Orchard Park Academy

Important Dates

Monday November 16th: Early Release day

Wednesday November 18th: Coffee with the Principal 8:30am

Wednesday November 18th: Education Support Professional Appreciation Day

Friday November 20th: Substitute Educators Appreciation Day

Monday November 23rd - Friday November 27th: No School: Thanksgiving Break

Monday November 30th: Early Release day

Ms. Cally Stickney: Level 6 teacher

Hi! I am Ms.Stickney.

I teach 6th grade math here at OPA. I am a product of WPS and enjoy still being part of the community.

Outside of school I am a proud mom of three active boys who keep me busy with sports, scouts and family adventures. When I am not in the classroom I enjoy hiking, camping, reading, catching a movie and being with our dog.

I believe that strong relationshios, curiosity and a positive classroom community are the foundation for student success.

Ms. Sherri Medina: Building Aide

My name is Ms. Sherri.

I have been in the District for a long time because I went to school here in this District K-12 and graduated from Westy.

I am entering my 12th year at Orchard Park. I work in the office and love helping the kids.

📚From the desk of Mrs. Frates🍎

🐾❤️ OPA Friday Family Message: The Heart Behind the Scenes — Our Amazing PTO!

Dear OPA Families,

As we continue celebrating our Month of Gratitude, this week I want to shine a very special spotlight on a group of individuals who give so much of themselves to make Orchard Park Academy an even better place for our students, teachers, and families—our incredible Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)!

There are so many wonderful things happening at OPA, but what families may not always see is the amount of time, dedication, and heart that goes into making those things possible. And let me tell you, our PTO is one AMAZING group of people!

❤️ More Than Just Meetings and Fundraisers!

Our PTO members are parents and family members who already have busy lives, jobs, children, schedules, and responsibilities of their own. Yet, month after month, they continue to show up for OPA!

They attend monthly PTO meetings, take notes, share thoughtful suggestions, manage budgets, discuss school needs, help plan community events, and find creative ways to support our teachers and students.

They are the people who help turn an idea into an experience, who ask, "What else can we do for our kids?" and who are willing to roll up their sleeves to make it happen.

And let's not forget, sometimes PTO means spending an entire meeting discussing budgets, logistics, and how to stretch every dollar! Not exactly the glamorous side of volunteering, but these amazing individuals do it because they believe our students and teachers are worth it! 😊

🍎 Supporting the People Who Support Our Children

One of the things I appreciate most about our PTO is their commitment to our teachers and staff. They give their time, listen to ideas, help with school activities, and look for meaningful ways to make our teachers feel appreciated and supported.

Our teachers pour their hearts into their classrooms every day, and having a group of parents who are willing to stand beside them, encourage them, and help bring their ideas to life is truly a gift.

Our PTO doesn't just support school events. They support the people who make our school special.

🧠 PersonBrain: Connection, Significance & Hope in Action

As a PersonBrain school, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, significant, respected, and connected.

Our PTO is a beautiful example of what those elements look like in action. They help families feel welcomed, create opportunities for our community to come together, listen to different perspectives, and remind our students that there is an entire community of adults invested in their happiness and success.

When children see parents, teachers, and school staff working together, they see something powerful: adults who care, adults who show up, and adults who believe in their future. That is how we build connection and hope!

🌟 To Our PTO — THANK YOU!

Thank you for the hours you give that nobody sees. Thank you for the meetings you attend, the ideas you share, the budgets you balance, the events you help organize, and the countless little things you do that make a BIG difference.

Most importantly, thank you for loving our school enough to invest your time and energy into making it better.

To our OPA families, I encourage you to thank a PTO member when you see one. Better yet, consider joining us at a future meeting! You don't need a special talent, a perfect schedule, or a background in fundraising. You just need a heart for kids and a willingness to help. Every voice, idea, and helping hand matters.

During this Month of Gratitude, I hope our PTO members know just how much they are valued.

Great schools don't happen because of one person. They happen when a community comes together, believes in its children, and chooses to make a difference. Our PTO is proof of that.

Thank you for making OPA a place where students, families, and staff can flourish!

Have a wonderful weekend, Puma families! ❤️🐾

With a Grateful Heart and Puma Pride,
Mindy Frates
Principal, Orchard Park Academy

Melinda Frates

Interim Principal

Orchard Park Academy

"Where belonging meets high expectations"

Westminster Public Schools

720-542-4321

Book time to meet with me

From: Amarosa Celeste <CAmarosa@wps.org>
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2026 9:21 AM
To: Frates Melinda <MFrates@wps.org>; Estrada Crystal <cestrada@wps.org>; Jennings Emily <ejennings@wps.org>; Scott Meighan <mescott@wps.org>; Lamb Renee <ReLamb@wps.org>; Torres-Rivera Jennifer <jtorres@wps.org>
Subject: Newsletter