Courier
September/October 2012
www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
Cover Photo: Mrs. Salapka’s third grade class watches as construction begins on the new modular building.
In this
Issue
3
Construction, construction... What’s your function? Updates on carpool and campus improvements.
4
Celebrating Success and Watching Swift Grow Swift prepares for a yearlong celebration of its 15th anniversary.
6
New Kids On the Block Swift welcomes 85 new students and their families at the Ice Cream Social.
BE THERE OR BE
SQUARE
Dyslexia Dash | October 20 | Riverside Park Dash with us to support dyslexia awareness and to celebrate our community as Team Swift. • 5K run/walk on Saturday, October 20th at 8 am at Riverside Park in Roswell. • Organized by the Georgia chapter of the International Dyslexia Association. • Last year was a huge success for Team Swift with more than 200 Swift students, family and friends participating in team shirts. We want to repeat that in 2012. • Order your 2012 Team Swift shirts for participants by September 14. Shirts can be worn on spirit wear days at school and are $12 each. Seeing the sea of Swift shirts at the race is the goal. • Register online for the Dash via Active network by October 1st. Cost is $25 if you register before October 1st. Save $5 if you are an IDA member. After Oct 1 cost is $30. • The class that registers the most runners (tabulated by t-shirt orders) wins an ice cream party!!
Courier September
September/October 2012
Volume 3 Issue 1 www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
nFeatures
21
Parent Coffees(1st - 2nd grades)
24
Parent Coffees (3rd grade)
Construction, construction ... What’s Your Function? ....... 3
Butter Braid Orders Due
25
Parent Coffees (4th grade)
A status update on campus improvements.
27
Parent Coffees (5th grade)
School Photos
Celebrating Success and Watching Swift Grow ............... 4
28
Parent Coffees (Middle Division)
A look back at Swift’s history and a glimpse into the future.
Spirit Wear Day
New Kids on the Block ............................... 6
October
Swift welcomed new students and families with its
6
Parent & Faculty Mingle
12
First Academic Quarter Concludes
15
Professional Day (No classes)
20
Dyslexia Dash
24
Lower School Parent Conferences
(No classes grades 1-5)
New and returning students learn who their teachers are
26
Middle Division Parent Conferences
(No classes grades 6-8)
for the 2012-2013 academic year and check out their new
Spirit Wear Day
30
Family & Parent Series/7:00 p.m.
(Parents of students grades 5th-8th)
annual Ice Cream Social.
Swift Meet and Greet ....................... 8
classrooms at Swift’s Meet and Greet.
31 Swift-O-Ween November 5
GISA Professional Conference
(No classes)
19–23
Thanksgiving Recess (No classes)
26
Classes Resume
6
Follow Swift School on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates and information regarding school activities.
8
nIn Every Issue Head’s Column ......................................................................................................... 2 Famous Faces of Dyslexia ..................................................................................... 10 News You Can Use ................................................................................................. 11 Swift Scene .............................................................................................................. 12
www.facebook.com/theswiftschool
Coming Up .............................................................................................................. 13
@SwiftSchool_GA
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2012
1
nHead’s Message
SWIFT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Richard Wendlek
Executive Committee
The rhythms of the past academic year
experience at Swift School work so
are playing themselves out in this issue of
successfully in the delivery of our mission
the Courier. The new academic year is a
provides a stake in the ground around which
time of eager anticipation marked by the
sustainability is programmed.
commencement of classes and the actual beginning of a new educational experience
Many of you experienced a sense of Swift’s
for students, families, and the faculty.
core values when you have entered the
Traditional events in Swift’s calendar have
School. It is the thing you describe as ‘feeling
served to ease new students and families into
right’. The reason for that sense relates to
the School’s culture while veteran families
an alignment between your own values
arrived at the Meet and Greet event full of
– defining ideals and standards - and the
the same anticipation. Indeed, we have
School’s. Core values define priorities by
much to be thankful for – the spirit of youth,
articulating the ideals and beliefs that this
the wisdom of experience, and the drive to
organization stands for. They establish our
solve challenges as a community.
identity and lead to the behaviors that form group norms. Swift’s core values are the
The basis for success is derived from shared
cornerstones of our efforts and knit together
values. Over the summer the opportunity
a community of soul mates.
presented itself for the executive staff to
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 Gregory Hill Laura Ries Paul Schur
examine Swift’s values, and to identify those
During this year many exciting strategic
that are core to our collective beliefs as
initiatives will come to life. Among these a
an institution; those values that motivate
new building will be added to the campus,
decisions and guide Swift in aligning
and a campaign aimed at paving the way
practices to answer the most basic questions
for the School’s future will be launched.
about the School’s existence: What do we
As the heart of the school, the faculty will
stand for? Why do we exist?
participate in professional development
Gail Swift, Emerita Richard Wendlek, Ex officio
Administration
workshops and courses that keep them on
Richard J. Wendlek, Head of School
This conversation was extended to include
the cutting edge of best teaching practices.
