
The EWSD Board and administration invite you to join them for a virtual conversation as part of the District’s BudgetTalk series (https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgettalkseries) on March 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget

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 27, from 3-6 p.m. Those 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 food
selections for their household. 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.
As usual, there are no income requirements to visit the food pantry and a variety of food is
available to everyone; however, additional food provided by the USDA is available once a
month to eligible households that fall below federally mandated guidelines. People who are not able to attend the pantry may call the Church office at 878-5745 Ext. 4 between 9 a.m. and noon today through Thursday to leave contact information (name, address, number of people in household, phone number) so arrangements for delivery can be made. A follow-up call to complete registration will take place on Thursday morning.
Families can visit the pantry once each calendar month on the 2nd Monday of the month
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. or the 4th Thursday of the month from 3-6 p.m. (except for
November and December when it is the 3rd Thursday). The next food pantry distribution will be on Monday, April 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The 2024-25 EWSD annual report is now available online: https://bit.ly/FY26EWSDannualreport
Hard copies of the annual report will be available at the following locations starting on March 28, 2025: Brownell Library, Essex Free Library, EWSD District Office, City of Essex Junction Municipal Office, Westford Public Library, Essex Town Clerk’s Office, and Westford Town Office.

🌿 The EWSD March Family Newsletter is out now 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/wd0pf

Today is the first day of spring! 🌞🌿 The vernal equinox is when both hemispheres of the Earth get equal amounts of daylight. 🌷✨ What’s your favorite thing about spring? 🌼

Did you know that the recommended budget maintains the same level of net spending as FY25, a monumental task requiring $5.6 million in reductions? This ensures that property tax impacts will be determined solely by the statewide funding formula and the year-over-year increases in home values, rather than by local spending decisions.
Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget

EHS theater is thrilled to invite you to their upcoming comedic play - Clue: On Stage (High School Edition)! 🎭 Performances are Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. in the EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 children/students and $8 general admission: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ehs-theater/EHSClue

The EWSD Board and administration invite you to join them for a virtual conversation as part of the District’s BudgetTalk series (https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgettalkseries) on March 20 and 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
If any group would like the EWSD Board to come and present on the budget or if there is an event that you would like Board members to attend, they would be happy to do so. Please reach out to Board Chair Robert Carpenter (rcarpenter@board.ewsd.org). Learn more about the proposed EWSD budget: www.ewsd.org/budget

The #EWSD Board will next meet on Tues., March 18 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 (https://www.facebook.com/BTVMediaFactory).
Agenda items for the meeting include:
* Approve Land Easement with Champlain Water District
* FY26 Budget Transition Planning
To learn more about the EWSD Board, please visit: http://www.ewsd.org/schoolboard


At its meeting on February 18, the EWSD Board approved a budget that will be put forth for a community vote on Tuesday, April 8. With rising property taxes, ongoing statewide financial challenges, and declining enrollment, the Board asked the administration to maintain the same level of net spending as FY25, but with rising costs, we have had to make some difficult decisions. Learn more about this proposed budget: https://bit.ly/FY26EWSDbudgetPlan


⏰ Daylight Saving Time starts tomorrow; Sunday, March 9! ⏰


Hiawatha students gathered in the gym to sing songs together and hear a special presentation from third-graders!

Save the date ... EWSD Fine Arts Night will take place on Thursday, April 10! Learn more: https://www.ewsd.org/article/2065441

The EWSD Board approved a budget to bring to the voters at their last meeting on February 18. You can now view the annual meeting warning online: https://5il.co/38n6x


Time is running out … please consider running for one of the three open seats on the EWSD School Board! Completed petitions are due by Monday, March 3. Learn more: https://bit.ly/EWSDBoardSeats2025


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, February 27, from 3-6 p.m.
As usual, there are no income requirements to visit the food pantry and a variety of food is
available to everyone; however, additional food is provided once a month by the USDA to
eligible families who fall below federally mandated guidelines. Those who are not able to attend the pantry and request a delivery may call the Church office at 878-5745 Ext. 4 between 9-noon today through Thursday to leave contact information (name, phone number, address, number of people in household). Phone calls to complete
registration will occur on Thursday morning.
The next food pantry distribution will be on Monday, March 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.


📰 The January edition of the EWSD School Board Newsletter can be viewed here: https://secure.smore.com/n/y06wdh


The EWSD budget page (www.ewsd.org/budget) is your one-stop-shop for the latest news, updates, information from Board meetings, FAQs, and more.


The February EWSD Family Newsletter is out now 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/a7emg

The EHS Global Citizenship Travel Program is hosting a fundraising event to support their service learning trip to the Dominican Republic. Babysitting Night will take place in the EHS gymnasium on Friday, March 14 from 5-8 p.m. There will be fun games, snacks, and a movie! For more information, email tmuzerall@ewsd.org.
