Smith Saber Family Connections
Sarah Simpson Principal March 22, 2024
Smith Elementary School
Parent Connections
We are headed into Spring Break, March 25th-March 29th. I hope you are all able to enjoy some quality family time. I have attached the 2024-2025 approved district school calendar on the bottom of this newsletter for your reference when scheduling family trips next year.
We will be very busy as we finish off the school year after spring break. Please make sure to read information from your teacher's newsletters and communication from the office.
It's a great day to be a Saber.
Sarah Simpson
Temporary Para Position Open
We do have a temporary para position open through the end of this school year. Ms. Rebekkah is headed to teach in Korea. We will miss her and wish her all the best. If you are interested in the para position please contact me.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
Just a reminder during arrival if students are not ready to exit the car with all belongings parent should park in a parking space, help child gather anything they need and walk them across drop off traffic. At dismissal please park and walk to the playground to pick up your child. If you need to use the car line please be patient. Although we love our pets please keep off school grounds from 8:00-4:00. If you do have pets on school grounds outside of school hours please clean up after them, we have lots of dog poop left on the playground, grass and track where students play.
Montessori Lottery
Dear Helena Public Schools Kindergarten Families,
Did you the know that Montessori is an option in Helena’s public elementary schools? There are three Montessori classrooms at Smith, Central and Broadwater schools for a total of nine classrooms serving up to 180 students. Montessori classrooms differ from traditional classrooms in the following respects:
- Mixed ages (1-3 grade and 4-5 grade groupings)
- Students are given choices within a structured environment to build their independence and executive functioning skills.
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time
- Students work with specialized hands-on educational materials
- Freedom of movement within the classroom
- A trained Montessori teacher
Students have the opportunity to mentor their peers, thereby reinforcing learning concepts. Parent and caregiver volunteers are encouraged to contribute in the classroom to offer the support needed to facilitate the individualization of work.
In our district, decisions about Montessori are best made in terms of what fits each family’s needs. Montessori is not available at all neighborhood schools, so a child might have to travel outside his/her neighborhood to attend. When choosing Montessori, parents should be comfortable with the idea of their children using hands-on learning materials and learning methods different from those that they may have experienced in elementary school. Finally, parent participation is strongly encouraged as a key to student success.
How does the Montessori program operate?
Every child in the Helena school district is eligible for the lottery at the end of kindergarten. There will be 36 guaranteed openings for rising 1st graders who enter the annual lottery. Vacancies in 2nd and 3rd grades are filled from the waiting list for their lottery year. Placements may be made in the 4th or 5th grade, upon administrative approval.
What should kindergarten parents do if they are interested in the Montessori program?
- Print and complete the Montessori lottery application form.
- Submit your completed form by 9 am, April 3, at any Helena Public Schools elementary school, or by 3 pm, April 3, at Central School. You can also email a completed application to Lisa George at lgeorge@helenaschools.org
- Make sure you get a received receipt when you turn in your application!
The Montessori lottery for students entering first grade in the 2024-2025 school year will be held on April 8, 2024. All selected applicants will be called that evening. All others will receive an email the next day.
Will my child qualify for bus transportation if they are accepted?
We do not guarantee bus transportation for Montessori students. If you live on the east side and accept an east side placement (Smith or Central) or live on the west side and accept a west side placement (Broadwater) and a bus route is already in place then your student may be eligible. There will not be east to west side bussing or west to east side bussing available.
Learn more
For information on the Montessori method, visit About MontessoriEducation or helenamontessori.org
Kindergarten Registration Information
Meal Time Pay
Parents for Smith-PSS
https://www.facebook.com/people/Parents-4-Smith-School/100057657180710/
Helena Public Montessori Parents
Important Dates
School Hours:
Monday: 8:30-2:30
Tuesday-Friday: 8:30-3:15
March 25th-March 29th: No School Spring Break
Monday, April 8th: Pancakes and Parents in the gym @8am
April 8th-April 12th: Week of the Young Child
Friday, May 3rd: Vigilante Day 11am dismissal
Thursday, May 23rd: Family Fun Event, Art Auction and Scholastic Book Fair 5:30-7:00
Monday, May 27th: No School Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 4th: Field Day
Thursday, June 6th: Last Day of School Noon Dismissal
Friday, June 7th: Governor's Cup Kid Fun Run