September 1, 2017

Great Start

What a wonderful group of young people you have sent us!  Our first two days included:

*Math class (whoohoo!)
*Team building activities, getting active and outdoors
*Degrees of Reading Power testing.  Results will be mailed home when completed
*Campout planning
*"Wildcat" school-wide expectations
*Chromebook roll-out, reviewing our Technology Use Contract.  Students need to return this contract signed by a parent before using their Chromebooks.  We're hoping to get them all back on Friday!

Preparing for the "Birthday Line-Up"

Literature Group Sign-Up

We have our first literature survey ready for students. This month's literature unit will be based on choice novels. 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.
Click here to access the sign-up form.

Campout Planning

Grand Isle State Park, September 7th and 8th

Students are working hard to prepare for the camp out next week.  Please look for a packet Friday, Sept 1st with the following information.

• Permission Slip- Please complete and send back on Tuesday
• Personal Packing List
• Group Packing List (food and gear responsibilities for each individual)

We need many chaperones to make the campout work.  If you are available to chaperone, please add your name to this document to either the full time or part time slots.  We will send out a list of camp groups with associated chaperones who have signed up so far.

Daytime chaperones simply need to sign-up.  Overnight chaperones need to complete the chaperone background check if you have not already done so.  Please call or e-mail Liz Neeld for details on how to begin this process.  Thank you for considering joining us!

Parent Meet and Greet

Our FAP reps are hosting a parent meet and greet on Tuesday, Sept. 5th from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Swift Kiva. Goals for the meeting:

• To connect as a Swift House parent community
• Meet new and returning parents
• Learn about Swift
• To discuss ideas for the Swift House trip and best ways to raise funds and get involved

Spelling Team Qualifying Test 

5th/6th Wednesday, September 6th @ 12:35
7th/8th Friday, September 8th @ 12:35

Eat lunch in the Enrichment room day of test. It's time for those super spellers to begin working on the list of 500 words from the Vermont Principals' Association! Lists are in a bin outside the Enrichment room door and labeled 5th/6th or 7th/8th. PLEASE encourage anyone interested or who you believe would benefit from this opportunity to stop by, pick up a list of words, and show up for the qualifying test time. If you have a student who is unsure please have them stop by and speak with me.

 I try to make it super fun with an emphasis on team bonding while we learn a bit about spelling rules, tips, and tricks! Teams practice 2 times weekly with me during lunch/recess, 5th/6th on Monday & Wednesday and 7th/8th on Tuesday & Friday. We will participate in the district spelling bee in October and if we win we'll move on to regionals.

~Julie Rogers