The OCRS PTA has a general membership meeting scheduled for this week on Tuesday, 1/23 at 6:00 PM in the OCRS Media Center. Look for the meeting agenda on the Old County Road School PTA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/OCRSPTA
Our superintendent, Dr. Dawn Bartz, is scheduled to join us to talk with OCRS parents about what is happening in the Smithfield schools and what we can look forward to in the future. We also have some Smithfield High School students who are coming to the meeting to supervise OCRS students while their parents attend the meeting. This is something new we're introducing to increase parent participation in our PTA!
We encourage parents/guardians to attend PTA meetings in-person. However, we also understand that family schedules can be very busy and challenging to manage, so here is a link to join the meeting remotely via Google Meet:
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vji-ujyf-yio
Or dial: (US) +1 540-680-4326 PIN: 850 614 674#
Due to weather conditions, Smithfield Public Schools will have a 1-hour delay on Wednesday, Jan. 17th. There is no AM Pre-K.
There is no school on Monday, 1/15 to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrNag04IZoM
This information was already sent out via text message, but we want to make sure to communicate in a variety of ways.
Mr. Barrette has spoken with both the facilities director and the transportation company and ALL students riding Bus 12 home this afternoon will be dropped off at the bus stop at the intersection of Minoru St. and School St. This decision has been made due to ongoing flooding concerns in the Esmond and Waterman Ave area.
If any families of students who ride Bus 12 would like to come to the school to pick your child up at dismissal INSTEAD of having them ride Bus 12, please call the school office at 401-231-6613 to make that change for this afternoon.
For families of students on Bus 12, there is currently only one bus stop accessible due to the flooding in the Waterman area. If you are able to drive your student to the intersection of Minoru and School Street, Bus 12 will be able to pick up any students who are waiting at that stop. The school just received this notification from the bus company and we apologize for the short notice.
Due to the storm, there will be a 2-hour delayed opening to school today. That means that school starts at 10:15 AM instead of the normal 8:15 AM. School will be in-person today, no virtual learning.
Buses are running and following a 2-hour delayed schedule. For example, if your child's morning bus pickup time is normally 7:55 AM, it will be 9:55 AM today. The school lunch schedule will be at normal times and dismissal will be at normal times.
After school Math Camp will run following its normal schedule today.
We're looking forward to seeing all OCRS students at school today, just 2 hours later than usual!
A significant storm is forecasted late Tuesday into Wednesday and it may cause dangerous flooding. Town and school officials are communicating about the possible impact of the storm, particularly with storm drains clogged with snow and ice. If the flooding is dangerous or severe, the district MAY need to have a virtual learning day on Wednesday, 1/10. No decision has been made at this point and the district will continue to communicate with town officials and keep a close eye on the forecast.
To ensure that we are prepared for a possible virtual learning day, we will be sending students home with Chromebooks at the end of the day tomorrow, 1/9. Please expect your child to come home with their school Chromebook and a power adapter. You will be able to connect the Chromebook to your home Wi-Fi to allow for virtual learning IF we are not in school on Wednesday.
As of now, Chromebooks are being sent home as a precaution IN THE EVENT schools are closed on Wednesday. Stay tuned for additional information from the district and school about a potential virtual learning day on Wednesday.
Update for the Week of January 7th podcast is posted!
https://youtu.be/3KU__u1YGE8
Have trouble reading each Weekly Update email? Listen to the podcast in the background to keep up to date on the latest school information.
#OCRSrocks
The Smithfield Public Schools will be closed Monday out of an abundance of caution. The area is under a winter storm warning and treated roads may be icy due to the below freezing temperatures expected until noon tomorrow. Please be safe tonight and tomorrow. We're looking forward to seeing OCRS students back on Tuesday!
Support the OCRS 5th grade and grab some takeout before the snowstorm hits!
The PTA 5th Grade Committee is sponsoring a Chipotle Fundraiser today from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ordering online using code 9L7AHKH or show the attached flyer in store when you order.
Due to a scheduling conflict with a faculty meeting, after school Math Camp for tomorrow (Wednesday) January 3rd is cancelled. After school Math Camp will resume on Monday, January 8th for all students currently registered.
Menus for January 2024 are posted on the school website and available in the Smithfield Public Schools app.
Due to flooding, this afternoon's OCRS Math Camp is cancelled. We will follow your child's normal dismissal routine. If you need to change your child's dismissal, please call the school at 401-231-6613.
Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL for students tomorrow, December 13th because of Parent-Teacher Conferences. We're looking forward to seeing parents tomorrow afternoon/evening for your conference with your child's teacher!
When families come to school for conferences tomorrow, please take a walk through the lobby and check the lost and found for coats, sweatshirts, hats, etc. We would love for families to reclaim any lost items that students have forgotten about. At the end of the week we will be bagging up any items that are left and donating them, so tomorrow is a great opportunity to look for anything that has been lost!
Free flu and COVID vaccination clinic being held at OCRS this Tuesday, 12/12 from 4PM to 7PM. Great opportunity for any community members who are still looking to get their flu and/or COVID vaccination.
Reminder, the PTA has a general membership meeting scheduled for tonight at 6:00 PM in the OCRS Media Center. We encourage parents/guardians to attend PTA meetings. Mr. Barrette is out with COVID and will not be able to attend tonight's meeting, so it will be in-person only.
Come and hear about how the Snowflake Bazaar went this year as an event and fundraiser and join in the discussion about future events. We need a variety of OCRS families to get involved in order for the PTA to be able to offer the types of events and support to students and teachers that we would like!
OCRS 5th graders hung tough and walked the entire Smithfield All Lit Up Parade route. Thank you to the 5th grade students who volunteered to walk together in this year's parade!
#OCRSrocks
The Smithfield Special Education Local Advisory Committee is hosting a sensory friendly holiday event this Saturday, December 2nd from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Smithfield High School cafeteria. Stop by the OCRS Snowflake Bazaar this Saturday and then head over to the SSELAC event at SHS!
We were just notified that blasting will be taking place tomorrow in the area of the new construction on Old County Road. There is no danger to our school, students, or staff, but we wanted to inform all families in the event you hear or notice blasting sounds in the area.
Reminder, NO SCHOOL for students tomorrow, 11/15. We're looking forward to seeing them on Thursday!
