Orchard Lane Elementary School
Weekly Newsletter: January 5, 2024
What's New!
Next week our FastBridge Assessment window opens! Teachers will be communicating with families as to when they will be testing. We recently had mini assemblies with our K-2 and 3-6 students and staff to get us FIRED UP for testing. We know our students and staff are working hard to get ready for testing and we all want our students to show us how they are growing. The best preparation from home includes:
- Getting great sleep
- Limiting screen time prior to bedtime
- Making sure iPads are charged daily and headphones are brought to school
- Eating healthy (including a good breakfast)
- Talking with kids about working hard and doing their best :)
We are working on being MUCH more mindful when it comes to celebrating our growth throughout the year and we want our students to see testing as an OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.
The Orchard Lane Play is Back!!!
Auditions will be January 23rd & 24th 3:30-4:30- Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. This year's play is called, Sparks, written by Mrs. Jen Coyle. Our play is directed by 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Gina Minturn, and 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Jen Coyle. Sparks features human students who venture into an enchanted forest, a fantasy world where Forest and Mountain Elves dwell. The students are called upon to help the Elves learn to overcome barriers while competing in a contest. The play is written as gender-neutral, and once the cast is finalized, character names will be determined and assigned. **AKA: there are no "boy parts" or "girl parts," like in some shows.
If you are interested in auditioning please click on this link for more information: 2024 Audition Form Link
Mark your calendars for our MID-YEAR PRINCIPAL CHAT with Mr. Lindner and Mrs. Kader. We are excited to speak with our families about our amazing school. We will be talking about the progress we are making on our annual goals, plans for the 2nd semester, ways we plan on celebrating our incredible students and any other topics our families want to hear about.
Families, if you have a topic or a question, please just fill out this quick form and we will add it to our chat!
The chat will be virtual and will be at 6:00pm on Wednesday, January 24th. Families can join by clicking on this Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/gtm-fgjw-hpx
Royce and Julie
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:
Jan 9th- PFC Meeting 6:30pm
Jan 10th- PFC Restaurant night at Noodles 4-7pm
Jan 15th- NO School MLK Day
Jan 22nd- NO School Staff PL Day
Jan 23rd & 24th- Play Auditions 3:30-4:30pm
Jan 24th - Principal Chat- 6pm
Jan 19th- End of Quarter 2
PFC News and Updates!!
Happy New Year from the Orchard Lane Parent Faculty Council!!!!
NEXT PFC MEETING
The next PFC Meeting will be Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Star Commons. Please come and join us!!! Agenda LinkNEXT PFC RESTAURANT NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 AT NOODLES FROM 4:00-7:00
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesday, January 9: PFC Meeting 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 10: Restaurant night at Noodles from 4:00-7:00.
- Monday, January 15: No School
- Friday, January 19: End of 2nd Quarter
- Friday, January 19: Raise Right Card Orders Due
- Monday, January 22: No School
- Thursday, January 25: Stringfest 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 13: PFC Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Please see the flyer for all upcoming Important Dates and Events for Orchard Lane throughout the school year! FLYER
For more information regarding PFC, please visit our website at www.orchardlanepfc.com. PFC is also on Facebook at Orchard Lane PFC Parent Group, and if you opt-in to Konstella, there will be more information and communications available there.
PFC Noodles Restaurant Fundraiser Night!
Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024, 04:00 PM
Noodles and Company, West National Avenue, New Berlin, WI, USA
NB West students are back on Jan16 3:30-4:15 French Club: http://bit.ly/3tFCIHA
NB West Wizard of Oz Auditions:
West's Wizard of Oz Auditions are right around the corner and elementary school students are invited to audition for various parts! Auditions are Jan. 9 and 10 after school in the West PAC until 7:30 p.m. All audition materials, sign-up links, information, and dates can be accessed and given out through the Mrs. Volk at lindsey.volk@nbexcellence.org or Ms. Lemon at sarah.lemon@nbexcellence.org. Please email them with questions or for more details.
STILL IMPORTANT!
