COURIER
IN THIS
ISSUE
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DYSLEXIA DASH Swift sponsors the annual 5K hosted by the IDA
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FALL FESTIVAL Pigs, rides, and sno-cones oh my!
Winter 2015
www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
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THIRD GRADE SNOW DAY Third grade students enjoy snow on Swift’s campus
EXPLORE A WONDERFUL WORLD OF READING, WRITING AND FUN THIS SUMMER AT SWIFT SCHOOL
July 6 - July 24, 2015 All Rising 1st-8th Grade Students Welcome • Students learn using the Orton-Gillingham approach
August 13-14 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• Establish, maintain, and enhance skills and concepts taught during the academic year • Complementary activities in art, drama, STEAM/STEM classes, crafts and amazing science experiments 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075 678-205-4988 www.swiftschool.com
REACHING FOR THE STARS – RISING GRADES ONE AND TWO
Orton-Gillingham Coding, Framing Your Thoughts (writing instruction), Reading Comprehension/Fluency
FLYING IN FORMATION – RISING GRADE THREE
Orton-Gillingham Coding, Framing Your Thoughts (writing instruction), Reading Comprehension/Fluency
LANDING ON SOLID GROUND – RISING GRADES FOUR AND FIVE Interactive Reading Around the Globe, Writing Responses to Literature, Comprehension/Fluency
READY, SET, GO! – RISING GRADES SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHTH
Literature/Fluency, Word Origin Study, Writing Process (structure, narrative, expository, and response to literature)
QUESTIONS?
Please email Angela Robertson at arobertson@swiftschool.com or 678-205-4988.
Winter 2015
COURIER
Volume 7 Issue 2 www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
nFEATURES
February 7
IDA Conference
10-13
Donuts with Dad
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Presidents’ Day (No Classes)
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Variety Show Auditions
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Student Preview Days Grades 5-8
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Student Preview Days Grades 1-4
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Father-Daughter Dance
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Parent Preview Day Grades 1-4
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Parent Preview Day Grades 5-8
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Giraffe Assembly
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Re-enrollment Agreements Due
Dyslexia Dash.....................................................................3 Swift sponsors the annual 5k hosted by the IDA
Fall Festival.........................................................................4 Pigs, rides, and sno-cones, oh my!
Third Grade Snow..............................................................5 Third grade students enjoy snow on Swift’s campus 5th Grade Dance..............................................................6 Fifth grade students boogie down at the dance
March 2-6
Spring Presentations
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Winter Break
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Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
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Variety Show
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Pet Day
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Buddy Day
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Stellar Gala
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Middle Division Day of Achievement
Goblin Get Down..............................................................9 Middle Division Students have a spook-tacular event Gala Newsletter..............................................................10 Black and white and read all over!
April 3
Spring Recess Commences (No Classes)
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Spring Recess
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Classes Resume
15-17
5th Grade Extended Trip
21-24
Middle Division Extended Trips
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Giraffe Assembly
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Grandparents’ Day - Grades 1-2
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Grandparents’ Day- Grade 3
May 1 Grandparents’ Day- Grades 4-5
Follow Swift School on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates and information regarding school activities.
