Volume 24, Issue 1 Thursday, September 4, 2014
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Swift River Families,
Welcome back to the start of a new school year! We have all enjoyed meeting new friends, connecting with our old friends, and learning new routines. Our classrooms are filled with happy and eager children and teachers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Swift River School would like to welcome Mrs. Savage, our new first grade teacher. Mrs. Savage was a kindergarten teacher in Leominister for many years. In fourth grade we have two new paraprofessionals, Kirsten LaMotte and Elise Flynn. Kirsten is a recent school of education graduate from Westfield State University and many of you may know Elise from Enchanted Forest. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Swift River community.
This summer our custodians Larry and Walter worked endlessly to make sure many of our bathrooms were updated. With the help of Greg Richard, Michelle Kruger, and Cody Jean we were able to complete many custodial projects and thoroughly clean the school. Their dedication to keeping our school beautiful is greatly appreciated.
I’m sure many of you thought we’d have an outside track by the start of the school year, and we thought so, too! We learned that we have wetlands surrounding the school and had to work with the Conservation Committees from Wendell and New Salem, as well as the DCR, to get permission to install the track. The good news is that we have been approved and will begin the installation on September 12th! Thank you to Larry, our head custodian, for working diligently on this endeavor and to Ward Smith, a preschool parent, for his consultation.
Looking ahead, we will be welcoming K-6 families to Open House on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 6:15-7:30 PM. We will have a performer in the cafeteria to entertain students while parents visit classrooms. More information will follow about Open House. Our first School Committee meeting is tonight, Thursday, September 4, 2014, at 7:00 PM; and the first PTCA meeting is Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 6:30 PM, both in the library. I hope to see you there!
I look forward to working together with our families at Swift River. It is an amazing school with dedicated professionals eager to serve the community. Please know that my door is always open to you. Please stop in.
Fondly,
Kelley Sullivan
PTCA NEWS
The Parent, Teacher, Community Association (PTCA) will have its first meeting of the 2014 - 2015 school year next week on Thursday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. If you have a child attending Swift River, you are automatically a member of the PTCA and are strongly encouraged to be involved. We will be planning for Fall Fest. Free childcare will be provided by the Mahar Key Club.
Coffee Lovers Rejoice!
The PTCA will continue selling Dean’s Beans products on a monthly basis this year. This is a great way to get your caffeine and support our PTCA! The September order form was sent home this week and is attached to this Current. Order forms are due back to school by, Friday, September 12th. The order will be placed at 3:00 pm, so get your forms in early! Contact Nan Mead at school with any questions.
Proceeds from the coffee sales help fund PTCA sponsored events, like the Ice Cream Social, Fall Fest, and June Jamboree.
Nurse’s Notes
Dental Health Reminders:
- Mobile Dentist Visit, Tuesday, September 16th: If you would like your child to be seen by the dentist, please return the permission form sent home this week. This is a great, convenient way to ensure your child has healthy teeth!
- Weekly Fluoride Mouthrinse Program: We plan to begin the weekly fluoride program the week of September 22nd, so send in any remaining permission forms this week.
Birthday Parties at School: Keep in mind that a student’s birthday can mean multiple celebrations: one at home with family, a party with friends, and then another at school. With the increase in childhood obesity, food allergies and diabetes, food need not be part of school parties. Instead, find ways to recognize the child, celebrate them, and make them feel special. Such as:
- Make a sign, sash, crown, button or badge for the birthday child
- Let the birthday child be the teacher’s assistant for the day
- Let the birthday child choose an activity or game
- Allow the student to pick a book to be read to the class
- If food is part of the plan, check with your child’s teacher or the school nurse to see if any children have food restrictions and include fresh fruits and veggies, low fat dips and whole grain crackers or low fat popcorn if possible
Here’s to a healthy year!
Nan Mead RN
Field Trip Fundraiser
The Genevieve’s Fall Fundraiser will take place September 25 to October 15. Packets will be sent home on September 25. All proceeds will offset the cost of field trip buses. Delivery will be the week of Thanksgiving.
There will be a prize program for students and a new incentive, Frog Frenzy, which rewards students for selling 3, 6 and 9 items. More info on this coming soon.
Genevieve’s Fall 2014 catalog includes many holiday, kitchen/cooking, food, decorating, and gift wrap items. More than 50% of the items cost under $10! We earn 50% profit on orders if our sales are over $6500.
Why have a fundraiser at this busy time?
1. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to pay for field trip buses and field trips are being planned now! Buses range from $200 - $400 per trip.
