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JanuaryBoard
2015 Report
Smith
Volume 1, Issue 5
Swift Middle School 1866 Robert Fulton Hwy.
Quarryville, PA 17566 717-548-2187 www.solanco.org
Student Recognitions
School Board Student of the Month
for December
Emma Humbert
The Sixth Grade Team at Swift Middle School
is delighted to nominate Emma Humbert for
her outstanding efforts. Emma is truly a
superior student who consistently
demonstrates positive qualities which make her
an asset in the classroom and in our school
community. Emma strives to be the best she
can be in everything she does. She puts her
heart and all of her effort into every task she
completes. She will do whatever she is asked to
do to the best of her ability. Emma is to be
commended for her positive attitude and hard
work.
Principal, Paul Gladfelter
[email protected]
Assistant Principal, John Dolan
[email protected]
Principals Breakfast Club
Principal’s Breakfast Club students are
chosen by each team and have shown great
effort and/or improvement in their
academics. They were recognized during a
continental breakfast with their
parents/guardians on December 19th.
6th Grade: Andrew Lau, Alex Coble, Gwen
Kemper, Rayna Johnson
7th Grade: Emma Sheets, Jacob Smolik,
Jenna Bleacher, Heather Baker
8th Grade: Brian Daniel-Moreles, Josh Herr,
John Murray, Morgan Chapman
6th Grade: 133
7th Grade 127
8th Grade 140
Total 400
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SWIFT News
PTO Update:
Happy Holidays from the PTO! Thanks for
helping our school be the best that it can be!
We are still searching for a secretary, please
let us know if you are interested!
PTO officers for the 2013/2014 school year:
Sherri Bleacher, president [email protected]
Angie Miller, vice
president [email protected]
Amie Fetterman,
treasurer [email protected]
Jessica Smith, secretary [email protected]
Susie Ferrari, hospitality [email protected]
Language Arts- Students will be developing a
narrative of imagined experiences. Students will also
explore poetry by focusing on the unique forms and
structures.
If you have any questions, concerns, ideas or
you would like to help out, I can be reached at
717-723-5619 or
Contact Mrs. Pearson at
[email protected].
[email protected]
The Guidance department continues to look at Careers
in January as the 8th graders prepare to pick classes for
the High School. Some important dates are:
January 28th- Course selection process review
January 30th - HS students will be here to review
electives with students
February 3rd- parents are invited to attend a Course
Selection meeting to discuss the process and answer
any questions parents may have. 6:30 in the Swift
library
February 10, 12, and 17th- parents can schedule
individual meetings to review their child’s possible
courses (3-8:00pm)- call main office to schedule
February 19th - Students will register for classes via
powerschool (in LA class). Students need to have their
course selection papers signed in order to register
LEAD- The students will begin researching information
for an upcoming Egyptian project.
READ – READ students will complete a research
assignment on Ancient Egypt. We will also work on
reading strategies and vocabulary strategies. We will
also use Teen Biz.
Math- In Math during January, 6th graders will be
starting a unit on Algebra. Concepts covered will
include writing and evaluating expressions, evaluating
square roots, using formulas, and solving one-step
equations.
Science- Students in 6th grade science will finish
learning about the behavior and impact of water
systems and begin to discover the diversity of life on
Earth.
Social Studies- In January, 6th grade social studies
students will be completing a research project on
ancient Egypt. They will choose from several topics
and create a PowerPoint presentation based on the
research that they complete in social studies and LEAD
classes. They also need to be prepared to answer
questions from their classmates as they present the
PowerPoint to the class.
6thAfter
grade
pictureHoliday
goes here!
a successful
Concert, the Swift Concert
Band is now focusing on sight reading potential
pieces of music for the Spring Concert. Students are
reading through a few pieces set in different musical
styles in order for Mr. Weyman to program a concert
that will be challenging, diverse, and, of course, fun
for both the students and the audience. Regular
weekly lessons focusing on enhancing technique and
growing musicianship continue as well.
