Words of Windom May 26

Happy May Everyone!

As we approach the end of the school year, we’re excited to share updates and reminders about several important upcoming events and opportunities for family involvement.

Field Day 2026
We are excited to begin planning for Field Day and are happy to share that, based on overwhelmingly positive feedback from last year, we will continue with the same full-day, all-school format. This structure allows for a more unified, inclusive experience where all K–5 students can participate, collaborate, and celebrate together.

Field Day Details:

• Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
• Rain Date: Monday, June 22, 2026

Field Day will once again be a full-day event featuring rotating activity stations across the Windom grounds. PreK students will participate in a modified afternoon experience, with additional details shared by your child’s PreK teacher.

Ways for Families to Get Involved:
We welcome family participation in the following ways:

• Homeroom Helpers (full-day commitment supporting your child’s class)
• Station Volunteers (half-day or full-day options supporting activities)
• Spectators (join us on the front lawn to watch your child’s class participate in three consecutive stations—approximately 45 minutes total)

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Field Day Google Form by Friday, May 15th. Please note that all volunteers must complete the required district volunteer training prior to the event, and final assignments will be shared by May 29th.

Class Placement Input (Optional)
As we begin the thoughtful process of creating class lists for the upcoming school year, families are invited to complete an optional Parent/Guardian Input Form. This form provides an opportunity to share insights about your child that may help us build balanced and supportive classroom communities.

While we carefully review all responses, please note that specific requests (including teacher preferences) cannot be guaranteed, as many factors are considered in the placement process. Additionally, we anticipate some staff members may change grade levels. Please also note that we are not able to honor requests for placement in co-taught classrooms for students who do not have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

The Parent/Guardian Input Form will remain open until Friday, May 15th.

NYS Testing Schedule Update

Please note that there have been some adjustments to the NYS testing schedule. Detailed information is included below so families can review the updated dates and plan accordingly.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in making Windom a wonderful place for our students to learn and grow. We look forward to celebrating together at Field Day and finishing the year strong!

We were thrilled to welcome author Alex Willian to Windom for a special visit with our students! His time with us sparked excitement around reading, writing, and storytelling, leaving a lasting impression on our school community.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our PTO for their generous donation, which made this experience possible. A special thank you as well to our librarian, Christine Tempestoso, for her incredible work in organizing and coordinating the visit. We also appreciate the many Windom staff members who helped support and ensure the day ran smoothly.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our students, and we are grateful to everyone who played a part in making it such a success!

Orchard Park is the very proud recipient of the 2026 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education Award! This is the 10th (!!) consecutive year the district has received this recognition. The award celebrates outstanding efforts by all stakeholders who strive to make music part of a well-rounded education.

Our 2nd grade students recently enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the Erie County Fairgrounds for a hands-on Farm to Table experience!

This engaging experience brought classroom learning to life and helped students develop a deeper appreciation for the role farmers and producers play in our community. It was a fun, educational day filled with curiosity, discovery, and plenty of smiles!

Attached below is information on our upcoming relocation drill.

The Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) would like to share their upcoming meeting schedule. If you are a parent who is interested in learning more please click this link for more information: opseptsa.org.

• May 4th - May 8th - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 4th - EG/WD Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM, OPHS
• May 5th - NYS Math Testing (Grades 3-5)
• May 5th - Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM, OPHS
• May 6th - NYS Math Testing (Grades 3-5)
• May 7th & 8th - PTO Plant Sale
• May 7th - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM, Windom Library
• May 11th - EG/WD Band Concert 7:00 PM, OPHS
• May 12th - NYS Science Testing (Grade 5)
• May 13th - SD/WD Chorus Concert 7:00 PM, OPHS
• May 15th - Last Day to submit Field Day Volunteer form and optional Parent/Guardian Input Form
• May 19th - Board of Education Annual Vote/Election 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, OPHS
• May 25th - NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
• May 26th - Relocation Drill
• May 28th - Art Show, Chicken BBQ & Ice Cream Social 4:30 PM

Looking for new Windom apparel??? Please see the link below to purchase all of your Windom gear!

Please see the list below for this years PTO meeting dates. All PTO meetings will start at 7:00 PM in the Windom Library:

It is essential that anyone who feels they may be eligible for free and reduced meals to fill out the 2025-2026 Free and Reduced lunch application that is available above. Procedures are in place to protect the privacy of students participating in the free and reduced program. Receiving Free and Reduced meals does not solely benefit the student receiving the meal, it also benefits the district community; depending on the amount of need within our district, we will receive/be eligible for additional funding. Completed applications should be sent to J. Schwarz at 4040 Baker Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127.

If you need an application printed and sent to you, please call Jody Schwarz at (716) 209-6244.