34800 Mireau Avenue, Abbotsford, BC V2S 5Y4 604.853-7730 swift.sd34.bc.ca
Principal, Mrs. Cathy Erickson
September 15, 2016
Welcome back everyone and a warm Swift welcome to families and students who are
new to our school! Our school has grown by almost 50 students since last June! We
have 2 new divisions and most of our classrooms are full!
The school start-up was very smooth and I would like to take this time to thank
everyone for all their hard work so that we could have children start in their classes
quickly!
We have several new faces at Swift this year. Please welcome Mrs. Bethany Dueck, Kindergarten, Mrs. Marlo Small, Nature
Grade One, Mrs. Sandra Griffith, English Language Learning, Learning Support Services and Division 8, Ms. Amanda Hickey
Div. 9, Wednesday, Mrs. Angeline Mushumanski, Grade One, Mr. Craig Bubel, Grade Two/Three, Ms. Anita Thind, Grade
Four/Five, Mrs. Kacey Oravec, Learning and Assessment Centre, Mrs. Skye Britton, Learning Support Services and Education
Assistants, Veronica Janzen, Veronica Garcia, Matthew Christiaanse, Natalieth Arcos, Raelyn Chalmers, Cally Hogness and
Nasiha Kavozovic. We are also pleased to welcome Mrs. Christine Dahl, our secretary as the friendly new face in the office!
Please know that I am always available for a chat and am more than happy to help solve problems large and small. I look
forward to a great year of learning with your children!
Cathy Erickson, Principal
[email protected]
Bell Schedule 2015-2016
8:22
8:27
Welcome Bell
School Starts
10:00
Recess starts
10:15
10:20
Recess Ends
Instruction Resumes
11:50
12:15
Lunch – Play Time
Lunch – Inside to Eat
12:35
Lunch Ends
12:40
Classes Resume
2:28
2:33
Student Planners
School Dismissed
Upcoming Events
September 26 – 29 – Loonies/Twoonies for Terry Fox Day
Terry Fox Run – Thursday, September 29 -9:00 am
September 28, October 5 and 12– Cross Country
Due to the fact that there are a
number of staff and several
students currently attending our
school who have severe and lifethreatening nut allergies, Swift is a
NUT-FREE SCHOOL. Thank you
for helping us keep all children
safe.
Meet the Teacher
Night
Join us for
Meet the Teacher
Night
Thursday,
September 15
at
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Noonhour Supervisors
Needed
Are you available to do
lunchtime supervision?
Please contact the office.
This is a paid position
and requires a
commitment to a
regular schedule.
Principals’s Message
2016-217 is going to be another wonderful year at Dr. Thomas A. Swift Elementary. We will be full and we will be busy.
We will be implementing the redesigned curriculum.
As many of you are ware, the Ministry of Education has released a new curriculum for the students and teachers of
British Columbia. It is a very different curriculum in philosophy and understanding of how people learn. The vision of this
document is: CAPABLE YOUNG PEOPLE THRIVING IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD.
The BCED plan has a focus on learning rather than on teaching and on competencies that learners will develop. The
competencies are: 1) critical thinking and problem solving, 2) collaboration and leadership, 3) communication and digital
learning, 4) personal and social responsibility, 5) creativity and innovation, and 6) global and cultural understanding.
Aspects, such as assessment, have not yet been clearly defined, but will be part of new innovative teaching practices and
approaches. These are all part of the 5 key elements of the new plan: 1) personalized learning for every student, 2)
quality teaching and learning, 3) flexibility and choice, 4) high standards, and 5) learning empowered by technology.
Education in British Columbia is changing and we encourage you, as partners, to come and explore the change. A good
way to keep informed of all changes, trends and school activities is to join the Dr. Thomas A. Swift PAC, visit their PAC
facebook page or read our online newsletters.
If you have questions or concerns, please drop by or call 604-853-7730.
