Hello OCRS families,
Wow, what a week for our school! Mr. Gruczka won a Golden Apple Award, we had two days of ELA RICAS testing, and we hosted a hearing screening for OCRS students. This week also looks to be a busy, but shorter 4-day week. There is a student dental screening tomorrow, PTA meeting Tuesday night, Teaching & Learning Night on Wednesday (including an art show and music concert), and 5th grade PTA BINGO on Thursday night! Everyone can take the upcoming April Break to rest and prepare for the last two months of the school year.
NO SCHOOL, Friday April 15th for Good Friday
Just a reminder that there is no school this Friday, April 15th due to Good Friday.
Back to School Report #30
Dr. Paolucci will share 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 and our district COVID team, please take a few moments to review it at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/707626.
Teaching & Learning Night, Wednesday April 13th
Teaching & Learning Night is scheduled for 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM this Wednesday, April 13th. Each classroom teacher will have an activity for students to share with their families when they visit. There will also be an art show coordinated by Ms. Miller and grade level music performances led by Ms. Schug.
The grade level music performances are each scheduled for a specific time slot because we cannot fit all students and families into the cafeteria at the same time due to the occupancy limit. In order to make sure that families get to enjoy their child's performance AND we can comfortably fit students and families in the cafeteria while abiding by the occupancy limit, one grade level will perform at a time. Here is the grade level music performance schedule:
5:30 - Kindergarten
5:55 PM - 1st grade
6:15 PM - 2nd grade
6:35 PM - 3rd grade
6:55 PM - 4th grade
7:15 PM - 5th grade
We understand that family schedules are complicated and that the above performance times will not work perfectly for everyone, but we need to distribute the grade level times across all of Teaching & Learning Night. We encourage all students to participate in the music performances (we have heard them practicing in music class and we can't wait to hear them), but we understand it may not be possible for every student and family.
We're excited to share our learning with you on Wednesday night!
"Be Kind" Spirit Day this Thursday, April 14th
As a school we have been focusing on "Be Kind" activities in our classrooms and around the school as part of our efforts to reintroduce the school motto of "Be Your Best at OCRS" and the school rules, "Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Responsible". We're going to celebrate our work on "Be Kind" by wearing t-shirts with positive words, sayings, and pictures this Thursday, April 14th. Students can also wear bright and "sunny" colors on Thursday if they don't have a t-shirt that fits the theme of "Be Kind".
Two Flyers for Summer Programs
Linked below are two flyers providing information to families about summer programs for students. A summer reading program is being offered by Boston University and a summer theater program is being held at Lincoln Woods. Neither program is being run by the Smithfield Schools, so we are sharing these as a courtesy to families.
PTA Information
PTA Meeting
There will be a PTA General Membership meeting held this Tuesday night, April 12th at 7:00 PM.
This meeting will be held in-person with a virtual option for families that would prefer to attend virtually. Masks are not required for in-person attendees, however anyone who attends the meeting in-person can choose to wear a mask if they wish.
For families that would like to attend the meeting virtually, the Google Meet link and joining information is below.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dfv-efub-xfk
Or dial: (US) +1 240-514-4911 PIN: 389 413 784#
PTA Board Nominations
Your help is needed by the OCRS PTA! We're looking for parents that are interested in serving as PTA board members for the next school year. Are you interested in serving as one of the OCRS PTA officers?
Please take a minute to review the duties of the PTA officers in the linked form and consider nominating one candidate per office to serve in the positions listed below. If you are interested in serving in one of the positions, please submit your name and the position of interest by next Wednesday, April 13th.
Thank you for your interest in serving as an OCRS PTA officer!
PTA BINGO Night Thursday, April 14th
The PTA 5th grade committee is hosting a BINGO Night on Thursday, April 14th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event will be held in the OCRS cafeteria and seating is limited, so check out all of the information in the attached flyer and send in your completed form to reserve your seats. It looks to be a really fun event!
Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16th at 9:00 AM
Easter Egg Hunt for families on Saturday, April 16th at 9:00 AM (rain or shine). Save this date on your calendar and we will share additional details as we get closer.
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.
Annual Student Hearing Screening, Thursday April 7th
Teaching & Learning Night, Wednesday April 13th, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
PTA 5th grade committee BINGO night, Thursday April 14th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
NO SCHOOL, Good Friday, Friday April 15th
PTA Egg Hunt, Saturday April 16th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
NO SCHOOL, Spring Recess, April 18th through April 22nd
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
1st grade enjoying art
"A Wrinkled Heart" Kindness activities
