Swanton School News
October 2010
Volume 10, Issue 2
868-5346/868-4920
www.swantonschool.org
Building a Better
School
Next week marks the beginning of
our annual NECAP testing period.
NECAP stands for New England
Common Assessment Program.
Under Federal law, each state must
develop a standard way to measure
the academic progress of its students.
Vermont joined with other New
England states to develop the
NECAP.
The NECAP measures individual
student achievement in grades 3-6,
but it is also used to measure the
overall success of our school. The
goal of the law is to have all students
“proficient” in math, writing, and
reading by 2014. The law sets a
target, called an Annual Measurable
Objective (AMO). Last year, our
school met the AMO when the scores
of all students were combined.
However, when we separate out
different groups of students, a
problem becomes clear. Some
groups of students in our school are
not as successful as others.
Our mission as a school is to create
success for each student. Families can
help us reach this mission by
supporting students during the
NECAP Assessment dates: October
5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. For the next
two weeks, be sure that your child is
well rested and has the opportunity to
eat a healthy breakfast. Please be
sure that your child arrives at school
on time and stays for the entire day as
we have both morning and afternoon
testing sessions. Consider
scheduling any necessary
appointments after the 14th. Offer
your child positive encouragement,
reminding them to do their best! Let
your child know that all over VT and
New England, students are taking the
NECAP…they are not alone. The
result of these assessments in math,
reading and writing will help our
teachers in Swanton be the best
teachers that they can be.
Thank you for taking the time to help
the Swanton School to meet our
mission and vision.
 Health Update
Calendar
HELP EVERYONE STAY 8 glasses a day preferably.
September 29th:
HEALTHY! • Dress for the weather.
Picture Day- • Eat a well balanced diet with
Parents and students can take steps fruits and vegetables
Babcock
to help prevent illness in the • Sleep is important. Children
Sept. 30-Oct. 1:
classroom. Let’s work together to require 10 hours of sleep at
Picture Days
stay healthy! night.
Central
• Stay home if you are sick. • Consider flu shots
October 6th: PTO • Cover your sneezes and
Meeting 6:00 pm coughs with your elbow Children must stay home if they are
Central School • Wash your hands often sick. When a sick child enters
Library. • Be sure tissues are disposed the classroom, he/she is exposing all
of properly the other students and the teacher
October 5, 6, 7, 12, • Apply lotion to hands to to the illness. This creates an
13, 14: NECAP prevent dryness unhealthy environment for all.
Testing. • Stay home and rest 24 hours
after a fever If a child has an occasional cough, it
October 11 :th
• Stay home and rest 24 hours is OK to send the child to school,
School Board after vomiting but if the child is coughing
Meeting 6:00 pm • Keep hydrated with water. excessively, please have him/her stay
Central Library home and rest.

October 21st and Have you signed up for a parent-teacher conference? The
22nd: No School - conferences will be held on November 22nd and November 23rd.
VT Teacher’s Some parents already signed up during Open House. If you have
Convention. not yet made conference appointments, please call Dawn at
Babcock (868-4920) or Mary at Central (868-5346) to reserve your
October 29th: time! There is NO SCHOOL on the 22nd or 23rd.
School Spirit Black
& Orange Day Who’s Who?
November 5th: Our
annual movie night, We have many wonderful staff members who
sponsored by the support our families and students through our
PTO. guidance, counseling and positive behavior
programs:
November 17th:
School Spirit Cindy Rose – School Counselor, Babcock
Pajama Day Katy Thompson – School Counselor, Central
Deb Light – School Counselor, Central
November 22nd Melanie Steeneck – School Home Coordinator
-23rd: Parent Phyllis Paro – Psychological Services
conferences – no Susan Trombley – School Psychologist, NCSS
school for students. Amanda Sweeney – Behavior Specialist
Carlo Micheli – Behavioral Assistant
Sarah Tebbetts –Behavioral Assistant