The Core

Hello Parents and Guardians,

We are officially past the halfway mark of the 2022-23 school year, it's amazing how quickly time is going by! Teachers are finishing up all mid-year assessments and working on report cards. It is easy to overlook but report cards take an extensive amount of time and energy to get information out to each parent, report cards will be going home in two weeks - on Friday, February 10th.

Our 4th & 5th graders got a quick visit from this awesome high school ensemble, Back to Bach. They are students from around the county though two are Orchard alumni! Check out the photos below.

I had mentioned in a previous newsletter that we would be doing a Secure the Building drill in January. Since the month is almost over, we'll be having the drill in the near future. It will be kept short and I will communicate clearly with all classrooms to make sure we're all on the same page. Feel free to check in with your child's teacher if you have any questions.

📌 Heads up, the February Early Release Day is on Friday, February 10th- Dismissal is at 12:30.

We celebrated the Lunar New Year, it's the Year of the Rabbit!

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

Mark T & Olivia K

We ❤️ our PTO, please support them!

Monthly Teacher Treats: Sign-ups needed for Teacher/Staff love! Interest has waned as the school year goes on, but those teachers need our love more than ever! Here is the link to sign up to bring in goodies for the next few months of drop-offs.

Save the date for the next PTO meeting! On Wednesday, February 8th at 6:30, the monthly PTO meeting will host Superintendent Violet Nichols, who will be available to present and answer questions on the proposed school budget. Email Kristin at Orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with any questions.

Orchard Drama: School Play Informational Meeting

Parents of 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders!!

Please join us from 7-8 pm on Wednesday, February 1st for an information-packed Zoom meeting regarding everything you ever wanted to know about the upcoming Orchard School play and how you can take part in our production.

Our agenda will include such diverse topics as: an overview of the story (spoiler alert: it's The Further Adventures of Peter, Wendy & Hook); what roles are available; important dates; practice schedules; expectations; volunteer opportunities; and our key points of contact.

Come one, come all, and learn how we can work together to put on the best school play that we've had in years. These kids deserve it.

Zoom link: https://smcvt.zoom.us/j/92646004133?pwd=V3JFY1V6Y2d1UFlmMWNodlBlb1NUZz09

Fundraising:

Orchard Drama would like to thank all the families that volunteered their time and tasty treats in support of last Saturday's bake sale. Our first fundraiser for this year's school play was a success and we're grateful for your contributions. See below for what’s on deck!

American Flatbread Fundraiser! On February 14th, a percentage of American Flatbread’s proceeds will go toward the Orchard School play. Take-out pizza does apply! We went ahead and made your Valentine’s Day dinner plans easy.

ASTHMA FOCUS

The Asthma Surveillance Report from the Vermont Department of Health shows that 1 in 12 children have current asthma (~9,000) and 61% of those children had an exacerbation during the past year.

Triggers

When a child with asthma breathes air mixed with scented products (essential oil diffusers, perfume, smoke from cigarettes or wood burning, etc.) their asthma may flare up and make it more difficult to breathe. These are called asthma triggers. Triggers can also include respiratory infections, allergens, irritants, exercise, cold air and emotions. It's important to remove triggers in the child's environment that can make asthma worse. The main triggers that were identified in the Vermont Surveillance Report were indoor pets, gas stove cooking, carpet/pets in the bedroom, and wood stove and fireplace use.

Identifying and reducing triggers in your home

It may seem a bit daunting, but this EPA checklist provides key points, potential action steps and helps identify asthma triggers (and thank goodness we don't have cockroaches in VT!).

Reducing 1-4 triggers can lend to the improvement of symptoms.

Asthma Action Plan

3 out of 5 children received an Asthma Action Plan (AAP) from their provider. Consider obtaining an AAP and providing the school nurse with a copy. Communicate with your school nurse(s) about your child's asthma triggers and when their inhaler may be needed.

Be kind, stay well~

Kara Cassani

& Sarah Pineda

"Hello Orchard parents and caregivers!

I am currently putting together this year's school Memory Book and looking for someone to come alongside me to assist in the process. This is my daughter's last year at Orchard, so I will not be putting it together again next year. A new Memory Book team (parent volunteers) will need to be formed in order for your children to have a Memory Book made each school year. Having some tech skills is a definite plus as part of the process includes uploading portraits and designing the pages. I would love to get a couple of you trained now while I'm still in the creation process, and also looking for assistance in the creation of this year's book. Please reach out via phone at 802-393-5223 or via email at pay.johnson@aol.com if you are interested in learning this process to take it over for next year."

The votes are in! For the past several weeks, fourth and fifth graders have been evaluating picture books for a Mock Caldecott Medal. Congratulations to Christopher Denise on winning our award for his amazing book KNIGHT OWL. Honors go to Sophie Blackall for FARMHOUSE, Dan Santat for ENDLESSLY EVER AFTER, and Doug Salati for HOT DOG. We look forward to hearing about the actual Caldecott Medal winner and honor books next week!

Just a quick reminder that South Burlington's school budget is up for a vote on Town Meeting Day on March 7th. This includes a bond issue that plans to address the overcrowding that is impacting the elementary schools.

Information is available on the district website and will be discussed at school board meetings throughout January and February.

Rally the Wolfpack January 26-28

Your child recieved bracelet, which gets all SB students into the events below for FREE! Let’s fill the stands and cheer the Wolves on to victory. We hope to see you there.

Go Wolves!

Thursday, January 26

Girls Basketball vs CVU

JV at 5:30, Varsity at 7:00

Friday, January 27

Boys Basketball vs Burlington

JV at 5:30, Varsity at 7:00

Saturday, January 28

Dance Competition at 1:00

Girls Hockey vs BFA at 4:50

Boys Hockey vs BFA at 7:20

Basketball games and dance competitions are held at the gym at SBHS

Concession Stand and Wolves Wear Store will be open at the basketball games

Hockey games are held at Cairns Arena, Rink 1

For a full calendar of SB athletic events, visit sbwolves.com