Volume 25, Issue 11 Thursday, February 11, 2016
Important Dates
February 15 – 19: Winter Recess
March 4, 5:30 – 8:30 PM: Books in Action
March 29: PTCA Bowling Extravaganza
April 16, 10AM – 3PM: Run4KidsMA
April 18 – 22: Spring Recess
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
New England winters sure are hard to predict. Last Thursday I was bragging about no snow days this year, and, sure enough, we end up having one the very next day. Just like snow days are hard to predict, we never know when technology may fail us. As many of you may know, we had trouble with our Parent Reach robo calling system last Friday. We were locked out and could not get tech support to help us in time for an early call. After hours of phone time, we were finally able to get the system up and dialing around noon. You may recall a voice message from me recounting the morning’s events. I would like to remind all of our families to check the local news and radio stations for alerts and updates when bad weather is predicted. I use the WWLP Channel 22 News text message alert system; typically I receive a text message alert from WWLP before I receive my official call from the Superintendent. I went to WWLP.com and was able to sign up very easily by using the drop down menu under “Weather,” clicking on “Closings and Delays,” clicking on the “Text Alerts” option on the bottom right of the closing and delays page, and signing up for the Erving School Union #28 Closing and Delay alert. Other resources would be the school website, the SRS Facebook page, and the outgoing message when you call the SRS phone. If all else fails, phone a friend!
It is important to remember that when you receive the Parent Reach call, 411-411-4111 will show up on your caller ID. You must answer the call loudly and clearly so the voice-activated message can hear you; if you miss the message the first time, it will repeat. If you let the call go to voicemail, be sure your greeting is not too long, or the system will not have a chance to leave the voicemail, since the message begins as soon as the system registers noise, and it will only repeat the message twice. Also, the system will call you up to three times if you do not say “Hello” when you answer!
I would like to apologize again that the Parent Reach system was unable to communicate Friday’s snow day, and that many students were left waiting for the bus. Unfortunately, there was a glitch in communication within the bus company, and one driver did not receive notification, went on the bus route, and picked up students. Thankfully all the students made it home safely. I would like to thank the families that worked together to make sure our students got home safe and sound. This was a good reminder to all of us that we cannot rely on one technology as our only means of communication.
As we move forward in this ever-changing technological world, we will be researching more advanced alert systems for the FY’17 budget. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the best ways to communicate with SRS families. Please continue to keep us up-to-date with new phone numbers, and if you choose to opt out of our Parent Reach system, please put it in writing.
Happy vacation,
Kelley
PTCA UPDATE
Thank you, Natalie Reynolds for teaching us to make chocolate truffles at our last PTCA meeting! The truffles were delicious and Natalie was a wonderful teacher.
The Bowling Extravaganza will be held Sunday, March 20! Look for the registration form coming home soon.
The Supermarket Sweep raffle tickets will be going on sale soon. We will sell one hundred $10 tickets, and the winner will have two minutes to fill a cart at Hannaford. It’s easy and fun!
We are happy to announce that we now have a beautiful new website loaded with valuable information and dates for upcoming events. Check it out at: http://swiftriverptca.weebly.com. You can also access the website from the SRS page at www.swiftriverschool.org.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 PM. Free childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Absences
If your student is absent, please make sure to call the Office to report the absence! Thank you.
SNAP
Tomorrow (Friday, February 12) we will have a representive come to SRS to assist families with the SNAP application process. Time slots are limited and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please call the Office as soon as possible.
Library Lines
The Six Flags "Read to Succeed" reading logs are due Tuesday, February 23. Each student in Kindergarten through Grade 6 who reads for 6 hours and returns the reading log by the deadline will receive a child's ticket to Six Flags Amusement Park ($44.99 value). This deadline is strictly enforced by Six Flags; late submissions will not be accepted. I am required to submit the actual reading logs, so please be sure to sign the form. As of today, 12 students have earned their free ticket! A copy of the reading log is attached to this week's edition of The Current for you to complete during February vacation week.
Permission forms for the MCBA Books in Action Party for students in Grades 4 through 6 are due by Friday, February 26. Students who have read at least 5 of the 25 MCBA books are eligible to attend this party, which will be held on Friday, March 4 at Shutesbury Elementary School.
Make time to read,
Betsy
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school-sponsored.
New Salem Teen and Tween News
Want to draw in 3-D? Come watch a video, take a 10 minute class, and you’ll be designing and making things in no time!
Ever wish you could take things apart? Things like: cameras, appliances, et cetera, and NOT have to put them back together? We have stuff here for you to explore. How does it work? Take it apart and figure it out.
Or maybe you’d like to be in our Zombie movie! Or in our podcast. Come. Have a snack. Hang out. Learn a new skill and have FUN!
Call 978-544-6334 for more information.
Friends of the New Salem Library
Treat your sweetie to a delicious homemade PANCAKE BREAKFAST on Valentine's Day. Join us on Sunday, February 14 at the New Salem Central Congregational Church.
Menu: Juice, Coffee, Tea, Fresh Fruit, PANCAKES, Sausage, and Scrambled Eggs
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Price: Donations will be happily accepted to help support the cost of the meal.
See you there!
Saturday, February 13: LEGO CLUB WILL BE POSTPONED until Saturday, February 20, from 12:30 – 2:00 PM.
Thursday, February 25: Join us at 7:00 PM for FICTION & FASHION, a delightful show and tell on the clothing of Regency England as reflected in Jane Austen's fiction and presented by Ms. Kandie Carle. This program is sponsored by The Friends of the New Salem Public Library
Saturday, February 27: Join us from 1:00 – 2:00 PM for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Musical Petting Zoo!
Student Artists Needed For Rabbit Run!
Run! Walk! Cheer! The Rabbit Run is coming on Saturday, May 21! The Rabbit Run is a fun and challenging 10K run or 3 mile walk on the gorgeous trails near the Quabbin and the New Salem common. And it counts towards the 100 Mile Club!
The Rabbit Run 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, April 1. 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) 544-2676, and we will arrange a Poster Prep Party. All are welcome.
Any students or staff 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!
Snip Along the Lines to Keep Handy!
School Cancellations and Delays
A ParentReach call will be sent. The caller ID is 411-411-4111. These calls are not 100% reliable, so if you question a school closing, but have not received a call, use one of these other options:
Swift River School website or Facebook page
School answering machine
Radio stations:
Amherst WRNX – 100.9 & WPNI - 1430 AM
Greenfield WRSI – 93.9 & WHAI - 98.3
Northampton WHMP – 99.3
Orange WAHL – 99.9 & WJDF - 97.3
Television:
WWLP – Channel 22
WGGB – Channel 40
Check with a neighbor or friend.
Please Note:
Swift River School is part of Erving School Union #28. School closings or delayed openings can be found under School Union #28 or Erving Union #28, and not under Swift River School. When Swift River is the only school in Union 28 that is affected, look for Union 28 New Salem.
Preschool Delays:
If there is a delay on a Monday or a Thursday, Preschool will be cancelled for that day.
If there is a delay on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday, Preschool will be in session that day.
The New Salem-Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities, and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, economic status, homelessness, religion or sexual orientation.