Cathy Erickson, Principal
Attendance
If your child is absent please call the school or use the Attendance feature on our website. The answering machine is on at
all times and you can always leave a message. This helps to ensure the safety of our students. If your child arrives at school
and we have not been informed of an absence there will be a call made to ensure that the child is safe.
When your child arrives at school, please sign in at the office.
Important Dates To Remember
September 15 Meet the Teacher Night
Septembere 21 Photo Day
September 23 Non-Instructional Day
October 10
Thanksgiving Day
October 21
Non-Instructional Day
November 11
Remembrance Day
November 23/24 Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 25
Non-Instructional Day
Parking Lot Reminder
For the safety of the children:
When picking up kids please do not
block driveways or intersections.
Please do not park in spots marked
STAFF.
Thank you.
Student Verification Forms
have been sent home this week.
Please Read and Correct ALL
information and return ASAP.
We need 2 Emergency Contacts
who are NOT Parents to be listed
for every student.
School Planners are being
handing out this week. The
cost is $4.50 per student.
Please pay online at
www.schoolcashonline.com
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Start of Year Reminders
Newsletters
Our first newsletter will be coming home with your child. After today, the Newsletters will be available to you on our website,
on the PAC Facebook Page and on your Abby Schools App.
Combined classes
There are a lot of misunderstandings about combined classes. The reality is that most children in public school will spend
some of their time in a combined class. Students who are placed in combined classes are not smarter nor less smart than
anyone else. Research demonstrates that students in combined classes perform the same academically as those who are
not. On the other hand, students in combined classes do outperform those in straight classes in the domains of social skills,
leadership skills, independence and behavior skills. Parents are assured that they will receive instruction and curriculum for
their grade level and will be assessed at the appropriate grade level. Being positive about school is the most important
contributor to ensuring your child’s success.
West Coast Recess
Please remember as the weather constantly changes we will continue to have a “West Coast Recess”. Students need an
active break from the classroom environment and will be expected to be outside at recess regardless of the weather. Of
course, consideration will be given to extreme weather conditions. Please ensure that your child is prepared for the possibility
of inclement weather and an outside recess. This means, students come to school wearing a proper jacket and proper
footwear. Umbrellas and boots are always a great idea on those wet west coast days.
Coach’s Corner
Our Cross Country season has arrived. All students in grade 4 and 5 are welcome to join the team. Practices will be held on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during lunch time. Permission slips will be sent home next week!
All students are required to find their own ride to and from each Cross Country Race.
Race Dates: Wednesdays: Sept. 28, October 5 and October 12 @ Bateman Park. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to
watch and cheer on our team. Go Comets Go!
The Annual Terry Fox Run will be happening on Thursday, September 29. Bring in your Loonies and Toonies for Terry!
Dogs at School
Parents are reminded that School District Policy prohibits dogs from being on school grounds at any time. (Even wellbehaved, leashed & muzzled dogs!) This policy is in place for health and safety reasons. Some children are allergic to dogs –
others are dog phobic. And even the best-behaved dog can panic when surrounded by dozens of enthusiastic children. We
appreciate those parents who are walking “Rover” to and from school but are respecting our policy by waiting off school
grounds for your children. Your cooperation and citizenship is greatly appreciated – thank you!
StrongStart
StrongStart is a free family drop-in for children 0-5 and their families. Register with StrongStart on Monday, September 19.
StrongStart is open from 8:30 - 11:30 Monday – Friday.
Little Hands Pre-School
Little Hands Pre-School is accepting registrations for September. Come down to Room 113 or contact Ms. Jamie at
604-859-0717 for more information.
Hand in Hand Child Care still has part-time spaces available. Please contact Karen at 604-859-0717.
Baby Needed for Roots of Empathy Program
The baby needs to be 2 to 4 months old when we start the program........ so usually born June, July, or August. The
commitment is a 30 minute classroom visit, once every 3 weeks over the school year for a total of 9 visits.
Unfortunately siblings cannot attend along with Mom and baby so ideally it would be a baby who has school aged siblings.
Please contact the school if this is a volunteer opportunity that interests you.
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