UnofficialGuideTheToSt.Martin’sEpiscopalSchool 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR from the
Dear St. Martin’s Families, To those of you who are new to St. Martin’s, welcome! And to our returning families, welcome Whetherback!
Sarah Jowers and Michelle Hartman 2022-23 SMES PTO amhartman79@gmail.comsarahsjowers@gmail.comCo-Presidents*PleasenotethatwhiletheinformationinTheUnofficial
Welcome
this is your first year at St. Martin’s or your tenth, the start of a new school year always comes with a few questions and concerns. The St. Martin’s Parent Teacher Organization (“PTO”) is here to help! Collectively, the PTO Executive Board has over fifty years of experience at St. Martin’s. In an effort to make your 2022-23 school year as smooth as possible, we have created St. Martin’s Episcopal School: The 2022-23 Unofficial Guide so we can pass on some of that experience to you.
The Unofficial Guide combines information from various sources (e.g., the school’s handbook, the school website, administrators, etc.) with our own institutional knowledge of St. Martin’s. It contains a back-to-school checklist, 2022-23 dates, important St. Martin’s terminology, carpool tips, uniform advice, and other information to help you confidently navigate the year ahead.* If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Also, please feel free to send us any comments about or suggestions for The Unofficial Guide. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Guide is accurate, the information contained herein – including the 2022-23 dates – is subject to change. Families should review the official school policies, read communications from the school, and check the school’s calendar on a regular basis.
August12 PTO Volunteer Sign-Ups Available 16 Room Rep Sign-Up Available St. Martin’s Fund Kickoff 17 PTOrientationORecycled Uniform Sale MS Individual Photos 18 First Day of School Community Coffee at High Point 24 EC Individual Photos 25 ES Individual Photos November1 NO SCHOOL (Faculty/Staff In-Service) 4 MS Dance 11 Veterans Day Assembly Non-Uniform Day (Patriotic Shirt) 12 PTO Warrior Run 14-18 PTO Fall Book Fair 16 SMES Civic Dinner 18 EC Grandparents’ + Special Friends Day 21-25 Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL) February1-3 Class Photos 4 PTO Winter Social 10 Non-Uniform Day (Spirit Day) 14 Non-Uniform Day (Valentine’s Shirt) EC/ES Valentine’s Treats 17 ES Grandparents’ + Special Friends Day Half Day (Early Dismissal) 20 Presidents’ Day (NO SCHOOL) 21 PTO Open Board Meeting 24 Conference Day (NO SCHOOL) PTO Recycled Uniform Sale September1 ES Back-to-School Night 5 Labor Day (NO SCHOOL) 8 MS Back-to-School Night 9 Non-Uniform Day (Football Friday) 15 EC Back-to-School Night 20 PTO Open Board Meting 27 PTO Parent Social December2 MS Musical Theatre Performance Kindergarten Christmas Program 6 MS Concert 9 PTO Cookies & Carols 13-15 MS Early Dismissal 13 ES Music Program 15 ES Christmas Treats 16 Lessons & Carols Half Day (Early Dismissal) Dec 19-Jan 2 Christmas Break (NO SCHOOL) March6-10Spring Break (NO SCHOOL) 17 Non-Uniform Day (St. Patrick’s Day Shirt) 20 PTO Spring Flowers 20-24 PTO Teacher Appreciation Week 24 EC/ES/MS Principal for a Day (Non-Uniform Day) 25 PTO Daughters’ Dance 29-31 5th Grade Class Trip May1-5 8th Grade Class Trip 2 PTO Open Board Meeting 3-5 6th & 7th Grade Class Trips 4 EC Field Day 5 ES Field Day 15 MS Choral & Band Concert 16 ES Music Program 17 5th Grade Crossing the Green 19 MS Dance 24 Last Day of School for EC (Half Day for EC) ES End-of-Year Treats PTO Recycled Uniform & Book Sale 25 Last Day of School for ES & MS (Half HonorsDay)Assembly & Clap Out 8th Grade Graduation October7-10 Fall Break (NO SCHOOL) 14 Conference Day (NO SCHOOL) PTO Recycled Uniform Sale 22 PTO Fall Festival 28 Feast Non-UnifDayorm Day (Spirit Day) 31 EC Halloween Parade EC/ES Halloween Treats January 2023 2 Christmas Break (NO SCHOOL) 3 School Resumes 13 MS Spelling Bee (3rd-8th) 16 MLK Holiday (NO SCHOOL) 20 Honor Society Induction MS Dance 26-28 MS Band Trip 27 MS Geography Bee (4th-8th) April1PTO Sons’ Event 3 Non-Uniform Day (Baseball/Softball Jersey Day) 5-10 Easter Break (NO SCHOOL) 14 Non-Uniform Day (Spirit Day) 17 SMES Golf Tournament 17-21 PTO Spring Book Fair 20-23 MS Musical 21 MS Grandparents’ + Special Friends Day 24-28 ERB Testing (3rd - 8th Grade) Calendar2022-23At-A-Glance
