Orchard's Weekly Parent Newsletter

Monday, September 18, 2023 - Friday, September 22, 2023

CMSD's Vision for Learning

In our pursuit of a more fair, just and good system of education, it is CMSD’s vision that each of our learners, both our scholars and each of their educators, is individually and collectively presented with academically/intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their productive struggle and allows them authentic opportunities to demonstrate their work and their learning of academic content and transferable skills in a joyful and adventurous environment.

Orchard's Vision

To transform teaching and learning through technology integration and provide the highest quality education experience that ensures creative and inventive thinking with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) focus in student-centered classrooms.

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Profile of a Graduate

Exhibits Creativity and Innovation
Skilled at Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Possesses an Academic Mindset
Prepared for Global Citizenship
Skilled at Collaborating
Literate in Communication and Information Technology
Exhibits Social and Cross Cultural Empathy

Weekly Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Great things happen every day at Orchard such as our Open House, engineering club, peer mediators training, fundraiser, volleyball tryouts, and after school programs including America Scores and Open Doors Academy. Auditions for our production of the Jungle Book will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! On Thursday, at 8:45 am, our school will host its Fathers Walk. See you there!

This newsletter and the ones to follow each week is what we hope will be a weekly review of the innovative and creative happenings at our school. Check out our photos of our partnerships with America Scores and Near West Theatre! You can also check us out on Facebook (Orchard S.T.E.M. School) and Twitter (@OrchardSTEM) or visit our website at clevelandmetroschools.org/Orchard.

We have revised many of our procedures to keep you and your child safe. During arrival, to ensure the continuous flow of traffic and for safety, please drop off your child at the drop off sign. If you need to park, please use a parking space. At the beginning of the school day, Orchard becomes a phone free zone. Students in grades 5 - 8 must place their phones in their Yondr pouch. At the end of the school day, Orchard becomes a closed campus at 3:30 pm. That means we will not release students after that time without prior notice. At arrival and dismissal, please avoid parking in the u-shaped drive as we use this space for our buses, cabs, and vans. At dismissal, Orchard Avenue becomes a one-way street. Please enter Orchard Avenue from West 44th street. Moreover, at the end of the school day, all middle school students will exit the building from the West 41 street door, except for bus, cab, and van riders and after-school program participants. Walkers and car riders in kinder - grade 5 must exit through the gym doors located on Orchard Avenue. Please pick up your child at the gym doors by 4:05 pm. We also ask that you refrain from entering the building, without permission, at dismissal. We will dismiss the first floor at 3:55 pm, third floor at 3:57 pm, and 2nd floor at 4:00 pm to end our school day on time at 4:05 pm. During the school day, all students must use an electronic hall pass to enter the halls, unless accompanied by a staff member. As for dress and appearance, we believe that it rests with parents and guardians and strongly encourage our students to dress appropriately. Please remind your child of these expectations.

We have completed our student code of conduct assemblies and shared our commitment to providing a safe and orderly environment and delivering high-quality educational services free from disruption. This week we will continue to administer the NWEA and assess our students to determine their educational needs. Please remind your child to do his/her best on these assessments. Thank you for your assistance!

We are pleased to have you as partners and want to assure you that we will do our best to help your child experience academic, social, and emotional growth. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at 216.838.7350 or 216.544.4012. We welcome all inquiries. Thank you for your support and cooperation!

School Hours and Start Dates

First Day of School for Preschoolers (Tuesday, September 5, 2023): Families will be contacted regarding orientation.

Orchard School Hours:

0 Period (Students in grades 4 - 8 and their siblings in K - grade 3): 8:35 am - 9:25 am (Start Date: Tuesday, September 5, 2023)
Breakfast: 9:05 am - 9:35 am
Instruction: 9:35 am - 4:05 pm
NOTE: Our secretary will be unavailable from 11:30 am - 12 pm daily for her lunch break. Other staff members will offer you assistance and try their best to meet your needs.
After school program with Open Doors Academy (ODA) to start on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser is September 8 through September 27, 2023

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From the Desk of Ms. Lee, Family Support Specialist

As your Family Support Specialist, I am here to support you and your Scholars. Please let me know how I can help. Also consider enrolling your student in the following programming: Open Doors Academy (after school programming), the Integrated Health Task Force (Care Alliance, Applewood) and the Ohio State Young Scholars program.

