January 26, 2014

Greetings,

It has been another interesting week at Swain, with our Monday holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., two snow days and middle school's exams and ski trip (we'll have some photos from that next week).

Here's a recap of some of our recent activities - click on any photo to take you to more photos from that activity or event:

We celebrate the legacy of Dr. King

For the fourth year in a row, Swain

was proud to offer a community event on Monday to celebrate the legacy of this important leader. In song, words, images, and discus-sions/activities, we shared his words of peace and justice for all.

Our keynote speaker was Cedar Crest College president Carmen Twillie Ambar (mom of first graders Gabby, Daniel and Luke), who spoke about the Unknown Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.

Among the morning's activities were educational breakout sessions with age-appropriate activities. Fourth grade teacher Karin Reger (above, right) led an activity about the characteristics of a leader, which the lower school students symbolized.

Thanks to all of our families and faculty/staff who attended this meaningful event!

Middle Schoolers participate in community service

As part of our celebration of the life of MLK, our 5th-8th graders spent a morning doing community service projects, both at school and at various community locations.

One of our eighth graders took her therapy dog with her on her class' trip to Atria, a residence for older adults in Bethlehem. Folks of all ages respond positively to "Teagan" (left).

Other students worked at the Northampton Food Bank, Allentown Rescue Mission, Allentown's 6th Street Shelter, Turning Point, Head Start, and other area community organizations.

Our fifth graders stayed on campus for

some hands-on activities, including the making of 93 sandwiches for a local organization, and the crafting of birdhouses what will make their way to local parks.

The students had to sand the bare wood before gluing and assembling the pieces into the finished birdhouses. Many of them said they had never handled bare wood before, and they liked the smell of it! They were also glad to know that their work would help improve our local environment.

PK kids get up close and personal with - a polar bear!

Each year the Prekindergarten students expand their knowledge with a study of arctic animals and birds. And what better way to do that than to travel to Muhlenberg College!

Yes, the college 'up the street' has a fascinating collection that includes a ten foot tall polar bear, and an impressive display of arctic birds. It seemed a fitting place to go on a cold January day, and our students had a lot of great questions for the Muhlenberg professor. See the photos from Mrs. Akers and Mrs. Johnson's class, and those that Mrs. Takacs and Mrs. Hollenbeck shared.

How would you describe yourself?

While the PK students were coming up with descriptive words for the animals they saw, Mrs. McClary's second graders were learning about adjectives and how they are used to describe people, places and things.

To illustrate the point, Mrs. McClary had each student create their own collage of adjectives that described them - with these colorful and positive results!

We ended the week with exams - and more music!

While the 5th-8th graders headed off

to their annual ski trip to Bear Creek, the Preschool-4th graders were a great audience for a special musical treat - the coed a capella group from Drew University, "All of the Above".

The college students dazzled with the way they created all kinds of percussive sounds to accompany themselves, instead of using instruments. They did a number of energetic numbers, demonstrated to our students how to do their own 'beat box' sounds, and shared with us their favorite colors and foods - always a good way to get to know new friends.

Drew University A Capella Group
"All of the Above"

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

1100 South 24th Street Allentown, PA 18103
610-433-4542

www.swain.org

The Swain School

1100 South 24th Street

Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103