Hello OCRS families,
As we enjoy this long Martin Luther King Day weekend (remember no school this Monday), let's take some time to remember and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights movement of our country. Below is a video of an excerpt of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, as well as a link to an article on the Scholastic website about talking to your kids about Martin Luther King, Jr.
https://youtu.be/smEqnnklfYs?t=12m7s
"Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci
If you have not already read the latest "Back to School" report shared by Dr. Paolucci, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/382129. There is quite a bit of important information for all Smithfield families.
BinaxNOW COVID Testing for Students
Smithfield is participating in the school-based COVID BinaxNOW testing program in all of our schools. The BinaxNOW test is a rapid test that will be administered at our schools on a regular basis. Parental consent will be sought prior to testing and participation in the school-based testing program is voluntary and not required for school attendance. Please find a parental consent form available for download and printing at https://5il.co/of5n. Paper copies were sent home with the students last week. In order for students to participate in the testing program, we MUST receive the fully completed PAPER consent form back from families so we can have it on file here at school.
The first testing date for OCRS will be this Thursday, January 21st, and will repeat every two weeks. The BinaxNOW testing is ONLY for asymptomatic students and families should continue to keep students home if they are demonstrating the symptoms listed on the Daily Health Ticket. The school will not be administering the BinaxNOW test to students who come to school demonstrating symptoms or who develop symptoms while at school.
School Picture Retakes
School picture retakes by Lifetouch are scheduled for Wednesday, January 20th. This is an opportunity for students who started at OCRS after November 9th or a family would like their child's school picture to be retaken.
Pictures for in-person students will be taken during the school day and the process will follow proper physical distancing and cleaning guidelines. Virtual learning students will be able to come after school between 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to come into OCRS and get their picture retaken. Mr. Barrette will space out the entrance and exit of students at Door #8 to ensure proper physical distancing.
Here is some information from Lifetouch about the safety protocols that they have in place when taking school pictures, https://schools.lifetouch.com/blog-picture-day-protocol/
For families that are interested in ordering retaken pictures for their child can visit http://mylifetouch.com using the Picture Day ID: EVTWNR9ZG. If a family would like a paper order form, please email Mrs. Deus at mdeus@smithfield-ps.org and she will send one home with the student.
Free Lunch and Breakfast for Students
School meals (breakfast AND lunch) are free for all children (in-person and virtual learners) for the entire 2020-2021 school year! In-person learning students simply need to order lunch in the classroom each morning. Pick up of meals for virtual learning families takes place Monday through Friday at Smithfield High School, Door #2 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Weekend meals are available for pick-up on Friday.
A family with two children will save $66.50 per week on breakfast and lunch and we encourage OCRS families to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity! https://5il.co/nqh4
Expansion of Virtual Learning Tutors
The district has hired two new virtual learning tutors for the elementary schools which will allow each grade level, Kindergarten through 5th grade, to have it's own dedicated virtual learning tutor. The addition of the two virtual learning tutors will also allow the district to increase the amount of daily live instruction for virtual learning students. New schedules will be developed this week and will be shared with virtual learning families when they are finalized. For this week, virtual learning students should follow their existing live instruction schedule with their virtual learning tutor.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NO SCHOOL, Monday January 18th
Picture Retakes, Wednesday January 20th
BinaxNOW COVID Testing for Students, Thursday January 21st
Flex Day (No in-person learning for students), Monday January 25th
PTA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday February 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Ongoing thanks to OCRS families for your Patience, Flexibility, and Empathy. Those three words are guiding us throughout this school year and we will all need to continue to make adjustments as the year progresses (as we did these past few weeks). As long as we approach those adjustments with the best interests of our students as our priority, I am confident that this will continue to be a safe and successful year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Barrette
1st Grade Students Working Independently During Reading
