Hello Parents and Guardians,

We had our second Seed Time today. You may remember our Seed TIme is when we have students mix up (K-2 & 3-5) into structured groups for approximately a half-hour with a focus on our Social/Emotional Learning lessons. We have Seed TImes scheduled throughout the school year in between our All-School Meetings and other afternoon activities.

Parents - We have our 3rd Early Release Day next Friday, October 28th. Just a reminder - we have nine early release days throughout the school year. The first three came up quickly but then we skip November; the fourth ER Day isn't until Friday, December 16th. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated.

You might recall that the superintendent sent out a transportation survey in last week's message. There is still time to complete the survey, it's linked right below.

Student Photos are coming home today, Picture Re-Take Day is coming up quickly, it's next Thursday, October 27th.

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

Mark T & Olivia K

Volunteer needed! We’d like to bring Orchard Gear (clothes with Orchard logo) back and need a volunteer to work with the vendor and to organize orders. If this is something you’re willing to help with, please email Kristin at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com

PTO-Sponsored Events to look forward to: International Night and the Cookie Extravaganza are coming soon! Check the Core in the weeks to come for more information.

Konstella: Join today to connect with your child's friends, to sign up for classroom events, and more! Konstella is an app and website with a school directory by classroom (students are added by their caregiver, so it is not necessarily a full class list). It is also used throughout the year as a place for people to sign up to volunteer for classroom events, and it can accept payments for field trips and other donations.

Save the Date: The next PTO meeting is November 9th at 6:30 pm in the art room. All are welcome!

Box Tops is an easy way to earn money for Orchard School! Popular brands like Annies, Cascadian Farms, and General Mills participate in the program (note the pink “Boxtops” logo on top of these boxes). Download the Box Tops for Education app here.

Use referral code VI7J42XS when you sign up and you’ll get 20 Bonus Box Tops.

Stay up to date: Follow the Orchard PTO on Facebook or reach out with any questions at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com

ACADEMIC & SOCIAL SUCCESS

The change of seasons is a good time to go back to basics~

Adequate Sleep

Nutritious meals

Physical activity

This week's focus: Physical Activity

Key Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents:

60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily

AEROBIC: 60+ minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity with vigorous intensity on at least 3 days/week.

Aerobic exercises increase cardiorespiratory fitness.

(i.e. running, swimming, bicycling).

MUSCLE-STRENGTHENING: should be included on at least 3 days/week. Make muscles do more work than usual.

(i.e. part of play: playground, climbing a tree; lifting weights, resistance bands)

BONE-STRENGTHENING: should be included on at least 3 days/week. Force on bones promotes bone growth and strength.

(running, basketball, tennis, jump-roping)

Physical activity before and after school can benefit students by:

Increasing their overall physical activity.

Improving their grades and test scores.

For more detailed information, visit the CDC

FLU & FLU SHOTS

We are at the start of the flu season. Influenza-like illness in Vermont is minimal at this point and no flu has been documented in Vermont at this time.

This is a great time to get your flu shot, as health experts anticipate a busy flu season. Stop by the pharmacy or call your provider's office.

Please view our SBSD illness guidance HERE.

Be well,

Kara Cassani &

Sarah Pineda, School Nurses

We occasionally get questions this time of year about allowing students to wear costumes to school on Halloween. Though teachers make their own decisions for class festivities, we ask students to keep their costumes at home. Here are some points to consider:

1. Students come to Orchard from many cultures that do not celebrate the day.
2. Students also come to Orchard from different economic means, sometimes creating unhealthy competitions frequently unfair for many children.
   
3. We've had gory costumes coming to school, just not appropriate.
   
4. The costumes would get wet, muddy and/or wrecked for trick-or-treating.
   
5. Finally, the costumes were too much of a distraction for learning—what schools are really about!
   

A few schools may still include costume parades but the vast majority have come to the same conclusion as us, thank you for understanding.