Smith's Knightly News
Aug 29, 2026
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, USA
Phone: (248) 823-4700
THIS WEEK AT SMITH
Monday (8/31)
- "EVEN DAY" for 6th Grade Electives
- 3:05pm - 4:45pm - 7th Grade Girls Only Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:20pm - 5:20pm - 7/8 Coed Football Practice
Tuesday (9/1)
- 3:05 - 4:45pm - 8th Grade Girls Only Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:15 - 4:00pm - 6/7/8th Grades Sideline Cheer Informational Meeting (Commons D)
- 3:20- 5:20pm - 7/8 Coed Football Practice
Wednesday (9/2)
- 3:05 - 4:45pm - 7/8 Girls Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:15 - 5:00pm - Sideline Cheer 1st Practice
- 3:20 - 5:20pm - 7/8 Coed Football Practice
Thursday (9/3)
- 3:05pm - 4:45pm - 7/8 Girls Volleyball Tryouts and Letter Handout
- 3:05pm - 4:00pm - Cross Country Practice
- 3:10pm - 4:15pm - Drama Club Meeting (Orange Commons Area - upstairs)
Friday (9/4)
NO SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 4 - 7 - HAVE A WONDERFUL LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
UPCOMING DATES
- September 9: PTO Meeting (6:30pm) - Media Center
- September 10: Smith Curriculum Night (6:30 - 8:00pm)
- October 8 & 9: Parent Teacher Conferences/Half Days of School
- October 12: Picture Retake Day
- October 30: No School
WELCOME BACK!
Welcome back to school! We had an amazing first week at Smith. The building was buzzing with excitement as we explored the new spaces, got settled in to our class schedules, and met new friends.
STUDENT ABSENCES, LATE ARRIVALS, and EARLY PICK-UPS
We are continuing to use the VisitU Mobile app for student attendance, late arrivals and early pick-up. The VisitU Mobile app can be downloaded for both Apple and Android devices.
All absences need to be reported within 24 hours of the student missing school. We encourage students to work directly with their teacher to get any missing work.
Extended Planned Absences (5 days or more): Families need to complete an extended absence form, which can be found in the main office.
We ask that all early pick-ups take place before 2:45pm. Parents and guardians will still need to come into the building in-person to pick up their student early from school. In addition to the app, you can sign your student out directly from the office as well.
STAFF UPDATES
We are happy to welcome two new faces to our music department this year, Emily Pyzik and Rhiannon Tesolin. Mrs. Pyzik is splitting her time between Baker and Smith and will be teaching our 7/8 Choir. Mrs. Tesolin will be conducting our Advanced Orchestra class and teaches orchestra at Boulan Park as well. Welcome to Smith!
IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Please see the attached Back-to-School document for important information regarding expectations for the new school year - including dropping your student off late, dress code. cell phone policy, plus much more. Be in the know and check it out!
BIKING TO SCHOOL
We will have bike racks located near the East entrance to the building off of Donaldson. Once the Livernois entrance opens, we will be adding bike racks to the front of the building as well.
If your student is biking to school, please talk with them about safety in the parking lot and crossing streets.
Families, thank you for exercising patience in our parking lot and for being on the lookout for our bikers and walkers.
SUGGESTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Is your student ready for school? Please see the attached document below for a list of suggested school supplies for the 2026-2027 school year.
Thank you for all your donations of Lysol wipes, tissue, and whiteboard markers! They are very much appreciated.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS INFORMATION
As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, please review the important athletic department information attached ensure your student-athlete is registered, eligible, and ready for participation.
Fall Sports - Practice and Tryout Information
- 7th/8th Grade Football
- No tryouts
- Sports physical required BEFORE first practice
- Practices started on Wednesday, Aug 26 immediately after school.
- 7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball (Tryouts Required)
- Sports physical required BEFORE you can participate in tryouts
- Monday, August 31 - 7th grade tryouts
- Tuesday, September 1 - 8th grade tryouts
- Wednesday, September 2 - 7th/8th grade tryouts
- Thursday, September 3 - 7th/8th grade tryouts (last day)
- 6th - 8th Grade Sideline Cheer
- Tuesday, September 1 - Informational Meeting 3:15 - 4:00pm in Commons D
- Wednesday, September 2 - Practices will begin after school
- Sports physicals are required
- Reach out to Mrs. Wahls with any questions
- 6th - 8th Grade Intramural Cross Country
- Practices begin Thursday, September 3 immediately after school
- Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:00pm
- Sports physical required BEFORE first practice
Please read through the attached Middle School Athletics Information Letter for more details on FinalForms registration and sports physicals. Coaches will be sharing more detailed information as we get closer to the school year starting.
SMITH SIDELINE CHEER
Any girls interested in sideline cheer this fall should plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 3:15- 4:00pm in Commons D (the 7th grade Green learning community).
Cheer practices will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2, but a calendar will be handed out at the informational meeting.
See Mrs. Wahls (English) with any questions.
SMITH STUDENT COUNCIL
Welcome back! We are excited for the new school year, and we are looking for students interested in being active leaders at Smith.
Student Council is looking for representatives for the upcoming school year who want to participate in fundraisers, community service, creating spirit days and helping to run our assemblies. We are an active group that meets weekly on Wednesday mornings and are looking for new, fun activities and positive mentors at Smith. If you are interested in joining this year, see your social studies teacher for a copy of the application, or the link below.
Applications are due Wednesday, September 9. We will announce our members before the first meeting on September 16.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW!
WASHINGTON DC TRIP
Happy August, 8th Grade Smith Students & Families!
Hope you are enjoying your summer vacation so far! A quick update from Worldstrides as they informed Mrs. Sebastian that all accounts need to be paid in full by your final payment due date which is 09/06/26.
*** For those traveling students whose families have set up the Easy Pay automated payment plan, please see your personal account for when your final payment will be withdrawn as it is based on when you began the payment plan.
Emails from Worldstrides have been sent to families regarding this reminder as well. If you have any questions, please call the company directly at 800-468-5899. Make sure to inform them of our trip ID 227017.
We do have 3 busses! This means that there is still time to go on the trip if you haven't signed up yet!
Sign Up Here:
https://myprogram.worldstrides.com/custom/2026-smith-ms-dcgb-227017/
OR you can call Worldstrides directly at 800-468-5899 to sign up. Make sure to inform them of our trip ID 227017!
If Mrs. Sebastian hears of any more information throughout the summer, she will continue to share via the Washington DC/Gettysburg 2026 Trip Schoology Group!
To stay connected, families are encouraged to join the Schoology Group to receive updates.
Access Code: NZKN-KV47-CDKSQ
DISC GOLF ENRICHMENT
FOLLOW SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM
SMITH SPIRIT WEAR
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.
Below is a sample of the logo choices for most items...