Alberta Smith Elementary School

Hello Shark Families,

Although it was a bit chilly, we only had a few sprinkles and LOTS of fun on Field Day! Thank you to those who volunteered so that we could have many activities for our sharks; thank you to our PTA for providing Kona Ice; and a huge thank you to Mrs. Latura for all of her planning and organizing. It was a fantastic day thanks to our Shark Community!

We hope you are enjoying the Memorial Day Weekend! Now that we start school in August, Memorial Day means the beginning of the last week of school! There is no school Monday, and Wednesday is our 5th Grade Celebration. There was a calendar change a few months ago since we had so many snow days this year - which made Thursday a full day and an Early Release Day Friday, the last day of school. We go to school FULL DAYS Tuesday through Thursday. As a reminder, NO PAPER REPORT CARDS will be sent home this quarter. Report Cards will be visible in ParentVUE starting June 4.

It's hard to believe this is our last Family Shark Bytes for the 25-26 school year!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cb_e5dlthHZ6nhuoBDJXY2MHOYEDMHAYhVGM8rVBFz8/edit?tab=t.0

THANK YOU for volunteering for events this year! We look forward to seeing you and having you volunteer during the 2026-27 school year! Please save the date for August 20, our Meet and Greet/Supply Drop Off. Details will be sent later this summer but it will be held from 5-7 PM. Look for Summer Shark Bytes with more information about next school year.

THANK YOU, families, for your support and partnership and have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Kline, Mr. Shook and the Alberta Smith Staff

Smith Family Shark Bytes 5-24 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes May 24, 2026 To access our Family Hub, click the link: Family Hub To access the Family Shark Bytes Archives, click the link: Archives SOL Testing Information SOL testing continues this week for our 3rd-5th grade students who need to make up or ret...

Hello Shark Families,

Our annual Field Day is Friday! Please remember that due to parking availability and for the safety of our sharks, visitors are not allowed on Field Day - only volunteers who are registered through the office. Since we have LOTS of volunteers and limited parking areas, please carpool with a friend or neighbor if possible. Please make sure your child comes to school with sunscreen on, wearing appropriate clothes and sneakers, and brings a water bottle, hat, sunglasses, etc. Kindergarten and new students will get their FREE field day shirt on Friday and will change into it before Field Day starts. We ordered the shirts last year larger with the hope that sharks could wear them 2 years in a row. Your shark can wear last year’s field day shirt or their house color shirt.

We have a couple of family events this week! Tuesday at 6 is our Spring Concert for Chorus Parents. Wednesday is our Buy One Get One (BOGO) Book Fair Family Night from 3:30-6 PM. Come get some books to read over the summer!

We will also complete our final lockdown drill of the school year this week. Fire, tornado, earthquake, bus and lockdown drills prepare our sharks for emergency situations to ensure their safety.

As we enter the last two weeks of school, we want to keep as much structure as possible. This week we had several tardies and early dismissals. If your shark doesn't ride the bus, they should be in their seats when the bell rings. What may seem like only a few minutes has them walking into class after the teacher has already begun the day and leaving early disrupts the classroom environment. Please remind your shark, as we are, to follow our expectations each day. Self Control, Honesty, Accountability, Respect and Kindness should be shown everywhere in the building and while on the bus so our fun events will be fun for all.

Here is this week's edition of Shark Bytes.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OLyKLExIK5wdAPzZgWFbDNCj0QsIFPG5PH_Ivk3hKMU/edit?tab=t.0 =h.n448phnragyk

Thank you for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 5-17 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes May 17, 2026 To access our Family Hub, click the link: Family Hub To access the Family Shark Bytes Archives, click the link: Archives SOL Testing Information SOL testing continues this week for our 3rd-5th grade students who need to make up or ret...

Congratulations, Class of 2026 🎉🎓We wish you the very best! Remember, once a shark ALWAYS a shark 💙🦈

Hello Shark Families,

We want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of our Shark Moms. Thank you for all you do!

We also want to thank you for the donations and gifts for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week! Nurse Braxton planned an eventful (and delicious) week for us and we are so thankful for our PTA and parents!

Reminders

-The last PTA Meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, May 12th at 6 PM. You can attend in person or online via Google Meet (the link is in Shark Bytes).

-Although we only have 3 more weeks of school, we need our sharks here every day (unless they are sick) since the teachers are finishing the curriculum and we are giving our Math and Virginia Studies SOL tests, as well as retakes and make ups. Please help us remind our sharks that we should continue showing our expectations which are: Showing Self Control, being Honest, being Accountable, Respectful and showing Kindness.

-We are out of school for Memorial Day Monday, May 25, and only have four days of school after that; then it's summer break and vacation time!

