courier
In this
Issue
3
Now Playing Swift Students Enjoy New Playground
6
Arriving in Style Swift’s Inaugural Soccer Team Goes Mobile
Volume 2 Issue 2 September/October 2011 www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
8
Family Matters Photo recap of the Ice Cream Social and more!
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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 19, 2011 8:40 a.m. GRADE 3 SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 8:40 a.m. GRADE 4 SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 8:40 a.m. GRADES 5-7 SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 8:40 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 RSVP to swiftinfo@swiftschool.com by Monday, September 12, 2011.
courier SEPTEMBER
Sept. 15-16
Middle Division Retreat
Sept. 19-21, 23
Parent Coffees 8:40 a.m.
Sept. 22
School Pictures
Sept. 27
Parent & Families Series “Journey Into Dyslexia”/7:00 p.m.
Sept. 28
Day of Manners/Dress Uniform SPA Meeting/8:30 a.m.
October
Oct. 3-7
OG Fellow on Campus
Oct. 5
Volume 2 Issue 2 September/October 2011 www.swiftschool.com info@swiftschool.com
nFeatures Now Playing ............................... 3 Students are already working hard; now they can play hard too on the new Swift playground.
Head of the Class ................................. 4 After a busy summer of preparing the Terrace Level for the incoming students, Swift is proud to introduce the Middle Division.
Butter Braid Kick Off
Oct. 10-14
Book Fair
Oct. 12-14
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Days
Oct. 18-20
ITBS Testing grades 4-7
Oct. 21
First Academic Quarter Concludes
Oct. 22
Dyslexia Dash
Oct. 24
Professional Day/No Classes
Oct. 25
Butter Braid Orders Due Parent & Families Series/7:00 p.m.
Oct. 26
Day of Manners/Dress Uniform SPA Meeting/8:30 a.m.
Oct. 30
Admission Open House Event
Oct. 31
NOVEMBER
Swift-o-Ween
Nov. 6-8
Accreditation Visit
Nov. 7-11
OG Fellow on Campus
Nov. 9-10
Donuts With Dad (First - Fifth Grade)
6 Arriving in Style ..................................... 6 With the addition of an athletics program and a need for field trip transportation, Swift goes mobile with a new 15 passenger bus.
Family Matters ..................................... 8 Swift hosted two events prior to the start of the academic year to welcome students and families into the Swift Community.
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nIn Every Issue Head’s Column ............................................................................................. 2 Famous Faces of Dyslexia .......................................................................... 10 News You Can Use ...................................................................................... 11 Swift Scene .................................................................................................. 12 Coming Up .................................................................................................. 13
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2011 Page 1
nHead’s Column
SWIFT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
R i cha r d W e n d l e k
Executive Committee Dr. Richard Phillips, Chair
Independent schools have a long
Robert W. Gray, Vice-Chair
tradition in the United States. In the colonial period, the first schools were
Peter Williams, Treasurer
private – most funded by generous
Laura Green, Secretary
donors and tuition-paying parents. Their doors were open to teach religion and Latin, while others followed for
Trustees
the purpose of providing education in the classics, sciences, philosophy,
Dr. Paul Cohen
and English. Since the earliest days,
Thomas J. Flanigan
independent schools were - and
Gregory Hill
continue to be - governed by boards of
Jeffrey Kudlata
trustees.
Douglas Martin
Private independent schools are vastly
Laura Ries
different from their counterparts in public education. The first major difference is that private independent schools develop and implement educational programs according to a distinct mission. Secondly, they are governed privately as non-profits and receive no public tax support.
The Middle Division is home to 31 students in the 6th and 7th grade.
mission, and to admit students best suited
specialize in providing an educational experience that is based on a mission. Today there are approximately 27,000 private schools in the nation that represent 25 percent of all schools. Of these, relatively few – about 2000 – are private independent schools like Swift School, representing only about 1.5% of America’s students. Independent schools rely upon tuition and charitable gifts for financial support without access to Federal or state funds. Philosophically, independent schools believe in the individuality of the
The mission of Swift School is: … to prepare language-based learning differences to be successful in life… The mission statement bespeaks our purpose and serves as our ‘stake in the ground’ thereby defining what we are about.
Richard Wendlek, Ex officio
Administration Richard J. Wendlek, Head of School Dr. Andrea Salapka, Associate Head Angela Kidder, Assistant to the Associate Head Morgan Sapp, Advancement Associate Karen Buttermore, Director of Development Paul Foltz, Business Manager
As the 2011-2012 academic year is launched, we warmly welcome our community ‘back to school.’ It is safe to say the year will be full of challenge, hope, and highly positive growth. This new year marks the launch of Swift School’s Middle Division, a highly positive step toward Swift’s future.
