Hello OCRS families, Happy Father's Day to all of the OCRS fathers and grandfathers and I hope that you are enjoying your celebrations with your families! This is our last "Weekly Update" of the 2020-21 school year and what a school year it's been! In looking back at how we began this school year on September 14th, so many things have changed and are continuing... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's our final full week of school (last day is next Wednesday, June 23rd) and it's FIELD WEEK! Fortunately, besides some showers forecasted for tomorrow, the weather looks like it will be comfortable and clear for our OCRS Field Week. I'm not exactly sure how Mr. Gruczka did it, but he arranged for perfect weather for daily fun and exciting... READ MORE >

I am excited to share with the OCRS community that one of our school custodians, Gary Regniere, has been recognized as the Smithfield Support Professional of the Year! It is incredibly apropos that Gary be recognized with this honor during this year of COVID because the Smithfield custodial and facilities staff have worked incredibly hard to keep all of the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's difficult to believe, but we have two and a half weeks left of this school year! Because the school building will close to all school personnel immediately after June 23rd due to the construction, teachers and staff are working hard to finish getting everything packed up and prepared. We are really excited to see the finished renovations... READ MORE >

OCRS families, You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from June 1st to 14th! All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more. You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features: Over... READ MORE >

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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's hard to believe, but we only have four and a half weeks of school left this year! As we complete the final month of this school year, teachers and staff will be working hard to support students in their learning right up through the last few days. We want to do everything possible to help students complete the year strong and provide for... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, The weather is starting to warm up and we know that everyone is enjoying being able to spend additional time outside. It looks like this week will be the warmest we have had so far this spring, so it's important that students dress comfortably. Teachers have been taking advantage of the warmer weather to provide students with additional... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers (and grandmothers) of the OCRS community! I hope that you have a wonderful day surrounded and celebrated by your family and the people you love! "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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for working with Mrs. Olson on a great first week back after April Break! Mrs. Olson and I would like to share the following information with all OCRS families for this upcoming week. "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... READ MORE >

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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I can't believe that I'm typing this, but we're going into the final week of school before April Break! All OCRS students, teachers, and staff have been working hard since February and we know that everyone is looking forward to a break. It's going to be important for all of us to take some time to recharge so that we are ready for the final... READ MORE >

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), is pleased to announce that we are now offering participation in a one-time COVID-19 testing program at your child’s school. Rhode Island continues to pursue aggressive testing for COVID-19 as a foundation of addressing the pandemic in the state. As... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, I hope that you were able to take some time to enjoy this long weekend together. If your family celebrates Easter, I hope that you are having a safe and happy Easter! Here is some important information for the two weeks before April Break. "Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci If you have not already read the latest "Back to School"... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's been great to see the weather start to warm up and allow us to give the students more time outside. As the weather continues to get warmer and (hopefully) nicer, teachers will take advantage of the opportunity to bring their students outside for breaks in the day and even to bring learning outside when it fits the classroom schedule.... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's FINALLY spring and this weekend's weather has been beautiful. I hope that all families have had at least a few minutes to get outside and enjoy the sun. It is also the beginning of the 3rd trimester of the school year, so your child's specialist schedule will again change as it did at the start of the 2nd trimester. More details about the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, Today we began Daylight Saving Time and set our clocks ahead by one hour. While I never look forward to the loss of an hour of sleep, I am always excited by the fact that it's light out later in the day and that the prospect that Spring is right around the corner. This year, more than ever, I think that we are all looking forward to Spring and... READ MORE >

An important reminder; even though that as a district we are no longer collecting the Daily Health Tickets when students arrive at school, it is crucially important for the health and safety of all students and staff that families continue to screen their children each morning and keep students home if they are are demonstrating any of the following symptoms that... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, There are two calendar milestones to be aware of coming up in the next two weeks. First, we switch to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 14th. While this switch can be a little tough because of the loss of an hour of sleep, it will be great to have additional sunlight later in the day, particularly as the weather starts to warm up! Second,... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We had some really nice weather this past week, so hopefully it means that Spring isn't too far around the corner. While we still had snow covering most of the play areas, we were able to have classes take turns going outside utilizing the little bit of black top space that was available. We know that the students really need to get outside... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that students enjoyed their time during the February Break to relax and to have some fun with their families. I know that all of the staff have definitely appreciated the opportunity to recharge and we're ready to welcome students back to school this week, both in-person and virtually. There is a LOT of information included in this... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Happy Valentine's Day! This week is February Break and it's an opportunity for students and staff to take some time off from the daily school routine, relax, and recharge. Mr. Barrette and Mrs. Deus are also off this week, so email messages and phone calls will be returned when school reopens. "Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci If... READ MORE >