SWIFT News
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Language Arts- In January, we will wrap up our
Fiction unit and begin a short unit on Literary
Nonfiction. We will read a selection of
biographies and historical accounts.
Language Arts- We will be covering our Poetry unit, reading
“Mother to Son” by Hughes and “The Road Not Taken” by
Frost. On January 15th we will be holding our first annual
“Espresso Yourself Coffeehouse” poetry reading, which
features a chance for students to show off what they have
mastered this unit.
LEAD – We will be working with nonfiction text
and discussing and studying why prior
knowledge is important as well as setting
purposes before we read.
LEAD – Students will continue to apply reading strategies to
fiction and non-fiction texts in order to improve
comprehension. In addition, students will learn and apply
test-taking strategies.
Math/Extensions –We will be completing a unit
on solving two-step equations and beginning a
unit on two-dimensional geometry.
Science – In January, the Swift scientists will
finish understanding the structure and function
of the cell organelles and begin investigating th
process of the cell cycle.
Social Studies – In January, we are beginning
our unit on European exploration; discussing the
reasons and the impact it had on the world.
READ – We will be working on reading
strategies and vocabulary strategies. Students
will also be using Teen Biz.
READ – We will begin using the INFER strategy and working
in reading stations.
Algebra – We will begin January by looking at geometric
ideas and quickly move into probabilities – both experimental
and theoretical. We will then begin exploring equations for
lines and their creation from data,
Science – Students will be completing their study on
Newton’s Laws. Inertia, momentum and forces are the focus.
Science CDTs will be occurring in mid January
Social Studies – During the month of January the 8th grade
students will be exposed to the injustices suffered by Native
Americans and African slaves during the early to mid 1800’s
in our country.
Geography – Student teacher will be arriving from LBC. We
will be wrapping up the PA unit with a trip around the State
planning out Ultimate Vacations.
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 [email protected]. 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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SWIFT News
Art-



6th grade- this group is making a litter bug a 3-d
low relief sculpture inspired by Mark Oliver
7th grade- working on creating a 3-D kite.
8th grade-Is working on a graphic design based on
the low tech graphic design concept of chalkboard
art.
Computer Tech.


8th grade –Students will be working on a career
unit in preparation for picking high school classes.
We will return to Excel to finish division, averaging
and charts.
7th grade –Students will begin working on Power
Point and will begin creating their own presentation
to be given in class.
6th grade – Students will learn and review reaches
to the U, C, W, and Right Shift along with
reviewing all the reaches we have done so far.
FACS 6th Grade – Students will learn about reading food
labels and healthy snacking.
 7th Grade – Students will learn about consumerism
and managing their money.
 8th Grade – Students will learn about meal
planning and make taco salad. Then they will learn
about advertising and tricks of the supermarket.
Music 6th Grade –Students are reviewing the treble clef and
related topics.
 7th Grade – Studying Program music
 8th Grade – Studying briefly some highlights of the
history of Rock & Roll.
Phys. Ed 7th Grade Health – (Overly & Lane) Alcohol Unit ;
followed by Drug Unit.
 6th, 7th & 8th Physical Education – (Overly and
Kauffman) Volleyball Unit
Technology Education
 6th Grade- Students are continuing to study the
transportation unit by constructing and testing a
boat.
 7th Grade- Students are manufacturing small Shaker
shelves with less guidance than they received on the
previous project.
 8th Grade- Students are assembling and racing their
CO2 dragsters.
Library Media Center
 All grades will continue their book exchanges for
leisure reading.
 6th grade will begin a research project on Ancient
Egypt with a focus on the Big6 research process.
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:
Jan 7th: PTO – 3:00pm
Jan. 3rd -17th: Yearbook orders
Jan. 7th and 8th: CDT Math Testing
Jan. 14th and 15th: CDT Science Testing
Jan 16th: Parent Conferences – 6:30-8:30
Jan. 24th: No School