Interim Head of School Mr. Michael mrobinson@stmartinschool.orgRobinson Interim Middle School Principal Mrs. Kanette kfenstermacher@stmartinschool.orgFenstermacher Elementary School Principal Mrs. Lynne lperry@stmartinschool.orgPerry Early Childhood Principal Mrs. Cindy calexander@stmartinschool.orgAlexander Director of Infant Programs Ms. Erin ecarey@stmartinschool.orgCarey Dean of Students Ms. Patti ppitoscia@stmartinschool.orgPitoscia Director of Advancement Mrs. Lauren lsims@stmartinschool.orgSims Director of Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Tiffany trussell@stmartinschool.orgRussell Director of Enrollment Management Mrs. Blythe bmarsau@stmartinschool.orgMarsau Director of Explorers Mr. Morries mwalker@stmartinschool.orgWalker School Nurse Mrs. Jennifer Pasley, APRN, CPNP jpasley@stmartinschool.org 2022-23 PTO Co-Presidents Mrs. Michelle sarahsjowers@gmail.comMamhartman79@gmail.comHartmanrs.SarahJowers Important Contacts There are three phone numbers every SMES parent should add to their contacts: 404-237-4260 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. 404-228-0740 This is the number for Nurse Jenny and the School Clinic. If you get a call from this number, make sure to answer! 404-421-7697 This is the Explorers cell phone number. It’s good to have in case of an emergency.
ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION Back to School Checklist 1 St. Martin’s from A to (almost) Z 2 The SMES PTO 4 Giving Back 6 Getting Involved 10 Staying Informed 12 The School Website 13 SchoolPass ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Navigating Carpool......................................................................................................................................... 14 Parents on Campus ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Uniform & Non-Uniform Basics ................................................................................................................. 17 Miscellaneous Advice..................................................................................................................................... 19 In This Guide
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. You’ll find more details about some of the list items (e.g., uniforms, carpool, etc.) later in this guide. 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 6th-8th graders only. Order uniforms online. Go to www.independentuniforms.com and enter our school’s code: SMES1959. Order textbooks.
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 17. Bring your child’s textbooks with you! Attend the Back to School Party for your child’s division. Look for an invitation at the end of the summer! Put your carpool number in your car. Mark your calendars! Take a look at the “2022-23 At a Glance” page in this guide 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. Some EC teachers prefer that you wait until Orientation to label your child’s textbooks. They’ll let you know if that is the case.
1ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Get Ready Back to School Checklist
The link to order textbooks is on the New Family page and the Parent Resource page (the first page you see after you log in) of the school website. Get your child’s summer reading list & math packet (1st – 8th only). Summer reading lists and math packets are posted on the parent resource board of the school website. Go to stmartinschool.org, log in, and look for links to the 2022-23 summer reading and math packets.