Here is this week's edition of Shark Bytes.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ymbFAiy9Qu9KkJdE31RKBejB_VBajzXOzeE8eQO2X0M/edit?usp=drivesdk

Thank you for your continued support,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 5-10 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes May 10, 2026 To access our Family Hub, click the link: Family Hub To access the Family Shark Bytes Archives, click the link: Archives SOL Testing Information SOL testing continues this week for our 3rd-5th grade students. Please check the dates ...

Hello Shark Families,

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is here! We are so thankful for everything our teachers do for our sharks and we are planning something for them each day this week! Our PTA has created a calendar of items that your child can participate in and that is linked in Shark Bytes.
Also, Wednesday is Nurse's Day, and we want to thank Nurse Braxton and Mrs. Clark for taking care of our sharks when they are injured or sick. THANK YOU to all of our shark teachers and staff!

May is moving at warp speed and we have lots of activities in these last four weeks! Please check the calendar to keep up with what's happening when 🙂

Reminders:

-Due to testing and end of year activities, visitor lunch has ended for this school year. We look forward to seeing you again in September!

-The CCPS Cell Phone Policy that began January 1, 2025 includes smart watches and trackers as well. All devices are to be turned off and stored in backpacks. The policy can be found here.

-While our school office is open until 4, teachers are able to leave by 3:15 each day. If you send an email or call the school after 3:15, your communication will be returned within 24-48 hours. If there is communication after 3:15 on a Friday, it will be returned the next business day.

Here is the latest edition of Shark Bytes!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11t31j1fB9gpugEuqlSfHHSKuh_LfNpswJEO7j2jwME0/edit?usp=drivesdk

Thank you for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 5-3 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes May 3, 2026 Family Hub link is here Archives link is here Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is this week, May 4-8 Help us recognize our amazing teachers and staff during this special week! There are more spirit days to include our sharks :) • Don...

Hello Shark Families,

We have now started spring SOL Testing which means the end of the year is upon us! While this is an exciting time, it's important to remember that we must still show our SHARK expectations of Self Control, Honesty, Accountability, Respect and Kindness. In addition to those expectations, here are a few other reminders:

-The bell rings at 8:25. If you drive your shark to school, they should be in their seats when the bell rings, not getting out of the car. It's important that your shark hears morning announcements and participates in activities to start their day off on a positive note as a classroom community.

-Since the weather is warming up, for safety, your shark should not wear flip flops or slides to school. Students can slide out of these shoes, other students can accidentally step on them, or they can break. They also aren't safe to wear during recess or PE. Sneakers are best! Since we have recess and PE, shirts should cover the stomach area and tank tops should have a shirt worn over them.

-Make sure your shark has a change of clothes in their backpack. Spills and playground accidents can happen with all ages.

-The ADA Web Content Accessibility Deadline has been pushed back a year. We already had this week’s Shark Bytes drafted so it continues to be in the new format. For the rest of this school year you might see a mix of old and new correspondence 🙂

Here is this week's edition of Shark Bytes. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1amvT2DpLjz3WZlFyJa_GXv10izPFXs_tj7LVzqKiFuE/edit?usp=drivesdk

This is a busy time of year so please note the calendar dates.

Thank you so much for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 4-26 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes April 26, 2026 Family Hub link is here Archives link is here SOL Testing Information SOL testing will continue with Reading retakes and make-ups this week. Please avoid scheduling appointments on future testing days and make sure your child is on t...

Hello Shark Families,

What fun we had at our first ever Bingo Night! THANK YOU to all the families who came and spent your Friday evening with us; to the staff who helped; and to our PTA President, Nicole Braxton, for planning the event.

This week we begin end of year SOL testing with our 3rd-5th grade sharks and celebrate our fantastic office staff for all they do for our school. Speaking of celebrating, look in Shark Bytes for the PTA Newsletter and how your child can help show appreciation to our teachers and staff the week of May 4-8 :)

Reminders

Buses are at school and unloaded by 8:20 each day and are leaving by 3:15 at the latest. Please consider letting your shark ride the bus so we can help decrease the amount of traffic on Bailey Bridge Road in the morning and afternoon.

The calendar is filling up between now and the end of the school year with lots of fun events. Please check it every week since items and times will be added.

If you received an invitation letter to attend Summer School (in your child's report card or from the teacher), please return the slip AND register via ParentVUE between April 6 and June 2.

Here are the events and calendar dates for the week and month ahead!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wGVhJLSET5jTVUXwTEj9fubBWMd8bUyJwwsQRceswUM/edit?tab=t.0

Thank you for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 4-19 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes April 19, 2026 Family Hub link is here Archives link is here SOL Testing Information SOL testing begins this week for our 4th and 5th grade students. These tests are one way for students to demonstrate their learning. To help your child prepare: • E...

Hello Shark Families,

It was great seeing current and new families at our Kindergarten Registration Day Thursday! Speaking of families, we have volunteer opportunities coming up for Field Day and our last House Day of the Year.

