Volume 24, Issue 13 Thursday, March 26, 2015
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
Do I dare say, “Happy Spring!”? I truly hope we are on our way to a warm-up. Everyone here at Swift River wants to be outside soaking up the sun during recess and 100 Mile Club. Congratulations to all our Swift River runners and walkers for meeting your mileage goals during this long hard winter!
We have had a busy March, and we are looking forward to sending it on its way. During the month we had an unannounced fire drill and lockdown. The fire drill happened during rest time for preschool, which posed a challenge for our little ones with shoes off in the muddy conditions. They rose to the occasion and showed the fire department that they can evacuate in record time. We also had an unannounced lockdown during lunchtime. It is reassuring to know that our students know exactly what to do during these events.
Parent teacher conference letters went home on Monday. As a former classroom teacher, I always enjoyed meeting with parents to talk about students’ strengths and their challenges. As teachers, we take a lot of pride in the growth and achievement students have made throughout the year. It is also an important time to talk about what students still need to be working on and their next steps. I’d like to encourage all parents to make time to visit with classroom teachers during the parent teacher conferences. You may do so by confirming the time that the classroom teachers sent you, or you may reschedule if necessary. Please do this sooner rather than later, so we can accommodate all of our families.
PARCC (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing began this week at Swift River. It will take us two more weeks to finish. I’d like to remind families to be on time for school, to have healthy breakfasts, and to make sure your students are getting plenty of rest. Thank you to the PTCA for providing gum and mints to the students, to the kitchen for providing healthy snacks during testing, and to everyone at Swift River for making this testing period as seamless as possible. I appreciate everyone working together.
Fondly,
Kelley
The Enchanted Forest News
The Enchanted Forest welcomes Tammy Richard to our staff! Tammy will be helping in EF on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Please note that EF enrollment has increased and there may not be space available on a specific day. Please call Ariel (978-544-6926 ext. 0) to confirm availability and sign up as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
The Enchanted Forest will be open during April parent teacher conferences; a flier was sent home listing activities planned as well as a registration form. Again, space is limited.
I am working out the kinks with our new quickbooks bookkeeping system and feel that it is working very well. If you have any questions regarding billing for EF, please contact me at 978-544-6926 ext. 206.
Betsy Bergantino
TOYS! CLOTHES! SHOES! BOOKS!
Participate in Cradles to Crayons!
Have any gently used toys, clothes, shoes, or books that you’d like to donate? The Swift River Student Council is teaming up with two alumnae 8th graders and Project 351 to collect donations for children in need. Project 351 is a community service organization made up of 8th grade “ambassadors” throughout Massachusetts, one ambassador for each of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts. One of the community service projects in which Project 351 participates is Cradles to Crayons.
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. Cradles to Crayons supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need.
Our Swift River Student Council and 8th grade alumnae ambassadors (Elina Gordon-Halpern, New Salem and Summer Gaudreau, Wendell) will be collecting items for Cradles to Crayons the weeks of March 30 through April 10. Please look for collection boxes at Swift River School and at the New Salem Library.
Any questions, please contact Tina Newman or any Student Council member or Elina Gordon-Halpern (978) 544-2676.
100 Mile Club - Run4KidsMA
Mark your calendars! Tell your friends! Run4KidsMA is happening on May 31, 11:00 - 4:00! You do not want to miss this!
We are planning a grand event! Run4KidsMA will be so spectacular that we are holding it on the Mahar track. It will be the last BIG push for laps, so set a goal and reach it! There will be walking, running, food, entertainment, and so much more! It’s going to be such a big, exciting deal that the 100 Mile Club founder, Kara Lubin, will be there with us! More details coming soon!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.
Calling Young Chefs!!!
Do you live in New Salem or Wendell and like to cook or bake with your children? If so, I'd like to feature you in my next column in Valley Kids entitled Kids in the Kitchen. Email me at [email protected] or call 978-577-8436. Who knows — your favorite recipe could be the next one printed for readers to try out!
New Salem Library Teen and Tween News
April 1st/April Fool’s Day -Come be a Fool. Bring a trick, get tricked. Fun and snacks.
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th at 3:30p.m. Art with Amy. Come improve your drawing skills. Sign-up suggested, supplies provided.
Swift River School and Mahar School students can take the bus to the library. Mahar students must register with the library first. Call 978-544-6334 to make arrangements! We’re open from 1:30 to 5:30 every Wednesday, just for teens.
Attention Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians: Save the Date!
On Saturday, April 4th, the New Salem Egg Hunt needs you! We are currently seeking volunteers for arts and crafts, Egg Hunt monitoring, and games and activities.
All are invited to the traditional Egg Hunt, starting at 10 a.m. on the New Salem Common. The New Salem Recreational Committee thanks DIemand Farm for their generous support. Please contact Deb Rolski with any questions. You may reach her at (978)-544-3327, (978)-413-3563, or at [email protected]. More information is on the flier that went home today.
The New Salem-Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities, and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, economic status, homelessness, religion or sexual orientation.