Friday, March 20thWeekly Update

Posted Date: 03/20/26 (03:35 PM)

Orchard Hill Weekly Update

Friday, March 20, 2026

From Mr. Tortora

Dear Orchard Hill Families,

We are looking forward to our rescheduled visit from author Juana Martinez-Neal on Monday - please ask your child about the visit. To all of our families celebrating Eid al-Fitr today, "Eid Mubarak"!

Have a great weekend!!

- Mike

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration

Colorful text reads 'Kindergarten' surrounded by school supplies like crayons, scissors, and a globe.

South Windsor Public Schools is excited to welcome our 2026 - 2027 Kindergarten class! Your child is about to take an exciting next step in their education. We are looking forward to the beginning of a collaborative partnership between home and school in order to provide a successful transition for both your child and your family.

The South Windsor full-day kindergarten program is available to children who are residents of South Windsor and who are (or will be) age five (5) on or before September 1, 2026.

If your child’s birthday is after September 1, 2026, and you would like them considered for kindergarten this fall, you may fill out the pre-registration form and check the appropriate box and the principal will schedule an assessment to determine if admitting your child would be developmentally appropriate.

Please click on the following link for more information and to start the registration process - https://www.southwindsorschools.org/kindergarten-information

PTO Information/Events

A colorful graphic lists upcoming PTO events including a book fair, staff appreciation month, PTO meeting, Hartford Yardgoats game, and a book fair & ice cream social.

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

Yard Goats Event

Flyer for Orchard Hill School PTO Family Night at the Yard Goats baseball game on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

A spotlight shines on the words 'STAFF SPOTLIGHT'.

A family smiles for a selfie with a bright blue ocean and palm trees in the background.

Elena Thibodeau - Grade 4 Teacher

# of years at Orchard Hill and # of years in education? 17 years at OH, 19 years in education
What do you enjoy most about working at our school? I enjoy working with a community of people who support and enjoy one another and who always have students' best interests in mind.
What inspired you to become an educator (or work in education)? I have known I would be a teacher since I was in sixth grade. I had excellent teachers who knew how to help me grow as an individual.
Where did you grow up? Manchester, CT
What college did you graduate from?ECSU for undergrad and University of St. Joseph's for masters.
What was your favorite sport/activity growing up? I played softball as a kid and loved to read.
Do you have any siblings? I have a brother and a sister, and I am the oldest!
What do you like to do outside of school? Read, pet cats, run.
Do you have any pets? I have two cats, Barley and Oats. Barley is my orange baby and Oats is a mini (or not so mini...she weighs 16 pounds) "house panther".
What's your favorite food or snack? I love to eat so choosing is hard, but probably chocolate and cheese (separately, not together)
What's your favorite childhood book or show? Growing Pains (my siblings and I named a tree in our yard after one of the characters!)
If you weren't in education, what would you want to do? I'd be a monster truck driver!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Hawaii

Timothy Edwards Middle School Information

From Principal Candice Irwin

Greetings Grade 5 Families-

I am excited to share information about the Timothy Edwards Music Program with everyone in order to help students and families make an informed choice about music classes in middle school. Click here to read the letter from the TEMS Music Department. Elementary music teachers will be meeting with fifth graders to note their selection, so it is incredibly helpful for parents and guardians to discuss this in advance.

The slides from the Welcome Evening in February are below, and I included an image with information about other upcoming transition activities below.

Welcome Evening Slides

A graphic displays upcoming transition information for March through June, including music class selection, middle school transition, counselor visits, and a field trip.

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.