Michael E. Smith Middle School

MCAS Schedule

Welcome to the

Michael E. Smith Middle School

Newsletter	Letter from Principal	Nurse's Corner
Counselor's Corner	Trouble with PDF?	Closures/Cancelations

Greetings Families of Smith Middle School,

Spring is here!  I hope that everyone had a relaxing and wonderful April break.  We could not have asked for a better week!  Now that we are well rested, we are prepared for the hustle and bustle of the end of the school year!

Grade 8 Step-Up is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. in Chapin Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College.  All 8^th graders are expected to be at Chapin for 5:45.  Seating for families will be at 6:00 with the ceremony beginning at 6:15.  This is a special ceremony and we would like all 8^th grade students and their families to attend.  Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the event.  Typical attire includes polo or dress shirts, dress pants, and skirts or sundresses.  Within the next week or so, students will receive more specific information regarding this event. 

The second round of Spring 2008 MCAS will begin on Monday, May 12 and run through Thursday, May 29, 2008.  The students have been well prepared and are ready to show all that they have learned.  We encourage all students to be sure that they get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast the morning of testing.  It is EXTREMELY important for all students to be present and that they ARRIVE to school ON TIME.  This sets the students up for success when they are able to start their morning off well.  You can find sample test questions on our web page or at www.doe.mass.edu if you and your student would like to review.  Please see our MCAS test schedule that has been included in this newsletter for the specific dates that your student(s) will be testing.

            Summer reading lists will be sent home with your student before the end of the school year.  The list will also be available on our school’s website, www.smithmiddle.org.  We are currently revising the list to include the most recent publications for the students to enjoy.  It is of great benefit for the students to read over the summer.  We appreciate your continued support and encouragement in the promotion of literacy.  There are a few new series that the students are very interested in reading. We encourage parents and guardians to take a moment to review the current books that your student has chosen to read so that you are familiar with their choice of genre and overall content.

            With the onset of warm weather, we continue to remind our learning community that all attire needs to meet the school’s approved dress code.  Many students are doing a fine job of ensuring that their clothing meets the expectation.  We have seen an improvement in what we have come to call the Big 5- flip-flops, IPods, cell phones, gum and open containers.  I appreciate the efforts of the students, staff, and families for making a difference in this area and thank you for your continued support.

            The placement and course selection process has begun.  If you have not already submitted your Parent Response Form (in March’s newsletter) to the office, please be sure to do so immediately as classes have begun to take shape for next year.  Your feedback is important in providing the administration with constructive input as to how your child learns best.   Submit the Parent Response Form, which can be found in this newsletter, as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Erica A. Faginski

Principal

Snow Closure Information

The following information will assist you when the weather is uncooperative.  Emergency closure/delayed start decisions are made beginning at

5:30 A.M. for the day.  Information is provided to the following media:  WGGB (Ch. 40), WWLP (Ch. 22), and WSHM-CBS (Ch. 3) on the television and the following radio stations:  WHYN (560 AM and 93 FM), WTTT (100.9 FM), WHMP (1400 AM and 99.3 FM), WAQY (102 FM), and WMAS (1450 AM and 95 FM).  Also, when schools are closed for the day, all classes and school activities are canceled.  When we have a delayed start, every effort is made to maintain timely bus service every day.  But, when road conditions are poor, or the weather is extremely cold, bus schedules can be disrupted or slowed.  We appreciate parents’ understanding and flexibility