All four elementary schools sent our students home this afternoon with their Chromebooks JUST IN CASE there is no in-person school tomorrow due to weather conditions. As of right now, no decision has been made by the district as to whether or not in-person school will need to be cancelled due to the forecasted snow. If in-person school is cancelled, that decision... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Lots going on this weekend! We have another snow storm making things messy for Monday morning, it's Super Bowl Sunday, and we have Valentine's Day coming up quickly. Before we know it, we'll be looking at the end of February and getting ready for March (and the coming of Spring). "Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci If you have not... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Tomorrow is the start of February and it certainly feels like the middle of winter right now, both because of the very cold temperatures and the impending snow! Please keep an eye out for possible school cancellations on Monday and/or Tuesday due to the forecasted winter storm. "Back to School" Report from Dr. Paolucci If you have not... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's hard to believe, but we're going into the last week of January! The days always seem to accelerate after the Holiday Break is over. These next 6-8 weeks are most likely going to be challenging in terms of COVID cases in Smithfield and at OCRS. It's incredibly important that we all keep our guard up and continue to follow all of the COVID... READ MORE >

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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation last week as all Smithfield students were participating in Distance Learning. We know that Distance Learning can be challenging for families particularly those who have conflicting work schedules. I know that all OCRS teachers appreciated your support this past week. Switching Back to In-Person... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We are making the shift back to in-person learning this Monday, 1/11. It's been a few weeks since any students have attended school in-person, so I thought it might help to share some information and reminders to get prepared for Monday and to ensure that we keep students and staff safe and healthy. Families that chose virtual learning will... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Happy New Year to all of you and I hope that everyone is beginning 2021 healthy and safe with their loved ones at home! New Year's Day often leads many of us to take some time to reflect and consider the prior year. There is no question that 2020 was a particularly challenging year for all of us for a variety of reasons. However, as I have... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Just a quick update on this upcoming short week of Distance Learning. Distance Learning for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday As you know, Monday (12/21), Tuesday (12/22), and Wednesday (12/23) will be Distance Learning days for all Smithfield elementary schools. Learning plans will be posted each day in student’s Google Classrooms that will... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As we approach the Holiday Break, it is more important than ever that we all continue to be as diligent as possible in following the COVID guidelines to ensure that our students and staff are healthy and safe going into the Holiday Break. Your cooperation has been crucially important these past three months. Thank you in advance for your... READ MORE >

School meals (breakfast AND lunch) are free for all children for the entire 2020-2021 school year! Free meals will continue to be available during distance learning for ALL children under the age of 18. A family with two children will save $66.50 per week on breakfast and lunch!https://5il.co/nqh4 If you would like school meals during Distance Learning, meal... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As we approach the Holiday Break, it is more important than ever that we all continue to be as diligent as possible in following the COVID guidelines to ensure that our students are able to continue to attend school before AND after the break. Our school community has continued to do well when compared to the rest of the state and that is... READ MORE >

If your family has been taking advantage of this year's free lunch and breakfast program, or if you would like to take advantage of the program, linked below is information on how to order and pick up lunch and breakfast during the upcoming Holiday Break.By filling out the linked form, families can order meals for the Holiday Break for all of the children in your... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It was a different type of Thanksgiving this year, especially for those of us who are used to getting together with large extended families. However, while we kept our social circle limited to our immediate household for the benefit of the greater community, I know that we all felt even more grateful for the people who have been important... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As you know, Governor Raimondo announced this past Thursday that she was recommending that R.I. high schools shift to having 25% of their student population attending in-person learning at one time. The announcement from the governor on Thursday does not pertain to elementary schools, so we are operating with the same model, schedule, and... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I want to thank you for your continued support and cooperation in keeping OCRS safe for our students and staff. All of the teachers and staff appreciate that families have let the school know immediately whenever one of students is getting tested for COVID or has tested positive. This timely communication, along with keeping students home if... