Winter 2015 Courier

www.swiftschool.com [email protected]

3 54IN THIS ISSUE

Winter 2015

DYSLEXIA DASHSwift sponsors the annual 5K hosted by the IDA

THIRD GRADE SNOW DAYThird grade students enjoy snow on Swift’s campus

FALL FESTIVALPigs, rides, and sno-conesoh my!

COURIER

August 13-14 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

July 6 - July 24, 2015All Rising 1st-8th Grade Students

Welcome• Studentslearnusingthe

Orton-Gillinghamapproach

• Establish,maintain,andenhanceskillsandconceptstaughtduringtheacademicyear

• Complementaryactivitiesinart,drama,STEAM/STEMclasses,craftsandamazingscienceexperiments

300 Grimes Bridge RoadRoswell, GA 30075

678-205-4988www.swiftschool.com

EXPLORE A WONDERFUL WORLD OF READING, WRITING AND FUN THIS SUMMER AT SWIFT SCHOOL

REACHING FOR THE STARS – RISING GRADES ONE AND TWOOrton-GillinghamCoding,FramingYourThoughts(writinginstruction),ReadingComprehension/Fluency

FLYING IN FORMATION – RISING GRADE THREEOrton-GillinghamCoding,FramingYourThoughts(writinginstruction),ReadingComprehension/Fluency

LANDING ON SOLID GROUND – RISING GRADES FOUR AND FIVEInteractiveReadingAroundtheGlobe,WritingResponsestoLiterature,Comprehension/Fluency

READY, SET, GO! – RISING GRADES SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHTH Literature/Fluency,WordOriginStudy,WritingProcess(structure,narrative,expository,andresponsetoliterature)

QUESTIONS?PleaseemailAngelaRobertsonatarobertson@swiftschool.comor678-205-4988.

[email protected]

nFEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUEHead’sColumn .........................................................................................................2

Lower Division............................................................................................................ 7

Middle Division.............................................................................................................8

Athletics/FineArts.....................................................................................................12

Swift Scene.............................................................................................................. 13

WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM WINTER2015 1

COURIERWinter 2015

February7 IDAConference10-13 DonutswithDad16 Presidents’Day(NoClasses)17 VarietyShowAuditions18 StudentPreviewDaysGrades5-819 StudentPreviewDaysGrades1-420 Father-DaughterDance24 ParentPreviewDayGrades1-425 ParentPreviewDayGrades5-826 GiraffeAssembly27 Re-enrollmentAgreementsDue

March2-6 SpringPresentations11-13 WinterBreak16 DressRehearsalforVarietyShow17 VarietyShow18 PetDay19 BuddyDay20 StellarGala31 MiddleDivisionDayofAchievement

April3 SpringRecessCommences(NoClasses)6-10 SpringRecess13 ClassesResume15-17 5thGradeExtendedTrip21-24 MiddleDivisionExtendedTrips28 GiraffeAssembly29 Grandparents’Day-Grades1-230 Grandparents’Day-Grade3May1 Grandparents’Day-Grades4-5

Follow Swift School on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates and information regarding school

activities.

www.facebook.com/theswiftschool@SwiftSchool_GA

Dyslexia Dash.....................................................................3Swift sponsors the annual 5k hosted by the IDA

Fall Festival.........................................................................4Pigs, rides, and sno-cones, oh my!

Third Grade Snow..............................................................5Third grade students enjoy snow on Swift’s campus

5th Grade Dance..............................................................6Fifth grade students boogie down at the dance

Goblin Get Down..............................................................9Middle Division Students have a spook-tacular event

Gala Newsletter..............................................................10Black and white and read all over!

