Preston Smith Stars' News

The Fall semester of 2024 was wonderful and filled with a lot of great learning, celebrations, parent & community events, and memories at Preston Smith Elementary. Thank you for making this such a wonderful year!

We are excited to continue the tradition of excellence, fun, and parent/community involvement in 2025!

We look forward to seeing all of our students back at school on Wednesday, January 8th!

Please remember that Monday, January 20th is a holiday and there will be no school!

We want to remind all of our families the importance of safety at arrival and dismissal times.

Please remember:

• Our building doesn't open each morning until 7:20 (Make sure you are not dropping students off prior to this time--no staff are able to supervise before 7:20)
• slow down when driving and watch for children
• ensure your students are prepared to quickly exit your vehicle in designated drop-off areas
• help your students only cross at designated crosswalk areas
• only park in designated parking spot areas (not in any circle driveways)
• model kindness, patience, and grace for others

All of our Stars are invited to bring your dad (or someone who is like a dad) to school on January 17th at 7 a.m. in the library. Students will be dismissed to their classrooms at 7:45 and dads are encouraged to stop into the classrooms and say hello to our teachers!

See you at 7 on Friday, January 17th in the library at Smith

The window for Kindergarten parent Gifted & Talented referrals is open and continues through January 7th. Mrs. Darbarba, our campus counselor, handles all G.T. referrals. You can contact Mrs. Popanz by email or phone at darbara.popanz@lubbockisd.org or 806-219-6886 if you would like to make a parent G.T. referral.

Be certain that you are sending your student to school with a jacket each day. Students will go outside for 10 minutes at recess each day when possible (wind chill is above 40 degrees), but we want our students to be dressed in layers so we can keep them warm while still giving them outdoor play opportunities.

All Smith students are given a student I.D. badge. Our campus procedures are that these remain at school, but students (with the exemption of our youngest students) are required to wear these during the school day. This is a part of Lubbock I.S.D.'s safety procedures. Student I.D. badges are also used to check out books and are scanned to account for breakfast and lunches.

We have printed I.D. badges for all students in the Fall semester and are reprinting badges for students who have damaged or lost their badge. This ensures that all students now have a badge. However, for this point forward students who misplace or destroy their badge will be charged a $3 replacement fee. We appreciate your support!

Don't forget that the Lubbock I.S.D. transfer window is open. This is important for families who have a student moving onto middle school or anyone who may live outside of the attendance zone and would like for their student to attend Preston Smith next year. Families with students already on a transfer to do not to resubmit a transfer application. Transfers remain valid as long as your student meets attendance and discipline criteria.

Log on to www.lubbockisd.org/transfer to submit your transfer request today!

The transfer window is open from:

• December 17 at 8:30 a.m. to January 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Make plans to join us for this fantastic parent education event. Last year's learning was incredible, and this year will be great again!

We are excited to continue our tradition of participating in the Kids Heart Challenge while learning about heart health with The American Heart Association. Look for more information coming from our P.E. coaches this month! Our campus kick-off will be on Thursday, January 16th. To learn more and sign up your student, visit http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=11259&pg=company&company_id=487140

Save the date for the week of February 24-28th for Grandparents Week at Smith along with the Scholastic Book Fair in the library.

Grandparents are invited to join their Stars for lunch anytime during the week and then go shop at the book fair! Visitors will check-in at the office so remind your family members to bring their ID.

The Preston Smith PTA has had incredible success so far this year. Thank you for continued involvement and support!

Friend our PTA on Facebook to stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/PrestonSmithPTA

Website: www.lubbockisd.org/smith
Location: 8707 Dover Avenue, Lubbock, TX, USA
Phone: 806-219-6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmithStars1