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About RRS

RRS History and Daily Information:

Welcome & Mission

Welcome to Ralph R. Smith Elementary School! Together with our families, we teach our children to become independent thinkers and creative problem-solvers in an ever-changing world. We believe that Respect + Responsibility + Safety + Effort = Success—because we are all OWLS: Outstanding, Wonderful Learners!

Quick Facts

  • Grades: K–5
  • Enrollment: ~300 students
  • Staff: ~80 staff members
  • Built: 1953
  • Named after: Ralph R. Smith, the district’s first school board president (honored annually with the Ralph R. Smith Award for student citizenship)

Highlights

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)

At RRS, we celebrate students who demonstrate our SOAR values:

  • Safety
  • Ownership
  • Achievement
  • Respect

Students earn Hoot Loot Cards by modeling these values. Every week, ten students are recognized in our Hoot Loot Raffle, each winning:

  • A book from our Book Vending Machine
  • An opportunity for extra recess with a friend of their choice

This program helps us build a culture of respect, responsibility, and achievement while making recognition fun and meaningful.

High-Quality Literacy Instruction

This year, RRS is excited to begin implementing the HMH Into Reading program across all grade levels. This comprehensive literacy curriculum is designed to:

  • Provide students with engaging, high-quality texts that build knowledge and spark curiosity
  • Strengthen foundational reading skills through explicit instruction in vocabulary, and fluency
  • Support students in developing strong comprehension and critical thinking skills
  • Offer teachers a wide range of resources to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of every learner

Our goal is to ensure that every student at RRS builds the skills, confidence, and love of reading needed for long-term academic success. Paired with our ongoing commitment to PBIS and a supportive learning environment, literacy will remain a cornerstone of student achievement at RRS.

Community & Family Engagement

We believe that schools thrive through strong partnerships with families and the community. Parents and guardians are welcome to join our BLT or volunteer through our active PTA. Together, we ensure that RRS is a place where every child feels safe, supported, and celebrated.

Contact

Ralph R. Smith Elementary School
16 Smith Court
Hyde Park, NY 12538

Phone: (845) 229-4060
Fax: (845) 229-2828