Principal Update

Smith ES Parents and Sponsors, 

I hope you are having a very restful summer and a special welcome to our new community family members.  As Smith Elementary School teachers and volunteers prepare to kick off the 2026/2027 School Year there are a few things I would like to let you know.

Our Summer Office Hours 0900-1500 will continue through the end of this week.  Normal hours 0730-1600 will resume on Monday, August 10, 2026.

If you have not yet sent your summer reading photo to Ms. Heather.Majorwitz@dodea.edu there is still time. Everyone who participates in the summer reading challenge earns a prize.

Welcome to all of our new Bulldogs. There is a special New Student Orientation Seminar at 1300 on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in the Cafeteria.  If you are new come meet some of our Anchored 4 Life student leaders, tour the campus and ask lots of questions.

Join us for our PTO Sponsored Back-2-School BASH starting at 1300 on Friday, August 14, 2026.  We have invited more than 15 community organizations to set up information booths including CYS Sports, MWR, EFMP, Service Credit Union, Community Bank, AAFES, University of Maryland GC, USO, Fire Department, and command representation from Baumholder Clinic, 16th SB, and our sponsoring unit 44th ESB help us kick off SY27 with excitement and information that will set up every family for success. The highlight of the day will be posting our classroom rosters, introducing our faculty and staff, and a chance to meet your new teacher.  Join us behind the school on the playground for this exciting 3rd annual B2S event.

SY26/27 Registration for Preschool through 5th grade Continues:  Please create your registration account at ASPEN Parent Portal or reach out directly to the school registrar via email to SmithES.Registrar@dodea.edu.  Leave your phone number in the email if you would like to be contacted by phone. Please visit https://www.dodea.edu/registration for more information about registration through our online platform.  Note: Eligible Preschool students must turn 4yrs old NLT September 01, 2026. Administration will host a PreK Parent Meeting and Registration Seminar on Wednesday, August 05, 2026 in the cafeteria.  Additional flyers are available in the main office, please post them and distribute them in your command for incoming families.

Supply Lists for SY26/27 are posted in the AAFES Exchange and Commissary, or you can obtain a copy from the front office. 

Update on Electronic Devices for SY27: Students will not be permitted to use personal electronic devices during the school day - from the start of the school day until dismissal.  Devices must be silenced or turned off and securely stored throughout the school day. This change removes distractions and keeps the focus of our classrooms on education.

The School Advisory Committee has begun the closeout for 2025/2026. Minutes from the final meeting are posted on our website and posted outside the main office.  The SAC leadership for SY27 will be Chairman, Open, and Vice Chairman, Mr. Luke Holthus, and our faculty representative Ms. Angela Hollingshead. The next SAC meeting will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.  We are in need of a Chairman and Secretary for SY27, you may make recommendations for these positions by emailing sacsmithes@gmail.com.  If you have concerns or questions you wish to be added to the SAC agenda, please send an email to sacsmithes@gmail.com

PTO has new leadership for the SY27 volunteer board.  The new board President, Ms. Raina Vaughn, Vice President, Ms. Serena Castellanos, Secretary, Mr. Luke Holthus, Treasurer, Ms. Dosha Salyers, Charter Representative, Ms. Gallia Holthus, Publicist, Ms. April Tovar, and Volunteer Coordinator, Ms. Vanessa Przybylinski.  Please check out the PTO Facebook page for more information concerning events and how to volunteer with the PTO.

The garrison reminds us all to maintain strict Operations Security (OPSEC) on all personal and professional social media is mission essential. Information that may seem harmless can have severe consequences. Pause before you post. If you see something suspicious, report it immediately to local law enforcement off post at 110, or on post to Military Police at +49 611-143-541-7008. You can also make a report to the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz security team at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/j7VryiMv4g.  Again, Please refer to the Principal Update Link email for sponsored event times and locations.

Working at Smith ES:    

      Educational Aides (SPED) https://www.usajobs.gov/job/863930700 

      Educational Aide (Prekindergarten), https://www.usajobs.gov/job/863941300  _{^{(Part-time 30hrs & Full-time 70hours positions use the same link)}}

      Substitute, https://www.usajobs.gov/job/862978500

Please make sure your USAJobs.gov application online indicates your desire to work in the Baumholder area.  If your name does not appear on the USAJobs.gov referral list, you will not be eligible for hire.   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.  

Go Bulldogs.

Richard Dye