Swallow Union Update
Week of May 1st, 2023
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8th - 12th) and we certainly know the rock stars we have at Swallow Union! Our students are thriving academically, socially and emotionally thanks to our exceptional teachers. Every morning to start our day as a faculty, I send out a Daily Bulletin and within this daily newsletter I have a “shout out” section - THIS is where I need your help! Please email me (jjarvis@gdrsd.org) with a memory to a current/former teacher, a thoughtful note, a shout out or just a simple thank you so I can add these “shout outs” to the Daily each day next week!
Earlier this week was Principal Appreciation Day (there is an appreciation day for us all!) and I was very touched with all of the kinds sentiments from faculty as well as from the students! I feel so very humbled to be able to lead this amazing school, caring for our students and staff, guiding them as we support one another to grow academically, professionally, socially and emotionally. I wanted to share these pictures with you - a true display of the mutual love and respect that I will continue to strive for with our students.
On Tuesday a flash mob appeared outside my office where they recited their acrostic poem “Mrs. Jarvis”. We ended in a group hug and I shared with them to remember they are never too old to give or receive a hug!
Thank you 2H for your words of appreciation! I appreciate all of you, too!
2B showing off their creativity and writing skills with rhyming stances - thank you!
Thank for inviting me in to 3K to be surprised with this beautiful poem!
All of these have been laminated so I can keep them to reflect on throughout the years!
Other news from this week:
We practice safety drills throughout the year (ALICE, fire drills) and this week we practiced walking to the designated rally points with the support of our Dunstable Police Officers and our SRO Omar Connor. This drill provides all of us with familiarity of leaving the building quickly and safely to a rally point away from the school. Thank you to the faculty and local officers for being present, supporting the drill and taking the time to meet with classes and answer some questions from our students. Your presence is a wonderful reminder of how our community members work together to keep us all safe.
Thank you Officer Matthew Tully, SRO Omar Connor, and Officer Shawn Drinkwine.
One final note. The Groton Dunstable Regional School District has been working with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to monitor and review our English Language Learning Programming. As part of this process, several educators and administrators will be participating in virtual interviews and we have also submitted records to the department for review. If you have any questions about this review process or have something you would like to contribute about our English Language Learning Program, please contact your building principal with your feedback so that it can be shared with Kristin DeFrancisco, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment.
Important Dates:
May 8, 9, 10 - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library
May 8th-12th - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 11th - Grade 3 Chorus Concert @ 7:00 pm
May 12th - Kindergarten Mother's Day Tea
May 12th - PTO - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
May 15th - 18th - Math MCAS
May 29th - No School - Memorial Day
May 31st & June 1st - Kindergarten Screening
June 2nd - 4th Grade Move-Up Day (rain date Monday, June 5th)
June 5th - Field Day K & 1
June 6th - Field Day Grade 4
June 6th - Field Trip to William's Barn 3rd grade - Colonial Life - 9-12:00
June 7th - Field Day Grades 2 & 3
June 9th - K Chorus Event for Families
June 15th - Half Day of School ~ Dismissal at 12:15 pm
June 16th - 4th Grade Moving On Ceremony @ 9:30 am
June 16th - Last Day of School & Half Day Dismissal at 12:15 pm
SEPAC Events
G-D Special Education Parent Advisory Council - click here for upcoming events
Please join the Groton-Dunstable Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) Wednesday, May 17th at the Twomey Center at 9:30 am for our Coffee and Conversation Event. There's plenty of parking behind the building. We look forward to seeing you there!