Principalsmessage

Brayde McClure

Few things are as exciting as the start of a new school year. It is a feeling that I remember fondly from childhood and actually get to experience continuously as an adult since I have always worked in the school business. I know that your child has a sincere sense of excitement and nervousness as they look forward to reuniting with their friends, meeting their new teachers, living out their new personal goals to make it the best year ever; and to experience all of the new things they will get to try through the exploratory classes, and competitive sports and academic events. We hope to make Smith Middle School the very best learning experience that any student could hope for. And since our teachers will be organized into professional learning communities that we call “teams,” your child will automatically have the benefit of good communication, direct accountability, specific and prescriptive instructional strategies and shared goals of excellence for every child on the team. We are very excited about the change and what tremendous advantages academic teaming will provide for the students of Sinton ISD who are …”in the Middle.”

Respectfully,

Brayde McClure ____________________________________________________________________________________________

The information below states some of the unique Middle School policies and procedures that do not necessarily apply to the other campuses. This letter is an addition to the handbook which clarifies the specific rules of conduct for our campus, and hopefully addresses any questions you might have regarding the enforcement of these rules.

Backpacks are not allowed:

No backpacks or large purses are needed or permitted. P.E. and athletic clothes are brought to school on Mondays and taken home on Fridays. These garments are placed in secure lockers before the first tardy bell rings. Athletes may use regulation gym bags to transport athletic clothes and equipment. Only binders and small purses are allowed.

Hats

Hats may not be worn inside the building. However, hats may be worn on the ramps before or after school.

Supplies:

Students are expected to have basic supplies: pen/pencils, and paper inside of a binder for the first day of school. On that day, teachers will inform students of the exact supplies needed for each class.

Prime Time

We will not interrupt instruction for the first 30 minutes of each class period. Parents who need to check their students out from school are asked to schedule appointments – as much as possible – in such a way that we do not have to interrupt instruction to withdraw the student from class. We call this prime time because we value the integrity of the classroom environment and the learning objective that we will achieve.

PE Dress Out

Uniforms are required. They can be purchased at registration for $13.00. This requirement sets the stage for competitive athletics. PE classes will work on specific skills that contribute to the success of athletic competition as well as health and wellness for life.

Flexible Attendance Schedule

By meeting the requirements of the flexible attendance schedule stated in the handbook, your child could earn 8 days off at the end of the school year. This is a tremendous motivation for students to use every day in preparation for success on TAKS.

Drop Off/Pick Up

Supervision is provided from 7:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. When student arrive early to school they are to wait in the Cafeteria until dismissed to class – unless they are scheduled by a teacher for tutorial. After school, students who ride the bus will wait for the bus in the cafeteria immediately after school (no loitering with friends around the building). Students who get picked up by their parents may be picked up in the front of the building – so as not to interfere with the busses. It is important to pick up your child promptly, since we have many activities after school that need the teacher’s attention. For students who walk, we ask that they leave promptly and not hang around unless they are participating in a school activity. Again, there are many activities after school that requires the attendance of the teachers. 6th grade students may be picked up from the Lamar Complex.

Thank you for all of your kind considerations of our rules which are designed to create a safe and orderly environment.