Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!
As we embark on this exciting new journey, we are thrilled to have you join our amazing school community at Swaney Elementary. Whether you are returning or new to our school, I want to warmly greet each of you.
Swaney Elementary has a long history of providing a great education for Derby students. Our highly qualified staff serves early childhood through fifth-grade students and offers tiered programs, gifted services, and specialized programs for other exceptional students. Beyond that, students attend Music, PE, Library, STEM, and Art weekly.
We believe that education is a collaborative effort, and we value the strong partnerships we have with our parents and community members. Your involvement and support are crucial to the success of our students. We encourage you to stay engaged through our various communication channels and participate in school events and activities such as our SITE council, Parents and Teachers at Swaney, volunteering in your child’s classroom or helping with field trips and other special events. You can follow our Facebook page or our account on X (@swaneyusd260) to stay up-to-date with Swaney's happenings.
A Little About Me
This is my second year serving as the principal at Swaney Elementary. Before serving in this role, I worked in Derby Public Schools for over 20 years, with most of my time spent as an Interrelated Resource Teacher. My wife teaches at Derby Middle School, and we have a 9th grader, a 6th grader, and a 4th grader. I have lived in Derby for most of my life, and we love being a part of the Derby community with everything it offers! As a Principal, I enjoy collaborating with staff and families to build on our strengths.
Looking Ahead
At Swaney Elementary, we take great pride in our school, district and community. Our mission is to make our school a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment that builds positive relationships with all staff, students, families, and community members, and ensures learning and growth. I look forward to continuing to work with each of you to build a strong learning environment that helps move each student forward.
The best is yet to come! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.
Joel Addis
Swaney Elementary Principal
Our Commitment
Academic Excellence: We will continue to challenge our students with a rigorous curriculum that promotes academic growth and a love of learning. Our dedicated staff members are committed to providing instruction that meets the needs of each student.
Community Environment: We are dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere where every student feels valued and respected. Our policies and practices reflect our commitment to making sure that school is a safe place for all our students.