Weekly Update
Friday, October 4
From Mr. Tortora
Dear Orchard Hill Families,
We had a great first week of October! We are looking forward to our PTO Book Fair next week (more information below).
Have a wonderful weekend!
- Mr. Tortora
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 7th - Friday, October 11th
🍁 Fall in Love with Reading!🍁 The Book Fair is NEXT WEEK and we hope you are as excited as us!
NEXT WEEK your students will have an opportunity with their class to visit the book fair and shop for their new favorite read. This gives them a chance to independently choose their own book just for them, encouraging creativity and confidence!
Join us for shopping during the evening Family Shopping Nights on Tuesday, Oct 9 and Wednesday, Oct 10 from 4-7pm.
Student & Family Raffles! Book Bundles, Wolf Pack Tickets, and Foster Farm Family Package - Bookmark and tote bag giveaways - Meet Feathers the Mascot - And more!
Don't Forget - Set up your eWallet here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/orchardhillelementaryschool1
Friday, October 11th
Grade 5 Water Bottle Rocket Launch
On Friday, October 11th, all students in 5th grade will participate in a Water Bottle Rocket Launch Event. This event is a science supported in-house field trip presented by visiting engineers from both Collins Aerospace and Raytheon Technologies. In preparation for the event students have been working in groups during their STEM class to construct rockets for launching. On the day of the event students will have an opportunity to learn about the field of Aerospace Engineering, launch their rockets and participate in a question and answer session after the launch. Please check the weather on this day to make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather as we will be outside for the launch.
School Store
The School Store is open for business!
Store Schedule: 8:25 - 8:45am
Thursdays: Grade K-2
Fridays: Grades 3-5
(located in common area near their classrooms)
The school store is run by the 5th grade class as a way to raise funds for their end of the year activities.
Small novelty items and school supplies are sold at the store and everything costs less than $2.
Each grade level is assigned a specific morning to shop. If your child is interested in visiting the store, please send them to school with money on their assigned morning.
We also have gift certificates available as an option for a way to celebrate your child’s birthday with their class!
Simply fill out the bottom portion of this form and send it in to your child’s teacher
No printer, no problem, simply email kkruzick@swindsor.k12.ct.us and send the money in an envelope (attention Mrs. Kruzick)!!
Friday Folders
From the PTO
Did you know… the Fun Run is the PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year! It allows us to give back to the students & school. All of the money raised goes to putting on events for the OH community, offering curriculum enhancements, funding field trips and much more!
ALL students will participate in a fun obstacle course out on the back field during recess!
We could use some more volunteers to be out on the course with the kids, especially grades 2-5!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AACA62BA2FAC16-50691581-2024#/
Great First PTO Meeting of the Year
Click the attachment below for more information!
SWHS Preschool Seats Available
Seats are available for two children to join South Windsor High School’s on-campus preschool. Located at the SWHS Annex, the preschool is overseen by teacher Mrs. Melissa Doherty and paraeducator Arpitha Subramanyam. In a safe and engaging environment, participating children learn alongside high school students who aspire to be future teachers. The preschool begins operation October 10, and runs every Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
For more information, please visit the preschool’s website or email Mrs. Doherty at mdoherty@swindsor.k12.ct.us.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
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.
Need to report an absence for your child?
Attendance reporting will now be done in your PowerSchool Parent Portal account under Attendance Monitor. Detailed instructions will be posted on our school website.
Volunteer Registration
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
Employment Opportunities
Substitute Teachers
The South Windsor Public Schools has openings for caring, responsible, and reliable individuals to substitute in all of our schools. We need your help to find individuals interested in working in our amazing district with wonderful students and staff, while having a flexible schedule and earning $125 per day. Prior experience working with school-aged children or a bachelor’s degree is required. Our substitutes are an essential part of our schools. Please share with your friends, neighbors, and relatives who may be looking for a flexible job opportunity, enjoy community involvement, or are interested in gaining experience working in the field of education.
For more information, please contact any of our school administrators or visit our website to apply for about these important positions: https://www.applitrack.com/southwindsor/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute