Hello OCRS families,
One more week until the opening of school! Teachers and staff have been working hard this week to get the school ready to go and we're all excited to welcome students back next Tuesday. Keep an eye on your email, the OCRS website, and OCRS social media pages ( Facebook | Instagram | Twitter ) for all of the latest information.
Teacher Assignments
Classroom teacher assignments were emailed out Tuesday morning to all families of students in grades 1 through 5. Please check your email if you didn't already see the message. If for some reason you did not seem to receive the email, please let Mr. Barrette know. You can also login to the Parent Portal to view your child's teacher assignment, https://smithfieldri.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/smithfield.jsp.
All of the elementary schools have a protocol and process that is used to create class lists and assign teachers that we think will be the best fit. The protocol and process are outlined in the Elementary Handbook that is posted on each school's website and I've copied it below so you can see how the process works.
Each spring, teams consisting of the principal, teachers and support staff work collaboratively to create balanced groups of students, taking into consideration such factors as learning styles, classroom performance, developmental levels, gender, peer relationships, social development, and class size. Input from parents regarding learning style will be taken into consideration when placement decisions are being made. A request for a specific teacher is discouraged, and may not be granted due to the complexity of the placement process. Information about your child’s learning style must be submitted to the principal in writing prior to May 1st each year.
School Bus Transportation Information and Bus Routes
In the 2022-23 school year there will be no walk zones for any of the elementary schools. This means that ALL elementary students that were previously unable to take the school bus in past years because they lived within a walk zone will be able to take the school bus this year! Families can still choose to drive their child to and from school if they would prefer not to use the school bus.
Our district transportation partner, Durham School Services, is still finalizing the bus routes, bus stop locations, and pick-up/drop-off times. As soon as all of that information is finalized we will share it with OCRS families. You can also keep an eye on the Transportation page of the district's website at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/page/transportation. Durham is hoping to have the bus routes posted by tomorrow.
School Lunch Information
Starting this school year, schools can no longer offer free meals for every student. The USDA ended this federal program on June 30, 2022.
Meal benefit applications are ONCE AGAIN necessary and important. Families can apply for meal benefits online at https://www.myschoolapps.com. Families can also download, review, and complete printed meal benefit applications (English | Spanish).
School Meal costs
If your child is not approved for free school meals, you must add money to your school meal account at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ to buy any food or beverage items. Some families have reported issues with the MySchoolBucks app and site when trying to add funds. The food service company is aware of the issues and believes that they will be resolved by this Friday. We would never refuse a child lunch if there were issues with the online payment system, so please don't worry if the issues aren't resolved by the first day of school!
School Breakfast cost
Breakfast is offered daily at schools. If your student qualifies for free or reduced meal benefits, he or she is automatically eligible to receive free or reduced breakfast. Reduced breakfast is $.30 and paid breakfasts are offered to non-qualifying students at the price of $1.00 for elementary schools and $1.25 at the Middle and High Schools.
School Lunch cost
Lunch is available daily to all students. Paid meals are offered at the price of $2.70 at the elementary schools and $2.80 at the Middle and High Schools. Reduced price meals are $.40. If your child is carrying a negative balance of $10.00 or higher, he or she may receive an alternative meal in place of a hot meal in accordance with the school district policy.
Information on your school meal application
Applications are confidential and information is NOT SHARED with teachers, school staff, other students, or other agencies.
- You only need to complete one application for all children in your household.
- All applications received and processed before 8/26/22 that are determined to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, will also qualify for 2022 summer P-EBT benefits.
- The online application can be found at https://www.myschoolapps.com/.
- For a hard copies click these links (English | Spanish) or call Kerri Dailey at 401-231-6606 x8120.
School and district staff are here to help and support families. Please reach out to Kerri Dailey at 401-231-6606 x8120 or kdailey@smithfield-ps.org with any questions or for assistance.
