Parent Teacher Student Handbook
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ATTENDANCE
Absences
Your child’s regular attendance at school is necessary to achieve the greatest academic growth. When your child misses school, he/she misses valuable learning time. Students with perfect attendance are awarded a special certificate at the end of the year. Perfect attendance is being present at school every school day with no tardies. For attendance accounting purposes, the only legally excused absence is illness, visit to the doctor or dentist, religious holiday, and bereavement. All other absences are unexcused.

If your child must be absent, please phone the school’s answering machine – 536-1468 (Attendance). Please be prepared to leave the name of your child and his/her teacher, reason for the absence, and the anticipated length of absence. If you do not call, please send a written, signed excuse with your child the day he/she returns to school. State the reason and the date of the absence.

Homework
You may request a homework packet of the work your child missed during each day of absence by phoning the office on the morning of the absence – 536-1469. Packets may be picked up in the office between 3:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Independent Study
Independent Study Programs are available for extended absences (minimum 5 school days) for reasons other than illness. Please call our office to arrange for an independent study program if you have a trip planned during the school year. So that teachers have adequate time to prepare assignments, please notify your child’s teacher at least two days in advance of your child being absent.

Tardy Policy
Please urge your child to be on time each day to school. Tardiness can instill bad habits in children, and students miss the beginning of daily instruction. Students who arrive after the 8:35 A.M. bell has rung must stop by the office and receive an admit slip before entering the classroom. This tardy will be noted on the permanent attendance record. If a student has more than four tardies, the office will notify the principal who may conference with the child and may notify the parent. If tardies continue students may be required to serve detention.


Release from School
Written permission from the parent is required if a child will be deviating from his/her regular route home. If your child will be going home with another student, we need a confirming note from you dated and signed. Parents wishing to check out students during the school day must come to the office to sign him/her out of school. Children must be picked up promptly at their dismissal time (they are not to wait for older siblings). The school cannot provide supervision for them. Students may only be checked out by an adult that the parents have included on the Student Information Card.

TRANSPORTATION TOP


Morning Arrival & Afternoon Dismissal
Students should not arrive at school prior to 8:20 A.M. as there is no supervision provided prior to that time. Students should also leave campus at the end of their assigned day and not wait for siblings to be dismissed. Again, there is no supervision provided for students to stand and wait on the campus.

Smith has nearly 600 students in attendance. Safety is our first concern and responsibility. When dropping off and picking up your children, we ask your cooperation on the following:

14th Street
1. Use the posted student drop-off and pick-up zones.
2. Do not park by the red curbs. There is not a safe way for you children to cross over to this area.
3. Do not enter the bus drop-off and loading area. This crescent shaped area is for buses only!
4. If parked on the opposite side of the street use the crosswalks on 14th & Crest.

17th Street
1. Do not drive up the alley between buses/maintenance and the Smith fence. This area is limited to district personnel only.
2. If entering the parking lot on 17th Street, enter through the southern driveway and exit through the northern driveway. Only a single lane of traffic is allowed: don’t double park.
3. If parked in a parking space; parents will need to escort their children
across the driveway.
4. If you are parked on the opposite side of the street use the crosswalk on 17th and Palm.
PLEASE DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY! The few extra minutes you take to do this may prevent injury to a student!

Bicycles
Only students in grades 3-5 may ride their bikes to school. Students must wear a HELMET when riding their bikes. Bikes must be licensed by the Huntington Beach Police Department. Bikes must be locked while parked in the Smith bike racks; two bikes are not to be locked together. Friends wait outside the bike racks. Bicycles are to be WALKED on campus. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged bicycles. Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters (razors), healies, and skates are not permitted.

Bus Regulations
Riding the bus is a privilege. Students riding the school bus should conduct themselves in a safe, orderly manner while on the bus or at the bus stop. The driver is to be obeyed at all times. Bus riders are to go immediately to the buses as soon as they are dismissed from school. Improper conduct on the buses will result in loss of that privilege and/or disciplinary action.

Students are to use only the bus and bus stop assigned. Students will not be allowed to get off at an unassigned stop unless a note is brought from home. Students need to bring the note to the office so that a bus pass may be made.

