Shout out to our school board members for envisioning the future!

Smith County students benefit every day from the leadership and vision of our school board. Jan. 24-30 is School Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee so take time to thank these dedicated school leaders.

There will be an all day ACT workshop for 11th grade students enrolled in CTE courses on Saturday, February 20th. Students need to sign up in the high school guidance office.

Next week, text messages from Ready4K will be sent to pre-K through 3rd grade families. This is a free service provided through district partnerships for all families of students pre-K through 3rd grade. Ready4K will send you text messages with easy tips and activities to help you support your child’s learning at home. If at any time you would like to stop receiving these text messages, reply "STOP" to the message.

There will be NO SCHOOL for ALL SMITH COUNTY STUDENTS Monday, 11/23, and Tuesday, 11/24, before the Thanksgiving break due to limited teacher/staff availability and significant student absences related to COVID-19 illness/exposure. We are doing everything we can to keep our students, staff, and families healthy. Buildings will be sprayed for sanitation during this closure. After Thanksgiving Break, beginning Monday, November 30, IN-PERSON students will begin a hybrid schedule that will run through Friday, February 12. The 2020-21 school calendar has not been altered and all breaks and holidays will be observed as previously scheduled. Please check your child’s home school website for a detailed schedule.

Attention: TN Promise Sign Up Deadline for Class of 2021 has been extended to December 1, 2020. Go to https://www.tn.gov/tnpromise to apply.

Thank you to all our Veterans!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd is Election Day and is a professional development day for Smith County school employees. There is no school for students.

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and limited staff availability, Gordonsville High School students in grades 7-12 will be remote learning beginning tomorrow, October 12th, until after fall break. School faculty and staff will report to work on time.

We at Smith County Schools hope you have a safe and wonderful Labor Day!

FREE MEALS FOR SMITH COUNTY STUDENTS Due to a nationwide waiver by the US Dept. of Agriculture, beginning Tuesday, September 8th, all Smith County STUDENTS will receive free lunch in addition to free breakfast through December, or until Federal Funding becomes unavailable. Parents will be notified if the program ends before December. Breakfast will remain free all year. A la carte items are not included in the free meal programs. Families that may qualify are still required to complete a Free and Reduced Meal Application ASAP. This will ensure the student’s free or reduced benefit will continue once the USDA waiver expires. You can apply by filling out a paper copy from your school or online at www.lunchapplication.com. Any charges prior to this waiver are still due. This includes past charges from the 19/20 school year, or this school year. Please send those payments to your child’s school or pay online at www.k12paymentcenter.com. There will be NO refunds issued for student’s current balances. Those funds will continue to cover a la carte items and be available when the waiver expires. Virtual learners will also receive free meals until it expires. Virtual learners must sign up for the meal program by contacting the School Nutrition office at 615-735-2321 between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We hope that all Smith County students take advantage of this opportunity and we look forward to serving them in the school cafeteria.

The Smith County Schools Pre-K Program is currently accepting new applications, and we would love to enroll your child so we can be a part of their future success. Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year are eligible. First priority will be given to children who are income eligible. Please call your child's school to enroll. Thank you for considering our program to help set your child on a path to success!

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Join us this month in doing your part by helping raise awareness and help save lives. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 The TN Statewide Crisis Line: 855-CRISIS-1 or 855-274-7471

Due to the large number of COVID-19 positive exposure, 5th grade students at Smith County Middle School will be remote learning starting tomorrow for the next 14 days (9/4 - 9/17). 5th grade students at Smith County Middle School will return to school on Friday, September 18th. This only affects Smith County Middle School 5th grade students. Teachers are expected to report on time.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are due ASAP for any family that received free or reduced lunches last year that haven't turned in an application for the 2020-2021 school year. To ensure that you continue to receive the benefits for which your family may qualify, you need to submit a Free/Reduced Application either paper copy from your school or on-line at www.lunchapplication.com.

Please click on this link for Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html

For clarification on the previous message: all schools will continue with the staggered schedules through August 28th which are posted on the district and school websites.

All students attending Smith County Schools (traditional in-person learning) will return to school on Monday, August 31st. Virtual students will continue in the virtual learning program. Virtual Student Parents: If you are not receiving emails from your child's teacher, please check your spam folder.

