Hello OCRS families,
We're back to a normal full 5-day week of school this week 🤞
Bring "Someone Special to Lunch" Days
We are working with Chartwells, our district food service provider, to bring back our popular "Bring Someone Special to Lunch" days! In the upcoming weeks we are inviting parents/guardians to come to school and join their child for lunch. This is a fun way to invite parents and students to spend some time together at school and also for parents to have an opportunity to try the school lunches!
An email was sent out to all OCRS families on Saturday, 1/20 with the details and a link to sign-up to attend "Bring Someone Special to Lunch". All parents/guardians/adult family members must sign-up ahead of time using the online form below.
https://bit.ly/SomeoneSpecialLunch2324
Attendance Dip in the New Year
Since the New Year, we have seen a significant dip in student attendance. While this is not completely unexpected due to the proliferation of illnesses like the flu, strep throat, RSV, and COVID in the winter, we're also seeing more students being absent for family activities like vacations and trips. Our school's attendance rate is showing a significant increase to 16% of students being classified as chronically absent (10% or more of the scheduled school days).
This increase is extremely concerning because we know how much attendance impacts students' academic success. As a school, we have regularly been sending text messages and letters to families of students whose attendance is concerning, as well as scheduling meetings with families. We will continue to communicate with families who have questions or are having issues getting their child to school on-time, every day. We truly want to work with you to figure out ways to work with you and support your child. As a school, our last resort is pursuing truancy in any situation that a student's attendance has not improved and a family has not been responsive to the efforts of the school to work together to support a student.
If any family has questions or is having issues getting their child to school on-time, every day, please reach out to your child's teacher and/or Mr. Barrette and we will work with you to figure out ways to work with you and support your child before we need to pursue a more serious option like truancy.
Lunch Menu Change this Tuesday
This Tuesday, 1/22 Chicken Nachos will be an option on the lunch menu. Chicken Tacos will NOT be on the menu. We wanted to let families know ahead of time in the event this change will impact your child's lunch choice.
Student Connections Survey
This week students will be taking part in a brief “Connections” survey. The goal for all students at Old County Road is for everyone to feel welcomed and connected to someone in our building. Connectedness is an indicator of social-emotional well-being for school-age students. This survey will let us know how we are doing with improving culture, climate and connections at Old County Road. Mrs. Costa and Mrs. Stepsis will inform parents/guardians should a child report they do not feel that they have any connections to any student or staff member in the school. If you have any questions, please reach out.
PTA Information
PTA Meeting with Dr. Bartz, Superintendent on Tuesday, 1/23 at 6:00 PM
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. 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 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#
PTA Newsletter for January
The OCRS PTA will be publishing a quarterly newsletter to communicate with all families. The PTA's inaugural newsletter is linked here! We hope this will reach and engage the OCRS community, as well as our Old County Road School PTA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/OCRSPTA
Smithfield Little League Spring Registration
Please find linked a flyer from the Smithfield Little League about registration for the spring.
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.
PTA General Meeting, Tuesday January 23rd at 6:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 5th grade and 2nd grade, Wednesday January 31st
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 4th grade and 1st grade, Wednesday February 7th
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 3rd grade and Kindergarten, Wednesday February 14th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Radial and Bilateral Symmetry in Art
