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 Experiences on Friday. We're looking forward to a fun and productive week!
Important Information
Valentine's Day Cards
If you are planning to send Valentine's Day cards in with your student this week, please keep the following in mind:
- Due to food allergies and dietary restrictions, please DO NOT include any candy, chocolate, or food with Valentine's Day cards. If students do bring in any candy, chocolate, or food, they will not be allowed to hand out their cards. Some fun and safe alternatives are pencils, erasers, or stickers.
- Please include enough cards for every student in your child's classroom. We want to make sure that no students are left out.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
PTA Flowergrams for Valentine's Day
The PTA has collected all of the Flowergrams to be handed out to students this Friday. If you missed the deadline, the PTA will be accepting last minute orders this Wednesday and Thursday during lunch. If you would still like to order a Flowergram for your child, please fill out the form at https://5il.co/cpig and return it with your child on Wednesday or Thursday.
Loved One for Lunch
All of the RSVPs for the "Bring a Loved One to Lunch" event have been collected and we are working with our food service provider, Chartwells, to organize a fun event for the adults that returned the RSVP. At this point, no additional RSVPs are able to be accepted. As a reminder, the schedule is as follows:
Kindergarten, Wednesday 2/12 @10:55 a.m.
1st Grade, Thursday 2/13 @10:55 a.m.
2nd Grade, Wednesday 2/12 @11:30 a.m.
3rd Grade, Thursday 2/13 @11:30 a.m.
4th Grade, Wednesday 2/12 @12:05 p.m.
5th Grace, Thursday 2/13 @12:05 p.m.
Keeping your Child Home in the Event of Illness
All four Smithfield elementary schools follow the same procedures when it comes to families keeping their child home from school in the event of illness. While we know that keeping your child home can be inconvenient and difficult for families due to work schedules, it's important for the health of ALL students and staff that families are aware of and follow the policy listed in the School Handbook. Here is a reminder of that policy:
Exclude from school if your child has:
- Temperature above 100 F within the past 24 hours and/or general condition is poor in spite of temperature
- Sore throat and/or swollen glands
- Earache and/or discharge from the ear canal
- Itchy red eyes, with or without drainage
- Frequent or uncontrolled cough and/or runny nose
- Severe headache
- Unidentified rash
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
- Seizures
Any child with the above symptoms should stay home. Parents are required to notify the school on the morning of each absence.
Please inform the school office or the nurse if your child is absent or has an extended illness or surgery.
If your child has been diagnosed with a throat or eye infection, (i.e. Strep throat or pink eye) and is put on an antibiotic, he/she needs to stay home for a full 24 hours before returning to school.
Again, for the health and wellbeing for all OCRS students and staff, we appreciate your cooperation with the district's policy.
RIDE SurveyWorks for Families
As in past years, the R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) is offering the SurveyWorks survey to all families of students that attend Rhode Island public schools. The purpose of SurveyWorks is to gather feedback, both positive and constructive, to help improve our schools. What families have to say about their child's school's climate, culture, and learning environments is crucially important to making Old County Road School the absolute best school that it can be!
Families already received an email and a letter with the details and instructions on how to access and complete the online survey. We thank you ahead of time for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and feedback.
Upcoming Dates and Events
OCRS Spirit Day, Monday February 10th
Each and every Monday we are encouraging OCRS students and staff to wear their OCRS Spirit Gear to school!
RIDE SurveyWorks for Families and Students, February 3rd through February 14th
You have received a separate email and a letter with the details and instructions on how to access and complete the online survey. We thank you ahead of time for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and feedback.
PTA Meeting, Monday February 10th at 7:00 p.m.
There will be a PTA General Membership Meeting on Monday, February 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the OCRS Library. All OCRS parents and guardians are invited to attend!
Wear Red Spirit Day, Friday February 14th
We are encouraging students and staff to wear something red this Friday, February 14th to celebrate Valentine's Day. Please do not purchase anything special!
NO SCHOOL, Winter Recess, Monday 2/17 through Friday 2/21
There will be no school for Winter Recess on Monday, 2/17 through Friday, 2/21.
Follow OCRS Online and on Social Media
To stay up to date with the latest OCRS information, please check out the OCRS website at https://oldcounty.smithfield-ps.org. Also follow OCRS on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OldCountyRoadSchool/, our Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/OldCountyRoad, and our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/oldcountyroad/
4th grade learning about composition with Ms. Burrows in Art
