Hello OCRS families,
What an incredibly strange weather weekend! Beach weather on Saturday and snow on Sunday, so who knows what the rest of the week will bring. There is a LOT of information in this week's update, so please take some time to go through it all.
Back to School Report #23
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/655381.
Change in Statewide Mask Mandate for Schools
As Dr. Paolucci shared in the latest Back to School Report, the governor’s mask mandate for schools was extended through March 4, 2022. After March 4th, pursuant to a School Committee policy, unless the mandate is extended, parents may choose to have or not to have their child continue to wear a mask. Teachers and school staff will not be responsible for monitoring or enforcing such parents’ decisions.
It is important to note that the federal transportation (TSA) mask requirement remains in place at this time. Therefore masks will be required on school buses. Masking is also still recommended for immunocompromised individuals and for those who have either not completed their primary series of vaccinations or received their booster.
We will be working as a school community to help everyone understand that some students and staff will choose to continue to wear a mask while at school. It's important that we all show understanding because we don't know everyone's personal medical needs or the medical needs of their family at home.
"Wear Red and Pink" Spirit Day, Monday 2/14
Because Valentine's Day is tomorrow, we are going to celebrate "Wear Red and Pink" Spirit Day this Monday, February 14th. We invite all students and staff to wear red and pink gear!
Valentine's Day Cards
Students can and are welcome to bring in Valentine's Day cards for their classmates! There are two simple guidelines for any student bringing in Valentine's Day cards.
- Please make sure that there is a card for EVERY child in the classroom. We want to make sure that no children within a classroom are left out.
- For the safety of our students and staff with food allergies, no food or candy can be included with the Valentine's Day cards. Thank you for your understanding.
That's it! Please know that no family should feel obligated to send in Valentine's Day cards. It's completely up to you as a family.
Connections Survey for Students
This week at school students will be taking part in a brief “Connections” survey. The goal for all students at Old County Road is for everyone to feel welcomed and connected to someone in our building. Connectedness is an indicator of social-emotional well-being for school-age students. This survey will let us know how we are doing with improving culture, climate and connections at Old County Road. Mrs. Costa and Ms. Stepsis will inform parents/guardians should a child report they do not feel that they have any connections in the school. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Sign-up to receive an at-home COVID test
We have received another shipment of COVID At-Home Rapid Tests! Please complete the form lined below if you would like to sign up for a COVID At-Home Rapid Test to be sent home with your OCRS student(s). If you have more than one student at OCRS and would like a test for each student, you should only fill out the form ONCE, just please list all students' names in the form. Please complete this form by the end of the day Tuesday, 2/15.
Jump Rope for Heart
Please see below a message from Mr. Gruczka about Jump Rope for Heart and see the attached letter.
As we enter our final week of this year’s Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, I’d like to extend a thank you for all who have donated to support the American Heart Association and our PE program. As of now, a total of $1393.52 has been raised!!
In classes this week students practiced jumping cooperatively using a Long Jump Rope and were reinforced regarding the importance of following routines when working together. Students were taught to chant together, “One is out, two is in, three is up and over.” By chanting the routine AT THE SAME TIME students learned to sync their efforts in order to be successful together. Students were challenged to think of times outside of PE when they had to work together with others, or could identify others who were working together.
In Health, grade 4 and 5 students were challenged to put together a day of meals using 12 food cards. The lesson includes two sets of cards which have different preparations on matching letters; see the baked potato in one set and the french fries on the other, both labeled Card A. This allows students to compare how various food preparations influence the calorie and nutrient amounts given the same starting food item and how that results in very different calorie and nutrient amounts over the course of a day.
Students chose Breakfast items, a Snack, Lunch items, an Afternoon snack, a Dinner, and a Desert. Students were instructed to choose their meals without looking at calorie amounts, then return and calculate their calorie intake for the day. Many found that choosing foods from Bag 1 made it easy to come close to the target of about 2,000 calories and when choosing foods from Bag 2, more often than not students exceeded 3,000 calories. We discussed the relationship between processing and nutrient reduction as well, how processed foods typically have less nutrients and more calories, and how foods closer to their natural state have an inverse relationship. Check out the lesson page here.
Stay well,
Mr. Gruczka
PTA Information
"Make your Own" Pizza Kits
Get your at home Little Caesars pizza kits from now to March 3rd!!
Click on the special link below to share with our OCRS friends and family so they can buy delicious pizza kits and support our fundraiser. Pizza Kits will be delivered directly to your home by FedEx, so you can send the link to your out of state family and friends, too. Our supporters will have their products within 3-7 business days of placing their orders, coming right to their front door!
The OCRS PTA uses the money raised towards enrichment opportunities for our children like field trips for this year!
https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/login/join-fundraiser/9dd5e6f8-d436-4237-a25d-e237089ba58d
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.
"Red & Pink" Spirit Day, Monday February 14th
NO SCHOOL, Winter Recess, February 21st through February 25th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Congratulations to Zachary and Curtis as the OCRS Spelling Bee Champions!