IN EVERY ISSUE Head’s Column ......................................................................................................... 2 Lower Division............................................................................................................ 7 Middle Division.............................................................................................................8 Athletics/Fine Arts..................................................................................................... 12
www.facebook.com/theswiftschool @SwiftSchool_GA
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
Swift Scene.............................................................................................................. 13
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nHEAD’S MESSAGE
SWIFT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RICHARD WENDLEK One of the features of modern life that doesn’t receive enough attention is the exploration of the influences of mass-media and the resulting beliefs our children develop due to their interaction with the broader environment. Messaging via televisions, radios, the Internet, emails, text messages, print media… and other environmental sources, contribute to the formation of belief systems. Many times our own closely held beliefs – those beliefs we hold as truths – are in opposition to those transmitted culturally. And just what are the messages transmitted culturally? They are very often about the notion of ‘perfect’. Perfect is driven by related notions of ‘ultimate realities’. Ultimate realities are thought of as the place we want to be in life. Perfect careers, perfect homes, perfect vehicles, perfect images, perfect kids, wealth, leisure, happiness …. Other words used to describe perfect are dazzling, stunning, just right, just the thing, wonderful, flawless, great, ideal, best, faultless, picture perfect, popular, seamless, unspoiled, complete, absolute, total… You probably know others. Perfect is about success, not failure. Culturally prevalent belief outcomes center on entitlement – which means to qualify for something. Then there is the emphasis on materialism and consumption. Many who search for perfect and can’t seem to find it may suffer from depression, including anger. The perception of missing out on perfect is associated with thoughts of worthlessness and even failure. Collectively Americans spend a great deal of time chasing perfect. Twixters may be an example of how mass-media affects the beliefs of children. This term was introduced by Lev Grossman, a columnist for Time Magazine (January 16, 2005, Grow Up, Not So Fast). Twixters refers to the generation that is currently rising from their college educations. They experienced childhood in the late 20th Century and early 21st Century. According to Mr. Grossman, ‘It appears to take young people longer to graduate from college, settle into careers and buy their first homes. What are they waiting for? Who are these permanent adolescents, these twentysomething Peter Pans? And why can’t they grow up?’ ‘Everybody knows a few of them – full grown men and women who still live with their parents, who dress and talk and party as they did in their teens hopping from job to job and date to date, having fun but seemingly going nowhere. This isn’t a trend, a temporary fad or generational hiccup. This is much larger phenomenon, of a different kind and order.’ ‘Social scientists are realizing that a permanent shift has taken place in the way we live our lives. In the past people moved from childhood to adolescence to adulthood; but today there is a new intermediate phase along the way. The years from 18-25 and even beyond have become a separate and distinct life stage, a strange transitional never-never land between adolescence and adulthood in which people stall for a few extra years, putting off the iron cage of adult responsibility that constantly threatens to crash down on them. They’re betwixt and between. You could call them twixters.’ 2
Mr. Grossman goes on to say, ‘Where did twixters come from? And what’s taking them so long to get where they are going? Some of the sociologists, psychologists and demographers who study this new life stage see it as a good thing. The twixters aren’t lazy, the argument goes, and they’re reaping the benefits of decades of American affluence and social liberation. This new period is a chance for young people to savor the pleasures of irresponsibility, search their souls and choose their life paths. But more historically and economically minded scholars see it differently. They are worried that twixters aren’t growing up because they can’t. Those researchers fear that whatever cultural machinery used to turn kids into grownups has broken down, that society no longer provides young people with the moral backbone and financial wherewithal to take their rightful places in the adult world. Could growing up be harder than it used to be?’ ‘The sociologists, psychologists, economists and others who study this age group have many names for this new phase of life – ‘youthhood’, ‘adultescence’ and they call people in their 20s ‘kidults’ and ‘boomerang kids’. Terri Apter, a psychologist at the University of Cambridge and author of the Myth of Maturity calls them ‘thresholders’. Apter became interested in the phenomenon in 1994, when she noticed her students struggling and flailing more than usual after college. Parents were baffled when their expensively educated, otherwise well-adjusted 23 year-old children wound up sobbing in their old bedrooms, paralyzed by indecision. ‘Legally they are adults, but they’re on the threshold, on the doorway to adulthood, and they’re not going through it. The percentage of 26 year-olds living with their parents has nearly doubled since 1970.’
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dr. Richard Phillips, Chair Laura Ries, Vice Chair Peter Williams, Treasurer Jeff Kudlata, Secretary
TRUSTEES Dr. Paul Cohen Robert Gray Gail Swift, Emerita Richard Wendlek, Ex officio
ADMINISTRATION Richard J. Wendlek, Head of School Dr. Andrea Salapka, Associate Head Karen Buttermore, Director of Advancement Paul Foltz, Business Manager
It is theorized that a life experience that is so full of choice possibly serves to impede the ability to make decisions. The typical American child has too many choice opportunities before they are developmentally ready to make such choices. It could be that today’s young adults cling to the varied patterns offered them by their parents and they are unwilling or otherwise unable to narrow their field of choices as they attempt to embark on a life of their own that may not offer all of the choice options they have known. The fearful and competitive reach for ‘perfect’ by many parents is, it seems, part of the culprit in stalling the full entrance to responsible, independent adulthood.