SWIFT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE

Dr.RichardPhillips,Chair

LauraRies,ViceChair

PeterWilliams,Treasurer

JeffKudlata,Secretary

TRUSTEES

Dr.PaulCohen

RobertGray

GailSwift,Emerita

RichardWendlek,Exofficio

ADMINISTRATION

RichardJ.Wendlek,HeadofSchool

Dr.AndreaSalapka,AssociateHead

KarenButtermore,DirectorofAdvancement

PaulFoltz,BusinessManager

SwiftSchool

300GrimesBridgeRoadRoswell,GA30075

678.205.4988

2 WINTER 2015 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM

nHEAD’S MESSAGE R ICHARD WENDLEK

Oneofthefeaturesofmodernlifethatdoesn’treceiveenoughattentionistheexplorationoftheinfluencesofmass-mediaandtheresultingbeliefsourchildrendevelopduetotheirinteractionwiththebroaderenvironment.Messagingviatelevisions,radios,theInternet,emails,textmessages,printmedia…andotherenvironmentalsources,contributetotheformationofbeliefsystems.Manytimesourowncloselyheldbeliefs–thosebeliefsweholdastruths–areinoppositiontothosetransmittedculturally.Andjustwhatarethemessagestransmittedculturally?Theyareveryoftenaboutthenotionof‘perfect’.Perfectisdrivenbyrelatednotionsof‘ultimaterealities’.Ultimaterealitiesarethoughtofastheplacewewanttobeinlife.Perfectcareers,perfecthomes,perfectvehicles,perfectimages,perfectkids,wealth,leisure,happiness….Otherwordsusedtodescribeperfectaredazzling,stunning,justright,justthething,wonderful,flawless,great,ideal,best,faultless,pictureperfect,popular,seamless,unspoiled,complete,absolute,total…Youprobablyknowothers.

Perfectisaboutsuccess,notfailure.Culturallyprevalentbeliefoutcomescenteronentitlement–whichmeanstoqualifyforsomething.Thenthereistheemphasisonmaterialismandconsumption.Manywhosearchforperfectandcan’tseemtofinditmaysufferfromdepression,includinganger.Theperceptionofmissingoutonperfectisassociatedwiththoughtsofworthlessnessandevenfailure.CollectivelyAmericansspendagreatdealoftimechasingperfect.

Twixtersmaybeanexampleofhowmass-mediaaffectsthebeliefsofchildren.ThistermwasintroducedbyLevGrossman,acolumnistforTimeMagazine(January16,2005,GrowUp,NotSoFast).Twixtersreferstothegenerationthatiscurrentlyrisingfromtheircollegeeducations.Theyexperiencedchildhoodinthelate20thCenturyandearly21stCentury.

AccordingtoMr.Grossman,‘Itappearstotakeyoungpeoplelongertograduatefromcollege,settleintocareersandbuytheirfirsthomes.Whataretheywaitingfor?Whoarethesepermanentadolescents,thesetwentysomethingPeterPans?Andwhycan’ttheygrowup?’

‘Everybodyknowsafewofthem–fullgrownmenandwomenwhostilllivewiththeirparents,whodressandtalkandpartyastheydidintheirteenshoppingfromjobtojobanddatetodate,havingfunbutseeminglygoingnowhere.Thisisn’tatrend,atemporaryfadorgenerationalhiccup.Thisismuchlargerphenomenon,ofadifferentkindandorder.’

‘Socialscientistsarerealizingthatapermanentshifthastakenplaceinthewayweliveourlives.Inthepastpeoplemovedfromchildhoodtoadolescencetoadulthood;buttodaythereisanewintermediatephasealongtheway.Theyearsfrom18-25andevenbeyondhavebecomeaseparateanddistinctlifestage,astrangetransitionalnever-neverlandbetweenadolescenceandadulthoodinwhichpeoplestallforafewextrayears,puttingofftheironcageofadultresponsibilitythatconstantlythreatenstocrashdownonthem.They’rebetwixtandbetween.Youcouldcallthemtwixters.’

Mr.Grossmangoesontosay,‘Wheredidtwixterscomefrom?Andwhat’stakingthemsolongtogetwheretheyaregoing?Someofthesociologists,psychologistsanddemographerswhostudythisnewlifestageseeitasagoodthing.Thetwixtersaren’tlazy,theargumentgoes,andthey’rereap-ingthebenefitsofdecadesofAmericanaffluenceandsocialliberation.Thisnewperiodisachanceforyoungpeopletosavorthepleasuresofirresponsibil-ity,searchtheirsoulsandchoosetheirlifepaths.Butmorehistoricallyandeconomicallymindedscholarsseeitdifferently.Theyareworriedthattwixtersaren’tgrowingupbecausetheycan’t.Thoseresearchersfearthatwhateverculturalmachineryusedtoturnkidsintogrownupshasbrokendown,thatsocietynolongerprovidesyoungpeoplewiththemoralbackboneandfinancialwherewithaltotaketheirrightfulplacesintheadultworld.Couldgrowingupbeharderthanitusedtobe?’

