swift school courier (january 2013)
DESCRIPTION
The Swift Courier is the bimonthly publication of Swift School.TRANSCRIPT
www.swiftschool.com [email protected]
Parent faculty MinglePhoto recap of Swift’s annual event. 3 Do you hear what i hear?
Students performed holiday tunes to more than 600 audience members at the Winter Concert.
where in the worlD is caPtain JiM?Fourth graders are putting their writing skills to use globally. 94in this
issue
January/february 2013
Cover Photo: Fifth grade students Rachel (L) and
Maggie show off their musical abilities at the Winter
Concert in December
Let the Good times RoLL at
swift’s 8th annuaL famiLy BowLinG event
sunday, January 272:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Roswell Brunswick Zone$14.00 per person(Includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza,
soda and all the fun you can imagine!) Money is due
to Swift no later than Friday, January 18. For more
information, contact Swift School at 678.205.4988.
RSVP to [email protected].
January 13 The Big Picture Movie Screening15-18 MuffinswithMom21 MLK Day (No classes)25 Spirit Wear Day27 Admissions Open House Annual Family Bowling Event29 Family & Parent Series (Grades 5th-8th only)
february 5-8 Donuts with Dad14 Re-Enrollment Agreements Issued18 Presidents’ Day (No classes)22 Spirit Wear Day26 Family & Parent Series (All Grades)27 SPA Meeting28 2013/2014 Re-Enrollment Due
March7 Spring Photo Day8 Sadie Hawkins Dance11-14 Middle Division Extended Trips15 Professional Day (No Classes)
ConneCt wIth
SwIFt onlIne SoCIally
PaRent BloG
www.swiftschoolblog.com
Follow Swift School on Facebook
and twitter for frequent updates and
information regarding school activities.
www.facebook.com/theswiftschool
@SwiftSchool_Ga
Volume 3Issue 3 [email protected]
nFeaturesParent faculty Mingle ............................................................. 3Photo recap of Swift’s annual event.
Do you hear what i hear? .................................................... 4Swift students and music director Caroline Goldstein wow the
audience for the second year in a row with their performance of
traditional and favorite holiday music.
adolescence and the transition to Middle school .............. 6Do you know what to expect during the adolescent years?
shooting stars .......................................................................... 8
Swift Spartans have skills in the classroom and on the court.
where in the world is captain Jim? ........................................ 9
Fourth graders in Ms. McClenney’s class are putting their writing
skills to use globally.
nIn every IssueHead’s Column ......................................................................................................... 2
Alumni Spotlight ...................................................................................................... 10
Famous Faces of Dyslexia ..................................................................................... 10
News You Can Use ................................................................................................. 11
Swift Scene .............................................................................................................. 12
Coming Up .............................................................................................................. 13
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 1
CourierJanuary/february 2013
4 8
Thespeedinessofthefirstsemesterbringsustothis
point in the academic year! The Holiday Season
isofficiallybehindus.TheWinterConcertwas
extraordinary, and certainly highlights the budding
musical talent of our students. Providing students with
language-based learning differences, the sorts of
learning experiences that require the interpretation
of language – in this case the language of music –
opens the doors for opportunities to exercise executive
function and working memory. The performing
arts are crucial for our students! All of the activity
the fall presented in terms of construction and the
transformation of the campus was completed just prior
to the end of the semester. We have even managed
to return the Lower Division to the regular academic
hours.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the latter
part of January for the new Arts and Athletics building.
Roswelldignitariesandofficialswillbeinvitedtovisitthe
Swift campus and join the celebration then.
Third grader Tristan Littlefield served as the Head of
School for two days just prior to the winter break. Don’t
be surprised if you see Tristan in a school leadership role
in the years to come! He is a remarkable young man.
The Swift Girls’ Basketball team is the League
Champion! On December 12 against Cottage School,
6th graders ainsley Kudlata and brenna Vetrovsky ,
and 7th grader Katherine bower were the scorers who
led the team to the championship in two overtimes!
As a matter of fact, 27 middle school students are
playing basketball this season. A second school bus
was acquired to meet the athletic department’s
interscholastic teams’ transportation needs.
