Memorial Day

Hello OCRS families,

Even though the weather is not cooperating, I hope that you are able to enjoy this long Memorial Day weekend. It's a good opportunity for all of us to spend some time thinking about and honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom. PBS Kids has a great video to help explain to kids the history and meaning of Memorial Day.

I have also linked a Memorial Day message from our local Smithfield American Legion Post, Balfour-Cole Post #64. As a school we have been fortunate to partner with Balfour-Cole Post #64 in past years and we are looking forward to being able to welcome them back into our school to speak with our students about the history and significance of the American flag.

"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/471894. As usual, there is quite a bit of important information for all Smithfield families.

Outdoor Mask Wearing at School

As I shared with OCRS families last Thursday evening, we can now allow students to remove their masks outdoors when we can "easily, continuously, and measurably maintain at least 3 feet of distance" between students. We do still need to keep students in their classroom pods, even when outdoors, and we need to continue to keep classroom pods at least 6 feet apart.

This is terrific for everyone and we immediately on Friday began to provide students with opportunities to have mask breaks outside when we can keep them at least 3 feet apart. Because teachers will be taking their students outside more often, we would love it if families could again send their children in with old beach towels that they can use to sit on when they are outside.

Because the weather is warmer and students will be going outside more often, families should apply sunscreen at home before school to prevent sunburn. Sun hats are welcome to be worn by students when outside to protect them from the sun. Also, please make sure that students come to school with water bottles that they can refill throughout the day. The water fountains themselves are still shut off due to the COVID guidelines, but the touchless water bottle refilling function has remained on all year and we want to encourage students to take advantage of it in the warmer weather.

OCRS Spirit Day each Friday

We would like to invite all OCRS students to wear their OCRS gear to school each Friday from now through the end of the year. We know that it's been a tough year for everyone and we want to celebrate some pride and school spirit each Friday. If your child does not have any OCRS gear to wear, that's OK! They can wear anything that includes the school colors; green, white, and gold.

Field Week, Week of June 14th

As we shared the past few weeks, this year, Mr. Gruczka is planning a "Field Week" that will spread out the activities across an entire week. Because all of the activities will be held outside this year, using an entire week will allow for rain dates and provide for more space to keep classes together in their stable pods.

We will share additional details as we get closer to the week of June 14th to help generate excitement among the students.

PTA Information

OCRS PTA Meeting

An OCRS PTA General Membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.  Like all meetings this year, this meeting will be held online. We invite and encourage OCRS families to join us at https://meet.google.com/jrr-qbes-mio call in at 1-628-232-0793‬  PIN: ‪713 935 893‬#

5th Grade Ice Cream Social/End of Year Party

The PTA 5th grade committee is hosting a 5th grade Ice Cream Social/End of Year Party on Friday, June 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Smithfield Portuguese American Social Club. 5th grade families be on the lookout for additional details as we get closer to June 18th!

Upcoming Dates and Events

Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL), Monday May 31st

Student BinaxNOW COVID Testing at School, Tuesday June 1st

PTA Meeting, Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

Field Week, Week of June 14th

Student BinaxNOW COVID Testing at School, Monday June 14th

5th Grade Ice Cream Social, Friday June 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Smithfield Portugese American Social Club

5th Grade D.A.R.E. Celebration and Step Up, Monday June 21st at 9:00 a.m.

Kindergarten End of Year Celebration, Monday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m.
(Rain Date is Tuesday, June 22nd at 1:00 p.m.)

Last Day of School, Wednesday June 23rd

 

Ongoing thanks to OCRS families for your Patience, Flexibility, and Empathy. Those three words are guiding us throughout this challenging school year and we will all need to continue to make adjustments up to the last day of school. 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