Smith Elementary School

Parent Teacher Organization

Hello, Smith Parents!

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all our amazing volunteers who helped to plan and put on the Ghostwood & Fall Fest fundraiser this year! Our second year of combining the two festivals was another success, and it couldn't have happened without such committed volunteers taking up the charge and working so hard to make it happen.We received lots of positive feedback from the community. Thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers who made this event happen!

Our next PTO meeting will be on November 13 at 6:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join the PTO board as we discuss PTO business and events, as well as any other school topics relevant to the PTO. If you are a parent of a student at Smith, we would love to have you join us at a meeting to weigh in on any of our discussions, or ask questions that you may have.

Following the PTO meeting at 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting another Teacher Feature at 6:45. This month's teachers are from the 6th and 3rd grades at Smith. October's Teacher Feature with the 5th grade and preschool teachers was was wonderful! I loved hearing all the great opportunities my 5th grader has at school, as well as the amazing curriculum that is offered in the preschool! I hope you will join us this month to learn more about the great work of our Smith Teachers!

Have a wonderful November, and a very happy Thanksgiving.  As always, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Juliet Glaser

PTO President

president@smithschoolpto.com

Ghostwood & Fall Fest Update!

Ghostwood & Fall Fest was a huge success as a fun fall party and fundraiser! The grand total collected this year was $12,280—a 29% increase from last year and a new PTO fundraising record! This success was due to our amazing team of volunteers and sponsors. A special recognition goes to Amanda DeGeeter who almost single-handedly raised $3,500 for the school through the silent auction. Wow!!

Our Presenting Sponsors this year were: Commuter Ads and Honaker Hayes Wealth Management with UBS Financial Services. Other sponsors included: Basil's on Market, Barry Bagels, Burke Orthodontics, Lincoln Park Dental Arts, the Mhaskhar Family, and Oakwood United Methodist Church. If you have a chance, please say thank you to these businesses and families for supporting our school.

This year we added new attractions such as bounce houses, cotton candy, the chili cook-off, cake walks, and the Jurassic room while keeping the old favorites such as face-painting, carnival games, science labs, enchanted library, and the ever popular—creepy cafeteria!

With the money raised, the PTO will provide support for our teachers and their classrooms—-and provide school activities to enrich our children's lives. Mark your calendars for next year's Ghostwood so you can enjoy the memories of a great time with Oakwood friends.

A Note of Thanks:

"We would like to thank all of our volunteers for their dedication to Ghostwood Fall Fest this year. To all of you who took on a leadership role, for those who hung signs, lights, helped us decorate, set up tables & chairs, helped when the pumpkins were delivered, picked up bounce houses, baked and dropped off cakes and baked goods; for the school staff members who helped us with planning, sound, lights, clean up, MC-ing the cake walk; for those who designed logos and media to promote the event; to those who prepared crafts, painted faces, donated silent auction items, collected silent auction items, made chili, delivered games and props; for all the amazing creativity you put into your room to delight the kids, for those who monitored bounce houses and helped keep them from crushing the admissions people; for enduring the spewing of cotton candy in the air; for our team of admissions people who had a steady line for hours;  for those who swept up a crazy amount of popcorn, leaves and trash; YOU are the reason this event happened. No matter how big or small your task was, you made this event a success! We are eternally grateful to each of you. With the money raised, the PTO will provide support for teachers and their classrooms, and provide needs in the school to enrich your children's lives. THANK YOU!

Amy Honaker, Amy Smith, Tracy Staley, & Molly Walters

Everybody Counts: Volunteers Needed!

Help teach our kids that Everybody Counts!

Everybody Counts introduces children to a variety of disabilities. Each grade-level focuses on a different topic. For example, first grade focuses on visual impairment. This program will run January 28 - February 1 this year.

Many volunteers are required to ensure this important program can run (2-3 per classroom)! No experience needed. A brief training will be provided. Scripts and supplies are provided. It's a great opportunity to interact with children in the class and send a message of social inclusion. Minimal commitment!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jessica Penwell Barnett at jpenbarnett@yahoo.com.

Support Smith with DLM, Kroger Store Rewards & More...

Did you know that there are a few easy ways to shop AND support Smith School at the same time?  Dorothy Lane Market, Kroger & Amazon Smile all offer programs that let you shop and donate funds for school programs!

Click on the following links for more information:

DLM Good Neighbor Program

Kroger Community Rewards

Amazon Smile

Click HERE to view the informational posts on the Smith PTO Facebook page 

Military Kids Club!

The mission of the Military Kids Club is to provide a fun and safe place for our military kids to be encouraged, strengthened, and connected to the E.D. Smith Community. The club meets about once a month during the lunch period to do fun activities and community service projects.

Our next event will be Monday, November 12 at 7:45 a.m. for a special Veteran's Day breakfast!

Please contact Ashley O'Hara or Jamie Carter if you have any questions or to find out more about how your Smith student can participate.

NOVEMBER PTO MOVIE NIGHT!!!

More info to come!  Check out the Smith PTO Facebook page for date and time!