Dr. Andrea Salapka, Associate Head
the entire faculty at the recent Retreat. It
Students will be provided many opportunities
resulted in the identification of the following
that allow them to learn more about their
core values as they relate to all that is done
own interests and talents.
on behalf of Swift students and families. They
I look forward to sharing the many wonderful
are:
aspects of Swift School with you and the community all year long!
Karen Buttermore, Director of Development Paul Foltz, Business Manager
Parent Association President Margot Vetrovsky
• Community – a sense of place and purpose; value in belonging • Collaboration – to labor together; to work jointly • Safety – an environment free of threats; one that appreciates differences • Belief in individual potential – changing
Rich Wendlek Head of School
lives for the better; self-advocacy These values allow for the promise of benefit that aligns beliefs and deeds. Indeed,
Swift School 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075 678.205.4988
knowing what makes the educational
2 September/October 2012
www.swiftschool.com
Construction, construction ...
What ’ s your
FunCtion? l
ast spring the process of seeking
20-25 minutes for the school to
Carpool Update
complete.
Lower School
began. The permits required to
Students of parents who arrive early
Morning Drop off:
commence construction were
will be dismissed first. The normal
Student drop off should occur
received in late August.
Lower School academic day is from
between 8-8:15 a.m. Please do not line
8:30 a.m.- 2:55 p.m.
up on the campus before 7:55 a.m.
campus will undergo preparation
During the construction period the
Forming a carpool line before that
for the new facility. By early
instructional day remains at 6.5 hours,
time interferes with the Middle Division
November, the Swift Community will
without diminishing the academic
drop off procedure and makes for a
see a new building rise on campus,
day. When the normal schedule
potentially unsafe situation. Students
as construction is completed and
is resumed, the academic day
begin their day in the classrooms at
school history is made. The students
exceeds 6.5 hours This practice
8:15 a.m.
and faculty share excitement about
remains the same as in prior years.
building and site permits from the City of Roswell for the new building
Over the next few weeks, the
what is to come in the next few months.
Afternoon Carpool: In order to keep Swift’s carpool
Please do not arrive for afternoon
functioning as smoothly as possible
carpool before 2:30 p.m. Students
During construction it will be
please review the following updates
will be called to carpool beginning
necessary to close the west parking
for Lower School dismissals and
at 2:40 p.m. Traffic coordinators are
lot on certain days. Through the
pick-ups. Thank you again for your
attempting to move the carpool line
conclusion of construction, dismissal
patience and cooperation during
as safely and efficiently as possible.
of Lower School students begins
this time. Because of this expansion,
Swift must avoid traffic backing up on
at 2:40 p.m. In prior years dismissal
Swift will be able to better serve your
Grimes Bridge Road. Your assistance
began at 2:50 p.m. The dismissal
child.
will greatly help us.
process typically takes between
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2012
3
Celebrating Success and
Watching Swift Grow Celebrating School history and paving the way the way for the future
Success is a difficult term to define.
need. Success to Swift occurs when
To a writer, success could mean
a student learns to read; success to
being published in a magazine. To a
Swift occurs when a child becomes
businessman, success may be defined
more confident in his/her own ability,
as a quarterly profit. To an athlete,
no matter the subject; success
success may be winning an Olympic
to Swift occurs when a student
medal. But how do teachers, students,
looks forward to attending school.
administrators or parents define
Ultimately, success to Swift is meeting
success when school is the subject?
students’ educational and helping
That’s easy—at least for Swift.
students realize that their potential is
Fifteen years ago, in 1998, when Gail Swift opened the doors to the
limitless. This year not only marks 15
first five students she had no idea
succesful years of educating students
that hundreds of families would be
with dyslexia and language based
impacted in the future. Those five
learning differences, but aslo opens
students expanded to nine, then to
another exciting chapter in the
18 and and at an enrollment of 84
story of Swift. The addition of a
requireda move to the current five-
new modular building to the current
acre campus. Today Swift is home to
campus provides more classroom and
212 students and still growing.
dedicated space for music, art and
Although enrollment continues to increase, numbers are not the
indoor physical education. Swift looks forward to celebrating
way Swift defines
with families, friends, faculty and
success. Swift
staff year-round. Save the date for
strives to provide
Swift’s official anniversary celebration
a specialized
that will take place on March 22 in
education fitted
conjuction with Swift’s annual Stellar
to each student’s
Gala.
