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This morning I went out to our pen and grabbed our two Turkeys.  Thanksgiving and Christmas. This afternoon is the appointed time to release their spirits and harvest their meat. One is so heavy I could not lift him into the box, my son needed to help. They, of course, have that musty manurey hayish smell, and once upside down just chortled, happy to be in an enclosed place. They have had a good life, I give profound thanks to them for providing us with a meal on Thursday.

Simply put, I could not believe, as I heaved our two turkeys, that it is Thanksgiving. I can not believe that our community has done it! You have made it to Thanksgiving. This pandemic has been exhausting, and you all have weathered last spring, the summer and the fall!

Take a moment to appreciate yourself for all your kindness and efforts as parents supporting children on their journey of learning. Each and every day, each and every person has contributed to the growth of our children. 

What everyone needs in the next five days is to simply do nothing. Read a book. Go for a walk. Play cards. Unplug. Eat delicious food. And most importantly give thanks and appreciation for all that you have accomplished, living in this pandemic. It has not been easy. 

I feel blessed to work in a school district with such courageous and hard working individuals. 

I am also writing because today, governor Phil Scott made it very clear that multi household social gatherings are suspended. This means that folks can only have gatherings with just their immediate household. As a school system, if families have gatherings with more than one household, (more than the household(s) that their child engages in on a weekly basis) they must quarantine for two weeks. We can not allow students to return to school until this two week period is over. Please do not hesitate to reach out or visit the Department of Health website if you have questions: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/travel-quarantine

May the blessings of love, good food and rest bring you much joy this Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Botzojorns