Dear EWSD Families,

 

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

 

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

 

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting. The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

 

---

 

Increase in-person learning for middle and high school students
The new guidance has allowed us to plan for more in-person instruction in grades 6-12. The most impactful change is for grades 7-12 with the switch to three-foot physical distancing when possible. Although this will help us to increase the number of students in classrooms, we will still need to follow six-foot physical distancing when contact tracing, which may impact the need to turn to remote learning more often. We know this is difficult for families and our hope is that we see a decrease in positive cases in our schools and community.

 

A challenge that the guidance presents to us is lunchtime. The guidance for grades 7-12 is six-foot distancing while eating due to the removal of the face mask. We are working through this, your student may see a change at lunchtime. Each school has its own challenges with this and will be working on the logistics. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could count on great weather through the end of the school year so everyone could eat outside? 

 

We know social and emotional learning is important and we know many students need a sense of normalcy. We want to provide a time where kids can be together before the summer and coming back in the fall. 

 

---

 

Essex High School choice to attend four days a week
Essex High School will continue to offer the two-day hybrid model with three remote learning days, and fully remote for those families where health concerns and quarantine warrants it. 

 

Additionally, Essex High School now has an opportunity to welcome those students needing additional academic or social-emotional learning and support to attend in person for four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). 

 

Wednesdays will continue to be a synchronous remote learning day (except for the accommodations for those students who have been attending all week already).

 

Four days per week will begin on May 10. Families will receive information soon to confirm if their child(ren) needs to attend in-person learning four days per week. From a preliminary survey, we are not anticipating a large number of families choosing to return to four days per week.

 

---

 

Center for Technology, Essex choice to attend four days per week 
All students will continue to follow a hybrid schedule. Students who choose to attend the two additional days will receive the same lesson twice; once with their original cohort and again on the additional day(s). 

• This ‘double dose’ approach will absolutely benefit students who are falling behind in academic/technical skills attainment but may prove to be frustrating to those students who are making good progress
• The shift is meant to serve both the academic and social/emotional needs of students who will benefit from increased in-person instruction

 

Four-day a week by choice will begin on May 10. CTE will be reaching out to you soon for confirmation from those wanting to attend four days a week of in-person learning.

 

---

 

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

 

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

 

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

 

Be well,

 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org

 

Dear EWSD Families,

 

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

 

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

 

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting.  The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

 

---

 

Increase in-person learning for middle and high school students:
The new guidance has allowed us to plan for more in-person instruction in grades 6-12. The most impactful change is for grades 7-12 with the switch to three-foot physical distancing when possible. Although this will help us to increase the number of students in classrooms, we will still need to follow six-foot physical distancing when contact tracing, which may impact the need to turn to remote learning more often. We know this is difficult for families and our hope is that we see a decrease in positive cases in our schools and community.

 

A challenge that the guidance presents to us is lunchtime. The guidance for grades 7-12 is six-foot distancing while eating due to the removal of the face mask. We are working through this, your student may see a change at lunchtime. Each school has its own challenges with this and will be working on the logistics. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could count on great weather through the end of the school year so everyone could eat outside? 

 

We know social and emotional learning is important and we know many students need a sense of normalcy. We want to provide a time where kids can be together before the summer and coming back in the fall. 

 

---

 

Middle School moving to four days in-person learning
In order to provide more in-person time for middle school students and to accommodate families who are nervous to come back fully in person, we are offering two options:

1. Four days of in-person learning - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday will be remote asynchronous learning.
2. Our middle school Remote Academy is at capacity, but we will find ways to host virtual live instruction with their teachers and provide asynchronous learning.  Wednesdays will be dedicated to these students either virtually or in small group in-person learning.  

 

Your principal will be reaching out to families to get a confirmation from those wanting to attend four days a week in-person learning.

 

Schedule for moving to four days a week: We feel it is important to have a staggered start at our larger middle schools.

May 3 - Westford seventh and eighth-graders begins in-person four days a week

May 3 - Sixth graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

May 10 - Seventh graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

May 13 - Eighth graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

 

---

 

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

 

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

 

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

 

Be well,

 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

Dear EWSD Families,

 

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

 

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

 

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting.  The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

 

---

 

REMINDER - All K-5, as well as Westford (only) 6th grade will move to in-person learning five days a week starting on April 26, 2021 - EES, FMS, SUM, HIA, and FLM K-5 students and Westford K-6 will be back in person five days a week. On each Wednesday, there will be a one-hour early release. 

 

Our K-5 Remote Academy will continue for those who have previously enrolled.

 

---

 

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

 

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

 

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

 

Be well,

 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

On April 14, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Center for Technology, Essex community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our CTE community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, April 15. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

 

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about eight members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School (2), Founders Memorial (2), Summit Street (2), the Center for Technology, Essex, and Essex Middle School. 

 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12+ months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, April 12, 2021. 

 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

 

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

 

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

 

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

 

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

 

Sincerely,

 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent