December 18, 2015

Bottle Drive

On Saturday, January 9th we will be having our annual bottle drive fundraiser to help offset the cost of our NYC trip. Please review the attached documents for details and sign up if you are available to help get the word out and​​ collect some bottles and cans! This counts as one of the two fundraisers that are required for Swift students in order to attend our end of the year trip.  Click here for sign-up sheet.

Poetry Slam

We wrapped up the poetry unit with a "Poetry Slam" in the theater this morning.   Over 50 students stood up to read their poetry for their peers in the theater.  A few shared multimedia presentations as well.   The crowd cheered, the judges gave scores, and Jenn Duchaine and Eric Couture kept the whole production moving as our MCs.  All and all, in was an engaging celebration of learning.

Hugo shares "We'll 'Miss You' 2015" 

The judges react to Hugo's poem

Cleo presents her poem

Tanner reads his poem

Isaac reads "This is just to say" 

Independent Projects/8th Grade Challenge

Following vacation, life studies will become "Independent Project" and "8th Grade Challenge" time.   8th graders will continue their work on their projects, taking notes and writing the first installment of their report. Fifth through seventh graders will choose a topic of research related to our fall science and social studies units.  We will work with them through the entire research process, including finding resources, creating outlines, taking notes, and writing drafts.

Please check in with your son or daughter about what topics they might like to study.  Categories and topics could include:

• earth science
• volcanoes
• tsunamis
• plate tectonics
• fossils
• chemistry of food
• chemistry in industry
• geography of a specific region
• culture
• "Peace One Day" peace makers
• current events

The research will culminate with our Open House on Thursday, January 28th @ 6:30.  This event is required for all students to present their work.  Please mark your calendars.

First Trimester Portfolios

Hopefully your son or daughter has shared their e-Portfolio with you at this point.  Again, you will find their evidences towards their goals and reports from each class inside.  Please contact the core teacher if you have run into any difficulties.  The parent/student conferences are a great time to review this work and the reports.  Please see the core teachers' conference schedule on this link if you need to sign up for a conference.

Polar Express

Thank you to all parents and students who took part in the Polar Express.  The Swift elves were perfectly elfish once again (see photos below, and more photos on our Shutterfly site, password flyforever).  Please see the thank you note from the organizers:

Amy,

Thank you very much for returning to the North Pole with your adorable Swift House elves! We appreciate you recruiting a group of students and chaperoning at the Polar Express. The Swift House raised $260 for children’s programs – fantastic work! With your help, the Elf Fund reached over $2,000 in total donations yesterday. We are grateful for your support.

 We had a fabulous weekend with the help of 700+ elves, dozens of engineers, conductors and chefs, two amazing Santas with their even more amazing spouses, Carl Recchia and the Madrigals of CVU and countless folks behind the scenes, all working together seamlessly to bring the magic of the North Pole to life for 3600 riders.

This was our most successful event ever. We hope to net close to $120,000, funds that will support children's programs throughout Vermont. We could not do this without your help. You are the magic! Thank you for devoting your time and spreading good will during this busy season. 

Best wishes for the holidays,

 Fagan, Linda, Theo and John VCTF

FAPAC Dec 2015 Meeting Notes

To: Swift Parents
From:  Sarah Forbes, FAPAC Representative

cc:  Kevin Hunt, Debbie Donnelly, Theresa Schroeder, Amy Skapof

The Families as Partners (FAP) Advisory Council held its monthly meeting on December 10th.  FAP is Williston's equivalent of a parent-teacher organization.  We meet each month, our meetings our open to all, and you will receive an email like this every month with highlights of the meeting and a link to the FAP website for the full minutes.  Check the full minutes in a PDF format by clicking HERE.  Below are a few meeting highlights: 
Administration Report:  Greg Marino, District Principal, spoke about the budget impacts of Act 46 on the Williston school district.  The administration is currently creating a plan for budget cuts to meet the allowable growth percentage set forth through the law.  There are two upcoming Williston School Board budget working sessions open to the public to hear more on this topic.  They are Dec. 21st at 5:30 pm, andJan. 11th at 4:30 pm both in the WCS Dining Room.

The CSSU Act 46 Study Committee is working on the consolidation portion of the law, has a website for all the materials and information regarding this, and an e-mail address of act46@cssu.org.

Williston Annual Fund:  This fund pays for your children's school field trips, among other educational items.  Without this fund, class fundraisers, such as selling wrapping paper, would need to occur.  The online donation link will be turned off at the end of December, but is still accessible HERE.  Please continue to send in checks or cash to your class if you have not already done so.  Any amount you can send helps! This donation is tax-deductible.

School Board Position Openings: There are two school board positions opening up for vote in March.  Please consider running for these positions and contact Kevin Mara for more information! kmara@cssu.org

Our next FAP meeting is on Thursday, January 14th at 8:15 am at Williston Central School.  We hope you can attend!!!

 Please contact me at sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net if you have feedback or questions on FAP.  Thanks.