Hello OCRS families,
It's hard to believe, but we're entering the last week of October! The holiday season isn't far behind, so it's important to keep an eye on the district/school calendar for all of the "no school" days throughout November and December.
Students Wearing Halloween Costumes to School this Friday
We know that this has been anything but a typical school year for students, teachers, and staff. The OCRS teachers and staff would like to invite students to wear their Halloween costumes to school this Friday! We think that it will be a great way to celebrate our school's spirit and to have some fun together. We respect that not all families celebrate Halloween, so participation is voluntary.
Here are the things that students and their families need to know in order to help this Friday be safe and successful for everyone.
- We do need to make sure to continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines, so please no costume masks! All staff and students will wear our regular COVID face masks as we have been doing since the beginning of the school year.
- All students need to be completely independent in the wearing of their costume, including being able to independently use the restroom when wearing their costume. In order to be consistent with COVID guidelines, teachers and staff will not be able to assist students with their costumes.
"Trick or Treat Parade" this Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Our friends at the Smithfield Police Department are hosting a Halloween Parade this Saturday, 10/31 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Deerfield Park. Here are the details from the Smithfield Police Department Facebook page:
On Saturday, October 31st the Smithfield Police Department will be hosting a “Trick or Treat Parade” at Deerfield Park from 2 PM- 4PM for kids 14 and under. In an effort to allow everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween, members of the Smithfield Police Department will have stations throughout Deerfield Park in the area of the Smithfield Senior Center where participants can collect their Halloween treats while dressed up in their costumes. To enable better social distancing, this will be a drive through event and participants will be allowed to drive up to each station where officers will have placed candy out for our Trick or Treater’s. Unfortunately, no one will be allowed out of their vehicles or allowed to walkthrough during the event. Anyone having further questions please feel free to contact the Smithfield Police Department, Community Policing Unit at 401-231-2500 ext . 202, stay tuned for more information!
Upcoming District Flu Clinic
In partnership with The Wellness Company, the Smithfield Public Schools is offering one remaining after school flu clinic.
- The remaining clinic is being held at Smithfield High School on Wednesday, 10/28 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The clinic requires online registration and appointment scheduling at http://schoolflu.com prior to the day of the clinic. No walk-ins will be allowed at the flu clinic. Please see the linked flyer for important information about health safeguards and precautions, as well as additional information.
School Pictures being taken on Monday, November 9th
School pictures for students are scheduled to be taken on Monday, November 9th by Lifetouch. Pictures for in-person students will be taken during the school day by classroom and the process will follow proper physical distancing and cleaning guidelines. Virtual learning students will be able to sign up for a time after school between 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to come into OCRS and get their picture taken. There will not be typical "class pictures" this year where all of the students are crowded together for a classwide picture. However, Lifetouch will create class pictures by merging the individual photos from each student. More information about school pictures will be shared with families this week and next week.
Heating Fuel Assistance
The Tri-County Community Action Agency is offering heating fuel assistance for families that may need it. Please call the Tri-County CAA North office at 401-519-1917 for more information and see the linked flyer.
District is Hiring Lunch/Recess Monitors
The Smithfield Public Schools is looking for four (4) lunch/recess monitors to supervise students
during lunch and/or recess. This is an hourly, temporary position needed, Monday-Friday. Background check is required. For more information or to apply, contact Lisa Petrone, 401-231-6606. Please see the linked flyer for more information, including hours and the hourly pay rate.
OCRS PTA Information
PTA Fundraising Kick-off!
In-person students received a PTA fundraising packet this Friday to take home in their backpacks. I will send out digital copies of the packets to the families of our virtual learning students in the next few days. Each packet has important information about how to participate in and support the PTA's efforts to raise funds for our students. If you have any questions about the fundraiser and how to participate, you can email Jon Poyourow the OCRS PTA President at jpoyourow@gmail.com.
PTA Membership
Please sign-up to be a member of the OCRS PTA for the 2020-2021 school year. OCRS PTA membership fees this year are $5.00 for the 1st family member, and $3.00 for each additional family member. Families can sign-up and pay for the membership online at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ocr... OR complete the linked flyer and return to your child's teacher with a check made out to the "OCRS PTA".
PTA Meeting, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
The next PTA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. As most meetings this school year, the PTA meeting will be virtual and families can join via any internet connected device using this link, https://meet.google.com/irt-bnxy-anm. Families can also join by phone by calling 1-315-795-1364 PIN: 811 884 762#
PTA Board Nominations
There are currently three open PTA Board positions for the 2020-2021 school year; Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of Events. If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) for one of the above board positions, please email the PTA President, Jon Poyourow at jpoyourow@gmail.com. In order to serve on the PTA Board, you do need to be an active member.
PTA Ideas and Input for the 2020-2021 School Year
The OCRS PTA is requesting your help in 2020/21 to submit your ideas! In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to take advantage of the extensive expertise and talents of the OCRS community to come up with new ways to provide our kids with rewarding experiences and activities. As we brainstorm ideas for these activities, we want to ensure that we are considering the needs of families whose students are learning virtually at home, as well as families whose students are attending school in-person.
Please submit YOUR ideas to the PTA using the link below to help us create safe, engaging events and experiences for our students that also allow us to raise funds to support the PTA!
https://forms.gle/s7xjfB3UfAETtPw58
Upcoming Dates and Events
Wear Halloween costumes to school, Friday 10/30
Election Day, NO SCHOOL, Tuesday 11/3
OCRS PTA Meeting, Wednesday 11/4 at 7:00 p.m.
School Pictures, Monday 11/9
Veteran's Day, NO SCHOOL, Wednesday 11/11
Continued thanks to OCRS families for your Patience, Flexibility, and Empathy. Those three words are going to guide us throughout this school year and we will all need to continue to make adjustments as the year progresses. As long as we approach those adjustments with the best interests of our students as our priority, I am confident that this will be a safe and successful year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Barrette
Students "Moving Through Space" in P.E.
