Dear Families,
As we wrap up the month of November, we want to extend our sincere thanks to all our families. It was wonderful to see you during our student-led conferences and to connect around your child’s learning. We also appreciate your enthusiastic support of our Art Fundraiser—thank you for helping make it a success.
Looking ahead, December will be a busy and exciting month at Orchard Park. Our Winter Concert will take place on Tuesday, December 9th, with both a matinée performance at 11:45 a.m. and an evening show at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are now available through School Cash Online. We are also looking forward to welcoming families to our Kindergarten Winter Drop-In, a warm and joyful opportunity to connect and celebrate our youngest learners. As December settles in, we remind all families to dress for the weather and to pack extra socks or mittens for those snowy, slushy days.
New this month, you will find a full page dedicated to positive mental health strategies for home, including ideas to support the well-being of your whole family. Watch for The Page TURNER each month for tips and ideas on how to stay healthy and active! This month’s newsletter also highlights the importance of spending time outdoors for both children and adults. We encourage you to take a moment to explore these strategies and to help your child enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.
An at-home Outdoor Family BINGO Challenge will also be coming home with your child in the last week of December. This card is filled with simple, fun outdoor activities designed to encourage more fresh-air time and less screen time. The goal is to have fun outside while promoting healthy habits together. Return your completed BINGO card in the new year for a chance to win a prize for your family. Did someone say Orchard Park Spirit Wear?!
Finally, we are pleased to welcome Ashleigh Melnyk to Orchard Park. Ashleigh is our Student Advisor for Indigenous Students and will be supporting students and classrooms on Wednesdays. She will be working with us to foster cultural awareness, build meaningful connections, and bring engaging Indigenous learning experiences to our school community.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to promote mental health, well-being, student achievement, and a strong sense of Panther pride. We wish everyone a safe, happy, and restful winter break when it arrives.
Sincerely,
Mr. Chater & Mrs. Turner
This Month
Dec 4-5: Poinsettia pick up
Dec 9: Winter Concert (snow date Dec 11)
Dec 18: Character Assembly
Dec 22 - Jan 2: Winter Break (no school)
Jan 5: Return to school
Spirit Days
Dec 15: red/green (Christmas)
Dec 16: blue/white/silver (Hanukkah)
Dec 17: black/red/green (Kwanzaa)
Dec 18: red/white/gold (Winter Solstice and Lunar New Year)
Dec 19: Holiday Attire
Winter Concert
We are filled with excitement to announce that there will be TWO seasonal concerts taking place at Orchard Park. The first concert, Orchard Park Celebrates, will take place on December 9, 2025. Our Spring concert will be taking place on March 31, 2026. Below is a list indicating when each class will be performing. *All Kindergarten students will perform in their own show—more details to follow in the New Year.
Winter Concert
Allen
Anderson
Currie
Davis
Denny
Manis
Marshall
Mulholland
Murray
Price
Sanchez
Spottiswood
Spring Concert
Cook
Coville
Downer
Dunbar
Earle
MacDonald
Raco
Slepanek
Wara
Bus and Inclement Weather Reminders
Bus delays/cancellations are posted on the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium website – please subscribe as the school does not send notifications for this. Orchard Park is the NORTH ZONE.
Schools remain open for learning unless otherwise noted. Absences will be assumed weather related – you do not need to notify the school. All families of absent students will receive an automated Inclement Weather Safe Arrival call, please disregard and only call the office back if your child SHOULD be at school.
Lunchbox orders are cancelled on inclement weather days and credits will be issued by Lunchbox directly – please ensure your student has a packed lunch.
OP Den - Open All Year!
Did you know that the OP Den is always available for families? We have a wide selection of free, donated clothing for all ages and sizes — from cozy sweaters and pants to outdoor winter gear and shoes. If your family could use a few extra items, simply reach out to your child’s teacher or the office to arrange a time to come in and help yourself. Everything is free, and everyone is welcome!
Let’s Support & Give Back to our Community!
In the spirit of the season of giving, Mrs. Prohaszka, Mrs. Watson & Ms. Price’s classes will be collecting toothbrushes/toothpaste, boxes of cereal, & packs of juice boxes to donate to our friends at The Orillia Lighthouse to support local community members this holiday season.
We hope all classes will help us to reach our goal of 100+ items to hand off to our friends during the last week of school before the holidays.
Donations can be placed in the boxes under the “Giving Tree” bulletin board located in the main hallway of the school beginning the week of Dec. 1st.
Thank you!
FUNdraisers
Gr 8s: chips sold every Friday for $2/bag
Kindies: thank you to everyone who supported our Poinsettia Fundraiser. Orders must be picked up on December 4th or 5th from 3:30-5:00pm.
Kindies: personalized waterproof name labels for your child(ren)’s belongings. Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search Orchard Park Public School
View the full December Newsletter here: December Newsletter 2025.pdf