‘Thesociologists,psychologists,economistsandotherswhostudythisagegrouphavemanynamesforthisnewphaseoflife–‘youthhood’,‘adultescence’andtheycallpeopleintheir20s‘kidults’and‘boomerangkids’.TerriApter,apsychologistattheUniversityofCambridgeandauthoroftheMythofMaturitycallsthem‘thresholders’.Apterbecameinterestedinthephenomenonin1994,whenshenoticedherstudentsstrugglingandflailingmorethanusualaftercollege.Parentswerebaffledwhentheirexpensivelyeducated,otherwisewell-adjusted23year-oldchildrenwoundupsobbingintheiroldbedrooms,paralyzedbyindecision.‘Legallytheyareadults,butthey’reonthethreshold,onthedoorwaytoadulthood,andthey’renotgoingthroughit.Thepercentageof26year-oldslivingwiththeirparentshasnearlydoubledsince1970.’

Itistheorizedthatalifeexperiencethatissofullofchoicepossiblyservestoimpedetheabilitytomakedecisions.ThetypicalAmericanchildhastoomanychoiceopportunitiesbeforetheyaredevelopmen-tallyreadytomakesuchchoices.Itcouldbethattoday’syoungadultsclingtothevariedpatternsofferedthembytheirparentsandtheyareunwillingorotherwiseunabletonarrowtheirfieldofchoicesastheyattempttoembarkonalifeoftheirownthatmaynotofferallofthechoiceoptionstheyhaveknown.Thefearfulandcompetitivereachfor‘perfect’bymanyparentsis,itseems,partoftheculpritinstallingthefullentrancetoresponsible,independentadulthood.

RichWendlekHeadofSchool


1.(L-R)Mrs.Litzky,Mrs.Felix,Ms.Schlanger,andMrs.Rosenthalgetreadytorun.

2.(L-R)NathanDunbarandtheNultyFamilyareexcitedfortheracetobegin.

3.(L-R)ConradBrownandShaneHendricksonenjoyasno-conepostrace.

4.(L-R)Ms.Gonzalez,Ms.Shiffman,Ms.Bouck,andMs.Crossareallsmilesastheyfinishtherace.

5.BoardmemberJeffKudlataisthefirstrunnerfromTeamSwifttocrossthefinishline!

6.(L-R)Mrs.Berk,Mrs.Osberg,andMrs.Wronkercelebratewiththeirfans.

7.Acrewoffirstandsecondgradeparentsandstudentsfinishtheracetogether.

Dyslexia Dash

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4 WINTER2015 WWW.SWIFTSCHOOL.COM

Fall Festival

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1.Ms.Hirschchallengessomeofherfellowteacherstoarace.

2.(L-R)Mr.WendlekandRileyDuncanmakeanewfriendatthepettingzoo.

3.FallFestivalchairSusanDuncanandhersonBraxtonenjoythebal-loonanimalstation.

4.AnnaScalfandherfriendarereadytorace.

5.(L-R)AspenMilleandAveryWilburnpetthefluffybunny.

6.DanielleDupontmakesfriendswiththepig.


Third Grade Snow DayOn Dec. 18, 2014, the third grade class performed holiday carols for their parents, drank hot

chocolate, and played in six tons of snow delivered on campus that morning.

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1.Thethirdgradersperformclassicholidaysongsfortheirparentsandteachers.2.TheSnowKingssprinkledtheSwiftCampuswithsnow!3.SimoneKurrlebuildsasnowman.4.Thethirdgradestudentsarethrilledwhentheyseethesnowforthefirsttime.5.JoshuaZielkemakestheperfectsnowball.6.(L-R)WillamSandsandGreyEthingtonarelovingtheirsnowday.


