Philip R. Smith Elementary School

Our Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th which will be a 1:15 pm dismissal for students. Based on parent input Open House will run from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. this year. This family event is an opportunity for parents and students to visit school together, allows students to show off their classrooms, visit specials (Art, Music, PE, STEM, Media Center), families to engage in some fun learning activities together, and offers a time for parents to connect with your child's teachers. I will share grade level slide presentations as well as Frequently Asked Questions to parents prior to Open House so you can learn more about the grade level team and expectations. This information will be available to current parents as well as new families throughout the year.

1. Mrs. Beeler is looking for about five 4th grade parent volunteers to help with bike week. We are waiting for delivery of helmets to determine the dates. This volunteer opportunity would be during the school day.

2. On September 26th if you are available to help during picture day to supervise and help students get ready for their photo.

Send me an email mdixon@swindsor.k12.ct..us if you are interested in helping in either capacity.

Friendly reminders to keep our car rider drop off and pick up safe and efficient...

Morning

1. Students may not be let out of vehicles before 8:55 when a staff member is on duty.

2. If parents choose to walk their child to the door, they must park in a parking spot and walk to the door vs. park in the drop off line.

3. When in the drop off line, pull up as far as possible to allow many cars to drop off as possible.

4. When in the drop off line, do not stop in the cross walk.

Afternoon

1. Stop at all crosswalks when there is someone there. Pedestrians have the right of way.

2. There is no parking in roadways or on curb lines. Park your car in a marked parking space and walk up to get your child.

Thanks for your help in keeping these busy times safe and efficient!

For our Kindergarten and grade one students we kindly ask parents to send the students with an extra set of clothes in their backpacks (just in case of an accident). Accidents happen, even for friends who usually do not typically have accidents.

If you have any boys or girls pants and shirts that you would like to donate to our Health Room, Nurse Lindsay would be happy to house some extra clothes.

Here is the PTO newsletter, calendar of events, as well as the room parent sign-up! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ENC8eu3WNBFxcfAYc-VcnGN2EWXjTquN/view?usp=sharing

Jogathon Fundraiser

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n9pto2OiiQXWBdMi87RgDe-L_UcavozV/view?usp=sharing

Jogathon Fundraiser Volunteer Flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R8tYKF8Flb00bhBy2gy7MsQKYbNNEc1z/view?usp=sharing

Jogathon Fundraiser Kickoff https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wXDY-TmYmjvtEtRasgxDYWPRRJAD9i0i/view?usp=sharing

Wolf Pack Family Event https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EJ5O_Yyqz_eLaW9bZQ5FULWjJOhGoUyG/view?usp=sharing

This new section of our newsletter will provide articles and information to help parents support their children to be resilient. Check out the link below for some great tips and strategies for parents and teachers!

https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/guide-parents-teachers

9/18 Open House in evening 6:00-7:30 pm

9/26 Picture Day

Picture Day Order Form/Info

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1olfC7PhUt5aucEqODPD6dsQvlfdxwmB9/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-P9Kzt4ziCLhKJk8QTGNTfnZB6U-v0-6/view?usp=sharing

9/27 Room Parent Meeting 8:20-8:50 am

Yearlong Calendar

https://cdnsm5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_239916/File/Calendars/2024-2025%20School%20Calendar%20SWHS%20Principal%20Update.pdf

Attendance https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-0idrvt_FgrUNOSYEH85cJwtMIoiBsEj/view?usp=sharing

Nurse's Blog

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QoYcCkcavl8PlOhe7qdj66idT1cmvLoV9IW4z_DOjl8/edit?usp=sharing

Universal Stories https://sites.google.com/apps.southwindsorschools.org/prs-universal-stories/home

Girls LAX https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dFvIiM4NUU9fTmdvjlO1iidi6VtICXiv/view?usp=sharing

Parks and Rec Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OWizLGqKSgAYJeD19zNdpWRRhbRPPzsN/view?usp=sharing

Scout Recruitment Flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16crFmySNrzB3coy29GhTpW9tOMUpJ8Wh/view?usp=sharing

Volunteer Registration: This is the newly revised Volunteer Registration form-In order to volunteer you must complete this form. If you have already completed it in the past and have been approved to volunteer, you do not need to complete it again. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-YY-42ZxOAK16oe0_MME6uberDFv5P_ubEefFX2knqcUmQQ/viewform

Cub Scouts https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH41LfiCN9IIZ8O_wFEk4E33BYPngsYy/view?usp=sharing

CHET Dream Big! Competition (the “Competition”) launched on August 15! K-12 students in Connecticut have the opportunity to enter the Competition and be awarded a scholarship of up to $20,000 to help pay for their future education! This competition is brought to you by the Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office as Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET).

We need your help to make sure students and their families in your district know about this opportunity to win contributions to their CHET 529 college savings plans!

This year, we will be awarding almost $350,000 in CHET 529 College Savings Plan – Direct Plan (“CHET 529 Direct Plan”) account contributions to students in grades K-12 and technology prizes to schools. For the winning students, we will be awarding:

• Three prizes of $20,000
• 24 prizes of $5,000
• 239 prizes of $500

To enter, students are asked to answer a question by submitting a drawing or painting, essay, or video. Younger students will be asked to answer a question focusing on lessons they’ve learned and their dreams for the future, and older students will be asked about an experience or person that has impacted them and how that will influence their future goals. Submissions must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. on November 4. There is no cost to enter. For program details, rules and the entry process, visit:

www.chetdreambig.com

Downloadable entry forms and flyers are available on the website as well.

A school in your district could be a winner too! Each school that is represented by at least one student’s entry will be eligible for a random drawing for a technology prize worth $5,000 (a total of 10 schools will win a technology prize). Please see the 2024 Competition Official Rules for more information on prize structure and awards.

If you have any questions, please email asavio@mintz-hoke.com. And thank you for your support!

Amanda Savio
The CHET Dream Big! Competition Team