Hello OCRS families,
I hope everyone is enjoying the 3-day Columbus Day weekend! Reminder, no school this Monday, October 9th on the Columbus Day holiday.
Picture Day this Wednesday, October 11th
This fall our Lifetouch School Picture Day is scheduled for this Wednesday, October 11th. Teachers sent home paper packets with students that contained information about ordering pictures. Families do NOT need to order or purchase school pictures, but all students will have their picture taken at school by Lifetouch to update their school records.
Families can find information about Picture Day online at https://schools.lifetouch.com/for-your-families/ and even pre-order picture packages using the OCRS code EVTWRT6T2.
Pink Out this Friday, October 13th
Old County Road School is turning PINK to recognize the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We invite all students and staff to come to school wearing something pink this Friday, October 13th, in support of this special month!
Positive Attendance News to Share
We appreciate all of the work that our school and our students' families have been doing together to focus on improving student attendance right from the beginning of this school year. As I shared last week, research has shown that regular and punctual attendance is essential to the overall academic, personal and social success of students at school.
I am proud to share that at the end of September OCRS had the lowest absentee rate of all of the schools in Smithfield and the 16th lowest absentee rate in the state. While the purpose of improving student attendance is NOT for our school to look good statistically, it is helpful to know that the efforts of the entire school community are helping OCRS students be at school more consistently. Attendance Works has terrific resources for school and families on how to work together to build habits of good attendance, https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/handouts-for-families-2/
Family Support Survey from Mrs. Costa
Last week Mrs. Costa sent out a Family Support Survey to assist families in connecting with community resources. If you haven't yet completed the survey, we invite you to take a minute to complete it.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-smOVW0yy3-l9r_MTZNSmMVupHNTuTFs4YgvW-CPKRxTrg/viewform
Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards
Students have received their Feinstein Junior Scholar Cards for the new school year. Hopefully they have brought them home and shared them with you! Their Feinstein Junior Scholar cards open a variety of educational benefits and opportunities to students and their families. Families can view all of the benefits available at https://feinsteinfoundation.org/jr-scholar-card.html
PTA Trunk or Treat
Come join us for a fun filled night on Friday, October 20th at St. Michael's from 6:00PM to 7:30PM! Use the link below to sign up to attend and to let us know if you’d like to decorate your trunk.
https://forms.gle/B18GtUoRshGLqJDn8
Smithfield Police Department Blood Drive
The Smithfield Police Department is hosting a Blood Drive on Monday, October 16th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. See the linked flyer for details.
Student Activities from Community Groups
Please see the linked flyers about available student activities around the community.
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" button to subscribe to the calendar using your own calendar app.
NO SCHOOL, Columbus Day, Monday October 9th
Picture Day, Wednesday October 11th
Pink Out! Spirit Day, Friday October 13th
PTA Trunk or Treat, Friday October 20th from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at St. Michael's
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
5th graders learning about the American flag from our friends at Balfour-Cole Post 64 American Legion