5th Grade Dance

1.(L-R)BestfriendsCourtneyDunlapandTaylorRobbenjoysomerefreshmentsinbetweendances.2.The5thGradeteachersposeforaquickpicture.3.(L-R)TaylorRobbandMs.Spennatoaresuperstars.4.(L-R)AnnaScalf,Ms.Cross,MackenzieDay,andMrs.Wallaceareallsmilesatthedance.5.BalintTorjakplaysameanairguitar.

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LOWER DIVISIONn

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1.Thefirstgradersarereadytoperform.2.(L-R)FrankReeseandEwanWilmathchanneltheirinnerpilgrims.3.(L-R)MichaelHoulihanandLauraCokersingaThanksgivingsong.4.LinneaImhoffshowsoffherbeautifulturkeytoherfamily.5.(L-R)ZackIssacs,LukeJohnson,andGustavoFonsecoserveasgreeterstoMrs.Dugger’sclass.6.HarperCareyandhermothercreateTurkeycrafts.

The2014-15schoolyeargotofftoarunningstart.TheDyslexiaDashwasahugesuccesswithclosetoahundredSwiftfamilymembersattending.Waytogo,TeamSwift!ThebeautifulweatherheldfortheFallFestival.Studentsenjoyedface-painting,ridingthemechanicalbull,thespacewalk,andengaginginmanyotherfestivalactivitieswiththeirfriendsandteacherswhileenjoyingthebakedgoodiesandVarsitylunchwagontreats.TherewasevenateacherbounceballracewithMs.Hirschtakinga‘short-cut’andcominginfirstplace!StudentspresentedwonderfulprogramsattheHarvestPresentations.Theyfocusedontopicsaboutwhichtheywerelearningandonaspectsoftheirlivesforwhichtheyarethankful.StudentsarecontinuingtolearntheSevenHabitsofHighlyEffectiveStudentswithrecentfocusonThePowerofOne.JulestheGiraffeisalwaysonthelookoutforstudentsexhibitingpositivechar-actertraitssotheycanberecognizedatGiraffeAssemblies.TheWinterConcertwasperformedbyseveralofour4ththrough8thgraders.Thestorythemewasperfectfortheholidaysasitcenteredoncaringandgivingtoothers.Themusicbroughteveryoneintoaholidayframeofmind!FirstandsecondgradersperformedadelightfulprogramfortheirfamilieswiththeirWinterMusical.AndanewSwifttraditionwasbegunthisyear:the3rdGradeSnowandChoralCelebration.Studentsthoroughlyenjoyedsingingholidaysongs,eatingcookies,drinkinghotchocolateandplayingsnowgames.Theymadesnowangelsandsnowmen,hittargetswithsnowballsandhadawonderfultime.Whatadelightfulwaytokickofftheholidaybreak!Ihopeyourwinterbreakwasfilledwithactivitiesthatmadefondmemories.Weareexcitedtobeginthenewsemesterwithyourchildren.Mysincerethanksgoouttoyouforsharingthemwithus.-KathiFrancesconi,LowerDivisionDirector


nMIDDLE DIVISION

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1.Thefirstcastof“ThePowerofOne”createdacarnivalthemefortheirstory.TheyperformedfortheLowerDivisionstudents.2.MaddiAriailisreadytoshowtheLowerDivisionstudents“ThePowerofOne.”3.ConradBrowndoesafantasticjobnarratingforthesecondcast’sperformance.4.Thesecondcastgetsreadytoperformtheirversionof“ThePowerOfOne.”

SecondsemesteriswellunderwayintheMiddleDivision.Studentsandteachersreturnedfromthewinterbreakreadytocontinuethewonderfulworkbegunthisfall.Asalways,parentalinvolvementiscrucialtothesuccessofourstudents.PleasecontinuetocheckRenWebforupdatedgradesaswellasinformationaboutupcomingassignments.

InOctober,theMiddleDivisionparticipatedinthePowerofOnecampaign.Theweekwasdedicatedtohighlightingwaysthatstudentscanmakeadifferenceinothers’livesbydemonstratingkindness.TheGoblinGetDownwasafunopportunityforstudentstodressincostume,eatfoodfromtheVarsity,anddance.SwiftwillbeparticipatinginarecyclingcontestsponsoredbythecityofRoswell.Sendinyourrecyclableitemstohelpuswin!

