Hello OCRS families.
If your family celebrates, I hope that your kids have a safe and fun Halloween night tonight! The weather looks to be absolutely perfect for trick or treating if you're heading out.
Just a reminder that it's really important for all students to bring layers of warm clothes to school each day. It's now pretty cold first thing in the morning and students do play outside with each other before school begins at 8:15 a.m. Thanks!
Back to School Report #11
Like last year, Dr. Paolucci will be sharing a weekly report with Smithfield families to provide the latest information on COVID-19 information and protocols. If you have not already read this week's "Back to School" report shared by Dr. Paolucci, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/572736.
Congratulations to the OCRS Community!
Thank you to all of the spectacular OCRS teachers, clinicians, and support staff for helping our students grow academically during an exceptionally challenging school year. It's because of your hard work, caring, and belief in our students that they can be successful! Our students are so fortunate to have all of you!
We also want to thank OCRS families and the OCRS PTA for all of your support to help bring exciting learning opportunities to our students and for everything that you do to help your children be ready to learn each day! Also, thank you for trusting us to keep your children safe during the pandemic. Being able to offer full-time in-person learning last year was a huge advantage and benefit for OCRS and all Smithfield elementary students that were able to take advantage of it. It's wonderful to see that being in school had such positive results. We should never get too excited or too discouraged by performance on any one student assessment. However, I think it's OK for us to be proud of what our school community was able to accomplish for our students during one of the most challenging school years any of us will ever experience (and continue to experience).
Annual Dental Screening
Rhode Island State Law section 16-21-9(b) mandates that all students in elementary schools be examined by a dentist at least ONCE a year and once during Grades K-5. Students who are seen yearly by their own dentist do not need to be screened at school. Please complete the form linked below for your students who are currently enrolled at OCRS. Any student who does not have a response listed in the completed form below shall participate in the annual school dental screening.
https://forms.gle/ZAhRHPwNHeUMuwTg8
Flu Immunization Clinic
There is a flu immunization clinic being held at OCRS on Wednesday, November 3rd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We are thinking that the clinic will be set up in the gym, however it's possible it may be in the cafeteria. We will make sure that there is easy to follow signage for anyone who comes to the clinic that evening. Go to https://www.thewellcomp.com/chooseschool.aspx to register for your flu immunization.
Also, the PTA 5th Grade Committee will be hosting a bake sale to benefit this year's 5th grade students. If you attend the flu clinic, take home a treat with you after getting your shot and support the 5th grade at the same time!
Incredible Years Parenting Program for Families
The Village for RI Foster & Adoptive Families is offering the "Incredible Years Parenting Program for Families". Virtual weekly meetings starting in November and groups available Tuesdays & Wednesday evenings. See the linked flyer for more information and details.
PTA Information
PTA General Meeting this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
There is a PTA General Membership Meeting scheduled for Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. This is going to be a hybrid meeting. The meeting will be held in person at the school and will also be streamed online. Here are the two options to attend in person and virtually.
Please find attached an agenda for tomorrow's meeting and minutes from the last meeting.
For families that would like to attend the meeting in person, we will be meeting in the new Media Center on the first floor of the school. There will be contractors working in other sections of the building, so we will need to stay just in the Media Center. All people attending the PTA meeting will need to wear masks inside the school building.
For families that would like to attend the meeting virtually, the Google Meet link and joining information is below. This option is for families that cannot attend the meeting in person, are not comfortable attending the meeting in person, or who would prefer not to wear a mask.
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ayr-qeyc-zeh
Or dial: (US) +1 435-574-4110 PIN: 768 279 157#
We're hoping to see you there, either virtually or in person!
Fall Fundraiser
The PTA is kicking off an Otis Spunkmeyer Fall Fundraiser to help raise funds for student activities at OCRS! We are inviting all OCRS families to join in and share the fundraiser with family and friends. Please see the linked flyer for details and, if you have any questions, contact our PTA president at Jpoyourow@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates and Events
View and subscribe to the OCRS Public Events Calendar at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.org/o/old-county-road-elementary/page/monthly-calendar. Clicking on the "Add to Google Calendar" to subscribe to the calendar on your own calendar app.
Flu Immunization Clinic, Wednesday November 3th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PTA General Meeting, Wednesday November 3th at 7:00 p.m.
School Picture Retakes, Monday November 8th
NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day, Thursday November 11th
NO SCHOOL, Professional Development, Thursday November 18th
NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Recess, Wednesday November 24th through Friday November 26th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
PTA Trunk or Treat
4th Grade creating October themes arrays during Math (and using the new Maker Space)
5th Grade Bike Safety Rodeo "Snail Race"
