The Core

Hello Parents,

How exciting is this, an 11 day, well-deserved vacation! I always see the last week or so before the February vacation to feel kind of long, maybe even more so with COVID. But we made it. I hope everyone has a fun and safe vacation. Don't forget, the fewer COVID Positive cases that come back, the sooner we will be opening up - so important for our students.

Please Vote - everyone knows that Orchard neighborhood voters are some of the most active voters in the state so please make sure you vote on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 1st. See the article below for more information.

It's with sadness to announce we will be losing our superintendent, David Young. In case you did not attend Wednesday's school board meeting, Superintendent Young shared that he is stepping down as of June 30th. He has contributed so much to our school and district, he will be missed. David also had personal ties to Orchard, and I worked with him way back in the mid-90s when we were both young principals. There is plenty of time still to congratulate him for his service but I want to be one of the first to extend my thanks to him.

Update for Volunteering at Recess - the survey bugs have been worked out so parents can get access. Also, we are open to changing the sign-up requirements. Rather than committing to one day per week, we are willing to take volunteers whenever they feel they are available (we're working on. our flexibility!). Click on this link to Say Yes to Volunteering at Recess: https://forms.gle/XhDaYhCqJfnETBtL9

4th & 5th Grade Parents, Did You Read this Last Week? We have been noticing students taking their cell phones out of their backpacks during the school day. We're still "old school" on this and can only support cell phones for emergencies and that they stay in backpacks. We are planning to double down on enforcing these rules. We have plenty of phones available for important phone calls. We appreciate your support on this.

Have an awesome vacation, take some time to read to your child.

Mark T

Quote of the Week:

“Your history is what you will have, what you will always have. It is something to own.”

~Michelle O'Bama

Please remember to vote in person March 1 or early by mail. Early/Absentee ballots can be obtained by calling the clerk's office at 846-4105 or stop by the office at 180 Market St to vote in office or to take your ballot home with you. All ballots must be received at City Hall at 180 Market Street in the mail by the close of business on election day. Those dropped off in the night drop box will be picked up Tuesday by 9:00 a.m. Anything in the night drop after 9:00 a.m. will not be delivered to the polls.

You can find detailed information on the school district's proposed FY23 budget at: www.sbschools.net/budget

Pre-Town Meeting will take place February 28 beginning at 6:30 pm in person at 180 Market Street or you can join from your computer, tablet, or smartphone:

through GoTo Meeting. You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 296-671-597

In celebration of this week's "I Love to Read Week" in the library, Mrs. Macdonald played either Red Clover or Mock Caldecott BINGO games with all students. When a student got a "BINGO," they selected from a variety of donated books. Hopefully, students shared their free book, BINGO board and decorated "I Love Read" bookmark with those at home.

Fifth Grade Parents, check out the download right below for any interest in your child auditioning for Moana. Transportation can be available.

What: Moana Auditions

When: Tuesday, March 8th, after school (pickup at 4:30)

___________________________________

My child will be attending Moana auditions on Tuesday, March 8th. Please use the QR code below or complete and return it to your child’s teacher no later than Friday, March 4th.

Student Name: ________________________________________________

Parent Name & Phone: _________________________________________

Parents, here's the link if this is easier: https://forms.gle/SiBntVFKj84ttpTg6).

Hello South Burlington Families and Friends!

As we make our way through winter, it may look like there is not much happening on the earth around us. There may be a layer of snow, and all of the plants seem to be at rest until they can come back up in the spring. However, the soil beneath our feet is alive and hard at work to regenerate and revitalize itself so it is ready to support all of the plants that want to start growing this spring.

When the earth takes time to rest and regenerate, we are reminded that we as humans need to do this too - by taking time to find some Hygge, drink lots of water, and continue to eat foods that will support our bodies and boost our immune systems. Growing microgreens is a great way to feed ourselves fresh green foods all winter long. They can also provide our bodies with up to 40X more nutrients than eating the fully grown plant!

Growing Microgreens at Home

Follow these simple steps to grow some microgreens at home. Want to create a fun and rewarding project with the family? Donate your ready-to-harvest microgreens to your local food shelf to share that nutrient boost with others in need.

Materials needed: A cup or tray • Organic soil • Seeds (broccoli, peas, sunflower, mixed greens, etc.) • Small bowl with water • Fine mesh strainer • Towel or lid • Spray bottle

Steps:

1. Soak your seeds in a bowl of water overnight - this will speed up the germination process.

2. The next day, drain water from the seeds using a fine-mesh strainer.

3. Spread a half-inch of very moist soil in your tray. Then take your seeds and evenly sprinkle across the soil.

4. Gently press the seeds into the soil using a flat hand, making sure not to press too deep.

5. Cover your tray with a towel or other lid to block out the light for a day or two.

6. Peek at your seeds each day to look for a white root tip that will start to poke out of the shell. Once this happens, remove the covering and bring them out into the daylight by placing them on a sunny windowsill.

7. Check back each day to watch them grow, misting with water to keep the soil damp.

8. Harvest the sprouts when they are a few inches tall.

Quinoa Salad with Sunflower Microgreens

We made a delicious quinoa salad in Farm to School this month. See below for the recipe if you’d like to try it at home.

(Serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

½ red onion, finely chopped

2 apples, diced

Microgreens, to garnish (we used sunflower)

¼ cup olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon

¼ tsp salt

1 Tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Once cooked, set aside and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Chop the onion and apples, and toss with the cooled quinoa in a mixing bowl.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon, salt, and maple syrup if using. Drizzle the dressing on top of the quinoa mixture and toss to combine.

4. Serve into bowls and garnish heavily with microgreens to get that nutrient boost! Enjoy!

2022 Farmstand Memberships are now available at our Common Roots Farm at South Village! To learn more and sign up: https://www.commonroots.org/farmstand

Save the Date! Saturday, March 19th is our 2nd annual Maple Moon event. Join us at the Wheeler Homestead for children’s activities, a nature walk, lunch, music, and more! https://2022-maple-moon-event.eventbrite.com/

Till next month, Nourish to Flourish!

Lauren Jones, Common Roots - Farm to School Educator

When Your Student Has Illness Symptoms (even mild ones!):

STAY HOME and take 2 rapid antigen tests, as close to 24 hours apart as possible, or consider a one PCR or LAMP test. Antigen and PCR tests can be requested from the school nurse.

If a student test positive for COVID (PCR, LAMP, Antigen tests): STAY HOME and follow these guidelines.

Be well,

Kara Cassani, RN & Darcy Mazlish, RN

Orchard School Nurses
SBSD Elementary Health Services
p. (802) 652-7303
f. (802) 652-7354

Teacher Appreciation Snack Sign Up: Sign up here to show our teachers and staff some love! https://www.konstella.com/app/school/6053aecc105c0243ef2edbfa/recurring-signups/61689cb76afad907d5d48956

Reach out to the PTO: We can be reached at Orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with questions, comments, or concerns.

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

We need YOUR help this spring! Girls on the Run is an impactful and inclusive after-school program that empowers students to know their worth. When you coach a Girls on the Run team, you provide skill-building experiences to nurture participants’ physical, social and emotional health. You help your team build positive relationships, identify and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, recognize their personal strengths, and stand up for themselves and others.

Our 8 week season begins the week of March 28. Our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minutes to connect, move, learn and have FUN! As a coach for Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT), you will have all of the tools you need to make a lasting impact. You'll receive training, easy-to-follow lesson plans, supplies and support from GOTRVT for a transformational season.

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at info@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.