Ellen Ascher, Business Associate Kelly Phillips, Reception Manager Joe Ramaglia, Information Technology/Operations Linda Rapozo, Business Associate
Parent Association President Heidi McFarland Swift School 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075 678.205.4988
institution; it is a school’s choice to define its mission, to teach according to the mission, to hire a faculty that supports the
Gail Swift, Emerita
to meet success.
children with dyslexia and related
Private independent schools typically
Paul Schur
Rich Wendlek, Head of School
Page 2 September/October 2011
www.swiftschool.com
Primary and Intermediate
Now Playing
students enjoy the new Swift playground daily. The playground was funded through the efforts of the 2011 Stellar Gala Committee.
Fresh air, sunshine and lots of fun awaited the students of the Lower Division on the first day of school in the form of a brand new playground. During the summer, the playground was installed adjacent to the school pavilion. A natural stair step path leads to the new facility that includes a climbing tower with twin sliding boards for friendly races, dual spinner platforms that challenge gravity and an awesome triple wave board that serves as a futuristic seesaw for up to twelve students at a time. All of this activity is safely supported by a twelve inch bed of soft, cushy cypress mulch. The limits of the new playground are only bounded by the imagination of the young participants. The positive responses of the first students on the playground were clearly stated when it was time to return to class by the unanimous reply of, “Do we have to go in? We want to play some more!� That says it all.
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2011 Page 3
Head of the Class Students have taken over the terrace level of Swift. The Middle Division is a technology-rich environment that includes a fully lab-based science sequence. From lockers to academics to athletics, Swift sixth and seventh graders are adapting smoothly to life as middle-schoolers.
W
hile construction was by and large complete
sense of anticipation than Swift even imagined. Class
last spring, the summer meant a steady stream
schedules, lockers, and the whole ‘middle school’ scene
of furniture deliveries and technological infrastructure
caused some plain old nervousness for all! Many did not
that was put into place for Swift’s new Middle Division.
sleep well anticipating the moment of drop off and the
The digital learning environment and the new digital
beginning of a new school experience.
science curriculum are now in place for the students’
Swift is pleased to say that the students’ reaction to
learning and enjoyment. Everything about the Middle
their new school environment, following the first week
Division seems to have a newness - shiny floors and all!
of classes, seems well accepted. The Middle Division is
On the human side of things, the students arrived
currently gearing up for Swift’s inaugural soccer season.
for classes on the morning of August 22, with a greater
Page 4 September/October 2011
www.swiftschool.com
“the Swift Middle Division includes an intimate experience where studentteacher relationships are close and meaningful, and each student’s relationship to the School is a key element of the overall experience.” - Rich Wendlek
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2011 Page 5
A brand new Chevy 15-passenger minibus
Arriving In Style
pulled onto the grounds just before the school year began. The wonderful aspect was that it proudly proclaimed Swift School from every angle and immediately established permanent residence on the Swift campus. As the new Middle Division grows and moves forward with athletic teams and competitive matches with other schools - the necessity of an activity bus was clear.
Page 6 September/October 2011
www.swiftschool.com
2011 Swift Soccer Roster Molly Brown Alex Creed Amanda Doran Brian Gormley Owen Hodson Erek Karadeniz Ethan Kittle Hannah Lewey Trevor Masse Ronin Molina-Salas Cullen Moore Faith Owens Robert Reeves Brandon Reid Graham Wanamaker
Swift’s inaugural soccer season kicked off on Friday,
The bus features the latest safety features and security.
Sept. 9 against McGinnis Woods School at Waller Park
It holds one driver and 14 students in seat belt required
in Roswell.
bus seating. The interior has a sound absorbing roof panel that also aids with heating and cooling comfort.
The 2011 soccer season will consist of 8 games. During
It is fully heated and air conditioned with tinted
the Middle Division retreat, students will have the
windows and features an extremely stable dual rear
opportunity to brainstorm ideas for a team mascot.
wheel configuration. Athletic Director Coach Mel Smith, with a wide smile, happily accepted the keys to
In addition, the bus is just the right size for single
the bus and acknowledged the beginning of a new
classroom trips or excursions by all students in the
era in the growth of Swift School Athletics. GO SWIFT!!
school.
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2011 Page 7
Family Matters
More than 60 new families were welcomed into the Swift community for the 2011-2012 academic year. Prior to the commencement of classes, Swift hosted two events on campus to help students and parents acclimate to their new school home. During the New Student Orientation, kids participated in an art,music and P.E. class plus learned about the technology Swift uses in the classroom. The Ice Cream Social provided a time for all new families to meet and mingle while enjoying ice cream to cool off from the heat.