Swift School 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075 678.205.4988
Rich Wendlek Head of School
WINTER
2015
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
Dyslexia Dash
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1. (L-R) Mrs. Litzky, Mrs. Felix, Ms. Schlanger, and Mrs. Rosenthal get ready to run. 2. (L-R) Nathan Dunbar and the Nulty Family are excited for the race to begin. 3. (L-R) Conrad Brown and Shane Hendrickson enjoy a sno-cone post race. 4. (L-R) Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Shiffman, Ms. Bouck, and Ms. Cross are all smiles as they finish the race.
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5. Board member Jeff Kudlata is the first runner from Team Swift to cross the finish line! 6. (L-R) Mrs. Berk, Mrs. Osberg, and Mrs. Wronker celebrate with their fans. 7. A crew of first and second grade parents and students finish the race together. 7
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Fall Festival
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1. Ms. Hirsch challenges some of her fellow teachers to a race. 2. (L-R) Mr. Wendlek and Riley Duncan make a new friend at the petting zoo. 3. Fall Festival chair Susan Duncan and her son Braxton enjoy the balloon animal station. 4. Anna Scalf and her friend are ready to race. 5. (L-R) Aspen Mille and Avery Wilburn pet the fluffy bunny. 5
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6. Danielle Dupont makes friends with the pig. WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
Third Grade Snow Day On Dec. 18, 2014, the third grade class performed holiday carols for their parents, drank hot chocolate, and played in six tons of snow delivered on campus that morning.
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1. The third graders perform classic holiday songs for their parents and teachers. 2. The Snow Kings sprinkled the Swift Campus with snow! 3. Simone Kurrle builds a snowman. 4. The third grade students are thrilled when they see the snow for the first time. 5. Joshua Zielke makes the perfect snowball. 6. (L-R) Willam Sands and Grey Ethington are loving their snow day. 6 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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5th Grade Dance 2
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1. (L-R) Best friends Courtney Dunlap and Taylor Robb enjoy some refreshments in between dances. 2. The 5th Grade teachers pose for a quick picture. 3. (L-R) Taylor Robb and Ms. Spennato are superstars. 4. (L-R) Anna Scalf, Ms. Cross, Mackenzie Day, and Mrs. Wallace are all smiles at the dance. 5. Balint Torjak plays a mean air guitar. WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
LOWER DIVISIONn The 2014-15 school year got off to a running start. The Dyslexia Dash was a huge success with close to a hundred Swift family members attending. Way to go, Team Swift! The beautiful weather held for the Fall Festival. Students enjoyed face-painting, riding the mechanical bull, the space walk, and engaging in many other festival activities with their friends and teachers while enjoying the baked goodies and Varsity lunch wagon treats. There was even a teacher bounce ball race with Ms. Hirsch taking a ‘short-cut’ and coming in first place! Students presented wonderful programs at the Harvest Presentations. They focused on topics about which they were learning and on aspects of their lives for which they are thankful. Students are continuing to learn the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students with recent focus on The Power of One. Jules the Giraffe is always on the lookout for students exhibiting positive character traits so they can be recognized at Giraffe Assemblies. The Winter Concert was performed by several of our 4th through 8th graders. The story theme was perfect for the holidays as it centered on caring and giving to others. The music brought everyone into a holiday frame of mind! First and second graders performed a delightful program for their families with their Winter Musical. And a new Swift tradition was begun this year: the 3rd Grade Snow and Choral Celebration. Students thoroughly enjoyed singing holiday songs, eating cookies, drinking hot chocolate and playing snow games. They made snow angels and snowmen, hit targets with snowballs and had a wonderful time. What a delightful way to kick off the holiday break! I hope your winter break was filled with activities that made fond memories. We are excited to begin the new semester with your children. My sincere thanks go out to you for sharing them with us. -Kathi Francesconi, Lower Division Director
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1. The first graders are ready to perform. 2. (L-R) Frank Reese and Ewan Wilmath channel their inner pilgrims. 3.(L-R) Michael Houlihan and Laura Coker sing a Thanksgiving song. 4. Linnea Imhoff shows off her beautiful turkey to her family. 5. (L-R) Zack Issacs, Luke Johnson, and Gustavo Fonseco serve as greeters to Mrs. Dugger’s class. 6. Harper Carey and her mother create Turkey crafts. WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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nMIDDLE DIVISION Second semester is well underway in the Middle Division. Students and teachers returned from the winter break ready to continue the wonderful work begun this fall. As always, parental involvement is crucial to the success of our students. Please continue to check RenWeb for updated grades as well as information about upcoming assignments. In October, the Middle Division participated in the Power of One campaign. The week was dedicated to highlighting ways that students can make a difference in others’ lives by demonstrating kindness. The Goblin Get Down was a fun opportunity for students to dress in costume, eat food from the Varsity, and dance. Swift will be participating in a recycling contest sponsored by the city of Roswell. Send in your recyclable items to help us win! In November, seventh and eighth grade students began working with instructors from Youth Technology. The classes being taught are coding and robotics. Students are learning the basics of video game development as well. Plans include expanding the courses for 6th grade students as well in the fall.
