Harvest Party
Come to a feast prepared by your children using food they gathered from the garden. There will be sweets and savories galore. Arrive on time and don’t forget your waste free place settings.
Picture Day
School portraits will be taken for the yearbook and photo packages can be purchased.
Kinder Back School Afternoon
Come listen to your children sing some songs then send them along to aftercare (compliments of Orchard for this event) and hear about how we structure our time in class together, along with information about field trips. Mostly this is a time to connect and get to know each other better.
Upper Grade (1st-5th) Back-to-School Night
Visit your children’s classrooms to hear from teachers about plans for the year, teaching styles, curriculum, field trips etc.
Halloween Celebration
Come in costume! Classes will perform skits. There’s a zero-waste finger food potluck.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Field Trip to Seymour Marine Discovery Lab
Students will do a discovery lab to investigate how marine animals use fascinating body structures in a variety of ways to survive in the ocean. We will interact with live animals and realia to observe and identify different structures and construct explanations of how each functions.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Field Trip to Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Students will do a discovery lab, traveling back millions of years in time by exploring real, local fossils. We will uncover ancient environments that were home to fascinating creatures, big and small, and compare them to animals living in our oceans today.
Winter Play and Holiday Craft Faire
The Winter Play will be an all-school performance of Charlotte’s Web. Please arrive at 6
We will have a finger food potluck and a holiday market in the yurt from 7:30-8:30
Kindergarten/First Grade Field Trip to Natural History Museum
Kindergarteners and first graders will go with Rosy, Joy and Jane to the museum for the “Our Animal Neighbors” program. We’ll have a picnic outside the museum or on the nearby beach afterwards. We will need drivers for 19 students!
Afternoon Parent Meeting
Childcare provided free of charge in our school’s aftercare program.
Financial Aid Deadline for Returning Students
The financial aid deadline for returning students for the 2027-2028 school year is February 12th. We give priority to continuing students but will offer remaining monies to new families shortly after this date. Please be sure to turn in all tax information and all of the necessary paperwork, facts and figures, so there are no delays. The application costs $45 and can be found on the website under the Admissions tab. Look for the button named FAST. For help, please contact FAST’s support email address: familysupport@ismfast.com
Re-Registration Deadline
Please pay your re-enrollment fee by this date to hold your child’s place to attend in the fall.
Afternoon Parent Meeting
Childcare provided free of charge in our school’s aftercare program.
Fifth/Sixth Grade Graduation
This is an all school event. Students will participate in a short performance followed by a celebration of our graduates. We’ll end with a zero-waste, finger-food potluck.
Kindergarten Graduation
Meet on the kinder deck at 12:30! Kindergarten family and friends only. Ceremony followed by potluck. You may take your children home early or hang around with them until 3pm.
Family Beach Day
Let’s end the year how we began: a family beach day at Platform’s Beach. Everyone welcome. Bring a picnic, sand toys, and beach games. Drop off your child or stay and frolic with us.
Last Day Of School -- 1/2 Day --
And that’s a wrap! Half day and no hot lunch! Have a great summer Orchard families!
Family Campout
Our last Friday is a minimum day — School ends at noon. Families may set up tents then and return to the campout no earlier than 7pm.
Drive For Schools Begins (Ends 10/19)
Buy & sell tickets to win!
Tickets can be sold for $5.00 per ticket or $25 per packet of 6. Families each receive 12 packets to sell for starters. Tickets available in the website shop or click the link at the top of the website’s home page. Or, click here: on or after the 18th.
You don’t have to live in Santa Cruz or be present to win. Schools all over our community are participating in this event, so the sooner you can get out and sell your tickets, the better
Family Beach Day and Beach Clean-up
Let's spend the day at the beach together as an Orchard Community! We’ll be at Platform Beach from 10:00am to 2:30pm.
Meet us at the beach or drop your child at school.
Stay for all or some of the time.
Pick your child up from the beach or we can carpool back and you can pick up from school. Aftercare will be provided at school for those who need it.
We will be partcipating in the nationwide beach clean up. Gloves and buckets provided.
Spend the day at the beach, pack a picnic lunch, participate in beach clean-up, and play all day with others in the Orchard community. Please know that your child is included even if you are unable to attend. Kids are allowed to be in the water up to their waists when teachers are lifeguarding. Boogie boards, skimboards, and other beach toys are fine; however, we are not allowing surf boards.
Ice Cream Social
The Ice Ceam Social is from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. This is a time to meet and greet new and returning families, locate your parent boxes, have children choose their cubbies, prepay for lunch and/or aftercare, sign up for carpooling, and double check information and paperwork. If you have not already done so, please be sure to bring the filled out forms from your back to school packet and any payments due.
