Hello OCRS families,
As we enjoy this long Martin Luther King Day weekend (remember no school this Monday), let's take some time to remember and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights movement of our country. Below is a link to an article on the Scholastic website about talking to your kids about Martin Luther King, Jr.
NO SCHOOL, Monday, 1/17 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
There is no school on Monday, 1/17 to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Back to School Report #19
Like last year, Dr. Paolucci will share 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 and our district COVID team, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/628357.
Transition to "Monitor to Stay" Protocol
On Tuesday, January 18th our district will transition to the Monitor-to-Stay protocol. Test to Stay will no longer be available.
Monitor-to-Stay is a modified quarantine response to help reduce the number of lost academic days due to exposure to COVID in our schools. When a positive case is reported, those students and staff who are considered close contacts and not exempt from quarantine will be notified. Those close contacts will be allowed to attend school if they attest daily that they are symptom-free for the five day quarantine period. Close contacts should also mask indoors and continue to monitor for symptoms for an additional 5 days. If any one symptom develops in someone who is considered a close contact, they will be dismissed from school and required to get a PCR test to return (or complete the 5 day quarantine and return on day 6 with a resolution or improvement of symptoms).
Monitor-to-Stay applies to students and staff identified as a close contact due to exposure while at school to someone who has tested positive.
- Students and staff participating will report their attestation that they are symptom-free to their school on a daily basis for five days, by completing a Google form at https://forms.gle/SusJXP4UFo8BJ8dx5.
- Monitor-to-Stay participants can attend school but should quarantine outside of school for their 5 day quarantine period.
Please see our district website at Smithfield Public Schools for additional information regarding our COVID response.
"Feels Like" Temperature and Recess
Just a reminder that if the "feels like" temperature is above 20 degrees, students will be outside for recess. We want to make sure that students are coming to school with warm coats, hats, and gloves to wear during recess!
Youth Acting Classes
Studio Playground recently became a non-profit with the goal of integrating core concepts in social emotional learning with quality theater education. Their classes are based in clowning, physical theater, and laughter yoga. Families can visit http://www.studioplayground.org/ for more information.
Social and emotional learning resources for parents and caregivers
The CDC has produced new social and emotional learning resources for parents and caregivers. They can be found on the CDC Healthy Schools webpage and in the CDC Healthy Schools Partner Toolkit.
Overdose Prevention Resources
In partnership with the Smithfield Fire Department and Emergency Management Department, we are sharing overdose prevention resources from "Prevent Overdose RI", https://preventoverdoseri.org/.
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.
NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday January 17th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
3rd grade working with Ms. Miller during art
Kindergarten outside during recess
