There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses report card grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning. Each year, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, required tests in grades 3rd–8th
California Science Test (CAST), a required assessment in grades 5th and 8th
Physical Fitness Test (PFT), a required assessment in grades 5th and 7th
When: April 16th
Where: The Event Center
Time: 5:30pm
Join Ms. Hanna, the principal of Independence High School, for a short presentation during our Open House to help our middle school students prepare for their transition to high school. She will also include time for a Q&A session.
Dear Orchard Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As we move forward in the school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. Our school community thrives because of the strong connection between home and school, and we are grateful for all you do to support your children’s learning and growth.
This month brings many exciting events for our students and families. As Spring Break wraps up, we hope your family has enjoyed a restful and refreshing time together. We look forward to welcoming you to Open House, where you can celebrate your child’s learning and explore the great work happening in our classrooms. We’re also excited about our upcoming Bike Rodeo, which promotes safety in a fun way, along with several field trips that offer meaningful, real-world learning experiences for our students.
Be sure to read through this newsletter for important dates and additional details. We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Warmly,
Mrs. Zeballos
Come connect, ask questions, and enjoy a cup of coffee with the principal.
April 16th in the Library @ 8:15 AM
We look forward to seeing you there!
On Thursday, April 16th, we will be hosting a Bike Rodeo (4-5PM) before Orchard's Open House (5:30-6:30 PM).
During and after the event, we will have a food truck and some info tables set up for families to check out prior to Open House. The food truck will be here from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. This will be a great opportunity for students to practice what they learned in a safe environment before heading to classrooms to celebrate their hard work with their families.
Orchard students and families are invited to join us for fun community event at our Spring Carnival, featuring games, dancing, delicious food, and so much more. We can't wait to see you there!
All Students must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.
We are writing to inform you of upcoming roadwork near our school that may impact your drop-off and pick-up next week. A microsurfacing project on Ridder Park Drive is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 23rd, and end on Tuesday, March 24th.
To minimize disruption to our school community, the crew plans to conduct the heaviest work between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM after morning drop-off and ending shortly after afternoon pick-up.
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
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!
