Noteworthy Music News

     K-We are working on a “picnic” unit.  We have learned a song called “Going on a Picnic”, read a story called “Hungry Harry” and used Creative Movement to depict the characters in the story.  Next, we will create class “picnic food chants” to use as a B section in “Going on a Picnic”.  We will then add instruments to our Creative Movement, putting all the parts together to create a classroom performance piece.  We are also working on a song called “See You Later” for the last day of school.

      1st-We just finished a game/song called “Little Sally Walker” in which we learned accompaniment parts on the xylophones.  We are now working on an end of the year song, “See You Later”, and will begin a rhythm activity called “Tinker Tailor”.  We will also continue to play rhythm basketball, reinforcing simple rhythm reading skills.

      2nd-We have started reading rhythms using Rhythm Basketball.  The students are now working with pentatonic (Asian) scales and rests in a game/song called “Numbers on the Floor”.  We are also learning the end of year song “See You Later”.

     3rd-We are now “winding down” our recorder unit with Recorder Karate pair and teacher testing.  We will continue to play recorder occasionally until the end of the year and then pick up “Recorder Karate” again in the fall.  Students are working on a special song for the end of the year and will begin a rhythm unit called “Amusement Park” soon.

       4th-We have started our “Patriotic Music” unit.  Classes have learned “America, The Beautiful” and discussed it’s meaning and importance in American History.  Students will be creating their own verses and making a book as a keepsake.

        Chorus-Several students have auditioned and been chosen to sing solos in the “Moving Up” Ceremony on June 25th and on the last day of school.  Congratulations to all who auditioned!  Everyone sang so well that the final decision was very difficult!

         I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to ALL the Swallow Union students, staff & parents for helping to make my first year here exciting & fun.  I truly feel blessed to be part of such a caring school community

Musically Yours, Lisa A. Mitchell

 

News from the Student Council

     Mrs. DesBois and Mrs. Hamel would like to thank Jillian, Leah, and Zoe from Mrs. Dodson’s class; Eleanor, Jon, and Tyler from Mrs. Berge’s class; Chris, Kiley, and Matt from Mrs. Roundtree’s class; and Eric, Nicki, and Taylor from Mr. Trainor’s class for the wonderful work they have done as members of the student council this past year.  The student council had a very busy year starting out with our third annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to help the Lowell Wish Project and needy families in the Lowell area.  We sponsored monthly School Spirit Days on the second Friday of every month.  We continued with our school-wide recycling project. On the 100th day of school we celebrated Math Day by proudly displaying math vocabulary, math terminology and algorithms.  In conjunction with the Lowell Wish Project, we sponsored a Holiday Drive to collect new toy donations as well as a Newborn Baby Drive and delivered 30 boxes of baby supplies to the Lowell Wish.  Lastly, the student council helped out with our annual Hat Day collection for the District’s Relay for Life Team.  Student council members collected donation jars, sorted and counted money to be donated to the American Cancer Society! Student council members have also been helping out in the mornings in Mrs. Basso’s first grade classroom.  Our Rent-a-Student project will continue through the end of the school year with student council members available during recess and early morning to help out in classrooms.  All and all, it was a very busy year.  Each member of the council should be proud of their efforts. They displayed leadership and responsibility! Mr. Myerson, Mrs. Hamel, and Mrs. DesBois are very proud of them!

 Mrs. Desbois and Mrs. Hamel

 

¡Hola!

     As I write my final elementary school newsletter I must admit I am very sad.  I have worked in the elementary schools since my daughter entered second grade…she is now completing ninth grade.  I am truly grateful for the opportunity that was given to me.   What can I say?   Oh yeah, Plenty…

     First of all, I would like to thank all the children that I have taught for helping me to make this program what it is today!  Parents, I would also like to thank you for sharing these great kids with me.  I have always said and continue to say, how very lucky I have been to have had the opportunity to teach my students for four years consecutively…with the exception of the current third grade students who missed a year and who will not be my students next year.

      I would like to thank all the administrators I have worked with and all of my colleagues!  They were truly supportive of the program.  I am not just leaving buildings made of bricks, but I am leaving what I call my second, third and even in some years my fourth home…I have been truly blessed to have worked with such devoted, creative and caring people.  A special thank you to Sra. Alcocer who was my partner in crime in the elementary school for a little while.  Your efforts were and are greatly appreciated.

