Guide Unofficial The To St. Martin’s Episcopal School
from the
Important Contacts
Head of School
Middle School Principal
Lower School Principal
Interim Early Childhood Principal
Director of Infant Programs
Dean of Students
Director of Advancement
Director of Enrollment Management
Director of Explorers
School Nurse
2024-25 PTO Co-Presidents
Mrs. Maria Croley Madden mmadden@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Kanette Fenstermacher kfenstermacher@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Lynne Perry lperry@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. LaToyia Hawkins lhawkins@stmartinschool.org
Ms. Maria Canty mcanty@stmartinschool.org
Ms. Patti Pitoscia ppitoscia@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Lauren Sims lsims@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Gopi Shammas gshammas@stmartinschool.org
Mr. Morries Walker mwalker@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Jennifer Pasley, APRN, CPNP jpasley@stmartinschool.org
Mrs. Lauren Middour lauren.middour@gmail.com
Mrs. Katie Danyo sloope83@yahoo.com
There are three phone numbers every SMES parent should add to their contacts:
404-237-4260
404-228-0740
404-421-7697
This is the school’s main phone number. If you call during the school day, the receptionist will answer and transfer you to the person you are trying to reach.
This is the number for Nurse Jenny and the School Clinic. If you get a call from this number, make sure to answer!
This is the Explorers cell phone number. It’s good to have in case of an emergency.
Get Ready Back to School Checklist
Your child’s first day at St. Martin’s will be here before you know it. Here’s a bare-bones checklist to help make sure you’re ready.
Read this guide!
Order sweatshirts from the school store.
The school store link is on the school’s website under “Programs.” All students may wear the navy hooded sweatshirt, but the gray hoodie is for 5th-8th graders only.
Order uniforms.
Order textbooks (MS only).
Get your child’s summer reading list & math packet (1st – 8th only).
Reading lists and math packets are posted on the school’s website in early summer. You’ll get an email notification when they are available. Summer work is typically due the first day of school.
Download SchoolPass.
SchoolPass is an important app that you’ll need to report absences, check your child out early, and/or keep track of your carpool number. Look for an email from the school with an invitation to join.
Go to Orientation at SMES on August 13 or 14.
Bring your child’s textbooks (MS only)with you!
Put your carpool number in your car.
Mark your calendars!
Take a look at the school website and add the important dates to your calendar.
Label EVERYTHING!
Put your child’s name (first AND last!) on everything they will bring to school - coats, jackets, sweatshirts, uniforms, water bottles, etc.
St. Martin’s From A to (Almost) Z
Advancement – the St. Martin’s department dedicated to promoting philanthropic support from our community that’s necessary to sustain and enhance our excellent programs while advancing our school’s mission
Annual Fund, The - (see also “The St. Martin’s Fund”) our school’s highest giving priority; donations to the Annual Fund cover expenses tuition does not; they are tax deductible and benefit every child and every teacher at St. Martin’s in real time
Atrium – located on the first floor of the Middle School building, the Atrium is used for meetings and events
Back-to-School Night – a parents-only event at the beginning of the year where parents get important information about the year ahead and meet their child’s teachers; each division has its own Back-to-School Night; parents with children in multiple divisions should attend the Back-to-School Night for each of those divisions
Clap Out – a special tradition where 8th grade parents, students, teachers, and staff applaud the graduating 8th grade class as they prepare to leave St. Martin’s on their last day of school
Commons, The – the ES & MS lunchroom; located in Warrior Hall near the gym
Conference Day – a day is set aside for parent/teacher conferences; there is one conference day per semester, and students do not have school on conference day
Cookies & Carols – a fun holiday tradition where kids enjoy carols, cookies, and a visit from Santa Daughters’ Dance – a PTO-sponsored spring dance for young ladies in Beginners through 8th grade and their fathers or another special adult
Division – St. Martin’s has three divisions: Early Childhood (infants – Pre-K), Lower School (K – 4th grade), and Middle School (5th – 8th grade)
EC – a frequently used abbreviation for Early Childhood (infants – Pre-K)
Enrichment – a part of the SMES Explorers program, enrichment classes are fun after-school classes taught by both SMES teachers and external vendors
Explorers – SMES’s convenient, state-licensed program for student care before and after school hours; on late days (Wednesdays) any student may drop in free of charge after 7:45 a.m.
