Orchard Primary
10/22/26
Principal's Corner:
Hello Orchard Primary Families!
Thank you to everyone for coming out to our Spooktakular Family Fun Night this week! It was so great to see each of our students having fun and enjoying the activities and spending quality time with their families and friends. A tremendous thank you to our OP team for helping make this such a spectacular evening for all!
Oct. 30th OP Parade and Parties
Parade 9:00am Out front at OP
Class parties vary on times. Please see your child's classroom teacher's information.
Costumes: Please have your child arrive to school already wearing their costumes.
Please No:
Face masks
Plastic weapons
Gore/fake blood etc.
These costumes will be worn throughout the day. Please be mindful that they will be wearing these out to recess and should be conducive for outdoor play.
Volunteers at parties: Our school policy is that all volunteers need to complete a background check to attend class parties and events. Here is the link to complete a background check form: https://almont.ss3.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4922/File/Forms%20District/Volunteer%20Consent%20Generic%20for%20Parents.pdf
Trunk-or-Treat Oct. 29th 6:00-7:00pm Almont High School Parking Lot
Get your costumes ready and join Almont High School’s National Honor Society for a community Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, October 29, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the Almont High School parking lot! Enjoy an evening of Halloween fun, candy, and festive trunks hosted by our High School students. Bring your family, invite your friends, and come make some spooky memories with us! We can’t wait to see all your little ghosts and goblins!
OP Scholastic Book Fair Nov. 2-5
Upcoming OP Dates:
- Oct. 27: OP Watch Dogs 6:30-7:30pm
- Nov. 4: Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00
- Nov. 5: Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00 & 5:00-8:00
- Nov 6: No School
- Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Break
OP Watch Dog Program Information and Sign-up Evening
Oct. 27th 6:30pm-7:30pm
🐶The Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program is a wonderful volunteer program that brings dads, grandpas, and male family figures into the schools! Students see male role models who value school and volunteers get to spend time in our schools working with kids, helping with arrival and dismissal, playing on the playground, helping out at lunch, and just serving as a positive presence in our schools - it's a win-win-win program!
👓You can find more information about the Watch D.O.G.S. program by reading this document or visiting the Watch D.O.G.S. website.
⭐OP is hosting an informational evening for Watch Dogs on Oct. 21st in the OP cafeteria from 6:30pm-7:30pm where you will be served pizza and receive more information for volunteering at Orchard Primary as a Watch Dog, and to sign-up for dates/times to volunteer.
The Positivity Project "P2" at OP
Exciting News: The Positivity Project Starts This Week!
We are thrilled to launch The Positivity Project (P2) across our school this week! P2 is dedicated to helping our students build strong relationships and recognize the good in themselves and others by exploring 24 character strengths.
This Week's Focus: Curiosity Students will explore what it means to be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and seek out new experiences and learning.
Next Week's Focus: Teamwork We will dive into working well with others, listening, and contributing positively to group goals.
Resources for Families:
General P2 Overview: To learn more about the program and find conversation starters to use at home, check out P2 for Families.
This Week's Family Letter (Curiosity): Read our Weekly Family Letter - Curiosity to learn more about how we are practicing curiosity and how you can support it at home.
Next Week's Family Letter (Teamwork): Read our Weekly Family Letter - Teamwork to preview how we will practice teamwork and working together as a group.
You can support your child at home by asking them what they're learning about curiosity and teamwork! Thank you for partnering with us to build a supportive, positive school community.
Bus Information
As daylight hours become shorter, we ask that students be at their bus stop at least 5 minutes before their scheduled pickup time. When it is dark outside, please have students carry a flashlight or use the light on a cell phone as the bus approaches. This helps drivers see students more clearly and reduces the chance of a student being missed due to limited visibility. Taking these simple precautions is a safe practice that helps keep students visible and safe while waiting for the bus.
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
October 19 – 23, 2026
This Year's Theme: "Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes"
School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility! Whether you are a student, a parent, or a motorist, follow these essential rules to keep our community's children safe every single day.
FOR MOTORISTS: Know the Law
- Yellow Lights Mean Slow Down: The bus is preparing to stop. Do not try to pass it.