Daughters’ Dance – a PTO-sponsored spring dance for young ladies in pre-K through 8th grade and their fathers or another special adult Division – St. Martin’s has three divisions: Early Childhood (infants – kindergarten), Elementary School (1st – 5th grade), and Middle School (6th – 8th grade)
Feast Day – a day dedicated to celebrating the life of our school and honoring our patron saint, St. Martin
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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
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 Crossing the Green – the ceremony to celebrate their transition to Middle School, 5th graders ceremoniously cross the green that connects Warrior Hall and the Middle School building
Fall Festival – returning this year, this PTO-sponsored event is a family-favorite; held on a Saturday in October, it has something for everyone (rides, games, food trucks, a cake walk, a bake sale, and even a haunted house)
EC – a frequently used abbreviation for Early Childhood (infants – kindergarten) Enrichment – a part of the SMES Explorers program, enrichment classes are fun after-school classes taught by both SMES teachers and external vendors
St. Martin’s From
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 Civic Dinners – St. Martin’s Civic Dinners 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 A to (Almost) Z
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
Early Drop-off – for Middle School students only; parents may drop off middle school students before carpool (between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. every day except Wednesdays when early drop-off is between 8:30 – 8:35 a.m.)
ES – a frequently used abbreviation for Elementary School (1st – 5th grade) 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.
Teacher Fund, The – NEW 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 the Teacher Appreciation Week Fund (a collection of optional donations from SMES families used to purchase treats for teachers, faculty, and staff to celebrate SMES Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week)
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
Lessons & Carols – students in 1st – 8th grade lead this annual school-wide Christmas celebration that parents are encouraged to attend MS – a frequently-used abbreviation for Middle School Parent Social – a PTO-sponsored party for parents typically held in September 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
Winter Social – a more casual, themed party held on nonFling years, Winter Social is the PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year; it features music, dancing, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction
3ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
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)
Green Space, The – also known as “the green field” or “the turf,” the green space is the field between Warrior Hall (the Elementary School building) and the Middle School building High Point – SMES’s campus located on High Point Road offering classes for infants and toddlers Kairos – short for “The Kairos Learning Center,” which offers a unique learning environment for 1st – 8th grade students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia; parents should contact their child’s division principal with questions Late Day – Wednesday; carpool starts at 8:35 a.m. instead of 7:40 a.m.; school starts at 9:00 a.m., not 8:35 a.m.
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
Warrior Hall – the main building on the SMES campus, which is home to the Elementary School, the gym, the commons, and administrative offices; it’s where parents should check in when they visit the campus
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 pre-K 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 Spirit Night – a PTO-sponsored event where a local business/restaurant agrees to donate a portion of sales on a particular date to the school St. Martin’s Fund, The – 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
4ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION 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. Laura Atwater Brooke Duckett Natalie Lanford Betsy Sawyer Hilary Bayer Allison Dyer Alex Livingston Julie Schrader Hank Blair Robert Early Monica Loving Kristen Schweninger Mary Boissoneault A shley Fallaize Fallon Lucas Ferrill Sessions Tonya Bond Ceshia Ford Sahlee Macauley Maureen Shonkwiler Abbey Bradner Autumn Francis Lauren Middour Sarah Sirzyk Amy Breedlove Amber Gerard Elizabeth Miller Consuela Smikle-Williams Tiffany Brinson Michelle Gunckel Jenny Moore Marie Spies Mark Bryson Laura Hamm Rebeccah Moriarty Michelle Stark Raven Canzeri Christa Hartnett Heather Papirio Lindsay Stewart Stuart Canzeri Avie Himel Cindy Parker K atherine Strickland Karen Carera Jennifer House Kristen Potter Jenn Swindall Katie Challen Merle Jabr Jill Purdie A shley Tagtachian Claire Cherry K aren Johnston Casey Rea Kim Watson Mallory Cohen Lyndsey Jones Jill Redavid Lezlie Welty Katie Danyo Anna Kelly Laura Rhino Christina Westmoreland Susan Debold Mackenzie King Susan Rusche Ali White Cheryl Doughty Ed Zunzunegui The 2022-23 SMES PTO Governing Board Co-Presidents Sarah Jowers & Michelle Hartman Communications Chairs Andrea Botham & Keeli Simpson Treasurer & Co-Treasurer Courtenay O’Mara & Elizabeth Miller Co-Vice Presidents Allyson Miller & Leah Antoniazzi Member at Large Sarah Moffat The 2022-23 SMES PTO Executive Board The SMES PTO
5ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION The PTO takes great pride in cultivating closeknit relationships among students, teachers, parents, and administrators. PTO events and programs like these to help create the enduring connections that define our amazing community. •Daughters’ Dance •Fall Festival •Veterans Day Assembly •Sons’ Event •Spirit Nights •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 •L•Orienta•Dec•R•HospitalityAppreciationoomRepCoordinatorsorationstionost&FoundAsaparentteacherorganization, 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. •Parent Social •New Family Coordinators •Dads’ Events •Recycled Book Exchange •Recycled Uniform Sales •Winter Social SMES PTO EVENTS AND PROGRAMS 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 Finally,•T•MS•Field•C•Book“kid-approved.”Fair(Fall&Spring)ookies&CarolsDayGraduationReceptionheSchoolStoretomakesurethePTO 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 or visit thesmespto.org/2022. You can also find the PTO page under “Programs” in the school website’s main menu.
We know it’s 2022; COVID is still a thing, inflation is sky-high, everything costs more, and you just wrote a pretty sizeable tuition check. 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.
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).
6ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Giving Back
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 What is the St. Martin’s Fund? It’s a collection of unrestricted donations that provides immediate, flexible resources to make up the difference between the actual cost of a St. Martin’s education and tuition. Who benefits? Every student and every teacher at SMES.
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.
The St. Martin’s Fund provides resources that make an immediate impact on every student and every teacher at St. Martin’s this school year. We’re not talking about making things better for some future SMES students and teachers (though they will benefit, too). Gifts to the St. Martin’s Fund benefit our kids and their teachers right now. Who should give? Every family, every teacher, every administrator, and every trustee. Participation is especially important because it plays a critical role in securing grants from outside organizations. When foundations and corporations consider schools for grants, one of the first things they want to know is how many families gave to the school’s annual fund. Your St. Martin’s Fund participation provides a quantifiable measure of how well the school is performing that organizations use to decide whether our school is a good investment. (By the way, did you know that 100 percent of SMES teachers, administrators, and trustees give to the St. Martin’s Fund every year?) When should I give? Now! Please make your pledge today if for no other reason than to save us all from getting a ton of St. Martin’s Fund emails this year. Really – go ahead and rip off the band-aid. Bite the bullet. Go to the school’s website or scan the QR code below and make your pledge today. Don’t worry – you have until June to pay.
7ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
The bottom line is this: the St. Martin’s Fund is the school’s highest giving priority, and it should be yours, too. Give what you’re able, but please give as soon as you can. Our kids and your email inboxes will thank you for it. If you have any questions, you can reach Lauren Sims, our fabulous Director of Advancement, at lsims@stmartinschool.org.
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.
Nights • host two
The PTO’s Fundraising Events
• give a birthday gift to every lead, assistant, and cocurricular teacher
• shade sails for our school’s outdoor spaces
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. Spirit Nights are typically held once a month, and event tickets typically go on sale a month or so before the date of the event.
Who benefits? Everyone! Students, teachers, parents, members of our community, and the PTO all benefit from your support of our fundraising efforts.