       I know times are tough and I understand that during these uncertain times, difficult decisions have to be made.  So what now?  I will find out soon enough what my options will be. In the meantime, I would like for you to continue to support foreign languages in any way you can.  We all need to prepare our children for their future! 

        Throughout the last eight years, I have heard many things.  I would like to take this opportunity to share the following “Funnies” with you:

When asked, “Does anyone speak a language other than English?” “Do your parents?”

              Student response: “I speak Wooki..” 

              Student response: My father speaks Italian, especially when he’s mad…

• I was on hall duty during dismissal one day and one of my students asked, “How do you say ‘cucaracha’ in Spanish?”  (I was tempted to say cockroach :o)
• During the month of October I wanted to make a connection with Spain and Christopher Columbus.  I asked the children to name a famous explorer.   One little girl responded, “Dora the Explorer”.
• A third grade student was informed that I am a Yankees fan and his reaction:  He raised his hands and said, “What kind of a Spanish teacher are you?”
• I had another student who wore the same shirt whenever he had Spanish class—“Yankees stink!”  (Given how they have been playing lately…)
• During Spanish class I often play “Figure it Out!”   Students are encouraged to use what they know and make some guesses or connections.  Some of them shared the following:

              ¡Que tormenta de nieve!  This means, “You like to torment nine year olds.”         

             Jugadora— “Is it a girl jaguar?”

             ¿Qué hora es?  “What horror is this?”

             ¿Qué tal?  “How tall are you?”

            ¿Cuál es el nombre de tu madre?  « How old is your mother?”

• Spanish is easy, just add an “o” to everything and then you can speak Spanish.  Like, let’s go play tag-o!
• My curious students asked me, “Where did you learn how to speak Spanish?”  “NYC”   “Wow, I didn’t know NYC was a Spanish Speaking Country”
• Do you think in Spanish?   “What language did you speak when you were in elementary school?”
• I will always remember the following:  A little boy came into Spanish class before the rest of his class.  When he entered we greeted each other in Spanish (smile) I asked, “¿cómo estas?”  His response,“muy bien gracias, y usted?” (Me—BIG SMILE)  I took a few steps and then decided to assess him on the spot.  I asked him to explain what we had just talked about.  He gave me this huge smile and said,” I have no idea.” (I asked him to explain.)  He eloquently put it this way, “Sra. Viera, let’s just say I know what to say, but I have no idea what I am saying.”  Talk about reversal of roles. Valuable lesson learned!

     For those parents who thought that all we did in class was learn colors and count to ten, there was so much more going on; dialogues, singing, stories, Secret Footprints, Juan Bobo, The Red Comb, dancing—Merengue-(not the dessert “meringue”), Cha, Cha, and the Macarena, learning about Mexico, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, learning to be aware that there is a whole world out there for them to explore and to realize that although we are all very different there are things that we share: cultural traditions, celebrations, and challenges.  Hopefully I have played a small part in teaching our children the importance of respecting and appreciating diversity in our world.

      Once again I ask that you please continue to stress the importance of learning another language and about different cultures. ¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!  Hola is hello & adiós is good-bye; Spanish is Fun, so please continue to give it a try!!!(Taken from Hola is Hello, and Adiós is Goodbye…written by Susan Middleton Elya.)

      ¡Silla or Chair! (HUH? Ask your child about this farewell.)

Señora Viera also called, Mrs. Señora Viera (I had to clarify that my first name is not Señora) and a few times was called Sra. Nevera (which means, Mrs. Refrigerator) ;o)

Sra. Viera

 

ART ROOM NEWS

     Well, the end of school is fast approaching and the students are very busy in the art room.  We are trying to finish up projects as well as begin and complete some before the years’ end.

      During the first week of June, we will be having a Swallow Union art show.  Each child will pick their favorite or best project out of their portfolio to be hung in the cafeteria on display for a week.  Hope you can stop by sometime and see all their amazing art!

       The 4th Graders have been finishing up silk hoop batiks (many have been hanging up around the front of the school).  Some friends have started creating a Tessellation.  They followed step by step instructions to create a shape that will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle with no gaps or overlaps.  They have learned about artist M.C. Escher was known for making tessellation designs.

        The 3rd Graders have finished up gesture drawings using manikins and created some great silhouettes on textured backgrounds.  We have just begun our clay coil pots.

