ORCHARD DRIVE ELEMENTARY
DECEMBER 2019
Wilson's Words
Dear Orchard Drive Families,
Hopefully, you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. It was nice to have a few days off from school, but we are excited to welcome everyone back as we prepare for the end of semester 1.
One of our goals is to keep excellent records and improve communication with families. In order to do this, we are asking for your help. It is imperative that we have an up to date home phone number, cell phone numbers, and current email addresses. If you have recently had a change, please make sure to log in to Parent Portal or call the school for any updates. Also, it is important to have your voicemail set up so that we may leave a message, especially in case of an emergency. Thank you very much for your assistance.
Teachers may send helpful hints to support your child over the break, and I would suggest that you try to find time to work on these. Some easy ways to reinforce school work are to have your child read to you or read to them. Students often enjoy reading to relatives that visit. If your child enjoys reading on their own, discuss the book with them or have them summarize what they read. Take a trip to the library and let your child pick out books. Play math games with their facts while on trips to the store or to a relative’s home. Students could even come up with a song to help remember them. Another way to apply what they have been learning is to have them write. Have your child help write out the grocery list or write a letter to their friend or teacher. There are many other activities to do with your child that can be fun and educational. Please do not ever hesitate to contact your child’s teacher for ideas specific to your child’s needs. We hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and educational December!
Just a reminder that our WINTER break is from Dec. 23-Jan. 3...with classes resuming MONDAY 1/6/20. Hard to believe we are almost to the year 2020!
Simmons' Scoop
Dear Orchard Families,
It is hard to believe that December is here and we are getting ready for the Holiday season. Orchard staff has been busy decorating doors and getting ready our the holiday season.
I can’t believe we already had one snow day. With that being said, it is very important for you to have a plan of action with your child in case school is canceled or dismissed early. The district utilizes the School Messenger Parent Notification System that enables school personnel to notify all families by phone or email of school cancellations or early dismissals. If you have not already, please consider signing up for this communication tool. You can choose the way you would like to receive messages whether it be through email, phone call, or text. You can sign up on the Jackson R2 School district website through the InfoCenter link. Click the parent tab at the top of the page, then scroll down and find the Info Center Text Alert tab on the right on the page. If your address or phone number has changed recently, please let the office know. It is important that our information for your child is up to date. Also, be sure to label your child’s coat or jacket, hats, and gloves. We have an assortment of unclaimed items in our lost and found. If your child is missing a coat, please encourage them to check the lost and found.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me.
Jessica Simmons, Assistant Principal
Orchard Share Fridge
Important dates for December
Monday 12/2 - wear Love All, Serve All shirts
Tuesday 12/3 - 2nd grade winter concert at 6PM; 4th grade winter concert at 7PM
Friday 12/6 - PTO auction, Grill raffle, PIE Mrs. Wilson in the face...6:30-8:30PM
Thursday 12/12 - school wide PJ day
Tuesday 12/17 - Hope for Christmas event at JMS 4-7PM
Friday 12/20 - Winter Parties 2PM - Last day of school for 2019!
Birthday Book Club
December
Madilynn Bohnert 19 Drudik
Titus Patrick 21 Gentry
Delica Welker 27 Conrad
This holiday season remember that books make excellent Christmas presents!