Smith News

October 1, 2019

Achieving Excellence One Student at a Time

Welcome to Ramsey!

Voter approval on Nov. 5, 2019 of the proposed operating budget would give us the green light to move forward with All-Day Kindergarten.

Voting Registration – Must be registered by Oct. 15

Vote By Mail Applications – Best to apply by Oct. 21; completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5

Full Day Kindergarten

#RamseyKAllDay!

With continued voter support, Ramsey School District could begin All-Day Kindergarten in Fall 2020.

The plan for All-Day Kindergarten started several years ago as a citizen-driven discussion of Ramsey School District goals. Some of those goals were addressed with the 2018 bond proposal that won strong voter approval: updated science facilities, dedicated space for the arts, long-term maintenance and security measures. That bond proposal included building the added space that would accommodate an All-Day Kindergarten expansion, but operating funds are needed to cover program staffing and other costs.

For additional information about Full Day Kindergarten please visit:

Ramsey All-Day Kindergarten Website

Mrs. Christine Davis

Supervisor of K-8 Education and Student Welfare

Throughout the 2019-2020, Smith Middle School will be exploring the unique purpose of middle school...

Students in middle school may be described as excited, social, anxious, inquisitive, inattentive, emotional, tolerant, intolerant, accepting, and judgmental all at the same time. Other than during their first three years, it is a time in a child’s life when they will grow and develop faster than at any other time in their lives. Students enter grade six, often looking and acting like children. Seventh grade brings rapid change as they grapple with their understanding of the world. Many 7th graders have an acute sense of what they consider to be “fair” or “unfair”. They strive for peer acceptance. They bicker and “tattle.” 8th graders may finally begin to embrace their emerging maturity. They often strive for more independence, yet still look to caring adults as role models and trusted advisors and may even seek out and enjoy their company.

In 1963, Dr. William Alexander, a pioneer of the middle school movement, said, “Intellectual growth means much more than an increasing competence in the academic content of the curriculum. We must endeavor to stimulate in the child a love for learning, an attitude of inquiry, a passion for truth and beauty, a questioning mind. The learning of right answers is not enough…beyond answers alone, we must help children ask the right questions, and discover their answers through creative thinking, reasoning, judging, and understanding.”

Alexander’s belief that “learning the right answers alone is not enough” is even more relevant today than it was in 1963. The Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE ) asserts that in order to meet the unique needs of middle school children, education must be developmentally responsive, where decisions about policy, instruction and curriculum, and assessment are based upon the distinctive nature of the middle school student, challenging, empowering and equitable (AMLE, 2010).

Middle schools that meet the unique needs of young adolescents possess specific characteristics. Their teachers value and understand the unique nature of their students and are prepared to teach them using multiple teaching and learning strategies. Students are engaged in active, purposeful learning. The curriculum is rigorous, exploratory, and relevant. The teachers use varied assessments to advance student learning and measure it. Middle school educators play a key role in that development and help to set their students on a path to becoming lifelong learners, competent, ethical, self-sufficient individuals who are prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world.

From the Desk of the Instructional Coaches

Ms. Courtney Rejent, ELA Instructional Coach

“How can I get my child to read more at home?”

As a middle school classroom teacher, the question I was often asked was, “How can I get my child to read more at home?” Middle school caregivers are well aware of the benefits of reading and this was apparent by the amount of times I was asked this question. I used to give one or two suggestions, but in all honesty, the key is actually a number of intentional decisions.

Below are a few tips that can help foster more at-home reading. Although I my advice is aimed at caregivers, these tips are helpful for enticing any age reader.

Be a Model Reader: The best way to inspire a middle school reader to read at home, if for the middle schooler to see their caregiver choosing to read. In essence, when you model by reading at home, you send the message that reading is what “we do at home”. This is the first step of building a life-long reading habit in your middle schooler.
Create a Comfortable Reading Spot: Reading can feel enjoyable when the reader is comfortable. Creating a reading space is a great way of supporting a middle school reader. A cozy place that is comfortable to sit or lay down in, is a place where reading is relaxing and middle schoolers are more likely to return to that comfortable place to read.
Show an Interest in What Your Child is Reading: Simply asking what your child is reading is great, but you can also ask some tougher questions too! Don’t be afraid to ask about the theme of the story or debate the point of view of a story. Showing an interest in what your child is reading leads to conversations around text.
Utilize Other Types of Stories: We often think of stories as only found between the covers of books, but really they are often found all around us. Think about the discussions and debates that occur around television shows and movies. These are great opportunities to practice readerly thinking and help build strong discussions around other types of texts.
Fill Home With Books, Magazines, and Newspapers: Simply having books, magazines, and newspapers within the home can dramatically increase the likelihood of at-home reading. Think about the old saying, “If you build it, they will come”. You can get tons of used books for little cost at library sales or book fair events. Remember that digital reading also counts. Having a device full of books can also be enticing to middle school readers.
Visit Libraries and Bookstores Together: Want to go into the bookstore and take a look around? Exploring libraries and bookstores are a great way to get kids curious about books. When on vacation or traveling, visiting local bookstores are libraries are a great way for middle school readers to get exposure to lots of different types of books. Making it a celebration event that ends with a book or two in a middle schooler’s hand is well worth the time and investment!

The key to each of these tips is using all of them routinely. If you are looking to build a life-long reader, there needs to be an intentional effort to build the habits of readers. Although, this may not always be easy initially, in the long run, it will be well worth the investment!

Ramsey Parent Academies

Parent Academies

Wednesday, October 2, 2019, RHS Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Sports Injuries & Pain: Facts About Opioids and Alternative Pain Management Solutions

A panel of subject matter experts will discuss trends in the opioid crisis and alternative ways to manage pain through positive mental health, physical therapy, and other modalities that limit the use of prescription medications.

***Sponsored by the Ramsey Municipal Alliance***

Ladies Night Out

Ramsey Education Foundation

Please support our Ramsey Public Education Foundation! The annual Ladies Night Out will take place on Thursday, October 17th. More information can be found by visiting Ladies Night Out (LNO) website

DC Parent Night

8th grade parents are invited to our Washington DC parent night on October 1st at 7 pm in the cafeteria. A CTA representative will be here to explain the trip and answer any questions you may have.

Book Fair

Our Scholastic Book Fair will be held the week of October 22 - 25. Students will have an opportunity to visit the Media Center with their English classes. On Wednesday, October 23, the Book Fair will be open for evening hours from 6:30-8:00 pm.

The funds raised will be used to support library programs and reading at Smith School. Online ordering is also available at: Scholastic Book Fair. You can also set up an "E-Wallet" for your child which is available to shoppers: 10/7/19 – 10/25/19 . Click here to learn more.

Students are encouraged to join grade-level book clubs and Battle of the Books on the Smith Media Center web page under "Be Social"