PTO Unofficial Guide

Guide Unofficial The To St. Martin’s Episcopal School

from the

At-A-Glance 2023-24 PTO Calendar

August 14 PTO Faculty Luncheon

Volunteer Sign-ups Available

August 16 Orientation

August 16 Recycled Uniform Sale

August 18 Room Rep Sign-ups Available

August 31 ES Back-to-School Night

September 7 MS Back-to-School Night

September 14 EC Back-to-School Night

October 20 PTO Teacher Conference Day Lunch

Recycled Uniform Sale

October 21 Fall Festival

November 11 Warrior Run

November 13 - 17 Fall Book Fair

December 6 PTO Faculty Christmas Breakfast

December 8 Cookies & Carols

February 3 Fling

February 23 PTO Teacher Conference Day Lunch

Recycled Uniform Sale

March 18 – 22 Teacher Appreciation Week

March 23 Daughters’ Dance

April 6 Sons’ Event

April 30

Recycled Uniform Sale

May 23 MS Graduation

Important Contacts

Head of School Mrs. Maria Croley Madden mmadden@stmartinschool.org

Interim Middle School Principal Ms. Kanette Fenstermacher kfenstermacher@stmartinschool.org

Elementary School Principal Mrs. Lynne Perry lperry@stmartinschool.org

Early Childhood Principal Mrs. Cindy Alexander calexander@stmartinschool.org

Director of Infant Programs Ms. Maria Canty mcanty@stmartinschool.org

Dean of Students Ms. Patti Pitoscia ppitoscia@stmartinschool.org

Director of Advancement Mrs. Lauren Sims lsims@stmartinschool.org

Director of Enrollment Management Mrs. Blythe Marsau bmarsau@stmartinschool.org

Director of Explorers Mr. Morries Walker mwalker@stmartinschool.org

School Nurse Mrs. Jennifer Pasley, APRN, CPNP jpasley@stmartinschool.org

2023-24 PTO Co-Presidents Mrs. Leah Antoniazzi leahtoy962@yahoo.com

Mrs. Allyson Miller allyson.n.miller@gmail.com

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.

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. 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 independentuniforms.com and enter our school’s code: SMES1959.

Order textbooks.

On July 1, the link to order textbooks will be posted on the “Parent Resource” page (log in to the school website to access) and the “New Family” page of the school website (no log in required) Order you child’s books early so they arrive in time for the first day of school!

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 16. Bring your child’s textbooks with you!

Put your carpool number in your car.

Mark your calendars!

Take a look at the “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.

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

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”

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

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 – kindergarten), Elementary School (1st – 5th grade), and Middle School (6th – 8th grade)

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.)

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

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.

Fall Festival – This PTO-sponsored event is a familyfavorite; held on a Saturday in October, it has something for everyone (rides, games, food trucks, a cake walk, a bake sale, and more).

Feast Day – a day dedicated to celebrating the life of our school and honoring our patron saint, St. Martin

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

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 Elementary School building) and the Middle School building

High Point – SMES’s campus located on High Point Road offering classes for infants and toddlers

Groovin’ on the Green – “Chastain-style” community celebration from 7-9 p.m. This year’s date is Sept. 29 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.

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

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. 29, 2023 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 Elementary 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

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 nonFling years

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.

Presidents

Leah Antoniazzi & Allyson Miller

Communications Chairs

Andrea Botham & Ely Przybyl

Vice Presidents

Katie Danyo & Lauren Middour

Member at Large

Christina Westmoreland

Treasurers

Lyndsey Jones & Maggie Wise

Laura Adams

Amy Amato

Laura Atwater

Hilary Bayer

Laura Belatti

Danielle Blair

Mary Boissoneault

Tonya Bond

Andrea Botham

Allie Boyles

Tiffany Brinson

Raven Canzeri

Stuart Canzeri

Karen Carera

Katie Challen

Kimi Coy

Holly Craig

Laura Davis

Allison Dyer

Ashley Fallaize

Courtney Ferencik

Ceshia Ford

Autumn Francis

Ally Funk

Lauren Garbade

Sarah Gray

Christine Hall

Michelle Hartman

Avie Himel

Jennifer House

Roger House

Anne Howell

Merle Jabr

Sarah Jowers

Mary Ellen Lighthiser

Sahlee Macauley

Mary Moore

Rebeccah Moriarty

Kelley Morrisey

Diana Parise

Cindy Parker

Kristen Potter

Jill ReDavid

Sarah Schrader

Ferrell Sessions

Maureen Shonkwiler

Keeli Simpson

Michelle Stark

Lindsay Stewart

Jenn Swindall

Sarah Walker

Michelle Wikler

Ed Zunzunegui

The 2023-24 SMES PTO Governing Board

The 2023-24 SMES PTO Executive Board

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 to help 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

•MS Graduation Reception

•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 29th are invited join us for Groovin’ on the Green.

