Hello OCRS families,
Happy Easter to all OCRS families that celebrate the holiday!
The next two weeks are going to be VERY busy at OCRS with RICAS ELA testing starting this week and Reading Week events being held during the week of April 8th. Also, don't forget about Teaching and Learning Night on Thursday, April 11th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM! OCRS students and teachers are excited to share their learning with families and the PTA is hosting a Book Fair during the April 11th evening activities.
NO SCHOOL, Tuesday April 2nd Due to Primary Election
There is no school on Tuesday, April 2nd due to the schools being used to host a Primary Election. There IS school on Monday, April 1st!
RICAS Testing Begins This Week for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers have been working hard to help our students “show what they know” on this year’s RICAS testing. Old County Road’s RICAS ELA testing will take place on Wednesday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 4th. This means that the daily schedule for all of the grade levels will be adjusted on these days in order to provide a quiet and uninterrupted testing environment for our older students. Typically the times for "specials" will need to be shifted, along with the schedules of some small groups. We know that schedule changes or "zig zags" can be challenging for some students, so we wanted to share this with all families ahead of time.
Please know that OCRS maintains a very positive environment for the entire RICAS process. We want our students to take the assessment seriously, do their best, and show their best work. This is their opportunity to "shine" and “show what they know.” We can also use your help in reinforcing with your child that all of us, teachers and families, want them to take pride and put in their best work to show what they have learned.
Spring Picture Retakes Friday, April 5th
Lifetouch will be at OCRS on the morning of Friday, April 5th for Spring Picture Retakes. All students will NOT be sitting for pictures on April 5th. This is an opportunity if your child has not had their school picture taken OR you would like your child to have a picture retake.
Families can get additional information at https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/ using EVTZJGQ2F as our school code.
Reading Week, Week of April 8th
All three Smithfield elementary schools are hosting Reading Week during the week of April 8th. Our theme for the week at OCRS is "Reading Takes You Anywhere, Exploration Awaits!" We have a variety of activities planned for students during this week to celebrate reading, as well as build classroom spirit. Here are the events for students to look forward to:
- Monday, April 8th classrooms will decorate their doors to show their spirit for the "Exploration Awaits" theme by picking something that they will explore during the week
- Tuesday, April 9th classrooms will schedule "Drop Everything And Read D.E.A.R." around the theme of "Read under the stars or in outer space"
- Wednesday, April 10th we have afternoon K-2 and 3-5 "Good Night Lights" assemblies scheduled with local cartoonist and art educator Steve B.
- Thursday, April 11th we invite all students to dress up as an explorer that interests them. We encourage students to think about all different kinds of exploration (Archaeologists, Scientists, Outdoorsman, Cyber Explorers, Oceanographers, Exploration of the Arts, etc.) and to be creative in how they dress up!
- Friday, April 12th we will have a "Vocabulary Parade" through the hallways of school with students wearing creations that match vocabulary words they have chosen
Teaching & Learning Night, Thursday April 11th
Teaching & Learning Night is scheduled for Thursday, April 11th 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! We will also be hosting our annual Art Show in the cafeteria (you don't want to miss it!) and some community groups like Revive the Roots, Blue Door Art Studio, and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. The Scholastic Book Fair will be hosted by the PTA during Teaching & Learning Night in the Maker Space next to the Library/Media Center.
Please add the April 11th date to your calendar!
PTA United Skates Night, Monday April 8th
The OCRS PTA is hosting a private Family Fun Skate Night at United Skates on Monday, April 8th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission to the event is free. If anyone needs them, there is a $5 fee to rent skates and a $6 fee to rent roller blades. You may also bring your own roller skates or rollerblades with you.
Free glow sticks will be provided at the door and there are other activities available at United Skates for a fee. Please see the linked flyer for details.
PTA Book Fair on Thursday, April 11th during Teaching and Learning Night
The PTA will be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair during Teaching and Learning Night on Thursday, April 11th. Please stop by the Book Fair in the Maker Space when you visit during Teaching and Learning Night on Wednesday, April 11th 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" button to subscribe to the calendar using your own calendar app.
NO SCHOOL, Primary Election, Tuesday 4/2
RICAS ELA, Wednesday 4/3 & Thursday 4/4
Spring Pictures (only retakes), Friday 4/5
Reading Week, Week of April 8th
PTA Family Skate Night, Monday 4/8 starting at 5:30 PM at United Skates
SSELAC Meeting, Wednesday 4/10 at 6:00 PM at the Greenville Public Library
Teaching & Learning Night, Thursday 4/11 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
PTA Book Fair, Thursday 4/11 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (in the Maker Space)
NO SCHOOL, April Break, Monday 4/15 through Friday 4/19
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Signs of Spring at OCRS
