Smith MS Newletter

As we approach our final week before Thanksgiving Break, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and support of Smith Middle School. We have had a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year, filled with academic growth, student achievements, and opportunities to celebrate what makes our Sabercat community so special.

Our students and staff have worked hard this semester, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience, and school spirit they continue to demonstrate. As we prepare for a well-deserved break, I encourage our students to remain focused on their academics, make positive choices, and continue showing kindness and respect to others.

Parents, your partnership plays an important role in our success. Whether you are encouraging your child to stay organized, reinforcing the importance of attendance, or simply reminding them to give their best each day, your support makes a difference.

As we enter this season of gratitude, I want you to know how thankful I am for our students, staff, and families. Together, we continue to make Smith Middle School a place where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.

Thanksgiving Break is November 23–27, 2026. I hope this time provides an opportunity for your family to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

Let's finish strong and continue to be Sabercat STRONG — One Team. One Purpose. One Standard.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Janea Dennis

Principal, Smith Middle School

Artwork by 7th Grade Student, Bahulan Ganapathi

Thank you to our Fine Arts Department for their phenomenal work on the Veterans Day video. The quality, heart, and impact of these student tributes were truly outstanding. We invite you to take a moment to watch and join us in honoring the brave men and women who have served our country.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and Fine Arts programs.

• Facebook: SmithMiddleSchoolCFISD

• Instagram: @Smith_CFISD

• Twitter: @Smith_CFISD

Thursday, 11/19 – Smith Middle School Color Run

Monday, 11/23–Friday, 11/27 – Thanksgiving Break

December 8th - December 17th - Fall Semester Test

Registration closes Sunday, November 15th at 11:59 PM! Don’t miss out—join the most colorful event of the year! 💥 Students who already registered may also purchase extra color packets on SchoolCash Online.

👉 Register on SchoolCash Online:
https://cypress-fairbanksisd.schoolcashonline.com/

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) uses ParentSquare as its primary communication platform to keep families connected with their schools, teachers, and the district.

Through ParentSquare, families can stay up to date with important announcements, school events, emergency notifications, forms, and more—all in one convenient place.

Getting Started

• Sign Up: Download the free ParentSquare app or visit the ParentSquare sign-in page.
• Use Your School Contact Information: Register using the email address or phone number currently on file with your child’s school.
• Need Help? If your information isn’t recognized or your child isn’t appearing on your account, contact the school office to update your contact information.

What Can You Do with ParentSquare?

• Stay Informed — Receive school and district announcements, newsletters, and emergency alerts.
• Complete Forms — Sign permission slips, complete forms, and RSVP for school events.
• Connect with Teachers — Schedule conferences and communicate directly with your child’s teachers.
• Translate Messages — View communications in your preferred language using ParentSquare’s translation features.

Need Assistance?

For help with ParentSquare or updating your district contact information, contact the CFISD Customer Care Center at 281-897-4357.

Parents and current 8th grade students that will be attending Cy-Ranch HS in the 27-28 school year.

We’re excited to share a new Parent PD designed to help you navigate the Home Access Center (HAC) with ease! In this short promo, you’ll find both a video tutorial and a Help Guide linked to support you.We hope this resource empowers you to stay connected and helps support your student’s success!

If your student forgets any of the above items at home, they will be required to order a replacement as soon as they walk in the building. All items will be added your student's SchoolCash Online account and the balance can be paid online. We do not accept cash.

Per school policy, the front office cannot receive or process student badges. We ask that you please keep forgotten badges at home.

All fines and fees must be paid in order to attend Smith events.The deadline to pay fines and fees is 11:59 p.m. the night before the event.

Parents, please click the button below to watch our afternoon car rider procedures video. We appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures to ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process for everyone. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Sabercats safe!

School Store - Every Tuesday & Thursday

Help the students cash in their Sabercash at the school store!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A45A5AA2CAA8-65281395-sabercat

(Comment "new" on sign up so someone can be there with you to help you! We need a lot of parent help to make the store a success. Please consider signing up.

Unable to volunteer but want to contribute? See our Amazon Wishlist - goodies that your student can purchase with their Sabercash!

If you are a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the CFISD school where you wish to volunteer, you must create a volunteer portal account with CFISD.

Have a question about volunteering? E-mail Smith VIPS at sabercatsvips@gmail.com

At Smith Middle School, we strive to protect classroom learning time and minimize interruptions throughout the school day. To help maintain a focused learning environment, we ask that families follow the guidelines below when dropping off items for students:

• Deliveries will not be made to classrooms.
  Students may check the designated drop off shelf in the front of the school to retrieve approved items between class periods, but they will not be called out of class or notified.

• Forgotten lunches?
  No worries—students may purchase a meal from the cafeteria if they forget their lunch.

• Items not accepted at the front desk or drop-off shelf include:

• Water bottles

• Cell phones

• Chromebooks & chargers

• ID Badge

• Outside commercial food/drink (e.g., Starbucks, McDonalds, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Crumbl, etc.)

• Assignments

• Backpacks

• PE/Athletics Uniforms

• Snacks

• Instruments

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe and distraction-free learning environment for all students!

If you plan to drop off a lunch for your student, please be sure to let them know ahead of time. To help us keep the front office running smoothly and ensure students are able to get to lunch on time, we will not notify students when a lunch box is dropped off.

All lunch boxes will be placed on the designated drop-off table located across from the Workroom/Attendance Office. Students should stop by the table on their way to the cafeteria to pick up their lunch box. We will not call students out of the cafeteria during their lunch period.

We also want to remind families that fast-food meals may not be dropped off for students. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep the lunch process organized, efficient, and fair for all students.

Early Pick Up Cut-Off 2:30 pm

After 2:30 pm, we begin preparing for dismissal, and our car rider line becomes very busy. For the safety of all students, early parent pick-up will end at 2:30 pm – no exceptions. This applies whether you send a note or come in person. The cut-off allows us enough time to safely bring students from class and keep dismissal running smoothly.

Early Release Notes
If your child will be leaving early, please have them bring a signed note to the Attendance Office. The note must include:

• Student’s first and last name
• Date and time to be picked up
• Name of the authorized person who will be picking up student
• Parent/guardian signature
• Parent/guardian phone number

If you forgot to send a note with your student, you can e-mail a hand written note with a signature and a picture ID to smithattendance@cfisd.net . Typed notes will not be accepted. Only the Attendance Office will accept and process your dismissal request. Sending your request to any other e-mail will not be accepted. Please allow 2 hours for processing.

If your student arrives late, please walk them into the building and sign them in at the front desk. Students arriving late will then check in at the attendance office and receive a pass to class. Please send a signed parent/guardian or doctor’s note to excuse the late arrival.

CFISD Policy states that parents should submit an excuse note to the school Attendance Office within 3 days of returning to school. This includes notes from a doctor's office or medical appointment.

Parent excuse notes must include:

• Student Name & ID number
• A written statement giving the date(s) missed and reason for the absence(s).
• Parent or guardian signature and phone number

Per CFISD policy, we cannot accept e-mails to excuse absences, however a handwritten note can be scanned and e-mailed to the Attendance Office.

Click the buttons below to view important attendance resources for your student.