Words of Windom March 26

Happy April Everyone!

NYS Testing:

As we enter the month of April, we want to remind you that students in grades 3-5 will be participating in state assessments throughout the month. All assessments will be computer based. Below are the scheduled testing dates:

• April 15th & 16th – NYS ELA (Grades 3-5)

• April 29th & 30th – NYS Math (Grades 3-5)

• May 12th – NYS Science (Grade 5)

Please make sure students come to school well-rested, with full bellies, and with charged computers. We know they are going to do their best and rock their tests!!

We want to provide clarity on the procedures for families choosing to refuse participation, as well as share why participation in these assessments can be beneficial for your student and our school community.

Refusing vs. Opting Out
While the term opting out is commonly used, the New York State Education Department does not offer an official opt-out option for state assessments. Instead, families may choose to have their student refuse participation in the assessments. We use the term refusal to reflect the correct process.

Why Participation Matters
Participation in state assessments provides valuable insight into your student’s progress toward meeting grade-level learning standards. The results help inform instruction, identify areas where additional support or enrichment may be needed, and contribute to important school-wide decisions about programs and resources. Participation also impacts our school’s accountability status and can influence funding and support from the state.

Refusal Procedures
For families choosing to have their student refuse participation in the NYS assessments, please follow these procedures:

• The preferred method of notification is via email to your child’s classroom teacher prior to the test date. If you are notifying the school on the day of the assessment, please send in a signed note with your child and ensure it is delivered directly to the main office.

• The email/note will serve as a refusal for that specific assessment (ELA, Math, or Science) and will apply to both days of testing for that subject.
• If you wish for your child to refuse participation in all assessments, please indicate that on the email or note you send it.
• Students who refuse to participate in state assessments remain in the testing location during administration and can read quietly while the school is in testing mode.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure a smooth and respectful testing environment for all students.

☀️ Field Day 2026 ☀️

We’re excited to share that Field Day will follow the same successful format as last year! This year’s event will take place on June 16th.

More information regarding homeroom parent helpers and volunteer opportunities will be shared after the break. We’re looking forward to another fun and active day for our students!

Our 1st graders welcomed guest to their Animal Museum! Students researched an animal and wrote nonfiction books about them, while making 3D clay versions of their animal in art class. They also created a diorama of their animal's habitat, which was displayed at the event. Creative QR codes were scannable to view a video of students inside their own dioramas as they shared facts and information about their animals!

Over the past several weeks, our PreK students have been exploring the important roles of community helpers and learning how these individuals make a difference in our everyday lives. From firefighters to teachers, our youngest learners have been busy discovering all the ways people contribute to their communities.

Students in Ms. McMahon’s class even took their learning a step further by creating a special video sharing what they might want to be when they grow up. Their creativity and excitement truly shine through - we know the sky’s the limit for our PreK friends!

We are incredibly proud of Eli, Victoria, and Mia for their outstanding performance at the Destination Imagination State Tournament! Competing against very difficulty teams in their division, they earned an impressive 3rd place finish!

Most notably, the team was awarded their 2nd DaVinci Award for creativity; this time for an innovative disco ball they designed as part of their performance. Winning even one DaVinci Award is a rare achievement, but earning two in back-to-back competitions is exceptional!

Congratulations to this talented and creative trio; we are so proud of this powerhouse team!

Another fantastic year of Math Club has come to a close! This year, approximately 85 students in grades 2 - 4 participated, bringing enthusiasm, curiosity, and a love of problem solving to each session. It has been wonderful to see our young mathematicians grow in confidence while having fun with math alongside their peers.

We’re excited to share some group photos from the different Math Clubs throughout the year - hope you enjoy taking a look back at all the great moments!

In partnership with the Buffalo Bills, The University at Buffalo, and UB Ortho, Orchard Park has been asked to participate in a pilot AED mapping program. Please see below for more details.

Registration is OPEN for the Spanish For The Elementary Years class offered through Orchard Park Community Education for students in grades K-5! Classes are held in our school at dismissal. The unique six-week curriculum features Spanish foundation vocabulary introduced through games, singing and hands-on activities! Returning and new students are welcome to join the Club. New vocabulary and material are introduced in each 6-week session. The program rotates through a 5-year cycle of lesson plans. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 8th. There are only a limited number of spots available in the class. Register on-line under our school at www.TheEnrichmentCompany.com. Click here for a short informational video about the class - https://youtu.be/eFUWq5xdzbg.

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.

• April 3rd - April 12th - NO SCHOOL: Spring Break
• April 7th - PTO Fundraiser, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• See flyer below for details
• April 13th - Candid Yearbook Pictures
• April 15th - NYS ELA Testing (Grades 3-5)
• April 16th - NYS ELA Testing (Grades 3-5)
• April 16th - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM, LMC
• April 22nd - Author Visit: Alex Willian
• April 23rd - Author Visit: Alex Willian
• April 27th - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation 6:30 PM, OPMS
• April 28th - Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM, OPMS
• April 29th - NYS Math Testing (Grades 3-5)
• April 30th - NYS Math Testing (Grades 3-5)

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.