Aug. 21, 2008
We are enjoying meeting with parents at our Back to School Night for D track. Kindergarten will begin this following Monday, and all of our students will have returned to school for the 2008-09 school year. Our D track students have been as well behaved and attentive as the A, B & C tracks. We have already received many compliments on our fine, upstanding students. We've made it a priority to teach students top notch behavior and academics in the same systematic method.
We have been chosen to be one of only 10 schools in Utah to be involved in a special training, incorporating academics and behavior teachings at the same time. The research has shown tremendous gains for schools and classes following this method. We expect tremendous learning to take place this year and are ready for the ride.
July 31, 2008
Welcome back to school! This has been an awesome start-up! Your children are delightful and very well behaved.
We are delighted to have the landscaping repaired and to see green lawn again. Even better, the air in the school is clean and cool. As you come into the school, notice the smell or more appropriately, the lack of musty smell. The hard work on the school has made a difference. They leaks have been plugged, the humidity is normal, and the moisture has been removed.
This year, we have rearranged our extra support and are using Trust Lands funding and the Legislative Quality Teaching/Student Achievement (QTSA) funds to provide for some intensive small group tutoring for students who need extra help in reading and math. Last year we used this help in Kindergarten and 1st Grade. Both of those grades had over 72% of the students make the benchmark for reading, which is a major increase from past years of about 55-60%. This year, all grades will be receiving this help in the classroom during their small group instruction time.
Thanks to your help, we were able to place 3rd in Walmart's Plastic Bag Recycling Contest for Utah. We were able to bring in over $9,000 in donations, plus a $1,000 prize. We were behind Whittier and Sandburg Elementaries, with a higher total of bags collected than any other schools in the western half of the nation outside of Utah. With this money, we will be replacing the worn-out and removed Fire Truck on the playground, paying for the supervision and training of the Safety Patrol, and providing additional general supplies for the classes.
Please save any plastic bags, including shopping bags, bread sacks and heavy plastic wraps. (Unfortunately, Walmart doesn't take the lightweight fruit and vegetable sacks.) Send them to school any time and place them in the green recycle boxes in the hallways. Feel free to bring any plastic bags from other sources you may know (of course, with the owner's permission.) We'd love to beat Whittier this year.
Thank you for your interest and support. We love your children and will do our best to live up to your trust.
Community Meeting - Thursday, April 10, 2008 @ 7 PM
This is your chance to have your questions answered about the building, its condition and the mold came with the water drainage issues. Please send your questions in to the school ahead of time.
January 6, 2008 Happy New Year!
Orchard Elementary Undergoing Repairs
The Orchard Elementary building has received damage over the years because
water has been able to penetrate into the building. The repairs have been going on
since July.
Carpeting has been replaced to make sure water is not seeping under the
basement during cleaning. No damage from cleaning was found, although some soft
spots from the original build style were found and repaired. Insulation was removed
from under the building to remove any water damage. Some beams were found to be
compromised, and have been shored up or replaced. A venting system has been
installed in order to remove any excess humidity from under the building that may
occur. The insulation is scheduled to be replaced in the near future.
Outside, the north side of the building has been repaired to make sure that the
drainage stays out of the building. The south side of the building is scheduled to have
the drain system realigned to make sure it is working soundly.
With each repair, we monitor the effect of the repair and check for any additional
problems that may need attention. Making sure the building is dry, secure and a safe
place for children is a top priority.
Trustlands Funds Used to Support Reading
The Utah Trustlands Funds are generated by wise use of the School Trust Lands
in the state. The interest on those funds are allotted to the school to be used to
address the most compelling academic need in each school. The Community Council
is over the allocation and use of the funds at each school.
The Orchard Community Council put together a School Student Achievement
Plan. The goal in reading is to move student to grade level and above reading levels.
In order to meet this goal, the Community Council has authorized the use of our
Trustlands funds of $32,000 to hire aides and teachers to supplement the reading
instruction of students who are struggling in reading. Our Reading Aides have been
specially trained to work with students in small group on their reading level to help them
gain decoding, fluency and comprehension skills. This reading training is part of the
small group and independent practice time, in addition to their small and large group
work with their teachers.
Because of the increase in funding from Trustlands funds this year, all struggling
students will receive this extra support to help them learn and gain reading skills.
Early Release Collaboration Days
Have you wondered what the teachers are doing when students are released
early on the Wednesday Collaboration Days held six times this year? Why would the
Granite School Board feel so strongly that teachers work together that they would have
students released early? Good questions. Let me tell you about the hard work going
on at Orchard.
The students have barely had time to leave the building before the teachers are
gathered together for two hours of hard work answering the question, “How can we
make sure EVERY child can achieve in our class?” We begin by looking at the data.
All of the information we share with you at SEP conferences and more, is examined.
