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 link to a video that we watched together as a school on Friday, as well as resources that families can use in talking with kids about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Leader and a Hero
How to Talk About Martin Luther King Jr. With Your Children
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/parent-child/teaching-kids-about-martin-luther-king-jr.html
Honoring the Real Meaning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/honoring-the-real-meaning-of-martin-luther-king-jr-day
How to teach kids the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
https://www.today.com/parents/how-tell-kids-story-martin-luther-king-jr-day-t147051
NO SCHOOL, Monday, 1/15 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
There is no school on Monday, 1/15 to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Child Outreach Preschool Screening
This screening is free and recommended for every child, every year at the ages of three, four, and five years. Free screening is offered to all Smithfield residents. Screening provides important information about your child’s growth and development. It can help you understand how your child is progressing in the areas of vision, hearing, speech/language, social/emotional, and general development. Screening can also assist in identifying children who may need further assessment and intervention at an early age in order to prevent the occurrence of more significant problems later.
Smithfield Public Schools will be holding its winter screening event at LaPerche Elementary School January 23rd - 25th
Appointments are available:
- Tuesday, January 23 at 8:30, 9:15, 10:00, 10:45, 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30
- Wednesday, January 24 at 8:30, 9:15, 10:00, 10:45, 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30
- Thursday, January 25 at 8:30, 9:15, 10:00, 10:45, 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30
You can schedule your appointment by emailing, childoutreach@smithfield-ps.org. If your child was recently screened at an area preschool or daycare please let us know - your results may be in process and screening may not be needed at this time.
Our goal is to screen every Smithfield preschool child, every year. Thank you for your help in reaching this goal!
Social Media Safety Tips for Kids
The National Association of Elementary Principals has published some Social Media Safety Tips for Kids. Based upon past experience, we're concerned as a school about elementary age students using social media outside of school and then bringing inappropriate language and subject matter into school. For example, in the past two weeks, some 3rd graders have been calling each other profanities that they heard outside of school on YouTube and some 4th grade students have been using sexual language that they have heard online outside of school.
Every family has the right to choose how much access to technology devices, online services, and social media apps their child has while outside of school. There are certainly lots of benefits for kids to be able to communicate with family and friends online, as well as to access information and entertainment. There are so many online services, games, and social media apps that it can be extremely difficult for families to keep on top of everything. Most social media apps require their users to be at least 13 years old, but they don’t often make this clear to parents and the requirements are easy to bypass.
Here are some resources from Common Sense Media and Common Sense Education that may be helpful to families when investigating and deciding what devices, social media apps, and games their children should have access to:
Parents' Ultimate Guides to TikTok, Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, etc.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parents-ultimate-guides
“Social Media Basics for Parents”
What is social media, and why are my kids constantly on it? What do I need to be aware of to keep them safe, especially when adults aren't around? Join Common Sense to learn the basics of social media -- we'll cover the key differences between Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, and why kids love them. You'll leave with tips and strategies for staying on top of the latest trends, because you can't be there all the time.
“How Parents Can Address Social Media Challenges”
Young people want to be a part of something, whether good or bad. How can we support our kids to think about the implications of their actions amid all the viral social media "challenges" that have been appearing recently? Join us for tips and strategies on talking to your kid about the latest social media challenge – both the viral and everyday kinds.
Grades K–2 Family Conversations
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zYSaO6dR-N9R6XUQQLt6iFjavkp7-qH/edit
“Family Tech Planner for Children Ages 2-8”
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/ftp-en-2-8-common-sense-media.pdf
Grades 3–5 Family Conversations
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AQqtJlobiHKGNDVBARClMtiGmL3qeVvh/edit
“Family Tech Planner for Children Ages 9-12”
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/ftp-en-9-12-common-sense-media.pdf
“Digital Citizenship Resources for Family Engagement”
https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-resources
Birding Nature Walk and Workshop
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is leading a Birding Nature Walk and Workshop at Stephen Olney Park in North Providence on Saturday, January 20th at 1:00 PM. This is part of a series of workshops by Thrive Outside and there will be a take-home birding craft as part of the walk. See the linked flyers for more details; English version (PDF) and Spanish version (PDF).
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. Click on the "Add to Google Calendar" button to subscribe to the calendar using your own calendar app.
NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 15th
Smithfield Special Education Local Advisory Committee meeting, Wednesday January 17th at 6:30 PM at Smithfield High School
PTA General Meeting, Tuesday January 23rd at 6:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 5th grade and 2nd grade, Wednesday January 31st
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 4th grade and 1st grade, Wednesday February 7th
SAVE THE DATE, Bring "Someone Special" for Lunch, 3rd grade and Kindergarten, Wednesday February 14th
Thank you,
Mr. Barrette
2nd Grade Science, Exploring Rocks
