Smith's Knightly News
Smith Middle School
Mission: The purpose of Smith Middle School is to ensure learning for all members of our school community.
Website: https://smith.troy.k12.mi.us/
Location: 5835 Donaldson Drive, Troy, MI 48085
Phone: (248) 823- 4700
MARCH 9, 2024
MONDAY: 3/11
BEGINNING OF RAMADAN
- 3:10pm - International Club (Rm 35)
- 3:10pm - Quill & Scroll Writing Workshop (Rm 15)
- 3:45pm - Wrestling Meet
- 6:00pm - PTO Meeting (Media)
TUESDAY: 3/12
- 7:30am - Morning Math Help (Rm 31)
- 3:10pm - Homework Help Club (Rm 28)
- 3:10pm - History Club (Rm 21)
- 3:10 pm - Engineering Club (Rm 7)
- 3:30 - 5:00pm - Wrestling Practice
- 4:00pm - 7th & 8th Gr Volleyball vs Van Hoosen (at Home, 8th Grade Plays First)
WEDNESDAY: 3/13
- 3:45pm - IM Wrestling Meet (Baker)
- 6:00pm - Smith Bands & Orchestra (6th & 7th grades) Performance
THURSDAY: 3/14
KNIGHTS+ 7 PERIOD DAY
- 3:05pm - Chess Club (Rm 7)
- 3:10pm - Homework Help (Rm 28)
- 3:10pm - Model UN Meeting (Room 20)
- 3:10pm - STAND Club (Stage)
- 3:30 - 5:00pm - IM Wrestling Practice
- 3:45pm - 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball vs Baker (Home)
FRIDAY: 3/15
- 3:10 - 4:15pm - 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball Practice
- 3:30 - 5:00pm - Wrestling Practice
Mar 19: Smith Festival of Cultures!
Mar 20: Pep Assembly 7 Period Day
Mar 21: End of Quarter 3
Mar 22-31: No School, Spring Break
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULING
Our Troy High and Athens counselors visited Smith on Tuesday morning to talk with 8th graders about high school scheduling and will return again on April 3 to finalize student schedules. Mr. Denyes has posted the presentation, scheduling instructions, and frequently asked questions to Schoology. Please feel free to reach out to our counselors with any questions.
Non-Math Course Test-Out Information
Non-Math Test Out Sign Up is now open and will end on Wednesday, March 20 at 11:59pm. Please remember the deadline, THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE! No late sign ups will be allowed.
Login into your Power School Account. Open Waiving a NON MATH Course through Testing Out.
Math Test-Out Information
Secondary Math test-out information for the 2023-24 school year has been updated on the TSD website. Registration will take place via PowerSchool and the Form will be open from March 11-April 14, 2024. https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/academics/math/acceleration
Secondary Math Test-Out
Troy High Gym
Saturday, April 27, 9-11am
Check-in will begin at 8:30am
Students who are not able to attend on Saturday because of a school-sponsored event may attend the alternative math test-out date at the Boulan Park Cafeteria on Tuesday, April 30 from 4:00-6:00pm. Check-in will begin at 3:45pm. Students are welcome to bring a snack and water. You will be prompted to indicate your need to attend the alternate date when completing the registration form in PowerSchool.
SCHEDULING FOR 6th & 7th GRADERS
Scheduling for current Smith 6th and 7th graders is now open. Mrs. Hartenburg and Mr. Denyes visited all 6th and 7th grade classes on Monday and Tuesday to talk with students about the online scheduling process and elective choices available to students. Online registration will be open from March 4 - March 15.
Current 6th Graders: 7th Grade PowerSchool Registration Instructions
Current 7th Graders: 8th Grade PowerSchool Registration Instructions
SMITH WEB APPLICATION
CELEBRATING RAMADAN
For those celebrating, I would like to wish our families a joyful Ramadan! If your student is fasting and would prefer not to be in the cafeteria, they are welcome to be in the Smith Media Center during their lunch period. Please let me know if we can assist with any additional accommodations.
Best,
Ryan Brinks
MICHIGAN REGIONAL COMPETITION REGISTRATION
JOURNALISM WORKSHOP
Troy High School's chapter of the Quill & Scroll Journalism Honor Society would like to invite all students interested in writing to come to our journalism workshops that will be hosted after school here at Smith! From March to April, we will talk about the field of journalism and do activities to learn skills such as writing, public speaking, film, photography, and others that are relevant. These workshops are open to anyone interested, even if you don't want to become a journalist.
Our first meeting is Monday, March 11th in Mrs. Lerdahl’s classroom (15).
Hope to see you there!
SAVE THE DATE!
