Weekly Update
Friday, October 4
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.
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)!!
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