Friday, April 3rd Weekly Update

Posted Date: 04/03/26 (03:35 PM)

Orchard Hill Weekly Update

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

From Mr. Tortora

Dear Orchard Hill Families,

Happy April! Thank you to all of the parents/guardians who volunteered at our PTO Book Fair. For all of our families celebrating, I wish you a very Happy Easter.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

- Mike

End of Year Events

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.

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 man with glasses and a beard smiles at the camera, wearing a plaid shirt and a patterned tie.

Allen Perry - Associate Principal

# of years at Orchard Hill and # of years in education? I have worked 3 years at OH and 24 total years in education!
What do you enjoy most about working at our school? I enjoy working with the students, staff, and community. I love that there is so much learning going on around the school daily!
What inspired you to become an educator (or work in education)? My math teacher Mr. Low! He used humor and great real life examples in class and I decided that's exactly how I wanted to teach!
Where did you grow up? I mainly grew up in New Britain, although I did live in Waterbury, Naugatuck, Bridgeport and Hartford.
What college did you graduate from? CCSU (GO Blue)
What was your favorite sport/activity growing up? My favorite sport was tennis. I was also captain of the team!
Do you have any siblings? I was adopted and have 11 total siblings!
What do you like to do outside of school? I started latin dancing the last few years!
What’s your favorite childhood book or show? MacGyver
Do you have any pets? Tigger was my cat growing up, but I dont currently have any!
What's your favorite food or snack? Grilled seafood!
If you weren't in education what would you do? Something non-profit to help kids in DCF get opportunities they may have missed out on as a child.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Africa!

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.