Posted September 7, 2021
Good afternoon Swigert Families,
We hear a great deal in the news about learning loss or gaps for students in their learning due the pandemic. There are still more questions than answers as we begin this school year but we are taking time to understand where students are entering. At Swigert we are implementing a longer runway than in a typical year – investing time in getting to know our students, both academically as well as socially and emotionally. Over the past two weeks, teachers and specialists at Swigert have been giving one on one assessments to gather a body of evidence in reading, writing and math. At the end of this week, each teacher will send home a data snapshot. Please know this is just a snapshot in time of where your student is. If you have any questions regarding the data please reach out to our child’s teacher or you can email me at shelby_dennis@dpsk12.org.
We have also invested in more intervention and social emotional support to target and differentiate needs. Our Special Education, Gifted and Talented, and MultiLingual Education groups are already beginning. After our data dig this week, we will begin our intervention in math and literacy next Monday, September 13th.
A recent study by IB states that we can identify the following key factors that can mitigate the impacts of disaster and lost learning
As an IB school, we see these components throughout our programing – including engaging units tied to real world experiences, integrated arts, service learning, cultivating international mindedness, and robust specials programming. Your support at home is invaluable – reading with your kids, modeling a love of learning, asking questions about what they are learning about or excited to learn more about, etc. We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to support our kids!
Articles/resource on learning loss:
IB lost learning (1).pdf – Google Drive
In 2021, Too Much Focus on ‘Learning Loss’ Will Be a Historic Mistake | Edutopia
The Education Lost to the Pandemic – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Sincerely,
Shelby Dennis
shelby_dennis@dpsk12.org
Unfortunately, when Food and Nutrition Services told us to use their Elementary School Menu, which I sent out last Friday, they didn’t share that menu with our Kitchen Manager, which means she ordered based on the SchoolCafe menu. This means that until Friday, September 17th, we’ll be using the menu that was posted on SchoolCafe. Please note: the only day PB&J will be offered (after today) is Friday 9/17. The lunches offered will be:This week:
Wed 9/8: Grilled Mediterranean Sandwich Meal (vegetarian option)/Korean BBQ Beef Bowl/Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Thu 9/9: Buffalo Chicken Salad/Cheesy Bread Stick (veg option)/Lemon Chicken w/ Rice
Fri 9/10: Cheeseburger (no fries)/Chorizo Mac & Cheese/Mac & Cheese (veg option)
Next week:
Mon 9/13: Cuban Sandwich/Beef Nachos/Cheese Nachos (veg option)
Tue 9/14: Chicken Hot Wings/Turkey Cheese Wrap/Grilled Cheese (veg option)
Wed 9/15: Cheeseburger (no fries)/Ham Chef Salad/Salsa Black Bean Burger (veg option)/Vegetarian Chef Salad (veg option)
Thu 9/16: Italian Sub Mea/Italian Veggie Sub Meal (veg option)
Fri 9/17: Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce/ Spaghetti Marinara (veg option)/PB&J
Sorry about all the changes! Hopefully the SchoolCafe menu will be updated soon, and all information will match.
Hop on zoom tonight, Tuesday, September 7th, from 5:00 – 5:30 to learn more about GT identification and programming from Mrs. Bresnahan our GT Coordinator, and get your GT questions answered! Hope to see you there! If you are unable to make it and you have questions, please email Robin Bresnahan at robin_bresnahan@dpsk12.org.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 916 283 0882
Passcode: 8PeN75
Please join us in the vegetable garden on Thursday, September 9th from 8:15-10:15 for gardening & coffee. Green and brown thumbs are welcome! Tasks will include weeding, tending beds, trellising vines & harvesting vegetables. Please bring your own garden gloves & hand tools. Coffee will be provided.
Lifetouch will be here on Monday, September 20th for individual pictures. We will send order envelopes home in Friday folders on Friday, September 17th. To order online, go to myliftouch.com and use the school ID or Picture Day ID: EVTCJP8Q2.
Mark your calendars! Swigert Gives & Spirit Week 9/13-9/17
What is it? A weeklong celebration of Swigert with a giving drive to fund our unique school programs
How does it work?
What does Swigert need these fundraising dollars for?
Swigert Gives supports the following programs:
We hope you can participate!
Swigert Gives, it’s for the kids.
www.SwigertPTA.com/Swigert-
Swigert Gives is looking for a few more donated items to be used as raffle prizes during our weeklong giving campaign. If you or someone you know has something fun and unique to donate, let us know. Prior very successful raffle donations include: professional sports tickets, a weekend stay at a mountain property, signed memorabilia, a family dinner/date night out to a restaurant, or a unique kid experience. We are so appreciative of anything you can donate to the campaign.
Please email katierustici@hotmail.com if you are interested in contributing.
PTA had a great first meeting! If we missed you, mark your calendar for our next meeting which will be November 3rd!
IMPORTANT PTA DATES TO NOTE:
Swigert Gives: 9/13-9/17, Culminating party for the week long giving – Swigert Celebrates will be 9/19 from 2-5 at the Stanley Beer Hall
Spirit Wear: Today is your final day to buy Swigert Spirit Wear for this buying window. Please visit www.swigertpta.com to place your final orders by 8:00 TONIGHT!!
Inclusion Diversity: If your kids have joined the Kindness Club the first meeting will be 9/14 (location details will be sent out to those participating).
Membership: This is our final membership push. If you would like to join the PTA please log into swigertpta.com to pay your dues. If you are experiencing financial hardship please reach out to Shelby or Courtney, we have several sponsored PTA Memberships. shelby_dennis@
Summer Reading Challenge: Please mark your students’ reading hours and make your donations!! Hours can be logged on the Swigert PTA website swigertpta.com
Dine and Donate: Mark Your Calendars!! 9/22 at Pizzeria Locale
Garden: If you would like spend some time in the garden, the next scheduled clean-up will be 9/9 from 8:15 – 10:15
School Sponsorship: If you are interested in becoming a school sponsor for the 2021-2022 school year please reach out!! No contribution is too small and supporting Swigert’s Sponsorship is a great way to spread your brand awareness within the community all while impacting the bottom line of Swigert’s PTA! please email sarahtday@hotmail.com
Sept 7th GT Zoom Meeting
Sept 9th Back-to-School Night
Sept 9th Garden and Coffee Day
Sept 12th-19th Swigert Gives and Spirit Week
Sept 19th 2pm-5pm Swigert Celebrates! at the Stanley Beer Hall
Sept 20th Picture Day
Sept 22nd Dine & Donate (Pizzeria Locale)