Swift School Courier (January 2013)

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


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.


DO yOu Hear WHat i Hear


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


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


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


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


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


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



nswIFt scene

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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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.

Documents

Swift School Courier (January 2013)