Orchard's Weekly Parent Newsletter
Monday, November 21, 2022 - Friday, December 2, 2022
CMSD's Vision for Learning
In our pursuit of a more fair, just and good system of education, it is CMSD’s vision that each of our learners, both our scholars and each of their educators, is individually and collectively presented with academically/intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their productive struggle and allows them authentic opportunities to demonstrate their work and their learning of academic content and transferable skills in a joyful and adventurous environment.
Orchard's Vision for Teaching and Learning
To transform teaching and learning through technology integration and provide the highest quality education experience that ensures creative and inventive thinking with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) focus in student-centered classrooms.
Profile of a Graduate
- Exhibits Creativity and Innovation
- Skilled at Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Possesses an Academic Mindset
- Prepared for Global Citizenship
- Skilled at Collaborating
- Literate in Communication and Information Technology
- Exhibits Social and Cross Cultural Empathy
Weekly Message
Dear Families and Friends,
Great, creative, and innovative things happen every day at Orchard STEM School thanks to you, our students, and our educators such as our Math and Meals event with Jarrett Allen. Check us out on News Channel 5 by using the link below.
The second awards program and PBIS Reward event will take place at the end of the second marking period and is open to any student without Fs and suspensions. Keep up the great, creative, and innovative work! Thank you for joining us at our Parent Meeting on November 16 and for National Parent Involvement Day on November 17. Our Grade 5 Dancing Classrooms performance is at 3 pm on December 1 and Picture Retake Day is December 7. Hope to see you at the performance!
The CDC placed Cuyahoga County in the “medium” category for COVID-19 spread. Therefore, we recommend wearing a mask if COVID symptoms, a positive test, or exposure exists.
We respectfully ask that you extend us patience at the end of the school day. We also ask that you refrain from entering the building for pick up at least 30 minutes prior to dismissal to avoid interrupting teaching and learning. We will dismiss, out of our gym doors, for walkers and car riders by 4:00 pm to end our school day at 4:05 pm. For transportation concerns, please contact our transportation department at (216) 838-4287. Our playground is closed at the of the school day. We expect our students to exit the building and go directly home unless they participate in after school activities.
During the school day, all students must use a hall pass to enter the halls, unless accompanied by a staff member. Please remind your child of this routine. Although dress and appearance of an Orchard student rests with their parents and guardians, we strongly encourage our students to dress appropriately.
We are pleased to have you as partners and want to assure you that we will do our best to help your child experience academic, social, and emotional growth. Check us out on social media, on Facebook (Orchard S.T.E.M School) and Twitter (@OrchardSTEM) or visit our website at clevelandmetroschools.org/Orchard. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at 216.838.7350 or 216.544.4012. We welcome all inquiries. Thank you for your support and cooperation!
Educator and Students of the Month
School Hours and Start Dates
Orchard School Hours:
- 0 Period: 8:35 am - 9:21 am (Students in grades 4 - 8 and their siblings in K - grade 3)
- Breakfast: 9:05 am - 9:35 am (PreK - grade 8)
- Instruction: 9:35 am - 4:05 pm (PreK - grade 8)
- NOTE: Our secretary will be unavailable from 11:30 am - 12 pm daily for her lunch break. Other staff members will offer you assistance and try their best to meet your needs.
- After school program with Open Doors Academy (ODA) - M - Th 4:05 - 6:30 pm. and F 4:05 - 6 pm
2023 Ohio Civil Rights Commission MLK Contest
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is pleased to announce its annual statewide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Essay & Multimedia Contest is open again. This contest is intended to encourage students to reflect upon Dr. King’s life, philosophy, and impact on the Civil Rights Movement and present-day America. It is meant to challenge students to think about how civil rights and diversity affect their lives and how they can continue the work of Dr. King in their own way.
All Ohio students in grades 6-12 are invited to enter this contest and may submit one (1) entry per student. Students may choose which type of entry (art, essay, or multimedia) they wish to submit.
2023 CONTEST THEME: During the civil rights struggles of the 1960's, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leading voice against social injustices. Though he reached great fame and led many in the fight for equality, he understood that change relied on everyone. He believed that if everyone contributes what they can, even small contributions can lead to big changes. The following quote is often attributed to Dr. King:
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
Contest Entries: Each participant in the contest is invited to participate by creating work that creatively responds to the following question:
Important change and greatness do not always come from activities that receive fanfare. How have you or will you worked to promote equality and justice in your own way?
Click Here for 2023 MLK Contest Entry Form
Awards: Contest winners will be invited to a public recognition ceremony and will receive awards for their work.