School Bus Introduction for Kindergarten Students
Durham School Services has agreed to provide a short bus informational session during the week of August 22 for Smithfield Kindergarteners on bus safety. The event will last one hour and begin with a short talk in each of the school's cafeterias. The Kindergarten students will then be able to board the buses and ride around the block. The event for Old County Road School will be held on Thursday, August 25th at 10:00 AM and will begin in the school cafeteria. If your Kindergartener has never ridden the school bus, this is a great opportunity for them to get an introduction before school starts the following week.
Unfortunately there is some important last minute information for this Thursday's School Bus Introduction for Kindergarten students; there will not be any water service at the school on Thursday. Providence Water needs to replace the school's water meter and will be shutting off the water to the school on Thursday.
- This means that restroom access at the school will be limited to just emergencies because we won't have the ability to flush the toilets and there won't be water available to wash hands.
- We will also need to cancel the "Popsicles on the Playground" event that we had scheduled to happen after the School Bus Introduction. It's a lot to ask Kindergarten students to be at school for the additional time without being able to use the restroom, wash their hands, or get a drink from the water fountains.
I apologize for the inconvenience and for not being able to notify you sooner. The work on the water meter was completely unexpected and we were just notified late Tuesday afternoon.
Free Student Backpacks and Supplies
A number of Rhode Island businesses and organizations are hosting an event to distribute free student backpacks and school supplies for families in need. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon and there are several locations available throughout the state. Please see the linked flyer (English | Spanish) for details and specific locations in order to take advantage of this terrific opportunity!
PTA "Back to School" Event Thursday, August 25th
The OCRS PTA is hosting a "Back to School" event to provide an opportunity for students and families to reconnect before the new school year begins. The PTA has arranged for the event to be held at Deerfield Park on Thursday, August 25th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The rain date will be Friday, August 26th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Last year's event was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed being able to play together at Deerfield Park. Please join the OCRS PTA for a fun event to kick-off the school year!
Frequently Asked "Start of School" Questions
We know that many families have similar questions about the start of the new school year, so here are the most frequently asked questions and corresponding information for families:
What are the school hours for the 2022-23 school year?
OCRS will remain one of the “early” elementary schools for the 2022-23 school year. The school hours for OCRS students are 8:15 AM to 2:45 PM. Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:45 AM through 8:15 AM. Students that arrive at school after 8:15 AM will be considered tardy.
If your child is not going to take the school bus and you plan on dropping them off in the morning and/or picking them up at dismissal, see the Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.org/page/drop-off-and-pick-up-procedures.
What is the first day of school for students?
The first day of school for students in grades 1 through 5 is Tuesday, August 30th. The first day of school for Kindergarten students is Friday, September 2nd at 9:00 AM. Kindergarten students will take the bus home (unless they are "parent pickups").
What is the Kindergarten Screening process and what are the dates?
The screening appointments for Kindergarten students will be one hour and forty-five minutes and will take place on Tuesday 8/30, Wednesday 8/31, and Thursday 9/1. Appointments will be held in the morning from 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM and in the afternoon from 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM If you haven't done so already, we ask that each Kindergarten family complete the online form at https://bit.ly/ocrskindergarten22 to book an appointment for their child’s Kindergarten Screening
Kindergarten families can read Mr. Barrette’s letter about the Kindergarten Screening process (emailed to Kindergarten families on 7/28) here, OCRS K Screening Family Letter, 22-23.
The first full day of school for Kindergarten students is Friday, September 2nd starting at 9:00 AM. Kindergarten students will take the bus home (unless they are "parent pickups").
What school supplies will students need?
The Grade Level Supply lists can be found on the Old County Road School website under “Parent Info” at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.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.
School Tours for New Families, Wednesday August 24th at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM
School Bus Introduction for K students, Thursday, August 25th at 10:00 AM
PTA Back to School Event at Deerfield Park, Thursday, August 25th at 5:30 PM
First Day of School for 1st through 5th grade students, Tuesday August 30th
Kindergarten Screening appointments Tuesday, August 30th through Thursday, September 1st
First Day of School for Kindergarten students, Friday September 2nd at 9:00 AM
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
5th grade tour guides and new students