We ask, “What is working?”, “Where are the holes?”, “What isn’t working?”, and “What
changes do we want to make to help students achieve?” We look at the data as a
whole, we look at class data, at individual data, and even at individual questions to
determine how best to teach each student.
During this two hour block, each grade level develops a plan for the next couple
of months, including the best information and strategies they have. Often, additional
research is planned to help supplement current knowledge. The plan is put into place
and school is in session the next morning.
At the next Wednesday Collaboration meeting, students will be released early,
and teachers will again gather to access their successes and make sure all children
learn.
November 2, 2007
Tis’ the Season to be Thankful and Calm
A message from Mrs. Schmidt, Assistant Principal
As the holidays draw closer, we all tend to get caught up in the frenzy of buying gifts and cooking huge feasts. This level of activity creates exhaustion and tension in the place (our home) where we were trying to create the picture-perfect setting as depicted in the Norman Rockwell paintings of years ago. That picture of tranquility and calm is fiction! The real world has noise and daily challenges that come with raising children. These responsibilities usually don’t go away even for a holiday like Thanksgiving.
Below are a few suggestions that you might want to try to implement at your house not just during this holiday season but throughout the year:
October 25, 2007
We are excited to have visitors come and watch us parade our book characters. With the Jr. and Sr. High schools out of school, we're reminding parents that our secondary students need to be with a responsible adult if they wish to come to the school while school is in session. So, feel free to bring your other children with to watch the parade, but don't send them by themselves. It's much more fun to watch as a family.
Visitor may wear costumes, but for the safety of our students, no masks, please.
October 23, 2007
We'll be holding our annual "Books on Parade" Costume Parade this Friday, October 26th. Students are invited to dress up as a character in a book (real book or pretend) and carry the book or a cover of the book with them. Covers may be created by the student. Our Halloween Parties will be held the same day, except 4th and 5th grades who will be on a field trip (their parties will be on Wednesday, Oct. 31st.)
October 31st will be a regular school day. No costumes are to worn to school on October 31st.
September 6, 2007
What a great start up we've had, despite the construction. Your children are a joy to work with.
We have had a change in the the Elementary calendars this year which allows the teachers to work together to improve student achievement, yet still maintains the 170 days and 1000 hours of instruction per school year. These Collaboration days follow the Early Schedule (1:20 release time) and are as follows
Collaboration Days
In order to allow teachers time to collaborate within grades and across grade levels regarding student progress, needs, curriculum differentiating, and pedagogy practices, the Granite School District Board of Education has approved the following Wednesday early release days throughout the school year. Please mark these days on your calendars and plan accordingly.
September 12
October 10
November 28
February 13
March 12
April 16
August 30, 2007
Parents and Patron, check out the new additions to the website. Underneath this box on the Home page, you'll find the school calendar with the important dates for the next few months. We're adding to it daily, so expect to see the information you need in order to plan your lives.
On the How page, you'll find information about registering children to attend Orchard, including the forms needed to complete the process. You'll also find copies of the flyers we send home and the newsletters. If you ever need another copy of a note, feel free to print your own copy. Soon, we'll have all the common forms that used during the school year. Look for them on the How page in the First Day Packet information.
August 28, 2007
We're excited to see our First Grade students sharing their sage advice in this morning's Salt Lake Tribune. To read the article, click here.
August 27, 2007
We're off to a wonderful start. We've been teaching the students how to handle themselves around the school, in the halls, restroom, playground, cafeteria, and the other areas of the building. The students are doing so well! You would be very proud to see them. The greatest benefits, safety and increased learning time, have really been apparent. Everyone is benefitting.
July 29, 2007
We've been having some construction here at the school as we address some excessive humidity in the school. Letters have been sent home with all A, B and C track students. The same letter will be sent shortly to all the families on D track. This letter should bring you up to date on the construction and reasons of it.
June 13, 2007
We've been working on getting the new information up and going again. It will be good to get to keep you informed on the web again.
May I commend all of you for your hard work and many efforts to keep life rich for your students and the rest of us. Thanks.
March 28, 2007
Free Meningitis Vaccinations
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness, caused by a bacteria. Although only about 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S., 1 out of every ten people who get the disease dies from it; 11-19% lose their arms, legs, become deaf, mentally retarded or suffer seizures or strokes.
CDC recommends vaccinating the following:
Thanks to a generous grant from the Granite Education Foundation the meningococcal vaccine will be offered by the Granite District Vaccines For Children program, free of charge at Granger High School from 8:00 until 10:00 am on April 18, 2007, Hunter High School from 2:00 until 4:00 pm on April 19 (High School students and parents), or Olympus High School from 2:00 until 4:00 pm on April 30, 2007 to any student 11 and over, with a signed consent form, or any adult up to age 55 requesting the vaccine. You may obtain a consent form from Granger High School, Hunter High School, or Olympus High School. If you are unable to attend the immunization clinic with your student, please fill out and sign the consent form obtained from the high school, and read the Vaccine Information Statement at the CDC web link listed below. Have your student bring the consent form to the immunization clinic.