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I can't believe that I'm typing this, but our crazy New England Fall weather included an earthquake this weekend! I am grateful that it was a "light" earthquake as categorized on the Richter Scale and that the rest of the weekend's weather was otherwise spectacular. As I included in last week's update, as we move into the holiday season, it's... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Wow, what a difference in the weather this weekend when compared to last weekend! It's a good reminder that things can change quickly in New England around this time of the year. In spite of the leftover snow and cold temperature, I hope that families that celebrated Halloween were able to safely enjoy some fun this weekend. As we move into... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As I had included in the Weekly Update, the OCRS teachers and staff would like to invite students to wear their Halloween costumes to school this Friday! We think that it will be a great way to celebrate our school's spirit and to have some fun together. We would LOVE to get pictures of our virtual learning students wearing their costumes to... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's hard to believe, but we're entering the last week of October! The holiday season isn't far behind, so it's important to keep an eye on the district/school calendar for all of the "no school" days throughout November and December. Students Wearing Halloween Costumes to School this Friday We know that this has been anything but a typical... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It was an absolutely beautiful fall weekend and I hope that you were able to enjoy the cooler fall weather. There is a LOT of information and resources for OCRS families in this week's update, so please take some time to read through everything carefully! October 19th Flex Day As part of the R.I. Department of Education calendar that... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all students and their families were able to get outside on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the amazing fall weather of this long Columbus Day weekend! After the first four weeks of school, I think that all students, families, and staff were looking forward to this long weekend to rest and relax a bit. October 19th Flex Day As part... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and communication over the first three weeks of school. The more closely that teacher, staff, and students' families work together, the better we can meet the needs of our students and quickly make adjustments as things change. OCRS Virtual Open House Wednesday, 10/7 from 5:30 p.m to 7:30... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for your support in a successful second week of school. Students, staff, and families are beginning to adjust to all of the new routines and it showed this week in a number of ways. We know that we still have additional adjustments to make and we will continue to work with families to find the best balance during this challenging... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for helping us have a successful first week of school! We know that the opening of school was different from years past and that those differences were challenging for students and their families. However, the patience, flexibility, and cooperation from OCRS families was a huge contributor to a safe and successful first week of... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Even though morning arrival was a little better this morning, afternoon dismissal was not better and neither process is working well enough for families or for the buses. I have been consulting with the district's Facilities Director, the construction project manager, and the Smithfield Police Department on ways to improve the traffic flow for... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for a terrific first day of school! Even though things were different in many ways, what didn't change was the energy and excitement of the first day of school. It was wonderful to have students back working with teachers, both in-person and virtually, and watching the connections that begin to form. The students did really well with... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, All of the teachers and staff have been working extremely hard this week to finalize all of our planning and preparation and we are excited to welcome our students back to school on Monday, both in-person and virtually! We know that there has been a LOT of information shared with families by both the district and the school throughout this... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you have been enjoying these last "unofficial" days of summer, especially the amazing weather we've had this Labor Day weekend. This week teachers and staff will be returning to school beginning on Wednesday to get everything ready for the first day of school for all students, both in-person and virtual. We are all looking forward... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, The Governor announced yesterday that all R.I. public school districts, with the exception of Central Falls and Providence, were given the green light to reopen school in person on Monday September 14th. Smithfield has been working hard for months to plan and prepare for a safe and successful reopening of school and we are ready as teachers... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Since the second half of this past week, we have been fortunate to have much more pleasant weather and I hope that you have been able to get outside to enjoy it, at least a little bit. I had a bit of a milestone this weekend when my wife and I helped my son move in for his first year of college. It doesn't seem all that long ago that he was in... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're almost at the end of August and the new school year is fast approaching! Here is the latest information for families. Return to School Planning Report #10 On Sunday Dr. Paolucci shared the tenth Smithfield "Return to School Planning Report" with all Smithfield families. If you have not yet read it or if you did not receive it, I... READ MORE >

