Friday, December 19th Weekly Update

Posted Date: 12/19/25 (03:35 PM)

Orchard Hill Weekly Update

Friday, December 19, 2025

From Mr. Tortora

Dear Orchard Hill Families,

This will be the last update of 2025!

As a reminder, Tuesday, December 23rd is an EARLY RELEASE day - 12:45 p.m. dismissal. When we return from winter break, we will have FULL DAY Wednesdays with our regular 3:20 p.m. dismissal.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy 2026!!

- Mike

A spotlight shines on the words 'STAFF SPOTLIGHT'.

Shannon Woods - Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

# of years at Orchard Hill and # of years in education? 1st year at OH, but 18 years of teaching
What do you enjoy most about working at our school? The students and staff I have met so far have been very welcoming and kind!
What inspired you to become an educator (or work in education)? As a child, I participated in a lot of Unified Sports and fell in love with teaching and developing friendships with students of all abilities.
Where did you grow up? Preston, CT
What college did you graduate from?Saint Joseph College (now University) in West Hartford
Do you have any siblings? I have a younger sister who is a school psychologist and incredibly smart, kind, and all around good person and I am incredibly blessed to have her as my sister!
What was your favorite sport/activity as Dragon boating! I captain the Mothers of Dragons (South Windsor based) and am on two club teams in Hartford.
What do you like to do outside of school? Read, read, read!!
What's your favorite food or snack? I love all food, but would say my favorite is any type of seafood.
What's your favorite childhood book or show? The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Do you have any pets? I have a medium Goldendoodle named Tessa (Contessa). She is a sweetie and loves to play fetch and give kisses.
If you weren't in education, what would you do? Book Critic or Editor
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go back to Salzburg, Austria where they filmed most of the Sound of Music.

Lost & Found **please write your child's name on the clothing

As a reminder, our Lost & Found will be in our lobby during parent/teacher conferences, so please take a look if your child is missing something! A great strategy to avoid having something lost, is to write your child's name on the tag of the clothing.

A metal rack filled with various clothing items on hangers.

Upcoming Events

Monday, December 22nd

Senior Citizen Readers come to Orchard Hill

A festive "Holiday Sing Along" sign with decorative trees and ornaments.

Tuesday, December 23rd

South Windsor Choral Spectrum visits Orchard Hill for a holiday sing-along

A yellow sticky note reads 'Early Release Day!' pinned with a blue tack.

Early Release - 12:45 p.m. dismissal

A festive banner announces 'Winter Break' with a cheerful snowman and a Christmas tree.

Wednesday, December 24th - Sunday, January 4th, 2026

Winter Vacation

Colorful text reads 'Welcome Back To School' with an apple and a crayon.

Monday, January 5th

First Day Back

A yellow sticky note with the word 'Remember!' written in bold black letters, pinned with a red thumbtack.

Wednesday, January 7th

FULL Day - 3:20 p.m. dismissal

Colorful text reads 'PTO Meeting' in a playful, hand-drawn font.

PTO Meeting - 7:00 p.m. (cafeteria)

Graphic celebrating National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9th.

Friday, January 9th

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day - wear BLUE to show our support for the South Windsor Police Department and thank them for keeping our community safe!

Orchard Hill Hartford Wolfpack Night

26-27 Peer Role Model Application for Preschool Outreach Program (POP)

A colorful square icon features stick figures of a boy and girl with arms raised.

South Windsor Public Schools is now accepting applications for community peer role models in the preschool outreach program (POP) for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please complete the Preschool Outreach Program (POP) Community Role Model Application. Peer role model screenings will begin in January 2026. You can learn more about POP by accessing our school district's website.

Friday Folders

Radon Testing Results

When Should You Keep Your Child Home From School?

A guide titled 'Should I keep my child home or send them to school?' lists health guidelines.

PTO Information/Events

A holiday greeting card with the text 'Happy Holidays!' in elegant script.

Upcoming PTO events listed on a pink and orange gradient background.

PTO Skate Night

There are still plenty of tickets left for the OH Ice Skate Night if you bring your own ice skates, but the tickets that include Ice skate rentals are sold out.

An event flyer for OH Skate Night 2025, featuring cartoon penguins ice skating.

PTO BINGO Night

Save the date! Bingo night is on 2/6/26 at Timothy Edwards Middle School! Tickets sales will start in January, but please consider volunteering using the link below so we can make sure it is a successful night! Thanks for your support and we are looking forward to seeing everyone at this fun event!

We need your help! Volunteer your time here!

A colorful poster announces a Bingo Night event.

2025-2026 District Calendar