Hello Parents,

Though it appears one or two classrooms continue to have COVID cases, our numbers have drastically gone down for the remainder of the week. My big hope is that everyone will practice COVID-safe guidelines this weekend so we can keep everyone in school. We are starting with new guidelines asap getting away from Test to Stay and promoting home testing, read below for the actual details.

Orchard School students and staff started Stepping Up and are currently creating footsteps on how we want to make a change in the world. This program started at our MLK Morning Meeting and it's so impressive to see how students want to make positive changes.

Parents - please do not drop off your child before 7:50. Staff members are not required to be in the building earlier than that and we do not have student supervision in the building. Thank you for addressing this.

Parents - please join our PTO Meeting on Wednesday , February 2nd to hear Superintendent Young review the budget for next year. See details in the PTO article.

We are moving through this winter quickly and the weather is looking good for next week. It will be a nice break from the freezing temperatures we have had for the past couple of weeks. Report cards go home Friday, February 4th. We will be participation in Global School Play Day on Wednesday, February 2nd! Have a great weekend everyone; take some time to read with your child. Stay warm!

Mark T

Quote of the Week:

“Because you are alive, everything is possible”.

~Mindfulness Leader, Thich Nact Hanh

In your child's backpack, you will find a take-home antigen test kit! If you have multiple children at Orchard, tests will come home with every child. Please use these tests when your student:

1. Has a COVID-19 symptom.
2. Is a presumptive contact at school. A presumptive contact is a person who shared a classroom with an individual with COVID.
3. Is a close contact outside of school.

Here are video links in a variety of languages to demonstrate how to use a rapid antigen test:

English | العربية /Arabic | မြန်မာစာ/Burmese | دری / Dari | Français/French | Kirundi | Maay Maay | नेपाली/Nepali | پښتو/Pashto | Soomaali | Español /Spanish | Swahili | Tiếng Việt/Vietnamese

Tests for preschool students who don't attend school today will come home on Monday.

More information will soon be provided for recommended use and requesting additional tests.

Be well,

Kara Cassani, RN & Darcy Mazlish, RN

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

The American Library Association announced some big awards this week. Orchard parent, Jason Chin, was the recipient of THREE awards for his picture book WATERCRESS.

The Caldecott Medal is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. It's a HUGE award!!

Jason's book also received an Newbery Honor. The Newbery Medal is given for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. WATERCRESS also was named the picture book winner of the Asian/Pacific Award.

Congratulations Jason!

Next PTO Meeting with special guest David Young: February 2nd at 6:30 pm. Join us in welcoming Superintendent David Young will join to discuss the upcoming school year's fiscal budget proposal.

https://smcvt.zoom.us/j/93172370771?pwd=VEdsWXJheUVvcCt4Nnh0cDR4VUQyZz09

Meeting ID: 931 7237 0771

Passcode: 901079

PTO Updates: Recent PTO contributions include teacher and staff appreciation treats, reimbursement to teachers for classroom needs, a Gaga ball pit (coming in February!), and more! Joining our meetings means you get to voice your opinion on how to spend PTO funds!

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