SIDEWINDER SCENE

SIDEWINDER SCENE
The second semester is a fast and furious time of year. Our first major event is Smith’s
Literacy Showcase and Show Off Smith (S.O.S.) Night, being held on Thursday, January
28th from 5:15-7:30pm. Beginning at 5:15pm in the Media Center some of our 7th and
8th grade students will be recognized for their outstanding work (families of students
being recognized will receive an invitation in the next week). Following the awards
ceremony we look forward to having parents, guardians, grandparents, and community
members walk around the school to see the great work our students are doing in their
classes. Our families will be joined by our future Sidewinder families, who will also be
visiting Smith to learn more about our programs. This is a special night; please plan to
attend with your Smith student. For your convenience we have added Mugsy Dogs and
Churro Thief food trucks for you to purchase food.
We will start our registration process for our current 7th grade students in the coming
weeks. Current 8th grade students will be meeting with Skyline’s Advisors on Smith’s
campus in the coming weeks. Please start talking to your student and begin looking for
all paperwork. It’s extremely important to take the time and become informed with the
registration process. What classes your student signs up for determines how schools
will be staffed and what classes will be offered.
Please do not hesitate to call or contact the school with any questions you may have.
Thanks again for all you do.
Congratulations to our 2015—2016 Spelling Bee winner: Megan Brooks. The winning word
was EXCURSION. Megan will represent our school at the district spelling bee, held at Franklin
at Brimhall Auditorium on Saturday, January 23rd, at 9:00am. If for some reason Megan is
not able to attend our runner up Sarah Latch, will be representing Smith. Our 3rd place
position goes to Alexandra Reppy. Megan, Sarah and Alexandra received a gift card, a book of
their choice and Megan will have online access to Encyclopedia
Britannica for one year.
A big congratulations to all the Smith Spellers that participated in
the Spelling Bee. You were amazing and the staff here at Smith are
proud of you for going above and beyond in your academics. Keep
up the great work! If you have not stopped by the Family Resource
room to choose your free book for participating please does so
now.
Thank you to all the parents that came out to support your student and the Smith staff that
helped make our Spelling Bee a success!
It has been said…
“it is far better to be a
Sidewinder,
than not to be”
Tell us what you think by completing the Parent
Quality Service Survey that will be sent home
with your student on February 1st. Per state
law, schools must survey all parents annually.
This survey allows you the parents to rate the
quality of service you received at Smith Junior
High. We appreciate you taking the time to
complete the survey and returning it on or before
February 8th.
Please be advised that Smith is a
closed campus and for the safety of
our students we request that you call
ahead; 24 hour notice or no later than
the start of the school day, before
visiting campus to have lunch with
your student.
The use of cell phones, head phones/ear
buds or any electronic device is prohibited
inside of the school, or during school hours.
Smith Jr. High is not responsible for lost,
stolen phones or electronics. These items
are brought to school at the student’s own
risk.
Lifeline is a government benefit program
that provides a discount on monthly
telephone service for eligible low-income
subscribers to help ensure they can
connect to the nation's communications
networks, find jobs, access health care
services, connect with family and their
children's schools, and call for help in an
emergency. For more information visit
fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifelineaffordable-telephone-service-incomeeligible-subscribers
Arizona law provides a tax credit for contributions to public
schools to support extracurricular activities or character
education. Beginning in 2015, additional support areas
include:

standardized testing fees for college credit or
readiness, such as PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP and IB tests