Groovin’ on the Green: Join us on Friday, September 29, 2023 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 29th. 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 2023-2024 Head of School Reception for Leadership Circle Donors is scheduled for Thursday, September 21 at Peachtree Golf Club. New Head of School, Maria Madden, looks forward to spending time with these leadership donors. Donors of $2,000 or more are invited to

If you have any questions, you can reach Lauren Sims, our Director of Advancement, at lsims@stmartinschool.org.

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 Fling 2024 - Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 3, 2024, when Masquerade, this year’s Mardi Gras-themed Fling, will be held at the Intercontinental in Buckhead. It’s the event of the year (adults only) and you won’t want to miss it!

• help teachers purchase classroom supplies

• 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

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

• host 3 back-to-school parties for new families (one for each division) and other events for new 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

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.

You can shop at our recycled uniform sales in August, October, February, and/or May. Warrior Run registration is open from August through November. Book Fair is in November, and typically, Fling/Winter Social tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase from November through January/early February.

The 2023-24 Teacher Fund

We know you love St. Martin’s teachers and staff. But we also know your email inboxes are overflowing and your schedules are jam-packed. So, the PTO created the Teacher Fund to make it super-easy for you to show your appreciation for our amazing SMES teachers and staff all year long.

What is the 2023-24 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:

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

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 $150.)

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 below. Select one of the donation amounts provided or click “$0.00” to enter your own custom amount. Then click “Donate.”

You can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, or credit card.

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 SMES PTO

How to Volunteer

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 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).

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.

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, 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.

@smesatl #NewsatSMES

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, 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.

READ ROOM REP EMAILS

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.

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

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 App

The “Bulletin board” section is where you’ll find announcements, downloads, and other important information from your child’s teacher.

USING SCHOOLPASS

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you have any trouble using the website, do not hesitate to reach out to Chris Nama at cnama@ stmartinschool.org.

• 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.

Navigating Carpool

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.

Morning Carpool Procedures, Generally

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 a.m.

There 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.

ES Parents

Well – at least you have early drop-off to look forward to…

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)

What if I have kids in different divisions?

• 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.

• 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 1:30 (toddlers, beginners, & pre-K), and your second afternoon carpool will be whenever your other child/ children get out of school.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

AFTERNOON CARPOOL IS DIFFERENT THAN MORNING CARPOOL.

No, it’s not just because it’s in the afternoon.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

MORE CARPOOL ADVICE

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Uniforms

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. The first recycled uniform sale of the school year is at Orientation. Typically there are at least three more sales during the year: in October, (on Fall Conference Day), in February (on Spring Conference Day), and in May.

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.

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.

INSIDER TIPS FOR EC (TODDLERS –KINDERGARTEN)

• Most girls wear the pique polo dresses or the jumper with the Peter Pan blouse.

• EC students do not need PE uniforms or chapel uniforms.

• For now, the school store does not have hooded sweatshirts small enough for most EC students. A youth small will fit some kindergarteners, though.

• 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 ES (1ST – 5TH) & MS (6TH

– 8TH)

• All ES & MS students (grades 1 – 8) need P.E. uniforms.

• No khaki for ES students.

• Only students in grades 4 – 8 need chapel uniforms. (First, second, and third graders DO NOT.)

• The school store’s hooded sweatshirts are wildly popular, but remember:

- ES students (1st – 5th) can ONLY wear navy hooded sweatshirts.

- MS students (6th – 8th) can wear EITHER navy OR gray hooded sweatshirts.

• MS girls can wear either navy or khaki skirts, but they almost universally prefer khaki.

• Only 8th graders can wear the red polo shirt.

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.

A list of the school-wide 2023-24 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 notifications from your child’s teacher, and room rep emails!

Check the teacher website(s) and the online school calendar. All dates subject to change.

2023

September 8 Football Friday

November 10 Feast Day + Veterans Day

December 8 Holiday Shirt

2024

February 9 Spirit Day

February 14 Valentine’s Shirt

March 15 St. Patrick’s Day Shirt

April 8 Baseball/Softball Jersey

April 19 Spirit Day

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.