November 22nd, 2024
Please be sure to visit our Live Feed on our Website to keep up to date on all the exciting things happening both at Swallow Union and in the district.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 21st through 27th - Celebrate Fall Spirit Week
November 25th - Evening Teacher Conferences
November 25-27th - Dismissal at 12:17 pm - Teacher Conferences
November 28 & 29 - No School - Thanksgiving Recess & Native American Heritage Day
December 2nd - Term I Ends
December 5th - Picture Retake Day
December 13th - District Half-Day - Dismissal at 12:17 pm
December 20th - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:17 pm
December 23rd - January 3rd - Winter Break
Swallow Union Recognized at School Committee
Representatives of Swallow Union Faculty ~ from left to right:
Genevre Jankowski (4J), Julie Bushnell (2B), Jill Jarvis (Principal), Kathleen Schott (1S), Nancy Keegan (3K), Beth Carney (ParaEducator), Helen Dzwonek (Administrative Assistant), Marjorie Lattini (KL), Nancy Murphy (3M), and Tracey O'Neill (ParaEducator)
Thank you to our Groton-Dunstable School Committee, Supt. Bruno and Assistant Supt. DeFrancisco, Swallow Union PTO, and our Ti-GRRR Families for all your shout-outs and support! The outpouring from the Dunstable community has been truly amazing.
A recently published report by US News and World Report has ranked Swallow Union third in the state (out of 957 schools) for our performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well we prepare students for high school. Our students earned high rankings, with 87% scoring at or above the proficient level for math and 77% scoring at or above that level for reading.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recognized Swallow Union with the prestigious 2024 School of Recognition Award.
Over the past three years, Swallow Union has moved its ranking from 15th to 8th and now 3rd. I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to our dedicated teachers and staff, past and present, for their outstanding efforts, which have contributed to the remarkable test scores achieved by our students. Your hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence are reflected in this success, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued impact on student achievement.
SU School Council ~ Food Drive
Student Council is planning our annual Food Drive, which will occur from December 2 to 13. This timing helps PACH Outreach replenish its shelves following Thanksgiving.
This year, the class that donates the most items on the MUCH NEEDED list will earn an extra recess, encouraging healthy competition and increasing support for PACH for these particular items.
All non-perishable food donations are welcome.
The Much Needed Item List consists of the following items:
Toiletries (toothbrushes and toothpaste, shower gels/soaps, deodorant)
Paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, foil, plastic wrap, baggies
Dish soap, sponges, laundry detergent
Jelly, Soups, canned chicken, lemonade mix, applesauce, and maple syrup
GDEF Teaching Stars
Are you looking for a unique way to recognize a Teacher, Administrator, or Other Staff/Community Member for their hard work and the impact they’ve had on your child? GDEF Teaching Stars are the perfect gift! They are a great way to say "Thank You" while helping enrich the schools by donating to the Groton-Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF). Certificates are great for showing gratitude in November or as a holiday gift in December! Learn more here about how to show an educator how much they are appreciated with a Teaching Star: https://www.gdefinc.org/teaching-star
Healthy Bites - Cold vs Flu
Hi there, SU Families! It’s cold and flu season. Inevitably, we will be exposed to people who are not feeling well or who do not feel well ourselves. Understanding the difference between a cold and the flu is important. Both illnesses affect your breathing, but they come from different viruses and have different symptoms. Let’s break it down!
What Causes Them?
Cold: Colds are caused by many viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common.
Flu: The flu is specifically caused by influenza viruses, mainly types A and B.
Common Cold Symptoms
Runny or Stuffy Nose: This is a big sign of a cold.
Sore Throat: Usually, it feels mild.
Cough: It can be annoying but is often not too bad.
Sneezing: Sneezing happens a lot with a cold.
Mild Headache: Not as intense as what you might feel with the flu.
Feeling Tired: You might feel a little tired, but not too much.
Flu Symptoms
Fever: This can be high and come on suddenly.
Chills: You might feel really cold when you have a fever.
Muscle Aches: These can hurt a lot and make you feel weak.
Extreme Tiredness: You might feel super tired for a long time.
Severe Cough: This can really bother you and last a while.
Sore Throat: It can happen, but not as much as with a cold.
Runny or Stuffy Nose: This is less common than with a cold.
Severe Headaches: These are usually worse than a cold.
How Long Do They Last?
Cold: You usually feel sick for about 5 to 7 days, but it can last up to two weeks.
Flu: Symptoms might improve in a week, but you can feel tired and cough for weeks afterward.
How to Feel Better
For a Cold
Rest: Make sure to get plenty of sleep.
Drink Fluids: Water and juice help keep you hydrated.
Over-the-counter medications: These can help you feel better by reducing symptoms.
For the Flu
Antiviral Medications: A doctor might give you these if you see them early.
Rest and Hydration: These are very important just like with a cold.
Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen can help with body aches and fever.
How to Prevent Them
For Colds: Wash your hands often and stay away from people who are sick.
For the Flu, the best way to avoid it is to get a flu shot each year. Good hygiene also helps!
Finally- A reminder to parents of 3rd and 4th Graders-
Parents of 3rd graders- If you have not already done so, please remember to send in a copy of your child’s 3rd-grade physical after it is done. The District requires physicals on file for grades K, 3, 7 & 10.
Parents of 4th graders- There are still a few 4th graders whose physicals didn’t come in last year- if you did not send in a physical for your child when they were in 3rd grade last year, please send the most current one in as soon as possible.
Red Envelope Raffle: Coming soon! We're trying something new in lieu of the Winter Store. Lots of great prizes to win, keep an eye out for a flyer the week of 12/2!
Save the Date! Hockey Night at UMass Lowell Riverhawks, January 11 at 6:05pm. Tickets are $15, link to purchase tickets coming soon.
PTO General Meeting & Cookie Swap: Thursday, December 5, 7pm at SU. Bring a dozen cookies to swap with other attendees!
Groton Dunstable Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Parent/Guardian Notes Required for any changes in Dismissal
If your child(ren) has a change in dismissal from their normal plan, a written note or email to the teacher is required. Please be sure to send that note the same day noting the change. From there, those notes go to the office, where we verify the change and create a bus slip for the bus drivers. This ensures students are going where their parents have arranged and provides permission to the bus drivers to take them (or drop them off at a different stop). Students are not allowed to change their dismissal plans on their own.