Back to school

Update for the Week of September 5th

Paul Barrette

September 7, 2021

Hello OCRS families,

I hope that you have been able to enjoy the nice weather for two out of the three days this Labor Day weekend. All OCRS teachers and staff are excited to welcome our students back to school this Thursday, 9/9 (Tuesday, 9/14 for Kindergarten) and we hope that our students are getting excited as well.

We know that there has been a LOT of information shared with families by both the district and the school throughout this summer, both around COVID protocols and the school construction. Here is some of the most important information that families will need for this first week of school.

Back to School Report #3

Like last year, Dr. Paolucci will be sharing a weekly report with Smithfield families to provide the latest information on COVID-19 information and protocols. If you have not already read this week's "Back to School" report shared by Dr. Paolucci, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/527729. There is important information for all Smithfield families. Here are other places where Smithfield families can access important school information:

Morning Student Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up

School construction has helped create a new traffic pattern for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. If your child is not riding the bus and you plan on dropping them off and picking them up, please see the steps below:

Morning arrival begins at 7:45 a.m. and students may be dropped off up until 8:15 a.m. That provides families with a 30 minute window for morning drop-off which should alleviate some of the traffic backup. Students that are dropped off after 8:15 a.m. will be considered tardy.

  1. Parent vehicles will enter the campus using the brand-new driveway entrance to the right of the new front door. Cars will enter using the right entrance of the driveway and exit using the left entrance next to the playground.
  2. Families in cars will follow the directions of an OCRS staff member to drop-off their child at the sidewalk that is part of the new front entrance driveway.
  3. After dropping off their child, families will come to a complete stop where the front entrance driveway meets the driveway that runs along the playground and around the rear of the school. Be aware of school buses entering the campus!
  4. Families will exit the campus onto Old County Road after coming to a complete stop. Again, be aware of school buses entering the campus!

Afternoon dismissal is at 2:45 p.m. this year. Students that are picked up earlier than 2:45 p.m. will be considered an early dismissal.

  1. Parent vehicles will enter the campus using the brand-new driveway entrance to the right of the new front door. Cars will enter using the right entrance of the driveway and exit using the left entrance next to the playground.
  2. Families in cars will follow the directions of an OCRS staff member to pick-up their child at the sidewalk that is part of the new front entrance driveway.
  3. After dropping off their child, families will come to a complete stop where the front entrance driveway meets the driveway that runs along the playground and around the rear of the school. Be aware of school buses entering the campus!
  4. Families will exit the campus onto Old County Road after coming to a complete stop. Again, be aware of school buses entering the campus!

School Lunch and Breakfast Information

Free lunch and breakfast for the entire school year

Due to a federal program, school lunch and breakfast is free for all students for the entire school day. We encourage all OCRS families to take advantage of this program!

No nut products at all allowed in school this year

Due to allergy considerations and the fact that all students will be seated in the cafeteria and eating with students in their classroom pods, no nut products of any kind will be allowed to be brought into school for snack or lunch. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep all of our students safe!

Lunch and breakfast menus

The lunch and breakfast menus for this week have not yet been published. The district food service staff are working to get them posted to the school websites for easy access for all families. When the menus are available, we will notify all families.

COVID Guidance and Protocols

Mask Wearing

As Dr. Paolucci already shared with families, Governor McKee issued an Executive Order on August 19th requiring all students and staff in PreK-12 schools to wear masks. The Smithfield School Committee also passed a district mask policy that follows the governor's executive order.

  • When in school, all students and staff are required to wear a mask. Students and staff are required to wear a mask while on the school bus.
  • Students will be able to remove masks while eating and during scheduled mask breaks. Students do not currently need to wear masks while outside, however distancing should be maintained.
  • Whenever possible, mask breaks will take place outside. The outside areas that will be used for mask breaks are the school fields, basketball court, or playground.
  • Families should send students to school every day with at least one clean mask clearly labelled with your child's name. If a student needs a mask, the school will be able to assist.

What types of masks are acceptable for school?

Based upon the latest RIDOH guidance:

  • Masks should be at least two layers thick and fit snugly but comfortably over a child’s nose, mouth, and chin without any gaps.
  • Students should not use loose-fitting bandanas, face shields, masks with valves.
  • As long as it falls within the RIDOH guidance above, the best mask is a mask that a student is able to wear consistently and successfully.

Other important information and guidance for schools

  • The goal for social distancing is 3 feet within a classroom pod. The goal for social distancing between classroom pods is 6 feet.
  • To begin the school year, students will need to have recess with other students in their classroom pod. If this changes, we will let families know. Recess equipment may be shared among students.
  • Students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria, and will be seated at tables only with students in their classroom pod. Classroom pods will be seated at separate tables. Students' seats will be assigned in the cafeteria and will be changed periodically.
  • In the classrooms, teachers may group student desks. Students will be able to work in small groups and with partners as well as share materials. 3 feet of distance between students is recommended when meeting on the rug or working in small groups.
  • Students will have an assigned spot on the rug when the class gathers there.
  • Handwashing continues to be important. Students should always wash their hands prior to eating.
  • Keeping students home when sick also remains important. The district nurses and principals will be sending out information about what the latest RIDOH guidelines are about staying home and testing. There are some changes from last year.

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. Clicking on the "Add to Google Calendar" to subscribe to the calendar on your own calendar app.

1st Day of School for Students in Grades 1 through 5, Thursday September 9th

Kindergarten Screening, September 9th, 10th and 13th (by appointment)

1st Day of School for Kindergarten Students, Tuesday September 14th

OCRS PTA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday September 15th at 7:00 p.m.

School Pictures, Monday September 20th

 

Please reach out to me via with any questions. I am also collecting and sharing answers to frequently asked questions in this "Start of School questions" document and I will continue to update it up until the opening day of school.

Teachers and staff will be working hard Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare to welcome our students back to school. Our amazing custodial and facilities staff have worked all this holiday weekend to get our schools ready. We're looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday, September 9th!

Sincerely,
Mr. Barrette