Swift River

NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK 

Greetings,

Thank you to everyone who helped make our Winter Warmer event such a huge success this past Saturday. The classroom basket donations, the efforts of our volunteers, and the support of staff members are all greatly appreciated. It’s very special to have our community come together for fun and play.

I am happy to report that recent testing has shown that the sodium level in our school water is within the recommended guidelines. We hope that the preventative measures we’ve adopted this winter season will help to keep the sodium at a safe level now and in the future. We will be sure to keep everyone updated as we continue to receive testing results.

While we are all deeply saddened by the recent events in Florida, and by the nation-wide trend these events represent, I am proud of our school for being proactive with continued training and drills. On Tuesday, we held yet another successful lockdown drill with the assistance of local and state police officers. While I hope that we will one day be able to put these events in the past, I want to assure families that we are constantly working toward a safe and educated school environment. Please be sure to take a moment to check in with your children; they may need a little extra TLC. We are always here for children and families who may need extra support with these difficult subjects.

Please be on the lookout for an MCAS schedule coming home sometime next month. Students in Grades 3 – 6 will be taking part in MCAS testing this year, and we want them to be prepared for success!

Also, next month Leverett Elementary will be hosting this year’s MCBA Books in Action Party for students in Grades 4 – 6. The Books in Action Party is a great way for students to share their enthusiasm for reading with their classmates and with other students in our school union.

Enjoy your Winter Break next week! I hope that whether you plan to travel or stay local, you find time for rest and relaxation.

Fondly,

Kelley

T.E.A.M. SRS Update

Congratulations to our Supermarket Sweep winner, Sharon Chavette, who took home over $300 worth of groceries on her shopping spree! Thank you to all who purchased tickets.

Also many thanks to everyone who attended our Cookies and Canvas event in January. Please mark your calendars for the next Cookies and Canvas on Sunday, May 6!

Our next event will be Bowling at the French King Bowling Center in Erving on Sunday, March 18 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Be on the lookout for a flyer with more details to be sent home soon.

Our next Dinner Angels will be held on Wednesday, March 28 during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please consider donating a food item to help provide our teachers with a delicious meal on a day when they are in school from early in the morning until late at night. Flyers with volunteer sign-up opportunities will be sent home in March.

Everyone had a great time at the Winter Warmer! Thank you to all who supported our school by buying raffle tickets, drinks, snacks, and SRS tee shirts.  Congratulations to the classroom raffle basket winners!

Preschool – Things That Squish: Lois Carey

Kindergarten – Arts & Crafts: Sara Jenney

Grade 1 – Let’s Have A Party: Andrew & Xavier                                               Bergmann

Grade 2 – Winter Fun: Kimberly Sobieski

Grade 3 – Family Game Night: Melissa Newcombe

Grade 4 – Chocolate: Melissa Grader

Grade 5 – Rest & Relaxation: Matthew Vitello

Grade 6 – Anything Goes: Christine Morin

Library and Lab – Kindle Fire: June Baril

Field Trips – Dinner and a Movie: Seneca Smith

CNC – Family Brunch: Heather Barnes

100 Mile Club – Running: Lola Zantouladis

Come join us for the next TEAM SRS Meeting on Tuesday, March 13 at 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria. Childcare will be provided by the Mahar Key Club in the gymnasium.

STUDENT ARTISTS NEEDED!

Run! Walk! Cheer! The Rabbit Run is coming on Saturday, May 19!  The Rabbit Run is a fun and challenging 10K race, or 3 mile walk through the gorgeous trails near the Quabbin and the New Salem common. And your miles count towards the 100 Mile Club! 

The Rabbit Run is an awesome race in many ways, especially because the race tee shirt is ALWAYS designed by Swift River students. We NEED your designs! Designs should be drawn in blue or black ink on white 8 ½” x 11” paper.  Students, please submit your designs to the office no later than Friday, March 30. Don’t forget to include your name and grade on the back of your design.

We also NEED students to create awesome mile marker signs and cheering posters!  Any students who are interested should contact Carla Halpern at 978-490-6606 and we will arrange a poster prep party. All are welcome.

Any students, staff members, or community members who are interested in running, walking, or volunteering at the Rabbit Run should also contact Carla Halpern.  Remember, if you want to volunteer AND participate, your registration fee will be waived!  This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!

Birds of Prey Presentation

With Tom Ricardi at the Wendell Town Hall on Thursday, February 22 at 6:00 PM.

Outside the town hall, at 5:30 PM, Tom will release a bird back into the wild before the event (weather permitting).

Experience an incredible evening with live predatory birds and avian expert, Tom Ricardi. Tom operates a birds of prey rehabilitation center in Conway, MA. In addition to caring for raptors, he travels throughout New England and New York educating the public about these magnificent animals.

Tom is currently caring for a few bald eagles, a golden eagle, a black hawk from Africa, a rare black vulture, kestrels, a peregrine falcon, red tailed hawks, great horned owls, barred owls, and other raptors at the sanctuary.

This program is brought to you by the Wendell Library with funding from the Friends of the Wendell Library and from the Wendell Cultural Council.

New Salem Public Library News

Learn how simple it is to grow mushrooms at home!   Local hero, Julia Coffey, of Mycoterra Farm will talk about growing mushrooms at her facility and about strategies you can use to grow mushrooms at home.

The talk will include an overview of the mushroom life cycle and the basic ecology of saprophytic fungi. She'll cover basic DIY mushroom growing techniques using a variety of mushroom growing kits (with different mushroom species), and an in-depth introduction into mushroom log culture.

There is a suggested donation of $10.00 - $20.00, but no one will be turned away.  Mushroom growing kits will be available for purchase. Join us on Thursday, February 22 at 6:00 PM at the New Salem Public Library, at 23 South Main Street, New Salem, MA 01355. Please RSVP by email at: [email protected].

The New Salem/Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, economic status, homelessness, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.