Fall Festival – This PTO-sponsored event is a familyfavorite; held on Saturday October 26, 2024, it has something for everyone (rides, games, food trucks, a cake walk, a bake sale, and more).
Fling – a formal gala held every other year at a local venue, Fling is the PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year; it features a sit-down dinner, an open bar, music, and a live auction
Food for Thought Events – St. Martin’s Food for Thought events bring people together to discuss key community issues over a shared meal; last year’s theme was “Belonging”
Georgia GOAL – a state tax-credit program that allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state tax liability to provide need-based financial assistance to SMES students
Green Space, The – also known as “the green field” or “the turf,” the green space is the field between Warrior Hall (the Lower School building) and the Middle School building
High Point – SMES’s campus located on High Point Road offering classes for infants
Groovin’ on the Green – “Chastain-style” community celebration from 7-10 p.m. This year’s date is Sept. 27
Late Day – Wednesday; carpool starts at 8:35 a.m. instead of 7:40 a.m.; school starts at 9:00 a.m., not 8:10 a.m.
Lessons & Carols – students in K – 8th grade lead this annual school-wide Christmas celebration that parents are encouraged to attend
LS – a frequently used abbreviation for Lower School (1st – 4th grade)
MS – a frequently-used abbreviation for Middle School
PTO – the “Parent Teacher Organization” represents a partnership of volunteers who aim to uphold the school’s mission by organizing events and programs designed to support every member of our SMES community; all SMES parents are automatically a member of the PTO
Room Rep – a PTO representative who communicates important information and PTO updates to parents and helps teachers organize/manage classroom volunteer opportunities
SchoolPass – an app that SMES parents use to schedule/ report students’ late arrivals, departures, and/or absences; parents also use the app’s “Quickpin” feature to sign in when they visit the school
SMES – a frequently-used abbreviation for St. Martin’s Episcopal School
Sons’ Event – a PTO-sponsored event for SMES boys in Beginners through 8th grade and their moms or another special adult
Spirit Day – a non-uniform day where students may wear an SMES shirt or shirt with SMES colors
St. Martin’s Fund– the school’s highest giving priority and the most significant way the school covers costs that tuition cannot; all families are asked to contribute at a level comfortable for them; the higher the percentage of family participation, the better the school’s ability to obtain external grants. Families who make a gift or pledge by Sept. 27, 2024 are invited to attend Groovin’ on the Green
Teacher Fund – Combination of the Teacher Gift Fund. A collection of optional donations to provide a cash gift to all lead, assistant, and co-curricular teachers at Christmas and the end of the year and purchasing treats to celebrate SMES Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Warrior Hall – the main building on the SMES campus, which is home to the Lower School, the gym, the commons, and administrative offices; it’s where parents should check in when they visit the campus
Warrior Run – a PTO-sponsored family-favorite event that includes an official Peachtree Road Race qualifying 5K, a fun run, and a post-race celebration. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Warrior Wings – a PTO-sponsored program that provides meals to members of the SMES community in times of need (e.g., the birth of a new baby, a death in the family, or a family medical emergency)
Weekly Warrior – a weekly electronic newsletter that contains important reminders from the school and includes PTO updates. Please ensure your correct email address is on file with the school
Winter Social – a more casual, themed party held on non-Fling years. This year’s event is taking place on Friday, February 7, 2025.
The SMES PTO
The SMES PTO represents a partnership of volunteers who share a common goal: to make St. Martin’s a place where our children can thrive. To that end, we work tirelessly to build a strong St. Martin’s community – one that students, parents, teachers, faculty, and staff are excited and proud to be a part of; one where every member of our community feels valued, welcomed, and included. Parents and guardians of current SMES students, current SMES teachers, and current SMES administrators are automatically members of the PTO. Annual membership dues are included in tuition.
