🥳 Tomorrow is the day! Our final back to school tip is about preparedness. Mornings can be difficult and rushed. To help alleviate this, try setting out outfits the night before, or even selecting five outfits on Sunday. Then your little one can select one of the five each morning. Never will you hear "I have nothing to wear". Consider packing lunches the night before, to create a grab-and-go situation. Don't put off for tomorrow, what you can do today! Leave your favorite morning tip for families below. See you in the morning! Remember- Doors open at 7:35 and the tardy bell rings at 8:00. 🕗
It's the final weekend of summer☀️. In the comments, leave what you are looking forward to the most about this school year, or share a photo of your favorite summer activity.
Beginning Monday, our office hours will be 7:45-3:45. Our office number is 501-450-4815.
Remember, any changes to ways home must be done in writing to Mrs. Short, or to your child's teacher by 3:00. Coming to check out a student after 3:00 will result in you waiting for them in car line until 3:15.
With 🥉 days left it's time to practice independence skills: Encourage your child to practice tasks such as tying their shoes, packing their backpack, and remembering to bring notes to and from school. If your child will have a lunch box, practice opening their food packages and drinks. Prepare students to unbuckle and open their car door. Building independence at home will help them feel more confident and capable in school.
Lunch is a time many parents like to come to school to deliver food or eat with their child. As a reminder, we do not have seating inside the building for families to eat together. After checking your child out in the office you may use our tables, or eat in your cars.
Please note the grade specific lunch times.
Kindergarten- 11:10-11:40
First Grade- 11:45-12:15
Second Grade- 12:20-12:50
Third Grade- 11:55-12:25
Fourth Grade- 12:30-1:00.
To pay for cafeteria meals, you may send money in a LABELED envelope in your child's folder, or pay online at https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx
If you need a free/reduced lunch application, those can be found at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx It benefits our school if every family completes this, even if you think you will not qualify.
Finally, here is a link to the cafeteria breakfast and lunch menus. https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/1340
#proudtobeESE
Four more days until school!
Today's Tip is to discuss expectations: Have an open conversation about expectations for the school year, including academic performance, behavior, and responsibilities at home. Clear communication helps align everyone's expectations and fosters a supportive learning environment. Parents and guardians play an integral part of a child's education. At Ellen Smith, it is our goal to work collaboratively to make the most of this year!
How exciting! Our very own Mrs. Barlow, Mrs. Dennie, and Mrs. Polacek were recipients of grants provided by the Conway Public Schools Foundation. This money will be used to engage students at Ellen Smith focusing on art, reading, and science. Find out more about the Conway Public Schools Foundation at https://cpsfoundation.com/ This is also where you can nominate 🍎Teachers of the Week all throughout the school year. 🎉
During today's district meeting Mrs. Holder, our 2025 teacher of the year, and Mrs. Gonzalez, our 2025 employee of the year, were presented with awards. Congratulations ladies, we are greatly impacted by you both!
Only 6 days left.
Todays tip is to organize school supplies: Gather all necessary school supplies, including backpacks, notebooks, and writing materials. Organizing these items in advance can reduce last-minute stress on the first day of school. Supply lists are available at chrome-extension://dbkidnlfklnjanneifjjojofckpcogcl/pdf-viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fcore-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fdocuments%2Fasset%2Fuploaded_file%2F3965%2FCPS%2F4214293%2FCPS_School_Supply_List.pdf
First through fourth grade may bring school supplies to open house on Wednesday. Kindergarten can bring their supplies on Monday, August 26.
We are one week away from the first day of school. Now is the time to get your students back into a routine. One of the most important, is bedtime. Encourage them to start going to bed a little earlier each night. Remember, our tardy bell will ring 10 minutes earlier this year. Don't be late- learning starts at 8:00!
Please welcome Miss Stephens to Ellen Smith, and our third grade team! She is looking forward to seeing her students at open house on Wednesday!
Attention! Bus pickup will be 10 minutes earlier than last year's routes. Bus 5 (Raup) will drop off at 3:15. Bus 80 (Strickland) to Chateau Estates and Glen Echo Park will drop off at 3:15. All other routes will depart Ellen Smith around 3:45. Please have patience the first days of school as we iron out the scheduling. Thank you!
