2020: We are off to a fantastic start!

Smith Renovations:

The tech room was remodeled so that it can now provide Smith students with a more comprehensive STEM classroom. We can't wait to see the innovation that will be created amidst these walls!

The front vestibule got a security facelift. Now, when a visitor comes to Smith, there will a window to drop off information or sign-out a student.

This will prevent excessive patrons to go in and out of the main office.

The eighth grade science classes now have a new place to call home! Above, students work on a magnetic ramp lab in their new classroom. Pictured below: before and after images of the recent construction.

The theatrical production of Annie will lift its curtains on opening night, Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Two other productions include: Saturday, March 7 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be on sale during all lunch periods as well as at the door. But, hurry ... these tickets are going to sell-out fast!

Prices are set at $7 for students and $10 for adults.

Now presenting:

Annie (Madison S.), a young foster child, lives with her mean foster mother, Miss Hannigan (Mackenzie H.). Impatient that her parents, who abondoned her as a baby, have not returned yet, Annie decides to run away. But, her plan backfires and she is quickly returned to the orphanage by police.

Back at the orphanage, Grace (Ellie B.), assistant to Mr. Warbucks (Gavin M.), requests an orphan to stay at the Warbucks mansion for the holiday season ... and Annie is the perfect fit!

Warbucks and Annie start to spend time together and he even puts up an award to find her parents. When no one shows up to claim the prize, Daddy Warbucks considers adopting Annie himself.

But, an evil plot is brewing between Miss Hannigan, her brother, Rooster (Lucas A.) and his girlfriend, Lily (Alexandra B.) as they try to claim the reward money for themselves.

Will Annie get her happily ever after? Or will she begrudgingly sent back to the orphanage?

Grab your tickets to find out for yourself!

Smith School STEM Night:

There Is No Off Season!

Ramsey will once again proudly participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on Friday, June 5 at the Ramsey High School. The event will begin at 4 p.m. This is an annual fundraiser to help communities affected by cancer. According to the American Cancer Society's website, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. So, how can you help? There is still time to grab your friends and create a Relay team. If you need more information, please contact:

Mrs. Aiello at gaiello@ramsey.k12.nj.us or click the image below:

Relay For Life | Cancer Walk | Cancer Fundraising Events

Staff Spotlight - By: Alyse

Getting to Know ... Mr. Truppi

How many years have you been teaching? All at Smith? Fifteen years (this would be my 16th) and all are at Smith. I love it here... the community and the kids have been great overall.
What inspired you to become a teacher? I taught this summer class in 2003, as part of my senior thesis class. I taught 5th grade students how to paint with watercolors, and seeing their faces when they were able to create something so glorious, that they couldn't even think of doing with a pencil, made me realize this could be something I would enjoy.
What made you decide to go into the ‘tech’ world of teaching? This is a good story: I graduated college with a Graphic Design Degree. It was the ONLY THING I WANTED TO DO IN LIFE, and I was determined to work as a graphic designer. I even got a job right out of college, but then I worked that job for six months and hated every minute of it. I was destroyed! I thought to myself, "what will I do now", and I quit the next day without an idea as to what would happen. I called a friend and got a job working as a General Contractor for an Engineering company (which I had a background in growing up with a carpenter-filled family). Six months later, a high school teacher at Ramsey (who I grew up with) called me and told me that a job was opening up at Smith in Tech. I figured if I got the job, I could wait out the Art Teaching position opening and switch over when that time happened. A month into teaching Tech, I fell in love with it, and even when the Art position finally opened up, I had no desire to leave what I was doing. I've been in this room ever since, and EVERY day I drive to work absolutely LOVING my job! The best advice I ever received: "if you're not driving to work with a smile on your face, it's time for a change". I've followed my heart every day since.
Outside of school, what are your hobbies or passions? Ironically, I'm a freelance graphic designer in my free time. I've designed over 100 logos for companies and a handful of corporate identities (which means, logo's, company colors, uniforms etc). I also really love to paint (I work with oil-paints and it's so calming to sit quietly and paint). Lastly, I love coaching! I'm a soccer and track coach, and each is just as rewarding as teaching.
Teaching middle school-aged students can often be considered a challenge, what part of working with this age do you most enjoy? Middle School students are mostly eager to learn, and interested in new things. My class couldn't be newer to the incoming 6th grade students, so they are always excited.
What’s your favorite food? My favorite meal is from California Pizza Kitchen. I love the Tai Crunch Salad. Soooooo goooood.
Teachers are often seen as role models, who do you consider a role model? John Wooden, Rosa Parks and Steve Jobs: Wooden - he was one of the best motivators, and best at running a team with the understanding that enjoyment, not winning was the most important aspect in sports. Parks - She wasn't ever afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself, no matter what the circumstance or consequence. Jobs - He was one of the best innovators this world has ever seen. Although he wasn't the nicest guy, he knew what worked and would run through walls to accomplish his goals.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? Still working here, still enjoying life and still learning from the kids and developing new stuff to do.
What is your favorite part about working at Smith School? The relationships with the students and faculty. I have some really great students who continue to feed my love for teaching, and I have some really great friends who are great support staff members, and are always willing to extend a helping hand no matter what the problem is.

... Poetry in Motion ...

Eighth grade students recently transformed the media center into a Poetry House. To compliment their Memoir unit, students chose memoir poems to study and recite. They also created an original poem that they presented to an authentic audience, their peers.

Talent and confidence oozed out of the students ... and even some of Smith's staff members participated in reciting original poetry as well! Great job!

Ending 2019 with a Cultural Celebration!

Señora King's 6th Spanish classes took the last week of December to learn about piñatas, which are a traditional part of the Mexican Christmas celebrations.

The traditional star shape of the piñatas symbolize the star of Bethlehem. In class, students made their own paper bag piñatas with lunch bags and tissue paper. The next day, students secretly filled them as part of a candy gift exchange. To end the activity, students sang the traditional, "Dale Dale Dale" song as they hit the pinatas with pencils, releasing the candy and celebrating the season!

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