Summer Letter 1

Greetings Sarah Smith Community,

We are almost two weeks from the start of school on August 1, 2024. Can you believe it? Your admin team, filled with excitement and anticipation, has been busy with training, planning, scheduling, hiring, and preparing for the new school year. We eagerly await to meet our new students and reconnect with our returning scholars!

If you have been able to drive by either campus this summer, you know that construction, remodeling, and building improvement are the focus. We are finally getting our new roof at the Primary Campus! The construction team started working as soon as the students went on summer vacation and continued working throughout the summer months. A few bathrooms have also been remodeled and updated at the primary campus. Both campuses received several security updates, including security vestibules at both buildings. When you arrive at the school, you will notice that the way you access the buildings will be different, and we want to assure you that these changes are to enhance the security for the safety of our students and staff.

Kindergarten Class lists will be posted on the front door/ windows at both campuses on July 30, 2024, at 2:00 PM. You may also check Infinite Campus for your child’s schedule beginning July 27, 2024.

Remember to kick off the school year at the APS Back to School Bash. The yearly event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center on July 20, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Stop by the North Atlanta Cluster booth and say hello to your favorite cluster principals.

Parents, we have heard your input and have found a solution to streamline communication this year. During the 2024-2025 school year, Sarah Smith will become a Class Dojo school. We are also working on a detailed communication plan that Sarah Smith Elementary will implement this year. You will find an overview below.

Method of Communication	Purpose	Frequency
Blog	Share updates and share school data occasionally	Monthly
Class Dojo	We are a school-wide Class Dojo school this year. The majority of Sarah Smith communication will be sent through Class Dojo	At least weekly
Folders home	Share work samples and school information	At least bi-weekly
Infinite Campus Messenger	Quick messages that need to be sent to the entire community as quickly as possible or as reminders	As needed
Parent Coffee Talks	Engage and inform parents about various programs at Sarah Smith	Monthly/Fridays
Podcast - S4 News	Bilingual podcast from Principal Hutson	At least monthly
Remind	Quick messages that need to be sent to the entire community as quickly as possible or as reminders.	As needed
Social Media	Public-facing social media using Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)	As needed
Star Weekly	Weekly communication from the PTO	Weekly

I am integrating blogging this year. We will always post from Class Dojo, so there is no need to search for my blog. If you choose to follow it, you can do so by clicking on the following link: https://thesmithuniverse.blogspot.com/.

We have just a couple of weeks left and are excited to see our students grace the halls of Sarah Smith again! Until then, be safe, enjoy the family, and make memories. See you soon!

Sincerely,

Dwight Hutson

Principal

Sarah Smith Elementary