Weekly Update
Friday, October 18
From Mr. Tortora
Dear Orchard Hill Families,
We had an awesome PTO Fun Run today with gorgeous weather!! Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped coordinate and faciliate our Fun Run. We have quite a busy week next week:
- Our STEM After-School Clubs Sesson I begins
- Ms. Kraununas' 2nd-grade class coordinated a fundraiser to help those impacted by the recent hurricanes (see more information below)
- Read for the Record - we will be joining millions worldwide in the largest shared reading
- Fire Safety - for our grade 2 students
- Family STEM Night - Thursday, October 24th (see more information below)
Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!
- Mr. Tortora
Thursday, October 24th
READ FOR THE RECORD - We will be joining millions worldwide reading the book Piper Chen Sings - Piper Chen Sings is a story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Piper tells her Nai Nai that she felt “like butterflies were having a dance party” in her belly; she doesn’t feel she can sing in front of others without making a mistake. Thankfully, Nai Nai teaches Piper that feeling butterflies means “something exciting was ahead” and that recognizing and welcoming that anxious feeling would help it pass. Nai Nai’s advice empowers Piper, who finds her voice on stage.
For more information click on the following link - https://www.jstart.org/jumpstarts-read-for-the-record/
A Special wish for your Goblin!
The fifth grade at Orchard Hill is having a fundraiser!!
We are raising money for fun and exciting fifth grade activities!
We are offering you the chance to send your student a message for Halloween!!
Your message will be delivered and hung outside your child’s classroom beginning October 14th- 30th.
Please send your short message along with $1.00 for each message to your child’s teacher.
Please be sure to write your child’s teacher’s name on the message so we know where to deliver it!!
Thank you for your support!!!
The fifth grade students at Orchard Hill!!
South Windsor Public Schools promotes an engaging and dynamic culture of learning that prepares students to achieve their own individual excellence. To accomplish this, engaging our students in learning everyday is critical. At Orchard Hill, we look forward to partnering with you to make sure your child has the opportunity to learn and thrive everyday.
We wanted to let you know attendance will continue to be a top priority this school year. Attending school regularly and engaging with the school community will nurture a sense of belonging and lead to lifelong success. When children miss school days, they miss out the opportunity to learn from their teachers. The more children miss, the harder it is for them to keep up with those who attend school regularly.
Missing just two days a month or 18 days in a school year can harm your child’s progress. We call missing 18 days in a school year “chronic absenteeism”. These absences may seem small as they happen, but your child is less likely to succeed if they are chronically absent. Research shows that:
Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade tend not to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
By middle and high school, chronic absenteeism is a proven early sign that a child is likely to fail academic courses and is at risk of eventually dropping out.
We recognize that some absences are unavoidable for health reasons or other important family matters. We also know that even when children have missed school for good reasons, too many absences can cause them to fall behind. Please know there are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your child face challenges getting to school regularly or on time.
Going to school regularly matters for your child’s success and achievement!
Let’s work together to make sure that your child does not fall behind in school this school year. Please ensure that your children attend school every day and also arrive on time, by 8:45 a.m., so they benefit as much as possible from what is taught in the classroom. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime,
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Establish a morning routine.
Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
Talk to teachers and Amelia Steele, our school social worker, for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
Please let us know how we can work with you and your family to ensure your children show up for school on time every day. Like you, we want your child to be successful! If you have any questions or need more information please reach out.
Throughout the school year, there are many volunteer opportunities for parents/guardians ( for example - chaperoning a field trip, helping at a PTO event). If you would like to volunteer, you must complete a Volunteer Registration form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-YY-42ZxOAK16oe0_MME6uberDFv5P_ubEefFX2knqcUmQQ/viewform