Jungle gym

Hello OCRS families,

Even though the Patriots aren't playing in this year's Super Bowl, I hope that families are still getting together for the game to spend some time together eating good food and enjoying each other's company (not to mention the crazy commercials).

Important Information

PTA Flowergrams for Valentine's Day

The OCRS PTA is selling silk Flowergrams for Valentine's Day! Each Flowergram is $2.00 and it will be hand delivered by members of the PTA during school on Valentine's Day. Please see the linked flyer for more details, https://5il.co/cpig.

Loved One for Lunch

We are working with our food service provider, Chartwells, to host a "Loved Ones for Lunch" event during the week of February 10th. Parents, guardians, and grandparents will be invited to join their child at school for lunch on either Wednesday, 2/12 or Thursday, 2/13. We are still working out the specific details with Chartwells, but the tentative schedule looks like:

Kindergarten, Wednesday 2/12 @10:55 a.m.
1st Grade, Thursday 2/13 @10:55 a.m.
2nd Grade, Wednesday 2/12 @11:30 a.m.
3rd Grade, Thursday 2/13 @11:30 a.m.
4th Grade, Wednesday 2/12 @12:05 p.m.
5th Grace, Thursday 2/13 @12:05 p.m.

Once the details are finalized, I will send out another email and a paper invitation will also be sent home with students.

RIDE SurveyWorks for Families

As in past years, the R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) is offering the SurveyWorks survey to all families of students that attend Rhode Island public schools. The purpose of SurveyWorks is to gather feedback, both positive and constructive, to help improve our schools. What families have to say about their child's school's climate, culture, and learning environments is crucially important to making Old County Road School the absolute best school that it can be!

You will receive a separate email and a letter with the details and instructions on how to access and complete the online survey. We thank you ahead of time for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and feedback.

Keeping your Child Home in the Event of Illness

All four Smithfield elementary schools follow the same procedures when it comes to families keeping their child home from school in the event of illness. While we know that keeping your child home can be inconvenient and difficult for families due to work schedules, it's important for the health of ALL students and staff that families are aware of and follow the policy listed in the School Handbook. Here is a reminder of that policy:

Exclude from school if your child has:

  • Temperature above 100 F within the past 24 hours and/or general condition is poor in spite of temperature 
  • Sore throat and/or swollen glands
  • Earache and/or discharge from the ear canal
  • Itchy red eyes, with or without drainage
  • Frequent or uncontrolled cough and/or runny nose
  • Severe headache
  • Unidentified rash
  • Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
  • Seizures

Any child with the above symptoms should stay home. Parents are required to notify the school on the morning of each absence.

Please inform the school office or the nurse if your child is absent or has an extended illness or surgery.

If your child has been diagnosed with a throat or eye infection, (i.e. Strep throat or pink eye) and is put on an antibiotic, he/she needs to stay home for a full 24 hours before returning to school.

Again, for the health and wellbeing for all OCRS students and staff, we appreciate your cooperation with the district's policy.

Upcoming Dates and Events

OCRS Spirit Day, Monday February 3rd and February 10th

Each and every Monday we are encouraging OCRS students and staff to wear their OCRS Spirit Gear to school!

RIDE SurveyWorks for Families and Students, February 3rd through February 14th

You will receive a separate email and a letter with the details and instructions on how to access and complete the online survey. We thank you ahead of time for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and feedback.

3rd Grade Chromebook accounts Night, Wednesday February 5th at 6:00 p.m.

The district Technology Director, Scott Barnett, will be hosting an evening event for 3rd grade students and their families for the rollout of the students' Chromebook accounts. A separate email will be sent home with details.

PTA Meeting, Monday February 10th at 7:00 p.m.

There will be a PTA General Membership Meeting on Monday, February 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the OCRS Library. All OCRS parents and guardians are invited to attend!

NO SCHOOL, Winter Recess, Monday 2/17 through Friday 2/21

There will be no school for Winter Recess on Monday, 2/17 through Friday, 2/21.

Follow OCRS Online and on Social Media

To stay up to date with the latest OCRS information, please check out the OCRS website at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.org. Also follow OCRS on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OldCountyRoadSchool/, our Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/OldCountyRoad, and our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/oldcountyroad/

Kindergarten enjoying reading