• renovations to the school’s cafeteria, Middle School building, and Early Childhood building
This is a Winter Social year, and Winter Social tickets and sponsorships will be available for purchase in November.
allows the PTO to • decorate for Orientation & print materials for Orientation packets • decorate the school for fall and Christmas • help organize the annual Veterans Day Assembly • fly Santa in from the North Pole for Cookies & Carols • provide supplies and treats for EC Field Day and ES Field Day • host a reception for our 8th grade graduates and their families • host Parent Social, an event for all SMES parents that includes hors d’oeuvres and an open bar • host 3 back-to-school parties for new families (one for each division) and other events for new families •
• provide
What are the PTO’s fundraisers? Community rebate programs, Spirit Nights, the school store, and recycled uniform sales generate revenue for the PTO throughout the year. Other fundraisers include Fall Book Fair, Warrior Run, Winter Social, and Spring Book Fair. Please note that while we do sell tickets to Fall Festival, the Daughters’ Dance, and the Sons’ Event, we don’t consider those to be fundraising events. Ticket sales generate just enough revenue to cover the costs of those events.
• new playground equipment and gym
• help teachers purchase
• wireless microphones, new laptops, and state-of-theart technology for our Drama Department
8ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
supplies
•equipmentsmartboards, robotics, Google Expedition goggles, and computers
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
How does the PTO use the money it raises? Your support of our community rebate programs, Spirit Nights, recycled uniform sales, school store, Fall Book Fair, Spring Book Fair, and Warrior Run treat teachers to lunch during pre-planning, on both Conference Days, and at the end of the year dinner for teachers on Back-to-School special teacher and faculty breakfasts classroom
9ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
How is that different from last year? Last year, we offered parents the opportunity to donate to the Teacher Gift Fund, which allowed the PTO to Christmas and End-of-the-Year gifts to teachers. We also asked parents to help make SMES Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week extra-special by donating to the Teacher Appreciation Week Fund. This year, we have combined those two funds into one. Who benefits? SMES teachers and staff! How much should I give? Whether and how much to give is up to your family. We do ask, however, that you think about the number of kids you have at SMES and the number of teachers who will help each of those kids every day this year. Should you decide to donate to the Teacher Fund, please make one total contribution on behalf of your family. (For reference, the average contribution of most families who donate was $200.)
1- a cash Christmas gift for each lead, assistant, and co-curricular teacher, 2- a cash End-of-the-Year gift for each lead, assistant, and co-curricular teacher, AND 3- special treats for teachers and staff each day of SMES Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
You“Donate.”canpay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, or credit card.
When should I give? You only need to donate once this year to cover multiple gifts to all of your children’s teachers. We would appreciate donations at the beginning of the year (August and September), but you may donate via the Teacher Fund website any time. How do I make a donation? To make a donation, go to smesteacherfund.square.site or scan the QR code (just point your phone’s camera at the code and tap the notification to open the link).
We know your email inboxes are overflowing and your schedules are jam-packed. But we also know you love St. Martin’s teachers and staff. So, the PTO has made it easier than ever to show them how much you appreciate all they do for our kids. How? This year, we combined the Teacher Gift Fund and the Teacher Appreciation Week Fund to create the 2022-23 Teacher Fund. The 2022-23 Teacher Fund
What is the 2022-23 Teacher Fund? The Teacher Fund is a collection of optional donations from parents, 100% of which goes to our deserving SMES teachers and staff. A one-time donation to the Teacher Fund helps provide three things:
Select one of the donation amounts provided or click “$0.00” to enter your own custom amount. Then click
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 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.
Involved
Getting
10ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
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 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.
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 fabulous 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.
11ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Volunteer
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.
