Big events going on in January, they include:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - our school is celebrating on Friday, January 17 and we have No School on Monday, January 20th.
• The Peter Pan play is almost here. The matinee is Thursday, January 23rd, while the evening shows are Friday & Saturday, January 24th & 25th.

A growing issues - we are seeing smartphones and smart watches at school.

Smartphones - We want to honor parents' wishes that their child has an available smartphone. The challenges are mostly regarding inappropriate use on buses. Phones need to stay in backpacks during the school day.

Smart Watches - This is a growing issue as more are showing up at school since the holidays. The challenge here is that students are not using them to tell time but to use other apps (including texting). We will be asking students to leave their watches at home if a watch is not being used appropriately in an elementary school setting.

Any family discussions regarding school use of Smartphones and Smart Watches will be appreciated.

Thank you and have a great weekend, take some time to read with your child.

Mark Trifilio

Peter Pan Play Reminders:

Paper order forms for the show went home last Friday, or you can order online here: https://tinyurl.com/peterpanshow Get your tickets before Friday 1/17!

All children will see the play in school on Thursday, January 23rd. Evening shows are Friday Jan. 24th at 6:30 and Saturday Jan 25th at 5:30pm.

Playbill advertising and Shout Out Deadline Extended to Monday, January 13th! There’s still time to show your support for your favorite participant! https://docs.goo gle.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5w0W0 5oeOMb0lVNRL6mNqwTVmh4lcX1iGZLD6 zzIx97jjuQ/viewf orm

Peter Pan t-shirts are still available. They’re $15 and can be purchased here: https://tinyurl.com/OrchardPeterPan Please email orcharddrama@gmail.com to inquire about sizes available.

The Other Paper

The Other Paper would really like to include news from our Orchard community in its weekly paper. Would you be willing to submit a weekly paragraph (or less) and a photo (perhaps from the Core, a teacher, or school staff - you don't need to come and take photos) and get it over to The Other Paper? This is not a large time commitment! Contact any PTO member for more information and to take this on for our school.

Bolton Ski and Ride After-School Program

Deadline for Bolton Ski & Ride: Friday January 17

It is January already, which means the deadline for registering for the Orchard Bolton Valley Ski and Ride After School Program is coming Friday, January 17! Paperwork and checks can be taken to the Orchard Elementary front office.

The series of dates are on Thursdays: Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb.20 (no skiing/riding Feb. 27 due to the February school break), March 5, March 12. (Make-up date is March 19).

Dates: Thursdays Feb 6, 13, 20, March 5, 12; Make-up March 19. 4:00 - 8:00 pm.

If you have your paperwork and payment in, thank you! If you have paid via Konstella but have not submitted your child’s registration or rental forms, please get those in by the 17th. Participants should watch the Know the Code and Terrain Park Smart Style videos following this link:

https://www.boltonvalley.com/the-mountain/snow-report-and-maps/your-responsibility-code

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHzICXgkBxc

Registration, Rental and Videos:

https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5b1eb09ae4b05d0edb70846b/files/5bd1e650e4b07a08295d31fc/file-list

Konstella Payment option:

If you are registered with Konstella, the following should work:

https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5b1eb09ae4b05d0edb70846b/donations/5e0a0e2ee4b03bd4c2e82a74

If you the above link does not work for you, or you are not registered with Konstella, the following should work:

https://www.konstella.com/open/donations/5e0a0e2ee4b03bd4c2e82a75

Via your phone that has the Konstella app installed, from “Feed” you will see links to the “Donation” for Bolton Valley Ski and Ride Program and below that “2 files uploaded to Bolton Ski/Snowboard Files” (you will need to load items older than 10 days). Or, via “More” select Donations or Files & Links.

Looking forward to a great season!

Bill Lammer (wlammer@gmail.com)

Next PTO Meeting: Our next monthly meeting is this Monday, January 13 at 6:30. Please join us! Everyone is welcome!

Do you have PTO questions? Please find us online, or ask Mr. Trifilio to put you in touch with a PTO Board member:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/orchardschoolpto

Website: www.orchardschoolpto.org

Email: orchardschoolvt@gmail.com

Konstella: https://www.konstella.com

Kerry Fantelli and Keith Smith of UVM’s Center for Health and Well-Being will co-facilitate learning and dialogue addressing how to start the conversation about race with children on Thursday, January 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m., F.H. Tuttle Middle School Cafeteria and Library (500 Dorset Street).

This event is part of the South Burlington Community Series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In its fourth year, the series intends to offer the community an opportunity to come together and engage in thoughtful, intentional dialogue on topics often difficult to discuss. This evening is especially designed for the parents/guardians/caretakers of the community’s youngest learners, recognizing that “at birth, babies look equally at faces of all races. At 3 months, babies look more at faces that match the race of their caregivers (Kelly et al. 2005)” (“They’re Not Too Young to Talk about Race,” The Children’s School).

A free dinner will be offered at the January 23 event from 5:30-6:00 p.m., and the presentation will run from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and will include resources for families to bring home. Free childcare is also available. Please call 802.652.7035 to register for childcare and/or the event.

This event is sponsored by South Burlington School District’s Healthy Schools Program. For further information, please contact Susie Merrick at smerrick@sbschools.net or 802.652.7035.

Registration, Rental Forms and Payment is due Friday January 17, 2020. Forms are posted under "More" drop-down/"Files & Links" as well as two safety videos participants need to watch. There are also copies in the main office at school. Please fill them out and send them in to the main office in an envelop labeled Bolton Ski/Snowboard Program. Checks should be made out to "Orchard PTO" w "Bolton ASP" in memo line.

Join Orchard School at Bolton Valley for 5 Thursday nights of ski or snowboard lessons (1 hour each week) and fun starting February 6, 2020 !! Families are responsible for coordinating transportation to and from Bolton Valley each week.

Dates: Thursdays Feb 6, 13, 20, March 5, 12; Make-up March 19. 4:00 - 8:00 pm.

Bolton is currently planning on staggering the lesson starts, so that Level 1 and 2 will start at 4:30 and Level 3,4,5 will start at 5:30.

Costs for 5 weeks of lessons is $60; lift tickets for the 5 weeks is an additional $90 (total $150). Children 6 & under lift tickets FREE. Kids Rental is $60 for just ski or board setup; $85 includes helmet.

If parents are interested in renting equipment, please fill out a separate Rental Form - if you pay with your child, then you can rent for their rate.

Season Long Lease: $89 skis, boots, poles or snowboard and boots - call Rental Department at (802) 434-3444, ext 8 and mention that you are participating in the After School Program. Pick up after November 12, return by April 12, 2020 and they are yours for the season.