Second Semester Highlights
Basement Redo
It was a noisy, dusty semester in the school basement, but at last the renovations begun in the fall were brought to beautiful completion in April. We now have a new science classroom and lab, lunchroom, music/media room, language room, conference room, and restroom. Further transformation of the old science room into a library/reading space is in the works.
Service Learning Culmination
- School-wide service-learning days were devoted to pursuit of the class projects begun last semester.
- An additional service project was undertaken here at school when the sixth-grade science class donned their gardening gloves and took on beautification of the school exterior and the median.
Arts Block Studios
- Third quarter studio morning in March featured the fifth-graders performing “Freedom Dance,” an original work; the sixth grade exhibit of art displaying balance, composition, and abstraction using a wide variety of media; a video presentation of “The Hamlet Blues,” songs written, performed, filmed and edited by the seventh-graders, from the perspective of various characters from “Hamlet;” and a full-length, student-directed performance by the eighth-graders of the play, George Washington Slept Here.
- Studio afternoon at the end of fourth quarter showcased fifth grade performances of original monologues; the sixth grade dance, “Luther to Shirley to Savion to Me,” a culmination of their study of multiple choreographers; the seventh graders’ works with reduction printmaking compiled into individual books; and the eighth grade video presentation of their study of the history of rock and roll.
Excursions
Students embarked upon field trips to locations near and far, including an eighth grade trip to Washington D.C., a three-day science adventure on the Chesapeake Bay, a history class venture to Yorktown, Spanish class lunch at Kuba Kuba, canoeing and boating trips on the James River, and literary outings to see Flowers for Algernon, Hamlet’s First Quarto, and Bridge to Terabithia brought to stage and screen..
Enrichment
We welcomed visits from authors Libby Koponen and Carrie Brown as well as Women’s Softball Hall of Fame member Gig Smith .
Special Events
- In February, many girls “delivered” Singing Valentines by phone, thereby spreading joy while also raising money to purchase instruments for the new music room.
- This year’s Auction and Gaming Night on March 24 was a delightful social event as well as a highly successful fundraiser, thanks to the extraordinary volunteer efforts of many parents.
- At the Talent Show in late March, the girls had a blast, stretched themselves artistically, and impressed their audience.
In Conclusion
At a beautiful graduation and closing ceremony on June 1, Orchard House proudly sent forth the class of 2007. They will be missed as they move on to share their gifts at a total of ten different high schools.
