Hello OCRS families,
Thank you for all of your support during RICAS ELA testing last week. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders worked REALLY hard to show what they know and we are proud of their effort. We will be scheduling make up sessions this week for any students that missed the RICAS ELA testing last week.
Partial Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th
As you are probably aware, a solar eclipse is taking place this Monday, April 8th. We will have a regular school day, however the timing of the eclipse in our area means that the eclipse will be taking place during the school day, including during dismissal. The eclipse will start around 2:15 PM and end around 4:38 PM. In Rhode Island, we will not be experiencing a total eclipse, but we will have a partial eclipse with just over 90% coverage of the sun during the peak at 3:29 PM, https://eclipse-explorer.smce.nasa.gov/.
Solar Eclipse Safety
A solar eclipse is an exciting learning opportunity that also brings with it some safety concerns. Exposing your eyes to the sun during a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause retinal burns (solar retinopathy). The retina has no sensitivity to pain, and since the effects of retinal damage may not appear for hours, there is no warning that an injury to your eye has occurred. Please discuss and reinforce this information with your child. NASA has information about eclipse safety at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/.
To keep students and staff safe at school, we will not be going outside during the time that the eclipse is scheduled to take place. Here are some additional safety precautions we will be taking at school during the partial solar eclipse:
- We will talk with students about the eclipse, why it can be dangerous, and how students can stay safe by not looking at the sun or the eclipse itself
- During bus dismissal, we will pull buses up to the side door of the school to minimize the time that students are outside and can look up at the eclipse. As always, we will have staff present during bus dismissal
- During parent pickup, we will pull cars up to the front door to minimize the time that students are outside and can look up at the eclipse. As always, we will have staff present during parent pickup
If any family is concerned about your child being safe during the partial eclipse, during dismissal, or while riding the bus, you are welcome to pick them up from school for early dismissal. As always, families need to call the school to notify us of an early dismissal so that we can account for all students and keep them safe.
Solar Eclipse Learning Resources
A solar eclipse is an exciting learning opportunity and here are some excellent resources that families can review together to learn more. Because the peak of the partial eclipse is taking place at 3:29 PM, families can even plan to view the eclipse together after school.
Solar Eclipse 101 from the National Geographic, https://youtu.be/cxrLRbkOwKs?si=fiw1KtlProWzIQSc
View the eclipse streamed live on NASA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@NASA
How to Safely View a Solar Eclipse, https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how-to-view-eclipse
How to Make a Pinhole Camera, https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/
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! Some community groups like Revive the Roots, Blue Door Art Studio, and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council will be joining us on Thursday night. The Scholastic Book Fair will be hosted by the PTA during Teaching & Learning Night in the Maker Space next to the Library/Media Center.
Finally, we are extremely excited to be hosting our annual Art Show in the cafeteria. Ms. Tourgee and all of our stduents have been creating some amazing art to share (you don't want to miss it!)
Please add this Thursday, April 11th to your calendar and join us any time from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM!
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.
Bolt's Trail Adventure/Hiking Challenge
OCRS' own P.E. teacher, Mr. Gruczka, is organizing "Bolt's Trail Adventure" Hiking Challenge here in Smithfield starting on April 13th and running through May 20th. Students and families are encouraged to hike the wonderful trails in Smithfield to look for "Bolt", one of this years' American Heart Association's "Heart Heroes". Please see the linked flyer for more details and happy hunting for "Bolt"!
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.
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