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Philip R. Smith School

Dream. Achieve. Inspire.

Weekly Update October 9, 2026

Posted Date: 10/09/26 (04:30 PM)
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Philip R. Smith Elementary School-Weekly News

October 9, 2026

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

Happy Indigenous People's Day!

Kindness Rocks

Later this month all of our students will be working with their Buddy Class to design Kindness Rocks which will be painted in Art Class and spread around our school.  

Please look for a rock that is relatively flat, oval and 2-21/2" long, write your child's name on the bottom of the rock and send it into school by 10/23.  If you have access to a couple extra rocks and are willing to send them in, that would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you!!

After School Clubs-Last Call

See the google forms below for more information.  Please complete the form if you are interested in your child being part of the lottery for the programs.  The google forms will no longer receive responses at 5:00 p.m. on Monday evening.  I will start creating the club rosters on Tuesday.



Student Leadership

Please see this link for more information regarding the PRS Student Leadership initiatives.  

Vision/Hearing Screening Letter

Please see the Vision/Hearing Screening letter from Nurse Lindsay.

Family Guide to RULER

RULER is the Social Emotional Learning approach that SWPS adopted several years ago.  Here are a few slides with information about RULER!

Scholastic Book Fair

The Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be here Monday Oct 19th- Wednesday Oct 21st! 

Please use this link or QR code to shop online, or to create a cash-free way for your child to shop the fair, called an eWallet:

We love having volunteers help at the fair! Sign up here:  The Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be here Monday Oct 19th- Wednesday Oct 21st! 

Please use this link or QR code to shop online, or to create a cash-free way for your child to shop the fair, called an eWallet:

We love having volunteers help at the fair! Sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054EA9AF2FA2FD0-66258089-fall#/ 


We will have both a morning and an evening event for parents and loved ones to shop with their kids at the book fair during this week:

Tues Oct 20 5:30-7 PM: Come shop at the book fair in the evening with your family.  You can find us in the gym.

Wed Oct 21st 8:15-8:55: Bring your child to school early and enjoy a treat with them while shopping at the book fair.  Please park on the front lawn for this event so teachers can use the parking lot, and stay with your child until 8:55.

Please reach out to Sera Marcous at Seramarcous410@gmail.com with any questions!

Trunk or Treat

Calling all Trunk or Treaters! 
Get ready for a fun-filled evening of costumes, candy, and creatively decorated cars! 
Please see the flyer for more information about this year’s Trunk or Treat.
Want to participate? Be sure to sign up through SignUpGenius
We can’t wait to see everyone there! 

Wolf Pack sponsored by PRS PTO

2026 PRS Night at the Hartford Wolf Pack!

Join us for our third annual PRS night at the Hartford Wolf Pack! This fun community event is open to all PRS families, friends, and staff. The first 40 PRS students to purchase tickets will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game on-ice flag holding event! Don’t wait to buy! Tickets are on sale NOW! Use the link below to purchase, and see the attached flyer for more details. As always, thank you for supporting the PRS PTO!  

Preschool Outreach

27-28 Peer Role Model Application for Preschool Outreach Program (POP)
South Windsor Public Schools is now accepting applications for community peer role models in the preschool outreach program (POP) for the 2027-2028 school year. If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please complete the Preschool Outreach Program (POP) Inquiry Form. Peer role model screenings will begin in January 2027. You can learn more about POP by accessing our school district's website.


PRS Portrait of a Graduate

🐯 October Character Focus: Resilience & Self-Control

Our focus for October is Resilience & Self-Control, helping our Tigers grow into Resilient Problem-Solvers! This month, students will practice staying calm under pressure, bouncing back when things get tough, and taking deep "Tiger breaths" during challenging moments.

👉 Family Handout: Please take a moment to review our October Family One-Pager linked here for quick tips on supporting resilience at home and great conversation starters for the family!

PRS Substitutes Needed

If you are looking for an opportunity to be a substitute in South Windsor Public Schools, PRS would love to build our substitute pool!  Here's a link to learn more!

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

Important Dates

October
October 12 No School  Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 19-21 Scholastic Book Fair
October 20  Book Fair Family Night-evening
October 21  8:00 am  Book Fair Donuts with Grown ups 
October 16  Trunk or Treat-evening

November
November 3rd No School for Students:  Professional Development for Teachers
November 21 Wolf Packs Game
November 26th, 27th Thanksgiving Break

Helpful Links