More information and contest entry form can be found on our website at civ.ohio.gov/news-and-events/mlk-contest/2-mlk-contest or received by mail* no later than December 19, 2022 at 11:59 PM. All contest entries must be accompanied by a clearly written official entry form, completed in its entirety. (Submissions will not be considered without a completed entry form.)
*please factor in holiday shipping times when choosing shipping options
From the Desk of Ms. Lee, Family Support Specialist
As your Family Support Specialist, I am here to support you and your Scholars. Please let me know how I can help. Also consider enrolling your student in the following programming: Open Doors Academy (after school programming) and the Integrated Health Task Force (Care Alliance, Applewood).
The Say Yes survey season is upon us. I ask that you complete the parent survey. You will need your child's Student ID to complete the survey. Please feel free to contact me regarding your child's Student ID number. The survey allows me to support our scholars with resources within our school and local community. Say Yes will have two drawings the weeks of Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12th for families who complete the Say Yes Survey (now and previously). This is the website to the survey https://cleveland.sytepps.org/#/login
Care Alliance has returned to Orchard as part of the Integrated Health Task Force and is a joint initiative with CMSD and Say Yes Cleveland. The goal is to have your student healthy and prepared for school. Students can see a Pediatrician and Dentist. Care Alliance is in the process of hiring a new Pediatrician. I will keep you updated. If you want your student seen by the Dentist, please contact our School Nurse at 216-838-7357 for students to be seen. A consent form for your child can be sent home or you can access one from this link https://sayyescleveland.org/integrated-health/
Please see the fliers about community events. The fliers are about Thanksgiving meals in the community.
Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
Thanksgiving Community Meal & Turkey Giveaway
I can be reached at blee@sayyescleveland.org and 216-219-1330. You can also find me at Orchard daily!
Ms. Bethany Lee
Dress Code (Standard Dress and Appearance Policy)
Our district's new standard dress and appearance policy is intended to be gender neutral and apply to all students equally, while on school premises and at school-sponsored functions. Unlike the previous CMSD dress code that specifically dictated what students wore, the new CMSD dress expectations provide students and parents with a choice of clothing with the following exceptions.
Students may not wear:
- Transparent clothing
- Clothing that exposes the buttocks or torso
- Clothing or accessories that displays profanity, violence, obscene words or images, sexually suggestive statements, or statements that incites violence
- Clothing depicting gang-related activities
- Clothing that exposes the entire thigh, such as minis or shorts
- “Ripped” swimsuits or pants
- Clothing promoting the use of tobacco items or controlled substances (drugs) and/or alcohol
- Clothing where underwear is exposed
- Clothing that has texts or visual images that are defamatory, intimidating, constitute harassment or discrimination
- Open-toed footwear (Closed footwear is required)
Please click Standard Dress and Appearance Policy to review the full policy.
- Mindset Monday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
- Together Tuesday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
- Guest Speaker, Carl Cook, to speak with middle school students @ 2:45 pm
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Work-Together Wednesday
No School
Thursday, November 24, 2022
- Thinking Thursday
- No School
Friday, November 25, 2022
- Fun Friday
- No School
Monday, November 28, 2022
- Mindset Monday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
- Together Tuesday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Work-Together Wednesday
0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
- Parent Workshop: 4 - 5 pm
Thursday, December 1, 2022
- Thinking Thursday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:30 pm
- Grade 5 Dancing Classroom Performance @ 3 pm (K - 3 students and parents invited)
Friday, December 2, 2022
- Fun Friday
- 0 Period clubs 8:35 am
- ODA 4:05 pm - 6:00 pm
November/December Events
11/16 - Parent Meeting - PAC, 9 - 9:30 am (All Parents Welcomed)
11/17 - Nation Parent Appreciation Day - 9 am (All Parents Welcomed)
11/23 - 11/25 - No School
11/28 - High School Choice portal opens
11/29 - High School Choice Fair - Grade 8 students
11/30 - Parent Workshop, 4 - 5 pm (All Parents Welcomed)12/1 - Dancing Classroom Performance by Grade 5 students @ 3 pm
12/7 - Food Distribution Program, 3 - 6 pm (All Parents Welcomed), Picture Day Retakes
12/9 - No School for PreK and Kindergarteners
12/12 - 12/16 - Spirit Week (Details to Follow)
12/14 - Parent Workshop 4 - 5 pm
12/19 - 1/3 - No School, Winter Break
Orchard STEM School
Email: andrea.moss@clevelandmetroschools.org
Website: https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/orchard
Location: 4200 Bailey Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Phone: 216.838.7350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1423101557956541
Twitter: @OrchardSTEM