There are lots of events and field trips coming up in the next 7 weeks, so keep an eye out for these weekly update messages, as well as messages from your child's teachers.
OCRS' Got Talent!
We are bringing back an OCRS tradition by having a "talent show" type event at the end of the school year! This event is "OCRS' Got Talent!" and is going to be held on Friday, May 26th at 6:00 PM in the Smithfield High School Auditorium. This event will be organized by Mr. Barrette and Mrs. LaGreca.
Here are the details
- The event will be free and open to ALL OCRS families to attend, even if you do not have a student performing. We would love to have lots of OCRS families and friends in the audience!
- ONLY students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will be eligible to perform in the event. Students can perform solo or with a group. Performances can be musical, dance, comedy, magic, lip-sync, drama, etc.
- Students will have a maximum of 3 minutes for their performance and they will need to get their performance pre-approved by Mr. Barrette. This will make sure that all material is appropriate for an elementary aged audience.
If any 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student would like to sign up to perform, please complete this online form. Mr. Barrette and Mrs. LaGreca will touch base with the student and schedule a time for the student to preview their performance for approval for the show.
District Wellness Advisory Board
The district is looking to create a Wellness Advisory Board. Meetings would take place in the evening on a quarterly basis and would be hosted virtually. The advisory board will be reviewing and making recommendations to the school food service menu and healthy food options. The advisory board would like to have a parent from each school participate as a member of the board.
If you might be interested in serving on this Wellness Advisory Board, please contact Kerri Dailey at kdailey@smithfield-ps.org.
Tri-County PreK Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
The Tri-County Community Action Agency offers a variety of PreK Head Start and Early Head Start programs for families, some of which are free. Please see the two linked flyers for lots of information about the various programs offered.
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs (PDF)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and our partners at the Tri-County Community Action Agency would like to share resources for Smithfield families. The five signs of emotional distress are:
- Hopelessness
- Agitation
- Personality Change/Shift
- Poor Self-Care
- Withdrawal
Be aware of these signs in yourself and family members. Reach out for help by texting 988.
Poster Contest: Grateful for Clean Water
Students in K-6 who reside in Providence, North Providence, Johnston, Central Falls, Lincoln, Pawtucket, Cumberland, Cranston, Smithfield, or East Providence are invited to create a poster to illustrate a way that they are grateful for clean water. This contest is sponsored by the Narragansett Bay Commission. Posters are due by May 5th. Full rules and contest details can be found here.
Summer Camp CONNRI
The Salvation Army is offering Camp CONNRI this summer. The camp is being offered across multiple weeks and the deadline for registration is May 26th. The cost is $25 per child with a maximum of $50 per family. Please see the linked flyer for more information or contact the Providence Salvation Army at 401-831-1119.
PTA Information
New PTA Board Members for 2023-24
At the last PTA meeting, a new PTA Board was elected for the 2023-24 school year. Congratulations and we are looking forward to working with our new PTA Board!
President: Meghan Grande
Vice President: Amy Capece
Secretary: Laura Henriques
Treasurer: Michelle Greco
2nd Vice President/Hospitality: Jessica Santana
Volunteer Training (Virtual)
If you are a parent and you would like to be able to volunteer for school events, including chaperone field trips, you need to complete the school's Volunteer Training. You only need to complete this training ONCE during your child's entire time at OCRS and the training takes less than 30 minutes, so it's a very small time commitment.
Mr. Barrette is offering a virtual volunteer training session Thursday evening at 5:15 PM, right before the PTA meeting. You can login to the session using any internet connected device and it will not take any longer than 30 minutes.
Here is the information to join the virtual training session:
Thursday, May 4 · 5:15 – 5:45pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ito-anrh-fqf
PTA General Membership Meeting
There is a PTA General Meeting this Thursday night at 6:00 PM in the OCRS Media Center. 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:
Thursday, May 4 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/swv-vkio-gwz
Or dial: (US) +1 423-657-0062 PIN: 741 694 646#
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.
PTA "Sock Hop" Dance, Saturday April 29th at 6:00 PM in the OCRS gymnasium
PTA General Membership Meeting, Thursday May 4th at 6:00 PM
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8th through May 12th
Math RICAS Testing, May 10th & 11th
5th Grade Science Testing, May 17th & 18th
OCRS' Got Talent!, Friday May 26th at 6:00 PM in the SHS Auditorium
NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day, Monday May 29th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Field Trips to Revive the Roots and Coggeshall Farm
