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The Core
December 3, 2021, Volume 13, Issue 16
Notes from the Principal
Hello Orchard Parents,
Welcome back! We hope everyone had a good break and were able to rest, relax and recharge. We have had a smooth transition back to our school routine.
The cold weather is definitely here! Please remember to send your student with cold/wet weather clothing: snow pants, boots, mittens/gloves, hats & extra dry socks. All clothing items need to be labeled with your child's name.
To allow all families to drop off on time, and with minimal stress, we ask that parents not bring their dogs to the drop-off area. If you must bring your dog, please keep them leashed. Thank you!
This is from our Librarian, Donna Sullivan-Macdonald: We live in a world surrounded by technology. We know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works. That is why our entire school will be joining the "Hour of Code" next week, which is Computer Science Education Week (December 6-12). More than 100 million students in over 180 countries have already tried an "Hour of Code." This week, students got a preview of some coding activities that are available and are so anxious to get coding!
Have a great weekend everyone, take some time to read with your child
Mark Trifilio
Quote of the Week:
“When you think about your goals and dreams, what do you need to learn to make it happen? Commit to the learning process.”
~ Dr. Seuss
Some 2nd Grade Morning Meetings
School Nurse Notes
Home Antigen Testing:
Please report to the health department, a positive result from a self-test, or an at-home test. Fill out the Vermont COVID-19 Self-Test Result Reporting Form. Please also let your school nurse know of the positive test.
While we are providing antigen testing in our Test to Stay program, per state guidelines we do not accept antigen/rapid test results for a student to return to school, when the student has COVID-19 symptoms. Please continue to follow up with your student's health care provider and obtain a PCR test if indicated.
Test To Stay (TTS):
Unvaccinated, asymptomatic students (ages 5 and up) and staff, who are identified as close contacts to an in-school COVID-19 exposure, are eligible to participate in TTS. Click HERE to view some TTS Frequently Asked Questions.
Please give consent and permission ahead of time by clicking on the links. If you need assistance, please call the school's main office.
Contact Tracing:
If you test positive for COVID-19, the health department is requesting that you isolate yourself from other people and notify any close contacts immediately. Contact tracers are prioritizing who they call, so you may not receive a phone call. Visit this page, at the Vermont Department of Health, for detailed instructions.
Isolate--immediately notify close contacts--inform your health care provider
COVID-19 Vaccine: 5-11-Year-Olds
Make an appointment HERE. Children will receive 2 doses of the vaccine, given 3 weeks apart. A child will be fully vaccinated. A child will be fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the 2nd dose.
- Any families without internet access or who would like assistance to make their appointment should contact the Health Department call center at (855) 722-7878, Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- To speak with someone in a language other than English, dial the call center, and then press 1.
- People who are Deaf or hard of hearing can make a TTY call to this number by dialing 711 or 1-800-253-0195.
Be well,
Kara Cassani, RN & Darcy Mazlish, RN
Orchard School Nurses
SBSD Elementary Health Services
p. (802) 652-7303
f. (802) 652-7354
Mrs. Frostman Teaching Rhythm Through Drumming
Giving Tree Updated
Exciting news! There is now a third easy way to donate to this year's Thankful Giving project. In addition to being able to send in a check or gift cards, you can now also use the following link to make a quick donation to the Thankful Giving program through Konstella if that's easiest for you: https://www.konstella.com/open/donations/617bee706afad907d625f78f
Please see the attached flyer for more details. Thank you in advance from Orchard's Guidance and Clinical Team for your generosity.
Reminders from the PTO
Teacher Appreciation Snacks: Thank you to those who brought in snacks for teachers during our October week! Sign up here for upcoming months: https://www.konstella.com/app/school/6053aecc105c0243ef2edbfa/recurring-signups/61689cb76afad907d5d48950
Still not on Konstella? Konstella is a parent portal for people to connect with one another (e.g., to set up playdates), for community event reminders, and for committee sign-ups. Add your child to their classroom today! https://www.konstella.com/cd/YHHCGJ
Questions or Comments for the PTO? Please email Orchardschoolvt@gmail.com
The Force was with Obi-Won KenSNOWbi this past Weekend
New from the South Burlington Public Library
Please Join Us!
December 11, 11:00 a.m., South Burlington Public Library, Ashley Wolff will be reading aloud, drawing pictures, and signing books. Shelburne’s Flying Pig Bookstore will be there, too, with a full range of Ashley's storybooks available for purchase.
Ashley Wolff has been an artist since she declared herself one at the age of 5.
She grew up in Middlebury, Vermont, and holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design.
Ashley is the author and/or illustrator of over 70 children’s picture books including WILDFIRE!, How to Help a Pumpkin Grow, Compost Stew, Bear Sees Blue, Baby Beluga, and the Miss Bindergarten series.
Every summer Ashley teaches writing, drawing, and introduction to media in the Children’s Picture Book Writing & Illustration MFA and certificate programs at Hollins University.
One of Ashley’s favorite pastimes has been traveling to schools all over the US, speaking to children about finding, nourishing, and using their passion and imagination to help them find their own paths to the future.
She lives and works beside a lake in Leicester, VT.