InNovember,seventhandeighthgradestudentsbeganworkingwithinstructorsfromYouthTechnology.Theclassesbeingtaughtarecodingandrobotics.Studentsarelearningthebasicsofvideogamedevelopmentaswell.Plansincludeexpandingthecoursesfor6thgradestudentsaswellinthefall.

Thereareseveralexcitingeventsscheduledthroughoutthecomingmonths:the7thgradeluncheonoccursJanuary29th;studentpreviewdayisFebruary18thforMiddleDivision;andparentpreviewdayisFebruary25th.PleaseencourageyourchildtoconsiderparticipatingintheVarietyShow.AuditionsareFebruary17thandtheshowisscheduledforMarch17th.

Thankyou!CarolMadden


Goblin Get Down

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1.(L-R)CameronCarr,CarolineHegwood,andMarcellaWicklinarereadyforthedance.2.(L-R)MatthewBuckis,CooperKennedy,GrantMeyerandShaneHendricksonwaitinlineforburgersfromTheVarsity.3.Mrs.MaddenandMrs.Molloydressupfortheoccasion.4.(L-R)EmmaMarklandandHarryCainproudlydisplaytheirprizesfromthecostumecontest.5.Mrs.McGuireshowsoffherdancemoves.6.TheMiddleSchoolstudentsstrikeapose.

Stellar Gala NewsletterGala Chair: Kari Hines

Save the DateMarch 20, 2015

Atlanta Athletic Club$95 per person

Edition 3 Winter Courier

2015 THEME:BLACK & WHITE AND READ ALL OVER

Start looking for your beautiful black, white or red dresses. Attire is any combination of black, white, or red cocktail attire.

Proceeds from the 2015 Stellar Gala will go towards a much-needed Media Center/Library for Swift School

Do You Have...• A Beach House?• A Mountain House?• A Lake House?• Season Tickets to Sporting Events?• A membership to a golf club?

If you do, please email [email protected].

Sponsorships: Would you or your company be interested in sponsoring the Gala? Do you have friends or neighbors who would like to promote their business through a sponsorship?

Join the Committee: The Gala Committee still needs help! We would love to see you at our next meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the Peachtree Diner. All are welcome!

Email Helen Gaillet at [email protected] for more information, questions, and sponsorship/donation forms.

Get Ready to Bid on Some Awesome Auction Items!• 7-Night Stay in the Caribbean • Four- night, five-day stay in Cancun• 1 Week Stay on Sanibel Island• Disney World Park Hopper Passes• Three-night stay in Atlantis Resort Spa in Reno, NV• A two-night Bed & Breakfast stay at the Grove Park Inn• Tiffany Sunglasses• Andretti Indoor Karting Package for two• Teacher outings• Restaurant Gift Cards• And many more!

Pajama Day Is Coming!If you donate an item to the Gala, your child may wear pajamas to school on a specific day. Don’t be left out! Turn your items in to Helen Gaillet at the school today!We need: Gift cards, sports memorabilia, professional services, tickets, experiences, home decor, and more!


FINE ARTS n

Winter Concert

The4thand5thgradechorusopenstheshow.

(L-R)JonathanRennoandColeUpchurchperformin“Lettersto

Hans.”

Thechorusmemberscelebrateagreatperformancewitha

bow.

(L-R)JackGruskin,ConradBrown,andLukeEvensnarrate

theshow.

Santapaysavisittoclosetheshow.

JacobWrightstarsin“LetterstoHans.”

nATHLETICS


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1.TaylorPaceandMaddiAriaildefendthegoal.

2.AveryHodsonholdsontotheballdespitehisopponents’bestefforts.

3.WillButler,AntonioHundley,andAveryHodsonstandatattention.

4.EmmaMarklanddribblestheballdownthecourttoherteam’sbasket.

5.CollinMoonanweavesinandoutofhisdefenderstoscorethreepointsforhisteam.