         The 2nd Graders have just finished glazing their clay pinch pots with animals figurines.  We will begin learning about artist Alexander Calder and creating some wire sculptures.

         The 1st Graders are finishing up their version of "Starry Night".  Many have been creating wonderful clay owls.  A few owls are ready to be fired in the kiln.

         The Full Day kindergarten students have finished oil crayon resists alphabet pictures in the style of artist Jasper Johns and flower pictures in the style of artist Georgia O'Keeffe.  We have started making radial design turtle shells to make 3-D turtles.

    

    
Jodi Stoddard, Art Teacher

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY NEWS

     It has been a busy year in the Swallow Union School Library.  Over 14,500  books have circulated since we opened in September!  I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped me in the library this year.   Heike Georgs, Christine Stelzer, Gail Somers Sun, Amanda Hokkanen and Dot Drew have worked hard shelving books, doing clerical work, helping students find books and keeping the library running smoothly.  

     The end of the year is rapidly approaching and we are preparing to conduct our annual inventory of library materials.  In order to ensure that we are ready for inventory, all student library materials must be returned to the library by Friday, June 5th.  We will be sending home notices to parents of those students who have overdue and/or lost library materials.  If all the students in your child’s classroom return their books by Friday, June 5th,  the class will be treated to “freeze pops”.

     The Dunstable Public Library and the Groton Public Library are sponsoring the Massachusetts Summer Reading Program this summer.  The theme this year is “Starship Adventure at Your Library”.  I encourage you and your family to participate in this wonderful program and take advantage of the many resources offered at your public library. 

     Relax, read and enjoy your summer!

    

Gretchen Murray, SU Librarian

    

    

FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

     “I’m bored,” are perhaps the two most dreaded words a parent can hear during July and August.  Whatever will you do to occupy the next two months?  Even with many planned activities, children still have a lot more “downtime” than during the school year, and will be searching for things to do to entertain themselves.   

       So, here are some fun, inexpensive and, of course, educational ideas to  help alleviate some of your child's  boredom. 

• -Plant something: Even if you don’t have a proverbial “green thumb” you can help your child grow a small flower garden, or even some vegetables. 
• -Teach your child how to sew.    Beginning needlepoint kits can be purchased at a craft store and when completed can be framed and put in the child’s room.
• -Visit the library and check out some books.  Reading during the summer is very important. It will help maintain fluency, plus it reinforces the idea that it’s a worthwhile activity to do all the time, not just during the school year.   Also, libraries (and sometimes bookstores) typically have some great things going on in the summer, such as: guest readers, speakers, movie showings,  and a variety of other activities.  Sometimes you can get museum passes or discount coupons for amusement parks at the library.  AAA sometimes has these as well.  
• -Have a family game night.  Pick one night each week and spend an hour together.  Not sure what games to choose?    Guess Who? Trouble,  Candyland, Connect Four, Clue JR,  Outburst JR, Apples to Apples are quite popular.   Cards games such as:  Uno, Go Fish, and Crazy 8’s are other good options as are Jenga, Checkers, Charades, Yahtzee, Bingo, Boggle JR, and Scrabble.   
• -Do an outdoor activity together such as: flying a kite, throwing a Frisbee,  jumping rope, blowing bubbles, or just going  to a local park to use the swing set. Plan treasure hunts with clever clues for each other. 
• -Arts/crafts activities:  Scrapbooking is currently very popular, as are jewelry making kits.  Buy your child a journal and have him/her write for 10 minutes a day.  Put together a photo album, frame some pictures, or make a collage. Inexpensive disposable cameras are a great way to introduce children to photography.  
• -Go for a walk together every day.   Take a lap around the block or visit the local track and do a mile or two.  Do you like walking in the woods?  Check out www.letterboxing.org.  This wonderful hobby, which has been popular in England for years, combines hiking and treasure hunting. 
• -Have a picnic in your yard.   It’s amazing how much fun this can be and how much better food tastes.     
• -Bake cookies, brownies or cupcakes.  Believe it or not there is quite a bit of math involved in this activity.  Measuring the ingredients, portioning out the batter, setting the timer etc.  all involve number reasoning, and best of all the children won’t even know they are doing it!   
• -Help your child clean/organize his/her room or the playroom. Donate unwanted clothing and toys to charity.  If you do this early in the summer you’ll have lots of space for new back-to-school clothes and can really see what your child  needs for September. 