Our annual Smith Middle School Festival of Cultures is planned for the evening of March 19 from 6:00 - 8:00pm! If you are looking to host a table or perform at this year's Festival of Cultures, the sign-up form is now available! You will be able to sign up to host a table or perform until Monday, March 12. Last year, we hosted 65 different tables and five different performances. We are hoping to have even more this year! If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Ms. Hawks (shawks@troy.k12.mi.us)
Sign-Up to Host a Table or Perform: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftHVgk_8m7O6hN_9ttAbE658HMERQ3TeR4ypKSg0XaYiwt2w/viewform
MORNING MATH SUPPORT AVAILABLE
We are excited to offer Morning Math Support sessions beginning this week as an opportunity for students to get extra support with homework, questions from class, quiz and test prep, and more! If your child could benefit from some additional support they are welcome to attend! These are drop in sessions and there is no need to sign up in advance. Morning Math Support will take place most Tuesday (with the exception of 3/6) starting at 7:30am in Room 31. We hope you can join us!
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday - 3/12
Tuesday - 3/19
Tuesday - 4/2
Tuesday - 4/9
MARCH READING BINGO
Hello Smith Families,
If you’d like, use our March is Reading Month Bingo Sheet to promote reading at home and in school throughout the month with your children. Students should stay tuned to reminders on the announcements and check-in with English/Reading teachers and Mrs. Chatel in the media center for participation information. Happy Reading!!
Smith English Department and Smith Media Center
COURT IN SCHOOL
On Monday morning, our cafeteria underwent a transformation into the setting for the 52-4 District Court, with the honorable Judge Kristen Hartig presiding. Students had the unique opportunity to hear from prosecutors, defense lawyers, and defendants as they observed the sentencing proceedings of three individuals. Following the conclusion of the cases, Judge Hartig graciously fielded questions from both students and staff, providing valuable insights into the law as well as sharing her personal experiences and career path.
MODEL U.N. UPDATE
On Thursday March 7th the Smith Model UN Team participated in a Crisis Committee Mock Conference with Harry Potter being the focus of the event! Thank you to Troy High Model UN high school members for facilitating such a fun event! The delegates learned so much from participating in their very first Crisis Committee Mock Conference- we are already looking forward to next week’s installment of the Crisis Committee event!
CARING CREW IN ACTION...
Smith Caring Crew students made fleece blankets for the Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL).
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SUCCESS!
Congratulations to our Smith Science Olympiad Team on a fantastic season! They had an impressive finish at regionals last week, coming in at 6th place narrowly missing out on attending the State Finals as one of the top 5 teams. Students and families are already looking forward to next season!
Congratulations to Arav Sheth, Zayd Siddiqui, Kavya Anam, Alekhya Lala, Aashin Patel, Aarushi Patel, Advay Pradhan, Kaitlyn Li, Yehia Othman, Divishka Nimesh, Ailina Zhou, Niko Zhong, Saloni Amin, Sohan Mukhopadhyay, Victoria Pfauth, Aashvi Jindal, Luke Sun, Sophia Ment, Dhruvo Nath, Agnish Adhya, Kevin Deng, Pratyush Sharma, Samhita Mahender, Bhakti Garage, Preksha Sudhir, Adarsh Navaneedan, Sanaa Sharma, Achal Lala, and Rachel Liu.
A big THANK YOU to all our parent coaches and our head coach, Sukhada Pradhan!
SMITH PTO DELIVERS STARBUCKS TO OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF
Thank you to our PTO for the wonderful coffee treats this week! It is much appreciated!!!
STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Our 6th grade math teachers, Mrs. Walls and Mrs. Huang, hosted math teachers from across the district this week to observe and build on instructional practices in the classroom. This type of job-embedded learning continues to be a part of the professional development our teachers participate in throughout the year.
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE A MUSIC CLASS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Thank you to the Troy Creative Guild for putting this video together highlighting our wonderful music programs at Smith and across the district!
TSD VOLLEYBALL!
TSD SAILING CLUB
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER COURSES
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR 7th & 8th GRADERS
ONE TROY COMMUNITY BOOK READ
Join the OneTroy Community Book Read for an enlightening exploration of societal structures with Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents"
On March 13, Troy Schools is hosting a Community Book Read and we hope you can join us! Sign up now – using the link below – to participate in this enriching community discussion. Copies of the text are still available for staff/adults, and there's an adapted version tailored for students/young adults. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and broaden perspectives!
Register HERE
Book Description:
Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" is a pivotal work described as an "instant American classic." This Pulitzer Prize-winning author unravels the entwined realities of race and caste, asserting, "Caste is the bones, race the skin." Wilkerson's insightful prose reveals how these hidden hierarchies shape our lives, likening caste to "the wordless usher in a darkened theater."
"Caste" not only dissects history but also illuminates our present, urging us to recognize and challenge these ingrained systems. Described as having "the reverberating slap of the best American prose," this book is a transformative journey that promises to change the way we see our world.
We have a great online spirit wear store with a number of new modern styles and items for purchase. You can either pick them up or utilize the option of having your orders delivered directly to your home for a small fee.
Click on the link below to check out the wide variety of styles and prints.
https://smithknights.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Below is a sample of the logo choices for most items...