Page 8 September/October 2011
www.swiftschool.com
1
2
3
4 1. Don’t Burst My Bubble: Brandon Reid (middle) and friends had lots of fun blowing bubbles during the Ice Cream Social. 2. Family Ties: The Jackson-Schmeling family took a break from playing and enjoying ice cream to get a group photo. 3. Too Cool for School: Students Cullen Moore, Tommy Carroll and Corey Braun at the Swift Ice Cream Social. 4. Art from the Start: Will Pignetti and Blake Solomon created sand art during the New Student Orientation.
5
5. Coach and Company: Coach Mel Smith takes time with Lower Division students during orientation to teach them the basics of tennis.
www.swiftschool.com September/October 2011 Page 9
nFamous Faces of Dyslexia M uhamma d A l i
Three-time World Heavyweight Champion
school student, many of my teachers labeled me dumb. I
and Olympic gold medal winner.
could barely read my textbooks.”
Born: January 17, 1942
And yet this student, who graduated high school with a D- average, who failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying
Muhammad Ali is perhaps the most famous boxer of all time. After winning a gold medal for boxing in the 1960 Olympics, he went on to win 56 matches while losing only
exam because his language skills were so poor, went on to coin the American phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” and to build a reputation as the most poetic boxer of all time. He was later even invited to
five. His bout with Joe Frasier in 1971 was proclaimed “The Fight of the Century.” In 1999, Sport Illustrated named Ali “Sportsman of the Century” in recognition not just of his boxing ability but also of his showmanship and the longterm impact his career had on boxing. But Ali’s first fight was to learn to read. As a dyslexic teen, Ali struggled in high school. He remembers, “As a high
lecture on poetry and philosophy at Oxford University. This was made possible by his determination and unbeatable positive attitude throughout his life. “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want. “ Article derived from http://www.famousdyslexicpeople.
Page 10 September/October 2011
www.swiftschool.com
News You Can Usen Butter Braid Kick Off Oct. 5
Annual Fund Campaign Underway
The 2011 Butter Braid fundraiser will begin on October 5.
The Annual Fund for Swift 2011 kicked off September 6,
Samples of Butter Braids will be disseminated during that
and goals were announced at the three Parent Nights
morning’s carpool. Parents can also sample Butter Braids
that week. Campaign goals are $100,000 in gifts and
during the Parent Coffees on the deck. Each Butter Braid costs $12.00 and a variety of options are available to order. Swift School will receive $6.00 for each Butter Braid purchased. Butter Braid store very nicely, are easy to make and are a great holiday gift idea. More details will be sent home with students on October 5. For more information contact Debbie Hogan at debbiehogan165@comcast.net.
100% participation among current families, faculty and staff, and Swift Board of Trustees. Fifth-grade parents Regan and Jeff Kudlata are chairs of the Annual Fund, assisted by seventh-grade parents Barbara and Jim Brady. “Gifts in any amount count,” stated Jeff Kudlata. “We are striving for 100% participation because total support from enrolled families is a significant indicator to external grant makers.” Funds raised will be used for: Campus Improvements,
Donate Your Used Books to Swift Have extra books lying around that you don’t know what to do with? Swift has placed a bright green book drop bin at the entrance of the parking lot. All books placed in the donation container will be sold and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Swift library initiatives. All books that cannot be sold due to extreme wear and tear will be donated to charity or recycled.
Library/Media Center Resources to meet accreditation standards, Academic Enhancements, 60 Student Laptops for Phase II of the Digital Learning Environment, and Attraction and Retention of Valuable Faculty and Staff. At Swift, tuition covers 88% of the actual cost of educating a student. Swift relies on charitable gifts to fund the remaining 12%. Since the Annual Fund is the primary source of subsidizing the current operating budget, pledges are requested by Friday, November 18 and pledge fulfillment or gifts are due by December
Swift Partners with Publix The Publix Partners Make a Difference program is an
31, 2011. Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible because Swift is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution.