career and technical education industry certification
assessment

preparation courses and materials for standardized
testing
You can help Mesa students and possibly lower your tax
bill by making a donation. The state tax credit is available
to ALL qualifying individual Arizona state taxpayers. You
do not need to have a child enrolled in a school to take
advantage of this state tax credit. It is always best to
consult a tax adviser to see if you qualify for the dollar-fordollar credit.
To be eligible for a state tax credit in 2015,
your contribution must be received or postmarked by April 15, 2016. ECA donations are
not refundable.
Mesa Public Schools will adopt calendars for
the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years in
February. Before making a decision, the
Board will consider comments from parents,
students, staff and residents. Please provide
your input through the online survey
available on the district website,
www.mpsaz.org/calendars. The online
survey is available until January 20th. If you
do not have Internet access please stop by
the school to complete the survey. You may
also comment at public hearings set for
January 26 and February 9 at 7 p.m.,
549 N. Stapley Dr., Mesa.
To promote academic
achievement, we try to
minimize disruptions
during the school day.
For this purpose, we only accept
deliveries that are of a school-related
nature. School-related items such as PE
clothes, homework projects, musical
instruments or backpacks should be left
at the front desk to protect instructional
time. Students will be notified at the end
of class.
Please remember to communicate with
your child their after school instructions
before they leave in the morning or the
night before. Once school dismisses we
are not always able to locate a student on
a bus or other areas of the school.
Emergencies will be handled in an
appropriate manner.
When your child has
been absent for three
consecutive days or
more, please contact
Angie Guerrero at
480-472-9901 to
request their work. Please allow
24 hours for Mrs. Guerrero to
notify your child’s teachers and
get the work from the teachers.
Work should be available for pick
up after 3:00pm the following day.
If less than three days, your
student can email each individual
teacher or visit their MyMPS portal
for assignments. You may access
teachers information by going to
the Smith website:
www.mpsaz.org/smith
Please plan accordingly.
Thank you!
Every Wednesday we ask students and staff to show their school spirit by wearing school colors
(Navy Blue/Vegas Gold). This year we have newly designed t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys and cinch
sacks available for purchase in the Media Center. Students can stop by before and after school to
purchase items. We accept cash or checks (payable to Smith Booster Club). Prices range from
$8.00—$20.00, sizes range from adult small to XXXXLarge* (sizes bigger than XLarge increase in
price)
*XXXLarge and XXXXLarge will be ordered after payment
On-line Grade Check?
Welcome to My MPS Parental Portal your school/home
communication tool.
Sign up for Spring classes now. Parent
University provides parents and caregivers with
information about their vital role in shaping
children's lives. All parents and caregivers are
invited.
New classes have been added and some
classes have been changed/cancelled. For the
most up to date information visit
www.mpsaz.org/parentu
Parent University catalog is also located in the
front office information racks.
You need not be a Mesa resident to attend
REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Review and monitor your child’s grades, attendance and
other education-related information from your home,
phone or work computer.
To begin your my MPS account, please visit the school
office with a photo ID and complete the required form.
Your Activation Key will be emailed to you in a few days
after receipt of the form.
If you have children at more than one school in the
district, you will need to visit only one of the schools;
one activation key will give you access to all the children
in your family. For further information please contact
Sue Bartow, Family Support Specialist at 480-472-9940
January 18th…..Civil Rights/MLK day
If your family has been faced with
financial hardship such as loss of a job,
reduction in work hours or change in
household size, you may be eligible for
the Free & Reduced meal program. You
can get an application from the school
office or for your convenience
applications are online at:
www.mesamealapplications.mpsaz.org/
fma/
You will be notified within ten days of
the status of your application.
No School
January 20th….Season III Sports pictures
January 28th…...Literacy Showcase &
Show Off Smith (S.O.S.) Night
5:15—7:30pm
February 2nd…..Spring/Club pictures
February 3rd…..Late Late Start 11:05am
February 3rd…..Science Fair
5:30-7:00pm cafeteria
February 11th…..Talent Show
7:00pm Auditorium
February 15th…..Presidents Day
No School
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
School Office
Attendance
Registrar
Bookstore
Cafeteria
Counseling Shannon Davila 8th grade
Marcy Shumway 7th grade
Eva Dwight
Health Office
Principal
Team Leader/Asst. Principal
Student Activities
Family Support Specialist
Fax
472-9900
472-9901
472-9902
472-9908
472-9909
472-4666
472-4662
472-9692
472-9907
472-4659
472-4657
472-4651
472-9940
472-9999
Bookstore hours: Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday
8:45 am—4:15pm
Wednesday 9:15 am—4:15pm
Purchase your school supplies here,
new ID’s, PE uniforms and pay class
fees.
Our lost and found is also located in
the bookstore (lost electronics are
located in Student Services).
Bookstore questions, please call
Julie Waldref at
480-472-9908
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute,
Absence from School, Notification of Parent
Having Custody of Pupil, parents are required to
notify the school in advance of, or at the time of,
the absence.
We are looking for parents to be a part of our
Title I/School Improvement Advisory
Committee. This committee is made up of
parents, staff and community members who
will meet each month to provide a forum for
viewpoints and discussions in support of our
school mission.
This is a terrific opportunity as a parent to be
involved at Smith. If you are interested in
being a part Title I/SIAC committee, please call
Sue Bartow, Family Support Specialist
480-472-9940. This committee meets once a
month and we would love to have you on our
team.
Attendance Phone Number is 480-472-9900
or 472-9901
If a parent is unable to call, a note with your
name, date, day(s) of absence and the reason
for the absence, should be brought to the
attendance office upon return to school the next
day.
If you are more than 10 minutes late to a class
you will be reported absent instead of tardy. If
you are returning to school from an appointment
report to the attendance office before returning
to class. If you have a problem that causes you
to be tardy on a regular basis, talk with your
counselor or teacher.
Ways to help Smith Junior High raise some funds!
FRY’S SHOPPERS PLEASE ENROLL OR
RE-ENROLL IN THE 2014-2015 FRY’S
COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM.
SAFEWAY SHOPPERS PLEASE ENROLL OR
RENEW IN THE 2014– 2015 E-SCRIP
PROGRAM.
Go to www.escrip.com
Go to www.FrysCommunityRewards.com
Group Name: Smith Junior High
Group ID: 500002355
(Smith Junior High School Organization 81621)
Eat Out Opportunities
Smith Junior High Collects:
January 27, 2016
Papa Kelsey’s
Box Tops for Education
February 1, 2016
Little Caesars
Tyson Project A+
February 24, 2016
Papa Kelsey’s
March 21, 2016
Little Caesars
April 13, 2016
Papa Kelsey’s
May 11, 2016
Papa Kelsey’s
Please have your student drop off all in the
box in the front office.
Thank you to all the families that have participated in any of our
fundraising efforts.