2020 Recap: Highlights From an Unforgettable Year

Happy New Year to the entire Orchard community!

While we are all ready to put 2020 behind us, there were still many moments of reflection and joy that challenged us and uncovered new opportunities. The fact that we're all going through this together will only make us stronger and strengthen the bond of our entire community. Here’s to hoping 2021 shines a little brighter for all of us. Enjoy the recap below. 
 
Owls forever.
 
 
JANUARY:
The First Days of 2020
 
Students returned from winter break today, and they picked up right where they left off! The only difference…a new decade! :) CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
 
 
FEBRUARY:
Orchard Auction: More Than 300 People Partied at The Willows to Support The Orchard School
We rocked The Willows while dancing to the best music (Dave & Rae!) and the funniest auction assistants ever, Preschool teacher Elizabeth Philpott and sixth grade English teacher Scott Meyer. Way to go, Orchard! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Orchard's Middle School Musical Provides Many Hands-On Experiences for Students
With the help of Makerspace coordinator Scott Weaver, students completely transformed the Orchard Theatre. Everything you see in the pictures below was made by students at Orchard. From the giant stage with lights to the tiny helicopter, and from the bird's nest to the upright piano, students were hands-on the entire time. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


MARCH:
Pancake Breakfast Photos: Over 600 People Enjoyed Breakfast with Orchard-Made Syrup
It was a beautiful March morning for pancakes! Over 600 people came to the Pancake Breakfast hosted by The Orchard School's Alumni Heritage Association. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
The Orchard School Hosts the 15th Annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference
The Indianapolis Area Private Schools Diversity Consortium held the 15h Annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference in the Steve Thompson Gym at The Orchard School. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
COVID-19 Update: The Proactive Decision to Close The Orchard School
Out of an abundance of caution and care, The Orchard School has decided to close school effective, March 12th. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 on our campus, but there are confirmed cases in Marion County.
 
MARCH - MAY Weekly Remote Learning Videos
 
Our model looked different during those times, but our ability to adapt and learn never did. The opportunity to innovate while supporting the greater good provided positive learning moments for everyone during this temporary chapter. CLICK HERE TO WATCH ALL OF THE VIDEOS.


APRIL:
 
WTHR Channel 13 Featured Orchard’s Story About Helping Doctors at IU Health
 
If you were up at 6 am with coffee and the news on this April morning, you might have noticed that WTHR-TV Channel 13's Sunrise segment featured The Orchard School’s split ventilator story! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


MAY:
Clap Along as Orchard Teachers Share the 'Happy' with Lip-Sync Video on Teacher Appreciation Day
We all know Orchard teachers are the best, but did you know they're also excellent lip-sync performers? CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Video: Orchard Graduates Get the Star Treatment, Plus Big Screen Debut at Drive-In Theatre
 
The Orchard School has truly put in the miles to celebrate the Class of 2020 stars! Middle School Director Angela Brothers and Marketing’s James Layne put their heads together in early April to develop a special plan: Not only would they visit every eighth grader’s house to deliver a personalized yard sign but they’d continue the tradition of taking formal professional photos of each student to help the Orchard community honor the 2020 graduates. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Farewell Letter to Orchard | Julie Wingate - 32 Years
 
When I think about the last 30 plus years I am overwhelmed with images.  My son started in preschool at Orchard with Mrs. Bork and I was hooked.  I watched what was happening around him, felt the support of a community of teachers and friends, and knew it was a good place for both of us. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Orchard Celebrates Grads in High Style on the Big Screen
 
Eighth graders at The Orchard School can add another date to the list of unforgettable events in the year 2020. On May 21, 2020, Orchard graduates were honored in the biggest possible way—a graduation celebration in a drive-in movie theatre playing a custom-made movie recapping their time at Orchard. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Reflections, Resources, and Solidarity: A Message from The Orchard School
 
It has been less than a week since people around the world have seen the video footage of the death of George Floyd. We heard bystanders pleading for his release, and Mr. Floyd himself repeating to Minneapolis Police Department Officer Chauvin, “I can’t breathe.”  We have witnessed this scene too many times, heard this painful plea before, and in the days since George Floyd’s death, the heartbreak and grief throughout our country and in our own city of Indianapolis are real, and raw, and overwhelming. The list of lives that have been lost is so very, very long.  And the pursuit of justice, and the ability for everyone to live their lives free of discrimination and violence, too often feels out of reach. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


JUNE:
Orchard’s DEI Blog | “Experience: Attending the Protests”
 
“I was amazed by the power of “the people.” It was an honor to bear witness and contribute to this part of an ongoing movement with my actual voice, not just my voice on paper.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


JULY:
 
The 10 Most-Read Stories in Orchard History
 
Out of nearly 425 posts, these are the 10 most-read stories in Orchard history. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
 
AUGUST:
 
The First Week of School 2020: Video & Photo Album
The Orchard School’s 98th year is undoubtedly one for the history books. While there have certainly been challenges, the connection and support of the entire Orchard community are what truly stand out. Every member of our community plays a crucial role in creating a happy, healthy, and engaging experience for our students. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


SEPTEMBER:
 
Kindergarten Students Create Nature Numbers Deep in the Orchard Woods
Kindergarten students in Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Fischer’s classroom trekked through the Orchard woods in search of a new outdoor learning space. Just past the Wild Woods on the south side of the campus, they discovered a large area that could fit their entire classroom. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
We Reached Our Goal for The Natural Playgrounds...THANK YOU!
 
Thanks to YOU, we reached our goal for Orchard's THREE new natural playgrounds. Our community came together to raise $1,415,000 to complete the natural playground project which is part of the $11 million capital campaign. We couldn’t be more thankful. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


OCTOBER: 
 
Exclusive Video: Behold the Best Orchard Bobbers, We Reached Our Apple Week Goal!
 
Thank you so much for a successful Apple Week, Orchard community. What a great way to celebrate Orchard’s 98th birthday. Not only did we reach our goal of 300 donors by Friday (Oct. 2), but we also achieved 80% faculty and staff participation! Now grab your popcorn, cheer on your amazing Orchard teachers, and watch an #onlyatorchard short film. Enjoy the show! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Outdoor Video: The First 50 School Days at Orchard in 2020
 
Like many schools across the country, the start of the 2020-21 school year has been unique, to say the least. However, the one thing that has stayed true at The Orchard School is our creativity. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
Photo Album: Fourth Grade Play | "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" 2020
The first-fourth grade play of the year was today at Orchard! We are so proud of our students for adjusting to the current times and making the best out of the opportunity to perform on stage. These awesome actors did an excellent job keeping their distance, wearing masks at all times, and they replaced all singing parts with spoken word performances. Amazing! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


NOVEMBER:
Orchard's Halloween Parade was Spooktacular!
On the Friday morning before Halloween, classrooms followed their fire drill procedures and traveled to The Green where they remained masked and socially distanced. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
 
COVID-19 Update: Back to Remote Learning  - Mandate by MCPHD
Earlier this morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine shared that they are ordering all public and private K-12 schools to transition to remote learning no later than the end of the day on Friday, November 30th.


DECEMBER:
 
Six Orchard Grads Earn High Honors from the National Merit® Scholarship Program
Out of 1.5 million PSAT/NMSQT entries, roughly 50,000 students qualify for Program Recognition. About 34,000 from that pool are recognized as Commended Scholars and 19,000, the highest-scoring entrants in each state, are named National Merit Semifinalists. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
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