2. A Fall sale ensures pre-holiday delivery.
Fundations in the Classroom
Fundations is a research-based program that aims to improve student performance in the areas of phonemic awareness, reading, and spelling. It thoroughly teaches the foundational skills of the Common Core State Standards.
The Chickens are Back!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.
SUBSTITUTES
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28 (Erving, Leverett, Shutesbury and Swift River Schools) is increasing its pool for substitute teachers for all grades PK -6, music, physical education, art, instructional aides, and RNs. Please visit our website at www.union28.org for a substitute application and CORI form and send with a resume to:
BettyLou Mallet
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28
18 Pleasant Street
Erving, MA 01344
For more information contact BettyLou Mallet at (413) 423-3337 or [email protected].
Happy Valley Children’s Chorus Fall 2014
The Happy Valley Children’s Chorus is starting Sept. 15th! We will be focusing on Pete Seeger music, some quite familiar and some surprises!
Where: First Congregational Church of Amherst, 165 Main Street
When: Mondays, Sept. 15 - Dec. 1 plus a performance on Sat. Dec. 6th
Time: 4:00 - 5:00
Who: Children 5-12 years old who sing for the joy of it!
Contact: Dorothy Cresswell, at 413-668-4189 or [email protected].
Openings at Deer Paths
Early Childhood Nature Program in Wendell
Deer Paths early childhood nature program has openings this fall. Deer Paths offers small classes (maximum of five students) for 3 to 6 year old. The daily routine is a hands-on experience of exploring the woods and streams, caring for animals and learning about nature and social connections through songs, stories, creative movement, crafts, investigation and imaginative play. Choose from one to three days per week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. (Additional hours could be available, please inquire.) Our location is about one mile from Lake Wyola and 10 minutes from Swift River School. Please call Seal LaMadeleine at Deer Paths for more information at 978-544-1990 or email [email protected]. To see more about the program, go to www.deerpaths.org.
Piano Studio of Daphne Bye
Daphne teaches piano out of her home in Montague Center. She specializes in helping children learn quickly which, in turn, feeds their momentum and joy of learning. Ask her about her integrative approach to Suzuki education that creates strong musicians who love the process, read well, and play beautifully. Ages five and up.
DESE and Suzuki certified, with degrees in both piano and music education from McGill University, Daphne has over 30 years of joyful experience teaching piano.
Reserve a spot now for this coming school year:
[email protected] or 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.
Volume 24, Issue 1 Thursday, September 4, 2014
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Swift River Families,
Welcome back to the start of a new school year! We have all enjoyed meeting new friends, connecting with our old friends, and learning new routines. Our classrooms are filled with happy and eager children and teachers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Swift River School would like to welcome Mrs. Savage, our new first grade teacher. Mrs. Savage was a kindergarten teacher in Leominister for many years. In fourth grade we have two new paraprofessionals, Kirsten LaMotte and Elise Flynn. Kirsten is a recent school of education graduate from Westfield State University and many of you may know Elise from Enchanted Forest. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Swift River community.
This summer our custodians Larry and Walter worked endlessly to make sure many of our bathrooms were updated. With the help of Greg Richard, Michelle Kruger, and Cody Jean we were able to complete many custodial projects and thoroughly clean the school. Their dedication to keeping our school beautiful is greatly appreciated.
I’m sure many of you thought we’d have an outside track by the start of the school year, and we thought so, too! We learned that we have wetlands surrounding the school and had to work with the Conservation Committees from Wendell and New Salem, as well as the DCR, to get permission to install the track. The good news is that we have been approved and will begin the installation on September 12th! Thank you to Larry, our head custodian, for working diligently on this endeavor and to Ward Smith, a preschool parent, for his consultation.
Looking ahead, we will be welcoming K-6 families to Open House on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 6:15-7:30 PM. We will have a performer in the cafeteria to entertain students while parents visit classrooms. More information will follow about Open House. Our first School Committee meeting is tonight, Thursday, September 4, 2014, at 7:00 PM; and the first PTCA meeting is Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 6:30 PM, both in the library. I hope to see you there!
I look forward to working together with our families at Swift River. It is an amazing school with dedicated professionals eager to serve the community. Please know that my door is always open to you. Please stop in.
Fondly,
Kelley Sullivan
PTCA NEWS
The Parent, Teacher, Community Association (PTCA) will have its first meeting of the 2014 - 2015 school year next week on Thursday, September 11that 6:30 p.m. in the school library. If you have a child attending Swift River, you are automatically a member of the PTCA and are strongly encouraged to be involved. We will be planning for Fall Fest. Free childcare will be provided by the Mahar Key Club.
Coffee Lovers Rejoice!