In terms of performance opportunities, auditions
for the Spring Musical Annie were conducted by
theater teacher tara helrich and music teacher
caroline goldstein. The production will be presented
in May. The role of Annie is being played by 4th grader
Michelle wynne; Miss Hannigan will be played by 5th
grader helen Moore and Daddy Warbucks will be
played by 7th grader brian gormley, to name but a
few. Be sure to watch for the stage dates of what
should shape up to be a memorable production.
Performance opportunities, whether musical,
theatrical, athletic, or otherwise, are all highly
important learning experiences for students with
language-based learning differences. They each, in
very different ways, provide the kinds of stimulation
that require the brain to cross-communicate. We are
pleased that 90% of Swift students participate in these
well designed co-curricular opportunities.
Speaking of performance, 4th grader andrew savula served as the news anchorman for his class’
(Ms. Ehlbeck & Ms. Youmans) December character
formation presentation about helpfulness and caring.
Andrew led the class in interviews, a very lively hip-hop
round, and a closing song. Each Lower Division class
prepares a program for the virtue of the month that is
performed at each Giraffe Assembly.
During the month of January, Student
Council President cooper Kennedy and Council
representatives met with A Tasty Touch, Swift School’s
food service provider. The purpose of meeting was
to provide A Tasty Touch with recommendations
concerning the menu and variety of foods offered.
Over the past months an administrative study was
conducted concerning food service options for the
coming academic year. They ranged from elimination
of the food service program altogether to a specialty
order online service. After reviewing the various options
in terms of convenience and cost, the most feasible
option is that the current provider will modify meal and
a la carte offerings and augment the salad bar. Cost
will rise slightly, but the ‘food appeal’ should increase
significantly.Morewillbesharedonthistopicasplans
firmup.
Plans for the coming academic year include
another construction project on campus and the
addition of faculty and administration that will continue
to effectively meet the instructional needs of students.
The re-enrollment season begins on February 14, 2013.
Prior to then I will compose a letter that provides more
detail about the exciting initiatives 2013-14 will bring to
Swift School. Based on current trends, we are slated to
grow.
Lastly, very special thanks are extended to Swift
Trustee laura ries and Parent Association President
Margot Vetrovsky for their execution of The Big Picture:
Rethinking Dyslexia screening that occurred on
Sunday, January 13 at Studio Movie Grill. This event
coincided with Swift School’s 15 Year Celebration.
Swift parent adam goldfein served as the moderator,
and Swift’s Orton-Gillingham Fellow Joan gerken
served on the expert panel. The possibility of another
screening of this HBO feature is being considered
based on interest.
Happy New Year to All!
Rich Wendlek
Head of School
nHead’s Message r icharD wenDleK
swift boarD of trustees
ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Richard Phillips, Chair
Laurie Green, Vice Chair
Peter Williams, Treasurer
Jeff Kudlata, Secretary
TRUSTEES
Jason Butler
Dr. Paul Cohen
Dr. Gail Flanigan
Robert Gray
Laura Ries
Paul Schur
Gail Swift, Emerita
RichardWendlek,Exofficio
ADMINISTRATION
Richard J. Wendlek, Head of School
Dr. Andrea Salapka, Associate Head
Karen Buttermore, Director of Development
Paul Foltz, Business Manager
PARENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Margot Vetrovsky
Swift School300 Grimes Bridge Road
Roswell, GA 30075678.205.4988
2 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 3
A great time was had by all at Swift’s annual Parent &
Faculty Mingle. This year the event was held in the fall to
welcome new parents and teachers to the Swift Community.
This year, nearly 100 new families were added to the Swift
population. Swift would like to especially thank Peggy and
Patrick Carroll for hosting the Mingle at their home.
1. The Wynnes (L) and Dearmans catch up on fourth
grade happenings.
2. Peggy Carroll (L) and Jeanne Hill enjoying the evening.
3. (L-R) SLP Jocelyn Gasaway talks with Swift Middle
Division mothers Krista Elema and Laura Northrop.
4. First year parents, Meggan and James Sigler are proud
of their third grade student.
