RO Newsflash
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Back to School Timeline
Monday, April 5th will be a return to in-school learning for all grade 3, 4 and 5 students on a full day schedule. School will begin at 8:40am and end at 3:00pm. This will also include the start of lunch, recess and a new specials schedule (gym, art, music and library).
Safety Measures in Phase 4
- Masks will be worn by all people at RO at all times, with the exception of eating time (snack and lunch). Students and staff are expected to arrive at school with masks on.
- Students and staff will remain at least three feet apart at all times while at school. During lunch and snack, when masks are off, students will be at least 6 feet apart and facing the same direction.
- Students will wash and sanitize their hands frequently throughout the day.
LUNCH AND RECESS/ Outdoor Snack and Mask Breaks
- All students at RO will have a 30 minute recess time each day. Our two large playground behind our school will be divided into three sections. Each class will be assigned a section to play in during recess. Masks will be worn at recess. Students can play, run around and socialize. However, students will not be permitted to use recess balls or equipment to decrease the sharing of germs. Classrooms will rotate playground spaces and the play structures will be permitted for student use.
- Beginning April 5, RO will run 6 lunch/recess periods. There will be two lunchrooms: the cafeteria and the back half of our gymnasium. Each lunchroom has 75 student desks, facing the same direction. These desks are numbered and students will eat lunch at the same desk each day. Students will wipe down their lunch desk with soapy water at the end of each lunch. This way all of our students eat at a clean desk, everyday. Below is the lunch/recess schedule:
3rd Team 1 Recess/Lunch 10:40 - 11:10 11:10 -11:40
3rd Team 2 Lunch/Recess 11:10 - 11:40 10:40 -11:10
4th Team 1 Recess/Lunch 11:45 - 12:15 12:15 - 12:45
4th Team 2 Lunch/ Recess 12:15 - 12:45 11:45 - 12:15
5th Team 1 Recess/Lunch 12:50 - 1:20 1:20 -1:50
5th Team 2 Lunch/Recess 1:20 -1:50 12:50 - 1:20
- Our third graders will have a snack and outdoor mask break each afternoon, since they have an earlier lunch time. Our fifth graders will have a morning snack and outdoor mask break each morning, since those students have a later lunch time. Fourth grade classrooms will chose between morning and afternoon for a snack/ outdoor mask break.
- There will be between 60 - 75 students at each lunch and recess. There will be a minimum of three staff members supervising each lunch and recess, everyday. Mr. Aries and Mr. Getchell will be present for most of these periods.
- Students will receive their lunch time, recess time and lunch seat assignment next week. Students and teachers will practice coming and going to lunch and recess next week so all will be familiar with this routine and safety measures before the first day of lunch and recess, April 5.
- School lunches will continue to be free for all. Students can order lunch in the morning and pick up their lunch when they enter the lunchroom. If a student has a food allergy, special lunches will be prepared for those students. Students with food allergies will have their names on the lunch tray. Since all students are eating 6 feet apart, we do not need 'peanut free' tables. Our school kitchen is entirely nut free.
Arrival and Dismissal in Phase 4
Arrival
Students will continue to arrive at RO between 8:25am - 8:40am. We encourage any student that lives 2 miles or more from RO to take the bus. We encourage anyone within walking distance to RO to walk to school. We are expecting a HIGH VOLUME of vehicle drop offs. If you are driving your child to school, I would recommend arriving at RO (or to the long line of cars) by 8:25. Please bring your patience and enjoy the time with your child.
Dismissal
Beginning April 5, students will be dismissed at 3:00. We will let our third graders dismiss before the fourth and fifth graders, at 2:55. Students taking the bus home will move to their bus line (either on the Richardson playground or Olmsted playground) and sit in their bus line, three feet apart. Three staff members supervise each bus side and help students board the busses safely. Vehicle pick up line will be long. We will follow the same procedure we have for pick up.
Grade 3 Return to In-Person Learning:
Pictured above is Mrs. Skehan's Class and pictured below is Mr. Harrington's class
with seating spaced 3 feet apart.
RO Job Opportunity - Part-time Lunch/Playground Aide Needed!
RO Virtual PTA Meeting Tonight - 7:00pm
Adopt an OA High School Senior
Please see the following flyer link for information on how to "adopt" an Oliver Ames High School Senior:
These fifth graders design and build a water filtration device. So fun!
Maplewood Afterschool Program
The Maplewood after school program will be starting on April 5.
Maplewood will be offering after school care Monday through Friday until 6:00 pm. Bus transportation will also be offered. The Maplewood staff provides homework help and activities daily. Please see the link below for more information:
Raising Multicultural Kids (RMK) began a program this year that provided an opportunity for college-aged students to read books to our students at RO. Books read involved themes of acceptance, equality and empathy. Classrooms that participated had the same reader throughout the year. It was very well received!
A Message from Easton Food Pantry
The Easton Food Pantry will be distributing a special Easter dinner the Monday before Easter. This will include a ham, pineapple, cake, frosting, brownie mix, and mustard, along with normal staple and perishable items. We have been asking our clients if they would like the special Easter dinner items the last few Mondays. Monday, March 15th is the last day to sign up.
Thanks to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Immaculate Conception and Roche Brothers for making this possible!
Mark Your Calendar!
Wednesday, 3/24 - RO PTA Virtual Meeting @ 7:00pm
Friday, 3/26 - Report Cards Posted to the Family Portal
Monday, 3/29 - All grades start in school Monday-Friday from 8:40am-1:00pm
Thursday, 4/1 - Early Release @ 11:35am for Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, 4/2 - Early Release @ 11:35am for Parent Teacher Conferences