Swann Lion Times
Your weekly update from your Lion Pride!
What Our Lions Are Learning
Be sure to talk with your Lions each night about what standards they are working on and what activities they are doing to master those standards! Here is some general information to get the conversation started.
In Math, students started their first Open Up units. Click here to see the Open Up lessons for all grade levels! 6th graders are working with geometry, 7th graders are working with proportional relationships and ratios, and 8th grade is working with rigid transformations and congruency.
In ELA, students are beginning their first units. 6th grade is reading Percy Jackson, 7th grade is reading A Long Walk to Water, and 8th grade is reading Summer of the Mariposas.
In Social Studies, 6th graders are working on early humankind, 7th grade is learning about the early civilizations around the world, and 8th grade is working on the American colonialism.
In Science, 6th graders are working on states of matter and atoms, 7th graders are learning about the water cycle, and 8th graders are in their evolution and earth science unit.
6th Grade Social Studies
Making cave paintings
6th Grade Chorus
Music notation activity
8th Grade ELA
6th Grade math Moment
6th graders are working on surface area. How can you find the area of polygons A and B. Can your student explain their reasoning?
7th Grade Math Moment
7th graders are working on constant ratios this week. When something is traveling at a constant speed, there is a proportional relationship between the time it takes and the distance traveled.
Noah is running a portion of a marathon at a constant speed of 6 miles per hour. Complete the table to predict how long it would take him to run different distances at that speed, and how far he would run in different time intervals.
8th Grade Math Moment
The two figures are congruent. Label the points A', B', and C' that correspond to A, B, and C in the figure on the right. If segment AB measures 2 cm, how long is segment A'B'? Explain.
STEM Stories
This week, students in the Physics class completed their egg drop tests. In this activity, students learn about forces of motion as they design a contraption that will protect an egg from a multi-story fall. They have to think about how to slow down the egg, cushion the egg, and restrain the egg--all the same concepts used to keep us safe in cars. Try the activity at home with materials you have laying around. Did your egg survive?
Noticias de Spanish Immersion
El martes, los estudiantes de Spanish Immersion presentaron carteles sobre los paises hispanohablantes en La Fiesta de Herencia Hispanica. On Tuesday, the Spanish Immersion students presented posters about Spanish speaking countries at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Watch the video below for highlights of the event!
Announcements
Classcraft 🧙🏽‍♂️
Classcraft is our school's behavior management platform that we use to reward students for making good decisions at school. However, once you join the game, you too will have the capability to reward your child with gold pieces when they make good decisions at home. THIS IS AWESOME!! In addition to earning points they can use them to attend events and "buy" rewards from the Roar Store, students can use points to build avatars and play the adventure game in the program.
Build your parent account today and be part of the game!
Parent Classroom Representatives
Attention Parents & Guardians We are looking for a parent representative for each of our classes. We would like to ask for parent volunteers to support their childs homeroom teacher. This individual would be a part of the grade level team of parents that would support the classroom and grade level throughout the school year. A letter will be sent home Tuesday with more information.
NWEA Testing
On Wednesday, students will take their Beginning of Year NWEA Math Test. This online test is used to determine students' current levels and growth trajectories in math. We use the data we get from this test to group students for academic supports and to help determine what they need to be successful and meet their goals this year. Please encourage your student to take their time on the test and complete it to the best of their ability. Also, please help ensure that your student brings their fully charged Chromebook to school to use for testing!
Annie, Jr Auditions!
Auditions for our Spring Musical Annie Jr. are this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6th and 7th. Any student in any grade may try out for one of the 25 roles. Sign up links and details are on the school website.
Student and Family Handbook
Families and students can access the Swann Student Handbook and the GCS Handbook on our website: https://www.gcsnc.com/domain/16465
Please review the handbooks with your students so that everyone is aware of school and district rules and policies. The dress code, pick up and drop off policies, the code of conduct, and much more are included in these documents.
Counseling Corner
Meet the Counselors!
Ms. Kelly is serving our 7th grade and A-M 8th grade students.
Because our counselors work with students all day, email is a good way to contact them when you need them!
World Bullying Prevention Day
On Monday, students and staff will be participating in activities in support of World Bullying Prevention Day. On this first day of October and throughout the whole month, students, schools, and communities all over the world go BLUE together against bullying. Wear your blue shirt and you’ll be using your voice and sending a message that this is the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world. End the Hate... Change the Culture!
Athletics
Fall Sports
It's time to cheer on our Lion Pride! The Fall game schedule is on the website!
The second round of fall sports begins in October, students interested in joining a fall sports team should check the Athletics page of the website for times and dates of conditioning and try outs. All necessary forms are also posted on the website. Remember that any athlete must have a current physical on file to participate.
Family and Community Involvement Opportunities
Volunteering
We are excited to welcome Swann's family and friends into the school this year! Our focus is on increasing parent engagement. We have a list of teams we are looking for folks to serve on throughout the year. Click on the interest form below and let us know how you want to be a part of our Lion Pride this year!
1. Fill out the interest form for volunteers, and we will call you or email you when opportunities arise.
2. Register as an official GCS volunteer here.
Join the PTA Today!
Swann is a proud PTA school! Click here to join our PTA as a parent, student, community, or staff member. If you are interested in serving on the Board, let us know and we will put you in touch with the current PTSA reps! School is better when we work together!
For more information or if you are interested in serving on the PTA Board, please reach out to swannpta@gmail.com.
Support Our Teachers!
10/4 NWEA Math Test
10/10 State of the School Event
11/2-3 Teacher Workdays
11/10 Veteran's Day--No School
11/22-24 Thanksgiving Break
12/22-1/2 Winter Break
5/24-31 EOG Testing