COMMUNICATION TOP

Back-To-School Night
During this evening, parents are provided the opportunity to meet our teachers and will be informed of the year’s course of study, daily schedules and classroom procedures, materials, and instructional practices. Attendance to Back-to-School Night is very important to help monitor your child’s
progress throughout the year. This informative meeting is for adults only;
we ask that children not attend this evening.

Individual Parent Conferences
Individual parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the third week in November. School will be on the planning day schedule this week to provide sufficient time for conferences. Students in grades 4-5 are encouraged to attend with their parents.

Interim Reports/Progress Reports
In compliance with the Education Code, the parent or guardian shall be notified by the teacher during each grading period whenever it becomes evident to the teacher that the child may receive unsatisfactory grades issued as academic or citizenship marks. Parents will be notified a few weeks prior to the issuance of report cards in the event that special assistance is needed.

Open House
In May, parents, other family members and guests are invited to visit school with their children to see samples of student work collected throughout the year. Open House is from 7:00-8:30 P.M. This is a special opportunity to observe what children have accomplished. A family dinner, prior to Open House, is scheduled from 5:30-7:00 P.M.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued at the end of the week following the end of each trimester.

Education Records
A Cumulative Record is maintained for each student enrolled. All student information is confidential. Parents are welcome to review these records by making an appointment with the principal.

Child Custody
It is most important that we be made aware of, and have on file at school, any legal papers that deal with unique circumstances concerning you child.
Simply noting on the emergency card a statement such as, “Do not release my child to…” is not enough. We must have a copy of legal documents concerning custody on file. Please be advised that the biological mother or father can obtain their child from school at any time unless a court order is on file indicating otherwise.

Messages for Students
Please ask for a message to be communicated to your child only in an emergency. Confirm after school plans before your child comes to school. This will keep classroom interruptions to a minimum. Communicate clearly to your child before he/she arrives at school or in writing to your child’s teacher your transportation arrangements for the day.

PROCEDURES TOP

Dress
In order to provide students with a safe and positive learning environment, the Huntington Beach City School District has developed the following recommended standards of dress. It is our belief that coming to school ready to learn includes how a child dresses, as it affects his/her overall behavior and safety:

  1. Clothing:
    *All clothing should be appropriately sized to the child. Excessively baggy or loose fitting clothing is not recommended for school. Blouses and shirts should cover a child’s midriff and avoid exposing the back.
    *Shirts/blouses that advertise or advocate alcohol, smoking, drugs, gangs, profanity, sexual innuendoes or violence should not be worn to school.
  2. Shoes:
    *Thongs and backless sandals are not appropriate for school.
    *Shoes should be secured to the foot and appropriate for participating in PE and playing on the playground.
    *Students should wear socks and closed-toe shoes to school to protect their feet.
    *Shoes with wheels (healies) are not to be worn to school.
  3. Hats:
    *Hats may not be worn inside buildings.
    *Hats should not advocate or advertise alcohol, smoking, drugs, gangs, profanity, sexual innuendoes or violence.
  4. Accessories:
    *Accessories should not interfere with the learning environment and/or safety of the child at school.
    *Wallet chains, large bracelets, and other such jewelry may not be appropriate or safe for students to have at school.
    *Extreme hair styles, make-up or temporary tattoos are not appropriate.

Emergencies
In the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake during school hours, all students will be kept at school. They will not be released until a parent or parent designee arrives at the school to pick them up. Parents are requested to list their designees on the “Emergency Release” form enclosed in the first day packet. Should you change jobs, baby-sitter, your home or business phone numbers, please notify the office.

Students and staff participate in regularly scheduled earthquake, fire and “lock out” drills.

Field Trips
Before any student is allowed to participate in a district or school sponsored trip, a permission slip must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian. Verbal permission cannot be accepted.

HEALTH TOP

Medications at School
A signed permission form must be on file in the school office before school personnel may administer medication to a child. The medication must be stored in the school office only and must be brought in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy (student’s name, medication, and dosage.)

Forms are available in the school office and require both the signature of a parent and a doctor. Children may not bring any medication (including aspirin, cough drops, sore throat lozenges) to school. ALL MEDICATION MUST BE ADMINISTERED IN THE OFFICE BY OFFICE PERSONNEL.

Accidents
Considerable care is taken to ensure that Smith School is a safe place for students and staff. When an accident occurs it must be reported immediately to the adult in charge. School personnel may administer first aid. In case of serious injury, parents will be contacted and paramedics may be called. It is critical that Data Cards be kept current. Student accident insurance is available at a nominal cost. Insurance forms are available in the first-day packet. Additional copies are available in the school office.

Physical Restrictions
Notes from parents requesting physical education exemption following an illness or an accident may be honored by the child’s teacher for a short period of time. Requests for exemption from physical education for one week or longer require a physician’s documentation of need.

Communicable Diseases
If your child shows symptoms of illness before school, please keep him home from school. Students who remain home at the onset of an illness recuperate faster and miss fewer days of school. Please notify the school immediately when a communicable disease is suspected or diagnosed. This is an important step in the control of a disease. Children recovering from communicable diseases, such as measles, mumps, chicken pox, pediculosis (head lice) must be readmitted through the office.

Lunch
Students may purchase a school lunch for $1.75 per day ($35.00 for a 20-count lunch ticket), or bring a sack lunch. For students who will be purchasing lunch at school, lunch tickets are advisable. Tickets are purchased in the office and may be used any time during the school year. If your child will be arriving late on a day that he/she will be purchasing lunch, please call the school office, at 536-1469, by 9:00 A.M. to order the lunch. Do not leave a message on voice mail.

A lost and/or forgotten lunch is often a problem. Students who do not have a lunch will be permitted to call home. Lunch money may be borrowed from the office NO MORE THAN (2) TIMES PER SCHOOL YEAR. Please return the money the following school day.

Parents wishing to periodically eat lunch with their child are welcome; please be sure that you check in with the office to obtain a visitor identification tag prior to entering the lunch area. You may order an adult or student lunch by calling the office before 8:15 A.M. Parents may also choose to take their child “out” to lunch, but must follow the standard sign-out/sign-in procedure at the office. Students are expected to be returned to class on time.

Cafeteria menus will be sent home monthly. On the back of the lunch menu will be an informative message from our District Superintendent, Dr. Gary Rutherford.

PARTIES TOP

Birthdays
Teachers have individual traditions for recognizing children’s birthdays, by singing “Happy Birthday” etc. Please do not send food items to your child’s class to celebrate his/her birthday. In lieu of treats/goodies, families are encouraged to donate a book for their child’s classroom library. The class is able to hear the book read aloud in celebration of the student’s birthday. This gift will be a lasting birthday tribute.

Invitations
If your child will be passing out party invitations at school, please be sure each child in the class receives an invitation. This will avoid the “hurt feelings” that can occur when children “see” that they are not invited.

Personal Property
Personal property should only be brought to school if it is directly related to the instructional program with approval first from the classroom teacher. Please leave all toys at home, i.e. scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, footballs, baseballs, pagers, radios, electronic games, and laser pointers. The school assumes no responsibility for personal items lost or damaged at school.

Lost and Found
Lost and found articles are displayed outside the cafeteria. Clothing and lunch boxes should be marked with your child’s name. Items not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization.

Pets & Animals
No animals, fowls, or reptiles are allowed in the classroom unless prior approval by the teacher and/or principal. Due to safety concerns, and the unpredictability of dogs, dogs are not allowed on campus, even on a leash. Signs staging this law are posted on both ends of the campus.

PTA
The PTA (Parent-Teacher Organization) is actively involved within the school; its members contribute thousands of hours in their efforts to assist the school, its students, and the school community. The primary goal of the PTA is to further child welfare at home and at school. Each year this outstanding organization provides many services for school, such as, financial support, awards, assemblies, and providing parent volunteers for the classroom and library. We encourage parents to become active members of this organization. The membership drive is held in September. Add your name to this year’s list of active parent members! Parental support and participation is welcomed throughout the school year. If you are interested in becoming actively involved as a PTA volunteer, please call the school office at 536-1469 ext. 500.

Parent Volunteers
We welcome and encourage parent volunteers in our classrooms. All volunteers must have proof of a negative Mantoux TB test on file with our office before volunteering in our classrooms. In the interest of safety and to preserve the instructional environment, only children regularly enrolled may be in the classroom and on the playground during school hours.

Visitors On Campus
To protect the welfare and the security of students and staff, visitors are required to check in at the school office upon entering the school grounds. (Penal Code 627.2) Parent volunteers must sign the Parent Volunteer Sheet in their child’s classroom.

