Smith Board Report

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Swift Middle School 1866 Robert Fulton Hwy. Quarryville, PA 17566 717-548-2187 www.solanco.org

Dear Swift Families, Well, it has certainly been a cold one! …Winter, that is! I, for one, am glad to thaw out and hopefully move on to some mud sales, outdoor walks, and barbecues. One sign of the seasonal change that is upon is spring testing. Our students are always enthusiastic and hard-working, displaying a positive attitude each day of testing. I was very impressed by the daily effort that they all put forth last year, and expect this year will be the same! Please read the important reminders about testing below. We encourage families not to making any plans for family trips during these dates and also would like to remind you that any trip/excused day requests must go through our office (on a pre-approved educational trip form) in advance of the absence. Cell phone/electronic device usage or possession in any testing room/environment is strictly prohibited and can incur serious disciplinary consequences. Please discuss with your child the importance of any phone or electronic device to be placed in their locker and turned off immediately upon entering school daily. Your commitment to sending your child to school daily, encouraged and well-rested makes all of the difference! PSSA/Keystone Testing Dates

ELA (Grades 6-8) – April 12-15 Math (Grades 6-8) – April 19-22 Science (Grade 8) – April 26-April 28 All Other Make-Ups – May 2-6 Math Keystones (Grade 8) – May 17-20

We have a great opportunity for you to encourage your child in a very personal way! Please stop in the school office between April 4th and 8th to write a personal, SURPRISE, encouraging note to your child that will be hand-delivered to him/her on the day(s) of testing. We believe in each of our students at Swift Middle School! Our teachers are working hard daily to meet their individual needs, ensuring that they are able to make progress academically. Students’ efforts really pay off when they are able to shine during testing time!

Principals Breakfast Club

March 2016 Volume 1, I ssue 7

Each month, in support of character education, a select group of students is invited to a breakfast with their parents and Swift Middle School Principal, Paul Gladfelter. Teachers nominate students for the Breakfast Club in recognition of their display of good character. Unlike the honor roll, which is based solely on academic performance, the Breakfast Club students are selected on the guidelines of respect, responsibility, honesty, self-control, courtesy and manners. Named to the Breakfast Club for February 2016 were: Front row: Will Davis, Skylar Eshleman, Cameron Getz, Elliot Spangler Row 2: Austin Daily, Hunter Mellinger, Jimmy Moran, Dianna Stringer Row 3: Evelyn Billings, Jack Evans, Gabby Keys, Anna Kreider

Principal, Paul Gladfelter Paul_gladfelter@solanco.k12.pa.us

Assistant Principal, John Dolan John_dolan@solanco.k12.pa.us

SWIFT News

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Language Arts- Sixth-grade students will be focus on the structure of poetry and how to analyze poems for meaning. In addition, students will investigate the elements of argumentative writing through reading and writing. LEAD- In March, we will begin preparing for the PSSA’s and test taking skills in LEAD class.

READ – 6th Grade READ students are working on Reading Strategies with fiction and nonfiction. We will also be looking at test taking strategies.

Math- In the month of March, 6th graders will be completing a unit on Geometry. Topics covered will include calculating areas and volumes of a variety of 2- and 3-dimensional figures and graphing shapes on the coordinate plane. The month will conclude with a chapter covering problem solving using ratios and proportions.

Science-. The students will continue their study of biology by investigating cellular transport and genetics.

Social Studies- The sixth graders will be studying Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome in Social Studies.

If you have any questions, concerns, ideas or you would like to help out, I can be reached at 717-723-5619 or smithparentassociation@gmail.com.

Contact Mrs. Pearson at jennifer_pearson@solanco.k12.pa.us

Hopefully the snow and ice will stay away and we can have

school more consistently. As we enter March we start

focusing on PSSA’s and recognize that this can be a very

stressful time for students. Some strategies for helping

your child through this time are:

1) Minimize after school activities- make sure they

have some down time

2) Make sure they take time to “just play”

3) Make sleep a priority

4) Help your child “listen to their body” especially

when physical symptoms appear

5) Manage your own stress, your kids observe and

mimic what they see

6) Try to make mornings as calm as possible

7) Help them to understand that they may make

mistakes, mistakes are okay

If you are concerned that your child is experiencing more

than the “normal” stress, please feel free to contact the

guidance office for additional resources.

PTO Update:

On March 3rd (6:30-8:30) we will be having an 8th grade students vs teachers basketball game. Admission is just $1 or a canned good for the local food bank. Hot dogs, chips & drinks will be available for purchase. Lots of door prizes. It should be a great evening...come out & join us! :) Please contact Heidi @ heidik930@gmail.com if you'd like to volunteer for this event!

