Smith's Knightly News

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

NO SCHOOL - HAPPY LABOR DAY!

• 3:10 - 4:00pm - Cross Country Practice
• 3:15 - 5:00pm - Sideline Cheer Practice (Atrium/Cafeteria)
• 3:20- 5:20pm - 7/8 Coed Football Practice

• 3:15 - 5:00pm - Sideline Cheer Practice (Atrium/Cafeteria)
• 3:20 - 5:20pm - 7/8 Coed Football Practice
• 6:30pm - PTO Meeting (Media Center)

• 3:05pm - 4:00pm - Cross Country Practice
• 3:10pm - 4:15pm - Drama Club Meeting
• 3:20pm - 5:20pm - Football Practice
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm - Open House / Curriculum Night

• 3:20pm - 5:20pm - Football Practice Black & Gold Scrimmage/Parents Day

• October 8 & 9: Parent Teacher Conferences/Half Days of School
• October 12: Picture Retake Day
• October 12: Smith Middle School Grand Opening @ 6:30pm
• October 30: No School

Smith Families,

We have had two awesome weeks to start off our school year and we are looking forward to inviting our parents and guardians into the building this Thursday evening for our annual open house and curriculum night from 6:30 - 8:00pm.

We are going to be adjusting the structure of the night from previous years. We are asking all parents to join us in the main atrium / cafeteria at 6:30pm for a brief welcome and introduction. We will then be dismissing parents to their child's learning community for our teacher welcome presentation at 6:45pm. After that, you will have an opportunity to tour the building, visit our instructional spaces, follow your child's schedule, and meet with electives teachers.

For families with more than one child at Smith, our teachers will be repeating their presentation in each learning community a second time at 7:15pm.

Please have a copy of your child's schedule when you arrive. Your child's learning community is designated by their Advisory color: 8th grade Red, 8th grade Yellow, 7th grade Blue, 7th Grade Green, 6th Grade Orange, 6th Grade Teal.

We expect it to be a busy night and our parking lots to be full. Families are welcome to park in the east lot, the main lot north of the building, or the Boulan Park lot. Boulan Park will be hosting their curriculum night on different evening. This is an adult event for Smith parents and guardians.

We hope you can join us!

- Ryan Brinks

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.

All late student arrivals and early student pick ups happen at the main entrance of the new Smith MS building. Dropping off an item your student forgot? That's at the main entrance too!

Please DO NOT drop off your late student or pick them up early from the east entrance. This entrance is ONLY for arrivals before school starts and dismissal at the end of the school day.

Please see the pictures below for additional guidance on how to find the main entrance of new Smith!

Turn right into the drive just north of Boulan MS (old Smith) from Donaldson Dr. Follow drive to the back of Boulan.

Continue on the north drive past Boulan MS (old Smith), through the construction markers, and make a left into the main parking lot of new Smith MS.

Main entrance of new Smith MS. Late arrivals and early dismissals happen here!

Drop off cart inside main entrance of new Smith MS.

Congratulations to our media specialist, Mrs. Christina Chatel, whose work was recently featured by the Michigan Education Association! Mrs. Chatel is helping lead a national movement to establish Young Teen Lit, a category of books specifically for readers ages 13–15. Her advocacy for engaging, age-appropriate literature has earned national recognition, including being named a 2026 Library Journal Mover & Shaker.

We are proud of Mrs. Chatel's leadership, innovation, and commitment to helping students discover a lifelong love of reading!

Link to article: https://mea.org/troy-librarian-co-builds-movement-for-young-teen-lit-category/

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!

Each student with an assigned 1:1 iPad who wishes to participate in the Troy School District 1:1 Device Insurance Program will be required to pay an annual insurance premium of $25 per student, not to exceed $100 per family. Kindergarten through 3rd grade students have classroom sets of iPads that are generally not brought home, thus, no personal insurance is needed.

Link: https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/departments/tech-data-services/ipad-insurance-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.

• 6th - 8th Grade Sideline Cheer

• Students are still welcome to join! Next practice is Tuesday from 3:15 - 5:00pm.
• Sports physicals are required
• Reach out to Mrs. Wahls with any questions

• 6th - 8th Grade Intramural Cross Country
• All students are still welcome to join!
• Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:00pm
• Sports physicals are required

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.

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.

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...