5. Fourth grade parents James and Jodie Braner mingle
with Mrs. Elhbeck (R).
Parent & Faculty Mingle
12
3
4 5
For the first time, the entire student body joined together for a spectacular holiday musical celebration.
the grande finale included a medley from “How the grinch Stole christmas” which showcased
first and sixth grade students.
4 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
DO yOu Hear WHat i Hear
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 5
n Thursday, December 20, more
than200studentvoicesfilledthe
theater of the Roswell Cultural
Arts Center during Swift’s Winter
Concert.
Swift continues to add milestones to its
history. Last year the school integrated a
fineartsprogramintothedailycurriculum
of students. This additional programming
provides the opportunity for concerts
showcasing student performers.
In one year the Winter Concert grew to
incorporate students in every grade level.
The concert featured performances by
the Lower Division Chorus, Lower Division
AdvancedChorus,Mrs.Sweeney’sfirst
grade class, the Spartan Singers and
special guest soloist coach rhett saylors.
The student performers sang, played,
acted, and danced to traditional and
popular holiday selections.
The Roswell Cultural Arts Center was
packed with more than 600 attendees
including family members, friends, and
Swift faculty.
Caroline Goldstein began rehearsing
with the students in October for the
December performance. In addition to
singing and incorporating choreography
and dramatics, students tackled songs
in different languages. Songs were
accompanied by Orff instruments played
by students.
The night concluded with a joint
performance of two songs by the Lower
Division and Middle Division Choruses. The
students performed Jingle-Bell Rock and
Grinch! A Christmas Choral Medley led by
soloist and narrators Josh hargrove, ainsley
Kudlata, evan fuerst, courtney salmon,
sean Murphy and conrad brown.
Swift would like to thank all of the
volunteers who helped make this concert
a success plus the generous patrons who
contribute to the Annual Fund for Swift.
Withoutthefinancialsupportofdonors,
programming such as the Winter Concert
would not be possible.
O
adoleSCenCe & the transition to MIddle SChool
6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
So your student will enter middle school next fall and you are
wondering how to manage the transition? The answer is, “very
mindfully” because your child’s life is about to undergo a number
of significant changes. Here are a few things to consider when
transitioning to a middle school experience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR CHILDREN
Middle school is not the same as elementary school. It is a much
larger facility and one enters from being at the top of the heap in 5th
grade to the bottom of the heap in 6th grade. The greater number of
students and being in the lowest grade can cause an entering sixth
grader to feel overwhelmed, now counting for less than before.
In addition, school life is very different. Now there are multiple
teachers to get used to, more study responsibilities to take care of,
increased hall travel between classes, lockers for storing belongings,
and a more impersonal feel to how one is being treated. All the while,
there is more challenge, push, and shove between students who are
jostling for position at an older and more socially aggressive age.
THERE IS ANXIETY ABOUT ENTERING MIDDLE SCHOOL
Talk to fifth graders about what middle school will be like and along
with the excitement of growing older are fears about what entry will be
like. “Suppose I can’t get into my locker?” “Suppose I can’t find my way
around and am late to class?” “I’ve heard that middle school teachers
are really strict and mean.” “Suppose older kids pick on younger kids?”
“Suppose I have no one to sit with at lunch?” “Suppose I have no
classes with any of my friends?”
Entry anxiety is common. To allay it, going to a school orientation
helps as well as parents who normalize fears and assure that within the
first week the new school routine will establish a sense of familiarity.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR PARENTS
For parents of entering middle school students, there is also adjusting
to do. “This isn’t Kansas anymore,” was how one parent described
leaving the intimate and welcoming world of a small elementary school
for the larger and more daunting secondary setting of middle school.
In middle school, the advent of multiple teachers means that none of
them know a student as well as one dedicated teacher did in back in
elementary school. For the parent, this means there is no one go-to
teacher with whom the parent may have cultivated a supportive and
collaborative relationship.
This does not mean that middle school teachers are not
approachable, only that they have more calls on their time.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION IS DIFFERENT
Now teachers seem to focus more on a student’s acceptable conduct
and adequate performance. As one middle school teacher put it, “We
treat kids as less delicate and more responsible here. We expect them
to act more grown up.”