Here is the recording of the August 19th OCRS Online Family Forum. Thank you to Mrs. Pleau, Mrs. Borges, Mrs. Crudele, Mrs. Forte, and Miss Lemek for assistance in keeping track of questions being asked by families in the chat! Here is a link to the presentation that was discussed during the... READ MORE >

Just a quick reminder that the OCRS online Family Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th at 7:00 p.m. To join the OCRS Family Forum from your computer, tablet or smartphone, go to:https://www.gotomeet.me/barrettep/ocrs-family-forumYou can also dial in using your phone.United States: +1 (571) 317-3112Access Code: 635-114-205 If you would like to submit a... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's been so nice to have some cooler temperatures these past few days and the weather today was just spectacular! I hope that you have been able to get outside for at least a little bit to enjoy this beautiful Monday. Return to School Report #9 On Sunday Dr. Paolucci shared the ninth Smithfield "Return to School Planning Report" with all... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, All six Smithfield schools are planning our own online Family Forums in the next week or so to provide an opportunity for principals to provide school specific information to our students' families and to allow families to ask questions. We know that it has been challenging for families to make plans for the beginning of the school year due to... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that everyone made it through this past week's storm safely and that you didn't lose power for too long. I want to continue to share regular updates with you to ensure that you are receiving the important information that Dr. Paolucci has been sending out, as well as information that is specific to OCRS. Return to School Report... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I wanted to share an update with all of you to ensure that you received the latest information from Dr. Paolucci, as well as some more specific information for OCRS. There is quite a bit of information overall, so please make sure to review everything listed below. Virtual Learning Option Dr. Paolucci sent out an email on Monday to all... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, This morning Dr. Paolucci shared the sixth Smithfield "Return to School Planning Report" with all Smithfield families. If you have not yet read it or if you did not receive it, I strongly encourage you to read the weekly report in its entirety at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/275327/. Below is some additional information that is... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, This morning Dr. Paolucci shared the fifth Smithfield "Return to School Planning Report" with all Smithfield families. If you have not yet read it or if you did not receive it, I strongly encourage you to read the weekly report in its entirety at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/272841. Below is some additional information that I thought... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Important "Return to School" Survey The district office sent out a mass email to families today with a link to an important "Return to School" survey. Because the message was sent using the district's mass alert/notification system, I'm hearing from some families that the message was sent to their Spam folder (the sender appears as... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all of our students and their families are healthy and have been enjoying the first two weeks of July! Return to School Family Forum I know that you have been receiving weekly updates from Dr. Paolucci about the district's planning for the reopening of school. However, I did want to make sure that all OCRS families were aware of... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Just a quick "End of the Year" Update. Make-up Date for Chromebook Drop-off The district is setting aside Thursday, June 18th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as the make-up date for any family that was unable to drop-off their child's Chromebook this past Friday. The make-up drop-off will still take place at Smithfield High School and will... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I know that it's hard to believe, but this is our final week of school for the year! I want to thank all of you for your support during this very challenging time of distance learning. While this is certainly not how any of us envisioned ending this school year, I am so proud and grateful for how teachers, staff, and families worked so hard... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, All Smithfield students (unless they are confirmed to participate in the ESY program) will be required to return their Chromebook for the summer so that the district's Technology Team can clean, repair, and prepare the devices for the next school year. This is also an opportunity to drop-off any other learning materials that students may have... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Our school year is rapidly coming to a close and, even though it has been a very different year than any of us could have ever imagined, we are all committed to making the next two weeks as positive, productive, and fun as we can for our students. Schedule for this Week This Monday, June 1st, is a "Flexible Learning" Day for all Smithfield... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all of you were able to enjoy this long Memorial Day weekend. It's also 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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, This was the warmest weekend, yet, so we know that summer is slowly but surely making its way to Smithfield. I was very grateful for lots of opportunities to get outside this weekend, even if part of that time meant mowing my lawn. I actually had a little friend join me on my deck this afternoon! Schedule for this Week Monday, Tuesday,... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers in the OCRS community! Even though social distancing is making this a different type of Mother's Day this year, our love and appreciation for mothers is as strong as ever. In fact, I know that all of the teachers and staff members of OCRS are incredibly thankful and grateful for everything that mothers... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Well, the weather has FINALLY started to turn more "Spring-like" so I hope that you were able to get outside to enjoy some of the sun and warmer temperatures this weekend. I know that, at least for myself, getting outside in the sun can really help to improve our overall mood and we all certainly could use some of that during this difficult... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're heading into the last week of April and, at least after Monday, it looks like the temperature is going to finally begin to climb into a more spring-like range. I know that all of us are looking forward to more opportunities to get outside, even if it's only in our own yards. If you aren't aware, Smithfield has a number of terrific places... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I wanted to send out a reminder to all families that tomorrow (Friday, 4/24) is still a learning day for students, but a "Screen Free" day. There will be no live online teaching tomorrow and there will not be any recorded video lessons for students to watch, but it will still be a "school day". Each classroom teacher will assign their... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, What a strange weather weekend! While it was kind of exciting to see the snow Saturday morning, I'm glad that the warm Spring weather means that the snow didn't stick around for long! Video from OCRS teachers and staff to students and families All of the OCRS teachers and staff truly miss seeing our students in person at school each day, so... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We've almost completed this week of online learning! Thank you for your continued cooperation and support. All of the OCRS teachers and staff understand how challenging this has been for families and we appreciate everything that you are doing. I wanted to send out a reminder to all families that tomorrow (Friday, 4/17) is still an online... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you were able to take some time to enjoy this long weekend together, particularly if you celebrate Passover or Easter. As we begin our third week of online learning (and fourth week away from school), here is some important information for the week. April 17th Staff PD Day Like Friday, April 3rd, this Friday will be a staff... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We know that a number of families are currently experiencing food insecurity due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 precautions. The Smithfield Public Schools are grateful to be able to begin to provide free "grab and go" lunches beginning on Tuesday, April 14th. Here are the details: (UPDATED) "Grab and go" lunches will be available... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for everything that you did to support your child during the first week of online learning! We are proud of how well our students (and teachers) have adjusted, despite the challenges. We know that we still have things to learn and improve, but this week was a really great start. NO SCHOOL Thursday, 4/9 and Friday, 4/10 The... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, A final update before the weekend! Reminder about tomorrow, 4/3 Staff PD Day There is online learning for students on Friday 4/3 and Friday 4/17, but there won't be any "live" teaching via video because the teachers and staff will be participating in professional development on those days. Teachers will post a few low-key activities in... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for your continued support during this period of online learning. The teachers and staff are all working extremely hard and we appreciate everything that you are doing at home to assist and support your children in their learning. Clarification on April 3rd and 17th "Staff PD" Days and April 9th and 10th "No School" Days The... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for all of your positive email messages to teachers and staff this past week. We have loved hearing from you and we miss seeing our students at school! This Weekly Update has A LOT of important information, so please read it carefully. It will also be posted on the OCRS website in the "News" section. Online Learning begins Monday,... READ MORE >