For more information on the vaccine: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/vis/vis-mening.pdf
Questions: Call Sherri Duckworth, School Nurse Services at 646-4246, Rich Dees, RN MPH, Granger High School Nurse at 558-0545, Janell Eastman, RN M.Ed, Hunter High School Nurse at 913-9122, or Suzan Tibbitts, RN MSN Olympus High School Nurse at 580-0382.
March 27, 2007
We've had several questions about when the PTA fundraiser will be in. We were told it will be here within the 2 weeks, however, the 1st part of the order has started to arrive. We will post the delivery on the marque and on this site when all is in.
The track assignments will be arriving in your mail the week of April 23rd. This is later than originally stated, however, in order to be accurate the district will need the additional time. Thanks for understanding.
March 12, 2007
Dear Parents of Mrs. Cochrane’s students,
Mrs. Kathy Cochrane has been away from school since February 12th, when persistent pain sent her to the hospital over the weekend. During that visit, it was discovered that she was seriously ill. She has tried very hard to build up her strength so that she could come back to school and see her students again before she left teaching to manage her illness, but it has become impossible.
Today, Mr. Allen James, School Psychologist, and Mrs. Renee Roner, Special Education Teacher, spoke with Mrs. Cochrane’s students, letting them know of her illness and that she would be unable to return to work. The students in 5th and 6th grades were given more details, while the students in 1st through 4th grades received general information.
As a parent, we would like you to know of these events so that you may support your child through this life change. If you would like any further information or support for your child, please feel free to call and speak with Mrs. Roner, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Larsen, or Mrs. Tesch at 646-4954.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rebecca K. Tesch, Principal
Feb. 22, 2007
Teacher assignments for 2007-08: Because the Legislature is doing some major revisions of budgets for education, even tentative teaching assignments are impossible to predict right now. If teaching assignment is extremely important to you, feel free to call me (Mrs. Tesch) at 646-4954 and I'll share the request a teacher has made. We have no idea if that request will be filled, nor how many classes we'll have on any grade levels.
Feb. 15, 2007
Congratulations to each 3rd grade student who was given his/her own copy of the Webster's Dictionary for Students by the Rotary Club. Ken Paulson, father of our own Miss "K" Paulson was the representative from the Rotary Club who presented the dictionaries and shared his love of learning with our students. Thanks to the Rotary Club!
We look forward to our 1st Spirit Day this year on Friday, Feb. 16th. Students may were pajamas to school. Just make sure the regular dress codes are followed. ;-)
Several parents have asked if we will share the teaching assignments for next year. We are currently working on tentative teaching assignments. We hope to share these very tentative assignments with you by the end of next week, so that you may use this information as you request track assignments.
February 1, 2007
Kids Recycling Challenge - We need your help! Our school has been collecting plastic bags to recycle since October. So far we have filled 96 bags. For each 60 gallon bag we fill, Walmart will pay our school $5. March 31st is the last day of the challenge. We want to be one of the top 10 schools and receive additional prize money, so please keep sending your clean, empty plastic sacks. Thanks.
January 30, 2007
The Track Request forms have begun arriving. You may see that your child's grade was reported as this year's grade, not next year's grade. This is a computer glich. Just cross out the incorrect grade and write in the correct grade. Also, keep reading to see other information about the Track Request Forms.
January 26, 2007
Parents and Patrons,
Welcome to our new D. T. Orchard Elementary web site. We're excited to be offering this electronic version of the many items that come to you on paper, scattered throughout the year. We are also trying to share with you some of the "Why?"s that explain the reasoning behind decisions made that can impact your lives. Please, feel free to let us know how the site and the school works for you.
This site will be under construction for the next few months, but we will be launching it as soon as it is more accurate than the previous site which has been long neglected. As funding sources change, we've had to find new ways of giving the same or better service. This site is such an example.
Upcoming!!!
Setting up Next Year's Schedule: The Track Request Forms will be mailed out about January 29th. Be watching for them. Make sure you turn in a request if you wish to be on a specific track. Tracks do NOT remain the same from year to year.
We will be having 4 track (A, B, C & D) next year. The population has grown to the point that we can not all fit in the building at the same time in the classroom space we have. We have also noticed that student behavior problems increase by 3 and 4 times when all of the students are in the building at the same time. We have scheduled A & D tracks only in the past when the population was small enough in order to better match the Junior and Senior High schedules, but won't be able to do so this next year.
The Advanced Learner Classes (formerly called Gifted/Talented or Access) will be on C track. If your child is on grade level or above grade level and you would like your child challenged, please consider requesting C track. Students who's testing indicates they must have this challenge to succeed will be placed on C track IF, the parents request C track. All other students who request C track (or any other track) will have that preference placed in the computer for placement in a randomized process.
D track returns on TUESDAY, Feb. 6th.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tesch, Principal