Integrated Health Task Force

If you are new to Orchard, the Integrated Health Task Force addresses medical and mental health needs of our students. Medical (which includes Dental) health services are provided in a mobile unit that is here Tuesdays and Thursdays with a Physician Assistant. If a student has acute or chronic issues or needs a sports physical, Care Alliance can see them. Care Alliance has also spoken with classrooms about health and hygiene needs. The Dentist Dr. Enwonwu is scheduled to be at Orchard September 15. I will update you on the return of the mobile unit for other medical needs. A student will need a completed medical consent form to access these services. This is the link for the consent https://sayyescleveland.org/integrated-health/

One of the goals with Integrated Health is to address the needs of our students and to make medical and mental health more accessible to support our students and their families. The hope is that additional support will stabilize families and ultimately students can focus on their academics. Please contact our School Nurse, Mrs. Augustine if you have additional questions regarding medical or mental health questions. She can be reached at 216-838-7357.

Say Yes Survey

I ask that you complete the parent survey. You will need their Student ID to complete the survey. Please feel free to contact me regarding your child's Student ID number. The survey allows me to support our scholars with resources within our school and local community. This is the website to the survey https://cleveland.sytepps.org/#/login

Dr. Moss is supporting the surveys with incentives. Students have been given a flyer to take home with a QR code for their parents to complete the Say Yes survey. The grade with the highest number of parent surveys completed during the month of September will have a pizza party in October. Currently first grade is in the lead with 11 family surveys completed. Help your students class win the pizza party! Students Pre K-2 can also earn a $10 gift card, grades3-5thcan earn a gift card for $25 and grades 6-8th can earn a $50 gift card. Additional incentives for parents include $100 cash and a $50 gift card for gas. These incentives during the month of September and incentives given in October. Best wishes to all! The QR code or website can be used to access the survey. https://cleveland.sytepps.org/#/login

If you are new or returning to Orchard, I'd love for you to meet me or just check in. I can be reached at blee@sayyescleveland.org and 216-219-1330. You can also find me at Orchard daily!

Ms. Bethany Lee, Family Support Specialist

Say Yes Cleveland

Standard Dress and Appearance Expectations

Our district's standard dress and appearance policy is intended to be gender neutral and apply to all students equitably, while on school premises and at school-sponsored functions. Unlike the previous CMSD dress code that specifically dictated what students wore, the CMSD's dress expectations provide students and parents with a choice of clothing with the following exceptions.

Students may not wear:

Transparent clothing
Clothing that exposes the buttocks or torso
Clothing or accessories that displays profanity, violence, obscene words or images, sexually suggestive statements, or statements that incites violence
Clothing depicting gang-related activities
Clothing that exposes the entire thigh, such as minis or shorts
“Ripped” swimsuits or pants
Clothing promoting the use of tobacco items or controlled substances (drugs) and/or alcohol
Clothing where underwear is exposed
Clothing that has texts or visual images that are defamatory, intimidating, constitute harassment or discrimination
Open-toed footwear (Closed footwear is required)

Please click Standard Dress and Appearance Policy to review the full policy.

Open House, September 14 and Fathers Walk, September 21

Two annual events will take place in September, Open House and Fathers Walk.

During our Open House, for preschool - grade 8 families, from 6 pm - 8 pm, you will have an opportunity to experience the life of an Orchard STEAM school student. You may also schedule a date and time to conference with your child's teachers.

Our Fathers Walk will take place during arrival from 8:45 am - 9:15 am. Please join us for coffee and donuts. Each year, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, brothers and mentors mark the day by taking their children to school. The countywide initiative stresses the important role of fathers and other men in the lives of students.

The event encourages fathers to take the following pledge:

I am responsible for the education of my child.
I will encourage all children to do their best every day at school.
I will speak to my child about the value of learning and the importance of reaching your potential.
I will help with schoolwork and review assignments for completion.
I will praise my child when he/she does well in school.
I will speak with my child’s teachers and support them in educating my child.
I will teach my child the value of education and the value of family.
I will work with my child’s mother or guardian to achieve the best academic and social outcomes for my child, even if I do not live with my child.

We are looking forward to seeing you at these events!