Principal Weekly Update to Families
13 - September - 2024
Brief Message From the Principal
We are excited to announce the launch of our new weekly newsletter! Starting this week, we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and important information to keep you informed and connected with all that’s happening at our school.
Each week, you can expect to find:
- Classroom Highlights: Snapshots of what’s happening in the classroom and student achievements.
- Upcoming Events: A rundown of key dates and events so you can stay in the loop.
- Important Announcements: Essential updates and reminders to keep you informed.
- Spotlight Features: Stories and features on students, teachers, and special programs.
Our goal with this newsletter is to strengthen our communication and keep you engaged with your child’s educational journey. We hope you find it both informative and enjoyable!
This is our first edition, so please feel free to reach out with any feedback or suggestions. We’re looking forward to sharing our school’s vibrant life with you every week.
Best regards,
Magda Harrison
Principal
🌭 Lunch Menu for Week
😎 Great Moments from the Week
PEACEBUILDERS PLEDGE
During the month of September, students began reciting the PeaceBuilders pledge, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, as part of the morning announcements with Mrs.Harrison. Teachers and staff have been introducing and discussing the principles of the PeaceBuilders pledge with students and we encourage families to continue these conversations at home over the course of the school year!
The Peacebuilders program is a part of our integrated SEL curriculum and helps promote empathetic and respectful behavior among our school community. For more information on the PeaceBuilders program, you can visit www.peacebuilders.com).
** Throughout the year, we encourage all students and staff to wear their PeaceBuilders T-shirts on Fridays to show their school spirit!!**
PeaceBuilder t-shirt order forms will be sent home within the next week or two
Visit from Officer Val & Oliver
We are excited to share that this week, our school had a special visit from Officer Val and her amazing partner, Police Dog Oliver! It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about the important role of police dogs in our community.
Here’s what happened:
Meet and Greet: Students had the chance to meet Officer Val and Police Dog Oliver up close. They learned about Oliver’s training, duties, and how he contributes to keeping our community safe.
Interactive Demonstrations: Officer Val demonstrated some of Oliver’s skills and training, showcasing how he performs his duties and helps with tasks such as search and rescue.
Educational Insights: The visit included a discussion on the role of police dogs, the bond between them and their handlers, and how they support public safety.
Q&A Session: Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day life of a police officer and their canine partner.
The visit was both educational and inspiring, helping our students appreciate the value of teamwork and the crucial work done by our local police force.
Thank you for encouraging your child to participate and engage in this memorable experience!
📆 Upcoming Events
Wed., 10/2 (7:00 pm) - CSSRE PTO Meeting (Virtual)
Wed., 10/9 (1:00 pm) - Districtwide Early Dismissal
Thurs., 10/10 - SRE Picture Day
Mon., 10/14 - No School
Wed., 10/30 (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm) - CSSRE Trunk or Treat
🏥 Update from the Nurse/Clinic
- Please return the yellow emergency forms to the nurse's office.
- Please remember that no medication can be administered without all correct documents! Please call Nurse A for any questions.
- Younger children often have bathroom accidents or spills at lunchtime. It's always a good idea to have a spare change of clothes in their backpacks.
- If your child gets diagnosed with illness from your pediatrician's office please let Nurse A know through email or phone.
🙋🏽 Important Reminders - DISMISSAL & ARRIVAL
Please call the attendance line in the morning if your student is going to be absent. Please include your student’s name, grade, homeroom, reason for absence, and your name and relationship to the student.
As a reminder, students are not allowed to take buses to friends at the end of the day.
Please remember to complete the Early Dismissal Form (sent home yesterday via email). This form is specifically for scheduled early dismissals and unexpected early dismissals (ex. weather related). Only one parent/guardian should complete this form.
Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. must be escorted into the building and signed in. The office will give your child a late pass to bring to the teacher.
If your child needs to be dismissed early for an appointment or other commitment, please send a note with your child in the morning.
Office dismissals should occur no later than 2:30 p.m.; after 2:30, parents will be expected to go through the regular pick up line. The time between 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. is very busy in the office, and for the safety of all students the focus during this time must be on the whole school dismissal process.
Contact Info
SWIFT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal: Magda HarrisonAssistant Principal: Ivy Peritz-Smith
Main Office: 413-323-0471 or 413-323-0472
Absentee/Tardy Line: 413-323-0455 (Available 24 Hours)
Website: www.belchertownps.org
Location: 57 State Street Belchertown, MA 01007