Important Dates
October 26, 28: Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 29: Monster Dash and Spooky and Spaghetti Supper
November 2, 4: Parent-Teacher Conferences
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner. I hope families had the opportunity to sign up for their time slots early at Open House. If not, please contact your child’s teacher right away to secure a spot for the fall conferences on October 26, October 28, November 2, and November 4. Parent-Teacher Conferences provide an important opportunity to discuss your children’s academic and social progress. At Swift River, we also encourage parents to schedule conferences whenever they have questions or concerns that cannot be answered by phone call.
I’m excited to report that there are 27 students playing in the new Swift River School Band and 17 students have joined Chorale. Lessons began last week and we’ve been treated to some musical samplings coming through the office wall!
In May, our water engineer ordered an analysis of the school water supply. The analysis revealed that the sodium level in our water has risen above the state limit of 20 mg/L. Since receiving the test results, we have been testing every month. Currently, the sodium level in our water is 48 mg/L. We are working with our engineer and the New Salem and Wendell Boards of Health and Select Boards to find a solution to this problem. Although we don’t know the cause of the increase, we suspect the draught may have contributed. Usually we test the sodium level every three years, as required by the state (our next test wasn’t due until 2017). However, we will continue testing monthly until we see the sodium level decrease. The Boards of Health require us to inform families, but please note that the water is safe to drink. We will also have bottled water available for students.
Mark your calendars for MONSTER DASH next Saturday, October 29. The Fun Run will be from 4:00 – 5:00 PM, and the Spooky Spaghetti Supper will be from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. There will also be a Pumpkin Contest and we will raffle off the classroom baskets. The proceeds from the Spaghetti Supper and the raffle will be divvied up between classrooms to support the field trip funds. Come earn laps for the 100 Mile Club—the Monster Dash is free. Stay and support the school by enjoying some pasta and taking a chance with the raffle baskets. Costumes are encouraged! Look in this issue of the Current for a presale registration form. We hope to see you there!
Fondly,
Kelley Sullivan
Dean’s Beans Coffee Fundraiser
Support TEAM SRS (formerly the PTCA) each month by simply purchasing coffee for your household! All Dean’s Beans coffees are certified organic, fair trade, kosher, and locally roasted in small batches in Orange.
Our next order is due Friday, November 4. 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.com Dean’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].
T.E.A.M. SRS Update
Thank you to all the families who attended the meeting on Tuesday! Congratulations to Lisa Jenks! She got to pick out a Swift River School tee shirt after we selected her from a pool of parents who returned our “Help Wanted” form before the deadline. If you still would like to be involved with our T.E.A.M. or help out in other small ways, please let us know about your preferences. Extra copies of the “Help Wanted” form are available in the Office. Dinner Angels will be taking place on October 26th. Forms went home last week. Please return your form by Friday, October 21st if you are able to participate. The Tee shirt order deadline has been extended to October 31st. This will be your last chance this year to order tee shirts and hoodies. We will have a small inventory and order forms available at the Monster Dash! The Pumpkin Book Character Contest and Classroom Raffle Baskets Drawing will also be held at the Monster Dash. If you are unable to make it to the Monster Dash, but would still like to participate in the raffle, please fill out the Themed Raffle Basket Order Form that went home last week (extra copies available in the office). The raffle basket money gets divvied up amongst classrooms’ field trip funds and SRS programs to support our families and our students. The deadline for basket donations will be extended to Wednesday, October 26th. Please send in donations to support your child’s classroom.
Classroom Basket Themes are:
PK - Things That Squish
K - Arts & Crafts
Grade 1 - Let’s Have a Party
Grade 2 - We Can Build It
Grade 3 - Family Game Night
Grade 4 - Chocolate
Grade 5 - Rest and Relaxation
Grade 6 - Anything Goes
100 Mile Club - Running
Library & Lab - Kindle Fire
Community Network for Children - Family Brunch
Field Trips (Office) - Dinner and a Movie
M&M Room - Gift Cards!
100 Mile Club News!
Please Note: Run Club on Friday, October 28th will be from 1:10-2:00 PM, as it is an early release day for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Children must be picked up by 2:00 PM, unless you have made prior arrangements for your child to go to the Enchanted Forest. (Enchanted Forest sign-up forms went home this week.)
Want to volunteer? Show up at a scheduled time, as we always need an extra adult!
The November 100 Mile Club Calendar was sent home this week! Please note the additional morning times and the discontinuation of the Wednesday evening time for the winter months. You can now choose Saturday or Sunday morning to do family laps, just record them on the clipboard on the picnic table! Keep on moving everybody!
Contact Nan Mead at [email protected] with any questions.
SCIENCE FAIR
IS FAST APPROACHING!
Thank you to the families/students who have turned in their Science Fair sign-up forms. There are many great inventions underway! Please remember to send in your sign up form by November 7th. As I begin to assemble the evening program, I want to ensure I have everyone’s names and project titles. If you need project guidance, a brainstorming session, or help getting started, attend a help session! There will be help sessions from 8:30-9:30 AM every Monday until the Science Fair. Remember to bring a note with you on the day you would like to attend a help session. If you have questions or want more information, contact Karyn Briand at 978-544-8427.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.
Plastic Planters Needed
We are looking for plastic planters to place in the SRS classrooms for winter growing. Window boxes are especially helpful. If you are able to donate planters, please call Elise at 413-345-1009.
New Salem Library News
October 27th: On Thursday at 3:30 PM, the New Salem Public Library will feature Davis Bates, the Parent's Choice award-winning singer and storyteller, for a Halloween Harvest Song and Story Seasonal Celebration. Kids can ride the bus from Swift River School right to the Library.
This is a participatory program for the whole family funded in part by a grant from the new Salem Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For more information call 978-544-6334.
SEEKING HELP FOR
DOLLARS FOR WENDELL SCHOLARS
Help our community grow! Dollars for Wendell Scholars is seeking new volunteers to make a small time contribution with exciting rewards.
Four years ago we formed a scholarship committee. Since then, we established an organization, raised funds, and, in the last two years, we have awarded substantial scholarships to Wendell students. As we approach our third year of fundraising and scholarship distribution, we are looking for 1-2 new members. The hard work has been done; we have a very successful template to follow. The committee will need to meet only 4 to 5 times a year during the winter and spring. Meetings are short and are scheduled at the members' convenience. No special talents are required: we need people willing to do committee work, help review applications, and make decisions about awards, although comfort with the use of social media, google and online fundraising are especially helpful!
If you are interested or have questions, please email Christine Heard at [email protected] or call Joy Brenneman at 544-2252.
Fiddle and Violin lessons!
Montague, MA
Beginners and intermediate players of any age welcome!
Fun, clear, step-by-step instruction!
Lessons offered by Mary Lauren Fraser, a Suzuki Certified professional fiddler with a background in classical violin. Email Lauren for a trial lesson 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.