The 2024-25 SMES PTO Executive Board
Co-Presidents
Katie Danyo & Lauren Middour
Communications Chairs
Caroline Bladon & Davisha Daryani
Co-Vice Presidents Christina Westmoreland & Ely Przybyl
Treasurer & Assistant Treasurer Lyndsey Jones & Maggie Wise
Member at Large Ferrill Session
SMES PTO EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
The PTO takes great pride in cultivating closeknit relationships among students, teachers, parents, and administrators. PTO events and programs like these help to create the enduring connections that define our amazing community:
• Daughters’ Dance
• Fall Festival
• Sons’ Event
• Warrior Run
• Warrior Wings
St. Martin’s has given so much to our children, it is our pleasure to do what we can to return the favor. These committees are dedicated to supporting our school, especially our exceptional SMES teachers and staff:
• Teacher Appreciation
• Hospitality
• Room Rep Coordinators
• Orientation
• Lost & Found
As a parent teacher organization, we can’t forget about our fellow SMES parents. These committees focus on providing services that benefit SMES parents and events that parents truly enjoy:
• New Family Coordinators
• Dads’ Events
• Recycled Uniform Sales
• Fling/Winter Social
Some of our events focus on doing something for our children, since they’re the reason we all work so hard in the first place. Along with the Daughters’ Dance and the Sons’ Event, these PTO events and programs are all “kid-approved”:
• Book Fair
• Cookies & Carols
• The School Store
Finally, to make sure the PTO truly does represent and include all members of the SMES community, we have created these two positions to help guide us this year:
• High Point Liaison
• Inclusivity Liaison
You can find more information about our committees, events, and programs on the PTO’s website. Just scan the QR code below.
You can also find the PTO page under “Programs” in the school website’s main menu.
Giving Back
We’re going to rip off the band-aid. Bite the bullet. Cross the Rubicon. We’re going to talk –just for a minute – about money. Wait! Don’t turn the page. This isn’t a sales pitch (well, not entirely). We know you just wrote a pretty sizeable tuition check, and the last thing you want to think about is giving more money to St. Martin’s or anybody else for that matter. Believe us, we understand. And we hope you understand that we wouldn’t bring it up if it wasn’t important.
We can’t tell you that this year, you won’t get any emails (or calls or letters) asking you to give money to the school. You will. But what we can do is help explain why you’re going to get them, when to expect them, and who will benefit from the money you’re being asked to give.
Our goal is not to pressure you into giving. Rather, our hope is that the information we’re about to share will help you and your family make the very personal decision about how much you are willing and able to give back to our school this year. Keep in mind that there is power in your philanthropy. Regardless of its size, your contribution (should you choose to make one) will make an impact. Really.
The St. Martin’s Fund
St. Martin’s, like every other school, needs a certain amount of money to operate each year – you know, to pay for things like utility bills, salaries and benefits, facility upkeep, school supplies, library books, musical instruments, athletic uniforms, playground equipment, iPads, Chromebooks, field trips, etc. While it may seem like tuition alone should be enough to cover all of those expenses, brace yourself: it’s not. Not at St. Martin’s or any other independent school.
Why? Like other independent schools, St. Martin’s creates an intentional gap between its tuition revenue and its operating expenses. And, like other independent schools, St. Martin’s relies on gifts to its annual fund – The St. Martin’s Fund – to close that gap. We know what you’re thinking. Why don’t they just *gulp* raise tuition to cover operating costs? For one thing, it would put tuition beyond the reach of many of our current and prospective families. For another, it would be a disadvantage for you. After all, tuition is not tax deductible. But a donation to the St. Martin’s Fund is. Also, employers don’t “match” tuition payments. Many employers do, however, match gifts to non-profit organizations like St. Martin’s. So, raising tuition could actually cost both you and the school money.
The St. Martin’s Fund makes it possible for our school to give our kids the kind of educational experience they deserve – the kind that led us to send our kids to an independent school in the first place. It allows the school to make choices for our kids rather than compromises. Basically, whether our kids get a great education at St. Martin’s or an exceptional one is kind of up to us.
When should I give? Now! Please make your pledge today! Families that make their gift or pledge by September 27th are invited join us for Groovin’ on the Green.
Groovin’ on the Green: Join us on Friday, September 27, 2024 for a “Chastain-style” parent celebration from 7 -10 pm with live music on campus. This adults-only event is our way of saying thank you for supporting the annual fund. Simply make your pledge or gift to The St. Martin’s Fund by September 27th. Tables will be set up on the green and the band will be playing your favorite tunes. Pack a cooler and come gather as a community.
Celebrating your generosity: The 2024-2025 Head of School Reception for Leadership Circle Donors is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 at Peachtree Golf Club. Head of School, Maria Croley Madden, looks forward to spending time with these leadership donors. Donors of $2,500 or more are invited to attend.
If you have any questions, you can reach Lauren Sims, our Director of Advancement, at lsims@stmartinschool.org.
