Hello OCRS families,
It's hard to believe, but April has begun and the April Break/Spring Recess starts this Friday, April 7th through the Week of April 10th. We will return to school for the final two months of school on Monday, April 17th. During this 4-day school week we have lots of fun events planned to celebrate Reading Week and to get everyone ready for Teaching & Learning Night on Wednesday, April 5th. We hope that all OCRS students and families will drop by this Wednesday evening!
Reading Week, April 3rd through 6th
Reading Week is scheduled for this week at school and our schoolwide theme is "Camp OCRS". We have a variety of camp-themed events planned throughout the week to celebrate reading with our students. Teachers, staff, and students have been decorating classroom doors in the "Camp OCRS" theme to kick-off the celebration! Here are some of the details of "Camp OCRS" Reading Week:
Monday, April 3rd
- We invite all OCRS students to dress in a "camping" theme to kick-off Reading Week! Some suggestions are flannel shirts, khaki pants or shorts, fishing/bucket hats, bandanas, etc.
- We will have a "Drop Everything and Read" time on Monday morning when all students and staff will be invited to stop what they are doing and read something that they love. Students can bring books from home or read books they already have in their classroom or have checked out from the Library/Media Center.
Tuesday, April 4th
- Mrs. DeAmaral and Mrs. Dohoney are hosting a "Book Giveaway" during both lunches on Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 5th
- Two morning assemblies, one for K-2 students and one for 3-5 students, by Keith Munslow a wonderful storyteller, musician, and artist.
- Schoolwide Vocabulary Parade! Vocabulary parades are inspired by the picture book "Miss Alaineus" by Debra Frasier. Your child's teacher is either helping them make costumes for the Vocabulary Parade during the school day or has contacted you to ask you to help your child create their costume at home. For more information about Vocabulary Parades, see the Debra Frasier website, https://www.debrafrasier.com/vocabulary-parades/in-school-vocabulary-parades/.
- Teaching and Learning Night from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. We invite students and their families to come to the school at any time during the two hour window to visit their child's classroom and see what they have been learning! Also, check out all of the "Camp OCRS" decorated doors around the school and stop by other classrooms.
- The Scholastic Book Fair will be hosted by the PTA during Teaching & Learning Night from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Thursday, April 6th
"Campfire Assembly" school-wide celebration. Each classroom will choose something to share with the rest of the school community, a song, a poem, student writing, Readers Theater, a skit, etc.
Teaching and Learning Night
Teaching & Learning Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. We invite students and their families to come to the school at any time during the two hour window to visit their child's classroom and see what they have been learning! There will be informational and hands-on demonstrations from our friends at "Revive the Roots". Also, check out all of the "Camp OCRS" decorated doors around the school and stop by other classrooms. The Scholastic Book Fair will be hosted by the PTA during Teaching & Learning Night in the Maker Space next to the Library/Media Center.
SYBA Charity Game
The Smithfield Youth Basketball Association is hosting a Charity Game on Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 PM at Smithfield High School. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Bryant Youth Lacrosse Day
Youth Lacrosse Day is being held at Bryant University on Saturday, April 8th. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Free Providence Ballet Theater Event
The Providence Ballet Theater is hosting an informal FREE event where the attendees will hear about how Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was created. There will be a short section performed by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Attendees will get a chance to meet the choreographer and Tony Lustig the composer. There will also be time for Q&A. The actual event will run from 2:30-3:30pm on Friday April 14th (during school vacation) at the Providence Public Library at 150 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903.
Upcoming Tri-County Health Equity Zone Events
The Tri-County Community Action AGency Health Equity Zone at 104 Greenville Ave in Johnston is offering a variety of events for families in April. Please see the attached flyer for more information or contact HEZ@tricountyri.org.
Rhode Island Black Storytellers, April 6th at 6:00 PM
Family Story Time, April 12th at 10:00 AM
Little Chef's Bagel Pizzas and Build Your Own Parfaits, April 14th at 11:00 AM
Messy Arts, Drawing, Finger Paint, Glitter, and More! April 22nd at 10:00 AM
PTA Information
Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8th at 9:00 AM
The PTA will be holding an Egg Hunt for all OCRS students on the morning of Saturday, April 8th starting at 9:00 AM. The Egg Hunt will take place on the OCRS playground and all families are invited!
Book Fair on Wednesday, April 5th during Teaching and Learning Night
The PTA will be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair during Teaching and Learning Night on Wednesday, April 5th. Please stop by the Book Fair in the Maker Space when you visit during Teaching and Learning Night on Wednesday, April 5th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
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. Click on the "Add to Google Calendar" to subscribe to the calendar on your own calendar app.
Reading Week, April 3rd through April 6th
Teaching and Learning Night, Wednesday April 5th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
PTA Book Fair, Wednesday April 5th during Teaching and Learning Night
NO SCHOOL, Good Friday, April 7th
PTA Egg Hunt, Saturday April 8th at 9:00 AM
NO SCHOOL, Spring Recess, April 10th to April 14th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Teachers and staff have been getting ready for "Camp OCRS" Reading Week