This evening, online learning schedules have been sent out to all OCRS families. These schedules will begin on Monday, March 30th. All teachers and principals understand that this is a very challenging time for families, especially families that are also working from home. It's also a challenging time for our teachers and their own families. As a school and as a... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you OCRS families for an incredibly organized, quick, and successful distribution of learning materials today! Your kind words, encouragement, and support were wonderful to hear. We miss seeing all of our students each day! Chromebook Login information for K-2 students Chromebooks for K-2 students were distributed to families today. I... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for continuing to send pictures of your children participating in our Virtual Spirit Days during our first week of Distance Learning. All of the teachers and the staff miss seeing our students at school each day! I will continue to post some of the pictures on the OCRS social media accounts each day. I know that many families have... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, First and foremost, I hope that all of you are safe and healthy. In these very uncertain times, it's important that we all focus on what's most important, caring for our families and loved ones in the best ways that we can. As a Smithfield parent myself, I am also figuring out the best way to balance being a father, husband, principal, and... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope you are all doing well and are staying healthy! As you may have heard, RIDE and the governor have closed all R.I. schools from Monday, March 23rd through Friday, April 3rd. Dr. Paolucci posted an update for families on the district website at https://www.smithfield-ps.org/article/213702. This closure is not designed as an extended... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you are well and that your family is staying healthy. I had a meeting with the superintendent and the other principals this morning and here is the latest information that I have to share with families. "Grab and go" dates and times for students that were absent on Friday and didn't get learning packets or Chromebooks As you... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I wanted to send out some additional information about the learning packets that students took home yesterday, as well as the student Chromebooks that 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders took home. Student Learning Packets and Chromebooks The week of March 16th through March 20th is a vacation week (April vacation was moved up to this week for the... READ MORE >

Important Notice: The Governor, RIDE, and RIDOH are moving the April vacation from April 13-17 to this coming week, March 16 -- 20. This is to give school and central office staff time to finalize long-distance learning plans and prepare for potential virtual learning weeks. We have asked teachers to distribute any packets they have developed for virtual learning... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, It's the time of year to "Spring Forward" and set our clocks ahead by one hour to begin Daylight Savings Time. The first day of Spring is not far behind! Important Information Coronavirus Update On March 4th, Dr. Paolucci sent out updated information to families about the coronavirus and the district's response to the virus and OCRS... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, It's hard to believe, but March is here and we will soon be moving the clocks forward and looking at the first day of Spring! Important Information Coronavirus information from the RI Department of Health In light of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) February 25th press conference which updated the country on the current status of the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, I hope that all students were able to take some this past week to relax and enjoy the time off from school. Personally, I appreciated the opportunity to spend time with my own family and to catch up on some reading. Important Information Thank you to the OCRS PTA A big "thank you" to the OCRS PTA for all that they do to make our school... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, This is the last week of school before the Winter Recess (February Break) and there are quite a few events and activities scheduled, like "Bring a Loved One to Lunch" on Wednesday and Thursday, and Valentine's Day on Friday. 2nd grade also has a field trip to the Providence Children's Museum and the 5th grade is welcoming Dave's Animal... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Even though the Patriots aren't playing in this year's Super Bowl, I hope that families are still getting together for the game to spend some time together eating good food and enjoying each other's company (not to mention the crazy commercials). Important Information PTA Flowergrams for Valentine's Day The OCRS PTA is selling silk... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you are having a terrific weekend. It's hard to believe that we're going into the last week of January. After the holidays, the school year always seems to accelerate. We are now more than halfway done with this school year, so it's important for all students, staff, and families to maintain our focus on the learning that are... READ MORE >

Dear Parents, Thank you to all of our parents who are calling in when their child is absent. We are continuing to monitor types of illness so we can report any unusual increase back to our Old County Road School families. We have confirmed cases of influenza being reported in our school. Here is the RI Department of Health Influenza Reporting for this season. We... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As we enjoy this long Martin Luther King Day weekend, let us 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... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you had an opportunity to get out and enjoy the spring-like weather this weekend. It does look like colder weather will be returning for the school week, so back to reality of winter! Important Information Be Your BEST at OCRS! It's been a week and a half since we rolled out our new school motto is "Be Your BEST at OCRS!" and... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's our first full week of the new year and there are lots of great things happening at OCRS. It feels like the holidays are "officially" over and we are back in the swing of teaching and learning. Please take a moment to review the important information and upcoming events below. Important Information Be Your BEST at OCRS! Last Thursday... READ MORE >

Hello 4th and 5th grade families, Does your student love to sing? If so, please see this flyer about R.I. Elementary All-State Chorus. This opportunity is open to all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students across the State of R.I. and only 10 students can be nominated from each school. Thank you Mrs. Preston and Mrs. Barrette for putting this information together for... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you and your loved ones had a terrific and safe Holiday Break and New Year! I know that the holiday season can also be incredibly busy and stressful, so I also hope that families were able to find some time to relax and spend time together. Both of my kids are teenagers and don't always enjoy hanging out with us as much as they... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all OCRS students enjoyed the unexpected day off from school today! I wanted to share with all fanmilies that we will be having a different Holiday Spirit Day on each of the remaining days of the week. We DO NOT want any families to purchase anything special for these days. We encourage students to be as creative as possible in... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Teachers and staff are gearing up for the final week of school before the Holiday Recess. While there are special activities taking place this week, both at the school and classroom levels, we are continuing to focus on teaching and learning throughout this week. On behalf of all of the teachers and staff at Old County Road School, we wish... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you to all of you that came out to support the 24th annual Holiday Bazaar this past Saturday. It was a wonderful day, all due to the organization and hard work of the OCRS PTA! We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and active PTA to support our students! It's a busy time of year and there is a LOT of information listed below for... READ MORE >

