Orchard Hills Elementary School

3/25/22

Dear OHS Families, 

OHS Highlights

This week we are highlighting the Instructional Coaching Team!

Our instructional coaches work daily with teachers and students to plan and implement instruction with Milford’s model of High Quality Instruction as the focus, supported by the Vision of the Learner and the Relationship Framework. This year we have been working hard to support the implementation of new literacy resources in K-2 and new numeracy resources in 3-5. 

Math highlights:

• Teachers met with coaches and Dr. Nobili for professional learning around High Quality Instruction in math.

• For more information on STEM at Orchard Hills and ideas for activities for home click HERE.

Literacy highlights:

• Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers met with Barb Golub, a literacy consultant, for professional learning opportunities around High Quality Instructional practices in the area of writing. 

• Below are pictures to highlight the work and a read-aloud link to support the current writing units. 

• For more information on Literacy websites to support learning at home, click HERE. 

Kindergarten: How-To Books	First Grade: Writing Reviews	Second Grade: Writing About Reading
How To Wash A Woolly Mammoth	A Pet for Petunia	Mercy Watson To The Rescue

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Important Information

• Great news! As stated in Dr. Cutaia’s message from 3/12/22, we will be able to begin opening up our classroom instructional spaces and school learning communities with regard to some planned adjustments to the previous COVID related restrictions - starting March 28th.  At the elementary level we have missed having our families in the buildings and we are excited to welcome back  families and visitors in our building, hold activities after school, and work with our PTAs for Spring events.  Field trips and celebrations of learning will also start to be planned.  

For the time being, students will continue to have lunch in their own classrooms and we will hold off on all school gatherings as we are not yet comfortable with groups of 100 plus students being together with the lower vaccine rate among our elementary students.  We have created social opportunities within each classroom by placing the students in small groups where they also have their lunches.   Students also have more social opportunities when they go out for recess, including with their grade level peers from other classrooms.  (Please note student groups can now also intermingle during recess times.)  

We are excited by the changes in our classrooms and across the building -- and look forward to sharing with you all the great activities that will be happening throughout the spring.  

• Safety drill- Next week, we will be conducting a safety drill.  The goal of these drills throughout the school year is to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. These practice drills allow us to evaluate our emergency operation plans and improve our response skills. Please talk with your child, if you deem it appropriate, about the expectations during a fire or lockdown drill. Our goal, while practicing important safety procedures, is to be sure all students feel safe.

• OHS Spirit Days

• Check out the STEM Corner on our OHS Parent Corner

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The PTA Fundraisers

Restaurant Night- Bonfire Grille!  April 11th 11:30am - 9:00pm Click here for more details.  Sock Fundraiser-  This fundraiser will benefit the send off for our 5th grade class this year.  Our unique “Silly Sock” fundraiser is a hands off and fun way to raise money. Who doesn’t love silly socks? They make great gifts for people of all ages  and there are hundreds of varieties to choose from.  Click here to order today!  Pampered Chef-  Please consider supporting the OHS PTA through this virtual Pampered Chef fundraiser.  Details can be found in this flier: OHS Pampered Chef Fundraiser PTA Flyer- Spring 2022 New Board Members-  Are you interested in supporting the OHS Learning community?  Do you have a passion for creating engaging and fun experiences for children?  If so, consider volunteering to become a board member.  Our current co-presidents have gone above and beyond over the last two years, but now it is your time!  If you are interested please email:  nicole.semanchik@gmail.com, kwaz97@yahoo.com or jaimemccormack78@gmail.com

__________________________________________________ Important Dates

Important Dates:

• Please click here for the revised Academic Calendar for 2021-22.

• Tuesday, March 29th: Families can access report cards in Powerschool

• Wednesday, March 30th, Thursday, March 31st, Friday, April 1st: Early Release day for Spring Conferences NOTE: Students dismissed at 1:15 (10 minutes earlier that normal)

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Spring Conferences 

We are pleased to announce our Spring 2022 Elementary School Virtual Conference Schedule: 

• Wednesday, March 30th 5:30-8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, March 31st 1:45-3:45 p.m. 

• Friday, April 1st 1:45-3:45 p.m.

*Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule.  Therefore, students will be dismissed on March 30th, March 31st  and April 1st at 1:15pm.

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Family Connection

SEL Anchor Tool and Parent Companion Guide of the Month

The Mood Meter is a tool to recognize and regulate your feelings by teaching self and social awareness. Click on the Mood Meter  link to learn how to use the Mood Meter in your home! Questions? Contact Mrs. Dickson via email: mdickson@milforded.org. 

School Counseling Lessons

Our classrooms are finishing up their lessons on friendship.  Here you will find some of the broad topics: Friendship Newsletter

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Sincerely, 

Mrs. Sarah Scionti-  Principal, Orchard Hills Elementary School

@PrincipalSarah (Follow me on Twitter)