It’s not that middle school teachers care less; they care differently.
Part of the mission of middle school is helping students learn the
self-management and social system skills that will be necessary to
successfully cope with high school.
EARLY ADOLESCENCE BRINGS A CHANGE FOR THE WORSE
Around ages 9 - 13 a child usually starts separating from childhood
into early adolescence. By middle school, most students are being
transformed and destabilized by this first adolescent stage. They start
pulling away, pushing against, and getting around adult authority in
order to create more freedom to grow and to live on more independent
terms. Now complaints, arguments, delays, disobedience, and testing
limits become part of the young person’s repertoire at home and at
school as both parents and teachers find themselves contending with
more active and passive resistance.
THERE IS A DISCIPLINARY DISCREPANCY
Factor in puberty (which begins for most students during middle
school, and about which children should be told) when the task of
defining and asserting young manhood and young womanhood begins,
and a common discrepancy arises. Now disciplinary referrals for boys
are significantly greater than for girls as male students may express
their sense of emerging manhood by being more resistant to being
told what to do by adult authorities, particularly when in front of their
peers. To reduce the need to establish self-respect by asserting social
opposition, encourage your child to develop multiple sources of self-
esteem - others ways to challenge and affirm oneself by developing
interests and capacities.
SOCIAL CRUELTY GETS WORSE
Come early adolescence both boys and girls become more socially
aggressive with each other as they jostle for a place to socially belong
among their independent community of peers. Now social cruelty
at school comes into serious play -- treating each other meanly as a
means to secure social membership and standing. Most commonly
attacked are students who appear “different.”
Even if they don’t give or receive it a lot, they see the five forms of
social cruelty occurring all around them - teasing, exclusion, bullying,
rumoring, and ganging up. And they know that what is happening to
others could happen to them. Middle school is less socially safe than
elementary school in this way.
by Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D
“MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A MINEFIELD OF deVeloPMental ChallenGeS FoR StudentS,
A TIME WHEN SIGNIFICANT PARENTAL SUPERvISION AND support MUST BE GIvEN.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 5
Shooting StarSThe Spartans’ basketball season is off to a great start. Both
teams have steadily been gaining momentum winning games
against their opponets.
The Lady Spartans recently defeated The Cottage School in
a mid-season tournament. The game went into two overtime
periods. The final score read Lady Spartans, 8; The Cottage
School, 6.
The Spartans have played five games and the Lady
Spartans have played four games. points in five games each.
Cumulativly the teams have scored 118 this season. The top
scorers for the Spartans and Lady Spartans are as followed:
Will vesey - 15 points
Will Battle - 12 points
Owen Hodson - 12 points
Katherine Bower - 10 points
Ainsley Kudlata - 8 points
Support the Spartans in January as they face their athletic
rival Sophia Academy on Wednesday, January 23. A complete
schedule can be found by visiting www.swiftschool.com.
1. Katherine looks for an open Lady Spartan to pass to.
2. Amelia dribbles the ball down the court.
3. Fast and furious Will heads to the hoop to shoot for two.
4. Jenna pauses before scoring two points against Sophia
Academy.
Seventh grade student
Will v. drives past an
Eagles’ player for a scoring
opportunity.
Both teaMS hIt the
CouRtS haRd
wIth MultIPle hIGh
SCoReRS In 2012. MARCH 22, 20137:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
TICKETS: $85.00 Per Ticket until January 15, 2013. After January 15, 2013 the price will increase to $90.00.
Price includes seated dinner, entertainment and complimentary cocktail. Tables available for groups of 10 or 12.
Stellar Gala
DINNER& DANCING
SILENT & LIVE AUCTION
at the ATLANTA ATHLETIC CLUB
SWIFT SCHOOL'S 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
It’s Time to Celebrate SuccessTickets are on sale now for the 2013 Stellar Gala.
Do not miss this extrodinary event honoring
Swift’s 15th anniversary and inaugural 8th grade class.
