Philip R. Smith Elementary School

I hope this week's newsletter finds everyone safe and feeling relaxed and happy. With only a few weeks left before school starts the custodial team and teachers have been hard at work to make sure that they transform the building into a place where students and families feel welcome and excited.

We are excited to see everyone on Monday, August 26th from 6-7:30 p.m. for our family picnic evening. AND then again on Tuesday, August 27th in the morning for meet and greet. These annual traditions are to help students and families ease into the transition back to school!

On Friday, August 16th at 3:00 p.m. Class Assignments will go live in the Parent Portal. Please check out your Parent Portal Account so you can see who your child(ren) have for teachers for the 24-25 school year.

Teachers have been preparing their welcome back letters for students and will be sent electronically or through the mail once class assignments are live. Please remember that families do not need to provide supplies for students. The school purchases all supplies students will need. That said, if you enjoy back to school supply shopping, no one will stop you! AND if you can purchase a backpack, water bottle and lunch bag for your child that would be perfect. Some teachers do ask parents to send in a set of headphone (if you have an extra set) for student devices, but we do have earbuds here at school for students to use.

On Monday, August 26th from 5:00-5:15 p.m. incoming Kindergarten students have a chance to ride a big bus with Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Brown. Join us at 5:00 p.m. in front of the PRS building and the students and admin will load the bus for a quick ride around the block. Immediately following the bus ride, families can go around to the back of the building where students can play and parents can mingle.

Also on Monday, August 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m., all families K-5 can enjoy a picnic (each family can bring something from home or takeout) on the back lawn and students can connect with friends and play on the playscape. We will wrap up at 7:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, August 27th we invite students and parents to come in for a meet and greet opportunity. To make this transition activity less congested, we have staggered the times. Please come during your designated time to meet the teacher and see the classroom.

8:15-8:45 Meet and Greet for A-L

Under Construction-PTO news will be forthcoming!

Car Rider Drop Off: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UcMplmOT44ZPN1U01zKNyJiLJnjvg993h8kuVkbrCGo/edit?usp=sharing

Car Rider Pick Up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12wxRESA1xn_FiF7ZzTbfJGKhNLzA8b-vVWfRrIT0s-Q/edit?usp=sharing

Orientation Slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jDaBjb69dJIOVoE9NGhOdse9P7DOeR4tx4CSF6W65jU/edit?usp=sharing

Nurse Information:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bn_cHlPaAxdKx9vy5hOlmi4_e4NtVF7gDflvcBX9TCQ/edit?usp=sharing

Attendance Guidance:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sZ0q7DmfHREOXJkv-GL_q_rWrhEBuk7w/view?usp=sharing

We wanted to remind everyone that we still have the "Universal Stories" link available for students and staff to access. Take a look, it would be great for families to submit your story for our community to enjoy.

Here's the link...https://sites.google.com/apps.southwindsorschools.org/prs-universal-stories/home

We only need 25 more families to complete this form. PLEASE take care of it ASAP!

All student bus information will be posted to your Parent Portal in mid-August. This will include the student(s) bus number, bus stop location, pickup time and drop-off time.

Additionally, the 2024-2025 Transportation Information Form (TIF) is now available for completion. A completed TIF is required for all SWPS students, except for Role Model POP children. This electronic form can be found by logging into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account, located in the "Forms" section. If you have any difficulty in accessing your account, please contact the school's main office for assistance.

Bus stops are determined by this form therefore, it is extremely important this form is completed no later than June 30th to allow for the timely creation of the 2024-2025 bus routes. Please know this form can be updated and/or changed at any time however, no changes will be processed between the moratorium dates of 8/21/24 to 9/04/24. Please allow five (5) days to process any changes.

To avoid any confusion, only the 2024-2025 TIF will be available for completion after April 30th. If transportation changes are needed for the current school year or if you have any questions regarding the TIF, please email or call Marlene Pouliot, Transportation Coordinator, at mpouliot@swindsor.k12.ct.us or (860) 291-1252.

8/16 Class assignments will be available in the Parent Portal

8/26 Incoming K Bus Ride at 5:00 p.m. and Family Picnic 6:00-7:30 pm located at PRS

8/27 Meet and Greet 8:15-8:45 am, 9:15-9:45 am

8/28 First Day of School-Full Day

8/28 Tears and Cheers for Kindergarten Families 9:15 am in the cafe

9/2 Labor Day-No School

9/11 Early Dismissal Wednesdays begin with a 1:15 dismissal for students

9/18 Open House 6:30-8 pm (more specifics will be shared soon)

Family Directory https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VoK-tQHlxlajAiIfHB_uNoFhpmGlD82N/view?usp=sharing

Nurse's Blog

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