Opportunities
THE SMES PTO The PTO provides many opportunities throughout the year for parents to get involved at SMES. Some parents can’t wait to sign up, and we thank you for your enthusiasm. Others are thinking, “nope, I’m not that kind of parent” while replaying the Bad Moms bake sale scene in your head. If that’s you, we urge you to think again. We’re not some syndicate of Machiavellian moms with militant organizational skills, an inordinate love of bake sales, and a penchant for world domination. We’re just a group of parents who, like you, love our kids and want to help give them the educational experience they deserve. A Place for every parent. The SMES PTO has a place for every parent. Moms and dads. Stay-athome parents and working parents. PTO noobs and veteran volunteers. Whatever your adjectives and whatever your pronouns, we have a place for you. If you’re willing to show up and help out, we will be thrilled to have you. Period. Room for every schedule. We have volunteer opportunities that fit every schedule. (Did you know most of our volunteers work outside of the home?) We have volunteer opportunities on weekends and weekdays before, during, and after school hours. Some of those opportunities literally require just a few minutes of your time. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the 2022-23 Volunteer Opportunities Catalogue on the “Events & Programs” section of our website (thesmespto.org/2022), which lists opportunities by event, by time commitment required, by day of the week, and time of day. How to Volunteer Signing up to help with a PTO program or event is easy! All you need is internet access and a SignUpGenius account. (You can create one for free Mostsignupgenius.com.)atofourvolunteer sign-ups will go live (i.e., we’ll post them on the “Volunteer Opportunities” page of the PTO website) on Friday, August 12. The PTO Room Representative sign-up will go live Tuesday, August 16. Sign-ups for EC and ES Field Day will go live in the spring. Don’t worry – you’ll get an email with a link to the Volunteer Opportunities page when the sign-ups are available. Spots on many of the sign-ups fill up quickly, so plan ahead and sign up early. We should note that if you’re interested in chairing a PTO committee, make sure to fill out the “Willingness to Serve” form when it goes out this spring. You can also reach out to the PTO Presidents.
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, 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
This is an easy one since you’re already on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (maybe) anyway. It won’t help you know that there’s a nonuniform 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.
At the school’s request, emails from the PTO Room Representatives for your child’s class will be a little less frequent (you won’t get one every week) this year but no less important. Room Rep emails will focus on classroom volunteer opportunities and important PTO announcements only.
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 •Choosepage). “Settings” and then select “Notifications” in the menu on the •Makleft.e sure the box next to “Announcement Posted” is checked.
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. Staying Informed FOLLOW SMES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
READ THE WEEKLY WARRIOR The Weekly Warrior is an e-newsletter that goes out at the beginning of the week (usually on Monday). We cannot stress this enough: read The Weekly Warrior. It is an excellent source of information about upcoming school events (e.g., non-uniform days, student concerts, programs for parents, etc.) and other important reminders (e.g., due dates, carpool changes, registration deadlines, etc.).
READ ROOM REP EMAILS
#Ne@smesa@smesatltlwsatSMES
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
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•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.
SchoolPassApp
• Use SchoolPass when you visit the school. Signing in is much faster when you use the SchoolPass QuickPIN in your profile.
TROUBLESHOOTING If you have any trouble using the website, do not hesitate to reach out to Chris Nama at cnama@ stmartinschool.org.
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.
• Forget your carpool number? Look it up on SchoolPass. Click “Drivers” at the bottom of the screen.
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HOW TO FIND A TEACHER’S WEBSITE 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. 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.
The SMES Website
What if I have kids in different divisions?
Navigating Carpool
MS Parents Parents of middle schoolers, we have some good news for you, too! You can use the Lanier Drive entrance to drop off your middle schooler before carpool starts. Yep, that’s right – thanks to “early drop-off,” you can skip the morning carpool line altogether. Early drop-off is between 7:30 and 7:40 every morning except Wednesday, when early drop-off is between 8:30 & 8:35 Therea.m. is a catch, though. The window for early drop-off is pretty tight. If carpool has started, you’ve missed the window. That means you’ll have to drive around and get in the back of the regular carpool line. Also, early drop-off is for middle schoolers ONLY. You can’t drop off your ES or EC student early, too.
•Parents dropping off in ES/MS carpool should turn in from Ashford-Dunwoody and pull straight forward to join one of the two lines that wrap around the parking lot. The lines will merge just before the turnaround in front of Warrior Hall. When it’s your turn, pull forward into the turnaround. Resist the urge to shove your kids out of the door and peel out of the parking lot. Wait for the carpool assistant to open the car door.
