OCTOBER 2, 2008

FROM THE DESK OF ANNE M. KREUL

 Dear Parents,

Many fabulous opportunities are planned for Swanson students in October!
* Students who registered for French and Spanish begin Session 1 classes October 6.
* School-sponsored clubs begin this month including Weave It Up, Songbirds, Pom Pons, Swanson Spirit News, and On the Spot. 
* Band and Orchestra lessons are beginning for returning and new fourth and fifth grade students.
* Chorus "Super Singers" have formed and will be rehearsing on red and yellow days at 3:00 pm with the current emphasis in learning the school song that represents and supports our PEACE goals.
* Conference slips have been sent home in order to plan and for November conferences. We will do everything possible to schedule conferences based on the needs and requests of several hundred families! We appreciate your flexibility and support!
* Swanson students will participate in a fall walk/run and Field Day on October 16 in the afternoon. We would like parents to join us in the walk/run. If you are interested in working in the field events, please contact Mr. Lewcock at 262-789-2540.

Please join us for coffee and conversation on Friday, October 17 at 9:00 am or 2:30 pm. The topic for discussion will be Everyday Math - Math Routines and Logarithms.  We will tape this conversation and have it available for any parent who may wish to hear more about our math program and are unable to attend the morning or afternoon sessions.

The first PTO meeting for this school year will be held on Tuesday, October 21. Please join us to plan as well as network with other parents. The meeting will be held at 6:30pm in the multipurpose room.

Please consider volunteering in our school library regularly. If you have an interest in reading, research, helping our students check out interesting books, and are committed to making a difference, please contact Mrs. Kangas, Ms. Veltri, or Mrs. Snyder (library staff) at 262-789-2540 for further information.

Enjoy the season!

Mrs. Anne M. Kreul
Principal

DATES TO REMEMBER - OCTOBER

PICTURE RETAKES                     

Picture retake day will be on October 14th from 9-11:30.

Students who need a retake or did not have his/her picture taken at Meet & Greet should plan on going to the camera.  There is no charge for retakes, but students need to bring back the complete package in order for it to be retaken.  Order forms are available in the office for anyone who needs one. 

NEWS FROM THE BROOKFIELD LIBRARY 

Poetry Reading by Brookfield Resident Joanne Cunningham

On Wednesday, October 8th, Joanne will be reading poems from her books, In My Own Voice and In Other Words.  She will also answer questions about finding your own inner poet, publishing a book, and learning how to share your work with others.  Come join us at 2:00 pm for an afternoon of poetry tht is sure to touch your heart!  

For more information, contact Cathy Tuttrup, Adult Services, at the Brookfield Public Library at 782-4140

 FIELD DAY IS COMING!

Dear Swanson Parents,

The Swanson Field Day is approaching quickly.  This year, Field Day will be on Thursday, October 16th.  It will take place in the afternoon from 1:00-3:15.  On this exciting day, the children are scheduled to be outdoors participating in a variety of activities.  Some of the favorite activities from last year include the run/walk to kick off Field Day, the home run derby, the potato sack races, and the bubble blowing station!  Field Day has been extremely successful in the past due to all the parent support.  During Field Day we need parent volunteers to help run the various stations outside, as well as some pre-Field Day set-up.  If you are interested in volunteering for the Field Day events please send your name, phone number, and the class your child is in to Mrs. Bond or Mr. Dave by Monday, October 13th.  A Swanson parent will be in contact with you about specific times for volunteering.  Thanks again for all your support!

Michelle Bond
David Lewcock

PTO News

Swanson PTO Meeting
Tuesday, October 21st - 6:30pm
(Room 221 - Swanson Multipurpose room)

All Swanson families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
(Although children are welcome, no childcare is provided)

Topics of discussion will include:
* Nomination and Vote on PTO Treasurer candidate Amy Hodges
* Results of our fall fundraiser and our current PTO financial situation
* Discussion & vote on whether to set aside funds to upgrade our Swanson playground
* Volunteer opportunities
* Planning of future PTO sponsored events for this school year

The Swanson PTO is an all volunteer organization whose purpose is to work cooperatively with the school to support the improvement of education.  We support the school not only financially, but also through our many volunteers who give their time in order to assist in various functions that enhance the educational opportunities of all our students.  In addition, we sponsor several school-wide events throughout the year which help to build the Swanson community.

We need your participation!  The more people we have involved the stronger we are as an organization and a school community.  

Please plan to attend the first PTO meeting of the 2008-09 school year!

Swanson PTO Board (2008-2009)
President - Lisa Thomsen
VP of Volunteers (co-chairs) - Jane Peavler and Maggie Cleary
VP of Committees (co-chairs) - Cathy Rayburn and Ellen Vandenberg
Secretary - Brenda LoPresti
Treasurer - Sachi Deschenes

NEWS FROM THE ART ROOM

 SWANSON LIBRARY NEWS

 What's Up In the Library?

Fourth and Fifth Graders will again be participating in the Waukesha County Kids' Choice Awards this year. Since voting is not until the beginning of February, there is still plenty of time to read more books from the Kids' Choice List. Remember that these books were voted to be the best by kids in Waukesha County. They did a great job since there are many outstanding books on the list. 
All students reading a minimum of five books from the list by the beginning of February will receive a prize from the Waukesha County Federated Library System, presented by Vicki Brostrom, Brookfield Public Library Children's Librarian. We are excited about this community partnership and the opportunity it provides to promote reading. Our goal is to have 100% of our fourth and fifth graders reading a minimum of five books from the list. Stop in and check them out. Lists are available in the Swanson Library for students to take home.

Debbie Kangas
Swanson Librarian

SCRIP TIPS

THANK YOU to all who ordered Scrip during our first offering of the year.  With $1300 in Scrip orders, we earned over $100 for Swanson in just one week!

There are SO MANY different Scrip retailers ... at least one that YOU use regularly ...
Go to www.glscrip.com for the complete list ... if it's listed, just write it in on your order form!

We often have new retailers and discount specials, so be sure to read through your Scrip flyers and order forms each month!  See the Thursday folder inserts from Oct. 2 or the Swanson web site for details and printable order forms under "PTO" or directly to this link:    http://www.elmbrookschools.org/display/Swanson_SCRIP.nws

This month's order is due October 17 and will be delivered by Nov. 3.   Please call Pam Shudy at 786-1321 if you have questions.  Thank you for supporting Swanson's Scrip Program!