School Nurse Notes~

Some FAQs: Governor Scott's BE SMART STAY SAFE ORDERS

Click on the question to go directly to the link at the Health Department:

Social Gatherings:

• Why are social gatherings prohibited right now?
• You are not allowed to gather with people you don't live with; this includes playdates or visiting family or friends from different households.
  
• How can I celebrate the holidays safely?
  
  

Travel:

• Can I travel to Vermont? Are out-of-state visitors allowed?
• I have parental shared custody. Can my child and I travel without quarantining?
  
  

PCR Test:

Only PCR test results are accepted at school when your student is being tested for COVID-19. Rapid antigen test results will not be accepted.

If your student needs to get tested, please contact their health care provider. There are a variety of places to get tested; see this link to find a COVID-19 test site.

Some local PCR Testing Sites:

• NEW: Burlington City Arts Studio, 405 Pine Street, Burlington: by appointment through the Vermont Dept. of Health website.
• UVM Drive-Through at Fanny Allen: #847-5440
• Kinney Drugs, So. Burlington: #860-0714
  
• ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, So. Burlington: #448-8205

Be Well,

Kara & Darcy

School Nurses

PLEASE DONATE TO THE PTO!

In lieu of our Annual Cookie Extravaganza, the PTO plans to order goodies to show our appreciation and support for our teachers. We would really like to make this a year-long/monthly practice, but we need you! Please consider making a donation for the PTO. Even a few dollars buys a couple of cookies or slices of pizza. You may send 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

Other funds will go to student Joy Bags! We would like to make bags with 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.

Other ways to help! We can always use volunteers to coordinate cookie or pizza deliveries, make Joy Bags, and various other tasks. If you have a little room in your schedule, consider volunteering! Email Kristin at orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with thoughts, questions, and ideas.

Hello South Burlington Families and Friends!

As the temperatures get cooler and the days get shorter, some of us take comfort in cozying up on the couch or by the fire with a warm cup of tea. In Scandinavian countries, people call this hygge (hyoo-guh). Hygge is a practice that helps us cope with the winter blues, and almost always involves drinking a warm beverage, evoking feelings of happiness and warmth.

For this round of Farm to School, we brought hygge to the classroom with a warm cup of herbal tea. We practiced mindfulness through movement and shared the story of Shennong, a Chinese farmer who is credited with the discovery of tea itself. This was a well loved caffeinated tea yet folks around the world, including Vermonters, have been finding their way into the wild spaces to gather restorative herbs from fields and mountaintops that provide balance to our overactive lives. Your children can suggest some local herbal teas that they explored in the farm to school lesson or you can find an alternate sunshine land recipe below.

Mindfulness can be practiced at home as we celebrate a holiday season that may feel a bit different or strange this year. Try having a ‘mindful’ snack time by describing the smell, texture, and taste of the food. You can make this simple Lemon Ginger tea and get cozy on the couch for a moment of inner warmth, calm, and stillness.

Lemon Ginger Tea: Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

2 slices organic lemon, ¼ inch thick

1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

1-2 tsp honey

8oz hot water

Directions:

1. Place lemon and ginger slices in your mug.
2. Pour boiling water over the fruit and roots and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
3. Once the water has cooled slightly, stir in the honey - letting the water cool first will preserve the honey’s nutritional benefits.
4. Remove the lemon and ginger slices with a spoon or leave in your mug to enjoy the beauty!
5. Get cozy with a blanket, feel the hygge as you sip, and enjoy!

Be sure to check out our first educational video, Episode #1 Apples, if you haven’t already! Our next episode is coming out very soon, featuring Winter Squash and Abenaki traditional foods. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our new episodes.

Farmer Fae has the Farm at South Village all tidied up for the winter ahead. Although there is not much growing this time of year, the farm is still a beautiful space to take a walk in the fresh air. Come stop by and see what there is to explore! We hope to see you there.

Till next month, Nourish to Flourish!

Lauren Jones, Common Roots - Farm to School Educator

THANKFUL GIVING Reminder: If you would like to donate a gift card for an Orchard family, we are still gratefully accepting any and all gift card donations. Department store cards are most versatile to meet needs at this time. Please try to hand them in by Monday, December 14 to give us time to get them out to families before the winter break, but know that we are happy to accept them after that date as well. Sign Up Sheet

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS!

The South Burlington Rotary is replacing the traditional “Ugly Sweater Run” with an Ugly Mask Competition!

Elementary, Middle/High School, and Adult Categories!

Non-SB residents were welcome to participate!

Vote for your favorites on the Rotary Facebook Page!