First Day News
First Day of School August 25th
Dear families and community members,
We are excited to announce that our school will join thousands of others across the nation honoring the "First Day of School." This community event invites everyone interested in our schools to join together during the first morning of school in a celebration of education.
Please mark your calendars now and plan to come to school on Tuesday, August 25th for an important community discussion of our school’s future.
At 8:00 a.m., parents will drop students off at their new classrooms, briefly greeting the new teacher. As students and teachers settle in for their first day of class, parents will meet in the Central Gym for an introduction to our status as a school in "corrective action" under the Federal "No Child Left Behind" law. After the two administrators provide parents and community members with some data about our status, we will break into discussion groups led by parents. Our focus questions will be quite simple, and we are looking for open and honest feedback about the future of the Swanton School. This will not be the only opportunity to discuss the requirement to "restructure" our school, but it is going to be important information that will help to shape the direction the "restructuring" will take. At 10:00, the Swanton PTO will host a reception for parents with refreshments and an opportunity to discuss PTO goals and ideas for the 2009-2010 school year.
Although kindergarten children will not be attending school on the 25th, interested parents of kindergarten students are welcome to join the discussion. Kindergarten children will leave the elementary school in the year 2015. What do you want our school to look like then? We sincerely hope you plan to join us for First Day!
FAQs About First Day
Why a celebration for the first day of school?
Making the first day of school a special day sends the message to our children that going to school is a joyous event and education is an important part of our community’s values.
What if I am working that day?
We have found that many employers have been flexible about releasing parents for this special event. If it is impossible for you to attend, consider asking a friend or relative to attend in your place.
Isn’t this just the same as Open House?
We have learned that First Day is a unique event that gets the year off to a positive start for everyone involved. The focus of our First Day is the connection between home and school, and a celebration of the importance of education in our community. The traditional Open House takes place later in the year, and is an opportunity to showcase some of our school and classroom programs.
Won’t this make it more difficult for my child to leave me on the First Day?
In our experience, when parents and children are introduced to the new school year together, everyone is more comfortable. Children gain confidence when they see that parents and teachers know each other. Over the years, we have learned that separation is actually easier with parents participating in the First Day of School activities.
Where do I go before 8 a.m.? Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can wait outdoors. On the reverse side of this letter is a map showing where your child’s teacher will be at the 8 a.m. bell. If the weather is too rainy to be outdoors, early arrivals will wait in the two gymnasiums.