We are so proud of the OCRS and Winsor 5th grade students for their performance at the State House this morning! Thank you Mrs. Preston for doing such a wonderful job leading them! Also, thank you to Mrs. DePetrillo, Mrs. Guillemette for helping get our students organized and ready to perform. READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Here are a few messages that we wanted to share with you: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟮/𝟲, 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 "𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸" 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their craziest/mismatched socks to school this Friday! 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 and 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱" 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘆𝗺 when you come to your Parent Teacher Conference this Thursday. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you and your family had a terrific Thanksgiving. I know that for my family, it was a really nice opportunity to step away from the daily schedules of work and school to relax and spend some time together. It's a busy time of year and there is a LOT of information listed below for the next few weeks. Please read through everything... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're coming up to the time of the year that just seems to fly by due to the holidays. We have 4 weeks of school from now until the Holiday Recess and almost every individual week's schedule from now until then will have some dates to be aware of. Please check the online calendar at our school website,... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're coming up to the time of the year that just seems to fly by due to the holidays. We have 5 weeks of school from now until the Holiday Recess and almost every individual week's schedule from now until then will have some dates to be aware of. Please check the online calendar at our school website,... READ MORE >

Thank you to all the veterans that joined us for School Meeting this morning. We celebrate and appreciate your service. The looks of admiration, pride, and love on the faces of our students say it all! READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that you are enjoying the long Veteran's Day weekend and that you are taking at least a small amount of time to reflect about the immense contributions that our veterans have made to our country. My own father is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service and I can't imagine the enormity of the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Well, I guess it's definitely November with colder weather for much of the week and possible snow showers (!) on Friday. Please check out the information below about what is going on at the school, upcoming after school events, and opportunities for families. Important Information Flu Clinic at Gallagher Middle School, Monday 11/4 A flu... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, November begins this week and that means that he Holiday Season is right around the corner! Please check out the information below about what is going on at the school, upcoming after school events, and opportunities for families. Important Information Thank you to the OCRS PTA for an AWESOME Trunk or Treat Thank you to the board and the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Please check out the information below about what is going on at the school, upcoming after school events, and opportunities for families. Important Information Picture Retakes Lifetouch school picture retakes are taking place on the morning of Wednesday, 11/13. A notice with the information regarding the retakes was sent home this past... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, You may have heard that there is a 5th grader in Smithfield who was diagnosed with Burkitt's disease, a form of Lymphoma. This student's name is Noah Antunes and he attends LaPerche. Noah's treatment plan will be for approximately the next 6 months and the doctors are confident he will make a full recovery. His parents have given principals... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Please check out the information below about this week's after school events and opportunities for families. Important Information Flu Clinic Information Has your child gotten their flu shot? A reminder that there will be a flu clinic held at Old County Road School on Wednesday, October 9th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Your child can get... READ MORE >

We have been asked to let you know that the system that the school district uses to make automated calls to families utilizes a Cox phone number registered to Smithfield Public Schools, 401-349-0928. The readout may say North Providence due to Cox settings, but the number that our calls originate from is always 401-349-0928. 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, September is almost over and October is upon us! This is the 6th week of school and we're getting to the point where the routines of the school year have been well established and classrooms are moving into more of the academic work. Important Information Fire Safety Assembly This Wednesday morning, members of the Smithfield Fire Department... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Thank you for the terrific turnout at this past week's Open House! It was wonderful for teachers and families to have an opportunity to talk about all of the great things happening at OCRS and for families to see their childrens' classroom. Important Information Morning drop-off and afternoon pickup Just a reminder to families that morning... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, We have a busy week coming up at OCRS, so please make sure to review all of the information below carefully. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or email Mr. Barrette. Important Information Open House, Thursday 9/19, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All families are invited to join us on Thursday, September 19th from... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, This is our first full 5-day week of school, so it's going to be the first time that your child is going to have their Monday schedule, including Music, Physical Education, and Health. Mrs. Preston and Mrs. Forte are all excited to finally get a chance to see their Monday classes (Mr. Gruczka is going to be out tomorrow). Please make a point... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, The new school year is off to a great start and all of our teachers and staff would like to thank you for partnering with us to help all of our students be successful at school. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. Important Information Miss Burrows Selected as R.I. Art Education... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're down to the last week of summer vacation before the new school year begins! Teachers have been working hard to get our classrooms ready, our custodians are putting the finishing touches on the summer cleaning, and Mrs. Deus is back in the office ready to help families with any last minute preparations. We're all excited to have the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, We're in the final stretch of summer and all of the OCRS teachers and staff are excited to welcome our students to start the new school year! Important Information Teacher Assignments All four elementary schools will be sending out teacher assignments for students in grades 1 through 5 this Friday, August 16th. Please keep an eye out in... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I know that it's hard to believe, August is here and the new school year begins in just over 3 weeks! While I certainly don't want to rush the rest of the summer, I am looking forward to the new school year and welcoming all of the students back to school. Important Information Back to School Night As in the past, OCRS will be hosting a... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's been approximately a month since the last day of school and I hope that all of our students have been enjoying their summer so far. Personally, I have enjoyed spending time with my own family and I'm looking forward to some short trips to Vermont and Maine before school resumes. Important Information Summer Learning Guide Did you know... READ MORE >

