January 22, 2015 

NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Families,

What a wonderful time we all had at Christine Heard’s retirement party last week. In case you didn’t know, Christine’s last day was Friday, January 16th. During Community Sing, Ed Hines had Christine performing the Chicken Dance on stage and Sally had decorated the café with chickens made by the students. Sally and the students presented Christine with a beautiful banner of chickens, wishing her well in retirement. In the evening, the staff and community celebrated her 18 years of service in the Swift River Café. The School Committee, Enchanted Forest, community members, families of SRS, and the staff honored Christine with some special words during the gathering. The Enchanted Forest children presented Christine with a rocking chair and foot-stool for those long winter evenings by the fire. Carolyn Croteau presented a handmade chicken quilt made by current and retired teachers of Swift River. Christine looked quite delightful rocking away with her chicken quilt on her lap! The staff at SRS also presented Christine with decorative wooden eggs because she is “Clucky”!  

I wish Christine many new adventures during her retirement. I am so fortunate to have had this time to work with such an amazing woman. I look forward to stopping by her house on my way home to gaze at her beautiful gardens and have a cup of tea. Words cannot express how much gratitude and respect I have for this woman. Happy Trails Christine…

Fondly,

Kelley

Library Lines

There are only six weeks until the MCBA Books in Action party at Leverett Elementary School on Friday, March 6. This is a celebration for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade students from the Union 28 schools who have read or listened to at least five MCBA (Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards) books. There are lists in the library and classrooms for students to keep track of their progress. The Union 28 librarians have met several times to dream up fun games, activities and yummy food for this celebration.

On Tuesday, January 27, MCBA author David A. Kelly (The Ballpark Mysteries #1: The Fenway Foul-Up) will visit second through sixth grades at our school! There are currently 9 books in this series, with two more coming soon. Students in second and third grades have read the first book during Lunchtime Book Club. All students have read Miracle Mud about Lena Blackburne and his amazing mud. Please visit Mr. Kelly’s websites http://davidakellybooks.com/books/ballpark-mysteries/ and http://ballparkmysteries.com/. This author visit is made possible by a grant from the New Salem Academy. 

Swift River’s 5th annual Community Reading Day was held on Wednesday, January 21. The Friends of New Salem Library organizes this event which brings community members from New Salem and Wendell into the school to read with the children. Special thanks to our community readers for visiting our school: Christine Heard, Stacy Senflug, Nancy Aldrich, Dorothy Johnson, Monica Winters, Hugh Mackay, Johanna Bartlett and Janet Henderson. 

The Library is still collecting cardboard tubes from paper towels and gift wrap; please continue to send them in! Thank you!

Make time to read,

Betsy

Student Council

 

Spirit Days!!!

Tomorrow, Friday, January 23, Swift River is having the first Spirit Day of the school year. The theme for this Friday is

Pajama Day!!!

Starting in February, Spirit Day will be the FIRST FRIDAY of EVERY MONTH. To participate, please try to bring in a quarter, 25¢, to help the school earn money for the charity of the month. This month’s charity... school field trips!

Get ready to show some spirit!!

Enchanted Forest News

Creative Movement Dance Classes for children in Kindergarten through second grade will begin on Tuesday, February 3. Classes are limited in size, but we often find room for a few preschool students as well. Please return the sign-up sheet by Thursday, January 29; preschool families will be notified of available space on Friday, January 30. If you have any questions, please call Betsy Bergantino at 978-544-6926 ext. 206 or email [email protected].

Childcare expense reports for 2014 will be sent home early next week. If you don’t receive one, please contact me.

I am very excited about my new position at EF and I have big shoes to fill! The wonderful EF staff (Karen, Lisa, Elise, Kirsten, Sarah and Lillian) have been a big help!

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Betsy

PTCA News

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser orders are complete!  If you ordered pizzas, pickup is set for next 

Friday, January 30th from 3-4:15 in the cafeteria.  Thank you for supporting the PTCA.

PTCA meeting dates are the following Thursdays @ 6:30 in the library:

February 12

March 12

April 9

May 14

June 4

All are welcome and encouraged to join us!  Free childcare is provided by the Mahar Key Club.

Please "Like" us on Facebook @ Swift River School PTCA 

REMINDER

When you have a telephone number change, please let us know immediately. Numbers are quickly dispersed to appropriate personnel and updated in our emergency forms, nurse’s records and Parent Reach program.

School Cancellations and Delays

A ParentReach call will be sent. 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 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.

*Swift River School is part of Erving School Union #28. School closings or delayed openings are made as School Union #28 or Erving Union #28, not as Swift River School. In an event that Swift River is the only school in Union 28 that is effected, we are called Union 28 New Salem.

RECYCLING FUNDRAISER

Please help to protect the environment by donating your used and unwanted cell phones and ink jet cartridges. We do not accept laser printer toner cartridges. Your used item(s) may be tax deductible and will be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund our school.

Please drop off any items you would like to recycle at the drop box on the bench in the front entrance of the school.

We greatly appreciate your support!

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

These announcements and events are not school sponsored.

WENDELL COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT

On Friday, January 30th at 7:00 pm the Wendell Community Chorus will perform a family-friendly concert at the Wendell Town Hall. Join us for an inspiring and entertaining evening of eclectic music that includes a blend of world, pop, traditional, and sing-along songs directed by Morning Star Chenven. Refreshments will be served after the show.

New Salem Teen and Tween News

Let’s have some winter fun!

January 28th  Have you always wanted a tat? But your parents say NO! Come get a henna tattoo and learn about this fascinating art form. The artist arrives at 4:30 and we’ll stay open until 6.

February 4th  The legendary man with the shoes, Tom McCabe, will help us overcome writers’ block with fun and interesting techniques. Come be entertained! Tom arrives at 4:00.

February 11th, 18th, and 25th  Local author Mara Bright comes to continue our momentum with a writing group. Come improve a story you’ve already started or begin a new one!

February 18th Come help make shoes for the children of Uganda for Soles of Hope. This non-profit brings shoes and jobs to country that is struggling. YOU can help! No experience necessary.

Open every Wednesday from 1:30 to 5:30 for 11 to 18 year olds, ONLY!

Call the New Salem Library for more information 978-544-6334.

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.


Posted by On 22 January, 2015 at 1:55 PM  

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