Hello OCRS families,
It's hard to believe, but we're going into the last week of January! The days always seem to accelerate after the Holiday Break is over. These next 6-8 weeks are most likely going to be challenging in terms of COVID cases in Smithfield and at OCRS. It's incredibly important that we all keep our guard up and continue to follow all of the COVID guidelines as closely as possible.
We greatly appreciate the cooperation that we have received from OCRS families all year and we ask that everyone continue to be conscientious to get us through the winter months. We know that the COVID guidelines are not always easy and can be very inconvenient. However, we all need to do our best to keep each other safe, even if it is difficult and inconvenient. If you ever have any questions, please contact me via email or by phone and also feel free to reach out to our fantastic school nurse, Mrs. Forte at cforte@smithfield-ps.org.
"Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci
If you have not already read the latest "Back to School" report shared by Dr. Paolucci, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/385532. There is quite a bit of important information for all Smithfield families.
Tomorrow, Monday 1/25, is a Flex Day
Reminder, tomorrow Monday 1/25 is a Flex Day for all Smithfield students. There is no in-person learning this Monday. In-person students should have received activities to work on from their teacher. Virtual learning students will still be working online with their virtual tutor.
Additional Time for Virtual Learning Students with Tutors
This week virtual learning students will begin spending additional daily live instruction time with their virtual tutor. Please check your child's schedule for these changes.
Ocean View Art Competition and Exhibition
The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography has launched the Ocean View art competition and exhibition. Ocean View is a competition that encourages youth to interpret the ocean through visual art. Rhode Island students in grades kindergarten through high school are invited to participate. Check out this webpage and the linked flyer at https://5il.co/ox5n for more information.
Free Lunch and Breakfast for Students
School meals (breakfast AND lunch) are free for all children (in-person and virtual learners) for the entire 2020-2021 school year! In-person learning students simply need to order lunch in the classroom each morning. Pick up of meals for virtual learning families takes place Monday through Friday at Smithfield High School, Door #2 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Weekend meals are available for pick-up on Friday.
A family with two children will save $66.50 per week on breakfast and lunch and we encourage OCRS families to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!
https://5il.co/nqh4
Upcoming Dates and Events
Flex Day (No in-person learning for students), Monday January 25th
PTA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday February 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Ongoing thanks to OCRS families for your Patience, Flexibility, and Empathy. Those three words are guiding us throughout this school year and we will all need to continue to make adjustments as the year progresses (as we did these past few weeks). As long as we approach those adjustments with the best interests of our students as our priority, I am confident that this will continue to be a safe and successful year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Barrette