Testing season begins this week when our 5th graders take the Virginia Integrated Reading and Writing test. Our 3rd-5th grade SOL Test schedule for April and May is included in Shark Bytes as well. Dates have been changed since the fall testing letter was sent due to the snow/ice days and changes in curriculum pacing. Please make sure your child eats breakfast either at home or at school and arrives at school on time for test days. If students are late, they can't enter the classroom once the test has started and might have to take the test on another day with another class.

Reminders

Students should be in the building by 8:25 through the rest of the school year.

Visitor Lunch and Watch DOGS end April 17th due to SOL testing and end of year activities bringing schedule changes.

There is NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 21st due to it being an Election Day.

There is LOTS happening in these last two months of school, so please make sure that you are looking at the calendar included in Shark Bytes for all of the important dates.

PTA News

Check out the PTA newsletter for all the latest - the slate of candidates for our PTA Board Election, a spirit night at Kline's Ice Cream, and news about our first ever Family Bingo Night this Friday, April 17th. Also, we need your help with donations for our fabulous staff for this year’s Teacher/Staff Appreciation week!

Here is this week's edition of Shark Bytes. Due to new ADA digital accessibility regulations, Family Shark Bytes has a different look. No worries…the same information will be included!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ZgyhoxnzO3oE-DktMKaroZ2Rhux07PINyQpS1_wFv0/edit?tab=t.0

Thank you for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 4-12 Alberta Smith Elementary Family Shark Bytes April 12, 2026 ARCHIVES Announcements Field Day May 22, 2026 It’s almost that time of year again! If you’d like to volunteer for Field Day this year, please fill out the Field Day Volunteer Form by Wednesday, April 15th. Please remember that if you vol...

Hello Shark Families,

We hope you enjoyed your Spring Break whether it was a vacation, staycation, or just not having to wake your sharks up early 🙂 Now the final nine weeks is going to absolutely fly, so be sure to look at our calendar each week and make note of the important dates. Also, please make sure your shark is at school on time and try to limit early dismissals. We are teaching the rest of the grade level curriculum for the year and need your shark to be in school each day.

Due to all the days missed because of weather, the bell will ring at 8:05 and the tardy bell will be at 8:25. Dismissal will be at 3:05 and buses will leave at 3:15. We have many cars arriving between 8:25 and 8:30 for parent drop off. With the bell ringing at 8:25, your child will need to be in the classroom at that time. If you don’t think you can make it by 8:25, please put your shark on the bus. They have been arriving by 8:20 at the latest and your child will never be counted tardy.

Parents of sharks in grades 3-5 - we have included SOL test dates so please make sure that no appointments are scheduled on those dates.

Reminders for this week:
Tuesday - Our monthly PTA meeting is at 6 PM. You can attend in person or click on the link in Shark Bytes to join online.

Thursday - Kindergarten Registration Day at Alberta Smith, from 9 AM to 7 PM. Preregistration can be completed in advance then an appointment can be scheduled. Please look at the information in Shark Bytes for details.

Friday - Report Cards come home for the last time this school year. For the 4th and final nine weeks of the school year, digital report cards will be posted to ParentVUE instead of being printed.

Here is this week's edition of Shark Bytes.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IZQXImdRvfS5hTCTHA4V9PtJYvVMw1Vftr7vOIIve-4?tab=t.0

Welcome Back and Thank You for your partnership,
Dr. Kline and Mr. Shook

Smith Family Shark Bytes 4-5 Sunday, April 5, 2026 FAMILY HUB - Click Here for all info links ARCHIVES March PTA Newsletter *If you are viewing this on your cell phone, you must open it in the Google Docs app to access the l...

Hello Shark Families,

We had so much fun Thursday for our House Day! It was a throwback to the 90s (which wasn’t that long ago 😉 and our staff and sharks enjoyed throwing it back to the Nickelodeon fun with slime! While the March Madness continues in basketball, it also continues at school this week with our spirit days!

In addition to the fun activities that we have at our school, our sharks have to learn how to respond in emergency situations. It’s time to complete another lockdown drill, so we will have that drill this week. Our kindergarten sharks didn't have to participate in the fall but will be participating in the two that we do the second semester of the school year. We will always notify you at least a day in advance of this drill.

Due to the April 21 day off, we had to adjust our SOL Test schedule for students in grades 3-5. Please look at the calendar and avoid any appointments for your sharks on those days.

Here is the news for this March Madness week!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k5BsCe4K58JMt_DYlPrHmkSWOVopdFKTNep_FhgDJ1o?tab=t.0

There will be no Shark Bytes next Sunday since we will be on Spring Break. We will return Sunday, April 5, with all the news for the weeks ahead!

Thank you for your partnership, have a great week, and a fabulous Spring Break the week of March 30!

The Alberta Smith Shark Staff

Smith Family Shark Bytes 3-22 Sunday, March 22, 2026 FAMILY HUB - Click Here for all info links ARCHIVES March PTA Newsletter *If you are viewing this on your cell phone, you must open it in the Google Docs app to access the lin...