The PTCA will continue selling Dean’s Beans products on a monthly basis this year. This is a great way to get your caffeine and support our PTCA! The September order form was sent home this week and is attached to this Current. Order forms are due back to school by, Friday, September 12th. The order will be placed at 3:00 pm, so get your forms in early! Contact Nan Mead at school with any questions.
Proceeds from the coffee sales help fund PTCA sponsored events, like the Ice Cream Social, Fall Fest, and June Jamboree.
Nurse’s Notes
Dental Health Reminders:
- Mobile Dentist Visit, Tuesday, September 16th: If you would like your child to be seen by the dentist, please return the permission form sent home this week. This is a great, convenient way to ensure your child has healthy teeth!
- Weekly Fluoride Mouthrinse Program: We plan to begin the weekly fluoride program the week of September 22nd, so send in any remaining permission forms this week.
Birthday Parties at School: Keep in mind that a student’s birthday can mean multiple celebrations: one at home with family, a party with friends, and then another at school. With the increase in childhood obesity, food allergies and diabetes, food need not be part of school parties. Instead, find ways to recognize the child, celebrate them, and make them feel special. Such as:
- Make a sign, sash, crown, button or badge for the birthday child
- Let the birthday child be the teacher’s assistant for the day
- Let the birthday child choose an activity or game
- Allow the student to pick a book to be read to the class
- If food is part of the plan, check with your child’s teacher or the school nurse to see if any children have food restrictions and include fresh fruits and veggies, low fat dips and whole grain crackers or low fat popcorn if possible
Here’s to a healthy year!
Nan Mead RN
Field Trip Fundraiser
The Genevieve’s Fall Fundraiser will take place September 25 to October 15. Packets will be sent home on September 25. All proceeds will offset the cost of field trip buses. Delivery will be the week of Thanksgiving.
There will be a prize program for students and a new incentive, Frog Frenzy, which rewards students for selling 3, 6 and 9 items. More info on this coming soon.
Genevieve’s Fall 2014 catalog includes many holiday, kitchen/cooking, food, decorating, and gift wrap items. More than 50% of the items cost under $10! We earn 50% profit on orders if our sales are over $6500.
Why have a fundraiser at this busy time?
1. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to pay for field trip buses and field trips are being planned now! Buses range from $200 - $400 per trip.
2. A Fall sale ensures pre-holiday delivery.
Fundations in the Classroom
Fundations is a research-based program that aims to improve student performance in the areas of phonemic awareness, reading, and spelling. It thoroughly teaches the foundational skills of the Common Core State Standards.
The Chickens are Back!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.
SUBSTITUTES
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28 (Erving, Leverett, Shutesbury and Swift River Schools) is increasing its pool for substitute teachers for all grades PK -6, music, physical education, art, instructional aides, and RNs. Please visit our website at www.union28.org for a substitute application and CORI form and send with a resume to:
BettyLou Mallet
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28
18 Pleasant Street
Erving, MA 01344
For more information contact BettyLou Mallet at (413) 423-3337 or [email protected].
Happy Valley Children’s Chorus
Fall 2014
The Happy Valley Children’s Chorus is starting Sept. 15th! We will be focusing on Pete Seeger music, some quite familiar and some surprises!
Where: First Congregational Church of Amherst, 165 Main Street
When: Mondays, Sept. 15 - Dec. 1 plus a performance on Sat. Dec. 6th
Time: 4:00 - 5:00
Who: Children 5-12 years old who sing for the joy of it!
Contact: Dorothy Cresswell, at 413-668-4189 or [email protected].
Openings at Deer Paths
Early Childhood Nature Program in Wendell
Deer Paths early childhood nature program has openings this fall. Deer Paths offers small classes (maximum of five students) for 3 to 6 year old. The daily routine is a hands-on experience of exploring the woods and streams, caring for animals and learning about nature and social connections through songs, stories, creative movement, crafts, investigation and imaginative play. Choose from one to three days per week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. (Additional hours could be available, please inquire.) Our location is about one mile from Lake Wyola and 10 minutes from Swift River School. Please call Seal LaMadeleine at Deer Paths for more information at 978-544-1990 or email [email protected]. To see more about the program, go to www.deerpaths.org.
Piano Studio of Daphne Bye
Daphne teaches piano out of her home in Montague Center. She specializes in helping children learn quickly which, in turn, feeds their momentum and joy of learning. Ask her about her integrative approach to Suzuki education that creates strong musicians who love the process, read well, and play beautifully. Ages five and up.
DESE and Suzuki certified, with degrees in both piano and music education from McGill University, Daphne has over 30 years of joyful experience teaching piano.
Reserve a spot now for this coming school year:
[email protected] or 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.