May 9, Grade 3 to Dana Common
May 12 - 29, MCAS for Grades 3 - 6
May 14, Early Childhood Open House
PreK - 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Kindergarten - 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 6th Grade Pancake Breakfast
Spring Clean Up Day
May 27, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. CPC Council Meeting
May 28, 6:30 p.m. PTCA Meeting
May 30, Bus Driver Appreciation

Notes from the Principal’s Desk

Hello All,

Happy Mothers’ Day to all. We know how hard you work and join you in the joy your children bring to all.

Next week, we begin the second round of MCAS Testing. The testing period is May 12th through May 29th. Math MCAS will be administered to all third, fourth fifth and sixth grade students. The fifth graders have two additional series of tests, one in Social Studies and History and one in Science and Technology. All of the subjects have two testing sessions, and each session is scheduled for two hours. Students may use more time if needed; the tests are untimed. Please call and let us know if your child is sick or will not attend school any day during this period.

Karen Snell has announced that she will retire at the end of this year. Karen carries many responsibilities as an essential skills teacher. She has helped two generations of students make their way through the obstacles of learning to read and become proficient math students. Karen is known throughout our community for her grace, generosity and kindness as well as her insightful teaching. We will miss Karen and her dedicated teaching; we wish her a fulfilling retirement with many opportunities to enjoy orchids and travel and all the other parts of her life!

Sunday, May 18th, the PTCA has organized a Spring Clean-up day for Swift River School. Please remember that all children have to be under their parents’ supervision during these times. Unfortunately, there were two episodes of bullying that occurred on the playground during the Soccer Banquet. Many thanks to the parents who plan and organize these events. They need your support to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for the encouragement you provided my family and me recently. I am happy to report that my husband is out of the hospital and on the mend.

Warm regards,

Sheila Hunter

Nurse’s Notes

LAST CHANCE! Shine Your Smile Day, Monday, June 2nd, is approaching quickly! Please return any last minute permission forms as soon as possible for the Mobile Dentists Smile Program. I encourage you all to take advantage of this very convenient way to get necessary preventive dental care for your child. Forms are available at the school if you need a new one, and feel free to call me, Nan Mead, with any questions.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, some of you may be looking at summer camp options for your children. I have information about some local programs in my office. Feel free to give me a call, or stop by to take a look. Also, if you will need immunization records for your child to attend a camp, please let me know as soon as possible so I can copy them for you.
Nan Mead R.N., N.C.S.N.

PTCA NEWS

Common Cents
Before vacation the second graders filled their first Common Cents jug. They collected a total of $60.59. They had Popsicles as their special snack to celebrate. Last week the third grade class filled their first jug which held $52.22 in change. They celebrated with a special treat in their classroom, too. Way to go second and third graders! Our hope is that every class will fill a jug and receive a special treat before this fundraiser ends. Keep saving your spare change!

Walk-a-thon
Last Friday’s Walk-a-thon was a big success despite the rainy weather. Children seemed to enjoy completing their laps around the edge of the gym. Remember to return your pledge sheet with the money your child raised. The funds help support Celebrate Diversity here at Swift River School!

Staff Appreciation Week
Staff Appreciation week starts this coming Monday. For your convenience another sign up sheet is attached to this newsletter. If you’d like to join the fun, choose your task and return the sheet to school ASAP! If you have questions, call Amy Simmons at 544-5324.

A Byte from the Lab
Third grade has been enjoying playing Word of the Day each Tuesday morning when they work in the computer lab. The Helper for the day picks a card with a technology word written on it out of a large container. The Helper tries to define the word and asks classmates for assistance. This is a good way to build our technology vocabulary. Last week, USB was written on the card and a lively conversation ensued with all kinds of fabulous guesses. United States of Bamerica was my favorite! I explained that USB is the acronym for Universal Serial Bus which prompted a student to ask why an S was used instead of a C (for cereal)! Great questions, super answers and lots of fun - that’s what it’s all about.
~Christine Morin

Wellness Committee Updates
Congratulations to the many students who successfully completed T.V.Turnoff Week this year! Thank you to the PTCA for sponsoring this event.

We hope you enjoy this week’s Jammin’ Minute!

