Spelling Bee 2022-23

Scripps Spelling Bee is back at Samantha Smith! On Feb 09, 2023, at Smith library at 4:00 PM, we will be hosting a school-level competition for Grades 3-5, and qualified winner will go to the Regionals. No Registration required, just Walk-in! We are pleased to share the Spelling Bee words list 2022 to help our Dolphins prepare. We do need Volunteers for this event to succeed, so consider signing up to Bee Volunteers.

For questions, email deepti_munjal@yahoo.com.

Please note: Do not share the words list outside of Samantha Smith.

Math Is Cool is a popular math competition that started in 1996. This year we will join the online champs, which is a completely online event that students will take at home. Please note the format and schedule is slightly different from last year.

The Online Competition Dates are as follows-

Grade 5 – Mar 15, 2023, 3-6pm
Grade 4 – Mar 29, 2023, 3-6pm

Please visit Math is Cool 2023 for Competition Rules and Details. Sign up by Feb 10^th end of day via MIC Sign Up Form. For Questions, email Yuan Zhang at volunteeryuan@gmail.com.

Science Olympiad is an international-level competition that strives to provide challenging and motivational events to help students pursue their science interests beyond the classroom. It tests students' knowledge and understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. This competition gives students exposure to different STEM fields through both hands-on experience and contextual learning. We are trying to gauge the level of interest for this program at Samantha Smith Elementary. Please fill out the interest form below and we will get in touch with you soon. Only Samantha Smith 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be eligible to compete. Email janakilakshmiv@gmail.com with any questions!

• Event to be held at Smith Big Gym on 23 March 2023 from 3:40 to 8:00 pm.

• Sign up to present a project in any one of the categories of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math.

• Students can participate individually or in groups of up to 3 kids.

• Teams from FLL or other teams are welcome to present their projects but not compete.

• Signup Genius link -Registration is open until 16 March 2023.

• Please visit the following for-

  - STEM Guidelines & Judging Criteria

  - STEM rules & Guidelines

• Questions? Email amalthiya@gmail.com.

PTSA printable events calendar

Families of 5^th Graders! Planning for this year's 5^th Grade Graduation is underway! There is currently a small parent committee that is looking for more volunteers to help make this year's graduation special! If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please contact Linda Kraft at LMKRAFT1@GMAIL.COM. Our first meeting is on 01/18 at 7pm via TEAMS and we will break into committees (Ceremony, Food, Decorations, After Party) so don’t worry if you can’t join on that date/time. Just e-mail Linda Kraft to let her know you’re interested in helping by February 6^th.  

Thank you!

We cannot have a PTSA without a Nominations Committee! Do consider volunteering your time to help find members for next year's Board. PTSA needs three PTSA members for this year's nomination committee. Members will be elected to this role at the March 16th General Membership Meeting. If you're interested in hearing more about this role, please email secretary@smithptsa.org.

Math Challenge #8 "Winter Puzzles" is now available for download from this [LINK]

Solutions are due on Thursday, 02/02 by 3 PM. 

Students may choose one of these options to turn in their solutions:

1) Students may email solutions to ChallengeSubmission@smithptsa.org Please add the subject line (Challenge # - Grade # - Teacher Name- Student Name). 

2) Or students may fill in this Google Form https://forms.gle/ydfJEVrtu7WFjCAKA

If you need more information, please mail to Math Challenge Committee mathchallenge@smithptsa.org

All students are invited to participate in the Math Challenge program. There will be 15 math challenges throughout the school year. Every two weeks, there will be a new math challenge. We encourage students to participate in this program and discuss these math problems with their parents or siblings. Students who submit qualified answers to at least 12 math challenges will be awarded with a certificate in June 2023.