Purchase your tickets online today by visiting
http://cloud.bidpal.net/Portal/bpe22587
Flier.indd 1 1/10/2013 9:03:47 AM
8 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
Shooting StarSThe Spartans’ basketball season is off to a great start. Both
teams have steadily been gaining momentum winning games
against their opponents.
The Lady Spartans recently defeated The Cottage School in
a mid-season tournament. The game went into two overtime
periods. The final score read Lady Spartans, 8; The Cottage
School, 6.
The Spartans have played five games and the Lady Spartans
have played four games. Cumulatively the teams have scored
118 points this season. The top scorers for the Spartans and
Lady Spartans are as followed:
- will Vesey - 15 points - will Battle - 12 points
- owen hodson - 12 points - Katherine Bower - 10 points
- ainsley Kudlata - 8 points
Support the Spartans in January as they face their athletic
rival Sophia Academy on Wednesday, January 23. A complete
schedule can be found by visiting www.swiftschool.com.
1. Katherine looks for an open Lady Spartan to pass to.
2. Amelia dribbles the ball down the court.
3. Jenna pauses to find an open teammate.
4. Fast and furious Will heads to the hoop to shoot for two.
Seventh grade student Will
drives past an Eagles’ player
for a scoring opportunity.
Both teaMS hIt the
CouRtS haRd
wIth MultIPle hIGh
SCoReRS In 2012.
1 2
3 4
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 9
The students in Ms.
McClenney and Mrs.
Dearman’s fourth grade
class are practicing their
reading and writing
skills in a unique way.
The teachers teamed
together language arts
and geography to make
reading an exciting
adventure into learning.
The idea was inspired
by Mrs. Dearman’s
husband, Jim. Jim travels
the world as a pilot for
Delta.
Captain Jim began
sending postcards to
the class from wherever
he visited. The students
started marking the
location on a map the
postcards came from in
relation to Atlanta. Once
the students became
very interested, additional
classroom parents began
participating. The class
map now has flags on
almost every continent
except Antarctica and
Australia.
Before Thanksgiving
break, the class was
determined to get mail
from Antarctica. The
October character
formation trait was
“determination”. The
class read, Trapped By
the Ice which was about
Sir Ernest Shackleton
and his crew embarking
on a dangerous journey
to Elephant Island in
Antarctica in 1914.
After reading the
story, the students
were “determined”
to receive mail from
Antarctica. The class
wrote individual letters
to a US research team
stationed in Antarctica.
The letters showcased
their knowledge about
Sir Shackleton and his
endurance.
After writing the letters,
the class received an email
from the US research
team in Antarctica and is
Where’s Captain Jim?
unIted StateS oF aMeRICa
Arlington, virginia
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Fort Myers, Florida
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Great Smokey Mountains, North Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
La Jolla, California
Memphis, Tennessee
Miami, Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York City, New York
Orlando, Florida
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Salt Lake City, Utah
Seattle, Washington
Tampa, Florida
Washington D.C.
South aMeRICa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ISlandS
Dominican Republic
Freeport, Bahamas
Nassau (Atlantis)
CentRal aMeRICa
Cancun, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico
aFRICa
South Africa
Maun,Botswana
Palm Island, Dubai
euRoPe
Amsterdam, Holland
London, England
Munchen, Germany
aSIa
Hong-Kong, China
St. Petersburg, Russia
Ms. Mcclenney’s fourth grade class’
InteractIve geography lesson turns Into
a quest for global doMInatIon!
expecting mail soon.
This activity has helped
engage students’ desire to
learn about other cultures,
customs and continents.
If you would like to send a
postcard to Ms. McClenney
and Mrs. Dearman’s fourth
grade class, the students
would love to read it and
mark the location on their
map.
