Greetings from the Principal,

This has been an exciting month of celebrating reading at Smith ES.  In early February we launched our Masked Reader, which has been recognized by DoDEA Connects, and shared with DoDEA schools world-wide. Masked Reader results are in:  3rd place:  our Fish – Ms. Bridges; 2nd place:  our Nugget – Dr. Longoria; and 1st place: our Blueberry – Ms. Stotz!  Congratulations to all of our faculty participants.  It was an honor to be a part of such an inspiring event. We started the week with some fun dress up days and finished off an amazing week of Read Across America with a Vocabulary Parade for all grades. We had more than 100 parents join us for the parade on Thursday morning and afternoon.  The yearbook was able to photograph every student who participated in the event.  If you have a media hold, the photograph will not be published.  Go to the News You Can Use to see some of the exciting and very detailed Vocabulary Parade costumes.  There are also a few Reading Selfie's mixed in of students reading at home during Read Across America.

Spring Picture Day is Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  More Information can be found on the PTO Facebook page or in the PTO section of the News You Can Use.  

It's time for School Year 2025-2026 Spring Re-registration! Parents must submit a re-registration to indicate whether each student is staying in DoDEA or leaving their current location. Parents should log into the DoDEA Student Information System (DSIS) Family Portal at https://dodeasis.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do to submit each student re-registration request. The re-registration process also provides a quick and easy way for families to update information (contacts, Sponsor's employment status, student health) if the student is returning.

Below are a few tips to ensure success:

-          Make sure you are using the Current Student Re-Registration section in the Family Portal.

-          Expired or expiring orders? Upload documents on the Documents tab as part of the re-registration process (i.e., new orders, extensions, etc.).

-          Update only information that has changed since last school year.

-          Be sure to review and update all contact information for every contact. You will also be able to indicate whether an emergency contact should be added or removed.

Please complete the re-registration process as soon as possible.  The information collected during re-registration will be used to determine each student's continued eligibility, as well as plan staffing and resource needs for the coming school year. After your re-registration submission has been reviewed, the School Registrar will contact you if additional information is required.  

The classroom teacher with the highest re-registrations at the end of the 3rd grading period on March 28th will have a Purple UP Pizza Party with the Principal during MOMC.  So, Parents even if you are not returning, please complete re-registration and simply let us know you are PCSing at the end of the school year.

Note: If the student is enrolled on a space available basis, the school will contact you for additional requirements. Re-registration is not confirmation that space is available for the next school year.  

If you encounter issues, please contact the School Registrar, Mr. Robert.Woods@dodea.edu

ON SALE NOW - SY 24/25 Yearbooks!! Order your Yearbook NLT March 18, 2025, more information and a QR code is below the Principal Update on the News You Can Use. 

🎉Join Us for Smith ES STEAM Night! 🎉 Get ready for an evening of fun and learning at Smith Elementary School's STEAM Night on March 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM! We are thrilled to partner with the University of Maryland Global Campus and Emery Riddle Aeronautical University to bring this exciting event to Smith ES.  This STEAM Night event is designed to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through a variety of interactive activities.

Highlights of the Night:

• Shoe Tying Station: A delightful spot where young ones can learn and practice tying their shoes.

• Chain Reaction: Witness the magic of cause and effect with intriguing chain reactions.

• Build a Perch for a Stuffed Animal: Challenge your creativity by constructing a cozy perch for a beloved stuffed animal.

• Graph a Rainbow: Dive into the colorful world of rainbows and learn how to graph them.

• Pixel Art: Unleash your artistic side with pixel art creations.

• Robot Derby/Track Display by the Robotics Club: Marvel at the ingenuity of the Robotics Club as they showcase their robots in an exhilarating derby/track display.

• Computer Coding: Dive into the world of computer coding and learn the basics of programming through fun and interactive sessions.

• Robots and Rockets, Hosted by UMGC: Explore the fascinating world of robotics and rockets with hands-on activities and demonstrations hosted by UMGC.

• …and much, much, more!

We hope you will join us and lend your valuable support to make this event a resounding success. Your participation and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated!

Mark your calendars and don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to inspire and engage with our students!  POC is Mrs. Stotz – renee.stotz@dodea.edu

The School Advisory Committee  The remaining meeting dates for SY24/25 is April 14, 2025.  We will be nominating Leadership positions for SY 25/26 during this meeting.  If you or someone you know are interested in serving on the School Advisory Committee, please reach out to Mr. Dye or the SAC email to make a nomination.  We are hopeful this year to elect a new President, Vice President, and Secretary. If you have agenda items for any of the meetings scheduled for SY 24/25, please email sacsmithes@gmail.com.  Minutes from the most recent SAC meeting are posted outside the main office and on the News You Can Use.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz is holding the Baumholder Military Community Townhall & Information Forum on March 20 from 5-7 p.m. at The Rheinlander Club on Smith Barracks, Baumholder. Everyone in the Baumholder Military Community is invited, to include Army family housing residents, family members, unit leaders, single Soldiers, Department of the Army employees, and mission partners. This is your chance to engage with USAG Rheinland-Pfalz leaders, share what’s important to you and get updates on upcoming community events. Can’t make it in person? We’ll also be livestreaming on the Garrison Facebook page, but we hope to see you there! 

PTO Update:  This event is just not possible without PTO volunteers. The PTO is also now accepting nominations for leadership positions for next school year.  Needed are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Please see the PTO Facebook page or the PTO section of the News You Can Use to make your nominations.

Mark your calendar for upcoming events:  

Mar 11 - Spring Picture Day

Mar 18 - STEAM Night 1600

Mar 20 - Baumholder Community Town Hall 

Mar 26 - End of Q3 Grading Period

Mar 27 - No School - Q3 Teacher Record Keeping 

March 28-April 04 - No School - Spring Recess

For Planning:

April 16 - Q3/PRIDE and Honor Roll Assembly

June 09 - Q4/PRIDE and Honor Roll Assembly

Want to work at Smith ES?  

 We are always looking for certified or qualified substitutes.  Please apply for our continuously open substitute positions on USAJobs.gov 

Emergency Contact Information Update:  We have discovered that parents are not able to update their contact information in the DoDEA/SIS system online.  Please contact the school registrar by email when your emergency contact or cell phone information changes. If you do not have updated emergency contact information, the school may need to contact command to reach you.

More information is in the News You Can Use, like the School Calendar, School Meal Plan, Library Corner, PTO Newsletter, how to purchase Bulldog Spirit wear, and Community Events.

Have a great weekend, Go Bulldogs!

Respectfully,

Richard C. Dye

Principal

Smith Elementary School