Hello OCRS families,
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers (and grandmothers) in the OCRS community! I hope that you have a wonderful day surrounded and celebrated by your family and the people you love!
RICAS Math 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 Math testing will take place on Tuesday, May 14th and Wednesday, May 15th. 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.
OCRS' Got Talent!
We are continuing 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 17th at 6:00 PM in the Smithfield High School Auditorium.
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 by Tuesday, May 14th. Mr. Barrette will touch base with the student and schedule a time for the student to preview their performance for approval for the show.
Memorial Day Ceremony
Our friends at The American Legion Balfour-Cole Post 64 are inviting OCRS students and families to join them for the annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27th at 11:00 AM at the Veterans Memorial at Deerfield Park.
PTA "Funny for Funds" event, Friday 5/31 from 6PM to 9PM
The PTA is organizing a "Funny for Funds" event on Friday, May 31st from 6PM to 9PM. Please consider sponsoring OCRS first annual comedy show! See attached flyer for details and go to https://www.funny4funds.com/events/ocrs-pta-annual-fundraiser/1280 for sponsorship information.
The comedy show will be held at the Elks Lodge right here in Smithfield and it will be a great night out for OCRS adults! Because this is a comedy show intended specifically for adults, children should not attend.
Tri-County Resources and Events for Families
The Tri-County Community Action Agency (https://www.tricountyri.org) is offering a variety of resources and events for families. Here are some of the resources and events they are offering (see the linked fliers attached for details):
Food Pantry, emergency food for families (flyer)
Children's Closet, clothing available for children from newborn to 10 years old (flyer)
"Adventure Awaits" events for preschool students up to age 5 (flyer)
SYSA Registration for Fall 2024 Season
The Smithfield Youth Soccer Association has opened registration for the Fall 2024 season. Early Bird Registration is open through the end of May. Please see the linked flyer for all of the details.
Kickball Tournament
The Ability Bridge Foundation is hosting a Kickball Tournament on May 25th at Burgess Field in Smithfield. Interested families can see additional details and register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXOi6FAifwH2Y0HVBBC3GFGay_qYmZIbFt2wAOgcDp5ttELQ/viewform
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.
RICAS Math, Tuesday 5/14 and Wednesday 5/15
SSELAC Meeting, Wednesday 5/22 at 6:30PM in the SHS Media Center
OCRS' Got Talent!, Friday 5/17 at 6PM in the SHS Auditorium
PTA General Meeting, Thursday 5/23 at 6PM
NO SCHOOL, Monday 5/27, Memorial Day
PTA "Funny for Funds" (adults only event), Friday 5/31 at 6PM at the Smithfield Elks Lodge
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
Do OCRS students even know what this is?
Mr. Barrette has been serving on jury duty for the past few days and he snapped a picture of this artifact from the past at the court house. Do any OCRS students even know that this is?!
