Changing Perspectives Literature Unit
Swift House has begun a new literature unit in cooperation with the Changing Perspectives Organization, whose mission is "promoting awareness and inspiring empathy." Our books all focus on individuals facing unique challenges, such as deafness, autism, gender dysphoria, blindness, becoming a refugee, and fighting for the right to attend school. We are inviting speakers to share their own experiences with our students and had our first visitor on Friday, Sefakor Pomeyie.
Sefakor Pomeyie is a teacher, advocate, and leader in the disability field. She contracted polio when she was 8 years-old which affected her ability to walk. As a person with a physical disability growing up in Ghana, she was fortunate to have parents who understood the value of education and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. For years, her mother carried her to and from school every day and packed a container for her because she could not access the restroom. Later on, she was inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ Determined to make a difference, she started raising awareness for persons with disabilities in Ghana. In 2012, she founded Enlightening and Empowering People with Disabilities (eepdAfrica) to create awareness and advocate for change for people with disabilities in Africa. It is the only volunteer organization of its kind in Africa. They champion the cause of all people to be treated with dignity. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies as well as a co-teacher of Special Education courses at the University of Vermont.
Please ask your son or daughter about this presentation. Hearing Sarakor share her story personally was an incredible experience.
Sefakor Pomeyie is a teacher, advocate, and leader in the disability field. She contracted polio when she was 8 years-old which affected her ability to walk. As a person with a physical disability growing up in Ghana, she was fortunate to have parents who understood the value of education and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. For years, her mother carried her to and from school every day and packed a container for her because she could not access the restroom. Later on, she was inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ Determined to make a difference, she started raising awareness for persons with disabilities in Ghana. In 2012, she founded Enlightening and Empowering People with Disabilities (eepdAfrica) to create awareness and advocate for change for people with disabilities in Africa. It is the only volunteer organization of its kind in Africa. They champion the cause of all people to be treated with dignity. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies as well as a co-teacher of Special Education courses at the University of Vermont.
Please ask your son or daughter about this presentation. Hearing Sarakor share her story personally was an incredible experience.
Trimester 2 Conferences and Reports
Swift House facilitators have begin scheduling Trimester 2 conferences. Your child will share his or her progress on PLP goals at this time. Please see our conference calendars here. Also look Trimester 2 Jumprope reports will be emailed home on March 22nd.
Washington DC Updates
Big Basket Raffle Fun Night~ April 13th
Our biggest fundraiser is in sight. Please sign-up here!
Grazers~ Dining with a Cause
Due to a scheduling conflict, our Grazer's "Dining for a Cause" has been changed to Thursday, April 18th. As that date comes closer we ask for your help in spreading the work.Parent Meeting ~ Tuesday, March 10
We reviewed trip scheduling and logistics. Notes and details were emailed home the next day. Please contact Amy Skapof if you missed any information.Bottles
There is about $50 worth of bottles waiting to be returned outside the cafeteria. If any parents have a truck and can take on this task in support of the DC trip, please contact Lisa Barland.FAP Annual Fund
The FAP Fund is still trying to meet this year's goal. If you haven't already contributed this year, please click here to donate and learn more.
Suggested donation amount of:
$30 per student in grades EEE-4 and/or$45 per student in grades 5-8
Your contribution to the Williston Schools Annual Fund will ensure the continuation of important FAP programs that directly support and enhance the education of all of our children: equitable funding of field trips that extend the learning beyond the classroom; educational grants for classrooms to provide enhanced developmental opportunities for all students; new technology for classroom use;- student services in the form of clothing, equipment and scholarships to camps for those most in need; speakers and workshops for parents; an inter-generational reading program;
and teacher and staff appreciation events.
Thank You from the Yandows
Hello from the Yandow Family, We just wanted to thank you all for all your love, well wishes and especially for all the wonderful, thoughtful meals you sent us in the last four months. We can’t express enough how much that meant to us and how helpful it really was. Many of you sent notes that I have kept and will treasure. Not only have you opened Mark's and my eyes but you showed our children how amazing it is to give and help others and what it means to be a community. For that we thank you. You all have given us strength and energy to keep pushing forward. We are so grateful to be a part of such an amazing loving community.Sincerely,
Mark, Amy, Matt and Mackenzi
SBAC Testing
All Swift House students will take the annual SBAC English Language Arts and Math tests the week of April 29th. Essential arts, music and world language continue as usual while all other Swift House classes get put on hold. Students will need to have their own headphones for the test. We do have sets to loan out for those who need them.If at all possible, please avoid scheduling outside appointments during this time. We will also send out a snack sign-up when the date gets closer. Thank you!
CVU Summer Camp Accepting Registrations
The CVU summer camp is a great experience for any student who will be joining CVU as a ninth grader or transfer student in the Fall of 2019. We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and fun camp to help ease the transition to CVU while making new friends. Upper-class students are counselors of the camp and help to promote team building and grow social bonds between campers while have a blast during the summer. CVU camp T-shirt, lunch and snack provided!
The camp offers two sessions:
- Session A July 8 - 11, July 15 - 18
- Session B July 22 - 25, July 29 - Aug 1
You can find more information about the daily schedule, registration and tuition on our website: cvusummercamp.cvuhs.org
Contact us at: Email: cvusummercamp@cvsdvt.org
Scholarships and financial assistance available.
VTeen 4-H Science Pathways Cafe - Summer of Science
We are excited to continue to offer a variety of hands-on science learning over the summer months. Registration will be available soon but we wanted to get the dates out to you now, in case you are interested in any of these opportunities. Click here to learn more. Registration is now open for the Natural Resources Management Academy. Space is limited for all programs.- GIS Camp (June 24-28, 9:30 - 3:30 daily)
- Farming, Climate Change & Water Quality (July 11, 9 am - 12 noon)
- Natural Resources Management Academy (July 19-21, overnight camp)- registration is open; click here to learn more.
- Science on Lake Champlain (July 25, full day or half day 9 am - 12 noon or 1:00 - 4:00 pm)
- The Science of Maple (July 31, 9:00 - 11:30 am)
- 4-H Vet Science Program
- SPIN Programs: Farm to Fork, Rabbits 101 and more
- Sheep and Goat Camp
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