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AsweapproachtheendoftheRegularBasketballSeason,ourattentionturnstoAPACBasketballChampionsTournament.AllthreeBasketballTeams(Girls,VarsityBoys&Junior

VarsityBoys)willcompete.

SwiftSchoolwillhosttheGirlsChampionshipTournamentatWallerParkRecreationCenter,250OakStreet,Roswell30075onMonday,Februray2,andWednesday,February4,2015.

CumberlandAcademywillhosttheBoysChampionshipTournamentatCumberlandAcademyofGeorgia,650MountVernonHwyNE,Atlanta,30328onTuesday,February3,

andThursday,February5,2015.

SWIFT SCENEn


Mrs.LitzkyandMs.Swain’sclassescombinedtocreatetheirownversionofatelegraphwithwood,screws,clothespinsandnoisemakers.

(L-R)WillPignettiandCooperJohnsonshowofftheirfinishedproduct.

CHALLENGE GIFT BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR ANNUAL FUND

ASwiftfamilyhasofferedachallengegiftof$6,000toencouragenewgiftsandparticipationintheAnnualFund.EffectiveJanuary14,anyNEWgiftstotheAnnualFundof$100(ormore)willbematchedwitha$100contributionfromthechallengegrant.Toobtainthefullamountofthechallengegift,60newgiftsof$100aresoughtfromparents.Theintentofthechallengecontributionistospurcurrentparentstoreach100%participation.

AsurgeofgiftsinlateDecemberresultedin$155,822ingiftsand62%participationamongcurrentfamilies.Thefinancialtargetis$180,000so$24,000remainstoberaisedtomeetthegoal.ThisanonymouschallengegiftisgreatlyappreciatedbySwiftSchool.

SwiftSchoolwillbeparticipatingintheReady,Set,RecycleprogramhostedbyKeepRoswellBeautifulfromJan.6-April15,2015.PublicandprivateelementaryandMiddleSchoolswillcompeteforachancetowin$250tofurtherenhancetheirrecyclingprogram.SwiftSchoolwasthefirsttoenterthecompetitionandwasthereforeawardedanassemblywithseveralRoswellGovernmentOfficials.

(L-R)WillRileyGibson,AntonioHundley,WillBrown,andKatelynBradberryarerecognizedattheassemblyaspartoftherecyclingteam.

ThepopularityoftheeducationtaxcreditforGeorgianswassohighthattheentire$58millionallocatedfor2015wasclaimedin12hoursonNewYear’sDay!SwiftSchoolisverygratefultothefollowingmembersofourcommunitywhoappliedearlyandredirectedaportionoftheirStateofGeorgiaincometaxestoscholarshipsfordeservingSwift

studentswhoareenrollingfrompublicschoolsandwouldgreatlybenefitfromaSwifteducation.Weappreciate:

Elizabeth&KevinBrown

LauraRies&ScottBrown

Karen&KingButtermore

Tamsen&ClarkChristensen

Danna&DavidClary

Heather&HenryClevenger

Kathryn&JohnCline

Jennifer&Dr.PaulCohen

Julie&MattCoppedge

Kimberly&RichardDierker

Brittany&OwenDieterle

TracyEvens

Ellyn&PaulFoltz

NancyAverbach&DavidFriedman

ElizabethFusco

SharonGaffney

Erinn&BradGoldman

Susanne&RobertGray

DeborahHaertel

JohnHanson

MaryJoHarrell

Kari&ZachHines

Jennifer&MitchellIsaacs

Jessica&DorianJimenez

Regan&JeffKudlata

Barbara&JackLipasek

Julia&JaredMcClure

Katherine&JamesMcCormick

Ellen&KennethMedved

AndreaMoore

Kelly&Dr.RichardPhillips

ElizabethRohan&StephenShanahan

Susan&SteveSlifer

Kathryn&ScottSolomon

JenniferStone

Ceylynda&J.Tadlock

LaurieGreen&JohnThielman

Jodi&ToddTurnquist

Amy&RichardVanHaveren

Helen&LewisWalker

Susan&PeterWilliams

Laura&StephenWillson

JamesZimmerman

Winter 2015 Courier

Documents

Transcript of Winter 2015 Courier