September 9th

Teamuilding: Campout Groups play "Pictionary" with Playdoh

Google Classroom "Summaries for Guardians"

As many of you know, Swift facilitators post all assignments on Google Classroom, whether or not they are turned in by hand or on paper.  We now have the ability to provide parents and guardians with Google Classroom updates!  You can choose to receive either daily or weekly e-mail summaries of your child's assignments and whether or not any assignments are owed.  You may also opt out of e-mail updates if you wish.  We will be sending out invitations next week.  When we do so, you will receive an e-mail from Google Classroom prompting you for your preferences.   See further details and an example summary here.

Patient Group Members

WCS 8th Grade Field Trip and Swift Trip

Williston Central faculty and administration spent time last year discussing out-of-state field trips. WCS will now offer one 8th grade end-of-the-year field trip, as explained in this letter from administration.

At all of the discussions leading up to this decision, Swift House was always represented on the leadership team by one of the four of us. Our position on field trips is that we like the way we do them in Swift. Yes, it is a lot of work on the part of the teachers, but we feel that the parent involvement and investment on the part of the students are well worth the effort.

We like that we make our field trips optional and open to any students willing to put in the work on the independent project. We love having lots of parent chaperones; it is one of the aspects of the trips that make them more enjoyable for us! As the field trip procedures changed, we wanted to be sure that we were still enabled to carry on our field trips as we have in the past as long as the teachers are willing.

Our plan moving forward is to continue to offer yearly trips (barring school board approval), alternating Washington, DC and NYC, and possibly offering another city alternating with DC somewhere down the line. We will need to plan it so as not to conflict with the new 8th grade trip that is now being offered. We will continue to need the incredible parent support that we have experienced in the past to make these trips work, and we look forward to the exciting distance learning that trips to these cities provide. This year, we are planning to propose a trip to Washington, DC. Amy and Kevin will be leading the trip with support during the planning phase from Debbie and myself.

"You Got It!"

SPARK

SPARK After-school enrichment will begin on Thursday, September 15th.  We will highlight the sign-up form as soon as it is available.  SPARK will continue to take place on Thursdays in six sessions, each one being five to six classes long.

Guessing

Hopes and Dreams Conferences

New Swift families have been in to meet with facilitators.  We are now looking to schedule conferences with all returning Swift families in order to discuss "Hopes and Dreams" and discuss goals for the year.  Please select the appropriate calendar(s) below to sign up for a conference.
Ms. Laberge's Schedule
Ms. Skapof's Schedule
Mr. Hunt's Schedule
Ms. Donnelly's Schedule

They're Stumped

Homework Club

The Swift House Homework Club will be starting soon.  Homework Club allows students to stay after to complete work with teacher help.  It will include Tuesdays, with a late bus at 3:30, in addition to one more day to be determined.  We will announce to students and post the starting date in the Flyer once we have the after-school teachers ready to go.

Intergen Reading Program / A Monthly Book Group

What is it? FAP teams up with the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library to sponsor a fun book group that brings together WCS middle school students, seniors from our community and parent volunteers. Each book group will read and discuss 6 books over the course of the school year. When? The program will kick-off in October with a “Get Acquainted” luncheon. The book groups will then meet during school hours once a month to discuss books in a relaxed and fun setting. If your 5th-8th grade child is interested in being considered for this program, please register by Wednesday, September 14th using this online link.

Great Teambuilding!

WiSH

The WCS Leadership Committee completed work to minimize schedule interruptions and the implementation of the early release day on Tuesdays, the following changes will happen for the WiSH program:

• Students will not sign up for "WiSH" activities through a school counselor. 
•  Student participation in being a teacher/classroom helper will now be a part of a student's PLP, specifically a personal goal. This will enable core teachers to better manage which students can participate and miss time from classes, monitor progress, and allow students a formal way to provide some reflection on their work. 
• Participation and work assignments will be made during their PLP advisory time with their core teacher. 
•  Students will continue to initiate work placements with elementary classroom teachers on their own. 
• Their will not be transportation to ABS due to the early release day on Tuesdays and not wanting students to miss additional school time.

Teamwork