The Core

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back and welcome in 2023! We hope everyone enjoyed the vacation with family time. We are all rested, recharged and ready to get back into learning! The students have had a great week, they are motivated and excited to see one another.

We reached 100 apples in our hallway School Chart! WOW!! The 100 apples are more than 100 Pajama Days, Stuffy Days & Extra Recess, they're about acknowledging students when they are doing their best. It's about saying we see when you continue to do your best and to help others. They are acknowledgments saying nice work! What a great way to start off the New Year! We all celebrated with a school-wide Game Day afternoon.

I'm including a working calendar below for January - don't forget there is no school on Monday, January 16th and we have and Early Release on January 27th.

Have a good weekend; take some time to read with your child.

Happy New Year!

Mark T & Olivia K

Volunteer Opportunity: Skate Night coordinator needed! If Skate Night was always your/your child’s favorite, or your family loves being on the ice, this is a great opportunity for some behind-the-scenes involvement. Email orchardschoolvt@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Start an after school club! Orchard PTO is seeking parents and community members who have a talent or interest to share with Orchard students. Past clubs have been focused on Legos, foreign languages, art, music, and games. The sky's the limit! Funding is available. Email orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with your interest or for more info.

Orchard Ski and Ride: Join Orchard at Bolton Valley for four nights of ski or snowboard lessons and night skiing & riding! Thursdays March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2023. The program offers rentals, lessons, and lift tickets for 4 weeks of evening skiing and snowboarding. Please look for additional information on Konstella, Orchard Ski and Ride 2022-23 Committee (preferred), or email OrchardSkiRide@gmail.com. Registration deadline is Friday January 27, 2023.

Next PTO meeting: Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 pm in the art room. Agenda items include upcoming school events, planning a visit from the Superintendent, and some news of offerings from the town library.

News from Orchard Drama

Orchard Drama is raising money for this year's school play: The Further Adventures of Peter, Wendy & Hook and we need your help.

How can I help?

Bake! Hey you, the one who loves to bake tasty treats in support of a great cause! We need your help to provide some homemade snacks for our upcoming bake sale on Saturday, January 14th. Additional details and sign-up info is available on Konstella or by reaching out to us directly at orcharddramavt@gmail.com but the quick version is this: You bake something tasty and drop it off to us on Friday January 13th and we'll turn those treats into funding for this year's school play. It's just that simple. Did we mention that we need your help?

Hello South Burlington Families!

This month in Farm to School we’re enjoying a Black Bean Dip with tortilla chips!

During our lesson, we’re learning all about the ecosystem within our bodies: our microbiome! Research on the microbiome is miraculously unfolding, and we’re learning that the health of our gut bacteria is foundational for our wellness. We talk about how complex molecules, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains create a flourishing and diverse community in our digestive system. They feed our bacteria, and keep them purposeful.

Fiber is a complex molecule, and beans have lots of it! After eating our garlicky, lime, black bean dip we feel full- satisfied. That is the lovely combination of fiber and protein at work! Children in elementary school should be getting 15-20 grams of fiber per day. Luckily, they love this dip which has 5g per serving (¼ cup)!

Here is the recipe:

Black Bean Dip

• 2 cups dried black beans
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 4 limes, juiced
• 3 ½ cups water or vegetable broth

Instant pot: Put all ingredients into pot and pressure cook on high for 40 minutes.

Kayli O'Donnell

Farm-to-School Educator

We are pleased to welcome Charles O'Brien to our Orchard community as an intern in the guidance department. He will be working closely with both of our school counselors, Aili Beeli (grades K-2) and Kristen Billings (grades 3-5), through the spring. Mr. O has already jumped right in with small group meetings, individual conversations with students, team meetings, getting to know kids outside at recess and will soon be facilitating whole class lessons on SEL topics. If your child/ren come home mentioning "Mr. O" they most likely be talking about our intern Mr. O'Brien. Please contact Aili or Kristen if you have any further questions.

Aili Beeli
Orchard School Counselor (K-2)
802-652-7346

INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS (ILL)

According to the Vermont Department of Health: Influenza-like Illness activity level has increased from high to very high in Vermont.

Reminders:

Get vaccinated! Per the health department, everyone six months and older should get a flu shot.

Avoid those who are sick.

PLEASE STAY HOME WHEN SICK!

Stay home 24 hours after a fever is gone (without fever-reducing medicine)!

Cover your cough (cover your mouth and nose).

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Wash hands often.

Clean/disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

COVID-19

State-wide COVID-19 community levels are considered to be at a medium level.

Walk-in clinics will be closing by January 31st.

Updated vaccines for children ages 6 months- 5 years are available in Vermont.

Contact your healthcare provider directly for details on available vaccines and scheduling.