Page 4 September/October 2012
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s
P
of
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C
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Skip the coffee line at your local coffee shop and join Swift at its Annual Parent Coffees on the deck! Grades 1-2 September 21, 2012 8:30 a.m. Grade 3 September 24, 2012 8:30 a.m. Grade 4 September 26, 2012 8:30 a.m. Grade 5 September 27, 2012 8:30 a.m. Grades 6-8 September 28, 2012 8:30 a.m. • Celebrate the start of a new academic year • Get to know your child’s teacher • Meet other parents within your child’s grade-level 5
NEW KIDS ON THE
BLOCK
They’ve got the Right Stuff
Sister Act Fifth grade student Madeline (right) and her sister try two different flavors of ice cream offered.
With another record-breaking enrollment, Swift is excited to welcome more than 80 new families into the Swift community. Prior to the commencement of classes, Swift hosted its two annual events, the New Student Orientation and the Ice Cream Social to help students and parents acclimate to their new school home. The Ice Cream Social was held on August 7 and more than 150 people attended. The event provided a time for new parents to connect while students enjoyed eating ice cream, listening to music, blowing bubbles and creating sidewalk chalk art.
1
2
6 September/October 2012
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www.swiftschool.com
Ice, Ice (Cream) Baby Third grade student Carlye enjoys a Sponge Bob Square Pants ice cream treat before heading to play.
1. Family Matters: Ice cream is the perfect way for Courtney and her family to kick off the fourth grade. 2. Different Strokes: Third grade student Katherine and her brother each try a different flavor of ice cream. 3. Two’s Company, Three’s a Party: Bren, Sierra and Elyse take a break from playing on the field to pose for a picture. 4. Gold Medal Art: Middle Division student Sarah uses sidewalk chalk to show her enthusiasm for the Olympic Games.
4
5
5. Three of Kind: What do ice cream and Swift have in common? Smiles, just ask the Ward family.
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2012
7
Reunited and It Feels So Good Returning students Octavia, Izzy and Livvy are ready to take second grade by storm.
HELLO
my nam e On August 17 new and returning students arrived at Swift to meet their teachers for the 2012-2013 academic year. During the meet and greet, families previewed afterschool activities being offered for the year and learned about ways to volunteer with Swift. Parents and students also were free to check out the campus improvements Swift made over the summer recess including 4 new classrooms. The Meet and Greet is a highly anticipated event for all students. For some, it is a chance to be reunited with former classmates. For others, it’s their first glimpse of what the Swift Community will offer—a safe, caring and understanding learning environment.
Swift Schoo
8 September/October 2012
is
l Meet & Gr
eet
Ready to learn, twins Jack and Will feel at home in their new 1st grade classroom.
www.swiftschool.com
Picture Perfect After enjoying a fun experience during Swift Summer Explorations, third grade student, Lauren and her mother visit her new classroom and teacher Mrs. Swain. Hey I Just Met You, And This Is Crazy (Below) Fifth grader Maggie meets her energetic and always exciting teacher Mrs. Litzky. Call us crazy, but Swift believes this is going to be a fun year in fifth grade. Your Move (Below) Fifth grade student and chess club member Conrad quickly finds the chess master at the Meet and Greet.
8
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2012
9
nFamous Faces of Dyslexia The four dead-end kids One was spanked by his teachers
brokerage business. Chambers is
problem with no name. Boies,
for bad grades and a poor attitude.
