Welcome back Orchard students! I hope you all had a good vacation and are feeling good about being back at school. The late winter weather is really helping our vibe (so does the anticipation of a vaccination). Celebrating 100 Days of School is pretty cool too!

Funny story - I was being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal over the vacation (a story for another time) about our re-opening efforts. I think the WSJ is putting a series together about schools starting to open. It is amazing to think there are so many elementary schools across the country that have still not opened. Anyway, I shared some of our challenges (especially the pods and lack of room to move around) and also how we've been working at celebrations and enrichment experiences to keep students engaged and excited about school. The goal in sharing this is to give a big shout-out to our I ❤️ School Week Committee. Our teacher teams are always on the go and I truly appreciate their work to provide these special experiences for our students.

Congratulations to our fifth graders. They all completed their DARE classes with Officer Bri. Their hard work and perseverance will work to keep them informed as they continue to grow and become more independent.

We are planning for the Black Lives Matter Flag to be raised next Friday, March 12th! The plan includes simulcasting our ceremony to each of our classrooms and hopefully provide a slideshow the following week.

Registration is open for Incoming Kindergarten students on March 1, 2021. If you would like to register a student who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2021, please visit www.sbschools.net/register .

I made a change to the calendar below. The Remote Learning Day on Wednesday, March 17th, is actually a day off for students, In-Service for staff.

Have an awesome weekend; take some time to read with your child.

Mark Trifilio

Quote of the week:

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Jane Goodall

DO I NEED TO QUARANTINE?

This chart includes information about General Quarantine Guidance if you had COVID-19, and if you are Vaccinated:

Vermont COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines chart (click).

GATHERINGS

Hang in there! We are all feeling COVID fatigue, but we must continue to be diligent, as positive cases are still occurring in our communities.

Please do not gather with people you do not live with; have fun participating in activities outside with others, but do not be tempted to bring the fun indoors.

Continue to stay 6 feet apart and wear a mask when outside with others.

TESTING

The Vermont Health Department encourages testing as a critical tool to slowing the spread of the virus. The sooner you know if you have the virus, the sooner you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.

COVID-19 PCR Testing Sites:

• 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.

COVID VACCINE UPDATE

• Vermonters 65 years and older can now make an appointment to get a COVID-19 Vaccination.
  
• Visit the "Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine" site on the health department's website by clicking here.
  
• If you know someone who can't make an appointment online or needs to speak with someone in a language other than English, call 855-722-7878.

Take Care,

Kara Cassani, School Nurse
Orchard School
SBSD Elementary Health Services
p. (802) 652-7303
f. (802) 652-7354

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.

Please join us! 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