Volume 26, Issue 13 Thursday, June 8, 2017
Important Dates
June 6-9, Scholastic Buy 1, Get 1 Free Book Fair
June 10, 10:00AM Wendell Town Meeting
June 13, 10AM 100 Mile Club Medal Ceremony
June 16, 1:00PM Talent Show
June 22, Last Day of School
10:00AM Sixth Grade Graduation
11:30AM Dismissal
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
Once again, I find myself feeling fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderfully thoughtful people. The kindness of our Swift River community shines always, and the strength of commitment that our community members demonstrate to one another every day is truly moving to behold. Thank you to our community, to our School Committee, to TEAM SRS, and to the entire SRS staff for supporting our students and one another, and for always providing help when needed. I am very grateful to be a part of such a caring, cooperative team.
Two long-time supporters of Swift River, Jodie Vezina and Laurie DiDonato, will be stepping down from their TEAM SRS offices this year after several years of service to the PTCA/TEAM SRS and the Swift River community. Jodie and Laurie’s volunteer work has helped to positively and indelibly shape our school’s culture. We thank them for their leadership and commitment.
We will do things a little differently this upcoming summer, and plan to make our Summer Welcome Back Packets available to families digitally. These packets include the bus schedule, academic calendar, and other “need to know” information. We will send the packets via email. By doing so, the school will reduce paper waste, save money, and better ensure delivery of materials. If your family would still like a hard copy of the summer materials, please call the Office at 978-544-6926 and ask to receive one in the mail.
If your child will not return to Swift River for the 2017-2018 school year, please notify the Office no later than Monday, June 12. This will allow us to make arrangements for the transfer of your student’s records. If you have any questions, please call the Office at 978-544-6926.
Heading into the summer months, I wish our students and families a happy vacation filled with adventure and relaxation. Please remember to be safe and take care of one another. Thank you all for another fabulous school year. 2017-2018 here we come!
Fondly,
Kelley
Attention Grades 5 and 6 Families
The Board of Trustees and the Friends of the New Salem Library are planning a reimagining of the Library space to better accommodate all. We feel that, as our children grow into their teen years, we must provide a quality meeting space for study and internet access. By taking time to fill out the simple survey attached to this issue of the Current, we can make the best decisions for the Library as we move forward. Students in Grades 5 and 6 will also be completing the survey in the classroom. Please take a moment to complete the attached survey and return it to school. Thank you!
TEAM SRS Update
TEAM SRS sends a huge thank you to Jodie Vezina for her many years as the PTCA/TEAM SRS President and Laurie DiDonato as secretary/treasurer. We greatly appreciate their volunteer efforts over the last several years. They will truly be missed.
Your last chance to purchase Swift River tee shirts will be at the Talent Show on Friday, June 16. Come see what inventory is left. We will also have beverages for purchase.
Our end-of-year TEAM survey is attached. Fill it out and return it by Wednesday, June 14 for your chance to win a bag of Deans Beans Java Drops!
Our new board is up and running! We have already begun making plans for the upcoming Ice Cream Social this summer. Mark your calendars for Friday, August 24 at 4:00 PM. The Ice Cream Social provides a great opportunity for families to mingle with staff, parents, and students alike—all before school starts!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school-sponsored.
New Salem Library News
June 13: Build-a-palooza! We will have all kinds of things to use so that you can build, build, build at the New Salem Public Library from Noon – 7:00 PM. All ages are welcome.
June 14: PIZZA PARTY! Party time with Lisa DeWitt at the New Salem Congregational Church at 3:00 PM. Teens and Tweens will be invited to make pizzas followed by a party. This will be the end of the Teens and Tweens program until September.
The Friends of the New Salem Public Library have purchased a number of passes to local area museums, which are available to sign out at the front desk of the Library. Among the museums sponsored by the Friends are: the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Mass MoCA in North Adams, and Historic Deerfield. In addition, the Library has passes for Magic Wings Butterfly Conservancy in South Deerfield, Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, and DCR parking passes for all MA State Parks. With the snow gone and the onset of warmer weather, it’s a perfect time of year to take a drive to visit any of these special places! For additional information, call the New Salem Public Library at 978-544-6334.
Invasive Plant Workshop
This outdoor workshop will start at the New Salem Town Center on June 10, 2017 from 10:00 AM – Noon. Fletcher Clark, DCR Service Forester, will talk about the identification of invasive woody plant species, the threat invasive species pose to woodlands, and tools and resources that will help you to manage inasive species on yor property. Also, hear from residents about how they have tackled invasive species on their own properties. Please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes for walking in the woods. Heavy rains or thunderstorms will cause cancellation of this event. Please contact Mollie Freilicher by phone at 415-577-2966 or 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