Volume 26, Issue 1 Thursday, September 15, 2016
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
Welcome back to a new school year! Where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe the 10-week summer break has ended and we are now completing our first full week of school. I hope everyone had an adventurous summer. I certainly had plenty of adventures in my own yard dealing with skunks in my chicken coop! If I never smell another skunk, it will be too soon!
Our schoolhouse is humming away with magic. I love walking around in the morning to listen to and see how teachers are establishing relationships with their students, setting classroom expectations, and building routines with morning meetings. Each classroom has a different approach, but the end result is always a cohesive unit that trusts each other and relies on one another to problem-solve.
This year we kicked off universal breakfast in the classroom. This is a state initiative in partnership with the Eos Foundation and the Western Massachusetts Food Bank to help schools establish BIC (Breakfast in the Classroom). We were fortunate to receive a sizeable grant to help us institute this program. Already, we have seen a huge increase in our breakfast count.
Teachers have selected Ambassadors to bring the breakfast carts to the classroom everyday. We have put a mini fridge in every classroom to hold milks, smoothies, and any other refrigerated items. Through this program, we have also created share tables. Students that do not want to eat all of the breakfast components can put unopened food on the share table for other students to eat during Snack. We are hoping that once we work out all the kinks, this program will give us more time devoted to learning. We assure you that we are making healthy choices when choosing items to serve your children.
You may have noticed that the building received a facelift! Butler’s Decorating Center painted the outside of the building this summer. We have received a lot of positive feedback about our new look. This summer Larry and Walter worked nonstop. Several classrooms were painted and new carpet was installed. We updated some plumbing and tripped and waxed every floor. They were very busy!
Thank you to Elise Sluder for tending our gardens and putting up our vegetables all summer. We are so looking forward to soup season with our own veggies. Thank you to Timmy for coming up and mowing our lawn, weeding the gardens, and spreading grass seed.
Be sure to come out to Open House tonight from 6 – 7:30 PM. Parents may attend a classroom visit with their children, an info session in the Café, and a classroom presentation while students enjoy a special performance by Ed Popielarcyzk, comedy magician and balloon sculptor. We look forward to seeing you!
Fondly,
Kelley
Dean’s Beans Coffee Fundraiser
You can support Team SRS/PTCA each month by simply purchasing coffee. All of Dean’s Beans are certified organic, fair trade, kosher, and are roasted in small batches at the beanery in Orange.
Our first order is due October 7. Your coffee will be sent home with your child within two weeks of the order due date. Subsequent orders will be due on the first Friday of every month.
It’s very convenient to securely place your order online, at SRSdeansbeans.weebly.comDean’s Beans Coffee, where you can pay via PayPal or credit card. Descriptions of the coffee can be found on the online form. Additionally, a paper order form will be sent home monthly that you can return to school with payment. If you have any questions, please email Jody Bird at [email protected]
See the Dentist at School
Friday, October 7th!
The Community Health Center of Franklin County School Dental Program is scheduled to visit us on Friday, October 7. This is a very convenient way to get basic preventive dental care for your child. Services include screening, cleaning, fluoride, sealants and diagnostic services! I have received a few forms so far—please return any permission slips ASAP, so we can plan accordingly. Call the School Nurse, Nan Mead, or email [email protected], if you have any questions or need a new form.
100 Mile Club News
Welcome back everyone! Our school goal for this year is 10,000 miles. Miles have already started to accumulate and our afterschool runs will begin on Monday, September 19. This year from 8:00-8:30 AM you will find 100 Mile Club Coaches on the track. Come and log some miles before the school day starts!
Reminders: Preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult. Pick up time for children is by 4:00 PM on Mondays and Fridays. There is no fee to attend Run Club, but children who are not picked up on time may be sent to Enchanted Forest, space permitting, and the applicable fee will apply.
Want to be a 100 Mile Club Coach? There will be a coaches meeting on Monday, September 19th at 3:40 PM before our first Run Club. If you can’t make it, no worries, just send me an email and I can fill you in. You are all Rock Stars! We could not have a 100 Mile Club without Parent Coaches, and it is a lot of FUN!
Hope to see you on the track!
Nan Mead, RN
[email protected]
The Enchanted Forest News
Welcome to The Enchanted Forest before and after school program! EF is open Monday through Friday in the mornings from 7:15 - 8:15 AM, and in the afternoons until 5:30 PM. If you would like your child to participate in EF, please fill out a registration form (call 978-544-6926 to request one). You may choose for your child to come on a regular basis or as a drop-in. Also, please remember that you must send a bus note, so the office knows where to send your child for the afternoon. Standing bus notes are welcomed!
I’d like to welcome two new staff members to EF! Siobhan Haggerty joins us on Wednesdays and Ruth Krumholz will be in EF all five afternoons, and is already getting to know the children. We are fortunate to have returning staff members Lisa Latwis, Elise Flynn, Tammy Richard, Allie Barnes, Mez Ziemba and Barb Haydocy!
We plan to offer some enrichment programs this school year, such as sports, cooking, creative movement and more! These programs will be available to all Swift River students and fliers will be sent home when a program is offered.
If you have questions regarding EF, please contact Betsy Bergantino, EF Director, at 978-544-6926 ext. 206 or email [email protected].
Come join the fun!
EF Staff
Science Fair Kick—Off Event & News
Welcome to another exciting year of Science Fair discoveries. This year’s Science Fair theme is Invention Convention. Prepare to be enlightened by influential scientists of our past at this year’s Science Fair Kick-Off event on Friday, September 23rd, from 9-10 AM. Parents and families are welcome to attend!
Participation forms and a help session schedule will be distributed in your child’s backpack folders the week following the Kick-Off event. Please check their folders!
Science Fair Coordinator,
Karyn Briand
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.
Piano Lessons
With Daphne Bye
*Read music fluently *Play and enjoy a variety of genres *Understand music theory *Compose, improvise, transpose *Build strong technique safely *All ages
DESE and Suzuki certified, with degrees in both piano and music education from McGill University, Daphne has over 30 years experience teaching piano.
Reserve a spot now for this coming school year:
[email protected] 413-834-0597
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.