•If you are parked on campus at 3:00 when people start lining up for afternoon carpool, there is a good chance you won’t be able to leave until carpool is over (around 3:45 p.m.). To avoid getting stuck, choose your parking spot wisely. The parking spots facing the playground are a good option. If you do get stuck, don’t panic! Go to the car or two behind the one blocking you in and ask the driver (s) to let you back out.
ES Parents Well – at least you have early drop-off to look forward to…
MORNING CARPOOL Morning carpool is from 7:40 – 8:10 a.m. except on “late day” (Wednesday) when morning carpool is from 8:35 – 9:10 a.m.
•Parents dropping off in EC carpool should turn right after entering the parking lot so they can join the separate –and much shorter – line for EC. (It runs in front of the EC building.) If you are too early or EC carpool gets backed up, you will have to loop around. That means you’ll have to get in a “big carpool” line. Don’t panic! Just make sure you get in the left line. That way you can turn into EC carpool before the second loop in the big carpool line. Again, don’t panic. There will be people there to help direct you.
AFTERNOON CARPOOL When is afternoon carpool? It depends on the division.
1:30 p.m. Toddlers, Beginners, & Pre-K 3:15 p.m. ES (1st – 5th grade) 2:50 p.m. Kindergarten 3:30 p.m. MS (6th – 8th grade)
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Morning Carpool Procedures, Generally
•Your youngest child at SMES is in toddlers, beginners, and/or pre-K: Prepare yourself for “two-a-days” (two afternoon carpools a day). You’ll do the first pickup at
EC Parents Great news! Not only do you get to take advantage of the much shorter morning carpool line, if one of your kids is an EC student, you get to drop ALL of your kids off in EC carpool! In fact, according to the SMES Handbook, you have to (a fact that comes in handy when your fifth grader complains about the “long walk” to his or her classroom). This perk will literally add hours to your week.
• You need your carpool number for afternoon carpool. Keep that neon-colored piece of paper in your car at all times! When you get to carpool, put it where the person calling carpool numbers can see it. If you don’t have your carpool number, you can look it up on the SchoolPass app (see the SchoolPass section in this guide). The nice teacher on carpool duty can look it up for you, too.
• If your child is not standing by a cone when you get to the turnaround in ES/MS carpool, do not stop in the turnaround. Pull forward and park in “assisted carpool” (the parking spots facing the MS building at the end of the turnaround). A teacher or administrator will be right over to help you.
AFTERNOON CARPOOL IS DIFFERENT THAN MORNING CARPOOL. No, it’s not just because it’s in the afternoon.
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• Your youngest is in kindergarten and your oldest is in MS: If you’d like, you, too, can take advantage of the kindergarten escort program (see above) and pick up your kids at 3:30 in MS carpool.
• Afternoon carpool takes longer than morning carpool. It’s true, and there’s not much we can do about it. (Isn’t it a scientific fact that kids take at least twice as long to get into a car than get out of one?) It does speed up after a painfully slow first couple of weeks, though. We promise.
1:30 (toddlers, beginners, & pre-K), and your second afternoon carpool will be whenever your other child/ children get out of school.
• Sometimes there’s not enough room in the parking lot for all the cars. If you arrive for afternoon carpool to find the parking lot full and a string of angry drivers stuck on Ashford-Dunwoody, be patient. SMES carpool assistants will be there to help. Follow their directions, and everything will be alright.
• Your youngest is in ES: You can pick all of your kids up in MS carpool at 3:30 p.m. No need to sign up for any special program. Just let your ES student’s teacher know. A word of caution: If you get to the front of carpool before MS students are dismissed from their classrooms at 3:25, you can still pick up your younger children. But you may have to drive around and get back in the carpool line to pick up your middle schooler.
• Watch the carpool video on the school’s website. (Log in, scroll down the parent resources page, and click the “Carpool, Walker, & Dunwoody Bus Information” link to access the video.)
• You will get your carpool number at Orientation. When you get home, laminate it if you can (it may not make it to November if you don’t). Then put it in your car and keep it there. If you need an extra set of carpool numbers, just ask Meredith or Erin at the receptionist desk in Warrior Hall.
