Raleigh Elementary School

08/26/2026

✨ TEACHER SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK ✨

Meet Kassandra Thompson of Raleigh Elementary School!

Thompson serves as a Third-Grade Teacher.

“I love the family environment. Everyone is a team player and willing to help out. I moved from fifth grade to third grade this year, and the teachers in this building have welcomed me from day one.” - Kassandra Thompson

Thompson is in her 15th year working in education and her third year at Raleigh Elementary School.

08/19/2026

Get ready to show your Raleigh pride throughout football season! 🦁

Students are encouraged to join in our Spirit Days and dress according to each week’s theme:

🏈 8/28 — Can’t Stop Our Game: Wear jerseys
🌲 9/4 — Hunt the Tigers: Camo
🇺🇸 9/11 — Stars, Stripes & Friday Night Lights: Red, white & blue
🏖️ 9/18 — Wipe Out the Bulldogs: Beach attire
🍎 9/25 — Leading the Pride: Dress as a coach or teacher
👑 10/2 — Homecoming Week: TBA
🚫 10/9 — No Game
😴 10/16 — Put the Tigers to Sleep: Wear PJs; teachers wear Raleigh shirts
🎀 10/23 — Pink Out: Pink Out shirts will be sold beforehand
🎃 10/30 — Scare the Jags: Halloween costume

We can’t wait to see our students show their Lion spirit all season long!

08/14/2026

Students at Raleigh Elementary School took part in Fun Day on Friday, August 14, 2026! 🎉🦁

Students enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the day, including inflatable jumps and waterslides 🌊, rock wall climbing 🧗, and more!

08/14/2026

📢 Attention Raleigh Elementary Parents & Guardians! 🚗

Please note the following afternoon car rider pickup changes beginning today (August 14, 2026).

🔹 Lower Car Riders: We will form two lines for afternoon pickup. The Pre-K line will be closest to the fence, and the Kindergarten and 1st-grade line will be to the left of the Pre-K line. Please continue to enter via Coursey Street.

🔹 Upper Car Riders: Please pull all the way forward to the office gate instead of stopping at the double gate.

🔔 Reminder: Students in 2nd–6th grades will be upper car riders unless they have a younger sibling in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st grade. Older siblings will go to the car rider line of the youngest sibling.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we make these adjustments to help reduce traffic congestion and make afternoon pickup smoother and safer for everyone!

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

💙💚♥️ Welcome, Pre-K & Kindergarten Students! ♥️💚💙

Today is a special day in the Smith County School District as we officially welcome our Pre-K and Kindergarten students for their first day of the 2026–2027 school year! 📚✏️

Have a wonderful first day, Pre-K and Kindergarten! 🍎✨

08/07/2026

📚 Welcome Back, Students! 🍎

The first day of school is here, and we are excited to welcome our students back for another incredible year in the Smith County School District!

A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Our teachers and staff have worked hard to prepare for your arrival, and we are excited to see our classrooms and hallways filled with smiling faces once again!

08/06/2026

📚 New Mississippi Attendance Law Takes Effect for the 2026–2027 School Year 📚

The Smith County School District is committed to keeping families informed about important changes that affect our students. Beginning this school year, Mississippi's updated attendance law includes new requirements for excused absences, attendance expectations, and early intervention to help students stay on track academically.

Some of the key changes include:
✅ Five (5) excused absences allowed per semester
✅ Parent notes accepted for the first three (3) excused absences
✅ Medical or administrative documentation required for the 4th and 5th excused absences
✅ Students must attend at least 66% of the instructional day to be counted present
✅ Early intervention begins after a student misses 10% of the school year
✅ Continued unexcused absences may result in referrals under Mississippi compulsory attendance law

We encourage all parents and guardians to review the information below and help us ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed through regular school attendance.