Friday, October 31st Weekly Update

Posted Date: 10/31/25 (3:30 PM)

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Orchard Hill Weekly Update

Friday, October 31st, 2025

From Mr. Tortora

Dear Orchard Hill Families,

We had so much fun celebrating Halloween! Our fifth-graders created pumpkin masterpieces for the Fifth-Grade Pumpkin Contest. Today, many staff and students dressed up and our kindergarten students had their annual Halloween Parade through the hallways.

For those families celebrating, have a fun and safe Halloween!

- Mike

A pumpkin decorated as a furry creature sits on a table, surrounded by other pumpkin decorations.

Two people smile and pose for a photo, one wearing a wig and costume.

A pumpkin carved to resemble Harry Potter, complete with glasses and a tie, sits on a table.

Children in costumes line a school hallway, with a teacher waving.

A table displays various decorated pumpkins, including a cupcake and Charlie Brown.

Children in costumes sit in a school hallway, waiting for an event.

A spotlight shines on the words 'STAFF SPOTLIGHT'.

A woman and a young girl walk with a golden retriever in a school hallway.

Sandra Charbonneau - Reading Paraeducator

# of years at Orchard Hill and # of years in education? 25
What do you enjoy most about working at our school? Interacting with students and witnessing their growth
What inspired you to become an educator (or work in education)? My mother was a teacher for 30 years and I always admired her work and passion for her job.
Where did you grow up? South Windsor
Do you have any siblings? I have 1 brother and 1 sister
What college did you graduate from? Eastern Connecticut State University
Do you have any pets? Bugs Bunny, we all know her story.....
What was your favorite sport/activity as a child? gymnastics
What’s your favorite childhood book or show? Robert the Rose Horse, give give this book to new moms I know
What do you like to do outside of school? yoga and pet therapy visits
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Europe
If you weren't in education, what would you do? Have a farm fliled with lots of animals!

Click Below for an interesting article about the top 100 Elementary Schools in Connecticut. We have an amazing staff and school community!!

Orchard Hill Spotlight

Veterans Day

All veterans from Orchard Hill Elementary School families are invited to participate in our special Veterans Day ceremony. You could be a relative, guardian, or family friend of an Orchard Hill student or staff member!

Please join us on Tuesday, November 11th, from 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. in our gymnasium. Help us honor our active and veteran service members through songs, poems, and carrying the flag. Enjoy coffee and pastries in our cafeteria before and after the ceremony.

We would be honored to have you join us! If you are able to attend, please click on the blue "Veterans Day Sign Up" button below OR call our office at 648-5015. We hope to see you on November 11th!

Veterans Day Sign Up