CODE OF CONDUCT TOP

We are committed to assist students in the other three “R’s” – RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT, AND PERSONAL REGARD. This policy is proactive in nature and designed in order to spend the majority of our time recognizing positive behavior from our students. Schoolwide and classroom rules are based on sound and logical reasons and therefore must be followed. The reasons are…health, safety, protection of the rights of others, and facilitation of effective learning.

Appropriate School Behavior
Appropriate school behavior is encouraged by the entire Smith staff. We have both classroom and school level recognition programs that promote good behavior.

  • Monthly assemblies are held at which Students of the Week are recognized and awarded.

  • The earning of “Super You’s” is an ongoing program. After accumulating ten of these, the principal visits the classroom and presents a “Principal’s Award” to such student.

  • In June, a student with no absences or tardies for the year receives a Perfect Attendance Award.

  • Fifth grade students receive the Presidential Academic Fitness year-end award for academic excellence.

  • Certificates of recognition in various areas are also awarded by the classroom teacher. Teachers implement additional classroom reward systems, i.e., popcorn parties, “lottery” tickets, special prizes….

Classroom Standards
Each teacher has established an individual classroom discipline plan consistent with the school policy.

Each plan includes:

  1. Class rules
  2. Positive Consequences
  3. Negative Consequences

Each student and parent will receive a copy of each assigned teacher’s discipline plan.

Disruptive School Behavior
Minor infractions will be handled by the classroom teacher with major infractions being referred to the principal. Parents will be informed whenever a pupil is developing any adverse behavior patterns. The teacher and/or principal will work with parents to reach a solution to the adverse behaviors.

General School Rules

  1. Follow directions the first time they are given. Obey all persons in authority, including bus drivers, noon duty supervisors, parent volunteers, guest teachers, etc.
  2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
  3. No “Killer Statements” to others; use only kind works.
  4. Be in the place where you belong. No students may be in the classroom without adult supervision.
  5. Running is NOT permitted on hard surfaces, except under the supervision of classroom or PE teacher during play activity.
  6. When the bell rings, students should stop playing right away and stand still until the teacher blows his/her whistle sending students to their lines. Students should not get drinks, go to the restrooms, or continue playing after the bell indicating the end of recess has rung.
  7. Only school equipment may be used on school grounds, with the exception of baseball mitts (which may be used only at PE.) Toys and personal items from home are not permitted.
  8. All playground equipment is to be used only for the purposes for which it is intended.
  9. Balls may be kicked only in GRASS areas.
  10. Gum is not allowed at school at anytime.
  11. Snacks are allowed during the first recess. They must be eaten near a trash container.
  12. Students are not to wear hats inside the building at any time. Hats may be worn at recess.
  13. Use the restroom and drinking fountain BEFORE the bell rings signifying the end of recess.

Assembly Behaivor

  1. No Talking during assemblies.
  2. Use polite applause only.

Restroom Behaivor

  1. Use quiet voices.
  2. Flush toilet and wash hands.
  3. Put paper towels in wastebasket.
  4. No playing or congregating in the restrooms.

Conflict Management
These strategies encourage student responsibility in problem solving:

  1. Talk If Over (Negotiating)
  2. Walk Away (Abandoning)
  3. Say “I’m Sorry” (Apologizing)
  4. Do Something Else (Postponing)
  5. Take Turns (Cooperating)
  6. Share (Compromising)
  7. Ignore (Discretion)
  8. Asking For Help (First from a peer, then an adult, after using 3 or more of the above tools first)

Suspension
There are certain serious offenses, which are, according to the Education Code of the State of California, grounds for a student’s suspension from school. Suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about the proper conduct. Parents and students will have the opportunity to confer with a school official. Suspension could be imposed without affording the pupil an opportunity for a prior conference in “emergency” situations constituting a danger to the lives or health of other pupils or school personnel. In such a case, an effort will be made to notify the parents that such an action has taken place.

  1. Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.
  2. Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, or an imitation firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any such object, the pupil had obtained written permission from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the principal’s designee.
  3. Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code-an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.
  4. Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code-an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
  5. Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
  6. Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
  7. Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.
  8. Possessed or used tobacco or any products containing tobacco.
  9. Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity of vulgarity.
  10. Had unlawful possession of, or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.
  11. Knowingly received stolen property or private property.

