Panther Press
March 2024
Mrs. Sandy Larson
Pepper Panther
Letter From the Principal
Hello CSMS Families,
Next week we will wrap up our Benchmark testing and head into Spring Break. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible dedication and patience of our entire school community - staff, students, and families. I am immensely proud of the consistent high attendance rates we've maintained throughout the testing dates. This commitment to being present in the classroom demonstrates your unwavering support for your child's education and sets them up for success. Your efforts, combined with the hard work of our dedicated staff, have created a positive learning environment where your students can thrive. I am confident that our collaborative spirit will enable our students to approach these assessments with confidence and showcase their academic achievements. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of all our students, and we are committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.
On another important note,
It is with a mix of excitement and bittersweet emotions that I announce my acceptance of a new position within the district office as Executive Director of Instruction and Achievement. This incredible opportunity allows me to contribute to the academic success of every student across our district, but it also comes with the difficult decision to step down as Principal of Colonel Smith Middle School at the end of this school year. Serving as your principal has been the greatest privilege of my career. I am deeply grateful for the incredible support and collaboration I have received from each and every one of you throughout this journey. While I am excited to take on this new challenge, I will truly miss the daily interactions and connections I have formed with this incredible school community. I am confident that Colonel Smith Middle School will continue to thrive under the leadership of Dr. Sam Granillo, the current principal of General Myer Elementary, who will take the lead for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Sincerely,
Principal Larson
Upcoming Events
March 4-8 - Read Across America Week
March 8 - Student Jeans Day (Must wear uniform top)
March 11-15 - Spring Break
March 18 - Knowledge Bowl @ St. David
March 18 - Boys & Girls Track/Field Pictures
March 18 - Boys Baseball Pictures
March 22 - Uniform Free Day
March 27 - 8th Grade Promotion Pictures
March 29 - NO SCHOOL - Good Friday
SSVEC YES Fair
I would like to give a shout out to our awesome Science Department. We had 10 students receive awards at the SSVEC YES Fair on Friday evening. They have been working on their science projects since the beginning of the year. Several of the students will be moving on to the SARSEF Fair this upcoming weekend. Good luck!
Please see the list below:
5-6 Energy & Engineering- Honorable Mention- Max Underwood
5-6 Biological- 1st Place- Logan Merino
7-8 Energy & Engineering- 1st Place- Emma Kopas
7-8 Earth & Space- 1st Place- Athena Peck, 2nd Place- Sonia Patrick
7-8 Biological- 1st Place- Michelle Haugh
Special Awards Winners
Environmental Protection Agency- Luke & Logan Brown (6th), Sonia Patrick (8th)
SSVEC Foundation- Logan Merino (6th), Logan & Luke Brown (6th), Sonia Patrick (8th), Addalisa Sides (8th), Samual Collins (8th)
Thermo Fisher Scientific- Emma Kopas (7th)
U. S. Agency for International Development- Addalisa Sides (8th)
Student Council
Student Council is selling spirit hoodies and shirts. Hoodies are $25 and t-shirts are $15. They will be on sale while supplies last.
Testing Schedule
2024 AASA and AzSCI Assessment Schedule (8:00-11:00 a.m.)
March 25, 2024 - AzSCI Parts 1-2 (8th grade only)
March 26, 2024 - AzSCI Part 3 (8th grade only)
April 3, 2024 - AASA ELA Writing
April 9, 2024 - AASA ELA Reading Part 1
April 10, 2024 - AASA Math Part 1
April 16, 2024 - AASA ELA Reading Part 2
April 17, 2024 - AASA Math Part 2
Jeans Days
Jean Days and Uniform Reminders
CSMS will host jeans days for students on the 2nd Friday of the month! Uniform tops must be worn with your jeans on these days! The last Friday of the month will still be a uniform free day.
Jeans with holes below the fingertip length are good. Jeans with holes above the fingertip length must have tights or shorts worn underneath.
