May 31st, 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Wednesday, June 3rd @ 2:30 pm~ 8th Graders "Welcome to CVU" meeting with CVU Principal, Adam Bunting (Meet @wcsparks)

• Monday, June 6th @ 7 pm~  Open House Parent Zoom Meeting~ This presentation will begin with videos of our 8th grader introducing their 8th grade challenge projects, followed by 5-7 student presentations where you will be able to record comments via video.

• Tuesday, June 9th @ 10:00 am~ 8th Grade Challenge Presentations- 8th Graders will be presenting within their core Google Meets to a panel of community members. 5th through 7th graders will have an opportunity to view 8th grade presentations of their choice. 

• Tuesday, June 9 @ 7 pm~  WCS Band Virtual Gallery Night - Click here for details

• Wednesday, June 10th~ Swift Teachers- Delivery for 8th Graders

• Thursday, June 11th~ 8th Grade Graduation Celebration- Click here for details
• 3:45-4:30 pm~ Swift Drive-Up Diploma Presentation
• 7:00 pm~ Virtual Ceremony

SCHOOL-ISSUED CHROMEBOOKS AND SUMMER

We will be reaching out sometime next week via email with information about the options families have to either keep their student's school-issued Chromebook at home or return it to school for the summer. Families that choose to keep it at home would need to "opt-in" to this agreement, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so. Families that do not wish to take on this responsibility over the summer will learn more about the timing and process for returning it in the email that goes out next week.

LIBRARY & MATERIALS RETURN

If you have WCS library items you would like to return, we will have a container out Wednesday, June 3 from 8 - 11am to put them in. Please only use this for WCS library items; we cannot process classroom, DAML or ABS library books at this time. We will have another WCS library return day during the last week of school.  Grades 3 -7 are welcome to keep any WCS library items currently checked out over the summer!

***Swift House hopes to align our materials return with the Chromebook return. We will be looking for literature and math books.***

ASSESSMENT

Feedback
A few folks have asked about assessment during this time period.  During this unprecedented remote learning period, we are providing students individualized feedback on their work within Google Classroom.  We have reminded students to adjust their email notifications so that they know when teachers post "Private Comments" on Google Classroom.  We will send an email home at the end of the week if your child is missing work or we have general concerns about their participation.

Academic Evaluation of your student:
This trimester, there will not be Jumprope reporting. Instead, look for an email from your student’s core teacher commenting on his/her overall strengths, independent project, engagement/work habits during remote learning, etc. Please don’t hesitate to email with any questions regarding teacher comments!

PLP Wrap-Up for 5th-7th graders only!
Students will be recording a short Screencastify to reflect on each of their goals while showing their PLP. Students will be reflecting on each goal, why it was important, progress  and challenges, and next steps.

INDEPENDENT PROJECTS & 8th GRADE CHALLENGE

Students will be busy wrapping up their independent project presentations, practicing them with classmates, and editing as needed.  They should have a presentation of their project uploaded to Flipgrid by Friday.

5th-7th Graders

• Final Product due Tuesday, June 2nd (See prompts for Final Project)
• Practice presentations on Wednesday, June 3rd
• Presentation Posted to Flipgrid by Friday, June 5th
• Open House on Monday, June 8th- We will share the link to Flipgrid

8th Graders

8th Graders will be presenting within their core Google Meets to a panel of community members. 5th through 7th graders will have an opportunity to view 8th grade presentations of their choice.

• Practice Presentations on Wednesday, June 3rd (record with WeVideo)
• Upload introduction to project Flipgrid by Friday, June 5th
• Open House on Monday, June 8th- We will share the link to Flipgrid
• Final Presentation to Community Panelists Tuesday, June 9th @ 10:00 am

8th GRADE CHALLENGE

My name is Poppy and for my 8th-grade challenge, I am researching and fundraising for the clean water and sanitation issue. This is an extremely important problem that is going on in the world. There are many people in other parts of the world without access to safe water for drinking and sanitizing. There is awful sickness these people can get while they miss out on their education just by trying to get clean water. I am working with a team member, Tracy Adams, at an organization called Pure Water to learn more about this and raise money to donate to their project. At Pure Water, their goal is to help install water filters and educate children about hygiene in Haiti and Honduras. My original plan was to hold a fundraiser at school but due to social distancing, I am not able to do much at the moment. I have a link to a website where you can donate money. If you aren't able to donate money, I encourage you to read more about this issue on Pure Water's website. Thank you for taking the time to read this message, anything helps!  https://impact.purewaterfortheworld.org/campaign/poppys-quest-for-clean-water/c271869

STUDENT WORK

HUMANITIES

7/8 students in Humanities created a PSA on one of the topics we looked at during our remote learning focus on the elements of Argument Writing using Current Events.  Some of the topics included were:

• Kindness Matters
• Power of a 5 Minute Break
• LGBQT+ Rights
• Driverless Cars
• Growth Mindset

Student Examples

• Gianna P
• Cadence H
• Rose B
• Logan and Wyatt
• Kaylee Bliss
• Grace Steinman
• Nate McNabb

LITERATURE GROUPS

Here's a Padlet that Ms. Laberge's literature students created through their work for Unbroken. Their prompt was to write six-word memoirs. If parents and/or siblings would like to add their own personal ones (there are a few personal prompts), she's happy to review and approve! Here's a video explaining the Six Word Memoir Project.

Okay for Now: This novel incorporates  John James Audubon's magnificent bird paintings to symbolize the trials and tribulations of the main character's life and world. For our final project, students selected one of the nine birds featured in this novel to sketch and then reflect on. Students used specific evidence from the novel to describe the symbolism used to relay theme, character development and big ideas.  

Patrick: The Yellow Shank

Aliyah: The Red Throated Diver

George: Arctic Tern

TIMELY RESOURCES

• Dorothy Alling Library Porch Pick-Up
  
• Will the Pandemic Have a Lasting Effect on My Kids?~ Timely article
  
• School Bell~ May 27th
  
• UVM Extension Opportunities~ Virtual Enrichment Learning Opportunities,  Each Weekday @ 3 pm.  Click here for details and registration
• Tuesday @ 3 pm - Understanding the 4Ws of Trail Stewardship
• Wednesday @  3 pm - Playing Games to Prevent Diseases on Farms?!??!
  
• TDI@Home 2020— now an on-line summer camp!
• Summer camp/academic program for advanced and gifted students entering grades 4-9.  Now on-line, to be held M-F for two weeks: June 22-26 and June 29-July 3. Morning and/or afternoon options for one or both weeks; cost is $220 per morning or afternoon session. 
• On-line classes—including Minecraft Circuitry, Myth-Making, Eggstronauts,  Young Curators, Applied Programming, Writing and Laughing—nurture students' creativity and their love of learning. Campers have a virtual blast learning alongside other smart kids.  Go to  http://www.tdivermont.org/registration for more information.