Hello OCRS families,
This week we're back to a regular 5-day school week and, while we all enjoy having a 3-day weekend, students thrive when they are able to follow a predictable routine. We can look forward to the next three weeks being regular 5-day weeks until we get into the calendar craziness that begins in the second week of November. Keep an eye on and subscribe to the OCRS Public Events Calendar at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.org/o/old-county-road-elementary/page/monthly-calendar to make sure that your family knows exactly what is coming up each week.
5th Grade Bike Safety Program this Week
This week all of the 5th grade students will be participating in the awesome Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council Bike Safety program that last year's 5th graders enjoyed so much. Not only will all of the 5th grade students learn about bike safety while getting to ride bikes at school, each 5th grade student will receive a FREE bike helmet!
Because most of this program takes place with the students actually riding bikes outside behind the school building, it's really important that all 5th grade students come to school prepared to be outside on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students may want to bring layers if the temperatures look to be cool and come to school wearing sunscreen.
Fire Safety Program on Wednesday
Our friends from the Smithfield Fire Department will be visiting OCRS this Wednesday morning to teach students about fire safety. Fire fighters will talk to the students about fire safety and what they can do at home to be safe, students will get to see a fire engine up close (weather permitting), and Sparky the Fire Dog will be visiting. We are very appreciative to the members of the Smithfield Fire Department for coming to work with our students.
R.I. Apple Crunch on Wednesday
Our school is celebrating National Farm to School month with an “Apple Crunch” on October 19th at lunch! We’re joining schools across RI (and the country) by having our students and staff bite into juicy, fresh and healthy apples purchased from local orchards. Apples will be provided and offered to all students and staff for free during lunch on Wednesday. Please see the linked flyer for more information.
Students should not bring toys to school
We ask that students please keep their personal toys and special personal items at home, including Pokemon cards. When students bring toys to school, it provides an additional distraction from learning and causes issues with special personal items getting lost or broken. If students repeatedly bring toys or personal items to school, they will be collected by their teacher to be given back to the students' parents. Thank you to all OCRS families for your cooperation.
Dental Screening for Students
Dr. Greg Stepka, DMD will be conducting our dental screenings on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at OCRS. This is only a screening and does not take the place of a true dental hygiene appointment. Please complete the online permission form if you would like your child to participate in the dental screening at school.
Local Flu Clinics
The RI Department of Health Office of Immunization in partnership with The Wellness Company has scheduled school-located flu clinics for children ages 3 years and older. Many clinics are also open to community members. Families can register for any clinic state-wide. Registration is strongly recommended rather than just arriving at a clinic.
The list of clinics can be located at: https://health.ri.gov/flu/.
One of these flu clinics will be held at Old County Road School on Wednesday, 11/2 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Smithfield Apple Trails
Apple Trails is a fun hunting adventure encouraging visitors to explore our apple orchards and scenic walking trails in Smithfield. The Economic Development Commission, in partnership with the Land Trust and Conservation Commissions, will hide glass apples randomly across our apple orchards and conservation walking trails.
Please see the linked flyer for additional information and details about this fun event! OCRS students/families have already found some of the glass apples!
Greenville Library and Audubon Society Art Class
In partnership with the Greenville Library, the Audubon Society is hosting a Wildlife Sketching art class on 10/18 at 4:00 PM for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. The class is being held at the Audubon Society at 12 Sanderson Road. Interested parents should contact the children's librarian at Greenville Library to register.
SHS Spooky Stroll
The Smithfield High School Rotary Club is hosting a "Spooky Stroll" on Sunday, October 30th from 5:00PM to 8:00 PM on the path behind the Smithfield Senior Center. Dress up in your best costume and there will be snacks, trick-o-treating, and contests! Admission is $5. See the linked flyer for details.
PTA Information
Fundraiser paperwork due back Monday 10/17
The PTA fundraising paperwork is due back on Monday, 10/17. Students that have been participating in the fundraiser should bring their paperwork and give it to their classroom teacher tomorrow.
5th Grade T-Shirts
The PTA 5th grade committee is working on free 5th grade class t-shirts for all 5th grade students! The committee is asking 5th grade families to let them know how to correctly spell their child's first and last name and what size t-shirt should be ordered. Please see the linked flyer.
Halloween Hayride
The PTA is hosting a family friendly "Halloween Hayride" for OCRS families on Sunday, October 23rd from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Seven Cedars Farm. The cost will be $10 per ticket. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Trunk or Treat
The PTA is excited to celebrate the spooky October season with our OCRS PTA Trunk or Treat! This year's event will be held on Friday, October 28th within the baseball field parking lot at Deerfield Park (not at the school itself). The Trunk or Treat will be held from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
We are asking families to give us an idea about how many people are planning to attend by completing this very quick online form at https://bit.ly/3RypBxH. We are also looking for families to sign up to decorate and host a "trunk" for the Trunk or Treat. Please indicate in the online form linked above if you're interested in hosting a "trunk". If your family hosts and decorates a vehicle trunk, you will need to commit to stay for the entire event from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
This is a peanut free event, so any candy distributed must be peanut free! Also, please keep in mind that this event is for children from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, so decorations should be appropriate for our youngest students. Think family friendly!
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.
Fire Safety Presentation, Wednesday October 19th
Statewide "Apple Crunch", Wednesday October 19th
Halloween Hayride, Sunday October 23rd, 4:00 PM at Seven Cedars Farm
PTA Trunk or Treat, Friday October 28th, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Deerfield Park
Flu Clinic, Wednesday November 2nd, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
NO SCHOOL, Election Day, Tuesday November 8th
NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day, Friday November 11th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Picture Day
Pink Out
