Orchard School District

Dear Orchard Families,

We are so happy to welcome the month of March and all the wonderful learning, growth, and connection it brings. This time of year is full of energy as we see students building confidence, strengthening friendships, and making great progress in their learning.

Throughout this month, our classrooms will continue engaging in meaningful activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. We are excited for the events and enrichment opportunities ahead that help make our school community so special. Please be sure to continue to review upcoming dates, announcements, and reminders so your family stays informed.

Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and dedication to our school community. We look forward to a wonderful month ahead.

Warmly,

Mrs. Zeballos

March 20th: No School, our teachers will be participating in Professional Development.

Read Across America Month:

This month, our school is excited to celebrate Read Across America, a nationwide reading celebration that encourages a love of books and lifelong reading. Students will participate in fun literacy activities, classroom read-alouds, and a spirit week that highlight the joy and importance of reading. This is a wonderful opportunity to build excitement around books and strengthen reading habits. Families can support at home by reading together, visiting the library, and encouraging your child to talk about what they are reading.

Women’s Month-For 2026, the National Women’s History Alliance has designated the theme as: "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future." This year specifically highlights women’s leadership in solving global challenges—from environmental sustainability and economic justice to healthcare and education. It’s about recognizing women not just as participants in history, but as the primary architects of a more resilient and inclusive future.

Math festival: Family Math & Game Night-Julia Robinson Math Festival will be at Orchard to host a Family Math & Game Night on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the Orchard Event Center. Join us for a night of fun and engaging math games, raffles, and more! Parents must be present with their students. Our goal is to help students see that math can be fun, interesting, and for everyone. We look forward to a joyful math experience for our students!

SEL Wellness Fair-March 23rd-3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Bring your family for a night of celebrating you! There will be over 13 different activities for you to visit and learn about new, fun ways to focus on self-care for the whole family. There will be take home activities, crafts and giveaways and a chance to meet representatives from Sprouts, Second Harvest, BrightLife Kids, and therapy dogs from Furry Friends - and more to be announced!

Drop in to the cafeteria anytime between 3:00 - 5:30 pm. All ages welcome! Reach out to Cassie Nelson or Julia Carrasco for more information. Registration encouraged but not required (only 2 questions!) : tinyurl.com/WWOrchard

Second Harvest-Our partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley for our monthly free food distributions has been a tremendous support in helping us meet the needs of our students and families. As we approach one year of serving our community, we are proud to share that we have distributed over 1,800 servings of food and groceries. We anticipate our distributions will continue to grow as community needs increase. We are honored to support Second Harvest's mission to "end hunger in our community" as we work together to meet our families where they are and help alleviate food insecurity locally.

If you are interested in supporting the mission and volunteering at one of our monthly distributions, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/X4wzvSaG9CvbPzBm8

Ms. Saeteurn will be in contact with more information.

If you are in need and would like to attend a distribution, please join us on the third Wednesday of each month. Our next distribution will take place on March 18, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 PM in the district office parking lot. Registration is available on-site or by calling the Food Connection Team Hotline at 1(800) 984-3663. To register, you will need to provide your first and last name, birth year, phone number, residential zip code, and the number of members in your household.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Saeteurn if you have any further questions.

Ms. Saeteurn

Community Schools Lead

Attendance:

Being at school every day and on time helps students stay connected to learning, build friendships, and grow in confidence. Each day is important and missing school can make it harder to keep up. We understand absences happen, and we appreciate your partnership in making attendance a priority whenever possible. We also encourage families to maintain regular attendance, read with your child at home, and stay connected with teachers. Your partnership makes a tremendous difference in student success.

Dear Orchard Families,
Happy February! As we head into a new month, I want to thank our families for your continued support and involvement in our school community. February is filled with learning, reflection, and opportunities to strengthen our sense of belonging. Be sure to check out the updates and events below—we look forward to another great month together.

Warmly,
Mrs. Zeballos

Updates/Reminders:

Parking Lot Information:
We would like to share a reminder regarding morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up in the school parking lot to help keep all students, families, and staff safe.

Please remember to:
Drive slowly and follow posted traffic signs and staff directions.
Use designated drop-off and pick-up areas only.
Avoid parking or stopping in red zones, fire lanes, or areas that block traffic flow.
Please listen to our staff members as they navigate the traffic to promote safety for all.
These procedures are in place to ensure a smooth and safe arrival and dismissal for everyone. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and partnership as we work together to keep our school community safe.

Starting Arts Program:
We are excited to share that Starting Arts will begin this month at our school! Through this program, students will participate in engaging theater lessons that promote creativity, self-expression, collaboration, and confidence. Students will explore acting, movement, storytelling, and performance in a fun and supportive environment.

Book Fair:
The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore new books, build excitement around reading, and grow their home libraries. More details, including dates and times, will be shared soon. Thank you for supporting a love of reading at our school—we look forward to seeing our students enjoy this special event!

Folklórico at Orchard:
Baile Folklórico begins this month for students in grades 2nd–5th! 💃🕺 Students will have the opportunity to learn traditional folklórico dances while exploring cultural history, rhythm, and movement. This program encourages teamwork, confidence, and cultural pride as students express themselves through dance in a fun and supportive environment. We are excited to offer this enriching experience and look forward to seeing our students shine.

Bright Life Kids Event:
Families invited! Join us February 10th in the school Library for a Self-Love Letter Event with BrightLife Kids at 4:45pm. Create cards with your child and learn about free behavioral health support for families with children ages 0–12 to help with stress, big feelings, and more. No insurance or immigration status needed. Register today at brightlife.kids/orchard

Families invited! Join us at Orchard School for a Self-Love Letter Event with BrightLife Kids and School Counselors on Tuesday, February 10th from 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. in the school library. Create fun craft cards with your child and learn about free behavioral health support for families with children ages 0–12 to help with stress, big feelings, and more. No insurance or immigration status needed. Register today!

Families invited! Join us at Orchard School for a Self-Love Letter Event with BrightLife Kids and School Counselors on Tuesday, February 10th from 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. in the school library. Create fun craft cards with your child and learn about free behavioral health support for families with children ages 0–12 to help with stress, big feelings, and more. No insurance or immigration status needed. Register today!