News from the Shark Tank
August 14, 2022
“Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do.” – John Wooden
Important Dates
August
August 22: Be Positive school spirit day
August 29: Sunglasses school spirit day
September
September 5: Labor day holiday for staff/students
September 9: Patriot day
September 15: International Dot day
September 16: Fall picture day
Need to Know
Attendance
Parents/guardian - if your child is absent, please call the school number and select option 1 to leave a message regarding the absence. If sending a message directly to the teacher, please request that the teacher forward the information to the office for attendance. Parents may also reply to the attendance email (SmithStationESAttendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us).
Teachers will be the first point of contact when your student has an absence. Your student’s teacher will contact you by email, phone call or a Class DOJO message after 5 missed days of school. This contact will occur even if you have notified the teacher or the school office of your child’s absence ahead of time.
If your child misses more than five days of school, the school counselor or social worker will also contact you about the absences.
We understand that students will have illnesses and family emergencies throughout the year. If your student is sick and has been to the doctor please provide an excuse from the doctor. We want to work with you and your student to make this a successful and rewarding school year.
If you have any questions or concerns about the attendance policy please contact your student’s teacher or the school administration.
School Cash Online
Spotsylvania County is introducing a new way for parents to pay for field trips, yearbooks, school clothing, athletic fees, and more. It's called SchoolCash Online.
SchoolCash Online is a web-based program that integrates online payment options for parents with our offices' school-level accounting. SchoolCash Online helps parents and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. By using SchoolCash Online, you help increase efficiency and security at your school by making payments directly into your school's bank account. This allows teachers and secretaries to focus on helping students, and not counting cash. In addition, you are immediately informed about school activities!
Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. This system puts all of the school-related fees for your student online for purchase. Schools post their items and activities and assign the relevant fees to your student, so you can then make purchases online using your credit card. This allows you to stay informed about upcoming school activities while keeping track of the school fees that require your attention.
SchoolCash Online is safe, simple, secure, and saves time. The online platform offers tremendous benefits to parents, guardians, staff and students. Please refer to the handout provided by your child's teacher for more in formation and register an account for your family!
Should you encounter any difficulties, please contact the SchoolCash Online parent help desk by visiting schoolcashonline.com/Home/Support.
Shark Counselor's Corner:
Hello Shark families!
WOW! It has been a wonderful week seeing all of the students back in the building!
This form was sent home as part of the Back to School paperwork; however, if you prefer to fill it out virtually please click here. It is a survey to let us know how we can support you and your family OR if you are interested in donating school supplies/food for the school food pantry. Your counselors and school social worker are going through the surveys that have already been submitted, and you will hear from one of us within the next week if you requested any assistance!
To start bulking up our supplies, we are in need of several food and school supply items:
Chips/crackers
Pop tarts/oatmeal
Applesauce/fruit cups
Granola bars
Headphones
Pencil Sharpeners
If you are able to donate, please drop off items in the front office and let them know they are for the school counseling department. A HUGE thank you to anyone able to donate!
We will be starting the Friday food bag program for our families who have a limited supply of food at home on August 19, 2022. Please contact your school counselor if you are interested in participating in this program.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor with any questions, concerns, or even to just say hello! We can’t wait for a wonderful school year!
Alicia Eye
School Counselor; Grades 1, 3, and 5
540-786-5443 ext. 8424
Jennifer Waterman
School Counselor; Grades K, 2, and 4
jwaterman@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
540-786-5443 ext. 8426
News from the PTO
Purchase SSES spirit wear at the online store. Store will close on Sunday, Aug 21st. Purchases will be sent home with your student the beginning of September.
https://smithstationelem2022.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting Aug 23, 2022 at 3:45-4:30pm, in the school cafeteria. All are welcome to get involved and/or be informed of future events and activities at Smith Station Elementary.
We could use your help, join Smith Station PTO by filling out the online link.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1N3sTcGSiUCC1igxH7-tSMRjSUeZO8LucacDsY_w1Z4w/edit
If you haven’t already, please follow us on Facebook. We will be posting our events, school news and our meeting dates and times.
Purposity
Looking for a way to support our families in need? We’re excited to announce our new partnership with @purposity! To support our mission, just download the Purposity app and follow Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Your donations will help fill the shelves of our Treasure House, which directly supports our students in need. To get started, download the Purposity app in the App Store or Google Play and be sure to follow us.
Purposity
get one weekly notification, read the story of a student in need, and decide if you want to help - all from your phone in under a minute. Download Purposity in the App Store or Google Play and be sure to follow SCPS!
IMPORTANT RESOURCES:
RACSB 24-hour emergency mental health services: (540) 373-6876
The Fredericksburg Food Bank (540) 371-7666 is still providing food for families in addition to what we distribute at schools
The RACSB Spotsy office is able to offer virtual intake sessions and therapy appointments: 540-582-3980
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department non-emergency number: (540) 507-7200
Domestice Violence Hotline (Empowerhouse): 540-373-9373, 1-877-734-7238
Virginia 211 offers local information about services, food/rent support, etc.: dial 211
Suicide hotline: 800-273-TALK
Substance abuse hotline: 800-662-HELP
Smith Station Facebook Page
Translation Help
Spanish:
Para traducir este documento a otro idioma, por favor use el botón "Traduce" al final de la página.
Urdu:
س دستاویز کو کسی دوسری زبان میں ترجمہ کرنے کے لئے ، براہ کرم ذیل میں "ترجمہ کریں" بٹن کا استعمال کریں۔
Farsi:
برای ترجمه این سند به یک زبان دیگر ، لطفاً از دکمه "ترجمه" در زیر استفاده کنید
Smith Station Elementary
Website: spotsylvania.k12.va.us/smithstation
Location: 7320 Smith Station Court, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 786-5443
Facebook: facebook.com/SmithStationElementary
Twitter: @smith_station