Have a safe, enjoyable summer. 

   

Patricia Ascione, Guidance Counselor

Swallow Union Science Lab

     The first year of the Swallow Union Science Lab is coming to an end.  We are happy to report that its revitalization was a success.  Many students used the room for experiments, presentations, and lessons.  With the support from the fourth grade science club, we set up our aquarium, grew herbs in our AreoGardens, created an archeological dig, raised worms, and  created a community garden with the Frye Farm.  Next year, we have even more ideas for making the lab a living part of our school.  All of these improvements were the result of support from SU teachers, a GDEF Grant, and our APT.

      In order to strengthen the skills of Scientific Inquiry, the APT provided the funds which allowed us to purchase sets of content area books for class instruction.  These books will work to support science and social studies instruction in grades K-4. 

      As always, the lab is looking for donations of Legos, Kleenex, plants, 2 gallon plastic bags, and wipes.  Have a great summer!

    

Jen Dinneen, Science Coordinator & Grade 2 Teacher

 

Learning Heats Up This Summer!

     Swallow Union’s school bell is about to ring for the last time this school year, but that does not mean that your child’s learning should stop short for 2 months!   Over the past several years Swallow Union staff  have collected a vast array of useful websites that are available to you through the Swallow Union website at http://www.gdrsd.org/Schools/SwallowUnion/SUResources.html

• Need to motivate your child to read independently?  Check out the ‘Summer Reading’ section of our Reading and Writing Resource page.  Be sure to enroll your students in your local library Summer Reading program, which provides incentives for reading books.  Visit regularly to encourage finding interesting and fun books!
• Does your son or daughter play a lot of computer games?  Have them earn computer time by first playing some math activities like AAA Math or Aplusmath found under Math Resources.  Does your child need to practice facts?  There are many fun games on the Math Resources link that provide fun practice for your student!
• Tired of reading books to your child?  Take a look under Reading and Writing resources for a variety of audiobook links.
• Is your fourth grader heading to the Middle school?  They will be asked to type more and more projects at home.  Have them work on their typing skills using the links provided in the Keyboarding Resources section.  Encourage them to use the home keys, with which all 3rd and 4th graders are familiar!

Have a fun, safe, cyber summer!

  

Terry Smolka, Computer Specialist

 

NURSE NOTES

     We are about to begin our Spring Health Project, asking students to join the Sunwise Society. Using guidelines from the EPA’s Sunwise Program, we will be talking to them about protecting themselves from sun exposure, including using the EPA motto of SLIP (on a shirt) SLOP (on sunscreen) SLAP (on a hat) and WRAP (on sunglasses).  We also talk about watching the UV index, and staying in the shade when possible.  Students who bring back the “membership form” indicating that they took steps at home to protect themselves from the sun will be able to add their name to the Nurses’ Bulletin Board around their teacher’s sunny face.  As with all of our health projects, we hope to start a healthy habit that the students will practice through life. According to the EPA, one in five U.S. children will grow up to develop skin cancer, so learning about sun safety is vital.  For more information about the Sunwise Program, see www.epa.gov/sunwise.  Thank you to the APT whose donation has made another Spring Health Program possible.

     As we reach the end of another school year, we would like to thank everyone for their help in keeping our school safe and healthy!  Parents, thank you for sending in copies of physicals and immunizations and other forms requested, informing us of communicable diseases like strep throat, and keeping your children home when they were sick.  Students, thank you for covering your mouths when you sneezed and for washing your hands!  We hope you all have a wonderful summer- eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise, rest up, and HAVE FUN!

     NOTE:  Please pick up any medications you have sent to the Nurses’ Office this year.  Any medications left after the last day will be discarded. Epi Pens and Inhalers can be sent home with students.

Bev Johnson, RN

ATTENTION 4TH GRADE PARENTS

              Since your fourth graders will be starting at the Middle School South next year, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves.  The Health Office in MSS is located next to the main office.  If you have any questions or would like to meet with us, please contact us at 978-448-6155, extension 1160.  We will be happy to meet with you and/or your child.  If your child has any medical concerns, please contact us prior to June 29, 2009 to ensure a smooth start to school next September.     

Alison Enright, RN, Jen DeRouin, RN, Middle School South

    

Math News

Making the Connection Between Home and School

 

Summer Math Challenge: Focus On Measurement

Looking for fun & easy ideas to maintain your child’s math skills?