Visit the following link for route times and bus numbers.
https://www.conwayschools.org/page/transportation
Attention! Important car line information. Morning drop off is 7:35-8:00 am. (Instruction will begin at 7:45) Afternoon pick-up is 3:15-3:35. Students should enter and exit their vehicles independently on the passenger side. Students should be unbuckled, with backpacks ready to exit when pulling up to the building. A car rider tag is required to pick up a student. Two tags will be provided, starting at open house. Additional or replacement tags can be purchased in the front office. If you do not have an ESE car tag, you must park and come in with an ID to check out your student. Any changes to ways home must be made in writing or email, prior to 3:00. This can be to the office (shortl@conwayschools.info) or your child's teacher.
Welcome Mrs. Kristen Doran to the second grade team!
We are one week away from our open house! This will be an opportunity for students and families to meet your child's teacher. Please make note of the times that depend on each child's grade level. Star classes and Kindergarten will meet at 4:30, second and third grade at 5:00, and first and fourth grades at 5:30. You may wish to bring your child's supplies with you at this time, unless you have a kindergarten student. Plan ahead if you wish to purchase a school shirt or Kona Ice. Visit the cafeteria for other information: such as free/reduced lunch forms and signing up to help the PTO. Each student will need to get a car tag, which will also be available that evening. We hope you are able to stop by and meet the Ellen Smith team!
🍎Incoming Kindergarten Students🌟
Conway Public Schools will prepare Kindergarten students to begin their first year in education. This year, beginning August 19, 2024, all kindergarten students will participate in Wampus Kitty Kinder Camp!
Week of August 12 - Open House (check your school’s schedule for date/time - link below)
During Open House, you and your child will meet all of the kindergarten teachers, administrators, tour the school, and Kindergarten classrooms. Your child will have an opportunity to meet other children, so they recognize some familiar faces on the first day of school!
August 19 - First Day of School
Kindergarten students will begin at 9:00 a.m. on the first day. We welcome parents and guardians to walk your child into the building and bring them to the designated area.
August 19-23 - Wampus Kitty Kinder Camp
During the first week of school, Kindergarten students will spend time with each Kindergarten teacher in a classroom. They will participate in a variety of fun activities, learn their school and classroom procedures, routines, and meet new friends and classmates. We will learn your child’s strengths and areas where they excel by administering the district Kindergarten Readiness Assessments.
August 23 - Teacher Reveal!
At the conclusion of Wampus Kitty Kinder Camp, your child will bring home a scratch off card revealing their assigned Kindergarten teacher for the school year!
August 26 - Welcome to Class!
Your child will report to their classroom to begin a wonderful year of learning with their assigned teacher. We welcome you to walk your child to class the first day!
Teachers look forward to meeting your child and learning their unique needs to ensure their growth and development in the upcoming year! If you have questions, please reach out to the principal. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to seeing you soon!
Open House Dates for Campuses are included here - https://www.conwayschools.org/o/cps/page/back-to-school
🌟 Attention Conway Public School Families! 🌟
Returning student registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open! This registration is for students who ended the 2023-24 school year attending CPSD.
📧 Snapcodes: Snapcodes will be sent out via email in waves over the next few days. If you haven't received yours by July 15, 2024, please email registrationhelp@conwayschools.info.
📅 Need More Info? For full returning student registration information, visit our website at conwayschools.org/registration and click on "Returning Student Registration 2024-25."
Thank you for being a part of our Wampus Cats family! Let's make the upcoming school year amazing! 💙🐾 #WeAreWampusCats #ChampionsForKids
🎉 There will be no school on Monday, May 27 in honor of Memorial Day. As you enjoy the weekend, take a moment to remember and honor those who have served. 🇺🇸 We will see you back on Tuesday May 28.
📅 And don't forget, the last day of school is Thursday, May 30! Let's finish the year strong! 💪📚 First day of the 2024-2025 school year will be on Monday August 19, 2024.
Every student at Ellen Smith was sent home with 5 brand new books in a summer book bag!
Every student was able to pick out their own books! Thank you to all the friends and families that donated to our Read-A-Thon in March. Donating to the Read-A-Thon made this possible.
4th grade field trip adjustment!- Due to the rain the busses will now leave the school at 8:45.
The field trip is still on!