Hello OCRS families,
Our school year is rapidly coming to a close and, even though it has been a very different year than any of us could have ever imagined, we are all committed to making the next two weeks as positive, productive, and fun as we can for our students.
Schedule for this Week
This Monday, June 1st, is a "Flexible Learning" Day for all Smithfield elementary students. There is online learning for students on Monday, but there won't be any "live" teaching via video because the teachers and staff will be participating in professional development and collaboration on that day.
- Teachers will post a few low-key activities in Google Classroom or SeeSaw (K-2) for students to engage in on Monday. Some examples will be to finish up owed work, spend time completing STEM and Itinerant projects, read to someone in your house (or read silently), play a math game, draw something that you learned about this week, etc.
- Students do NOT need to adhere to any specific schedule or time requirements this Monday. We know that students and families may appreciate a less structured and asynchronous learning day.
- Please don't forget to sign your child into the online attendance form on this Monday because Smithfield and RIDE are still counting this Monday as a school day.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week will be typical online learning days following the schedule and routine that each classroom teacher has established.
Virtual Spirit Days this Week
This will be the LAST week of Virtual Spirit Days for this school year. We so appreciate the response from students and their families on these days and we want to thank you for your participation.
Tuesday and Thursday, "What would you do if you were able to go to space?"
This weekend we saw an amazing launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft (my son and I watched it live on Saturday afternoon). Some of our own students may someday help to design spacecraft like these or even travel into space! For these two Virtual Spirit Days, we encourage OCRS students (with their family's help and permission) to share drawings, writing, photos, or even videos of what they would do if they were able to go to space.
End of Year Report Cards
Classroom teachers have already begun working on the end of year report cards for their students and these will be emailed home to families on Friday, June 12th.
Returning Chromebooks for the Summer
All Smithfield students will be required to return their Chromebook for the summer so that the district's Technology Team can clean, repair, and prepare the devices for the next school year. While we currently do not know what the beginning of the next school year will look like, we do know that students will need to be able to use technology that is clean and in good working order. Because a number of schools are under construction and to make the process more efficient, the Chromebook collection process will take place at Smithfield High School at 90 Pleasant View Ave. Old County Road families will be scheduled to return their child's school Chromebook on Friday, June 12th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional details about the specific process will be shared in the next few days.
Students Transferring to a Different School Next Year
Please contact Mr. Barrette as soon as possible if you think or know that your student will NOT be attending OCRS when school starts on September 1st. Please include information as to where you child WILL BE attending school. We will send out a Release of Information for you to sign so that we can efficiently get your child's records to their new school.
For current Grade 5 students, your academic records will be sent to Gallagher Middle School unless you notify us that you are moving out of Smithfield. Again, we will send a release to you, and get your records to the new school.
Postscript
Like all of you, I am saddened and upset by the events in our country that have caused so much pain and heartbreak for so many people this past week. I certainly do not have the words or expertise to try and make sense or offer any special insight into what is happening in our country right now and why we currently seem to be so divided. What I can say is that I am hopeful for the future based upon what I see from our students, your children, each and every day. Because all of our children are working so hard to be kind, respectful, and responsible in their own actions and words, I have hope that we as a society will someday be able to treat everyone with the kindness and respect that each and every person deserves.
Thank you,
Mr. Paul Barrette
#OCRSRocks