Tech Savvy 2024 is a collaborative project between the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Fort Atkinson and Janesville, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Science Department and Office of Camps and Conferences. It is a STEM workshop for girls in grades 6 to 9 and their parent(s), designed to inspire and encourage them to explore STEM fields and careers. Interested boys may attend.
What: The students who attend the 4th annual Tech Savvy Workshop will experience exciting hands-on activities led by professional women in STEM fields. There will be a parallel program for parent(s) to learn about careers in the STEM fields, the value of a STEM career, and how to encourage their children in STEM.
Why: Women remain underrepresented in the science and engineering workforce with the greatest disparities occurring in engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences (NSF, Science & Engineering Indicators, 2016). Women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 26% of the computer workforce and12% of the engineering workforce.
When & Where: Sat., March 9, 2024 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm) on the UW-Whitewater campus.
Who: We have an enrollment limit of 120 students in grades 6-9 and their parents/mentors.
Registration: Online registration opens Jan. 5 and closes Feb. 29. Tech Savvy (uww.edu)
Cost: $15 per participant which includes lunch. Student participants receive a t-shirt and drawstring bag. There is money available for need-based scholarships.
Sponsors: Fort HealthCare, NorthStar, Alliant Energy, JP Cullen, Rock Road Companies, SIM, Spacesaver, Ball Corporation, and SHINE Technologies
New Berlin Ski and Snow Board Club is back!!!
Did that first snow fall Tuesday make you want to hit the slopes again???? Please see the following links for more information on New Berlin's ski and snow board club.
KONSTELLA: PFC’s DIGITAL SCHOOL DIRECTORY AND COMMUNICATION APP
Calling all Orchard Lane families!!! PFC is using Konstella to help organize and manage a digital school directory for any families that would like to opt-in. This also gives you access to our PFC and Orchard Lane calendar of events, the ability to communicate with other parents, and so much more!!! Visit https://www.konstella.com/, search for Orchard Lane, and get involved in our growing school directory and community!!! If you have any questions feel free to contact PFC directly.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!!!
If a student will be absent or late coming to school please call the attendance line 262-789-6502 or use the App on Infinite Campus.
Click on the following Link for a letter from the District regarding student attendance.
TECHNOLOGY ISSUES?:
Here is who to call-
- For PARENTS - our parent help line for technology issues is 262-789-6298 or parentportal@nbexcellence.org
- For STUDENTS - we have a TechKNOW help desk line - 262-789-6290 or techknow@nbexcellence.org
School Supplemental Fee Information:
Important Information about Student Fees
1. The district collects student fees to help offset costs for consumable materials provided by the school,
certain items students have for their personal benefit (e.g. assignment notebooks, consumable
workbooks, online subscriptions, technology apps, locks) and to help offset the cost of optional
programs (e.g. athletic participation, parking).
2. Fees can be paid by cash, check or credit card. For security reasons the school district recommends payment by credit card.
3. Families eligible for free or reduced-price lunches may be eligible for a waiver of the supplemental
materials, instrument rental, athletic participation and course material fees and a discount on parking
fees. To receive the fee waiver, families must apply for free or reduced-price lunches and authorize
sharing of information. Contact the Food and Nutrition Services office, 262.789.6219, for more
information.
4. The due date for all fees is March 31. Parents can elect to pay all fees up front or make monthly
payments if desired. Fees not paid by March 31 will result in $15.00 monthly re-billing charge.
Outstanding balances at the end of the school year may be sent to Waukesha County for collection.
5. Field Trip fees can be paid on-line also. For security reasons the District recommends using a credit card. Please click on the following link for instructions on how to pay field trip fees on-line. Instructions Link
Please see this link for more information on payments and directions to pay online:
OL Staff's Favorite Things 2023-2024
2023-2024 STAFF FAVORITE THINGS LINK IS HERE!!!!
Your support and kindness to the OL staff is always appreciated!!
Medication Forms for Students
Orchard Lane School- Shining Stars!
Email: heather.will@nbexcellence.org
Website: www.nbexcellence.org/schools/ol/
Location: 2015 S. Sunnyslope Road New Berlin, WI. 53151
Phone: 262-789-6500
Facebook: facebook.com/Orchard-Lane-Elementary
Twitter: @orchardlaneSDNB