The Core

Wow, this 4-straight days of school is tough! We certainly noticed the difference in our weekly rhythm. Be sure to take advantage of the snow and get outside with your kids to play and run around!

I'm sure you all received the news from the superintendent confirming a member of the Orchard Community tested positive the previous week. Please know things were resolved keeping our school safe with minimum disruption. Of course more cases may arise this year but please know our emergency teams are really getting this down and putting in many hours to keeping our building secure and community members safe.

Calendar Notes - Don't forget that we are back to online Wednesdays next week - that includes a Monday/Tuesday and a Thursday/Friday schedule at school.

Also, in case you had not seen the superintendent's email last week, we are making a change to the March calendar having school Wednesday through Friday, March 3rd - 5th (right after the February week). Please refer to the Hybrid Academic Calendar on the District web page for the 2020-2021school calendar.

This has been a week of amazing learning opportunities. Have a great weekend, take some time to read with your child (and get outside!).

Mark Trifilio

Happy New Year!

Quote of the week:

This week's quote is from Woodrow Wilson, who was president 100 years ago: “You are not here merely to make a living, you are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world."

Dear Families,

WET MASKS & WINTER CLOTHING

• Please consider sending in 2 extra masks in your student's backpack. Masks are getting wet when outdoors and are not as effective (and certainly not comfortable). Remember to wash masks before reuse!
  
  
• Please ensure your student has winter gear: boots, snow pants, mittens, hat, and a warm jacket. If you need help providing these items, please connect with our guidance counselors.
  
  
• A clean set of clothes, including socks, is also helpful to keep at school, in case a change is needed (for all grades!).
  

COVID RESOURCES: Click on underlined below to follow the link.

• What to do when you are waiting for COVID test results
• Isolating, quarantining and self-observing
• COVID translations
• Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19
• Return to School Following Illness guidelines

• If you/your student has symptoms of COVID-19, contact your health care provider first, to determine if testing is needed. If you don't have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to connect to care.
  
• If you/your student are not sick but need a test, consider scheduling a test at a pop-up site on the Health Department's website: "Where to Get Tested," through your provider, or call the Health Department @ 863-7240.

We started vision and hearing screenings in grade pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade (per State of Vermont guidelines). Due to the pandemic, we are only screening distance vision (not near) and hearing. If you have a concern about your student's near vision, please contact us. If your student requires further (out of school) assessment, by their provider or a specialist, we will contact you. Students can also be screened during the school year upon request. Please call if you have any questions.

Be well,

Thanks for reading!
Nurses Kara & Darcy

The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) continues to work to make this year a fun and productive one! We support teachers and the whole school in creating a strong community. We believe it is important to continue to show appreciation and support for our teachers and staff, so we would like to occasionally give some sweet treats! We are also thinking ahead to when things get back to normal and we can bring our events back (Skate Night, Spring Fling, Math Night, etc.) - even if they cannot happen until next year! Your support is still very important, especially since we could not host our major fundraiser, the Fun Run, last fall. If you can, please donate by sending a check to the Orchard PTO, c/o Suzanne Hebeler, 36 Cortland Avenue, South Burlington, VT 05403 OR donate online: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/orchard-pto/item/2556395

We are also creating Joy Bags! These bags have sensory supplies, books, and other boredom killers and happiness givers that teachers can have on hand to tuck into the backpacks of students who seem to need a pick-me-up during these times.

And we need you to join us! We welcome new members! If you have a little room in your schedule, consider volunteering! Email Kristin at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with thoughts, questions, and ideas.

Everyone is always welcome at meetings, and new energy and ideas are always appreciated! Meetings are once a month on Zoom. Join in and be a part of what's happening!

REMEMBER THOSE BOX TOPS!

Join us in earning CASH for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love!

Download the Box Tops for Education app at your App Store or here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=VI7J42XS

SHAW'S REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS!

For the month of February 2021, the Orchard School PTO will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag at the Shaw's Store located at Shaw's 570 Shelburne Rd, Burlington VT.

So, in February, be sure to shop at Shaw's and pick up this reusable grocery bag! You will be supporting our school!

Are you looking to get more involved at your child’s school? Need a bit of extra income or additional work experience? Apply to substitute now for one or more of the following:

- Classroom Teacher (all subjects and all levels)

- Paraeducator or Interventionist

- School Nurse (RN) or Nurse Assistant (LPN) (Must have appropriate licensure and/or certifications)

- Custodian

- Food Preparation/Cook

- Bus Driver

All SBSD substitutes are required to undergo a criminal record check and be fingerprinted for a VT public school District.

Current Job Openings in the South Burlington School District

Seeking a career change? Feel like your skills and abilities aren’t recognized enough at your current job? Looking for a job where you’re on the same schedule as your kids?

We are seeking candidates for the following positions

- Bus Driver (CDL, Class B with passenger, air brakes, and school bus endorsement preferred, training may be available to the right candidates)

- On-call Second Shift Custodian

- Interventionist

- Paraeducators

These positions will remain open until filled. For more details on open positions, visit www.schoolspring.com Keyword: South Burlington School District, or contact Karen Dantzscher, HR Director at 652-7256 or kdantzscher@sbschools.net

Interested candidates may apply through one of the following options:

1) Apply at www.schoolspring.com Keyword: South Burlington School District.

2) E-mail a current resume, cover letter, and 3 references to kdantzscher@sbschools.net . Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for.

Mail a current resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: South Burlington School District, Human Resources, 500 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403. Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for.