additional way educational institutions can receive funds
2010 Annual Fund Surpasses Goal
for non-budgeted items. Three percent of every eligible
Thanks to the generosity of the Swift community
purchase is donated to Swift School. Supporting Swift
during academic year 2010-11, last year’s Annual
through the Make a Difference program is easy and free for
Fund campaign met and slightly exceeded its goal of
parents, teachers and friends of Swift. There are two ways
$100,000. Gifts totaled $101,536. Board of Trustees and
to insure a purchase is credited to Swift School. Key-chain
faculty & staff achieved 100% participation, while current
cards may be picked up at the school’s front desk and
families reached 87% participation. “Swift is grateful
used at any participating Publix in Georgia, Alabama, South
to our supportive community which stepped up to
Carolina and Tennessee. Supporters can also download
provide, through the Annual Fund, enhancements
the CardStar® application for SmartPhones and have the
including the launch of a fine arts program, a new
added convenience of a digital card. The app can be
multipurpose deck, and completion of Phase 1 of
downloaded for free in the iTunes Store and Droid Market.
our Digital Learning Environment,” said Development
Before completing a purchase, the card or phone must be
Director Karen Buttermore.
scanned by the store cashier. www.swiftschool.com
September/October 2011
Page 11
nSwift Scene
Faculty and Classroom Highlights The faculty was very engaged during the days prior to school beginning. They exchanged their teaching hats for learning hats and spent a great deal of time enjoying the opportunity for professional growth and developing skills to make this school year the best one yet for your children. June brought two weeks of Orton-Gillingham instruction. Newly hired faculty members spent instructional time with Swift’s Orton-Gillingham fellow developing their skills in the art of bringing language alive for your children. It was a noisy time in the building as teachers enjoyed the opportunity to learn from one another and to display their skills as they taught lessons to their peer group. Rich Wendlek
Professional week at Swift.
and Dr. Andrea Salapka witnessed great music lessons, a physical education lesson and many language lessons demonstrating the Orton-Gillingham approach. In August, an expert from Performance Learning Systems arrived from Florida to deliver a three-day workshop on differentiating instruction strategies. The instructor for this course offered many great ideas and suggestions that bring the skills and strategies of Swift instruction to life. Participants discussed important classroom methods delivering curriculum to students in ways which best match learning styles. Teachers evaluated their own learning styles as a way of acknowledging all the different learning styles that
Courtenay Lynch from LeadStar
students bring to school. The workshop strongly reinforced Swift’s commitment to professional development on behalf of our students. Finally the professional week was brought to a close at the faculty retreat where teachers and staff were enthralled by our presenter, Courtenay Lynch. She presented a lively workshop on Developing Leadership Skills in ourselves and those around us. Ms. Lynch is a best selling author, a marine officer and an attorney. She is currently running for the United States Senate in Virginia. Swift was delighted to share our day with her as she provided insights into the attributes of leadership.
Courtenay Lynch and Coach Smith
Page 1 September/October 12 September/October 2011 2011
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coming upn
Mark your calendars with these important dates Coffees n Parent September 19-21, 23, 8:40 a.m.
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day n October 12-14, 9:00 a.m.
Celebrate the start of a new academic year and meet
Swift’s annual Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day
other parents within your child’s grade-level during
is quickly approaching. Please make sure your child’s
Swift’s Parent Coffees on the deck.
grandparent or special friend’s address is given to Karen
• September 19 - Parents of students in grades 1st-2nd • September 20 - Parents of students in 3rd grade • September 21 - Parents of students in 4th grade • September 23 - Parents of students in grades 5 - 7 th
th
Day n Picture September 22
Buttermore in the Development Office.
Team Swift for the 2011 Dyslexia Dash n Join October 22, 2011, 8:00 a.m. The International Dyslexia Association’s 5k event, Dyslexia Dash is back! The event will be held on Saturday, Oct.22 at Riverside Park in Roswell. Families
Picture day will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22. Students
can register online at www.active.com. Swift School is
should come prepared to be photographed in their
ordering “Team Swift” T-shirts for parents, friends and
everyday uniform. If you have ordered an individual
students of Swift who participate in the Dyslexia Dash.
package, your child has the choice to wear personal
Shirts are $10 and are approved as spirit wear. The
clothes for those additional photos. All students will be
deadline to order a “Team Swift” T-shirt is Wednesday,
photographed in their dress uniform for the yearbook.
Sept. 14. Click here (Note: You must be logged in) to download the “Swift Team” T-shirt order form.
Your Taxes, Your Choice. Redirect a Portion of Your Georgia Income Taxes to Provide Financial Assistance to Deserving Swift School Students. Claim a 100% state tax credit and a charitable deduction on Federal taxes on the amount you redirect!
For information, contact Karen Buttermore at kbuttermore@swiftschool.com
300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30075 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Admission Open House Invite your friends and neighbors to learn about the educational experience provided at Swift School.
Open House Dates
Sunday, October 30, 1 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 22, 1- 3:00 p.m. For more information please contact Dr. Andrea Salapka at 678.205.4988.