2ND ANNUAL
The PTO’s Fundraising Events
As we mentioned, the SMES PTO really has just one goal: to help make St. Martin’s a place where our kids can thrive. That’s why we work so hard planning events and programs that build a strong St. Martin’s community. It’s also why we need your generosity. We can’t put our plans into action without it.
The PTO has several fundraising events throughout the year. While it would be amazing if your family participated in each of them, we certainly don’t expect you to. We hope that by providing a variety of fundraising opportunities, SMES families will find one that best suits their own priorities and abilities.
What are the PTO’s fundraisers? Community rebate programs, the school store, and recycled uniform sales generate revenue for the PTO throughout the year. Other fundraisers include Book Fair, Warrior Run, and Fling or, in non-Fling years, Winter Social. Please note that while we do sell tickets to Fall Festival, Daughters’ Dance, and Sons’ Event, they are not fundraising events. Ticket sales typically generate only enough revenue to help subsidize the cost of putting on these events.
Save the Date for Winter Social 2025 - Mark your calendar for Friday, February 7, 2025,
How does the PTO use the money it raises? Your support of our community rebate programs, recycled uniform sales, school store, Book Fair, and Warrior Run allows the PTO to
• fly Santa in from the North Pole for Cookies & Carols
• host a reception for our eighth-grade graduates and their families
• treat teachers to lunch during pre-planning, on both Conference Days, and at the end of the year
• provide dinner for teachers on Back-to-School Nights
• host two special teacher and faculty breakfasts
• give a birthday gift to every SMES teacher, administrator and staff member
• plan community-building events like Fall Festival, Daughters’ Dance and Sons’ Event
Your support of Fling, and in non-Fling years, the Winter Social, directly benefits all SMES students (your kids included). All of the proceeds from Fling/Winter Social go back to the school. Through ticket sales, auctions, donations, and sponsorships, Fling and Winter Social have raised money for many incredible things, including
• a new science lab and STEAM programs
• new playground equipment and gym equipment
• smart boards, robotics, Google Expedition goggles, and computers
• renovations to the school’s cafeteria, Middle School building, and Early Childhood building
• shade sails for our school’s outdoor spaces
• wireless microphones, new laptops, and state-of-theart technology for our Drama Department
Who benefits? Everyone! Students, teachers, parents, members of our community, and the PTO all benefit from your support of our fundraising efforts.
When should I give? It depends. You can participate in community rebate programs and buy things from the school store all year long if you’d like.
Warrior Run registration is open from October through December. Book Fair is in November, and typically, Fling/Winter Social tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase from November through January/ early February.
Getting Involved
Why Volunteer?
You’re busy. Really busy. You’ve got a thousand things on your plate and a never-ending list of things you actually have to do. So, why should you volunteer to take on something else? Why should you volunteer at St. Martin’s?
It’s good for your kids.
Volunteers make possible many of the events, programs, and initiatives that benefit all SMES students, yours included. Moreover, decades of research shows that kids whose parents are actively involved in their school have better grades, higher test scores, more positive peer relationships, and fewer disciplinary problems. They even have lower rates of depression.
It’s good for you.
Volunteering at SMES is a great way to meet other parents, make new friends, and reconnect with people you haven’t seen all that much since 2020. In other words, it can be fun! Volunteering is personally gratifying and good for you, too. Experts have found that people who volunteer are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, have lower blood pressure, and live longer than those who don’t.
It’s good for our school.
Parent volunteers are the wheels on the proverbial school bus that keep it rolling smoothly. Among other things, volunteers provide support for our teachers and administrators, help onboard new families, and raise resources critical to the operation of our school and the education of our children. They make possible events and programs that build connections and strengthen the sense of community that makes St. Martin’s so special.
It’s doesn’t take much.
There are a number of volunteer opportunities for SMES parents, most of which don’t require much of your time. Even just a few minutes can make a difference. The bottom line is that we need your help, and any amount of time you can spare will be appreciated. We will not push you to commit to more than you are willing and able to give. Really.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways for parents to get involved at SMES, and this section contains an overview of those parent volunteer opportunities. If you don’t see anything that piques your interest or fits your skill set, don’t be afraid to reach out to the PTO Presidents or your child’s division principal to find out if there are other ways you can get involved.
THE ST. MARTIN’S FUND
Our school relies on parent volunteers to encourage participation in the St. Martin’s Fund. True, the St. Martin’s Fund is the school’s highest giving priority, and it is the school’s most important fundraising activity. But don’t let that intimidate you!
