Friday, March 13th Weekly Update

Posted Date: 03/13/26 (03:35 PM)

Orchard Hill Weekly Update

Friday, March 13, 2026

From Mr. Tortora

Dear Orchard Hill Families,

I wish the weather would make up its mind!! As a reminder, Early Release Wednesdays start Wednesday, March 18th and continue for the rest of the school year - 12:45 p.m. dismissal. Also, there is NO SCHOOL Friday, March 20th due to Eid al-Fitr.

Have a great weekend!

- Mike

Reschedule Author Visit

Award-winning author and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal will visit Orchard Hill on March 23, 2026.

PTO Information/Events

SAVE THE DATE! THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING TO OH!

March 30 - April 2 your child will have the opportunity to visit the book fair with their classroom!

Family Evening Hours will be on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-7pm.

Volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4CA4AD29A3FA7-62767666-spring

Save the Date for the OH Spring 2026 Book Fair, March 30 - April 2, featuring children reading on stacks of books.

BOOK FAIR - Seeking Volunteers!

ThThe book fair is taking place March 30- April 2 and we are seeking volunteers for help during the day and evening hours. If you have availability and interested in volunteering we welcome all parents/guardians to sign up. No experience with the book fair necessary!

Questions, contact Laura Hills at LEBurrill@gmail.com

PTO Spring Early Release Wednesday Clubs

Flyer for 'Just for Fun ART-Ventures' art classes for kids K-5, starting March 18th.

A flyer for 'Mad Science Secret Agent Lab' program with dates, times, and registration details.

March PTO Meeting Minutes

Yard Goats Save the Date

Save the date for Orchard Hill Night at the Yard Goats on Saturday, May 16th, with a 6:10 PM game start, pregame parade, and fireworks.

A spotlight shines on the words 'STAFF SPOTLIGHT'.

A family of four smiles for a photo by a lake with a wooded hillside in the background.

Nicole Kapralos - Math Paraeducator

# of years at Orchard Hill and # of years in education? 4 years at OH, 13 years total
What do you enjoy most about working at our school? I enjoy seeing the students learn something new and I also enjoy working with the amazing staff here.
What inspired you to become an educator (or work in education)? I love the energy in schools and wanted to be around it all the time.
Where did you grow up? Cheshire, CT
What college did you graduate from?UCONN
What was your favorite sport/activity growing up? I tapped dance for 13 years
What do you like to do outside of school? I love to bake and spend time with my family.
What's your favorite food or snack? Pizza and Ice cream
What's your favorite childhood book or show? One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish by Dr. Seuss
If you weren't in education, what would you want to do? My dream job would be travelling and learning to bake from locals all around the world.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would travel to an island because the beach is my favorite place to be.

Food Advisory Board

The Director of Dining Services and I are looking to create a Food Advisory Board consisting of students, teachers, Admin, nurses, parents, lunch monitors, and any other faculty or staff who have a passion for food. The purpose is to meet regularly during the school year to discuss our nutrition program, the breakfast and lunch menus, wellness initiatives, etc.

Anyone interested can email me at jpaakkonen@southwindsorschools.org.

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 began in January 2026. You can learn more about POP by accessing our school district's website.