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
DECEMBER 17, 2023
MONDAY - DEC 18
- 3:05pm - International Club (Room 3)
- 3:10pm - 7th & 8th Boys Basketball Practice
- 3:30pm - Competitive Cheer Practice
TUESDAY - DEC 19
- 3:05pm - History Club (Room 21)
- 3:10pm - Homework Help (Room 28)
- 3:30pm - Competitive Cheer Practice
- 3:45pm - 7th & 8th Boys Basketball Game at Boulan Park
WEDNESDAY - DEC 20
- Knights+ Day
- 3:30pm - Competitive Cheer Practice
- 4:00pm - 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball at West
THURSDAY - DEC 21
- 3:10pm - STAND Club (Stage)
- 3:45pm - 7th & 8th Boys Basketball vs Baker (Away)
- 4:15pm - Competitive Cheer Practice
FRIDAY - DEC 22
NO SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK BEGINS
CLASSES RESUME ON MONDAY, JANUARY 8
TROYBERY 2024
Dear Smith families,
Mrs. Chatel, our media specialist, is excited to announce the TSD middle school Media Center’s 24th annual Troybery Reading Program potential nominees list. We have an excellent field of 28 books this year, all books published in 2022 and recommended by Troy students and teachers. You can access the list here: https://bit.ly/troybery2024
The Troybery list is known for having a variety of books reflecting our students’ diverse interests, age levels, and backgrounds. Our goal is to promote a love for reading in our students. We encourage students to participate in our program by reading as many as they would like and by voting for their favorites. Mrs. Chatel is happy to work with your child to find the “just right” book for them from the list.
A Troybery book could be an excellent choice if you are looking for a gift idea this holiday season. Your child will hear a presentation in the upcoming weeks about the Troybery program and our exciting selections.
You can visit the Troy Middle Schools Media Center website for more information about Troybery.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS
We are excited to announce that we are accepting nominations for our 2023-2024 Outstanding Teacher of the Year! Please consider taking the time to nominate that special teacher who makes a difference in the lives of countless students. We look forward to celebrating our wonderful teachers!
Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Brinks or Mrs. Conaton to support you in this effort to recognize our amazing Smith teachers!
TWO IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered. Every question must be answered: an answer of N/A or a single word is not considered complete.
- The supporting statements CANNOT EXCEED the 500-word limit.
Please complete the following nomination form: https://forms.gle/PXNVe4RCuMtfcNvd9
2024-2025 WASHINGTON D.C. TRIP
SMITH HOMEWORK HELP CLUB
All 6th - 8th grade students are welcome to attend Homework Help Club, meeting most Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Mrs. Bell supervises the sessions and high school students from Troy High and IA East will be available to provide tutoring and homework support.
6TH GRADE FANTASY AUTHOR VISIT
The Smith Media Center will be hosting local fantasy author Dani Resh on Monday, December 18, and your child will hear her presentation during ELA class that day. See the attached flier for more information.
If you would like to purchase a copy of the author’s books, you can do this in the SchoolPay section of PowerSchool. It is $10 per paperback copy, which the author will sign for your child on December 18. Book 1 is called Compass to Vinland, and book 2 is Clarity of Sight.
Please be sure to order the book by Friday, Dec. 8, in order for us to have enough copies. Contact Mrs. Chatel at cchatel@troy.k12.mi.us with any questions.
TYA “Talks” Parenting Podcast
In a new series of episodes by Joe Lilly, families can learn how to communicate with their children “Beyond Behavior.” Listen for helpful information and follow the show on Spotify to hear new episodes. https://tinyurl.com/mwf9dzxb
You can learn more about Troy Youth Assistance and the variety of programs they offer on their website: http://www.troyyouthassistance.org/
NATIONAL FLAG PROJECT
We are currently fundraising to fill our cafeteria with national flags that represent the diverse backgrounds and heritages of our school community. Thank you to everyone that has donated to sponsor a flag at Smith! Our collection is growing! If you would like to sponsor a flag, stop into the main office and pick up a sponsorship form. Thank you!
MLK STUDENT CONTEST (VIDEO, WRITTEN PIECE, or PORTFOLIO)
TSD INCLUSIVE
The Troy School District has launched a new monthly newsletter, "TSD Inclusive", that features a range of articles and information celebrating the diversity of our schools and opportunities to build a more inclusive community. Here is the link to the December edition: https://www.smore.com/1j3h6
TROY HIGH BAND BOOSTERS INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25TH 7PM
The Troy High Band Boosters would like to invite 7th and 8th grade students (and their parents/guardians) to attend their Informational Open House on Thursday, January 25th at 7:00pm in the Troy High Auditorium. This program is designed to give students who are considering registering for Band or Color Guard during their high school years more information to assist them in the decision making process. An overview of the Band and Color Guard programs will be presented. Current TC band members and boosters will be on hand to answer questions about the band and color guard programs. To RSVP for this event Control/Click on the following link:
https://forms.gle/ZN1gcKt1GLr2cEWR7
Questions regarding this program can be directed to thbb_president@troycoltbands.org
JOIN THE IA EAST CLASS OF 2028
The application to join the International Academy East Class of 2028 is now open! Our 90 day application window will close on January 29, 2024 at 11:59 pm.
We will be having an informational night for all new families interested in applying on Wednesday, January 10 from 6-7:30pm at IA East. (Located at 1291 Torpey Drive). This event is open to both students and families and will include tours, Q&A, and general information about our program of study.
2024 TSD PRESCHOOL INFO NIGHT
TSD GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
SMITH BANDS HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE
Congratulations to Mr. Torres and our Smith Bands on a fantastic holiday performance last week! It was a great turnout! Thank you to everyone that came to enjoy the music and celebrate our impressive musicians.
6th GRADE FIELD TRIP
This past Friday, our 6th graders visited the Henry Ford Museum to see the Nelson Mandela exhibition. Our 6th graders are currently studying Apartheid in South Africa and this was a perfect opportunity to see artifacts from the time and have a more hands-on learning experience. Thank you to Mrs. Cline, Mrs. Khoury, and all our staff and parent chaperones for making this possible!
STUDENT COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Smith Student Council Community Service Committee visited Room 3 for some special activities on December 14. Students made a candy cane ornament and made cookies that looked like melting snowmen. It was a fun hour doing crafts and eating a sugary snack. Thanks to Mrs. Glab for allowing us to visit her classroom.
SMITH MODEL UN CLUB UPDATE:
This past Thursday and Friday, Smith Model UN conducted their very first Mock Conference! 24 Smith Knights debated on the topic of AI and its role how it may or may not play in the military. Students conducted research based on their country position, where the students assumed the roles and powers of a regular UN General Assembly countries . It was a wonderful first learning opportunity of what a typical Model UN conference for middle schoolers is like. Troy High School’s Model UN Club conducted the Mock Conference for our Smith Knights to experience!
WEB LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION
This past Tuesday, Mrs. Walls and Mr. Torres were recognized, along with colleagues from the other 3 middle schools, by the Troy School Board for their work in starting our WEB program. WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) is our 6th grade orientation and transition program that runs throughout the school year and is led by Mr. Torres, Mrs. Walls, and our 8th grade WEB mentors.
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...