postCards from around the World
nFaMous Faces oF dyslexIaQuotes froM faMous Dyslexics
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” - albert einstein
“A teacher sent the following note home with a six-year-old boy: “He is too stupid to learn.” That boy was Thomas A. Edison”. - thomas edison
“If I wasn’t dyslexic, I probably wouldn’t have won the Games. If I had been a better reader, then that would have come easily, sports would have come easily… and I never would have realized that the way you get ahead in life is hard work.”- bruce Jenner
“The looks, the stares, the giggles ... I wanted to show everybody that I could do better and also that I could read.” - Magic Johnson
“I felt like an alien. I always felt like I never belonged to any group that I wanted to belong to.”- steven spielberg
“I couldn’t read. I just scraped by. My solution back then was to read classic comic books because I could figurethemoutfromthecontextofthe pictures. Now I listen to books on tape. ”- charles schwab
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - walt Disney
“I hated school . . . . One of the reasons was a learning disability, dyslexia, which no one understood at the time. I still can’t spell . . .”- loretta young
“I was one of the ‘puzzle children’ myself — a dyslexic . . . And I still have a hard time reading today. Accept the fact that you have a problem. Refuse to feel sorry for yourself. You have a challenge; never quit! ”- nelson rockefeller
10 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
naluMnI spotlIgHt rory VetroVsKy
One meeting with Rory Vetrovsky and
you would learn the following things
about her:• She is a freshman at St. Pius x
Catholic High School;• she is a lovely, easy-going
young lady;•and she has a passion for writing.
You would never guess that Rory is
challenged with the gift of dyslexia. Rory
showed signs of dyslexia at a very young
age. Her parents noticed she had a
difficulttimerhymingwords,mastering
sight words, identifying nouns and
eventually reading.
As she progressed through grade
school it was evident something was
wrong. After seeking professional help
from Dr. Danielak, the Vetrovskys were
referred to Swift School.
“Rory’s life began on the
firstdayofschoolatSwift,”
said her mother and current
SPA President Margot. “She was going
into fourth grade and barely reading
on a kindergarten level. Ironically, her
bedroom was full of books she had
collected and diaries full of words no one
could read. By that October, Rory was
doing something she had only dreamed
of doing - reading.”
RoryattendedSwiftforfourthandfifth
grade. After Swift she enrolled in her local
middle school – another “huge unknown”
but Rory said everyone at Swift had faith
in her ability to succeed especially Mrs.
Kidder, Mrs. Cherry and Coach Smith.
“They gave me the knowledge, skills and
confidenceIwisheveryonecouldhave,”
said Rory. “I even tried out for the St. Pius
swim team and made it!”
Since Swift, Rory has made wonderful
friends that she claims are amazing and
supportive. She agrees that the small
classroom setting at Swift helped her to
focus on her challenges and see that
many other students are like her.
“OnethingthatIdefinitelylearned
at Swift was how to work in groups
doing class projects, which seem to be
never ending in school,” says Rory. “My
strongest subject is Language Arts. I love
writing and recently completed a poetry
portfolio. Who knew?!!”
My advice to students
at Swift is just relax
and enjoy the ride. the
teachers really do want
to help each student
reach their potential
in life. Just try!
news you can usenadMIssIon news
Hard as it is to believe, re-enrollment for the 2013-14 academic
year will occur between February 14-28, 2013. You will receive
a complete re-enrollment packet via the U.S. Mail. As Swift
continues to grow, the competition for seats is keen. There is
currently a wait pool of students who will be offered admission
for 2013-14 during the re-enrollment period. On Sunday, January
27, 2013 an Admission Open House will take place for students
in grades 1-7. Rising 6th grade parents are invited to attend
an event at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, January 10, to be
introduced to the Middle Division at Swift School. Middle Division
Director Patty Nathan and the faculty will be involved. We look
forward to seeing you then.
stellar gala tIckets on sale nowexcitement is building for swift’s most anticipated event- the stellar gala – which will also be the major celebration of the school’s 15th anniversary. ticket sales are underway, with a sellout expected. guests have two options for purchasing tickets: (1) online by going to www.swiftschool.com and then clicking on support us and then on swift’s 15th anniversary celebration and stellar gala or by (2) returning the reply card which was contained in the invitation. guests will enjoy a wine and beer reception, a silent auction, a seated dinner followed by a live auction, and then dancing. reserve friday, March 22 from 7:00 until 11:00 p.m. for this community event. the gala takes place at the atlanta athletic club in Johns creek. adult guests and family members are welcome to attend. cocktail attire with no denim is dress code for this evening. tables are available for purchase if you wish to invite guests. or several swift parents may want to sit together at a table for 8, 10 or 12. Parents who want to share a table must appoint a table captain to list attendees and collect payments which need to be submitted at the same time. the gala committee is still accepting donations for both the silent and the live auction. sponsorships are available for those who want to help underwrite the cost of the event. Proceeds will be used for campus expansion for our growing student body.
