SWS 2024 Gathering Gratitude Potluck
We are thrilled to take a moment to gather with all our “SWS Family” on Friday, November 22nd to share a potluck meal and spend time together in each classroom or grade level. This time of year is an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and reflect on all we are thankful for in our lives and at school.
This is a community event, and we hope each child will be joined at school by a family member, friend, or caregiver to celebrate. If no one is available, please reach out to your child’s teacher so we’re aware.
We are asking each child’s family to sign up to bring a *special* family dish or food. This food may be a family favorite you eat on Fridays, a grandma’s recipe, a dish made from local grown ingredients, a FoodPrints recipe, takeout from a neighborhood spot, a regional or ethnic food you want to share, or a food that comes with sweet memories. Please check your email or FreshSchools to sign up for a dish.
This gathering falls during Indigenous/Native American Heritage Month. This year, we are centering Native American messages and words through the book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (linked to Sora). This book encourages us to think about how our learning connects the earth and our well-being in a meaningful way.
This is always a fun and delicious time together. We hope to see you there!
Support our school with a tax-deductible donation to Friends of SWS
The money we raise makes possible important parts of the enriched, joyful, kind environment we all value at SWS!
Classroom teaching partners, so all classes benefit from lower adult-to-student ratios
- Professional development for staff above and beyond what DCPS provides, including support for training for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- FoodPrints — a well-loved signature program at SWS
- Materials (manipulatives, books, silkworms, center activities) that support Reggio instruction in our Ateliers and classrooms
- Materials and equipment for our specials, including library, music, and PE
- Technology for teachers and student learning
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
Each fall, our annual giving campaign is the second highest source of private funds raised annually by our community. All funds go to Friends of SWS (a DC nonprofit formed in 2012 to support SWS). With these private funds, we can augment our DCPS school budget to support our exceptional staff and enhance our inspirational, joyful environment.
We are asking every SWS families to donate what they are able. Please consider donating $17 per month or $200 in a one-time gift for every child you have at SWS (i.e., $17, $34, $51 per month or $200, $400, $600 in a one-time gift). This is just over $1 for every day your child(ren) are at SWS and about the cost of one no frills coffee each week.
As a bit of incentive (which we will definitely tell your children about) – the class with the highest family participation rate is going to win a pizza party. It is the stuff of elementary dreams.
Please give what you are comfortable contributing; all gifts make a difference. We hope all families will participate!
There are several options for contributions:
- Monthly giving with automatic, recurring credit card deductions
- One-time gifts
- Checks or money orders (these reduce the amount of credit card fees we pay). Make checks payable to Friends of SWS and send them in your child’s folder or drop them off with Ms. Shawna in the front office.