy, Bryce, Shelby, Brayden, Gabby