Volunteering for the St. Martin’s Fund Committee is actually a pretty easy gig. You don’t need any prior fundraising experience – Lauren Sims, our Director of Advancement, will train you. You can basically set your own schedule, and it does not require a ton of time. (Especially this year since most people probably made their pledges right after reading the previous section of this guide, right? Didn’t you? Hint, hint.)
Seriously, though, volunteering to serve on the St. Martin’s Fund Committee is an easy way to make a big difference for our school. If you’re interested, contact Lauren at lsims@ stmartinschool.org.
THE SMES PTO
The PTO provides many opportunities throughout the year for parents to
get involved at SMES. Some of you can’t wait to sign up, and we thank you for your enthusiasm! Others of you are thinking, “not me” while replaying the bake sale scene from Bad Moms in your head. If you’re the latter, we urge you to think again. The SMES PTO is not a syndicate of Machiavellian moms with militant organizational skills and an inordinate love of bake sales. We’re just a group of parents - moms and dads - who, like you, love our kids and want to help give them the educational experience they deserve.
A Place for Every Parent
Moms and dads. Stay-at-home parents and working parents. PTO noobs and veteran volunteers. Whatever your adjectives and whatever your pronouns, the SMES PTO has a place for you. If you’re willing to show up and help out, we will be thrilled to have you.
Room for Every Schedule
We also have volunteer opportunities that fit every schedule. There are opportunities before, during, and after school on weekends and weekdays. Some opportunities only require a few minutes of your time. Don’t believe us? Check out the PTO Volunteer Opportunities Catalogue on the “Events and Programs” section of thePTO website (thesmespto.org/volunteer).
How to Volunteer
Signing up to help with a PTO event or program is easy! All you need is Internet access and a SignUpGenius account. (Don’t have one? Go to signupgenius.com and create one for free.)
Most of our volunteer sign-ups “go live” (we post them on our website) a few days before Orientation. The PTO Room Representative sign-up usually goes live a few days later. Look for an email with sign-up links and instructions in early August. Spots tend to fill up quickly - especially on the Room Rep sign-up. So, plan ahead and sign up early!
If you’re interested in serving as a committee chair - no experience required - contact the PTO Presidents to see if we have any openings (we typically fill committee chair spots in the spring). If you’re not ready to jump in the deep end quite yet, wait until this coming spring and complete the PTO’s “Willingness to Serve Form” in March.
Scan for volunteer opportunities
Staying Informed
Somehow, in a sea of handouts, emails, websites, and even the occasional “unofficial guide,” you may still feel like you have no idea what is going on at SMES. Don’t panic. We have some advice that will help you stay informed without feeling overloaded.
FOLLOW SMES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
This is an easy one since you’re already on Instagram, and Facebook (maybe) anyway. It won’t help you know that there’s a non-uniform day coming up or that the conference sign-up link is going out soon, but it will help you feel more connected to what is going on at SMES. And that’s a good start.
@smesatl #NewsatSMES
Follow Classroom (EC), Grade Level (LS) and/or Division (MS) Instagram Accounts
As your child moves through SMES, more specific Instagram accounts are available to follow for an inside view of what’s happening. Early Childhood offers closed accounts by class, Lower School oversees an account for each grade level, and the happenings in Middle School can be followed on the division-specific Instagram account. You’ll learn more about these accounts on back-to-school night.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
There is a wealth of information on the school website – especially when you log in. Some of the most helpful resources available are the school’s calendar, the parent/child
directory, the school resource board, and teacher websites. We go over the school website in a little more detail later in the guide.
READ NOTIFICATIONS & EMAILS FROM YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
It may go without saying, but we will say it anyway. If you get an email from your child’s teacher, you should read it. Not only will you get emails directly from your child’s teacher, but you’ll also get email notifications when he or she posts something on the class website. For example, if your child’s teacher posts an announcement on the class website, you will get an email notification that includes the text of that announcement. It’s important that you read these notifications, too, since posting to the class website is one of the main ways teachers communication important information to parents.
If you find that you’re not getting these notifications, log in to the school website and follow the steps listed below.
• Click the dropdown menu under your name (on the top right of the page).
• Choose “Settings” and then select “Notifications” in the menu on the left.
• Make sure the box next to “Announcement Posted” is checked.
• Then, select “Edit Options” and make sure all the appropriate boxes are also checked.
