Smithridge STEM Academy

🤖 Our students got an up-close look at the amazing robots these engineers built, learning how sensors, circuits, and code come together to create machines that can compete and problem-solve. 🔧 From the mechanical design that makes robots move to the programming that tells them what to do, our guests showed us that robotics is truly a team sport where creativity meets engineering. 💡 Watching our students' eyes light up as they discovered what's possible when you combine passion, teamwork, and a little bit of tech magic was absolutely priceless. 🌟 Thank you, Feenx team and our Smithridge team for inspiring the next generation of builders and thinkers!

You did it! 🎉 Congratulations to our former Smithridge students spreading their wings and graduating in June from Damonte Ranch!! We are beyond thrilled to see you soar! 💫

Hello Families!
If you have an incoming kindergartener who will start school in August, you are invited to join us for Kinder Night! We will have our Kinder Info Night on Wednesday, May 20th from 4 to 5 PM in the cafeteria. Come learn about our Kindergarten program, meet our wonderful teachers, and get your questions answered. If you know of any families zoned for Smithridge with an incoming kindergartener, please help us spread the word!

📚 Snack Time with Books is coming to Smithridge! 🎉

Join us Wednesday, May 6th at 2:30 in the Multipurpose Room for a delightful story time adventure. We'll be diving into Usha and the Big Dipper by Amitha Jagannath Knight, and there will be prizes, books, and snacks to enjoy. 🍪✨

Students, bring your adults and get ready for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating stories and imagination together! 🌟

Dear Smithridge families, 👋🏽📚
Each year, students across Nevada in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th complete the Smarter Balance Assessment. 📝✨ The test evaluates a student’s level for reading and math and compares them with students across Nevada. This test is used to learn how our students are doing and to rate our school. 🏫📊
All our teachers have been working very hard this year with your students to prepare them for the next grade, and we are excited for them to show their best work on these tests. 🌟💪 We could also really use your help in preparing our students for the test.
The first day of testing will be after spring break on Wednesday, April 8th. 📅🌷 School will begin with the reading test, followed by the math tests the following week. After spring break, we hope to see all our students at school on Monday, April 6th to begin reviewing for the assessments. 📘🧠
It will be essential that students are rested 😴 and on time ⏰ during these dates. We will have prizes and raffles 🎉🎟️ for students who are present and on time during the testing period. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the front office anytime. ☎️📨
I appreciate your help as we all work together to best support our students. 🤝💙
Thank you,
Mr. Dixon
Principal

🎉 Exciting News from Smithridge! 🎉
Principal Mike Dixon 👨‍🏫, along with members of Smithridge’s literacy team—second grade teacher Elyse Hansen ✏️📘, first grade teacher Brooke Kimber 📚✨, and kindergarten teacher Stephanie Cresta 🍎🌟—has been selected to present at the 2026 Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida ☀️🎤.
Their session will showcase Smithridge’s four‑year journey toward strengthening and transforming literacy instruction. 📖🚀
Titled Systematic Leadership, Powerful Instruction: Building Sustainable Literacy Growth in a Multilingual School, the presentation will highlight actionable strategies that school leaders and teachers can immediately use to align instruction with the Science of Reading 🔬📚 and accelerate student achievement 📈✨.
Local administrators will also have the chance to see the team present at the NASA Conference in Lake Tahoe 🌄🎓 on June 16, 2026.
Mr. Dixon and the team are incredibly proud of their colleagues and students 💙🙌 and look forward to representing Smithridge while sharing their work on a national stage 🌍🏫.

Our amazing first‑year teachers Jennifer Diaz and Sam Bjerke ✨🍎 nominated their mentors Stephanie Cresta and Leah Chavez 🙌💛 to be recognized for their incredible collaboration 🤝 and unwavering support throughout their first year of teaching. 📘🌈
Join us in celebrating Ms. Cresta and Ms. Chavez 🎊👏 as they receive the “Engage and Elevate Mentor Excellence Award.” 🏆✨💫
Smithridge is truly lucky 🍀💙 to have these four amazing educators 🌟👩‍🏫👩‍🏫 supporting our kindergarten and second grade students 📚🧒👧 every day!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17ePB5HGK7/

❄️☃️ Due to hazardous weather and road conditions, there will be a two-hour delay at all WCSD schools (including Incline Village) for Thursday, January 8th.⏰ Classes will begin two hours later, and winter bus stops are in effect.

Please remember to drive slowly and carefully. Students will be waiting for buses, walking to school at different times, using different routes, and maybe walking in the street. Please help keep our students safe and look out for each other.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BQD1yNMzb/

Students K–12 ride free with the Youth Pass. Safe, reliable rides to school, after-school activities, and friends, at no cost to families.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19t4tweGN9/

Currently, approximately 72% of Nevadans live in a childcare desert, leaving many families without reliable or affordable care options. In response to the growing childcare crisis impacting families across the region, the City of Reno is launching a public engagement effort to gather community feedback on proposed amendments to its zoning code (Title 18) aimed at reducing barriers to opening childcare facilities!

Beginning in September, the City will also host a series of public meetings and stakeholder sessions to review the draft ordinance and collect feedback. Feedback is open until October 30.

Meeting Opportunities:

• September 2nd Ward 3 NAB
• September 4th Ward 6 NAB
• September 8th Ward 1 NAB
• September 9th Ward 5 NAB
• September 16th Ward 2 NAB
• September 18th Ward 4 NAB
• October 14th Virtual stakeholder meeting
• October 20th Virtual stakeholder meeting

View drafts and meeting dates here: https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/development-services/zoning-code/zoning-code-clean-up