Welcome back to school!

It was great for us to meet so many of you at Open House!  Personally, we came away feeling more energized than ever about the great parents and kids at our school- we are going to have a great year together!  If you haven’t yet joined the PTSA, we really hope you will.  Because of the closed school today, we will extend the date to get your membership form in (or register on-line at Memberhub) in order to be eligible for the two great raffle prizes until the end of the day Monday, September 16.  We will now draw the winners on Tuesday, Sept. 17.  The prizes are an Amazon Echo Dot and an HP printer!

All of our children want to be seen and heard, to know they are supported by others, and to feel that they are part of something bigger than themselves.  By taking the step to join the PTSA, you are sending them that message.  We come from many different backgrounds but I bet we can all agree on one thing- parenting a child through middle school years is not easy!  We have heard some parents express with regret that the network of parents in the neighborhood watching out for their child is not the same as when they were younger.  Technology, social media, and lives that are busier than ever may make it even more challenging to feel connected to our children and other parents in the community.  Our monthly PTSA meetings are a great way to network with other parents, teachers, and our administration.  In short, it’s a great opportunity to keep tabs on what is going on at school and in your child’s life!

We have big plans this year to turn O.L. Smith’s PTSA into one of the strongest in the District.  We are working to build our community and pride in our school!  We are going to be raising funds to support our teachers and important projects and initiatives to improve our school.  We would love to have your input on all the ways we can work together to make our school better.  Here are just a few of the things we are already planning:

·        Fall Festival

·        Book Fairs (Two of them!)

·        24 Hour World Tour Skype-a-Thon Project and Culture/Geography Fair

·        Teacher Appreciation Week

·        March is Reading Month events

·        Family gym night

·        Lock-in event

·        Fundraising activities and events to support school programs

We would love your help however we can get it!  Even if you cannot attend meetings, please consider helping in a way that suits your interest and schedule!  Maybe you’re really good at soliciting donations from businesses, maybe you love decorating for a party or event, maybe you just love sitting at home watching Everybody Loves Raymond reruns and counting boxtops for relaxation!  Whatever your talents, interests and availability, I’m confident we can find a way to use you!  And if you have lots of commitments and not a moment to spare, that is totally ok too.  We are all in different stages of life and circumstances.  If you can swing it, we are happy to receive monetary donations and snack and beverage donations for events.  And the most important donations you can make (that cost nothing, by the way!) are your kind words and support for your student and for our teachers, and administrators who work hard to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for your child to learn. 

We look forward to a great year with you and your family.  Let’s connect and be a part of something great!

Kind regards,

Carrie Schoolmaster, PTSA President

Robbin Maked, PTSA Vice President

Here are the ways to join the PTSA and be eligible for raffle prizes:
1. Log on to our memberhub store at https://viking.memberhub.store/ (If it’s your first time logging on to memberhub.com, email Yasmine Hicks at yasminehicks@hotmail.com or text (501-454-2443) and she will get you signed up.), OR

2. You may complete the  membership form that went home with your child or pick one up in the office and return with your child  or submit to the front office.

Memberships are $10 per family** Please make checks payable to: OLSmith PTSA.
*One prize per family. Winners will be announced September 17th.
*Family membership guarantees one vote on PTSA matters. Additional family members who would like individual voting rights must add an
additional $5.50 per person.