- Red Lights Mean STOP: Flashing red lights and an extended stop-arm mean children are boarding or exiting. Stop your vehicle completely at a safe distance.
- It’s the Law: Passing a stopped school bus is illegal in all 50 states and carries severe penalties. Stop when the bus stops—it saves lives!
FOR STUDENTS: Stay in the "Safe Zone"
- The 3-Giant-Step Rule: Wait for the bus at least 10 feet (3 giant steps) away from the curb.
- Never Walk Behind the Bus: If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver. Never bend down to pick it up without them knowing.
- Wait for the Signal: Look for the bus driver to signal or wave you ahead before crossing the street.
- Stay Seated: Once inside, find your seat quickly, face forward, and keep the aisles clear.
OP PTA News and Updates
Fall Fundraiser Delivery is still scheduled for Wednesday November 4th from 4p-8p. ALL ITEMS MUST BE PICKED UP. Due to lack of storage space, we canNOT hold freezer items. If they are not picked up, they will be thrown away. Please enter through the main doors and head towards the North hallway to the cafeteria doors (there will be signs to direct you). If you have a large order, we suggest bringing a wagon or some helpers to help carry it. We will help as well! More detailed instructions will go out on Dojo & Facebook soon.
Thank you to the families that signed up and donated for our Fall Stock the Staff! Those items are MUCH appreciated by our amazing OP Staff!!!
We have more exciting fundraisers & events planned and coming up!! We can't wait to share with everyone!!
Our next PTA meeting is scheduled for Monday November 2nd at 4p in the OP Library. We hope to see you there!
On September 25th (9-2-5), we had a little fun with a Staff Treat Cart!
We also recognized our wonderful custodians for Custodian Appreciation Day!
Don't forget to sign up for your PTA membership and Kroger Rewards: Kroger Community Rewards
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email us at almontop.pta@gmail.com and we post all updates on Class Dojo and our Facebook page!
Kids Club Before and After School Childcare at OP
Orchard Primary Office
Office Secretaries:
Mrs. Jacklyn Niedermaier, jniedermaier@almontschools.org
Mrs. Christina Couture, ccouture@almontschools.org
R.A.D. Raider Code
READY TO LEARN
ALWAYS BE SAFE
DO THE RIGHT THING
Community Student and Family Opportunities Below:
Student and Family Safety
For the safety of our students, staff, and entire school community—especially during our busy arrival and dismissal times—we kindly ask all families to follow these important safety reminders:
🏫 Entering the Building
- All adults entering the building must use the front entrance and sign in at the office.
- This helps us maintain a safe and secure environment and allows us to know who is in our building at all times.
🚌 Bus Loop
- Please do not park or drive in the bus loop during arrival or dismissal. This area needs to remain clear for our buses and students.
🚗 Drop-Off/Kiss & Go Lane
- Please do not park along the sidewalk or in the designated drop-off lanes.
- These areas are intended for a quick “kiss and go” drop-off. Please wish them a great day and say your good-byes, assist your child out of the vehicle if needed, and then continue moving forward so we can keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently.
- If your child needs additional time or assistance getting ready to enter the building, please park in a designated parking space.
🅿️ Parking
- When possible, please avoid parking on the grass. We are working on some parking adjustments in an effort to provide additional parking space and improve traffic flow.
🐾 Pets
- For the safety and comfort of all students and families, pets are not permitted on school property during arrival or dismissal, unless specifically approved by the principal for a school activity or special circumstance.
👨👩👧👦 Student Supervision
During these busy, high-traffic times, we ask that parents/guardians provide close and active supervision of their children and keep children close by at all times.
For everyone's safety, please help us ensure that children:
- Do not climb the trees.
- Do not play football, soccer, or other games near traffic and high-traffic pedestrian areas.
- Stay out of the peastone along the perimeter of the building.
- Do not throw, kick, or move pea stone onto the grass, sidewalks, or other areas where it could create a safety concern.
We appreciate everyone's help in keeping arrival and dismissal safe, calm, and efficient for our students, families, and staff. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and partnership as we work together to make Orchard Primary a safe and welcoming place for everyone! ❤️