• Your youngest is in kindergarten and your oldest is in ES: You’re in luck! You can pick up all of your kids in ES carpool at 3:15 p.m. Just go to the Explorers page on the school website and register your child for the FREE Explorers “kindergarten escort” program. Every afternoon, a member of the Explorers staff will escort your child and other similarly-situated kindergarteners to ES carpool. It’s that easy! Registration will be open soon.
• EC carpool starts right on time (and sometimes a little earlier), and the line moves quickly. Try to get in line a few minutes before carpool starts.
• Your youngest is in kindergarten, you have a child in ES, and you have a child in MS: To avoid multiple afternoon pick ups, sign your kindergartener up for “kindergarten escort” and tell your ES student’s teacher you’re picking up in MS carpool so you can get all of your kids at 3:30 in MS carpool.
• Some ES parents start lining up for carpool before kindergarten carpool even starts. Try not to be that parent. ES carpool won’t start early no matter how many cars are lined up in the parking lot. And if you block kindergarten carpool, you will be asked to move.
MORE CARPOOL ADVICE
onParentsCampus
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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.
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.
Uniforms
The first sale of the 2022-23 school year will be at Orientation on August 17. There will be at least three more sales during the year. Make sure to check the SMES Uniform Guidelines before you shop! You can find the guidelines on the “New Family Information” page of the school website, the “Independent Uniforms” section of the parent portal page (after you log in), and the school’s handbook.
•EC students do not need PE uniforms or chapel •Funiforms.ornow,the school store does not have hooded sweatshirts small enough for most EC students. A youth small will fit some kindergarteners, though.
•MS girls can wear either navy or khaki skirts, but they almost universally prefer khaki.
•The school store’s hooded sweatshirts are wildly popular, but remember: -ES students (1st – 5th) can ONLY wear navy hooded -MSsweatshirts.students (6th – 8th) can wear EITHER navy OR gray hooded sweatshirts.
•All ES & MS students (grades 1 – 8) need P.E. uniforms.
•Most girls wear the pique polo dresses or the jumper with the Peter Pan blouse.
•If you order a hoodie for your EC student, make sure to get a navy one. The gray sweatshirt is for middle schoolers only.
INSIDER TIPS FOR EC (TODDLERS –KINDERGARTEN)
INSIDER TIP FOR ALL DIVISIONS LABEL EVERYTHING. Put your child’s first and last name –not just their initials – in every sweatshirt, jacket, or coat they wear to school. They will lose them. And after a few weeks, unlabeled items in the school’s lost & found bins are donated, added to the Recycled Uniform Sale inventory, or thrown away.
•Only 8th graders can wear the red polo shirt.
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To order uniforms, go to independentuniforms.com and enter our school code: SMES1959. You can also get your child’s uniforms at one of the PTO’s Recycled Uniform Sales, where almost all uniform items are only $5.00 each.
INSIDER TIPS FOR ES (1ST – 5TH) & MS (6TH –8TH)
•Only students in grades 4 – 8 need chapel uniforms. (First, second, and third graders DO NOT.)
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Shirt April 3
Non-UniformDays Valentine’s St. Patrick’s Day Baseball/Softball Spirit
2022 September 9 Football Friday October 28 Spirit Day November 11 Patriotic Shirt December 9 Holiday Shirt 2023 February 10 Spirit Day February 14
Day
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).
Jersey April 14
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”
Shirt March 17
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. A list of the school-wide 2022-23 non-uniform days follows below. Please keep in mind that this list is tentative and by no means exhaustive. Again, make sure to read the Weekly Warrior and your teacher website(s)
• 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.
MiscellaneousAdvice
• 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.
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• In-class parent volunteer opportunities are returning this year. Make sure to take advantage of them! At Back-to-School Night, your child’s class Room Rep will explain what opportunities are available and how to sign up for them.
• 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.