annual Fund support clIMbs,but stIll sHort oF goalswift families have been generous to the annual fund for swift 2012-13, but the school is still striving for 100% participation among families. as of Dec. 31, 2012 the participation rate among current families was 60%. it is important that all families contribute because when swift seeks outside funding from charitable foundations and other donors, their first criteria is to learn the level of support inside the community. outside donors evaluate the enthusiasm level and financial commitment of parents, as well as faculty & staff, regarding the school’s needs. as of Dec. 31, 2012 gifts and pledges to the annual fund totaled $95,690. This represents 77% of the financial goal of $125,000. gifts in any amount are welcome in order to help us raise the percent of participation. all gifts are tax-deductible because Swift is a non-profit 501(c)(3)institution. Proceeds from this year’s annual fund are used for campus improvements, expanded programming, and attracting and retaining top teachers.
Information and registration information about Swift’s exciting
Summer Explorations program for students in grades 1-5 will
be available by late February. Academic programming
designed to maintain and enhance skills taught during the
academic year are offered, and enriching programs that
help put the pizazz in summer complement morning offerings.
Watch for information in your mailbox. Summer Explorations is
highly recommended for all Lower School students entering
Swift School.
IMportant dates to reMeMberJanuary 23: SPA Meeting
January 24: Day of Manners/Dress Uniforms
January 25: Spirit Day
January 27: Admissions Event
February 14: Re-Enrollment Issued
February 18: Presidents’ Day (No Classes)
February 28: 2013-2014 Enrollment Due
February 29: Day of Manners/Dress Uniforms
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 11
12 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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The Swift experience extends beyond academics in the classroom.
We strive to create future citizens who understand the importance
of giving back to the community. Middle Division students are
spearheading community service projects for Swift.
Listed below are projects the Middle Division and school are
involved in:
• Students wrote letters to soldiers prior to the holidays.
Jonathan Youmans, son of fourth grade associate teacher
Janice Youmans, distributed the letters and cards to soldiers
on the USS Winston S. Churchill in Dubai. Students look
forward to receiving letters from the soldiers.
• Middle Division will continue to sell Chick-fil-A biscuits
on Friday mornings. The proceeds are going towards the
purchase of gift cards. Students will hand these out at the
Atlanta airport to soldiers returning home in February.
• We kicked-off the Pennies for Patients Project at the
January Celebration Assembly. A representative from
Pennies for Patients showed a short video to the students
explaining that the collected money benefits The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society. Student Council will have another whole
school Chick-fil-A biscuit sale on January 18. All profits from
the January sale will go towards Pennies for Patients. All
students received collection boxes for the January fund-
raiser. Snippets and teacher newsletters will provide more
information on this fund-raiser.
• Swift is supporting the pediatric hospital in Rwanda in the
spring by selling gifts made in Rwanda before Mother’s Day.
• Environment protection is an ongoing project in the Middle
Division. Students collect recycled paper and bottles every
Friday. A school-wide magazine and phone book drive will
take place in February. Students will also plant flowers along
the Dogwood Road fence.
• In March Swift will host a canned food drive. There is an
ongoing need for food at area food banks all year. Please
mark this on your calendar and support our efforts.
• We wrap up community service for the year with a school-
wide stuffed animal, coloring book and crayon drive for local
children’s hospitals.
A special thanks to the Student Council and advisor Jill McGuire
for all the work put into planning and organizing Swift’s
Community Service.
beyond tHe classrooM
notes froM the MiDDle DiVision Director - Patty nathan
Knowing that relationships can become harsher at this age,
parents need to communicate this understanding to their son or
daughter. And be sure to enroll your child in other social circles
outside of school so that should classmate relationships become
difficult for a while, there are other groups of peers with whom one
can comfortably belong.
