Swallow Union Update ~ Week of September 4th, 2023

Week of September 4th, 2023

School Calendar 2023-24

Last school year we talked a lot about what it means to be part of a community, specifically our school community. That as a member of this community, we work together, students and adults alike, to foster a happy, safe, and inclusive environment. As community members, we all have a shared responsibility with how we contribute to our school, and how we value each one of us as individuals, ensuring we all have a voice and a connection to others so that we all have a strong sense of belonging.

We worked to update our Core Values and our tiger logo that displays those values. We landed on what it means to be Swallow Union Ti-GRRR in all areas of our school day. We rolled out Ti-GRRR Cards which any faculty member can give out these cards when a student demonstrates one of our Core Values GRRR - Growth, Respect, Resilient, and Responsible. Last year, we began these late in the school year and the cards were displayed on the cafeteria wall for all students to see and then brought home to share with you. This year, I am changing it up a bit and I will be sharing who has earned a Ti-GRRR card with the whole school during the afternoon bus announcements and in my newsletters (parent permissions).

Ti-GRRR Cards

I am kicking off this section of my weekly newsletter with one of our 3rd grade students who jumped in to support other students who were in need of help. This student was highlighted by his teacher, Mrs. Murphy, for demonstrating Responsibility when took initiative and walked some Kindergarteners to their classroom when he recognized that they didn’t know how to get there. Shawn Mousseau is a true Ti-GRRR and has set the bar for his peers and truly embraced what it means to be part of our school community. Well done Shawn!

Safety Drills

Throughout the school year we will practice emergency response drills. On Wednesday morning, we had our first fire drill and all of our students did a great job listening to their teacher and exiting the building quickly and quietly. As we move into practicing safety drills, you can expect to see from me an email notifying families that a safety drill took place earlier that day so you can be informed and ready to answer any questions your child may have when they come home from school. Certainly reach out to your child’s teacher or Mrs. Jarvis with any questions or concerns.

Swallow Union Spirit Wear

Remember that the last day to place an order is Monday, September 11th! Click HERE to place an order through Red Brick Clothing!

School Council

Swallow Union School Council, composed of parents and staff, will be meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. We will work together to look at the current enrichment activities that are offered and look to enhance learning opportunities for our students that will challenge them beyond the classroom while aligning with our curriculum frameworks. If interested, please email me at jjarvis@gdrsd.org.

Open House - Save the Date!

This year Swallow Union’s Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th from 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm (see schedule below). Just a reminder this event is for parents only and we’ve carefully planned the grade level times in the hope to alleviate the parking limitations. More information about this evening will be shared when the date gets closer.

5:45 pm to 6:15 pm	Grades 1 & 2	Go to Child’s Classroom
6:15 pm to 6:45 pm	Grades 1, 2, 3, & 4	Visit Specialists in their classrooms
6:45 pm to 7:15 pm	Grades 3 & 4	Go to Child’s Classroom

School Brains/Parent Portal Login & Dismissal

Families have received an email from the district asking them to go into your parent portal in School Brains to review and update your student information, contact and emergency contact information. There is also a section that reviews the student handbook and opt out forms/process. Please be sure to complete this no later than September 8th as this is the only way to ensure your information is correct and up to date.

In this process, you will be asked about whether or not your child was assigned to a bus and whether or not your child will take a bus. While this provides the district information about busing, it does not replace the requirement that parents must send in a note/email to your child’s teacher(s) with dismissal plans if it is different then the bus they’ve been assigned to (extended day, parent pick up, and playdate). Please reach out to Mrs. Dzwonek or Mrs. Jarvis with any questions about this.

School Start Time

The school day begins right at 8:55 am and both bus and parent drop off areas are completed at this time as well. If you bring your child to school after this time, please park in the parking lot and walk your child into the office to be signed in. Please do not drop your child off at the front door alone and please refrain from parking in the fire lane for safety reasons.

Absences

If your child(ren) will be absent for any reason, parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school by calling in the absence. All student absences must be reported by 8:55 am by calling (978) 649-7281, choose option #1 and provide your child(rens) name, teacher, and reason for absence. Anyone who calls after this timeframe may receive an automated call regarding your child’s absence from school without notification. This is in place to ensure all students are accounted for either at home or in the school.

Wellness Policy

Below please find the District’s Wellness Policy that we follow in order to ensure we are reinforcing healthy habits as well as student allergies. Teachers will be working with their Room Parents, School Administration, School Nurses and our PTO to ensure food that comes into school for school sponsored events (not including PTO sponsored events) such as special classroom events and school-wide gatherings, adhere to this policy. Thank you in advance for helping us with this throughout the school year.