Albert D. Lawton

All EWSD Facilities & District Safety employees recently took part in diversity and equity training. 👍👍

Due to weather, the start of school will be delayed two hours, today, Thursday, April 4 for Albert D. Lawton, Essex Middle School, Essex High School, and the Center for Technology, Essex. Buses will arrive two hours after their normal time (if the bus normally arrives at 7:15 a.m., it will arrive at 9:15 a.m.) and school will begin two hours later than the normal start time.

Here is a sample ballot that all EWSD residents will see at the polls on April 9. You can also view the candidates who are looking to fill the open Board seats under 'Sample Ballots' on the EWSD budget page (www.ewsd.org/budget). 🗳️🗳️

📸 Share your eclipse vibes with us! Whether you're joining a viewing party or capturing the moment at home, we want to see it all! Submit your snapshots via this form for a chance to be featured on EWSD social media. Don't miss out! https://bit.ly/EWSDeclipse *Please DON'T submit photos of the actual eclipse or sun! Instead share snapshots of your family, friends, or your eclipse gathering!

The 2024-25 EWSD school year calendar has been finalized. School districts in the Champlain Valley have committed to a regional calendar that includes 175 common school days. This means that all districts in Chittenden, Franklin, and Addison counties will follow a very similar schedule. Superintendents also agreed that all districts will start the school year on Monday, August 26, 2024.

Watch this 1-minute video to learn how the Homestead Education Tax Rate is calculated for Essex Junction, Essex Town, and Westford 👉 https://bit.ly/3xnRjJ3

The net education spending in the FY25 budget is increasing by $7,440,175 which increases our tax rate by $0.083. The increase in property values across the three towns in our District (Essex Junction, Essex Town, and Westford) is resulting in an added increase to our property tax rate of $0.1977 to $0.2975. For more information, visit www.ewsd.org/budget

The #EWSD Board will next meet on Tue., April 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the EHS Library. The full meeting will be available to watch on Facebook Live thanks to the Media Factory (www.facebook.com/BTVMediaFactory). Agenda items for the meeting include: * Onboarding of New Board Members * 4.6 Board Committee Principles * Policy 4.3 Agenda Planning To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: www.ewsd.org/page/schoolboard You can also stay up to date with information on the FY25 budget by visiting: www.ewsd.org/budget

The EWSD Board Meeting on March 26 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉 https://bit.ly/3VCMiGJ #EWSD

👉 Here is a glimpse at how education is funded in Vermont. For more information, visit www.ewsd.org/budget

🔷 The EWSD annual report is now available online! Visit www.ewsd.org/budget to view the report as well as budget presentations, recorded Board meetings, and more. 🔷 You can also pick up a hard copy at your local public library, city/town office, or at the District's Central Office location.

You may be eligible for an education property tax reduction if your household income is less than $128,000. Visit the Vermont Department of Taxes website to learn more: https://bit.ly/43x5uI0 🏠🏠

The Heavenly Food Pantry, located at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Essex Junction, will be open to families residing in Essex, Essex Junction and Westford on Thursday, March 28, from 3-5:30 p.m. Families arriving will be given a number, asked to wait in the sanctuary for their number to be called, and registered before being directed to the pantry where a volunteer will greet and escort them around the pantry, allowing them to make selections of their choosing. After food is gathered, it will be weighed (information for pantry use only) and another volunteer will bring the food to the family’s vehicle. Shopping carts will be made available for those within walking distance of the pantry. Due to the solar eclipse happening next month, the next food pantry distribution will now occur on Monday, April 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

💫Registration is now open for the 8th annual Dream Big 5K: Run, Walk, Roll on April 28, 2024! The Dream Big 5K in Essex, VT is an inclusive running event with general and adaptive divisions. 💫 The race brings together the Essex Westford community for a morning of friendly competition and is an opportunity for athletes with disabilities to experience racing in a supportive setting. Join us in person at Essex Middle School - or virtually anywhere – to support EDD Adaptive Sports programs. Register online today!

The #EWSD Board will next meet on Tue., March 26 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the EHS Library. The full meeting will be available to watch on Facebook Live thanks to the Media Factory (www.facebook.com/BTVMediaFactory). Agenda items for the meeting include: * 2023-2024 Last Day of School * 2024-2025 School Calendar * Restorative Practices * 3.2 Accountability of the Superintendent To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: www.ewsd.org/page/schoolboard You can also stay up to date with information on the FY25 budget by visiting: www.ewsd.org/budget

🎉 The Arts Faculties of Essex Westford School District will host the annual Fine Arts Night “Celebrating Creative Minds” at Essex High School on Thursday, April 11 from 5:30-8:15 p.m. 🎉 This exceptional production will feature the outstanding artistic work of our talented youth from EWSD schools in various disciplines including visual arts, music, theater, and film.

Be on the lookout for the EWSD budget mailer arriving in your mailbox over the next few days! If you would like to learn more about the District budget, please visit: www.ewsd.org/budget

Spend the night sleeping outside in solidarity with youth facing homelessness and raise money for Spectrum Youth and Family Services. Essex High School's Athletic Leadership Council is organizing a Sleep Out at EHS on March 28. The sleep out will end at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, March 29. You can be part of this event by joining their team or donating. All are invited to participate. Visit the Spectrum website to sign up. Thank you for your support.

🔵 Reminder: there will be no school for Family Conferences on Friday, March 22. 🔵

Spring is here! 🌷🌼☀️🎉🌈