THERE IS AN EARLY ADOLESCENT ACHIEvEMENT DROP
With all the forgoing changes, particularly the priority to socially
belong, it is no wonder that for many young people there is a loss
of traditional academic focus and motivation, and with this loss an
“early adolescent achievement drop” can occur as schoolwork is
resisted, neglected, or forgotten. A good measure of middle school
distractibility is the dramatic surge in electronic communication at
this age - cell phone texting, computer messaging, social networking
-to keep one’s self adequately socially connected to peers. Parents
need to monitor and moderate this use.
Most young people at this age do not self-correct from academic
failure that results from falling effort. They simply adjust to working
less and to accepting more failure as okay, when it is not. Parents
must be diligent in sufficiently supervising schoolwork, particularly
homework, so that adequate operating capacity and achievement is
maintained.
Middle school is a minefield of developmental challenges for
students, a time when significant parental supervision and support
must be given. Summarizing, here are 10 steps parents can take to
support a successful entry and passage through middle school.
• Understand that middle school is not elementary school.
• Identify and allay common entry fears of middle school.
• Expect early adolescent changes in your child.
• Supervise the completion of all homework.
• Support learning to function in a large secondary system.
• Declare your desire to be told about any social cruelty that
occurs.
• Inform your child about the normal changes that come with
puberty.
• Enroll your child in social circles outside of school.
• Encourage the development of multiple sources of self esteem.
• Monitor and moderate the increased need for electronic
communication (cell phone texting, computer messaging, and
social networking.)
Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D., is a psychologist in Austin, Texas. His most recent
books are: The Connected Father, The Future of Your Only Child, and Stop
Screaming. Source URL: http://www.psychologytoday.com/node/58710
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
coMIng upnMarK your calenDars with these iMPortant Dates
spa MeetIngJanuary 23 2013; 8:30 a.m.Attend Swift’s Parent Association (SPA) meeting and get
involved with your child’s school.
adMIssIons open HouseJanuary 27, 2013; 1:00 p.m.Swift will host an open house on Sunday, January 27 to
allparentsinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthebenefits
of a Swift education. A presentation will be made at 1:30
p.m. followed by school tours.
annual swIFt FaMIly bowlIngJanuary 27, 2013; 2:00 p.m.Swift family bowling is back! Mark your calendar for this
wonderful family event being held at the Brunswick Zone
in Roswell. The cost is $14 per person. Money is due to
Swift by Friday, January 18.
stellar gala & 15tH annIversary celebratIonMarch 22, 2013; 7:00 p.m.Make plans now to attend Swift’s Stellar Gala and 15th
Anniversary Celebration. Tickets are $85 per person and
include seated dinner, entertainment and one cocktail.
On January 15, the price will increase to $90. You may
purchase your tickets online and browse items as they
arrive at http://cloud.bidpal.net/Portal/bpe22587.
This event will highlight Swift’s history, celebrate its
inaugural 8th grade class and raise money to better
serve Swift students. Don’t miss this night to remember!
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WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 13
LIFE-CHANGING
POTENTIAL
TRANSFORMING
they aRe CountInG on you
100 PeRCent PaRtICIPatIon in the Annual Fund for Swift is
crucial to the success of our program. We ask that every member
of our community (parent, board, faculty and staff) contribute.
Gifts of all sizes are appreciated by Swift and our students.
100 PeRCent PaRtICIPatIon is a key factor to charitable
foundations considering a donation to our school. These
additional funds help provide even more opportunities for
YOUR student to academically develop and discover their true
potential. Donate online or send a check to the school.
wIll you helP uS ReaCh 100 PeRCent?
n
300 Grimes Bridge RoadRoswell, GA 30075
Celebrating 15 years of Success
The Doorway to Success
aDMission oPen houseSunday, January 271:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Presentation at 1:30 p.m. followed by school tours.For more information, visit Swift online at www.swiftschool.com or call 678.205.4988. Use your SmartPhone to scan the QR code to go directly to our Web site.
Discover how our
comprehensive educational experience
for students in grades 1-8 provides tools and
strategies for success.