Henry J Mello Center
Kenza is the teacher in charge
Come join us for a night of games, food, drink, fun and friendship at Casino Night 2025. There will be delicious home cooking, raffle items, poker and other “casino” pastimes…so, hold the date and invite your friends. Tickets to include dinner, playing chips and entry. Prices yet to be determined.
The students in first - sixth grade will have their projects on display and they will be presenting what they have learned to visitors. Please plan to join us!
The 3rd/4th grade class will venture to Seacliff State Beach in Aptos for an in person program. The program is from 10 - 12. The students will have lunch at play time at the beach, and return to school around 1:30.
Program description: Explore Seacliff State Beach and discover a secret that is 2.5 to 5 million years old. During this two-hour long program, students will have the opportunity to practice their paleontological skills by brushing for fossils…an activity that can only be done on a field trip! Students will then dive into how a ship made of concrete can float and what animals call this ship home.
The 1st and 2nd graders will venture to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the Our Animal Neighbors program. Students will then walk across the street to the beach for lunch before returning to Orchard.
Students will need: Snack, Lunch, a full water bottle, a layer, a booster or car seat if they use it
More about our program: Through an interactive, inquiry-driven program using animal specimens and games, students learn how to identify native animals and discuss structures/forms that help them to survive in their habitats. By focusing on common native animals and accessible habitats, this program encourages students to connect with wildlife and builds awareness of the animals that live around us.
The 4th grade students will be venturing up the coast for an overnight camping trip. We will leave after circle on Wednesday morning, and return Thursday afternoon. The group will be tent camping at Costanoa near Pescadero Wednesday night after a day of beach exploration and team building games. On Thursday we will venture to Ano Nuevo and hike out to see the elephant seals before returning to school.
Childcare provided free of charge in our school’s aftercare program.
Mark your calendars. The Orchard Circus is coming to town! Monday April 29~May 4th
Dates and times are for all students K~6
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 April 28th: Tech rehearsal 10am at Orchard School
Tuesday April 29th: Dress rehearsal 10am at Orchard School
Wednesday April 30th: School assembly show (School location TBD)
Thursday May 1st: School assembly show (School location TBD)
Friday May 2nd: Day of rest, no performance
Saturday May 3rd Public show at Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center 2PM SHOW
Sunday May 4th Public show at Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center 2PM SHOW
Call for both shows 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)
Saturday May 4th: Public show at Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center
2PM SHOW
Call will be 12pm, possibly earlier for certain students.
Sunday May 4th: Public show at Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center
2PM SHOW
Call will be 12pm, possibly earlier for certain students.
The 5th and 6th grade students will travel up to the Marin Headlands for a three day, two night science adventure with Nature Bridge. More details to come.
The third and fourth graders will be venturing down to Moss Landing where they will be kayaking with Kayak Connection in Elkhorn Slough. We will leave at 9:15 and return to Orchard by 2:00.
Students will need: A lunch, a water bottle, water resistant clothing, a change of clothes, water shoes or sandals with a back strap (not flip flops).
Meet on the kinder deck at 12:30! Kindergarten family and friends only. Ceremony followed by potluck.
Details coming soon…
And that’s a wrap! Half day and no hot lunch! Have a great summer Orchard families!
