Swift River

NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK 

Dear Families,

Thank you to everyone who attended Open House last night. I enjoyed catching up with many of you throughout the evening. Open House is a valuable part of our school culture and we hope that you left with a good understanding of what your children will be learning at Swift River School this year. We also had a great crowd for the Science Fair kick-off event, Animal Adventures. They certainly captivated and excited the audience!

I hope parents took the opportunity to sign up for parent-teacher conferences while at Open House. Conferences will be held on October 28 and 30 and November 4 and 6. Parent teacher conferences provide an important opportunity to discuss your children’s academic and social progress. At SRS we encourage parents to schedule conferences whenever they have questions or concerns that cannot be answered via a phone call.

Exciting things are always happening at SRS. We kicked off the 100 Mile Club on Friday, September 25 after Community Sing. The whole School completed two laps on the track. Sally Stuffin, our art teacher, worked with students to create beautiful magnetic boards for students and staff to track their miles. The boards are hanging by the Café. On Wednesdays we started hosting family walk with the 100 Mile Club and the Fire Department. Last week we had over 40 participants, and this week we had 60 participants walking together; it was outstanding.

If you haven’t checked out Community Sing this year I highly recommend that you visit soon. Michael Cortina, our new music teacher, has put a new spin on Community Sing. Each month we learn a new opening song and close with “You’ll Sing a Song,” written by Ella Jenkins and adapted by Mr. Cortina for our community at Swift River. Mr. Cortina uses the new technology we installed in the Café to make Community Sing interactive and accessible for all ages.

Nathan Gaetano, our new physical education teacher, is gearing up for some morning runs. Please check out the sign-up form attached to the Current today. Mr. G. will be leading fun running activities from 8:00-8:25 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

We hope you enjoy seeing the wonderful new options on our lunch menu. I’d like to encourage you to join us for lunch during the week if you are able. Just call the Office before 10:00 AM if you’d like to sign up. Barrett and Kara are cooking up a storm. We are encouraging students to try the new things by giving out samples. This week the creamy broccoli, potato and cheddar soup was delicious. Many students were unsure, but after they sampled it, it was gone!

Please join us tonight, Thursday, for the monthly School Committee meeting at 7:00 PM in the Café.

Fondly,

Kelley

PTCA News
Fall Fest is Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, rain or shine.  Please join us for an old fashioned country fair!  Your family is invited to take part in fun competitions like limbo, balloon races, and an old fashioned pie eating contest!  Plus, we'll have a rock wall, face painting, raffle baskets and more!!! Volunteer fliers went home this week.

PTCA Social Night is Tuesday, October 20 at the Deja Brew Restaurant in Wendell.  Come find out more about what PTCA does for SRS and our community.  Appetizers will be available and there will be a cash bar from 7:00-8:30 PM.  This is an adult only evening.

Our next meeting is Thursday, November 12.  Officer elections will be held.  All board positions are open to interested parties for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  PTCA is always looking for new faces and ideas!  Hope to see you there.

Like us on Facebook for more information.

Fall Festival Basket Raffle
Fall Fest is fast-approaching! If you have not sent an item in for your child’s classroom basket and would like to, please do so ASAP!

Use the attached order form to purchase your raffle tickets. Please be sure to return the form and payment no later than 3:00 PM, October 16. 

Tickets will also be sold at Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM-1:45 PM. The prize drawing is at 1:45 PM at the close of our Fall Festival. You do not have to be present to win! Please contact Nan Mead at the school if you have any questions. 

Student Poetry
This poem was written for a summer work assignment.

I am excited.

I am almost delighted.

I am going into sixth grade.

Science, new math, set us on a good path

Like a wonderful learning parade!

By Cirdan

Pumpkins must be painted, not carved; acrylic paints or permanent markers work best.  You may add yarn, pipe cleaners, fabric, cardboard, glitter, etc.  Please bring the book (or a copy of the cover) to display with your pumpkin. There are many examples of decorated pumpkins posted on the library windows or you may look online for ideas.  It’s easy and fun for the whole family!

Christine Morin and I will have a “Technology Meets Reading” raffle basket for Fall fest.  The basket prize includes a Kindle Fire and an Amazon Gift Card.  Please support the library and computer lab by purchasing tickets for this awesome basket! 

Make time to read,

Betsy

Jeannine Catalog Fundraiser!
Our big fundraiser this year is very exciting! Jeannine has a beautiful gift catalog, gourmet foods, kid’s corner, and home delivery! Last year, this fundraiser raised over $3700 for field trips! Participation is voluntary. Catalogs were sent home on October 5 and need to be returned to school with full payment by October 19.

The Enchanted Forest News
Join EF for the first of our “Fun Fridays with Mez” on Friday, October 16. We’ll go on a nature scavenger hunt on the Swift River School nature trail and share our discoveries. Then we’ll create  Fall centerpieces using our found treasures! Come enjoy the beauty of Autumn with friends! The cost is only $5 and pick up time is 4:30 PM. For more information, call Betsy at 978-544-6926 ext. 206.

The Enchanted Forest will be open on the upcoming parent-teacher conference days and we have awesome activities planned! The dates are Wednesdays, October 28 and November 4, and Fridays, October 30 and November 6. More information will be sent home next week.

Please note that a parent or other adult listed on your EF registration form must come in to the school to pick up and sign out your child.  This is for the safety of your children and there are no exceptions. Thank you for your cooperation.

Come join the fun!

The EF Staff