There are several exciting events scheduled throughout the coming months: the 7th grade luncheon occurs January 29th; student preview day is February 18th for Middle Division; and parent preview day is February 25th. Please encourage your child to consider participating in the Variety Show. Auditions are February 17th and the show is scheduled for March 17th. Thank you! Carol Madden
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1. The first cast of “The Power of One” created a carnival theme for their story. They performed for the Lower Division students. 2. Maddi Ariail is ready to show the Lower Division students “The Power of One.” 3. Conrad Brown does a fantastic job narrating for the second cast’s performance. 4. The second cast gets ready to perform their version of “The Power Of One.”
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WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
Goblin Get Down
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1. (L-R) Cameron Carr, Caroline Hegwood, and Marcella Wicklin are ready for the dance. 2. (L-R) Matthew Buckis, Cooper Kennedy, Grant Meyer and Shane Hendrickson wait in line for burgers from The Varsity. 3. Mrs. Madden and Mrs. Molloy dress up for the occasion. 4. (L-R) Emma Markland and Harry Cain proudly display their prizes from the costume contest. 5. Mrs. McGuire shows off her dance moves. 6. The Middle School students strike a pose. 6
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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Edition 3
Winter Courier
Stellar Gala Newsletter Gala Chair: Kari Hines
Save the Date March 20, 2015 Atlanta Athletic Club $95 per person
2015 THEME: BLACK & WHITE AND READ ALL OVER Start looking for your beautiful black, white or red dresses. Attire is any combination of black, white, or red cocktail attire. Proceeds from the 2015 Stellar Gala will go towards a muchneeded Media Center/Library for Swift School
Pajama Day Is Coming! If you donate an item to the Gala, your child may wear pajamas to school on a specific day. Don’t be left out! Turn your items in to Helen Gaillet at the school today! We need: Gift cards, sports memorabilia, professional services, tickets, experiences, home decor, and more!
Do You Have... • • • • •
A Beach House? A Mountain House? A Lake House? Season Tickets to Sporting Events? A membership to a golf club? If you do, please email hgaillet@swiftschool.com.
Get Ready to Bid on Some Awesome Auction Items! • 7-Night Stay in the Caribbean • Four- night, five-day stay in Cancun • 1 Week Stay on Sanibel Island • Disney World Park Hopper Passes • Three-night stay in Atlantis Resort Spa in Reno, NV • A two-night Bed & Breakfast stay at the Grove Park Inn • Tiffany Sunglasses • Andretti Indoor Karting Package for two • Teacher outings • Restaurant Gift Cards • And many more!
Sponsorships: Would you or your company be interested in sponsoring the Gala? Do you have friends or neighbors who would like to promote their business through a sponsorship? Join the Committee: The Gala Committee still needs help! We would love to see you at our next meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the Peachtree Diner. All are welcome! Email Helen Gaillet at hgaillet@swiftschool.com for more information, questions, and sponsorship/donation
forms.
FINE ARTS n
Winter Concert
The 4th and 5th grade chorus opens the show.
(L-R) Jonathan Renno and Cole Upchurch perform in “Letters to Hans.”