Kinder Work Day
We'll socialize and get to work beautifying the outdoor kindergarten space to get it ready for your kids. Children are welcome if they’d like to help or one parent can watch kids on the playground. Bring tools, painting equipment, gardening supplies, anything you think might come in handy. There will be jobs big and small, something for everyone. We’ll be keeping the classroom closed until the first day of school.
Kindergarten Meet and Greet Potluck
Come meet the rest of the kinder crew, kids and families, and your teachers. Please bring snacks to share and join us in getting to know one another.
Bike to School Day
Ride to school from home and/or meet up at 8:15 on Quail Run Road with fellow Orchardites to ride the last two miles safely together. Parents welcome! At least one teacher will be there to facilitate. Kindergarteners and other beginning riders may ride over the bridge from the parking lot and enjoy bike riding on the field at recesses. Helmets a must. Unicycles, scooters, walking, giraffe unicycles welcome with prior approval from Rock.
Fourth/Fifth Overnight Camping Trip to Mount Herman
Jane and Kenza will be taking the class on an exciting adventure. Stay tuned for more details.
Kindergarten Field Trip to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History~First Peoples Program
Rosy and Tara will take the kindergarten class on this field trip, departing school at about 10:15, returning by 12:45pm. Kids should have car seats, a packed lunch, a water bottle and dress in layers. We will need one or two parent chaperones. Stay tuned for more details.
From the museum:
“The First Peoples Program is one of the Museum’s oldest and most popular programs. We strive to respectfully and accurately represent local native tribes, their history, and their culture. The key terms and themes of this program have been thoughtfully and intentionally created with input from tribal consultants from the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, as well as feedback from teachers and docents who have participated in this field trip. We continue to regularly update our program and supporting materials to reflect the most up-to-date information available.”
Fundraiser Evening Event (Music, Games, Food, Drinks, Silent Auction, FUN)
ORCHARD SCHOOL INVITES YOU TO OUR ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISER
MAY 2ND, 6PM UNTIL 10PM
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE IN FOUR OPTIONS:
STANDARD: $67
STANDARD WITH CHIPS: $103
EXTRA CONTRIBUTION (WITH CHIPS): $128 — FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE
ACCESS TICKET: $47 — FOR THOSE FOR WHOM FINANCES WOULD OTHERWISE BE A BARRIER.
ADDITIONAL CHIPS CAN BE PURCHASED ON SITE.
IF PAYING BY CHECK (MADE OUT TO ORCHARD SCHOOL) OR CASH TO ROSY OR MANILA, DEDUCT TWO DOLLARS PER TICKET.
STANDARD AND ACCESS TICKET PRICE INCLUDES:
TACO BAR
DELICIOUS DESSERTS
BEER AND LOCAL WINES
A DJ, DANCING, AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE
SILENT AUCTION
STANDARD WITH CHIPS AND EXTRA CONTRIBUTION PRICE ALSO INCLUDES:
CASINO-STYLE POKER GAMES START AT 6:30 (COME EARLY, LIMITED TABLES) WITH PRIZES FOR TOP CHIP HOLDERS
CHILDCARE FOR ORCHARD STUDENTS AND SIBLINGS AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL FOR A $35-$40 FEE (depending on how many sign ups we have).
AT THE TEMPLE BETH EL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
3055 PORTER GULCH RD, APTOS, CA 95003
SECOND/THIRD GRADE FIELD TRIP TO MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
JOY WILL BE TAKING 2ND/3RD GRADE STUDENTS TO THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOR A SELF-GUIDED TOUR AND A PICNIC LUNCH ALONG THE RECREATION TRAIL. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. SHE WILL NEED PARENT CHAPERONES.
Fourth/Fifth Field Trip to Tech Interactive Museum in San Jose
Kenza and Ty will be leading this trip to the museum. They need four adults to accompany as chaperones. Cost per student will be $15-$20 depending on whether the museum confirms an IMAX movie is showing.
Fourth/Fifth Bike Field Trip to Norma Jeans Cafe
Kenza will be leading this bike to Norma Jean’s field trip. Cathy, the cafe owner, will share her experience of owning her own small business and will bake a cookie for each of our students. Students need to bring their bikes and helmets to school by Thursday morning in order for this field trip to happen. If you would like to give them extra money to purchase something else for their lunch or a snack, you are welcome to do so. We will return to Orchard by 12:30. I would love to have the assistance of 3 adults to bike there and back with us.
Fourth/Fifth Parent Meeting to Discuss Human Growth and Development Class Curriculum
Meeting with instructor Heidi Winig. We expect all parents to attend to learn about this series of three one-hour workshops held during the kids’ regular science class.
