Wednesday, April 17, 2019

April 16, 2019

School Bell

See this week's School Bell for the final Spark Session of the year and more.


End of the Year Dates

  • 8th Grade Challenge Presentations~ Tuesday, June 11th @ 10:00
  • Swift End-of-Year Picnice @ Sandbar State Park~ Thursday, June 13th

Student Absences

Our students have a variety of passions, opportunities and illness which cause them to miss school.  We totally understand that!  However, we are frequently hearing "I wasn't here" from students when we ask about a missing assignment.  We are trying hard to coach them on being proactive.  

If a student misses school for any reason they should reach out to the teachers about what they missed and how to make it up.  We frequently have to create alternative assignments since it's difficult to recreate a lab or presentation experience so the process may take more than one check-in.  

In short, if your child has missed school, please coach them to reach out to us instead of waiting until we ask for the assignment.  Thank you so much!

Engineering Challenge

All Swift students have participated in building machines for the Engineering Challenge, either a ball ramp or a catapult, both designed to send the ball to specific targets.  Students are competing against teams from around the school this week to determine the top machines!



Changing Perspectives Literature Groups

We wrapped up our "Changing Perspectives" literature group with a "Changing Perspectives fair.  Swift students ran five different activities for Equinox and Kaleidoscope students, each designed to help students see the world from someone else's perspective.   Check out the photos and quotes below for detail.

One 3rd and 4th grade class sent us a lovely summary of their experience:

We had a great discussion when we got back to the classroom.  Here are some thoughts the students wanted me to share with you:
  • It was very useful to think about how something like losing your hand could affect you.
  • It was helpful to know what it is like not to understand the language since I’m going to Italy.
  • It was fun to learn some sign language.
  • It was really useful because if I see someone who has one of these things I can remember what it felt like and maybe be nicer.
  • I didn’t know that boys sometimes get paid more than girls. It is good to know so that if it happens to me when I’m older I will notice and tell someone.
  • When we are older the people who get more can stand up for the other people.
  • If someone is having a hard time, instead of thinking “Why are they having a hard time?” I might understand more. (referring to the autism rotation)
  • It was amazing learning how people have to deal with so many different things.
  • It was fun, and thanks for letting us have the opportunity!
One of my students, who has an older sibling with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, tapped his heart and said “My mom is going to be very pleased by this”.

Thanks for the great experience!




Students also created infographics about access to education as part of their literature groups.  Our next round of literature signups will go out this week; this round they will be student-led!

Allison's Infographic

Alyssa's Infographic




CVU Spring Social

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Buccaneers Football

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Sustainability Groups

The Swift Sustainability Action Project groups continue to meet weekly to tackle their projects.  Our latest updates reflect the variety of projects happening and skills being put to use:
  • The Chickens have combined forces with students in other houses and are moving forward in subgroups to build a coop, hatch some eggs, and plan for the sustainability of the project in future years and when school is not in session.
  • Plastic Patrol is working with Sustainability Williston, Ms. Parks and Ms. Barland on plans to reduce waste at upcoming school celebrations such as the Swift 8th grade picnic at Sandbar and the WCS 8th grade breakfast.
  • The Connecting Seniors group has visited Whitney Hill seniors a few times, and has plans for two more visits before the end of the year. Each time they visit, they plan activities to do with the seniors. 
  • The GSA group has held meetings and has scheduled them weekly.
  • The adaptive sports group has created posters advertising a mini tournament to raise money for supplies.
  • The upcycled clothing group has collected donations and is moving towards sewing blankets. 
  • The Bolts- Have gotten their Infrared cameras and the watt meters to test energy sources around the school to identify inefficient ones
  • Habitat for the Homeless- Raised $80.21 from their recent bottle drive.  They also raised $62.18 from a bake sale in February.  All funds will go to Habitat for Humanity.
  • Fitness and Nutrition- We putting together information to present other houses about their upcoming Spark group.  
  • Accessible Playground Equipment- Working on a grant for playground equipment.  THey are contacting a playground company to determine costs.  

CLOTHING DONATIONS NEEDED
Please donate clean unwanted clothing. A collection box is located in the WCS front lobby. Donations will be used to make blankets for COTS as a part of Swift House Sustainability Action Project. Any clothing that is not used for blankets will be donated to COTS.  Any questions, please contact Debbie Donnelly @ ddonnelly@cvsdvt.org

Thank you,

Samantha, Jasmine, Mitchell, Grace, Allison, Sally


Students measure the playground while brainstorming accessible equipment needs

Iron Chefs

A note from Ms. McMahon:

The Williston Central School Jr Iron Chef team made their incredible recipe for an option at lunch last week. 

The meal sold out quickly.  The good news? The food is incredible! Buffalo cauliflower tacos with an avocado creme on a made from scratch tortilla. The chefs recommend putting ranch on them. The bad news?? Quantities were very limited... and the third and fourth graders love them. 

If you see any of the chefs around school, give them a high five for all of their hard work. They are incredible!! 

Chefs:
Dylan L
Ava M
Tyler D
Jacob M
Alec B



Swifties Present at VT HEC Conference

Summer Camps & Opportunities




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