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Philip R. Smith School

Dream. Achieve. Inspire.

Weekly Update August 28, 2026

Posted Date: 08/28/26 (04:30 PM)


Philip R. Smith Elementary School-Weekly News

August 28, 2026

The U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School seal, featuring an eagle and stars.

Thank you for helping to make the first week of school a success for all of our students!

Dismissal

To ensure a smooth dismissal for our students and staff, please communicate all dismissal changes to the office by 1:30 p.m. We are working out the kinks and your communication is key to making sure students are where they need to be. Thank you so much!!

Room Parents Needed!!

Want to become a Room Parent?
Room Parents serve as the liaisons between teachers and families while helping make the school year extra special! It’s a fun and rewarding way to get involved, connect with other families, and support your child’s classroom.
Interested? Sign up below!

CHET Big Dream Competition

This year, we will be awarding $350,000 in CHET 529 College Savings Plan account contributions to students in grades K-12 and technology prizes to schools. For the winning students, we will be awarding:
  • Three prizes of $20,000
  • 24 prizes of $5,000
  • 240 prizes of $500
With the help of a parent or guardian, students will submit an answer to a grade-appropriate question about their dreams or how they could help their community. They can answer by submitting a drawing or painting, essay, or video, and must be included with an entry form.
Submissions must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. on November 6. There is no cost to enter. For program details, rules and the entry process, visit:
Downloadable entry forms and flyers are available on the website as well.
A school in your district could be a winner too! Each school that is represented by at least one student’s entry will be eligible for a random drawing for a technology prize worth $5,000 (a total of 10 schools will win a technology prize).
If you have any questions, please email asavio@mintz-hoke.com. And thank you for your support!
Amanda Savio
The CHET Dream Big! Competition Team

Lost and Found

To help us reunite lost items with their rightful owner, whenever possible put your child's name on lunchboxes, water bottles, inside jackets and sweatshirts.

It's our goal this year to keep our lost and found at a minimum!!

Emergency Contact

I strongly encourage our families to review the emergency contacts that they have currently established in the Parent Portal/PowerSchool. Please consider adding additional friends, family, neighbors, etc. to your list of emergency contacts. If you choose to add or delete anyone from your list, please call Denise Dickstein our Office Clerk and she can help facilitate the changes.

Important Dates

September 7 No School Labor Day
September 16 6:00-7:30 PRS Open House
September 16 First Early Dismissal Wednesday
September 21 No School Yom Kippur
September 25 8:20-8:50 Room Parent Meeting in cafe

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