You still have time to apply for P-EBT but you need to apply this week. The program is available to families with children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program and provides assistance to buy food. More details on the flier. Apply here by August 14. https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/covid-19/p-ebt-and-covid-19-faqs.html

If you received an absentee phone call today and your child is enrolled in the virtual academy or is remote learning today, please disregard. We are working to resolve some issues with our student management system.

Does your child need help with homework? Check out the homework hotline beginning August 10th. The website link can be found under the Parents tab at smithcoedu.com.

Virtual Academy Parents: We are in the process of contacting all of our virtual families today. Due to the volume of calls and parent questions, we may not be able to reach everyone today. If you do not receive a call today, expect a call the beginning of next week.

Welcome Back! August menus are now available. The School Nutrition Department will continue to feed on student remote learning days. Please see flyer for more information. If you have any questions, please call the School Nutrition Department at 615-735-2321.

Breakfast and Lunch pick-up will be available for all virtual learners daily starting Monday, August 10th. If you are interested and want a packet of information, please contact the School Nutrition office by 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 7th at 615-735-2321. Students who do not qualify for free or reduced meals will pay the regular lunch price.

Welcome back Smith County Students! We have missed you! We wish everyone a safe and happy start to this school year! Enjoy each day and know that you are surrounded by support. Try your best in everything you do, stay positive, have fun, and keep smiling!

Virtual Academy: Parent(s)/guardian(s) that submitted applications prior to the July 24th deadline will be contacted in the next 2-3 days by their child’s home school regarding the virtual learning program. Countless hours have been spent to develop a virtual learning program to fit the needs of our Smith County students. Students/parents do not need to come to school on the student ½ day (Aug. 5) or the first full day (Aug. 7). If you have questions, please contact your child’s home school. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this new school year.

The special called board meeting scheduled for Monday night, Aug. 3rd will be held at Smith County Middle School at 5:00 pm. Masks are highly recommended. There will be temperature checks at the entrance. Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer will be available.

We have had questions about suitable types of devices for students to use this school year by parents wanting to purchase during the Tax-Free Holiday weekend. Smith County Schools have Chromebook 11 3100 with 32 GB hard drive and 4 GB Ram. These are available from many outlets from multiple manufacturers (ACER, ASUS, DELL).

ATTENTION: If you are interested in enrolling your child in the before and/or after school program (Smith County Extended Learning) this year, please see the enrollment form on your school website. You will fill out the from on the website. Also, there will be a copy of the student handbook and calendar available for you to view on the website or Facebook page of your school.

Reminder: Friday, July 24th is the deadline to sign up for Smith County Schools' Virtual Learning Program. Details and Parent Agreement Form are located at smithcoedu.com.

Information regarding the reopening of schools can be found on smithcoedu.net. Links for the information can be found: Parents/School Reopening Resources for Parents and on the App: Documents/Parents/2020-21 School Reopening Information. Be sure and check out your child's school website for information as well.

Smith County Teachers- The county-wide in-service day on August 3rd will not be held at Smith County High School . Teachers will report to their home school.

Smith County Schools Virtual Learning Program Parent Agreement is available on smithcoedu.com.

Smith County School District / Structure for Learning 2020-21

Any home schooled student that wants to participate in Smith County Schools' athletic programs must have their home school paperwork submitted to the Smith County Board of Education by August 1st, no exceptions per Barry H. Smith, Smith County Director of Schools.

Please take the Smith County Schools Re-Opening Survey. Access the survey at https://www.smithcoedu.com/o/smith-county

We are thankful for all the men and women who served in the armed forces that sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.

Attention: Students who participated in before and after-school programs and were in grades 1-7 the 19-20 school year are invited to join us for a virtual summer program. You should have received a letter with your report card. Program dates May 26-June12

Attention All Incoming Freshmen: Join us for an exciting Virtual Freshmen Bridge Program. Details were sent to you with your report card. Mrs. Krissa Hackett will be sending you an invitation through her Google Classroom.

Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is TODAY. Call your school for an appointment time. School personnel will be at school from 8 - 3 today.

See the June Menu for our Summer Meals Program.

