As Dr. Matthews communicated last week, if the metrics are met, we are planning for our hybrid students to return to 5 days per week instruction on the 22nd of February.

This Wednesday, February 17, is a virtual day for all students. Wednesday, February 17, will be structured differently for our K-6 students. In order to provide our K-6 teachers, both hybrid and virtual, time to prepare classrooms for the return of our K-6 hybrid students on February 22 this will be primarily an asynchronous day for our students. Teachers will check in with their students in the morning and in the early afternoon. The AM check in is designed to connect with students and ensure that they know what the asynchronous assignments are for the day. The PM check in is designed to wrap up the day. Teachers will be communicating the times for these check ins.

When we return to 5 day hybrid instruction, there will be some changes to the lunch and specials times for both virtual and hybrid students. Kindergarten and first grade will be swapping lunch times (kindergarten will have lunch recess at 11:40 and eat at 12:05 while first grade will have lunch recess at 11:10 and eat at 11:35). Specials for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade will start 15 minutes later than currently scheduled.

The drop-off/ pick-up zone is the front, southeast side of the building (off of Quince Street). At Orchard Hills we have a parking lot parent drop off loop. Staff members are present to help guide this process. We use Apple Pick Up numbers to streamline the pick up process. Please fill out this form if you need an apple number.

• Pull forward all the way to the front sign indicating the start of the pick up/drop off loop. Stay single file and next to the curb. Do not block residential driveways when waiting in the line.
• Please be sure students exit and enter the passenger side of the vehicle. Please remain in your car.
• Be ready, and have the kids ready to exit the vehicle with their backpacks, etc... Please give your hugs and kisses goodbye at home and save texts and phone calls until after drop-off or pick-up!

February 15-16

Mid-Winter Break – No Students

February 17

Virtual Wednesday

February 18

Hybrid A Students

February 19

Hybrid B Students

boxed items

canned pasta sauce

canned fruit

canned beans

cannd pasta

canned vegetables

soups

paper towel

Boxes will be in the vestibule if you would like to contribute an item. Donations will be dropped off the week of 22 February.

NCSD families needing technical support should start by contacting the Oakland Schools Service Desk in the following manners:

Ways to Enter Service Tickets

Log in to the Service Desk system HERE (servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us) to create a service desk request. Select the area that best describes the help you need. Enter the information specified on the form. NOTE: The fields on the form vary, based on the type of request selected. Include attachments with information that may be helpful for the request. Click “Create”!

Start a Chat Session by accessing the Service Desk Request page HERE. Once at the page, a link to start a chat will appear in the lower right corner of the screen during normal business hours of 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday - Friday.

Call the Service Desk at 248-209-2060 to speak to a representative

Red Cross Blood Drives

During this time, blood donations are needed more than ever! While we will not be hosting a blood drive at Orchard Hills this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to donate blood. It's easy to find local blood drives by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering you zip code to find blood drives close to you. Below is a list of drives this coming week if you are able to donate blood. There are also many other drives that you can find on the red cross website.

Thursday Feb. 11 from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm at St. Priscilla Catholic Church in Livonia

Friday Feb. 12 from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm at Farmington Hills Donation Center

Monday Feb. 15 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Family Apostolic Church in South Lyon

All donations will be tested for Covid-19 antibodies and you will have the results in 1 to 2 weeks on your donor account online. If you've received the Covid-19 vaccine, please bring the vaccine manufacturer to determine eligibility for donation. In most cases, there's no deferral time if you have received the vaccine.

To show their appreciation for making time to give by February 28, the Red Cross will send you a $5 Amazon gift card via email thanks to their partnership with Amazon!

BoxTops UPDATE:

Thank you OH families for continuing to scan your grocery receipts to earn easy cash for our school!

BoxTops clips will soon be completely phased out, but there is still time to send them in. Please send in your clipped BoxTops with your student or simply "FEED FREDDY," our BoxTops collection bin in the main office, by Thursday, February 18th for the Spring submission.

Please continue to scan your grocery receipts. For more BoxTops information or assistance with downloading the BoxTops app, please visit: https://www.boxtops4education.com

Thank you for your support! Box Tops Flyer

OH PTO is now on Amazon Smile

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Orchard Hills PTO! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-2973835

This is FREE money for our school! Whenever you check out at Amazon, make sure you are on their Smile.Amazon.com site and have your charity selection set to Orchard Hills PTO (Novi, MI) or use the link above.

If you use the Amazon app on your phone, turn on AmazonSmile on the app by opening the app and find 'Settings' in the main menu (three horizontal bars). Scroll down and tap on 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions. Be sure to search and select Orchard Hills PTO in Novi, MI.

New OH PTO Facebook Page

Welcome to our OH PTO group page! This year more than ever we need a way to stay connected. This page will be used for sharing events and information by the OH PTO, as well as a way for parents to connect, share and ask questions.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/482529925987608/

This private group page is for the Orchard Hills PTO, which supports Orchard Hills Elementary School in Novi, Michigan. The Orchard Hills PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of parent and staff volunteers whose mission is to enhance and support the education, character growth and relationships of the students of Orchard Hills Elementary.

This page is run independently by the Orchard Hills PTO Board and NOT the Novi Community School District.

This page is used for the purpose of sharing events and information by the current OH PTO Board and as a way for parents to connect, share and ask questions.

Any questions or concerns can be emailed to OrchardHillsNews@gmail.com.

Per USDA school meals are currently FREE for all students through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Treats such as ice creams and cookies are now being offered and may be purchased if the student has money in their account.

This means that all children will receive free breakfast and lunch while at school or learning from home. No additional paperwork is required to receive this benefit. This automatically applies to any child 18 and under or 26 and under for those with disabilities, including children who are not yet of school age.

On Thursdays, Virtual students are able to pick up 7 days of breakfast and lunch and Hybrid students are able to pick up 5 days of breakfast and lunch.

Distribution takes place at Novi High School at the entrance off Taft Rd. Times are 10:00 am-12:00 noon and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm. This is a drive up service and you will remain in your car. Children do not need to be present.

For questions or information please contact Evol Gazzarato, Food + Nutrition Director, at evol.gazzarato@novik12.org or 248-449-1225 or visit novi.k12.mi.us/departments/nutrition

Virtual Students: If your child will be missing all or a portion of the virtual day due to appointments etc, please email your classroom teacher, and call the attendance line at 248-449-1401 or use the MiStar Parent Reported Absence feature.

Please pack a spare change of clothing for your students in the event of spills, wet playground equipment or accidents.

Now that the District is a 1:1 (one device for every student) and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) learning environment, students are expected to bring a fully-charged NCSD issued device or a fully-charged BYOD device to school each day (along with a charger).

https://www.novi.k12.mi.us/academics/roar-plan/ncsd-prevention-and-response-plan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/novischools

Twitter: @NCSD

Instagram: @novicommunityschooldistrict

YouTube: Novi Community School District

Orchard Hills PTO participates in rewards programs at Busch's and Kroger. Please see the flyer for rewards program details.