Panther Press

Hello CSMS Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am honored to welcome all of new and returning students. I hope you had a wonderful summer and that you are recharged for the new year. I look forward to working with everyone as we embark on an exciting new school year together.

The highly dedicated and experienced staff have been planning and preparing for students to return. Our Mission is to inspire all students to reach beyond their potential by providing a rigorous student-centered learning environment that fosters academic excellence, respect, responsibility and creativity.

Sincerely,

Principal Larson

Join us for our Meet and Greet on Tuesday, August 1st from 1PM to 3PM. All Fort Huachuca schools will be open during this time. Please some meet the teachers and tour the school. Schedules and PowerSchool information will be given out during this time. If you are unable to attend the Meet and Greet, you can pick up schedules in the front office starting Monday, July 31st or log into PowerSchool. Students will receive a copy of their schedule at the Meet and Greet and on the first day of school. Schedules will not be finalized until July 30th. If you have received a schedule via Remind please be advised schedules may change. Please contact the front office if you have any questions.

Our handbook is available on our website at:

School Handbook – Our School – Colonel Smith Middle School (fhasd.org)

• The Remind App will be used by teachers and admin at the school and district office to send information.
• You can download the School News App and select Colonel Smith Middle School to follow the latest website updates. Our website is filled with essential information, calendars and resources.
• Monthly Newsletters will be emailed and sent via the Remind App.
• PowerSchool access is available for parents.
• Information will be attached to the student schedules.
• Call the front office, 520-459-8892, if you need assistance.
• You can set notification alerts for grades and attendance.
• Email and phone calls will also be used to communicate with teachers and parents.

• Supervision outside begins at 7:40AM. Please DO NOT drop students off before this time.
• The bell rings and doors open at 7:50AM. The tardy bell rings at 7:55AM. After 7:55AM, students will have to go to the front office for a tardy pass before heading to class.
• If the drop off circle is full, please do not stop traffic on the main road. You can park in the parking lot or drop off in the Youth Center parking lot across the street from the school.
• Staff will be outside directing students to their appropriate grade level entrance.

We would like to remind parents to contact the office by 8:00 a.m. if your child will be absent from school. It is important to have an accurate account of all students, even if your child will only miss a few minutes. You may reach the office at (520) 459-8892 ext. 1312 or email celadom@fhasd.org Please send a note with your student following an absence or email us (required) for documentation purposes. Thank you for your support regarding this important matter.

• The end of day bell rings at 2:55PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
• The end of day bell rings at 1:50PM on Thursday.
• If you are picking up your student in the car loop, please be patient and exercise caution. You are welcome to park in the parking lot. Please do not block the road.

• Monsoon Season is upon us. We may experience afternoon storms causing a delayed dismissal for all students. Please be familiar with our Delayed Dismissal Procedures.
• It is not about the amount of rain falling, but rather the safety of our students and staff due to lightning in the area.
• Parents are welcome to come into the front office and sign out their student during any delay, however, we will not release students to walk alone anywhere outside during the Delayed Dismissal. Safety first!

• House Bill 2707 mandates all schools offer a "Minute of Silence" at a minimum of 1 minute at the beginning of each day. We will begin each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the moment of silence and then our morning announcements.
• Water fountains are fully operational and some water fountains have water bottle filling stations. We do encourage students to carry a refillable water bottle.
• Lockboxes/Lockers will not be used. Students will be able to keep a backpack with them throughout the day.
• Cell phones are allowed on campus, but must be turned off and secured in a backpack during school hours. Cell phones are NOT allowed during lunch, recess or in the restrooms.

*Staff will direct student to put phones in their backpacks. If a phone is being used/or cause a

distraction, the phone may be confiscated and turned into the office for parent pick-up. Parents

can relay messages to their student through the front office.*

• Colonel Smith Middle School prides itself on providing safety measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff. Outside gates and doors are locked and secured immediately at 8:00AM. All adults and visitors are to use the front office entrance at all times.
• Fire Drills are conducted once a month. Lockdowns are conducted once per semester.
• Please read the letter linked providing information on our emergency and reunification procedures.
• Parent Reunification Letter

• Students will have lunch in the cafeteria and recess outside, weather permitting, as a grade level.
• They can bring packed lunch or get a school lunch.
• If you feel your family would qualify for free or reduced lunch, the instructions to apply are included in the letter from Mrs. Karen Nieto, attached to this message. We would prefer all applications be completed digitally, however; a paper copy is also available in the front office.
• If you have questions regarding the application process or would like a paper copy of the application, please reach out to Mrs. Little or Mrs. Celado in the front office and they will be happy to assist you. Please note, the number of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch is tied to many of our funding sources so we highly encourage all families to apply even if they think they might not qualify.
• Free and Reduced Lunch Parent Letter
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application

• Time dedicated daily as a part of the lunch/recess/WIN rotation provides an opportunity for students to receive reteach or enrichment lessons/activities from teachers. Needs are based on class assessments.
• The first 8 days will be used for school expectations, assessments and other teacher guided activities.

• Tryouts for Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country and Girls Volleyball will begin the week of August 7th. All students who wish to participate will need a current sports physical. Physicals must be updated annually.
• More information is available on our website's Athletic Page.
• Band for 6th-8th grade is available. If your student is interested in band, please contact the front office so we can schedule accordingly.
• Various clubs will be active this year. More information will be available to students and on our website after school starts.

• We are grateful to have an amazing PTO! They are always looking for volunteers
• The PTO will be selling gently used uniform pieces for $1.00 each on August 1st during the Back to School Meet and Greet.
• PTO Facebook
• PTO Spirit Wear

• July 20th - 10:00AM to 2:00PM Back to School Fair at the Murr Center Bldg 51301 Cushing St.
• August 1st - 1:00PM to 4:00PM USP Sponsored Back to School Bash/Middle School Teen Center Open House at the MST located across from Colonel Smith Middle School.
• August 1st - 1:00PM to 3:00PM Meet and Greet. Get your schedule, meet your teachers and tour the school.
• August 2nd - First Day of School. Bell rings and doors open at 7:50AM.
• August 7th - Fall Sports Tryouts begin. Dates and times will be announced the first week of school.
• August 11th - 5:00PM to 7:00PM PTO Sponsored Back to School Dance.
• August 23rd - 5:00PM to 6:30PM Curriculum Night.

Once again, Welcome to CSMS. We are going to have a wonderful year filled with learning opportunities! Please contact us if you have any concerns.