Swift River

From the Principal's Desk
As we have now had our seventh snow day this year, let’s hope the weather is kind to us during the tail end of winter! As it is, our projected last day of school is Monday, June 25. Graduation will be held on Friday, June 22.

Looking ahead to next year, please be aware that we are already sending home Preschool and Kindergarten registration materials to families in New Salem and Wendell with children who are age-eligible for the upcoming 2018 - 2019 school year.

We hope that you will join us for the public budget hearing at Swift River School on Thursday, April 5. I look forward to seeing parents and community members at the meeting.

To streamline dismissal, and reinforce our safety measures, please be advised that the front door will now remain locked during dismissal. Adults who are picking up students must press the button next to the front door to be buzzed in to the building.

Adults must wait by the bench when picking up students. We ask that adults refrain from walking down the hallways or entering classrooms during dismissal. If an adult is picking up a student without having given prior notice, they must check in at the office upon arrival. A staff member will inform the classroom, and the student will be sent to the bench.

The office staff creates and maintains detailed bus lists every day. Whenever possible, we ask that changes to bus plans be made early in the day. Dismissal is the busiest time of the school day. When parents make changes to bus plans at the last minute, it places extra strain on staff members and can often delay the departure of buses.

Please remember that:

• A note is the best way to communicate changes to afterschool plans.
• Standing notes may be sent to change regular afterschool plans.
• Unforeseen changes to plans made via email and phone call should be made as early as possible (and no later than 2:45, or 12:45 on Wendesdays). While we do our best to catch all messages, please be advised, that voicemails left and emails sent during dismisall may be missed.
• If a student states a change of plans and the office staff have not received notification, and cannot reach an adult, the existing plans will be followed.

 As a general reminder, if adults plan on visiting the school or a classroom, we ask that plans are made in advance. Adults who would like to come enjoy lunch with the students must place their lunch orders by 10:00 AM before the final lunch count. All visitors to the school must stop and sign in at the office. Thank you for support as we strive to keep our school safe and well-organized!

Fondly,

Kelley

Swift River Chorale Attends

Big Sing West TOMORROW!

We are excited to announce that the Swift River Chorale has been asked to perform at the Big Sing West Choir Festival, hosted by the Massachusetts American Chorale Directors Association! Our selected group of 22 students from Grade 4-6 has been invited to sing at Longmeadow High School tomorrow, Saturday, March 17 at 3:00 PM. The choir will perform a selection of songs for a large audience, listen to performances by other youth choirs, and perform a group song as a combined ensemble! After the big show, the SRS Chorale group will enjoy a celebratory pizza dinner at Bertucci’s.

If you wish to attend and cheer on our students on, the Big Sing West Festival is located at:

                  Longmeadow High School

                  95 Grassy Gutter Rd

                  Longmeadow, MA 01106

Admission is $3. We hope to see you there!

T.E.A.M. SRS Update

Be on the lookout for a sign-up form: another Cookies and Canvas will be held on Saturday, May 6!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are upon us again! Our next Dinner Angels will be held on Wednesday, March 28, during a day when teachers are in the building from early in the morning until late at night. Flyers were sent home this week, so be sure to sign up to provide food or volunteer your time for our awesome teachers!

Due to the inclement weather, Tuesday’s meeting was rescheduled. Please join us at the next TEAM SRS meeting on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria, following the Reading Workshop at 5:30 PM. Childcare will be provided by the Mahar Key Club in the Gym.

ESU #28 Family Leadership Training

Dear Parents: Please consider joining a two-day leadership training as part of Erving School Union #28’s Parent/Professional Leadership in Education Team.  If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Prudence Marsh, Director of Student Support, at [email protected] by April 1, 2018.

During the Family Leadership Training you will:

Talk with your SEPAC leaders and commit to bringing a team to our Advancing Parent/Professional Leadership in Education (APPLE) Institute this spring This two-day free training from May 3-4 in Framingham offers a great way to help parents develop leadership skills, network with other district teams, and develop a customized district action plan for increased family engagement. 

Developing a better working relationship with your SEPAC can:

• help make positive things happen in your district,
• increase family engagement which supports student success,
• identify and address issues in your community,
• build a professional collaborative partnership,
• and move your special education program forward.

 Please click the following link to review the APPLE Institute flyer. Spring will be here before we know it, plan now to join us in May! For more Information about this DESE-supported workshop: www.fcsn.org/apple.

Meals on Wheels Walkathon

Saturday, April 28, 2018

8:30-11:00 AM

LifePath's Greenfield Office

101 Munson Street, Greenfield

The Meals on Wheels walkathon is a fun, free event for the whole family. Walk, run, play, and eat! All laps will count toward the 100 Mile Club.

For all the details and to sign-up, please visit: https://lifepathma.org/events/meals-on-wheels-walkathon/walkathon-home

WENDELL SCHOLARSHIPS

Help Minds Grow!

It's time for Wendell students to apply for scholarships from Dollars for Wendell Scholars! All students who live in Wendell and who will puruse any kind of accredited post secondary education (undergraduate or graduate; college/university/technical school) during the 2018-2019 school year may apply by completing the quick, easy application. Applications for the scholarship are available at local high schools and at the Wendell Free Library. They must be returned to the address below by Saturday, April 15.

We kicked off our fourth annual fundraiser with a mailing to all Wendell residents in February. Donations are now tax-deductible! Donations may be made to: Dollars for Wendell Scholars, P.O. Box 232, Wendell, MA 01379 with checks payable to Dollars for Wendell Scholars. Or make a donation by visiting our crowdfunding site: http://www.youcaring.com/dollarsforwendellscholarsIV. Please help us support Wendell residents seeking post-secondary education. One way to help is to share our crowdfunding website on Facebook!

For more information contact Carolyn Manley at 978-544-7028, [email protected]; or Christine Heard at 978-544-2282, [email protected]. You may also speak with Joy Brenneman at the Wendell Free Library.

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.