Science Fair and Invention Convention
The students second - fifth grade will have their projects on display and they will be presenting what they have learned to visitors. Please plan to join us!
Earthcapades Water Assembly
The City of Santa Cruz and the Soquel Creek Water District are pleased to once again offer your school a COMPLIMENTARY live theater assembly presented by EarthCapades. This fun, energetic and educational performance teaches water conservation, water science, and respect for Planet Earth
The performers blend comedy and circus skills (such as juggling, singing, storytelling and magic) to teach lessons about the Earth and environmental sustainability. Students won’t want to miss this!
Field Trip to Aptos Fire Station (Kinder and First Grade)
Rosy, Tara, Joy and Tovia will take the kindergarteners and first graders to the Aptos Fire Station to meet with the fire fighters, learn about fire safety, get a tour of the station and climb aboard a fire truck. More details to follow, along with a request for drivers.
CircOrchard Week
Mark your calendars. The Orchard Circus is coming to town! Monday March 9 to Saturday March 14
Dates and times are for all students K-5
The week before performances is also a very important week for attendance. Skills will be polished and students will build confidence for the upcoming CircOrchard Week!
Monday March 9: Tech rehearsal 10am at Orchard School
Tuesday March 10: Dress rehearsal 10am at Orchard School, local preschoolers will attend in the audience
Wednesday March 11: School show at Monte Vista Christian School, Showtime is 12:45
Thursday March 12: School show at Del Mar Elementary. Showtime is 10:45.
Friday March 13: Day of rest, no performance
Saturday March 14: Public show at The Landing in Scotts Valley 2PM SHOW
Call for Saturday show will probably be 12pm (some skills like unicycle & giraffe may be an earlier call time)
More specifics will be coming your way about costumes needs, parent volunteer requests, etc.
Questions: Contact Rock (rock@orchardschoolaptos.org)
SPCA Presentation (Kindergarten)
SPCA educators will come to the kinder hut to give a presentation called “State and National Animal Symbols”
First Grade Field Trip to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History~First Peoples Program
Joy will take the first grade class on this field trip, departing school at about 10:15, returning by 2pm at the latest. Kids should have car seats, a packed lunch, a water bottle and dress in layers. The class will parent chaperones and drivers. Stay tuned for more details.
From the museum:
“The First Peoples Program is one of the Museum’s oldest and most popular programs. We strive to respectfully and accurately represent local native tribes, their history, and their culture. The key terms and themes of this program have been thoughtfully and intentionally created with input from tribal consultants from the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, as well as feedback from teachers and docents who have participated in this field trip. We continue to regularly update our program and supporting materials to reflect the most up-to-date information available.”
Counted Out -- Math is Power PARENT MOVIE NIGHT
We will be hosting a documentary screening of the award winning movie Counted Out. This is open to the wider community, with a sliding scale admission, and limited childcare available for an additional fee. There will be a community discussion following the show.
You can buy your movie tickets and sign up and pay for childcare here:
https://www.orchardschoolaptos.org/shop
Note: Only 25 spots available for childcare, open to elementary age children. Younger siblings may be possible if discussed and approved ahead of time.
For any questions, contact us at 688-1074 or info@orchardschoolaptos.org
Bring Your Favorite Toy to School Day
Students may bring a toy from home to play with at school. This is a thank you reward for selling Drive for School tickets in the fall. The toy must be small enough to fit in your student’s cubby, no weapons, no electronic devices (such as iPads, iPhones etc) but a remote control toy is ok. See Manila with questions about the parameters.
Kindergarten Bus Trip To Aptos Library
We will take the city bus from the bottom of Trout Gulch Road, two stops, to the Aptos Library. We’ll stay for story time with a librarian, get library cards, check out books, eat lunch, and then hop back on the bus to come back to school about 1pm.
Tara and Rosy will be traveling together on this trip. We welcome a parent chaperone as well.
Stay tuned for more details.
Roller Rink Celebration Party -- All-School
Come skate with us at the roller rink to celebrate the Drive For Schools fundraising effort. We made over $13,000!
We will leave school at 9:30 and return at 12:30. Students should bring a packed lunch and water and be sure to wear socks. Quad skates are complimentary, inlines require an additional $3 fee. Vending machines are off-limits. Parents are welcome to join. We will provide tickets for car pool drivers. Other parents are welcome to purchase their own, $10 each.
Treat Day
We’ll have hot chocolate and popcorn at morning snack to celebrate student efforts meeting our fundraising goal for Drive For Schools. Well done, everyone!