Cross Words

Important Dates

• Holiday, School Closed - Monday, January 18

• Winter Break, School Closed - Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19

School News and Information

To the Marion Cross School Families,

We would like to thank you for the thoughtful holiday gift cards. We appreciate the gifts, kind wishes, and the year-long support. We also want to say thank you to all of our families who are following the Vermont safety rules which has helped to keep us in school in-person and all of us safe.

We are truly grateful to be teaching and caring for your students.
MCS Faculty & Staff

Cookies from Girl Scout Troop 13123! Order now and get cookies in February. $5 per box. Choices: 

Kinds are:

Lemon-Up, Tagalongs, Trefoils, GS S'mores, Samoas, Do-si-dos, Thin Mints, Toffee-tastic  (GF) Any questions email Dodi at boots19191313@gmail.com or 802-249-2274.

Thank you,
Troop 13123

Talking with Children about the News

A lot has happened this week and I know the upheaval at the Capitol may be heavy on your minds so wanted to share a few resources on how to talk to kids about scary things in the news. Our kids are listening to us all of the time, and providing a space and place for them to share their feelings and questions about what’s on their minds is integral to them feeling safe, secure and heard. Engaging in tricky topics may seem daunting, but it’s important.  It’s also OK to let your kids know that you don’t know all of the answers and reasoning around what’s happening, but you are always available to listen.  

Resources:

What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary (NPR)

How to Talk to Kids About the Riots at the US Capitol (NPR)

Don’t Shy Away From Talking to Kids about the Capitol Riot (Washington Post)

Thanks for all you do to help your children learn and grow; please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Katie Cormier
MCS School Counselor

Health Office Information

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a restful vacation. It was definitely hard this year not spending time with our extended family as we usually do. 

There has been an uptick of COVID cases in the Upper Valley area.  Luckily, school continues to be one of the safest places for our children to be. With masking, social distancing, and frequent handwashing we are recognizing a decreased number of absences and illnesses. We are lucky to have students, families, and staff that are working together to keep school in-person.

If your child will be ABSENT or LATE, please email your child’s classroom teacher and include the office: Joy.Smollin@marioncross.org and School Nurse:pamhausler@marioncross.org.

Please continue to do a daily health screening with your children at home, this includes taking their temperature. 

Your child should remain home if they have any of the following COVID-19 related symptoms:

• Fever (over 100.4 F)
• Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your child is ill, please contact Pam Hausler, School Nurse, to discuss Vermont guidelines related to return to school. 802-649-1703 x 5114 or email:pamhausler@marioncross.org. Do not hesitate to contact the health office with any questions or concerns. Communication is essential during these times.

The Vermont Health Department continues to strongly advise against non-essentialtravel, even within Vermont. All travel to and from Vermont requires quarantine.

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL:

Please refer to these links:

https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/travel-quarantine

https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/restart/cross-state-travel

If you travel out of Vermont whether for a day trip or longer, you must quarantine in Vermont when you return for 14 days. You can end your quarantine early if, you haven't had any symptoms of COVID-19, get a PCR test on or after Day 7, get a negative test result, still do not have symptoms, and continue to monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days (it is important to remember that you should be diligent for the full 14 days).  A negative test result must be confirmed before quarantine can end.

It is essential to be tested if you or your family has any COVID-19 related symptoms, been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, traveled or attended a social gathering.

Governor Scott recognized the need for connection with others during the holidays. He had temporarily changed the policy so that one household was able to gather with one other trusted household for the 10-day period of December 23,2020 through January 2, 2021.  The recommendation was to get tested 7 days following those gatherings.  

 Meatless Mondays from Norwich Rec

We are about to open the second round of Norwich Nailed It – this one is a 6 week series of menus from our sponsors, all focused on ‘Meatless Monday’!   Our partners for this session are Cabot Cheese Coop, King Arthur Baking, Norwich Farm Creamery and Pete & Gerry’s Eggs, which means that if you add on the ‘local suppliers’ option, you will also receive a bag that includes:

• Cabot cheese or coupon for the product

• 3lb bag of King Arthur Baking All Purpose Flour

• 1 half gallon of Norwich Farm Creamery whole milk/other dairy product (dependent on the week)

• 1 dozen Pete & Gerry’s Eggs 

Not only is this a pretty great deal, it’s an easy way to get some of your grocery shopping done while supporting Norwich Recreation!  

The guidelines for competing in Meatless Mondays are a little different:  each menu includes a soup/salad, main dish, garnish/side dish and a dessert.  You can create all or one of these items.  You can also create them throughout the week, and then submit in a photo collage.  Since we cannot base judging on taste this time around, we are giving you an opportunity to let your kitchen prowess shine through in a variety of ways!  Prizes for this round are pretty spectacular, as always.  Winners of each category (Youth, Adult and Family/Group) will be awarded a stainless steel pint cup (photo attached), a $5 gift card to a local business and another little celebratory item.  There is no pressure to compete, though.  We had quite a few participants in the first round who cooked along with us at home without submitting photos to be judged!

The program begins on January 18th and runs through February 22nd – you can sign up here, starting tonight: Norwich Recreation Department: (myrec.com)

Have fun everyone!
Brie Swenson

New Food Pantry information for residents of Hanover and Norwich

There's a new food pantry in the region. It's supported by the Haven, hosted (outside) by The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, and organized by the Hanover Community Food Security Team. It operates Saturdays from 11 am-1 pm, in the church's driveway (40 College Street). It is open to anyone who's short on food. No registration needed but masks will be required.

Questions: (802) 222-7337 or Hanovercommunity.fs.team@gmail.com

PTO Bulletin Board

Thank You, MCS Families! MCS families continued their tradition of generosity and stepped it up during this challenging school year. Learn more below...