PTO officers for the 2015/2016 school year: Sherri Bleacher, president mcjkids@epix.net Angie Miller, vice president kenangie1994@gmail.com Amie Fetterman, treasurer alottacharmfarm@frontiernet.net Jessica Smith, secretary jessicadeesmith@yahoo.com Susie Ferrari, hospitality susieferrari@yahoo.com

Band students are continuing to explore American music of the twentieth century in preparation for our upcoming Spring Concert performances. In addition to a variety of warm-up and technique exercises, students are working to refine their instrumental skills via the programmed music for the Spring semester. Specifically, students are exploring a number of pieces that exemplify popular musics of the 1900's ranging from popular marches, emerging music of the cinema, popular music of television, as well as the ever-changing world of rock music.

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Language Arts- This month, students are creating Personal Narratives about a significant event in their lives. We will then move into our ever-popular Poetry Unit! LEAD – In March, we will be working on our inferencing skills by using context clues, recognizing antonyms and synonyms, categorizing, and QAR strategies. PSSA preparations will also commence. Math/Extensions –In March, we will be completing a unit on surface area and volume. We will then end the month with a unit on creating and interpreting graphs. Science – In March, the Swift scientists will investigate cellular reproduction and begin looking into genetics. Social Studies – In March, students will be studying their unit on colonization. Looking at the reasons for colonization along with the impact geography had on the colony regions and their way of life. READ - We will be working on reading comprehension strategies and test taking strategies. We will continue to use Teen Biz to help with our reading comprehension.

Language Arts- Students will be reading Irene Hunt’s Across

Five Aprils, the coming-of-age novel of a young boy who is

growing up during the Civil War. We will pair our reading with

various writing, acting, and project activities.

LEAD – Students will continue to work on during & post

reading strategies as well as a test taking skills.

READ -We will be working on debate strategies including

comprehending news articles to help with our debates. We will

continue to use Teen Biz.

Algebra – In March, students will begin and complete a unit on

solving systems of equations. After which we will begin to look

at power properties and polynomials.

Science – Students will continue to explore the world of

weather. The sun’s impact on winds, severe weather and

renewable resources that we can harness from local weather will

be demonstrated within student’s lives. At the end of the March

we will move into the study of life and genetics.

Social Studies – Social Studies will be joining LEAD as we

will be learn about the culture of Mexico and the impact of U.S.

entry into Texas. The Alamo’s importance in our country’s

expansion to the southwest will be examined.

Geography – Students will be visiting our neighbors to the

North, the great Canadians. Students will spend time comparing

our cultures, geography and economics. They will end the unit by

acting as a travel agent for one of the Provinces in Canada to

promote tourism.

Mrs. Elaine Slusser BSN, RN, CSN Mrs. Slusser is responsible for the health care coordination of students at Swift MS, Clermont ES and Bart-Colerain ES. You may contact her by email at elaine_slusser@solanco.k12.pa.us. Typically, she follows this schedule: Mondays/Thursdays at Clermont Elementary: 548-2742 Tuesdays/Fridays at Swift Middle School: 548-2187 Wednesdays at Bart Colerain Elementary: 529-2181

Thank you for allowing me to care for your children!

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Art-

6th grade- will be working on finishing the drawing unit and moving on to the painting unit focusing on color mixing .

7th grade- will be working on a Drawing unit and will be creating self-portraits focusing on the value and proportions of a portrait.

8th grade- will be working on finishing a perspective drawing and beginning a 3-D letter.

Computer Tech.-

8th grade –Students will continue working in excel and learn basic formulas.

7th grade –Students will continue presenting power points and begin looking at different types of punctuation and spacing rules.

6th grade – Students will learn and review reaches to the M and X along with reviewing all the reaches we have done so far.

FACS-

6th Grade – Students will finish their wallet sewing projects. They will then learn about healthy snacking.

7th Grade – Students will work in groups in the kitchens to prepare various recipes, while learning about etiquette and MyPlate. They will also learn about budgeting and credit cards.

8th Grade – The students will learn about microwave cooking and make mug cake. They will also learn about meal planning and make taco salad.

Library Media Center

All grades will continue their book exchanges for

leisure reading.

6th grade will spend time researching and

developing argumentative speeches.

Music-

6th Grade –Students are continuing to work with elements of rhythm. They will also examine some American composers.

7th Grade – Classes are learning and applying elements of rhythm and melody, leading to their major composing project.

8th Grade – Classes will complete a study of the Baroque Period of music history and begin the Classical Period.

Phys. Ed-

7th Grade Health – (Overly) Drug Unit

(Lane) Personality/Self Esteem Unit

6th, 7th & 8th Physical Education – (Overly/Lane)

Finishing Recreational Games / Lifetime Sports; then

starting Physical Fitness Unit next.

Technology Education

6th Grade- Students will test their ideas for humane mousetraps. They will then begin the transportation unit where they will design and race a magnetic levitation car.

7th Grade- Students will complete construction of model towers. They will prepare to test them for strength.

8th Grade- Students will finish printing custom-designed shirt graphics. They will then start the electricity unit.

Monthly Reminder: When your child is absent from school, please send a written excuse in the first day they

return to school. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 548-2187.

Upcoming Dates: March 24-28 No School

April 5th- End of 3rd Marking Period April 12-15- PSSA ELA

April 19th-22- PSSA Math