Whew, what a week! The cold weather, grey skies, and contact tracing were rough but we are finishing the week strong. Our students are doing well but we are losing staff each day. Like I said, so far, so good but our staff is pretty stretched right now. Hopefully, the 3-day weekend will give us a little break. Remember that we will continue our current protocols for contact tracing and Testing to Stay until we get enough antigen tests to transition into the latest state guidelines.

We celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday today with an All-School Morning Meeting. As shared in the Superintendent's Message, our students learned about the power of making a difference. The "Steps Up" project came from a quote from Dr. King, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” It also fits in nicely with our February's read-aloud Reading to Raise Antiraciststs Book series. February's book, The Power of Her Pen, is about a Civil Rights Era journalist.

Students and Staff will have the opportunity to show what they want to take a stand for. The idea is that standing up for a worthy cause, sometimes even in the face of adversity, can help bring about change, many times it starts with one small step. Classes will discuss what it means to stand up for one’s beliefs as we all create footsteps to show the ways in which we are “taking a stand". Hats off to our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team for putting this project together!

We wish everyone a thoughtful, restorative weekend. Have a good MLK Holiday, stay safe, stay warm, and take some time to read with your child.

Mark T

Quote of the Week:

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

GET THE MOST PROTECTION WITH A BOOSTER SHOT!

You should get a booster if you are 12 or older and you received:

• your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
• your second dose of Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or
• your second dose of Pfizer vaccine at least five months ago

Be well,

Kara Cassani, RN & Darcy Mazlish, RN

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

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

Bolton Ski and Ride After School Program - we will be heading back to Bolton Valley this year, four Thursdays Feb 17, March 3, 10, and 17, 2022. The program offers rentals, lessons, and lift tickets for 4 weeks of evening skiing and snowboarding.

Please look for additional information on Konstella, Bolton Ski and Ride Program (preferred), or email OrchardSkiRide@gmail.com.