CEO of Cisco. Boies is a celebrated
Schwab, and Bill Samuels Jr., the
He dropped out of school at 16.
trial attorney, best known as the guy
president of Maker’s Mark, did
Another failed remedial English and
who beat Microsoft.
not realize they were dyslexic until
came perilously close to flunking out
In one of the stranger bits
some of their own children were
of college. The third feared he’d
of business trivia, they have
diagnosed with the disorder, which
never make it through school--and
something in common: They are
is often inherited. Samuels says
might not have without a tutor. The
all dyslexic. These adults were
he was sitting in a school office,
last finally learned to read in third
very challenged as students. All
listening to a description of his son’s
grade, devouring Marvel comics,
have been extremely successful in
problems, when it dawned on him:
whose pictures provided clues to
business. Most have now begun to
“Oh, that’s me.” Most of the adults
help him untangle the words.
talk about their dyslexia as a way
diagnosed themselves.
to help children and parents cope
Until about five years ago
respectively, Richard Branson,
with a condition that is still widely
Chambers kept his dyslexia a secret.
Charles Schwab, John Chambers,
misunderstood. “This is very painful
As CEO, he says, “you don’t want
and David Boies. Billionaire Branson
to talk about, even today,” says
people to see your weaknesses.”
developed one of Britain’s top
Chambers. “The only reason I am
brands with Virgin Records and
talking about it is 100% for the kids
Virgin Atlantic Airways. Schwab
and their parents.”
These four losers are,
virtually created the discount
A generation ago this was a
One day a little girl at Cisco’s Bring Your Children to Work Day forced Continued on page 12
nSwift and 15 Recipients Are Grateful to GOAL Contributors Fifteen Swift students are receiving partial tuition scholarships due to the generosity of 26 families in the Swift community who directed a portion of their Georgia income taxes to Swift through the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program. Students who are enrolled in a public school or eligible to enter pre-K, kindergarten or first grade, may apply for these scholarships if their parents believe they would benefit from a private school education. As predicted, the $51.5 million allocated in 2012 for Education Expense Tax Credits was claimed entirely in late August. Swift appreciates the following families who contributed a total of $56,250 to the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program in 2012: Laura Ries & Scott Brown
Suzanne & Bob Gray*
Kelly & Paul Schur
Karen & King Buttermore
Deborah Haertel
Susan & Stephen Slifer
Peggy & Patrick Carroll
Tena & Mike Hargrove
Deborah & Kevin Smith
Jennifer & Dr. Paul Cohen
Nancy & Mark Herbert
Laura Green & John Thielman*
Gail & Tom Flanigan
Renee & Christopher Kopkowski
Becky & Ken Weatherford
Ellyn & Paul Foltz
Regan & Jeff Kudlata
Susan & Peter Williams*
Nancy & David Friedman
Martha & Doug Martin
Janine & Jared Wiskind
Patricia Hubbard & Jonathan Glidden
Ellen & Kenneth Medved
Sara & Christopher Wynne
Caroline Goldstein
Kelly & Richard Phillips*
*Denotes Alumni Parents
10 September/October 2012
www.swiftschool.com
News You Can Usen Butter Braid Fund-raiser Butter Braids are delicious pastries that can be served as an entrée or dessert and are the perfect holiday gift. Swift School is striving for 100 percent student participation. The goal this year is to sell 3,000 Butter Braids. Start talking to friends, family and neighbors and let them know the delicious pastries are
Annual Fund Chairs Announced; New Giving Club Established Sara and Chris Wynne, parents of 4th grader Michelle, will serve as Chairs of The Annual Fund for Swift 201213. They will be assisted by Martha and Kerry Dodd,
back! Please contact the school if you did not receive more
parents of 6th grader Jenna. The Wynnes and the Dodds
detailed information.
kicked off the Annual Fund by speaking at each Parent
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Hogan. For more product information visit www.butterbraid.com. Visit the Swift School Website to download additional order forms. Submit one check for entire order payable to Swift. The deadline to order is September 24.
Night and then following up with a personal letter and a brochure. As part of the school’s 15th anniversary celebration, a new Giving Club has been established. The 1998 Society recognizes those who give $1,500 and above to the Annual Fund. The inaugural recognition party for those in this new giving club takes place in April 2013.