In order to fix some busing schedule issues at the later elementary schools, the district is making some changes to the school hours of three of the schools for next year. At OCRS, the new school hours for students will be pushed up 5 minutes, 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:55 a.m. Supervision is not available prior to 7:55 a.m.,... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It's hard to imagine, but we have TWO days left in this school year! I want to say thank you to all OCRS families for a terrific school year and I wish all of you a safe and restful summer. Important Information Last Day of School The last day of school is this Tuesday, 6/11. Thank You's Thank you to the Kindergarten teachers for a... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, This is our final FULL week of school (the last two days of school are Monday 6/10 and Tuesday 6/11) and we are looking to end this school year strong, continuing to learn even as we celebrate the end of this year. Important Information School Spirit Days this week To celebrate the last full week of school, we are having four School Spirit... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families During morning drop-off on the right-side of school, we have been noticing over the past few weeks a growing number of families parking their cars rather than waiting in the line and walking their children through the line of moving cars. We have even noticed some families just letting their children out in the lot to walk through the line of... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all of you were able to enjoy this long Memorial Day weekend with family and also spend some time thinking about and honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces so that all of us may continue to enjoy our freedom. PBS Kids has a great video to help explain to kids the history and... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, It looks like the warmer Spring weather is finally going to make an appearance this week, especially on Monday. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it can get warm in the classrooms, so you may want to help your child dress in layers so that they can be as comfortable as possible. Important Information LOTS of Field Trips this... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, I hope that all of the mothers that are part of the OCRS community had a fantastic Mother's Day! Important Information OCRS Art Show & Teaching and Learning Night Thank you to all of the OCRS families that were able to stop by the school last Thursday night to see the amazing art and classroom work that students have been working on. It was... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Here is the important information and the upcoming dates and events for the week of May 6th. Important Information Teacher Appreciation Week This is week is Teacher Appreciation Week across the country and, while the OCRS PTA is going to hold off on the special events for teachers until after state testing is completed in two weeks, there... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, Important Information Teen Rated Video Games and Elementary Students We have been noticing more and more of our younger students, even in 1st grade, talking about Teen Rated Video Games while at school. While there are a lot of appropriate video games for younger children, it's also extremely easy for young children to find games that are... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, I hope that all families enjoyed April Vacation and students are returning to school ready to learn for the final seven weeks of school. Upcoming Dates and Events Smithfield Earth Day Clean Up, April 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon The Smithfield Department of Public Works and Smithfield Conservation Commission are presenting an Earth Day... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, April Vacation is coming up and the Spring weather really showed up this weekend. It's important that all of our students finish strong this week before vacation and then come back to school for the final seven (!) weeks of the school year refreshed and ready to learn. Important Information Students should not bring toys to school We are... READ MORE >

Here is the recipe from Chartwells for the "blenderless" yogurt smoothie that OCRS students had an opportunity to taste test last Wednesday during lunch. Healthy Blenderless Smoothie A blend of rich vanilla yogurt, applesauce and tangy orange juice. A vibrant, refreshing and nutritious smoothie. Ingredients 1/2 cup of 1% milk1 cup of unsweetened applesauce64 fl... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, April is here, and with that we gear up for the weeks before April Vacation. Important Information 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students bring your recorders to Music Ms. Reece is asking that all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students start bringing their recorders to music class this week. If any students do not have a recorder, they should let Ms.... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, It's hard to believe but we're heading into the last week of March! Soon it will be April and we will be looking at the final stretch of the school year. Important Information URGENT! 2019 RIDE SurveyWorks Survey FINAL WEEK The 2019 RIDE SurveyWorks Survey is open for family responses through March 31st. All families should have received a... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, Spring is finally arriving this week and, as the remainder of the last snow melts away, we are looking forward to warmer weather and a strong finish to this school year in the 3rd trimester. Important Information 2019 RIDE SurveyWorks Survey The 2019 RIDE SurveyWorks Survey is open for family responses through March 31st. All families... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, Even though today is a little bit of a wintry mess, it looks like it's finally going to start to warm up later this week, so Spring can't be too far behind. Important Information OCRS Spring Concert, Wednesday March 13th Please join us for a fantastic evening of music presented by all children in grades K through 5! The concert is being... READ MORE >

