The Core

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Whew, what a week! It was hectic but we ended on a positive note with an All-School Meeting this afternoon.

The beginning of November is a reminder of parent-teacher conferences. November 21 and 22nd have been set aside for conferences, although teachers may be able to schedule around those dates to accommodate your schedule. Please take this opportunity to meet with your child's teacher to discuss their progress.

SBAC scores are being mailed out! We've got the green light and the entire district will be mailing them out on Tuesday, November 11th. The SBACs (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium) is a mandated assessment given in the spring. Vermont is moving on from SBACs and transitioning toward Cognia this spring, more information to follow on this. And please contact us if you have not received your child's test scores (or if you have any questions).

Are you keeping your eyes on the calendar? It's voting day on Tuesday, November 8th. There is no school and it's also an in-service day for teachers.

5th Grade Parents, Ski Vermont offers a $20 dollar ski/board pass. There are some conditions so check it out here: https://skivermont.com/fifth-grade-passport

Don't forget the book sale at the SB Library this weekend. Have a terrific warm fall weekend and good l luck with the extra hour switching from Daylight Savings Time this weekend! Take some time to read with your child.

Mark T & Olivia K

Square 1 Art! By now, you should have received the order form for your child's custom catalog for Square 1 Art keepsakes. If you do not have your catalog, simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order! Orders due by 11/9/2022

You can also upload additional art if you like, using Art Upload! If your child has other special artwork that you’d like to make into a keepsake, this is a great option. Email Kristin Mount at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with any questions in the ordering process.

November Meeting next week: The next PTO meeting is November 9th at 6:30 pm in the art room. All are welcome! Agenda items will include the school play, International Night, the annual teacher Cookie Extravaganza and more.

COVID-19 BOOSTERS:

A gentle reminder that COVID-19 boosters (bivalent) are available for anyone five years and up, at least two months following the completion of primary or booster vaccination. According to the health department: boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19; they are recommended for most people; and both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit.

Per the FDA, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID-19 and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant. To learn more, watch an FDA video about bivalent vaccines HERE and click HERE for more bivalent booster Q & A.

To receive vaccines, find a WALK-IN CLINIC HERE , contact your HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, or VISIT A PHARMACY.

For translated videos and factsheets visit the link HERE.

Be well,

Kara Cassani &

Sarah Pineda, School Nurses

Hello Orchard Elementary families!

This month in our Farm to School lesson, we are learning about how we prepare our bodies for winter with foods like squash. We’re bringing gratitude to our experience by recognizing the Abenaki people for carrying the seed of squash for hundreds of years, selecting the most nutritious and delicious fruits to save seed from, and thus cultivating a Vermont staple. Did you know some vitamins are only absorbed if they are eaten with fat? We are learning about the importance of fat during the winter months, and Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin that is a powerful antioxidant in our bodies and keeps our skin glowing.

We made Pumpkin Pie Pudding this month! Here’s the recipe:

• 1 Butternut squash, roasted
  
• 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  
• 2 tsp Cloves
  
• 1 tsp Salt
  
• ¼ cup Maple Syrup
  
• 1/2 cup Oat Milk

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or with an immersion blender! Enjoy warm or cold!

If you’re interested in receiving care specific to you and/or your family’s needs please feel free to reach out to moonbellynutrition@gmail.com or visit moonbellynutrition.com, I am currently taking clients at my office in Common Roots’ Wheeler House in South Burlington!

Kayli O’Donnell, RD

There were two choices for October's "Beginning with Books" whole school read alouds. When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley celebrates the beauty of dance when a young boy discovers his passion for ballet. An underlying message is that when you follow your dreams and believe in yourself, happiness can be a result.

Likewise, Don Tate's Pigskins to Paintbrushes tells the true story of football player Ernie Barnes' love of both the sport AND his art. Mr. Barnes poured his passion into both and became famous as both a professional athlete AND as an artist. Mr. Barnes became so well known as an artist that one of his paintings was featured in the opening credits of the TV Show Good Times and he was commissioned to create official posters for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

The current read-aloud in third-grade classes is Odder by Katherine Applegate. Written in free verse, the story examines events of bravery and healing as told through the eyes of a young sea otter. The students are participating in the “Make Waves for Odder” project to benefit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and their work with sea otters. They’ll be sharing their progress and thoughts with the author through social media.

Principal Job Description #1642c - The principal shall consume all candy found in the building. Please leave at home!