7th grade Parent Meeting Swift invites the parents of all students enrolled in the seventh
The society’s name is derived from the year the school was founded. All giving levels are described in the Annual Fund brochure.
grade to attend an eighth grade informational meeting on October 11 at 7:00 p.m. During the evening, parents will
Parents are encouraged
hear from Middle Division faculty and Swift administrators
to seek a matching gift
regarding the curriculum and opportunities offered during a
from their company. The
student’s eighth grade year at Swift.
matching gift combines with
LIFE-CHA
NGING
the parents’ personal gift to determine which giving
Grandparent Days Rescheduled Due to construction on campus, the dates of Grandparent/ Special Friend Days have been moved to spring 2013. Instead of Oct. 17, 18 & 19, the much-anticipated visits by these special guests are now scheduled as follows.
club they are members of. United Way gifts may also be directed to Swift
POTENTIA
L
School since Swift is a 501(c)(3) institution. All gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible. TRANSFOR
Wednesday, May 1 is 1st - 3rd grades
MING
Thursday, May 2 is 4th & 5th grades Friday, May 3 is 6th - 8th grade
Additional Annual Fund brochures can be
Grandparents and special guests are welcome to attend the Spring Concert on Thursday, May 2. We wanted to notify families now, particularly if airline reservations are a factor. We look forward to hosting these special guests during the
downloaded from www.swiftschool.com
The Annu
al Fund
for Swif
t 2012-2
Celebra
under the “Support Us” tab.
300 Grim es Bridge Road Roswell, GA 300 75
South’s beautiful springtime. www.swiftschool.com September/October 2012
013
ting 15 year s of Succ ess
11
nSwift Scene
Notes from the Middle Division Director - Patty Nathan The Start of Something Great Since the commencement of classes, the Middle Division has been moving full steam ahead. Teachers and returning students were eager to start the year and welcome new students (pictured right) to the Middle Division family. Students have already resumed responsibility for last year’s recycling initiative and will soon announce new projects for this year. On September 13 the Middle Division left for its annual overnight retreat. The retreat took place at the Georgia 4-H Environmental Education Center in Hampton. The retreat is part of Swift’s Middle Division character formation curriculum. During the retreat students • nominated representatives for student council; • participated in a night sensory awareness activity; • learned outdoor survival techniques and • enjoyed a hands on herpetology lesson.
The four dead-end kids continued from page 10
Technology tidbits Swift used the speed of its
him out of the closet. Chambers had called on her, and
new domain server, along
she was trying to ask a question before a crowd of 500
with imaging software,
kids and parents. But she couldn’t get the words out. “I
to load all applications
have a learning disability,” she said tearfully. Chambers
and configurations from
cannot tell this story without choking up himself.
a master image to new
“You could immediately identify with what that was
laptops for students. This use
like,” he says. “You know that pain. She started to leave,
of the new server enabled
and you knew how hurt she was in front of the group and
Swift to be more efficient with supplying students the
her parents.” Chambers threw her a lifeline. “I have a
programs they need on their computing devices.
learning disability too,” he said. In front of the crowd, he
The Middle Division’s newly implemented Dell Netbooks
began talking to her as if they were the only two people
(pictured above), is the latest addition to the Digital
in the room. “You’ve just got to learn your way through
Learning Environment. Swift’s IT manager loaded all files
it,” Chambers told her. “Because there are some things
simultaneously with very little user intervention.
you can do that others cannot. Reporter associates: Lisa Munoz and Patricia Neering http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_ id=207665
More than 80 devices including laptops for 5th grade students and staff were deployed in this most efficient manner this summer moving Swift into a new era of technology advances.
12 September/October 2012
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coming upn
Mark your calendars with these important dates Coffees n Parent September 21, 24-25, 27-28, 8:30 a.m.
& Faculty Mingle n Parent October 6, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the start of a new academic year and meet
Mix and mingle with other members of the Swift
other parents within your child’s grade-level during
Community in a strictly social “no agenda” setting.
Swift’s Parent Coffees on the deck. • September 21 - Parents of students in grades 1st-2nd • September 24 - Parents of students in 3rd grade • September 25 - Parents of students in 4th grade • September 27 - Parents of students in 5th grade • September 28 - Parents of students in grades 6 -8 th
On Saturday, Oct. 20, the Swift School community will be th
Day n Picture September 27 Picture day will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27. Students should come prepared to be photographed in their everyday uniform.
Team Swift for the 2012 Dyslexia Dash n Join October 20, 8:00 a.m. supporting the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) Dyslexia Dash. The 5k race/walk will be held at Riverside Park. Families can register by online at dyslexiadash. com/georgia. Save $5 by registering before October 1.
Celebrating 15 years of Success
300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075
The Doorway to Success
Discover how our
Comprehensive Educational Experience for students in grades 1-8 provides tools and strategies for success.
Admission Open House Sunday, October 21 1:00 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.