OCRS SPRING CONCERT REMINDER! Wednesday, March 13th, 2019Smithfield High School AuditoriumGrades K, 1, and 2 at 5:30-6:15 p.m.Grades 5, 3, and 4 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please join us for a fantastic evening of music presented by all children in grades K through 5 There will be an intermission from 6:15-6:30 p.m.Children may wear their best spring clothes to the... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS Families, I hope that everyone is staying safe and warm during this unexpectedly heavy snow storm! At least spring is right around the corner. ❄⛄ Important Information 2019-20 School Calendar The school calendar for the 2019-20 school year has been approved by the School Committee and has been posted on the Smithfield Public Schools website. You can... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, In following up to the Weekly Parent Update that I sent on Sunday, there has been quite a bit in the news lately about technology, inappropriate content (specifically the "MOMO Challenge"), and how to keep children safe. We have noticed in school how the videos that students watch online, the messages that students send, and the games that... READ MORE >

To celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday coming up on March 2nd, we are encouraging students and staff to participate in Spirit Days this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We are keeping things simple to make it easy for all students to participate and show their OCRS spirit! Wednesday, 2/27 - "One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish", students wear... READ MORE >

Important Information Thank You for your Support of "Hoops for Heart"Thank you to all OCRS families for your support of the "Hoops for Heart" program. As a school we have raised $1665 for the American Heart Association!! Those funds will go toward helping families and individuals dealing with heart related illness as well as fund research to provide additional... READ MORE >

We hope that the students were able to enjoy the extra long weekend! Important Information Thank you to the OCRS PTA for a fun "Parents' Night Out" EventThank you to the members of the OCRS PTA and the volunteers for organizing and running a fun night for our students! No phones or electronic devices at schoolJust a quick reminder that, according to page 9 of... READ MORE >

Important Information No phones or electronic devices at school Just a quick reminder that, according to page 9 of the School Handbook, students are not to bring electronic devices (including phones) to school. We understand that some families may want their child to have a phone in the case of an emergency, but any such phone must be kept in the student's... READ MORE >

Dear Families: The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is urging families to encourage good health habits to prevent the spread of norovirus, flu, and other respiratory illnesses currently circulating throughout the state. The most common causes of illness are flu and norovirus, but there are many viruses that circulate this time of year. The flu circulates... READ MORE >

Important Information February 2019 District Newsletter Families can read the latest District Newsletter at https://docs.google.com/docume... PTA Box Tops The following information is from the PTA Box Top Committee:"We Love Boxtops!" Please help OCRS to reach their goal this year. So far this school year we have earned $698 with a goal of $1200 for the year. ... READ MORE >

This information is available in the School Handbook, but, because it's cold and flu season, we wanted to send this out to families as a reminder.Parents should observe for symptoms of illness each morning before school. For the safety of all students, please follow our district policy on when to keep your child home. Exclude from school if child has:Temperature... READ MORE >

Important Information Budget process for 2019-20 The budget process is especially difficult this year in Smithfield. Keep up with the process by visiting the finance page of the district website. Please take a moment to view the slides presented at the January 22nd budget workshop, http://bit.ly/2T9VwY9. The potential staffing cuts outlined in the presentation... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families!Important Information Free and Reduced LunchWe want to remind all families that you can apply for free and reduced lunches at anytime during the school year, especially when there's a change in income. The government shutdown has impacted many families. If you have knowledge of a family affected by the shutdown or just otherwise could use... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families! Here is the weekly update for this week: Important Information Please leave toys at home We are still seeing a number of students bringing toys to school with them. Unfortunately, when students bring toys to school, it provides an additional distraction from learning, as well as causes issues with special personal items getting lost or... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families! Here is the weekly update for this week: Important Information Reminder for students to order lunchSince students have returned from the Holiday Break, our Food Service staff have noticed a number of students are forgetting to order lunch before school in the morning. This can cause problems with the availability of lunch options that... READ MORE >

Happy New Year to all OCRS families! I hope that you all had an opportunity to relax and spend time with family during the holidays. Important Information "New Year's Resolutions" from Dr. Paolucci The new superintendent blog post, "New Year's Resolutions," provides resolutions for the school district and a New Year's greeting to our school community. You can... READ MORE >

It's the last week until Holiday Break and, no matter which holiday you celebrate this season, I wish you and your family a safe, peaceful, and happy holiday season! Important Information OCRS PTA Holiday Store The PTA Holiday Store will be held during the school day on Tuesday, 12/18 and Wednesday, 12/19. The PTA Holiday Store allows students an opportunity to... READ MORE >

Students from each classroom volunteered to share what they are thankful for at School Meeting on the day before Thanksgiving. We are so proud of these students for sharing with the school community and for the 5th graders for helping the Kindergarten students with their sharing. We hope that all OCRS families had a terrific Thanksgiving! READ MORE >

At Old County Road School, teachers and staff take pride in working together to implement strategies and programs to better support our students. The majority of our teachers and staff have participating in training in the Responsive Classroom program to improve the culture in our school which will help to free up more time for student learning and make that time... READ MORE >

Hello OCRS families, As you may already know, today the R.I. Department of Education released the results of the statewide RICAS assessments from last year. You can take a look at the public results reports on the Rhode Island Assessment Data Portal at https://lms.backpack.education/public/ride and view additional information about the statewide assessments on the... READ MORE >