Hello Panther Families!
It’s difficult to believe just how fast our year has progressed. We can’t believe that this school year will be over in only 3 short months. In addition to all of the many extra curricular clubs, teams and sports, Orchard Park is an incredible place to grow, learn and experience - there is always something happening!
The sun is shining more and more each day, bringing necessary vitamin D, warmth and feelings of joy. That sunshine is also bringing warmer temperatures which is creating quite the muddy and wet conditions on our school yard. It’s a good idea to pack several pairs of socks as well as a change of clothes with your students, just in case that tempting puddle is a little deeper than anticipated.
We will be hosting a “Let’s Learn Together” Parent Night on April 30th. This will be an opportunity for your student to show you what they are learning in their classes this year and have them teach you a little bit about it. In addition to learning about literacy and numeracy, families will also have the opportunity to connect with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, and members of the Community Liaison OPP team will be back again to teach some bicycle road safety. More details to come.
Orchard Park has partnered once again with Sustainable Orillia to promote healthy transportation. We have our Movement Challenge happening where students will be tasked to participate in healthy activities (e.g. cycling, roller blading, hiking, etc) for 30 minutes after school hours. Stay tuned for exciting announcements regarding prizes!!
Orchard Park has been blessed with the support of the Sharing Place. This year alone, the Sharing Place has provided over $5000 worth of food that we provide our students in the form of snacks. For the month of April, we are running a food drive so that we can give back to the Orillia Community. Please send in non-perishable food items over the next few weeks. We would like to have all food collected by April 30th. Let’s show Orillia just how amazing Orchard Park families are!
Our OPHEA and Eco-Schools initiatives are running throughout the school - focusing on mental and physical health and ways in which we can make Orchard Park the best environmentally friendly school. Don’t forget to check out the Panther’s Den. Here you will find donated and gently used clothing items. Please take what you need!
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the education of your students. We look forward to seeing them each day and watching them grow!
Mrs. Viherjoki
Important Dates & Spirit Days
April 8: PA Day / Solar Eclipse (no school)
April 12: Classroom Group Photos & Grad Photo Retakes
April 17, 24 & May 1: Swim to Survive (grade 3’s)
April 18: Parents Night Out (more info below)
April 22: Orillia Area Wrestling (Rotary Place)
April 23: Mary Poppin’s at OSS (grade 4-7’s)
April 23 & April 24: Pizza ‘Raise the dough’ fundraiser
April 25: County Wrestling Tournament (Rotary Place)
April 30: Character Assembly - Hero Day
April 30: Let’s Learn Together (more info below)
May 1: Battle of the Books
May 14: Spring Concert
View the full April 2024 newsletter here: April Newsletter 2024.pdf