Hello OCRS families,
The April Break weather is off to a terrific start and I hope that everyone has a chance to get outside and enjoy some COVID safe fun!
"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/441060. As usual, there is quite a bit of important information for all Smithfield families.
Travel Guidance and Reminders
We know that a number of families are travelling during the April Break. Here is the latest travel guidance from the RIDOH as it applies to schools. All COVID PCR test results should be shared with our school nurse, Mrs. Forte, at cforte@smithfield-ps.org. Do not share or send PCR test results to Mr. Barrette because he will be out on medical leave.
Travelling to a U.S. state outside of Rhode Island
- If you travel to a U.S. state that has a COVID positive rate of 5% or greater (see the latest list from the RIDOH), the student MUST do the following prior to being able to return to school:
- Immediately quarantine for a period of 10-days upon returning to R.I. OR share the negative results of a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival back in R.I.
- If you opt to have your child tested, continue to monitor them for symptoms for at least 10-days after their test and keep them home if they demonstrate symptoms.
- A student that has been infected with COVID-19 within the past 90 days does not need to quarantine.
- If you travel to a U.S. state that has a COVID positivity rate of less than 5%, the student does not need to quarantine upon returning to R.I. or be tested. However, please continue to monitor them for symptoms for at least 10-days after they return to R.I. and keep them home if they demonstrate symptoms.
Travelling outside of the 50 United States
- If you travel outside of the 50 United States, there are two quarantine options for students prior to being able to return to school:
- Immediately quarantine for a period of 10-days upon returning to R.I.
- Immediately quarantine for a period of 7-days with a negative PCR test result taken at least 5-days after returning to R.I.
- A student that has been infected with COVID-19 within the past 90 days does not need to quarantine.
Families can find all of this information (and much more) at the RIDOH "Travel Information" site at https://covid.ri.gov/covid-19-prevention/travel-tofrom-ri
Families Financially Impacted by COVID
We know that this has been a challenging year for many families. If your family has been financially affected by COVID and it has impacted your housing situation, there may be assistance available. Please reach out to our School Social Worker, Mrs. Michaella Costa at mcosta@smithfield-ps.org and she can let you know what resources may be available.
Reminder that Mr. Barrette Will Be Out Until Thursday, May 6th
After the April Break, I am scheduled to be out for about a week and a half until Thursday, May 6th. I need to have surgery during April Break and my recovery is anticipated to take about two weeks. I have been working with Dr. Paolucci to plan for my absence and we have been able to arrange to have a wonderful retired Smithfield principal, Mrs. Donna Olson, cover OCRS while I am out. Mrs. Olson spent a day and a half at OCRS in the week before April Break and we were able to review the important routines and protocols that we currently have in place. I know that the OCRS students, teachers, and staff are in good hands with Mrs. Olson until I am able to return.
If you have a general school question or concern while I am out, please contact our school secretary, Mary Deus, at mdeus@smithfield-ps.org or by calling the school at 401-231-6613 and selecting option 2.
If you have a COVID specific or medical question or concern while I am out, please contact our school nurse, Celine Forte, at cforte@smithfield-ps.org or by calling the school at 401-231-6613 and selecting option 4.
If you would like to contact Mrs. Olson while I am out, please email her at dolson@smithfield-ps.org.
PTA Information
Chipotle Fundraiser
Support the OCRS PTA and get a great meal! Just visit Chipotle on 371 Putnam Pike on Saturday, April 24th between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and let them know that you want your purchase to support Old County Road School. If you order online or use the Chipotle app, use code KC84VA6 and your order will also support the OCRS PTA!
Upcoming Dates and Events
Spring Recess/April Break, April 19th through April 23rd
OCRS PTA Chipotle Fundraiser, Saturday April 24th from 4:00 to 8:00
RICAS ELA testing for virtual learning students on Wednesday April 28th
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 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