The chorus members celebrate a great performance with a bow.
(L-R) Jack Gruskin, Conrad Brown, and Luke Evens narrate the show.
Santa pays a visit to close the show.
Jacob Wright stars in “Letters to Hans.”
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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nATHLETICS 1. Taylor Pace and Maddi Ariail defend the goal. 2. Avery Hodson holds on to the ball despite his opponents’ best efforts. 3. Will Butler, Antonio Hundley, and Avery Hodson stand at attention. 4. Emma Markland dribbles the ball down the court to her team’s basket.
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As we approach the end of the Regular Basketball Season, our attention turns to APAC Basketball Champions Tournament. All three Basketball Teams (Girls, Varsity Boys & Junior Varsity Boys) will compete. Swift School will host the Girls Championship Tournament at Waller Park Recreation Center, 250 Oak Street, Roswell 30075 on Monday, Februray 2, and Wednesday, February 4, 2015. Cumberland Academy will host the Boys Championship Tournament at Cumberland Academy of Georgia, 650 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, 30328 on Tuesday, February 3, and Thursday, February 5, 2015.
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WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
SWIFT SCENEn Swift School will be participating in the Ready, Set, Recycle program hosted by Keep Roswell Beautiful from Jan. 6 - April 15, 2015. Public and private elementary and Middle Schools will compete for a chance to win $250 to further enhance their recycling program. Swift School was the first to enter the competition and was therefore awarded an assembly with several Roswell Government Officials. (L-R) Will Riley Gibson, Antonio Hundley, Will Brown, and Katelyn Bradberry are recognized at the assembly as part of the recycling team.
Mrs. Litzky and Ms. Swain’s classes combined to create their own version of a telegraph with wood, screws, clothespins and noise makers. (L-R) Will Pignetti and Cooper Johnson show off their finished product.
CHALLENGE GIFT BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR ANNUAL FUND A Swift family has offered a challenge gift of $6,000 to encourage new gifts and participation in the Annual Fund. Effective January 14, any NEW gifts to the Annual Fund of $100 (or more) will be matched with a $100 contribution from the challenge grant. To obtain the full amount of the challenge gift, 60 new gifts of $100 are sought from parents. The intent of the challenge contribution is to spur current parents to reach 100% participation. A surge of gifts in late December resulted in $155,822 in gifts and 62% participation among current families. The financial target is $180,000 so $24,000 remains to be raised to meet the goal. This anonymous challenge gift is greatly appreciated by Swift School.
WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM
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The popularity of the education tax credit for Georgians was so high that the entire $58 million allocated for 2015 was claimed in 12 hours on New Year’s Day! Swift School is very grateful to the following members of our community who applied early and redirected a portion of their State of Georgia income taxes to scholarships for deserving Swift students who are enrolling from public schools and would greatly benefit from a Swift education. We appreciate: Elizabeth & Kevin Brown
Jennifer & Mitchell Isaacs
Laura Ries & Scott Brown
Jessica & Dorian Jimenez
Karen & King Buttermore
Regan & Jeff Kudlata
Tamsen & Clark Christensen
Barbara & Jack Lipasek
Danna & David Clary
Julia & Jared McClure
Heather & Henry Clevenger
Katherine & James McCormick
Kathryn & John Cline
Ellen & Kenneth Medved
Jennifer& Dr. Paul Cohen
Andrea Moore
Julie & Matt Coppedge
Kelly & Dr. Richard Phillips
Kimberly & Richard Dierker
Elizabeth Rohan & Stephen Shanahan
Brittany & Owen Dieterle
Susan & Steve Slifer
Tracy Evens
Kathryn & Scott Solomon
Ellyn & Paul Foltz
Jennifer Stone
Nancy Averbach & David Friedman
Ceylynda & J. Tadlock
Elizabeth Fusco
Laurie Green & John Thielman
Sharon Gaffney
Jodi & Todd Turnquist
Erinn & Brad Goldman
Amy & Richard Van Haveren
Susanne & Robert Gray
Helen & Lewis Walker
Deborah Haertel
Susan & Peter Williams
John Hanson
Laura & Stephen Willson
Mary Jo Harrell
James Zimmerman
Kari & Zach Hines