Swan School prides itself on putting children first.  Since 1983 we have always asked ourselves, “What is best for children?  What supports the educational needs of Swan School students?”

Beginning in 2012 Swan School will be enhancing its strong program by balancing the school calendar.  This is a move that will support families in their efforts to provide their children with the best possible educational experience.  Read more about how balancing the academic calendar best supports children’s educational needs.

Dear Swan School Families,

Wow, this weather!!  Friday, 1/20, Swan School will start 2 hours late and preschool will be cancelled.  This is due to the predicted icy road conditions in the morning which are expected to get better by late morning.

That said, I know that the weather and conditions can be quite different from place to place.  One person told me that they have nearly 2 feet of snow where they live while at my house we have about 6 inches.  Another parent told me that the roads near her home were quite treacherous while someone else told me just the opposite about the roads near her house.  If you feel that the conditions at your home are simply not safe enough to travel to school on, please feel free to stay home.  In other words, check out the conditions near your house in the morning and then use your discretion as to bringing your child to school or not.  You and your child’s safety are much more important than a Friday spelling test.

You have likely heard by now that our winter concert has been postponed until February 3, ironically due to winter weather.

Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow… or next Monday.

Russ

Dear Swan School Families,

I hope you have all had a fun-filled snowy Wednesday.  The roads are still quite slick and the forecast is for the snow to stick around for at least a day longer.  Because of this school will be cancelled for tomorrow, Thursday 1/19.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that after a few more snowmen are built, conditions will improve enough for school to be back in session on Friday!

Russ

Time to slip on the wool socks, lace up the snow boots, and break out the sleds!  School will be canceled today due to the road and weather conditions.

Our policy at Swan School when determining whether to cancel school or not is to put safety first.  When the road conditions become too slick for families and staff to safely get to school in the morning and get home in the afternoon then school is canceled.  It is quite a process to determine this and involves several staff members, local weather forecasts and observations.

All of the current factors point to it being an excellent day to sit near a fire with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa – or bundle up and go sledding – or better yet, do both.  Whatever the day holds for you and your family, have fun but stay safe.

Russ

Good Morning,

Today, Tuesday, January 17, school will be in session and on time.  The roads are drivable and in relatively good condition, but if you plan to drive please be cautious as there are many slick spots.

It should be a fun day on the playground

THURSDAY/FRIDAY

UPDATE

• Winter Concert, next Friday January 20^th! Hopefully you’re hearing a lot of sweet singing and  practicing around your homes.  The kids are all working hard on their pieces and are really coming together as ensembles.  The concert is a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community and what better way to celebrate, than with music?

• Annual Campaign – Are you watching the barometer rise in the big window?  We’re almost half way there ~ this challenge is critical to maintaining our enriching Swan School experience.  Please, do what you can personally & chat it up with grandparents & any others who might be in a position to support this amazing opportunity.

• Plantathon card sales -  To date we’ve raised $901!  If you have money to turn in, please do so soon.  This is one of the most creative fundraisers in our community – not only does it benefit our School, but 4 others and our watershed as well.  Talk about “bang for the buck!”  So, please turn in your card funds in the near future – if you have cards that you know you will not be able to sell, drop those off to Bonnie to redistribute.  THANK YOU***

• January 16th – No school, Martin Luther King Day
• January 20th – Winter Concert
• First Baptist Church
• 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Please have your child there by 6:15
• January 28th – Plantathon – tree planting
• Details coming soon!
• February 1st – Early release 12:30
• Professional Planning

Preschool will return from Winter Intersession on January 9th!

Happy New Year all***

THURSDAY UPDATE

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

• Early release tomorrow December 16^th ~~ 12:30.

• Guess who’s going to be on KPTZ tomorrow? Yes, Swan kids!  Listen around 10:15 & then again at 10:45.

• Book Exchange & Fall Electives –Thanks everyone for being so great about getting your children’s secret book in!  Tomorrow is the day ~  And, to all of you who helped with electives.  Wow**  We couldn’t have done it without you.

• Annual Campaign – Remember we have received a $15,000 challenge grant – so every contribution is worth twice as much. Please help however you can & do remember to mention it to friends & family who may be interested in supporting Swan.  Tuition only covers a portion of our operating costs, so fundraisers like the campaign, Plantathon, and others are critical.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY UPDATE

Good afternoon,

• Neolithic Learner & Art Exhibit – TOMORROW EVENING FROM 5-6!  The entire school has been busy with learning about Neolithic times.  We need all students here to share their work, please.  Feel free to bring along your family and friends . . .

• Book Exchange – Reminder:  by now you should have seen (or heard about) the infamous green book exchange forms.  The older kids have already filled theirs out – Discoverers & Explorers, we need yours back no later than tomorrow.  At Friday morning meeting, the children will be pulling the name of the student that they will be (secretly) giving a book to.  We will need the book, wrapped & labeled with both the giver & receiver’s name on it, delivered back to the office no later than Weds (12/14).  Thanks!!!

• Fall Electives – Fun activities for grades K-6 will be happening from 2:05-2:50, Monday through Thursday of next week.  The children all signed up today & are excited about ‘mixing it up’ a bit.  Thanks to all you folks who are leading workshops.

• Annual Campaign – Yay! We’re beginning to see some results from the campaign.  $550 to date.  Remember, tuition only covers a portion of our operating costs, so fundraisers like the campaign, the Plantathon, and others are critical.

• Nutcrackers, nutcrackers everywhere! – Wow**  If you haven’t seen our nutcracker world in the office – stop on in.  They are popular & still looking for friends if you have any you’d like to share.

In collaboration with the Northwest Watershed Institute and four other Jefferson County independent schools, we are happy to be participating in the Plantathon project once again.   Local artist and Swan School parent, Lucy Congdon Hanson, has created beautiful artwork for the project.  For each card sold, one tree will be planted in the Tarboo Creek watershed, as part of a larger effort to restore chum salmon habitat.

To order cards at $5 each, please contact:  info@swanschool.net