If you still don’t get the notifications, contact Chris Nama at cnama@ stmartinschool.org.
READ THE WEEKLY WARRIOR
The Weekly Warrior is an e-newsletter that is an excellent source of information about upcoming school events (e.g., nonuniform days, student concerts, programs for parents, etc.) and other important reminders (e.g., due dates, carpool changes, registration deadlines, etc.). We cannot stress this enough: read The Weekly Warrior that comes out on Sunday.
READ ROOM REP EMAILS
Room Rep emails will focus on classroom volunteer opportunities and important PTO announcements only.
The SMES Website
There’s a lot you will need to log in to the school website to access. Want to see your child’s class roster, fill out school forms, view your child’s report card, or search the parent-student directory? Sure, you know you have to log in to do those things. But then what? Here’s a quick guide to finding your way around the website.
HOW TO FIND A TEACHER’S WEBSITE
TROUBLESHOOTING
Click “Children” in the upper left corner and select the child whose teacher’s website you’re trying to find. Then scroll down and click the teacher’s name.
SchoolPass
If you have any trouble using the website, do not hesitate to reach out to Chris Nama at cnama@ stmartinschool.org.
The “Bulletin board” section is where you’ll find announcements, downloads, and other important information from your child’s teacher.
USING SCHOOLPASS
• Use SchoolPass to schedule late arrivals/early dismissals, report absences, and notify the school of carpool changes. Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen. Then choose the type of schedule change you want to add and follow the prompts from there.
• Use SchoolPass when you visit the school. Signing in is much faster when you use the SchoolPass QuickPIN in your profile.
• Forget your carpool number? Look it up on SchoolPass. Click “Drivers” at the bottom of the screen.
Parents on Campus
Unless specifically told otherwise, you must use the Warrior Hall entrance when you come to campus during school hours – even if you’re going to the EC or MS building. While it may be a tad inconvenient at times, this helps keep everyone at school safe. So, if you come to school during the day, make sure to have your Quick Pin ready (remember, you can find it in your profile on the SchoolPass app). When you arrive, go to Warrior Hall (the doors will be locked), press the buzzer on the wall to the right of the entrance, and wait for the receptionist to let you in. Once inside, you’ll need to sign in at the front desk.
What if you need to drop your child off late or pick your child up early? You guessed it - use the Warrior Hall entrance. Even if your child is in EC or MS? Yep. All students who arrive late must be checked in at the front desk in Warrior Hall. All students leaving early will be directed to go through Warrior Hall.
Non-Uniform Days
There are several “non-uniform” days throughout the school year. Some have a theme (e.g., “Football Friday,” “Baseball/Softball Jersey Day,” etc.), but most are “Spirit Days,” where kids can wear a SMES shirt or a shirt with SMES colors (red, white, or blue).
We suggest getting a couple of SMES t-shirts from the school store now so you’ll be ready for Spirit Day. The school store link is on the school’s website under “Programs.”
In addition to the school-wide non-uniform days, there are a few grade- and divisionspecific non-uniform days throughout the year. For example, middle scholars dress up for spirit week, and the 100th day of school, first graders dress up as centenarians. Second graders have “Grinch Day” where they dress up as characters from Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Your child’s teacher will send information about these special non-uniform days.
Trust us – you do not want to send your child to school in uniform on a non-uniform day (or vice versa)! To avoid the panic that comes when your child tells you the night before that he or she has to wear an Earth Day t-shirt to school, make sure you read The Weekly Warrior and check your child’s class website.
Non-uniform days will be listed on the online school calendar and reminders will be announce in the Weekly Warrior.
Miscellaneous Advice
• If you need to pick your child up early, don’t just schedule an early dismissal on SchoolPass. Email your child’s teacher, too. You may also want to call the front desk when you’re a few minutes away.
• Barring an emergency, you can’t sign your child out early after 2:45 p.m. or when your child is Chapel.
• Kids get lockers for the first time when they’re in 3rd grade. And it’s a big deal. Third graders love to decorate their lockers. The enthusiasm for locker-decorating fades pretty quickly as they get older.
• Getting involved and going to school functions can seem daunting when you’re new to SMES. Try to do as much and attend as many events as you can, though. The more connected you feel to SMES, the better your experience – and your child’s experience – will be.
• If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to ask! Don’t know who to ask? You can always reach out to your PTO Presidents. We may not know the answer, but we can probably put you in touch with someone who does.