Staff Who Are Leaving
Here are the names of Teachers and Staff Members who are leaving Orchard School. Though the list is long, we hope each of these individuals knows they were an integral part of our community and will definitely be missed.
Retirements
- Steven Schmidt - 3rd Grade Teacher
- Audrey Merrill - Interventionist
- Becky Peterson - Interventionist
- Cheryl McCabe - Preschool Paraeducator
Transfers - all to FHTMS!
- Kristen Billings - School Counselor (gr. 3-5)
- Annie Coppock - Teacher of the Deaf
- Michelle Bissonette - Educational Interpreter
Moving On (Resignations)
- Emily Evenson - 1st Grade Teacher
- Darcy Mazlish - School Nurse
- Morgan Schwegmen - Special Education Substitute Teacher
- Megan Dieterle - Interventionist
- Emily Hamburger - Interventionist
- Ben Nelson - Interventionist
- Adriana Putragai - Kindergarten Paraeducator
Leave of Absence
- Sarah Waterman (1 year) - English Language Teacher (gr. 3-5)
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Library News!
Summer library hours will be from 9 AM until noon, beginning on June 15th and running until August 10th. Students will be receiving a bookmark reminder about library hours. Also click:
News from our Nurses
~TICKS IN VERMONT~
This week's focus: Transmission of Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is spread through the bite of a bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) infected tick. Deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, normally live on mice, squirrels, and other small animals and can be found in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and north-central U.S. The bacteria are transmitted to humans via the infected tick.
Most cases of Lyme Disease in humans occur in the late spring and summer when the tiny nymphs (less than 2mm) are most active (and difficult to notice on the body).
How do they attach?
Ticks hang out in grasses and shrubs and outstretch their upper legs (called questing) waiting to hook onto a host passing by. The tick then finds a place to bite, often attaching to inconspicuous areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp.
Typically, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted, so check your body daily and remove ticks within 24 hours. If you are really interested in how ticks attach take a look at THIS VIDEOshowing how a tick digs its hooks into you!
Other modes of transmission?
Person to Person?
Lyme Disease or the bacteria is not transmitted from person-to-person.
Animals to Humans?
Household pets do not spread Lyme Disease to humans. Although, pets can bring infected ticks into the yard or house.
Blood?
Lyme disease bacteria can live in blood that is stored for donation. Individuals being treated for Lyme disease with an antibiotic should not donate blood. Once the antibiotic treatment is completed, individuals can consider donating blood.
Eating meat?
Lyme Disease is not passed through eating meat (i.e. venison).
Other ways?
The bacteria can't be transmitted through air, food, water, or from the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, or lice.
Mayo Clinic Minute: 4 Ways to Avoid Ticks VIDEO
Lyme Disease FAQs
Next week's topic: Treatment
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Free Rapid Antigen tests are available from the school. Contact us and we can send them home with your student or you can pick them up at school. If the first antigen test is negative, use the second at least 24 hours later. If they are both negative, and you still have concerns, get a LAMP or a PCR test.
Be safe, be well~
PTO Updates
Stage Clean-Up and free items: We are working to help the school free up extra space and will be doing a stage clean-out on Saturday, June 3rd, starting at 9 am. Join us to help in the clean-up efforts, and/or come by around 11 to see if there's anything you would find useful that the school no longer needs! Get all your Spring Cleaning needs met here! Email orchardschoolvt@gmail.com with any questions!
