Weekly Update
Friday, August 23rd
From Mr. Tortora
Dear Orchard Hill Families,
Only a couple more days until the start of the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you to our custodians - Greg Smith, Lloyd Roberts, and Sean Thompson - and summer custodians - Evan Smagacz, Ben Tortora, and Ben Zerella - for all of their hard work in making Orchard Hill look like brand new once again. The floors are so shiny and spotless you could eat off of them - although not recommended 😀!
- Mr. Tortora
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
K-5 class placement information is available in Parent Portal. You can log into your Parent Portal account to find out your child’s teacher.
While in Parent Portal please complete the annual Student Information Update and Transportation Information Form (TIF) if you have not already done so:
Annual Parent Update
2024 – 2025 Form A – Student Contacts
2024 – 2025 Form B – Health Information
2024 – 2025 Form C – Annual Notices and Acknowledgements
2024 – 2025 Form D – Acknowledgement of Completion
***The Annual Parent Update is only required for our returning students. Our new students, the parents completed during the registration process.
Bus information will be available in your Parent Portal beginning on Thursday, August 22nd. This will include the student(s) bus number, bus stop location, pickup time and drop-off time. To access:
1. Log into your Parent Portal account
2. Click on FORMS in leftside menu
3. Click on BUS INFORMATION
**Bus Moratorium - For the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, parent/guardians should also be aware that no changes can be made between August 20 - September 4
If you need any assistance, please feel free to call our main office.
Thursday, September 12th
Open House
Come learn more about Orchard Hill and your child's classroom!
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Principals’ Presentation (gymnasium)
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Classroom Presentations Session I
7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Classroom Presentations Session II (repeat of Session I)
**this event is for parents/guardians/caregivers only
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.
- Would you like to be part of our exciting Orchard Hill PTO Leadership Team for the 2024-2025 school year?
- Do you have new ideas to help enhance our school community and promote our positive school climate?
- Would you like to collaborate with others for the benefit of our students and school community?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please consider joining our Orchard Hill PTO Leadership Team by filling out the form below!
