Smith Intermediate Newsletter
March 2, 2020
March 2020 Events
3/02 Girls Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/02 Chess Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
3/03 Boys Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/03 Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
3/04 Girls Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/05 Boys Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/05 Select Orchestra 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3/09 25 Week Reports
3/09 Girls Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/09 Chess Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Last Day)
3/10 Boys Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/10 Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
3/10 BOE Meeting @ Smith Intermediate 6:30 p.m.
3/11 Girls Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/12 Boys Basketball 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/12 PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
3/12 Early Dismissal 12:30 p.m.
3/13 NO SCHOOL
3/16 NO SCHOOL
3/17 St. Patrick's Day
3/17 Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Last Day)
3/19 Select Orchestra 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3/24 NYS ELA Testing - Grade 3
3/25 NYS ELA Testing - Grade 3
3/26 NYS ELA Testing - Grade 4
3/26 Student Council 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
3/27 NYS ELA Testing - Grade 4
3/27 P2 Celebration @ AM Program
3/30 NYS ELA Makeup Tests
3/31 All County Chorus to Cincinnatus 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
State Tests
State test season is on the horizon! Grades 3 - 6 will be participating in the annual NYS assessments starting on March 24 for ELA and April 20 for Math. We are excited to share that students in our District will again be participating in the online testing format for both ELA and Math. 

Changes that were made previously at the State level to improve the Grades 3-8 English and Math tests, have remained in effect. These changes came about because the Commissioner and State Education Department listened to parents and educators. Here are the facts:

  • Tests are shorter - only 2 sessions instead of 3
  • Tests are not timed
  • Test scores do not affect teacher evaluation scores
  • Standards were developed with educators
  • A majority of test questions will be released so teachers can use them in the future

Additional information that is important to know: Federal legislation known as the "Every Student Succeeds Act” mandates a 95% participation rate on each of these tests.  This means that unless 95% of our students take the state tests, our school and district will not be considered to be making adequate student achievement progress.  Since these tests are a measure of what your child has learned, I’m asking you to please have your child participate.  

Participation in NYS testing:
  • Provides an opportunity for students to show what they know.
  • Provides students with test taking experiences that they will need in later years and in life.
  • Allows our district to show student achievement progress.
  • Provides information to our district regarding potential changes needed in curriculum or instruction.

 Thank you for your support!

Tips for Successful Testing  
As a school, we express confidence in children's ability, while always encouraging them to do their best work. We work hard to not place an over emphasis on state testing. We are proud of the work we do every day with our students and the gains that they make throughout a school year. We encourage students to look at the state tests as an opportunity to show us what they know.

You can further support this at home by taking a low-key approach to state testing. Keep your home schedules consistent, maintain your confidence in your child's ability, and make sure he or she is well-rested. By working together, we can make the testing experience a positive one for your child. Thank you for your assistance.

Student Council Happenings
Exciting news from student council about our Pennies for Patients Bring the Change Spirit Week:

First, we want to say a big thank you to everyone for helping to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We’re very proud of Smith School and how we’ve come together to help so many people this year. Every class donated at least $15 to Pennies for Patients! We want to give a special shout out to two classes that really stepped up to the challenge. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society considers classes that raise over $100, Bronze Champions. Mrs. Buchalla’s class are our Bronze Champions. Classes that raise over $200 are Silver Champions. Mrs. Holl’s class are our Silver Champions. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be sending them pennants to hang in their classrooms. Altogether we raised $851.40! 
PTO News
The Smith PTO has tallied up all of the Box Tops collected by Smith students. Congratulations to Ms. Sclafani's and Ms. Oaks' third grade class for collecting the most box tops and getting a party catered by Smith PTO!
Smith Library
The 4th graders are busy creating presentations to culminate their Genre Reading Project. All of the students are going to book talk one of the books that they read this year. They have been working hard on their presentations. It will be fun to watch the students share literature with their peers!


Our 3rd graders have been on scavenger hunts in the library as they learn how to search the library catalog and then locate the books on the shelves. They are quickly becoming independent library users!
News From The Nurse
Call the school if your child is going to be  tardy  or  absent.   Send in a written note when your child returns. 
  • Keep the Nurse informed of any phone number changes, including emergency contacts and any health concerns.
  • Return clothing borrowed from the nurse’s office. Keep a change of clothes in your child's backpack for accidents.
  • Check your child’s head/hair daily for lice/nits. Treat & comb out lice/nits if found.
  • Submit a Physical form from your healthcare provider for your child (grade 3, or new to the school district)
  • Make an appointment for your child to get a physical or a school physical will be provided.
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