Hello OCRS families,
It's difficult to believe, but we have two and a half weeks left of this school year! Because the school building will close to all school personnel immediately after June 23rd due to the construction, teachers and staff are working hard to finish getting everything packed up and prepared. We are really excited to see the finished renovations and new addition to the school at the beginning of the new school year!
"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/475249. As usual, there is quite a bit of important information for all Smithfield families.
Preparing for a "Heat Wave" this Week
The weather forecast is showing a VERY warm week ahead with things beginning to cool off a bit on Thursday and Friday. We know that the heat is going to be uncomfortable for all students and staff at school and we want to help everyone prepare as best they can. We are planning to take students outside in the shade as much as possible. Todd Mani is going to allow the four elementary schools to share use of the emergency management "cooling/misting stations" this week and we are very appreciative of his help and generosity.
Here are some things that families can do to help their child be as comfortable as possible in the heat:
- First and foremost, please make sure to send your child to school with a water bottle. Students can drink water throughout the day to keep themselves hydrated and can fill up their bottles using the touchless refill function of our water fountains.
- Please send your child to school with an extra mask or two. We know that childrens' masks are going to get sweaty when indoors, so having an extra clean mask will be helpful. Students will not need to wear their masks while outdoors.
OCRS Spirit Day each Friday
We would like to invite all OCRS students to wear their OCRS gear to school each Friday from now through the end of the year. We know that it's been a tough year for everyone and we want to celebrate some pride and school spirit each Friday. If your child does not have any OCRS gear to wear, that's OK! They can wear anything that includes the school colors; green, white, and gold.
Field Week, Week of June 14th and Kona Ice
As we shared the past few weeks, this year, Mr. Gruczka is planning a "Field Week" during the week of June 14th that will spread out the activities across an entire week. Because all of the activities will be held outside this year, using an entire week will allow for rain dates and provide for more space to keep classes together in their stable pods.
As we shared a few weeks, the OCRS PTA is funding a cool and sweet treat for all OCRS students to kick-off Field Week on the afternoon of Monday, June 14th. Kona Ice will be visiting OCRS at 1:00 and providing a frozen treat! Please see the linked document below for ingredient listings for every potential flavor that will be available on that day. Contact Mr. Barrette and Mrs. Forte with any questions or concerns about food allergies.
Listing of Kona Ice flavors and ingredients for each flavor
Virtual Book Fair is Open AGAIN!
You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from June 1st to June 14th! All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.
You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:
- Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
- All orders ship direct to home
- FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
- All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/oldcountyroadschool
Preparing for the Return of School Volunteers Next Year
While we don't yet know what guidelines and protocols will be in place for the beginning of the next school year, we want to give parents and family members a head start in getting ready to volunteer at school again. We have really missed having parent and family volunteers working at OCRS this year and we're looking forward to welcoming volunteers back to OCRS as soon as possible next year.
All Smithfield school volunteers are required to have a yearly background check to ensure the safety of all students. The Smithfield Police Department has updated their procedure for obtaining a BCI check for all volunteers who reside in the town of Smithfield. The link to their page to get started with the process is https://smithfieldpd.com/smithfield-school-volunteer-background-check-information/.
PTA Information
5th Grade Ice Cream Social/End of Year Celebration
The PTA 5th grade committee is hosting a 5th grade Ice Cream Social/End of Year Party on Friday, June 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Smithfield Portuguese American Social Club. 5th grade families please be on the lookout for additional details as we get closer to June 18th! All parent volunteers at the event must have a recent BCI on file, so see the Smithfield Police Department page for information on how to get your background check updated, https://smithfieldpd.com/smithfield-school-volunteer-background-check-information/
Upcoming Dates and Events
Field Week, Week of June 14th
Student BinaxNOW COVID Testing at School, Monday June 14th
5th Grade Ice Cream Social, Friday June 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Smithfield Portugese American Social Club
5th Grade D.A.R.E. Celebration and Step Up, Monday June 21st at 9:00 a.m.
Kindergarten End of Year Celebration, Monday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m.
(Rain Date is Tuesday, June 22nd at 1:00 p.m.)
Last Day of School, Wednesday June 23rd
Ongoing thanks to OCRS families for your Patience, Flexibility, and Empathy. Those three words are guiding us throughout this challenging school year and we will all need to continue to make adjustments up to the last day of school. 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