Principal Update
Important Dates
December 15: Teacher Training - no school for students
December 22-January 2: Winter Break
Questions?
News You Can Use
Smith ES Parents and Sponsors,
All CYS facilities to include SAC, CDC and the Teen Center will be closed on Friday, December 19, 2025. Please ensure that your child has transportation to/from school if they ride following bus routes; 2, 6, 7, 12, UPK, S1, and S2.
No School for Winter Recess from December 20-January 04, 2026. School Resumes again at 0800 on Monday, January 05, 2026.
The Main Office phone number has been updated on our Official School Website, +49 (0)6317-106-6060. Unfortunately, we are still working to have the number changed in the Google Search Database. We are hoping to have this issue resolved before the end of December 2025. Holiday Office Hours during the break are 0800-1500 between December 22-January 02, 2026. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, January 05, 2026.
This is a friendly reminder that all food items shared are restricted to purchased and prepackaged items or are made in a valid Certified Food Handler's kitchen. Items not following this may be returned to your home. Safety is a priority and we kindly ask that you also consider the various common food allergens when donating food items to your student's classroom.
UPK Clothes Celebration: The first week of January Smith ES will be Celebrating with our Preschool students by participating in a school-wide Celebration. Starting on Monday, January 05, Wear your favorite hat; Tuesday, Favorite Socks; Wednesday, Pajama Day; Thursday, Gloves or Mittens; and Friday, dress for success or just wear your favorite outfit, no costumes please. On Friday, we will Celebrate our Preschool Students with a short Runway Assembly.
New After School Club: Join the Board Game Club, Sponsored by Ms. Kellie.Saunders@dodea.edu A place to play exciting board games, make new friends, and learn while having fun! From classics like Chess and Scrabble to modern favorites, there’s something for everyone. Build teamwork & social skills, boost critical thinking & problem-solving, enjoy screen-free fun, learn patience and sportsmanship from 1420-1530 Thursdays in January, and Wednesdays in February, March, April, and May. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/h1Gzr2Gip4KBttCq6
The School Advisory Committee or SAC met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, and elected a SAC Board for the 2025/2026 School Year. Congratulations to our Chairman, Mr. George Clevenger, and Vice Chairman, Mr. Luke Holthus, and our faculty representative Ms. Angela Hollingshead. We are still in need of a secretary to round out the team. If you or someone you know are interested in serving as Secretary on the School Advisory Committee, please email sacsmithes@gmail.com to make a nomination. The next two Quarterly SAC meetings are scheduled for March 10, 2026, and May 12, 2026. If you have concerns or questions you wish to be added to the SAC agenda, please send an email to sacsmithes@gmail.com.
Winter weather is here and the weather in Germany can be unpredictable. So in Germany, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Everyone should have winter clothing including coats, gloves, hats, and boots for recess. Recess is expected to be outside unless there is high winds, lightning, or extreme temperatures below 20 F. Coats must be zipped when the temperature drops below 32F or Zero degrees Celsius. Please remind your students that they can bring an umbrella, but we cannot run when it is in use.
In the event of a weather delay or closure, this official decision is at the discretion of the Rhineland-Pfalz Garrison Commander and then communicated to the community through various media channels. There is a road conditions flyer posted at the bottom of the principal update, you can monitor our Smith ES Official Facebook page, or you can download the MyArmyPost App for latest information. When the school administration is notified of a delay or closure, you can expect an email notification from our Smith ES - Mass Notification System.
DoDEA requires all school age children be vaccinated for influenza by December 01, 2025. Smith ES is currently over 70% compliant; help us get to 100%. Please submit proof of your student's vaccination for Influenza to the school Nurse Jennifer.Lasley@dodea.edu no later than December 01, 2025. Second Notice Non-Compliant letters were sent on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Working at Smith ES: The job of a substitute is to stand in the place of the classroom teacher executing the daily instructional plans and to maintain good order and discipline in the classroom. If you or someone you know is interested in working as a substitute teacher at Smith ES, please log into USAJobs.gov and apply today. USAJOBS - Job Announcement We generally pull applications and interview candidates at the first of each month.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Bulldogs families!
Richard Dye
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense Education Activity of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein.
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School Procedures
DoDEA School Dress Code
Students MUST wear:
- Tops with sleeves (sleeveless tops/dresses are permitted for school sponsored formal events such as prom)
- Solid clothing (not transparent or translucent) that fully covers the top and bottom from armpit to mid-thigh
- Shoes (shoes must be safe for the school environment)
- Bedroom slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal
- Open toe shoes with a strap across the heel are allowed
Students CANNOT wear clothing with:
- Language or images promoting violence
- Language or images that depict, promote, or advocate the illegal use or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products; violent conduct; curse words; pornography; that contain threats or expressions which are violent, discriminatory, lewd or obscene; or that advocate or promote any other illegal item or activity or the use of same
- Derogatory speech and/or imagery that targets groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- Headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or health purpose); clothing items with hoods attached can be worn but must not cover the head
* Teachers/courses can require certain attire as part of the curriculum (for example: physical education, culinary) that may include specific dress
* DoDEA issued athletic uniforms and athletic practice attire outside of the DoDEA school dress code is permitted when worn by participants during athletic practices and sports events
Applicable DoW Policies
School Administrators
Contacts
| Name | Position Details | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Registrar | Registrar | +49 (0)6317-106-6062 |
