Dear Parents,Tomorrow is our school's open house, and the teachers and students have been busy getting everything ready for all the visitors we are bound to have. Of course, just as at home, we have done a bit of clean-up in preparation for our guests. In the midst of binders being reorganized, cubbies being straightened, and no-longer-needed papers being recycled, a student came up to me and shyly asked if I could hang onto a small paper Christmas stocking. I looked at it, saw some early attempts at writing, smiled, and asked why she wanted me to hold onto it. "It was given to me by one of the Discoverers at Christmas and I just can't bear to recycle it," she sincerely replied. It held so much meaning to her but she realized that she couldn't keep the stocking forever (just the love that it represented). What a perfect example of the family atmosphere that all the students feel here at school.
In addition to doing a little cleaning and organizing, many of the children wrote letters to prospective students and parents for the open house. I thought you might like to read a few of them because they express so well the feelings about our school that are shared by all of our children.
Dear Visitors,If you are going to come to Swan School don't be afraid because I was scared my first time I came to Swan School. I like Swan School because people are nice and the teachers are nice and Swan School is the best school. Please come. I like art and P.E. and Spanish and reading and writing. I hope you come.
From Sam
Hello People Who Will Hopefully Be Seen At Swan School Next Year,
I've been at Swan one full year and now this is my second year. After you've been here one full day you will go home babbling about all your new friends!! Well as I said this is my second year and I have around a million friends, except for the fact that that's not possible 'cause there's only 55 people in our school but if you come then there will be 56!!
I know that if you are a big brother or sister and you have a little sibling going into pre-school, you nor they have nothing to be jealous of 'cause all classes are equally fun!!
I know, trust me, that if you come to Swan you will have fun, lots of fun!!
Your possibly new friend, Anda
Dear Visitors,
I have had so much fun at Swan this year, and have been lucky to be able to come here and will be sad to leave. But why am I telling you this? You need to come here for yourself, meet our wonderful teachers and students! You know how in some schools the big kids seem mean and intimidating. At Swan we try very hard to play with kids of all ages! We have the best teachers Swan has ever had. But for me the best part of school is my friends. I start to miss school the first day of summer break, so I think you should come and see it all through your own eyes. You'll see art, math, science, and in Russ' and Lowell's class O.P.I. (Olympic Park Institute). Our teachers are amazing!
I hope you choose Swan, Isabelle
Dear Visitors,
I've been in Swan School for four years and when my tiny foot touched the warmth of the school I knew right then it would be a cherry on top of a great year. My life is completely different now. I recently went on a long trip and I missed my school and friends as much as my family and pets, I was desperate to get back. Swan School is like my home. We have teachers who can help you with any problem. Swan School is perfect for me and I hope it is for you!
Sincerely, Rio
These are just a sample of the letters that our students have written inviting others to share in what they have experienced, and I must say that they do a much better job than I do of articulating what a great place this school really is.
Have a wonderful rest of March and a fun-filled Saint Patrick's day this weekend.
Russ