These acts must relate to school activities or attendance but may take place at any time including, but not limited:

  1. While on school grounds.
  2. While going to or coming from school.
  3. During the lunch period, whether on or off the campus.
  4. During, or while going to or coming from a school-sponsored activity.

Dangerous Objects
It is against the law to bring dangerous objects to school.

Any student who has a firearm, such as a pistol, gun or rifle, or any look-a-like firearm, at school will be recommended for expulsion from the District and arrested by the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Any student who has a knife at school will be suspended from school, and may be recommended for expulsion from the District and arrested by the Huntington Beach Police Department.

If there is a reasonable suspicion that a student possesses a dangerous object, that student may be searched.

If there is a reasonable suspicion that a student has an illegal or dangerous object in his/her desk, locker, or book bag, a search will be made of the student’s desk, locker or book bag.

Approved by the HBCSD Board of Trustees, June, 1994

ACTIVITIES and EVENTS TOP

Accelerated Reader
This program is designed to increase reading comprehension. Students read books from the Accelerated Reader section of the library. The following week, they take computerized tests. Passing scores are tracked and awards are presented at monthly assemblies. Volunteers are needed, about an hour per week, in the media center to help students access the test program and to keep track of scores.

Art Reflections
Art reflections is a PTA sponsored contest designed to encourage students to explore their creative side. This event is an “at home” project scheduled for the month of October. Students can submit entries in the following categories: visual arts, literature, photography, and music. Selected entries could advance to the National PTA level.

Author’s Day
This program is coordinated by volunteers at the Huntington Beach Central Library. An assembly is held in March to introduce students to selected authors of children’s stories. The authors read their books and explain how books are written and illustrated; authors share how they get ideas for their books and how they are published. Autographed copies are usually available for purchase. Volunteers are needed to escort authors around the campus throughout the day.

Birthday Book Club
Check your first day packet for a book list and an order form. Review the book list, fill out the order form and send it back to school with a check or money order. On your child’s birthday, he/she will be presented with the book that you ordered. A bookplate will be placed inside each donated book recognizing your family’s generosity. Your child will be the first to check out this book and upon its return, it will be placed in our library for Smith students to enjoy.

Book Fair
Food for the mind…This is an exciting event held in the fall during Conference Week. Books for all grade levels, posters, gift items and computer software are available for sale. Teacher “Wish Boxes” are available should you choose to donate a book or software to your child’s classroom or the library. Suggested reading lists are supplied by teachers should you care to buy a home copy of a book to be read in class. Proceeds to toward award books for no TV Week and the Accelerated Reader Program. Volunteers can help with set up or take a shift on the sales floor.

Book Floats
Students recreate a 3-D scene from a favorite book on an inverted shoe box to form a miniature parade “float”. This program is usually coordinated with Author’s Day in March. Have fun viewing “the parade” while preparing “Super You’s” for participants. Volunteers also arrange for set up and take down of displays in the cafetorium.

Classroom Volunteers
Work in the classroom one morning a week or every other week assisting the teacher with lessons, centers, paper grading, celebrations, etc. or prepare materials requested by the teacher at the District Office Curriculum Lab (cut, paste, laminate and assemble). Sign up in the classroom on Back-to-School Night or call the teacher to volunteer.

D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Awareness and Resistance Education. Fifth grade students participate in this semester program led by a trained Huntington Beach Police Officer.

Family Science/Math Night
This program includes the entire family. The faculty at Smith plans and coordinates an educational evening centered around a specific theme that provides hands-on activities for the whole family to learn and enjoy together. Two evenings are scheduled to accommodate 40 families per night; early sign up is suggested.

Fund-Raisers
Smith PTA has chosen to hold two major fund-raisers, with proceeds benefiting many of the programs and activities listed in this guide, such as: assemblies, Author’s Day field trips, Meet the Masters visual arts program, and vocal music program, psychomotor program, computers and software, library books and the fifth grade Outdoor Education Program.

**Fall Fund-raiser
The fall fund-raiser (end of September) is a catalogue sale offering wrapping paper, gift and food items (cookie dough), and holiday cards. This is a great way to do your holiday shopping and to support PTA programs. Volunteers are needed to help collect, organize, count, and deliver orders for 1-4 hours on one or two days during school hours.

