Orchard Drive Family Newsletter
September 2026
26-27 Jackson R2 Calendar
Orchard Drive Dates to Remember
Check out this document with all of our important events for the school year!
Orchard Drive Calendar
School Picture Day!
September 17th is our school picture day! We will have picture retakes on November 5th. We will follow the same procedure we did last year with ordering pictures from Cheekwood.
- All students will have their picture taken on picture day.
- Students will not bring money or picture orders on picture day.
- Families will receive an email with your child's picture and information on ordering pictures about one-week after picture day.
- All package selections and background colors will be placed online.
Orchard Spirit Wear Fundraiser
The Orchard PTO is excited to kick off our Jackson spirit wear fundraiser. This is your chance to stock up on gear and show your Indian Pride. Need a sweatshirt for those Friday night games? Want to rep your Indian Pride every Friday? We’ve got you covered.
We will send out more information and a link to purchase in the next few days.
A Message from Nurse Emily
September News from the Nurse’s Office!
Here is to the start of a healthy year at Orchard Drive Elementary! Here are some ways to help keep everyone healthy at school:
Encourage your children to get sufficient sleep, eat nutritious meals, practice good oral hygiene, and get enough physical activity to keep their bodies healthy.
Utilize infection prevention and control methods.
Encourage frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.
Clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces.
Teach children to cough and sneeze in their elbows or into a tissue.
Keep your child home if they have symptoms of illness. This is the best way to STOP THE SPREAD! If your child has a fever 100.1 or higher keep them home. They need to be fever free for at least 24 hours without medication. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea they need to be at home for at least 24 hours after the last episode. If you have questions of when to keep your child home you can call me at 573-243-9555 I am available M-F 8:00-3:40.
Get your child a Flu Shot for 2026/27. The Cape Girardeau Health Department will be at Orchard Drive on Sept 25 2026 in the afternoon for anyone that wants their child to get the flu shot while at school. Consents will go out a couple of weeks before the CCHD is here. Flu shots will not be given to any student that does not have a consent turned in by the deadline. If you do not want to have your child get the flu shot at school, call your child’s pediatrician and schedule an appointment.
Dental Screenings and Varnish will be September 25!! Every student will be screened for tooth decay and major concerns. If your child has a dental concern that needs to be followed up by a dentist a letter will go home with them. ONLY the students that have a consent for varnish will receive the varnish in both the fall and the spring. The consent in the fall covers the 1st and 2nd applications (March 2 2027). It is recommended that all children get varnish applied to their teeth twice a year to help prevent tooth decay. This is a free service for your child. Consents will be coming home soon.
A Message from Mrs. Lasher
Welcome back, Orchard Drive! It has been such a pleasure to reconnect with students and see their smiling faces every day. I’ve been able to spend time with each class as they settle in this first week. They are rocking it! I've seen so many new friendships and connections!
Starting in September, classes will begin coming to the counseling room to have thirty minute weekly lessons. In September all grade levels will focus on remembering or learning what school counseling is and how I help students. Then we are all focusing on mindfulness and the importance of self control.
Please feel free to reach out with any concerns, questions, clarifications, etc. I am happy to talk through any school concerns you might have for your student. I am here for you and your students!
Rachel Lasher, NCC
Mrs. Blum's Behavior Blip
Orchard Families,
As we settle into September, many students are adjusting to new routines, expectations, and friendships. Establishing consistent schedules at home and school can help children feel secure and confident as they navigate the school year. Key ways parents can support success: Creating predictable morning and bedtime routines (set alarms to keep everyone on track!), encouraging independence with daily responsibilities (visual checklists help with this!), and providing positive praise for effort and problem-solving (be specific! instead of "Good job", tell them specifically what you liked). September is also a great time to begin conversations about emotions and coping skills, helping children identify their feelings and practice healthy ways to manage frustration, disappointment, or worry. Remember that behavior is often a form of communication, especially when students are learning new expectations. When challenges arise, focus on teaching and reinforcing the behaviors you want to see rather than only correcting mistakes. Celebrating small successes, maintaining open communication with teachers, and modeling calm problem-solving can make a significant difference in your child's growth. Together, we can build strong foundations for learning, positive behavior, and emotional well-being throughout the school year.
Hannah Blum, MA, BCBA, LBA
Behavior Interventionist
School Cafe Enrollment
The enrollment takes less than 5 minutes. If your child qualified for Free or Reduced Lunches during the 2024-2025 school year, you will need to reapply for the 2025-2026 school year for students to continue to receive free or reduced lunches.
Orchard Drive Elementary
Email: czirges@jr2mail.org
Website: https://odes.jacksonr2schools.com/
Location: 1402 Orchard Dr, Jackson, MO 63755, USA
Phone: (573) 243-9555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orcharddriveelementary