Be well.

ENCHANTED FOREST NEWS
The Enchanted Forest is sponsoring a special art activity, Creative Creatures, which will take place on three Wednesdays, May 21, May 28 and June 4. Sally Alley Muffin Stuffin will be working with a small group of children to create fantastical papier mache creatures. Watch for a colorful flier to come home early next week. Reduced fees and special rates are featured for this workshop. Be sure to sign up early!

Yesterday EF finished its four-session cooking class. We focused on cooking with eggs, using very fresh eggs from my own chickens; this week we made scrambled eggs with cheese and also deviled eggs. Cooking empowers children to step up to adult responsibilities. When Neva’s mother picked her children up yesterday, Neva asked if she could cook breakfast for her little brothers in the morning… scrambled eggs. I encourage you to share the cooking chores with your children. Teach them to measure, stir, slice and dice. Soon they can begin to cook for themselves and for the family!!
Christine Heard

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
The last trimester of instrumental music lessons is drawing to a close. Brian Bender will teach two more classes on Thursday, 5/15th and Thursday, 5/22nd. Thursday, May 29th is a make up day, for children who missed a lesson because of absence or a field trip.

SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR
Fund Raiser for 6th Grade Class Trip
There is still room to register for the Self Defense Seminar being held tomorrow Friday, May 6th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the gym at Mahar Regional School in Orange. This training is for adults only (18 years or older). To register, please call Julie Smith at 978-249-4250 or come in at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the Seminar. The cost for this event is only $10. This fundraiser will benefit Swift River’s sixth grade end-of-year trip.

SNOW DAY INFORMATION

If school is called off because of inclement weather, power outage or other reasons, information is broadcast on the following 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
S. Deerfield     WPVQ     95.3
TV       WWLP Channel 22         WGGB Channel 40

Please note that Swift River is part of Erving School Union #28. School closing or delayed openings are made as School Union #28 or Erving Union #28, usually not as Swift River School.

You may also call the school at 978-544-6926. In difficult weather, we will have a recorded message on that line announcing a closing, a delay, or an early dismissal. Kuzmeskus, our bus company, has a website you can check to see if school has a delayed start or will be closed due to bad road conditions. The website can be found at www.travelkuz.com

Things Swift River Needs

As recommended by the School Committee members, we will publish in this box a list of needs for our school. You don't know until you have asked!

Reseeding soccer field - a person to organize the effort

Community Bulletin Board
These announcements and events are not school sponsored.

RAD KIDS
STARTS TOMORROW, MAY 2nd!
The Wendell Police Department is sponsoring RAD KIDS, a self defense class for children ages 5-7 and 8-11. These free classes will take place on four Fridays, May 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Swift River School. Children must be pre-registered to participate. Call Anne Diemand at 544-6111 to register. Children are welcome to join Enchanted Forest from 3:00 to 4:00 on those Fridays for the special price of $5.00 per afternoon. Space is limited; call immediately.

Exploring Drawing Classes
The Wendell Free Library is offering classes on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Exploring Drawing at both beginner and intermediate levels during May. These FREE classes are for adults and teens. There are five more sessions scheduled: May 6th, May 13th, May 20th, May 27th, June 3rd. The instructor is Catherine Janke, who graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art with an MFA in painting in 2004. She presently teaches at University of Massachusetts Lowell and at Chester College. The class will focus on developing drawing skills using still life, landscape, and portrait. All are invited and welcome, no matter your drawing skill or experience. It’ll be fun!

Information from the Wendell Free Library
The Wendell Free Library has new hours, beginning January 5th:

TUESDAY 3-6
WEDNESDAY 11-8
SATURDAY 9:30-3:30

The following class and playgroup are being offered at the Library beginning in January:

SUNDAY MORNING YOGA 10-11 a.m., beginning January 6th. Suggested donation of $1.00 or more.

PARENT & CHILD (newborn to preschooler) PLAYGROUP - WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, 11 a.m. – noon, beginning January 9th

Laptop Computers

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Principal: : Sheila Hunter
Swift River School
201 Wendell Rd.
New Salem, MA 01355
978.544.6926 (voice)
978.544.2253 (fax)

Web Site: Christine