Ms. Kenney's April 21 Newsletter
While we hope that sunny beautiful weather is around the corner – please remember to continue to send clothes for rainy weather – we know the rain isn’t over yet! There are many days where we have wet kids because they don’t have their gear with them. Please help them remember to bring it along as they leave the house in the morning.
Wednesday is Administrative Assistant's Day and at Swift we are lucky to have one of the best! Thank you Ms. Dahl for all you do!
Summer Explorers!
Student well-being and skill-building is the foundation for this 3 week inquiry-based exploration program. Each program will consist of focused literacy, or numeracy, instruction. In addition, students will be provided with a meaningful, deeper learning experience around one area of passion from the provincial curriculum. Recreational physical activity and Indigenous principles of learning will be woven into each learning community.
Summer Explorer Dates: Tuesday, July 4 - Friday, July 21 from 8:30 – 11:30. Locations this year are Godson, Harry Sayers and Colleen & Gordie Howe.
To see the different options for Summer Explorers you can follow this link. Online registration for Summer Explorers 2023 is now open until May 3rd, 2023. Please find information and the registration form by clicking on this link
PAC NEWS – Flower Sales and Carnival
Our Flower Fundraiser is on now! The last day to order is April 27th. Delivery will be May 11th. There is a wide variety of flowers to order including: hanging baskets, herbs, veggies, and succulents. The online order is available here.
We are excited to announce that the PAC Family Carnival is back! After a three-year hiatus, the Swift PAC has put together a great event for the families of the school, and we hope you will all join us on June 1st from 5:00 – 7:30 in celebrating another year at Thomas Swift. Information including forms for food, wristbands for attractions, and pre-order options for raffle tickets will be coming home next week. All items will be available for purchase on the hotlunch.com site for your convenience – this would be the preferred method for orders and payment – that said, of course, we will still accept e-transfer, cash, or cheque along with the paper forms if that is easier for your family. Keep an eye out this week for all the information!
Cherry Tree Garden
We are so glad to have our beautiful outdoor learning “classroom” garden. Mrs. Hickey worked hard to make a beautiful pathway around the Cherry Tree Garden and now we want to fill in the spaces with plants. We are looking for donations of hardy perennials, mosses, and succulents for this purpose. We also want to provide an opportunity for imagination play in this area with little “fairy” houses, doors, pathways that we can put in our garden space. Donations of these types of items would be appreciated. Most of the time these items will be taken out for play during classroom time and tucked away safely afterwards. We are NOT looking for any “fairy garden” creatures (gnomes, fairies, etc.) as we want the children to use their own imaginations about what the creatures who live in our garden look like.
If you would like to donate plants or “fairy garden” items, we will be accepting them on May 1st and 2nd at the office. On May 3rd we would need 4 or 5 parents to come help with planting and designing of our fairy garden. If you want to help on May 3rd or have questions please email Jenn Baerg (jenn.baerg@abbyschools.ca) or the office (swift@abbyschools.ca).
Gr.4 Parent Survey
Each year the Ministry of Education and Child Care invites parents of grade 4 students to complete a Student Learning Survey – the survey for this year closes on April 29th and can be found following this link.
Check Your SchoolCash Account
Please help us keep our accounting up to date and check your SchoolCash accounts. Any outstanding fees will be visible on your account. We have many field trips coming up throughout the remainder of the year – please keep an eye on your account.
Lost and Found – Spring Post!
Please take a peek at the Lost and Found listed on the website. There are many items missing their home – if something is yours, please let us know so it can be returned
Strong Start – Nature Thursdays
Nature Thursdays in Strong Start are back! The group meets at 9:00 at the Bateman Park Playground. There will no longer be “indoor” Strong Start on Thursdays.
Parking and Being Good Neighbours
We have noticed some problems creeping up again with parking and the drop-off lane. While we understand that parking can be tricky – we must be good neighbours & courteous to each other – remember, little eyes and ears are always watching and listening. Kids see and hear everything!
Please ensure you are:
- Follow City By-Laws - Not blocking driveways in the cul-del-sacs or on nearby roads. City bylaw states that there must be at least 1.5 meters of clearance to a driveway. There should also be no double parking. (For City Bylaws please go to: https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services
- Not parking in the Drop-Off Lane – this is for dropping off and picking up students – please do not leave your car if you are in this lane. Do NOT pick up or drop off in the fire lane.
- Young Lungs at Work - we would like to remind you that areas around the school are “idle free zones”. If you’re waiting in the Drop-Off Lane, or are parked close by, please turn off your car – help our kids’ little lungs…and the environment! We thank you for your support.
Dates to Remember:
Please be sure to check the website for the most up to date information!
April 24 – Fruit & Veggie Day – Mini-peppers
April 24 – Div. 11, 14, 15 Field Trip – Aldergrove Park
April 26 - Administrative Assistant's Day - Thank You Ms. Dahl!!
April 27 – Spirit Day – Rainbow/Tye Dye Day
April 27 – Last day to order from the PAC Flower Fundraiser
April 28 – Non-Instructional Day – No School
May 1 – Kilometer Club starts at lunch recess
May 5 – Gr. 3 Field Trip – Xa:ytem Long House