The Core

August 28, 2020, Volume 11, Summer Edition 5

Principal's Notes

Dear Parents,

The school year is almost here and we have many details to share. The first days of school are posted below. Please look through carefully because the first week's schedule is different from the new weekly schedule.


The state requires a 2-step procedure for students to enter the school which includes answering a brief questionnaire regarding exposure to the coronavirus and taking the student temperature before entering the school building. Our district is responding to the first requirement by creating an online app that is being created for parents to complete any family exposure to the COVID-19. For more information, please click on this link: https://www.wevideo.com/view/1809099320

On the second requirement, we will be taking each student's temperature before entering the school along with a staggered start/ending of the school day. Here is our school's plan: Walkers and Bicycle Riders will go through the front entrance and have their temperature checked in the lobby.

Busses arrive at school between 7:50-8:00 and students will be dropped off in at the gym door where they will have their temperature checked. For students being dropped off by parents:

  • Students with last names beginning A-D (Blue Days) or L-R (Grey Days) are to be dropped off between 8:00-8:10 in the far parking lot (aka old tennis court/skating rink), where the large tent is located. Students will have their temperature taken at the tent and enter the school through the further gym door.
  • For students with the last names, E-K (Blue Days) & S-Z (Grey Days) will be dropped off in the bus lane from 8:10-8:20. These students are to go directly to the gym.

*a map will be provided next week.


If a student has a temperature over 100.4 degrees, we will take the student to the nurse's office and parents will be contacted.


Dismissal will be the Same Locations:

School's Out and Bus Dismissal will begin at 2:20, busses will leave at 2:30

Students being picked up by parents:

  • With last names A-D (Blue Days) & L-R (Grey Days) to be picked up in the far parking lot between 2:30-2:40.
  • Students with last names E-K (Blue Days) & S-Z (Grey Days) will be picked up in the Bus Lane.


We are additionally working to match students with parent pick-ups so parents do not need to get out of their cars. This is a draft, this might need small changes to find the right balance - a map will be sent to you soon.


Teacher Assignment:

First, I want to share that we have hired a number of awesome new teachers these last ten days. We are excited they are joining the Orchard School Community and look forward to introducing them to you soon. The attached pdf is a grade configuration of our classrooms.


Our teachers are currently working on class lists. It is important to note that students are being placed into classrooms, not with a specific classroom teacher. There will be specific classroom assignments. An administration letter is attached to explain this. We are unable to match students to specific pods with friends and neighbors and sincerely apologize we cannot make this happen.


Make sure your child has:

  • Multiple Face Masks - more than one will be necessary (gaiters, buffs, or bandanas are not substitutes for face masks).
  • Water Bottles - Classroom and Hallway drinking faucets will not be available.


Have a great weekend. Stay safe, stay well, and take some time to read with your child.

Mark Trifilio

Big picture
Kindergarten Informtational Night

Kindergarten Informtational Night

Kindergarten Parents -

We are having a zoom Informational Night for all our new families. We will have a 6:00 pm zoom meeting where you can meet teachers and have all your questions answered. The zoom invitation will be sent out on Tuesday. Of course children can attend though the information presented will be for parents.

Kindergarten Informtational Night
Update from the PTO

Update from the PTO

Student Directory! Every family will receive a directory, and for your student's information to be included, you MUST go to this link and provide your contact information.

Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2L8ZWMV

By including your contact information, you make it easy to connect with other Orchard families and help create a strong Orchard Community!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Hebeler, PTO member, anytime at skiersuz@skiersuz.com or 802/777-6700.


WHAT CAN I DO TO SUPPORT THE ORCHARD COMMUNITY AND THE ORCHARD PTO?


This year is going to look very different for the Orchard PTO and for kids as far as activities go! We will do our best to be creative and to continue supporting families and kids in our community.


WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP!


Since we will not be having our fun run this year, you can make a direct contribution:


https://my.cheddarup.com/c/orchard-pto/item/2556395


Funds will be used to continue the good work we are doing to support our Orchard community.


Volunteer! We can use all the hands we can get (and right now we don't have very many!). We need a social media maven, a co-treasurer, and a book keeper. Any time you can offer will be valued - and it doesn't have to be time at school - in fact, this year we can't be in the building, so your volunteer time will be at home, and will require a zoom meeting once in a while.

If you are interested in volunteering please email annaleavey@gmail.com




Update from the PTO

Posts from Last Week

Our Medical Team created a Q & A video as well. Did you see our pre-recorded Q & A video? If you haven't seen it, please check here to get some of your questions answered:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjAiFM5k4Y8&feature=youtu.be


Members of our Orchard Task Force made a video for wearing masks at school. We strongly recommend having children practice wearing masks for longer stretches of time to get used to how school will be starting. Here is a link to the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Ob3Or9y0sdBNoZYpuGOzLi108Cr-m8T/view