     Take the Swallow Union Summer Math Challenge:  Focus On Measurement! As a challenge to all SU families, I urge you to explore measurement as your math focus this summer.  This rich subject area has loads of practical everyday applications.  Measurement naturally arises in whatever you do and wherever you go.  Below I’ve listed a few ideas to get you started.  Just remember, the best thing you can do is share how you use math to solve everyday problems.  

Doing any repairs this summer? 

• Have your child practice using the ruler accurately.  Talk about the various types of rulers – school rulers, measuring tapes, trowels with rulers for measuring soil depths. 
• Go on a measuring hunt: What measures an inch?  2 inches?  ½ inch?

Traveling anywhere local or far away? 

• Show your child how an odometer is used to measure distance.  Determine landmarks around your neighborhood – how far away are they?  
• Go on a ‘Discovery Drive’ and ask, “What’s a mile away from our house? What’s 5 miles away?” 
• Look at maps together.  How is distance shown on a map?

Planning food for a gathering? 

• Involve your child in the preparations.  Share how you determine the number pounds of potatoes or meat is needed. 
• At the grocery store, have your child search for 1 lb items, 2 lb items and so on. Discuss how and when you use the scale in the vegetable section.  Talk about the decimals used at the deli counter.
• Fill a small plastic dish tub with rice or beans and measuring cups.  Have your child find ways to fill a ½ cup, a cup, etc.  Discuss which is greater ¾ of a cup or ½ cup?  

Waiting for a friend or an appointment? 

• Brainstorm measurement vocabulary words.  What are all the words associated with weight?  Volume? Time? Distance?  After a list is generated, have your child use them in sentences.
• Focus on usage: homophones like weight and wait, idioms such as “a mile a minute”, parts of speech such as (v.) measure, measures, measuring, measured and (n.) measure, measurement. 

Most importantly, follow your child’s natural curiously about measurement and have fun!

   

Elaine C. Herzog,Swallow Union Math Coordinator

 

Dunstable Public Library

     The Dunstable Public Library and the teachers of Swallow Union School encourage children and their families to participate in the 2009 Statewide Summer Reading program, Starship Adventure.   The goal of the program is to encourage families to come to the library and to read throughout the summer just for the enjoyment of it. Families reading together provide an important reading role model, at the same time the summer reading program helps children maintain their reading skills. Students and their families are invited to attend special events and programs during summer vacation. Participants will receive an adventure packet to help them track their reading. Registration for Starship Adventure begins June 20th and the program will run through August 8th.   So …let’s blast off to a great reading adventure!

Library Hours

Monday – Closed                     Wednesday 10– 2:00              Friday 10:00 – 2:00

Tuesday 5:00 – 8:00              Thursday 10:00 – 8:00           Saturday 10 – 2:00

     For more library information go to www.mvlc.org click on library, then Dunstable

     June is …Perennial Gardening Month celebrating the versatility and beauty of perennial garden plants. Check out our book display

      The Dunstable Library will be participating in the 2009 state wide Summer Reading Program,. Starship Adventure  The program will begin June 23 and run through August 8. We have lots of programs and activities lined up for everyone. For the younger kids we will once again be offering our General Store where kids will have the opportunity to shop with their book bucks that they earn each time they visit the library. There will also be many gift certificates that they can try to win.

      Our Summer Story Hour will begin Thursday, July 9th.  It will iinclude stories and a craft or activity. More information will be coming

      Saturday Movie Time  - For kids and their families -Every Saturday we will be showing a G rated, Family Friendly movie from noon- 1:30. Bring your lunch and relax with a fun movie shown on our big screen TV.

      Book Mark Design Contest … Now going on. Design a bookmark that encourages people to read or use the library. Three categories: up to grade 4, grades 5 – 12 and adult.  Design forms are available at the library and must be returned by June 20th. Winning designs will be made into bookmarks that will be given out at the library.

 

Link Disclaimer

Some links from pages within this site will let you leave the school district site. The linked sites are not under the control of the district, and the district is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. The district is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site by the district.

 

ber 6, 2008, you will notice that our front door will be locked at 9:05 and you will have to use the buzzer to be let in.  Please remember that if you are bringing a student in between 9 and 9:05 that student will need to report to the office for a tardy slip.  Any time after 9:00 is considered tardy.  The door will remain locked until 2:55.  If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please wait until 2:55 to enter the building.