VERMONT FORWARD--ROADMAP to REOPENING:​

STEP ONE of the newly released Phased Reopening Plan indicates with cross-state travel, unvaccinated Vermonters must be tested within 3 days upon return to the state.

• This new guidance begins on April 9th. Parents/guardians do not need to provide COVID test results to the school, nor do students need to quarantine (a student may return to school after traveling out of state).
  
• While it is recommended to be tested within 3 days, families may want to consider testing on the day they return to VT.
  
• The CDC continues to recommend delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated and suggests seeking safer travel ideas found here.
  

SEASONAL ALLERGY & ASTHMA SYMPTOMS AND COVID-19:

​​Spring allergies and asthma can complicate decision-making when symptoms arise. If your student is diagnosed with seasonal allergies or asthma, please consult with your student's healthcare provider, to assure that the conditions are being treated appropriately. Please provide your school nurse with any new information, along with a note from the provider, indicating the medically diagnosed allergies and follow-up medical treatment plan(s).

Unlike mosquitoes, ticks latch on and can hang out for days. A tick's saliva can transmit bacteria which can cause debilitating infections. Take these action steps to protect yourself and your family:

--Wear a repellent containing up to 30% DEET

--Check your body DAILY for ticks

--Limit your exposure to tick habitats

Check out the CDC's website for helpful information about tick bite prevention, tick identification, tick removal and symptoms to look for during tick season.

VERMONT FORWARD--ROADMAP to REOPENING:​

STEP ONE of the newly released Phased Reopening Plan indicates with cross-state travel, unvaccinated Vermonters must be tested within 3 days upon return to the state.

• This new guidance begins April 9th. Parents/guardians do not need to provide COVID test results to the school, nor do students need to quarantine (a student may return to school after travelling out of state).
  
• While it is recommended to be tested within 3 days, families may want to consider testing on the day you return to VT.
  
• The CDC continues to recommend delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated and suggests seeking safer travel ideas found here.
  

SEASONAL ALLERGY & ASTHMA SYMPTOMS AND COVID-19:

​​Spring allergies and asthma can complicate decision-making when symptoms arise. If your student is diagnosed with seasonal allergies or asthma, please consult with your student's healthcare provider, to assure that the conditions are being treated appropriately. Please provide your school nurse with any new information, along with a note from the provider, indicating the medically diagnosed allergies and follow-up medical treatment plan(s).

COVID VACCINE:

Visit "Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine" site on the health department's website by clicking "for information about making an appointment and setting up an account ahead of time".

Can't make an appointment online or need help? Contact the call center at 855-722-7878.
To speak with someone in a language other than English, call the above number, and then press 1.

Be Well,

Kara Cassani & Darcy Mazlish

Orchard School Nurses

Spring is in the air here in Vermont! This month in Farm to School, we are celebrating the first spring vegetable that pops up around our neck of the woods - Ramps, or Wild Leeks. This wild member of the Allium family (along with onions, garlic, chives, scallions) is foraged for all over the state. We can thank the Abenaki people for their discovery of the abundance of this vegetable along the Winooski River. The name “Winooski” is derived from the Abenaki name for onion, which is “winos”.

Since we are entering Ramp foraging season, we decided to go with a springy Leek and Potato soup for our taste test! Give this one a try at home, and if you manage to get your hands on some Ramps in the next few weeks, they would be a great substitute.

Spring Leek and Potato Soup

Makes 3-4 servings.

Ingredients:

● 1 lb potatoes (~2.5 cups diced)

● 2 leeks, thinly sliced

● 3 cloves garlic, minced

● 4 cups water

● 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme, minced

● Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon

● 1 tsp salt

● 1/4 tsp pepper

● Olive oil, for sauteing

Directions:

1. Cut the potatoes into 1 in cubes and set aside.
2. Next, give your leeks a good rinse. They tend to collect a lot of dirt between the leaves and layers. Cut the dark green leaves off the top and the root end to discard. Take the lighter colored part and slice in half lengthwise. Hold each half under running water to let the dirt flow out.
3. Cut your clean leeks into thin slices.
4. Heat a pot over medium heat with a bit of olive oil. Saute the leeks until tender, about 6-8 minutes.
5. While the leeks are cooking, prepare the garlic and thyme.
6. Add the garlic and thyme to the leeks. Saute for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
7. Add the potatoes, water, salt and pepper.
8. Bring the soup up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender.
9. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
10. Use an immersion blender or countertop blender that can withstand hot liquids, and blend until smooth.
11. Stir in the lemon juice and zest to finish.
12. Give it a taste and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy!

News from the Common Roots Farm at South Village:

Mark your calendars! Farmstand Opening Day is on Saturday, May 1st from 8am-6pm.

Our Farmstand memberships are filling up fast! Join us this summer by purchasing a membership to get great deals on produce grown on our organic farm, along with local meats, cheese, dry goods and other artisan products. Find more info on our website at commonroots.org.

Till next month, Nourish to Flourish!

Lauren Jones, Common Roots - Farm to School Educator

WATCH for some EXCITING NEWS next week! We have been hard at work behind-the-scenes to help our Orchard community. But, the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) also needs YOU to join in! Pop into one of our monthly Zoom meetings and share your ideas! Meetings are usually on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. You don't have to stay for the whole meeting - you can join in just for a bit! Email Kristin at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com or suzanne@suzannelaw.com for the Zoom meeting link, or email to share your ideas and thoughts if you cannot attend.

HANNAFORD HELPS is happening now through May 29. Shop at Hannaford's, collect your School Dollars, and drop them in the Collection Tower at the store! Or, shop online at the store website.

• Earn money for your local school. Now through May 29, 2021, choose from up to 1,500 participating products.

Help Us Raise $1 Million for Local Schools

4 Products = 3 School Dollars. If 100 families buy 4 products each week (3 School Dollars) for the entire program, your school will raise $3,300!

Learn how to shop, earn and redeem School Dollars.

Shopping In-Store:

SHOP – Look for shelf tags to shop up to 1,500 products in-store.

CHECK OUT – Collect your School Dollars from an associate at checkout.

DEPOSIT – Drop your School Dollars in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower in-store.

Shopping Online:

SHOP – Look for the apple icon to shop up to 1,500 products online.

CHECK OUT – Receive your School Dollars with your receipt.

DEPOSIT – Drop your School Dollars in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower on your next trip in-store, or send them to school with your child, if they're attending in person.

And, don't forget 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