Smith County Schools Summer Meals Program Details

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration for Smith County Schools is Friday, May 22nd. Check out smithcoedu.com and click on the registration links for more information. Hurry, registration appointments are filling fast!

To all the wonderful, loving moms out there: Happy Mother's Day!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

May the 4th be with you!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Smith County Schools Menu for May

Registration packets for voluntary Pre-K for the 2020-21 school year are available for pickup at CES, DES, FRS, GES, and UHS on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-12. They must be returned by May 22 to same locations on Mondays or Thursdays from 9-12.

GHS and SCHS Senior Salutes Schedule

TEACHERS: Don't forget- the deadline to participate in the annual Tennessee Educator Survey is May 1. It allows educators to give feedback on what's working and what isn't in education.

The SCBOE would like to send a huge thank you to all of our cafeteria personnel, school leaders, and volunteers that have been keeping our students fed during the COVID-19 closure.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! Thanks for all you do every day, we appreciate you!

Happy Earth Day! Today is the 50th anniversary of the first earth day celebrated April 22, 1970. https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-challenge/

Happy National Kindergarten Day!

Students and Parents: We understand with the closing of school, there are many questions regarding school graduations and finishing the school year. District and school staff are working diligently to work through this difficult situation and information regarding these issues will be coming soon.

With the Governor’s announcement of school closure for the remainder of the school year, all remaining TSSAA events for 2019-20, including all spring sports and the postponed BlueCross Basketball Championships, are cancelled.

Per Governor Lee's recommendation, Smith County Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. More information will be forthcoming regarding the closure through our website https://www.smithcoedu.com/

The Smith County Board of Education will have a Work Session regarding the FY 2020-21 Preliminary Budget on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. at the Smith County Board of Education at 126 Smith County Middle School Lane, Carthage, TN 37030.

April 20 - May 1 Smith County Schools Menu

Watch Archived PBS lessons on YouTube by subscribing to the TN Department of Education Channel.

Smith County Schools will extend closure through Friday, May 1st due to COVID-19. Please note the previous announcement regarding school closure was through April 24th. This is the latest information regarding Smith County Schools closure. Smith County Schools will continue to monitor information and recommendations regarding COVID-19 as it comes available.

PBS Teaching/Learning Schedule

What to do about the Class of 2020 and other big decisions await Tennessee Board of Education as Lee signs emergency law The state board will hold a special meeting on April 9 to address unprecedented policy challenges due to COVID-19.

Check out our April menu and our new feeding times and locations!

Smith County Schools Menu for March 30 through April 3

Smith County Schools are now closed until Monday, April 27th per the recommendation of Governor Lee. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

A huge shout out to our Smith County school nutrition staff, our teachers and administrators that fed over 800 meals to kids here in Smith County today. Great Job!

TDOE has received waivers on TN Ready and End of Course Tests

Smith County Schools will now be closed through Friday, April 3, 2020. The Smith County Board of Education will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and follow CDC and TDOE guidelines. Please continue to check our website for details. smithcoedu.com

ACT has decided to reschedule the April 4, 2020 National ACT® test date to their June 13 and July 18 test dates in response to concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

March 16-March 20 Menu

Free breakfast and lunch available next week, March 16 through March 20. Click on image for details.

Smith County Schools will be closed next week 3/15-3/20. All facilities closed and activities cancelled. Breakfast and lunch will be available at SCHS, GES, UHS, and DES. See "News" article for full details.

The health and safety of the Smith County School System — students, teachers, staff and volunteers—is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the reports and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Department of Education as well as local public health organizations, and are working to ensure that we do everything we can during this rapidly changing situation.

Smith County Schools are implementing preventive measures in regards to the Coronavirus. We want our staff, students, and parents to know we are taking the recommended CDC and TDOE prevention guidelines. Our staff is sanitizing schools and buses daily and thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces and stocking schools with extra soap, paper towels, and disinfectant wipes. Teachers will be allowing more time for hand-washing and the school system has provided guidance to principals to help support them in making the best possible decisions for their students, school, and community.

We are excited to announce our new website! The Live Feed is where you can find important updates and fun stories about what's happening in school. We hope you enjoy the new site and find it easy to navigate!