Our
Vision
The Swanton School is a caring, responsible, respectful community of
learners. Our work, supported by inquiry and reflection, promotes
personal integrity, citizenship, and lifelong learning.
Playground Watch
Help the Swanton Police Department protect our school. If you see unsupervised youth or teens
on the playground, email Chief Stell.
Swanton Elementary School
Respectful. Responsible. Caring.
News
Earth Day Events
Swanton Elementary School celebrated Earth Day on April 12th with hat parades and special assemblies (the official Earth Day is 4/22, during spring break). Over 160 Swanton students made hats out of recycled materials - some of the most beautiful and inventive designs ever seen in Vermont! These were displayed in the library and then in hat parades at both schools. The hat contest was so popular and successful that it may become a yearly tradition.
Hannah Noel, a farmer, educator and composting expert - who owns Maplewood Organics Farm in Highgate - made presentations at both schools about composting. Students were able to take home a small pot of "black gold" and a Rattlesnake Pole Bean seed - to start their own garden.
Reading is an Investment
Swanton Elementary School again had a winner in this year's state-wide "Reading is an Investment" program, a financial literacy education curriculum taught through our school library. Below, Gabrielle Boutin visits the State House in Montpelier for the award ceremony, and meets Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott.
The Annual Swanton Student Variety Show will be held on Friday, April 20th, at 6:30 pm. Come join us for an evening of fun in support of our young performers. We have singers, musicians, artists, poets, dancers and more! Donations will be accepted at the door for the Franklin County Relay for Life. There will also be a bake sale of yummy treats to also support of the Relay.
Thank You!
The numbers are in, and the book fair was a great success - thanks to the help and support of everyone in the Swanton Elementary School community. We are particularly grateful to our community volunteers for their assistance, as well as to our wonderful parents and students, who came, looked, and shopped like crazy. We sold a lot of books and the profits are used directly by the library for school resources and programs. Book fair sales are an essential part of the library's budget, and gives us a chance to meet parents who do not usually visit our library - we value this. Talking informally to our fair visitors helps us get to know parents and children more than is possible during the regular school day.
We hope all of you enjoyed the fair. Happy reading!
What is the Swanton School Ski Program? Many local schools provide their students with the opportunity to be introduced to skiing/riding. Swanton is trying to start such a program for its students. The program is set to being next year however fundraising is necessary to get this program up and running. The tentative plan will be for students to take 3 day trips over the school year to the ski resort where they will have a lesson, rentals and a day of skiing/riding. The program will begin with one grade level (5th) with the hopes of expanding in the future. Eventually it will give every Swanton student the opportunity to ski at some point in their years at Swanton School. PLEASE get the word out and lets pack the gym to make this program a success. Feel free to pass this invitation on to family, friends and community members!
Award-winning Vermont author Jason Chin spoke in the Central building library to the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes about researching, writing and illustrating his books, "Redwoods" and "Coral Reefs," Thursday, February 9th. He also amazed students with some very quick and skillful sketching. This event was funded through the earnings of our school book fairs, for which the library thanks you for your support!
On February 6th, 24 parents and community members attended a financial literacy seminar in the Swanton Central School Library. The seminar was hosted by a team from the State Treasurers' Office and Vermont Jump$tart Coalition - a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the financial literacy of Vermont youth. Parents learned strategies for and discussed allowance issues, how to teach children about saving, budgeting, and more. 16 parents completed evaluations of the seminar - every evaluation rated the workshop as "Very Helpful." Thanks for your support!
On November 8, 2011 the Swanton school district had a public vote concerning replacement of the Babcock building roof. The article on the ballot read:
"Shall general obligation bonds of the Swanton Town School District, in an amount not to exceed Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000.00), be issued for the purpose of replacing the roof on the Mary S. Babcock School building?"
The school directors would like to thank the community for their participation on November 8th. Your school directors are: Mary Wood (Co-Chair), PattiJo Walker (Clerk), Jay Cummings and Gary "Gub" Thompson.
Sincerely,
Tobias Maguire, Chair
Babcock Roof Bond Passes
We would like to thank the Swanton Community for supporting and passing the bond for a new roof on the Babcock building. The school board will now begin the process of developing specifications and going out for bids for the project.
Joseph Bruchac will be visiting Swanton School on November 9th. Joe is the premier Abenaki story teller and we are so excited to have him visit Swanton School. Feel free to visit his website.
Our Millionaires' Club is off to a wonderful start. Check out the website here and feel free to leave your comments!
Important informational meeting regarding replacement of the Babcock School Roof to take place on November 1, 2011 at the Swanton School Library. See the Roof Project page under the information tab.
Internet Safety Webinar >
Meet the NEW Assistant Principal: Mrs. Raabe
Mrs. Raabe was raised in Charlotte, Vermont and has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Her father is a local doctor and her mother is an artist. She attended UVM for both her undergraduate and graduate work. She received a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in art and environmental science and completed her graduate work in educational leadership. For five years she taught fourth grade in New York City and then taught in a 2/3/4 classroom for two years in Isle La Motte. Prior to accepting a job here in Swanton she taught for five years in a 5/6 classroom in Charlotte. She is married and has a 6 year old daughter and a dog named Scooby (which she did NOT name)!
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?Math
Who is your favorite author? My sister, Emily Raabe! Her first children’s middle level book is coming out next year J
What are you most looking forward to about being in Swanton? The fact that I get to see lots of different kids throughout the day opposed to just being in one classroom.
Who is the most influential person in your life and why? My mom because she had high expectations, but was very supportive and raised 5 kids!
Be sure to check out the TEAM Northwest Tutoring Links tab on the top of this page, or click here to download information.
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to the 2011-2012 school year! We are excited to see all students, teachers and staff back to school. Please check the website regularly for updates. Have a great year!