Second Semester Jeans Days
March 8th
April 12th
May 10th
Uniform Reminder
Please take some time to review our uniform policy.
We are seeing more athletic sweats, yoga pants/tights that are not uniform appropriate. They can wear the athletic clothes on uniform free days.
Student Handbook
Our handbook is available on our website at:
School Handbook – Our School – Colonel Smith Middle School (fhasd.org)
Communication
- The Remind App will be used by teachers and admin at the school and district office to send information.
- You can download the School News App and select Colonel Smith Middle School to follow the latest website updates. Our website is filled with essential information, calendars and resources.
- Monthly Newsletters will be emailed and sent via the Remind App.
- PowerSchool access is available for parents.
- Information will be attached to the student schedules.
- Call the front office, 520-459-8892, if you need assistance.
- You can set notification alerts for grades and attendance.
- Email and phone calls will also be used to communicate with teachers and parents.
Attendance
We would like to remind parents to contact the office by 8:00 a.m. if your child will be absent from school. It is important to have an accurate account of all students, even if your child will only miss a few minutes. You may reach the office at (520) 459-8892 ext. 1312 or email jimenezm@fhasd.org. Please send a note with your student following an absence or email us (required) for documentation purposes. Thank you for your support regarding this important matter.
Moving?
Please notify the school office at least 3 days in advance if you are moving. All school materials will need to be returned and you will need to sign a withdrawal form on your child's last day. Notify the office by calling (520) 459-8892 or emailing celadom@fhasd.org.
Athletics
Welcome to Panther Athletics! We are excited that you are interested in extracurricular programs offered at Colonel Smith Middle School. As we begin the school year, please review the goals, objectives, and expectations that must be followed to be a member of our athletic teams. We look forward to a competitive and great year! Our expectation for our student-athletes is that they have the dedication, desire, and discipline to commit themselves to the rules, regulations, and training needed to achieve excellence.
Goals of Athletic Programs:
- To gain a working knowledge of the sport
- To improve personal performance
- To compete as a team, and build teamwork
- To always demonstrate good sportsmanship
Objectives of Athletic Programs:
- To demonstrate a positive attitude personally, and in interactions with other players
- To model good sportsmanship on and off the field of play
- To become a well-rounded student
- To maintain and support a healthy and active lifestyle
Dr. Sam Granillo
Athletic Director
520-459-8986
Nurse Update
Please keep your student home when they are ill. They must be vomit or fever free for 24 hours, without fever reducing medication, before returning to school.
We have many students who are coming to school having not eaten breakfast. Please check in with your student to make sure that they are still eating before school and students going through growth spurts who are hungrier than normal. If they find it difficult to manage getting ready independently while still managing to have enough time for breakfast, or are not hungry until after arriving to school please consider packing their bag with several grab and go snacks for the week.
Health office wish list:
Girls underwear- all sizes
Snacks, Snacks, Snacks (crackers, granola bars, cheese sticks, peanut butter crackers, etc- any grab and go type snack is appreciated).
Thanks so much!
Terra Whipple BSN, RN
Yearbook
Click the following link to purchase your yearbook today. Yearbooks are $29.
School Pictures
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF your order!
CODE: S2410OFF
EXPIRES: December 31, 2024
Lunch
- Students will have lunch in the cafeteria and recess outside, weather permitting, as a grade level.
- They can bring packed lunch or get a school lunch.
- If you feel your family would qualify for free or reduced lunch, the instructions to apply are included in the letter from Mrs. Karen Nieto, attached to this message. We would prefer all applications be completed digitally, however; a paper copy is also available in the front office.
- If you have questions regarding the application process or would like a paper copy of the application, please reach out to Mrs. Little or Mrs. Celado in the front office and they will be happy to assist you. Please note, the number of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch is tied to many of our funding sources so we highly encourage all families to apply even if they think they might not qualify.
- Free and Reduced Lunch Parent Letter
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application
PTO
- We are grateful to have an amazing PTO! They are always looking for volunteers!
- PTO Facebook
- PTO Spirit Wear