**Spring Fund-raiser (jog-a-thon)
Held in March, the Jog-a-thon is a walk-run race, where students obtain per-lap pledges and straight donations from family and friends, and compete in the race for fun, prizes/medals, as a way to help their school. Awards are presented for various categories, such as, most laps-girls and boys, top class prize, top dollar prize, etc. (prizes and categories may vary from year to year). Volunteers are needed to help set up, mark lap cards, squirt water bottles at the runners, tally lap sheets, distribute post-race sport drinks, clean up, and count donations. Donations of prizes are always welcome.

Hospitality
A chairperson will contact you whenever prepared foods are needed for school/PTA functions, such as, Author’s Day, Kindergarten Kick Off, Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon, etc. This is a great way for volunteers to help who can’t be at school during the day. Food items and paper goods are simply sent in when needed.

Identification Cards (Ident-a-Kid)
Child safety identification cards are available for a nominal fee from an outside provider. Cards display the child’s photo, thumb print and personal information. Smith PTA offers this optional program as a community service during Red Ribbon Week. Volunteers are needed to ask teachers to send participating students to the cafetorium for ID processing.

Meet the Masters Visual Arts Program
Students will create works of art in the style of the masters. They will also gain a new understanding of art, enhance their vocabulary and creativity. Because of your generosity and financial support, Smith PTA funds this program annually. Each classroom will need a volunteer once a month for two hours or help the program chairman prepare supplies for each lesson (No artistic skills are needed).

Media Center and Instructional Technology
The media center houses the school library, instructional materials, and a twenty station Pentium PC computer lab. The media center functions as an extension of the classroom where students experience a variety of integrated activities and lessons.

The Smith Media Center features a computerized card catalog and book circulation system, Accelerated Reading Program (see above), electronic encyclopedias for student research, as well as, a variety of interactive CD ROM software to extend classroom learning. The media is staffed with a media technician. Volunteers are crucial.

Newsletter
The Surfer PTA News is published five times a year to help you stay informed of school and PTA events. We welcome your articles about Smith or PTA activities. Volunteers are needed for 1-2 hours a month to help collate and distribute our school newsletter.

No TV Week
This activity, held in the springtime, is a fun way to break the TV habit! Students are encouraged to find alternatives to TV and computer/video games. You can help – play a game, take a walk, take a family bike ride, read a book, bake cookies, but most of all enjoy this time together! Awards are distributed to students who participate.

Outdoor Science Education
Under the guidance of Smith teachers and outdoor education staff, fifth grade students explore the outdoors, through various science activities, in a mountain camp setting for four days. The cost of this experience is approximately $250 per student. As a way to assist parents with this expense, PTA may allocate a portion of the proceeds the student’s earning from selected fund-raisers.

Psychomotor Skills
This is a PTA funded program, under the direction of teacher, Pat Foster, for kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Students are led through a series of activities designed to strengthen motor skills which enhance learning and reading skills. Parent volunteers are encouraged to help.

Red Ribbon Week
In late October, awareness concerning the problems related to the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs are emphasized through assemblies, classroom discussion, personal safety pledges, safety identification cards, and red ribbon reminders.

Room Parent (Room Mom or Dad)
Under the teacher’s direction, the room parent assists and arranges for classroom volunteers for classroom projects, (i.e. Meet the Masters program, items to be made in the curriculum lab) and parties.

Skating Parties
Smith PTA provides a skating party once a month on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at a local skating rink. All students, parents and staff are invited to attend. Volunteers are needed for each party to collect/check permission slips.

School Site Council
The advisory committee for our school is the School Site Council. This group of parents, staff and principal meets five to six times a year to discuss the school program. Members bring important issues to the group related to our school plan and budget which are discussed and acted upon. Meetings are held on Mondays at 3:00 P.M. Parent nominees are voted on by parents as this is a legally binding group. However, all meetings are open to interested parents, staff members, and community members.

Student Council
In addition to student body officers, 4th and 5th grade classes elect representatives to the student council which provides children the opportunity to organize spirit activities, special events and service projects for Smith students. This program is designed to develop student leadership skills.

Vocal Music Program
The generous donations from Smith PTA, Las Damas in Sunset Beach, and the Huntington Harbor Philharmonic help to support the cost of a vocal music teacher. Weekly lessons are provided for all Smith students culminating in various musical presentations for families.