Essex Elementary School

Christine Gaynor-Patterson joined the Essex Westford School District Board, after being elected on April 9, 2024. Get to know the newest member a little better in this quick Q&A: https://bit.ly/3Qq6OHb

The EWSD Board will next meet for a Virtual Community Engagement on Mon., May 6, starting at 6 p.m. Community members who wish to participate can join the meeting using this link: https://meet.google.com/htp-puxg-wrr You can view EWSD budget presentations, watch Board meetings, view FAQs, and more by visiting: www.ewsd.org/budget

The EWSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is inviting families for a free night out to meet other families, learn about available resources, and establish connections in a safe and inclusive environment. This event will be held on Monday, May 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the ADL Cafeteria. There will be dinner, music, onsite childcare, lawn games, activities, and community resources and connections. Kindly RSVP to this event: https://bit.ly/4aXPEJk

All students, parents, and members of the EWSD and Essex Community are invited to join the EHS/CTE Multicultural Potluck Festival on Friday, May 10 from 5-8 p.m. in the EHS gymnasium. You are welcome to bring a dish inspired by your culture or host an activity to share with the school community. There will be food, prizes, and fun activities for all! To RSVP, sign up for a dish, or volunteer: https://bit.ly/4ajoH2k 🍽️

EES second grade now has a Kindness Club! The Kindness Club focuses on cultivating kindness by bringing awareness to different acts of kindness that students display on an interactive hallway bulletin board! 💙😊

Check out the awesome collaboration between the EWSD Child Nutrition team and local businesses, bringing fresh, delicious food to our students' trays! From 185 gallons of maple syrup to over 7,000 pounds of beef, 4,000 pounds of chicken, 14,000 pounds of Cabot yogurt, and an abundance of fruits and veggies – it's a tasty partnership we're grateful for! Huge thanks to Tucker Maple Sugarhouse, Laplatte River Angus Farm, Misty Knoll Farms, Cabot Creamery, and Chapin Orchard! 🥞🍏🥕🍗🥛

EES second graders enjoyed cardio drumming!

Last night the EWSD Board adopted a revised budget which the community will vote on May 7. Read an update from EWSD Board Chair Robert Carpenter that includes an update on the $4.5 million reduction, a recording of the meeting along with the slides presented, and next steps in the process: https://bit.ly/042424EWSDBoardUpdate

The EWSD Curriculum and Instruction team hosted a viewing of the film, "The Right to Read", which shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families fighting to provide our youngest generation with the foundational indicator of lifelong success: the ability to read. Before and after the film, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jackie Ramsay-Tolman, discussed ongoing literacy work within the EWSD, drawing from a recent literacy audit to identify areas for improvement and existing strengths. A panel of teachers and interventionists answered questions about their work and the aspects of ongoing literacy efforts that excite them. Attendees received resource bags containing grade-level books, literacy materials, and articles or activities to promote reading at home.

⭐ The last day of school for students will be Friday, June 14, and it will also be a half day. ⭐

🎉🍎 Our EWSD team includes 468 licensed educators and 28% have more than 15 years of teaching experience!👏🎉

🎉 Fun Fact! 🌍 Did you ever imagine there are an astounding 53 languages buzzing around in the EWSD? 🗣️ That's right, 53 different ways to say hello and share stories! 🌟

The EWSD Board Meeting on April 18 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉 https://bit.ly/447zydx #EWSD

There will be no school for spring break starting on Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26. School will resume on Monday, April 29. Have a great break!

The EWSD Board Meeting on April 16 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉 https://bit.ly/3UkL0iD #EWSD

*Reminder - Tonight (Wednesday, April 17) the EWSD will host a virtual conversation for community feedback on the budget from 6:30-8 p.m. It will be a designated time for you to bring forth questions, feedback, and ideas related to the priorities of the revised budget. This is a time for a back-and-forth conversation with the Board and community members. Join the meeting using this link: https://meet.google.com/how-byjz-wrh

The #EWSD School Board Special Meeting is on Thurs., April 18 starting at 7 p.m. in the EHS Library. Prior to this meeting, there will be an in-person community engagement session from 6-7 p.m. in the EHS Cafeteria. Agenda items for the meeting include: * FY25 Budget and Deliberation * Approve Professional Appointments * Policy 4.3 Agenda Planning To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: www.ewsd.org/page/schoolboard

🗓️ 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.

The Community College of Vermont is pleased to invite the local community to join their students, staff, and faculty to their 21st Annual International Food Festival! This event is a relaxed potluck where attendees share food, music, and lively conversation. Over the last two decades, there have been more than 20 countries of origin represented. Join the fun on Thursday, April 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. at CCV Winooski Center.

The #EWSD Board will next meet on Tue., April 16 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: * Approve Warrants * Appoint Official Newspaper - Seven Days * Appoint Board Legal Counsel To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: www.ewsd.org/page/schoolboard