1. ORCHARD HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Open House September 18, 2014 Mac – our mascot Celebrating 50 years of providing outstanding education to the children of South Windsor 1964-2014

2. OPEN HOUSE AGENDA 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Principal’s Presentation 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm Session I 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm Session II

3. LEARNING TARGETS 1.You will learn how we support your child academically and socially 2.You will learn some general information about Orchard Hill

4. OUR VISION Orchard Hill Elementary School promotes a positive, safe environment where students, staff, and families are respected and feel a sense of belonging; where students are motivated to achieve their personal best and are invested in their own learning; and where students learn how to communicate and collaborate respectfully and empathetically. The Orchard Hill community appreciates our differences and supports all the students, staff, and families who make up our diverse population. Orchard Hill Elementary School promotes a positive, safe environment where students, staff, and families are respected and feel a sense of belonging; where students are motivated to achieve their personal best and are invested in their own learning; and where students learn how to communicate and collaborate respectfully and empathetically. The Orchard Hill community appreciates our differences and supports all the students, staff, and families who make up our diverse population.

5. SCHOOL MOTTO “High Standards and Good Will” “High Standards and Good Will” Orchard Hill Song Orchard Hill Song We strive to uphold these principles every day for all students We strive to uphold these principles every day for all students It starts with our exceptional staff… It starts with our exceptional staff…

6. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Implementing new curricula to align with the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Implementing new curricula to align with the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) What are the Common Core State Standards? What are the Common Core State Standards? http://vimeo.com/51933492

7. LANGUAGE ARTS OVERVIEW What can I expect to see in the classroom? 1.Students reading – A LOT!! Students will read challenging (complex) texts! 2.Your child will be asked to use evidence from the text to support their understanding 3.You will see an increased focus on vocabulary across all grade levels

8. MATH OVERVIEW What can I expect to see in the classroom? 1. 1.Students working more deeply in fewer topics 2. 2.Students playing a variety of math games and talking with other students 3. 3.Students understanding the WHY behind certain math principals – “How do you know?” 4. 4.Students using math in real-world situations **K-5 uses the math program Investigations

9. ONLINE RESOURCES (links can be found on our homepage) Math homepage Dreambox for Grades K-2 Dreambox for Grades K-2 IXL for grades 3-5 IXL for grades 3-5 Reading Lexia – Grades K-5 Tumblebooks – Grades K-5

10. TRIBES What does it look like at Orchard Hill Elementary School? What does it look like at Orchard Hill Elementary School? All students participate in Tribes activities in their classrooms focused on the Four Agreements: All students participate in Tribes activities in their classrooms focused on the Four Agreements: attentive listening attentive listening appreciation/no put downs appreciation/no put downs mutual respect, and mutual respect, and participation/the right to pass participation/the right to pass

11. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR PROGRAM Way to Go slips Student ___________________ Teacher __________________ Being Respectful Being Responsible Being Safe Comments: From: _______________ Date _________ Way to Go!

12. Federally funded program Funds used to make it safer for children to walk or bike to school Funds used to make it safer for children to walk or bike to school Construction included: Construction included: 1.Additional sidewalks 2.Raised crosswalks 3.Increases signage 4.Speed tables “Walk to School Days” Students, who voluntarily participate, are dropped off by their bus at a designated spot (parents can drop off and 4 th R students can also participate) Students, who voluntarily participate, are dropped off by their bus at a designated spot (parents can drop off and 4 th R students can also participate) Staff and adult volunteers then walk with the children to school Staff and adult volunteers then walk with the children to school International Walk to School Day - October 8th is our first walk International Walk to School Day - October 8th is our first walk

13. SCHOOL HOURS Our school hours are 9:15-3:50 Our school hours are 9:15-3:50 School dismissal: School dismissal: We start calling our walkers/pick ups at 3:45 and our buses at 3:50 We start calling our walkers/pick ups at 3:45 and our buses at 3:50 If you are picking up your child: If you are picking up your child: To ensure student safety, please notify the office by 3:15 if you are going to be picking up your child To ensure student safety, please notify the office by 3:15 if you are going to be picking up your child Please go to the cafeteria to sign him/her out and then exit out the back cafeteria door Please go to the cafeteria to sign him/her out and then exit out the back cafeteria door You can also fill out A Note To School…. (which can be found and printed off the School Forms section on our homepage) You can also fill out A Note To School…. (which can be found and printed off the School Forms section on our homepage)

14. EARLY RELEASE DAYS DISMISSAL – 1:15 September – 10, 17, 24 September – 10, 17, 24 October – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 October – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November – 5, 12, 19 November – 5, 12, 19 December – 3, 10, 17 December – 3, 10, 17 April – 1, 8, 22, 29 April – 1, 8, 22, 29 May – 6, 13, 20, 27 May – 6, 13, 20, 27 June – 3, 10 June – 3, 10 (dates in red are parent/teacher conferences, please sign up in the cafeteria for day/time)

15. COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION SchoolMessenger - communication from Superintendent and our school regarding emergency information (i.e.dismissals/cancellations) or upcoming events SchoolMessenger - communication from Superintendent and our school regarding emergency information (i.e.dismissals/cancellations) or upcoming events automatically enrolled automatically enrolled Important to update any new phone #s or email addresses Important to update any new phone #s or email addresses School Website School Website School Website School Website Friday Folders – the “oldest and only” student from a family will bring home a red folder each Friday with important notices Friday Folders – the “oldest and only” student from a family will bring home a red folder each Friday with important notices Parent Portal - you must make changes to your contact/emergency information Parent Portal - you must make changes to your contact/emergency information ***technology form signed and returned to the office ***technology form signed and returned to the office

16. PTO INFORMATION Officers President: Kate Attenello President: Kate Attenello Vice President: Rebecca Chaimovitch Vice President: Rebecca Chaimovitch Treasurer: Sarah Grip Treasurer: Sarah Grip Secretary: Dawn Campbell Secretary: Dawn Campbell

17. “WHEN SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LEARNING, CHILDREN DO BETTER IN SCHOOL, STAY IN SCHOOL LONGER, AND LIKE SCHOOL MORE.” HENDERSON AND MAPP, 2002 We look forward to a wonderful partnership!!