Sixth graders on the Enterprise Team at EMS spent a day giving back through community service with various organizations across Chittenden County. The students were divided into five groups: one helped remove invasive species with the Winooski Valley Park District; another weeded and cleaned up an 18th-century garden at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. A third group visited Maple Ridge Assisted Living to play games with residents, while another restocked shelves at Aunt Dot’s Place. The final group baked dog treats to raise funds for Therapy Dogs of Vermont.
The EHS French students received special congratulations from French Culture & Language Instagram Ambassador, Cecilia. This year, the French Honor Society had 80 members. Twenty-seven students were inducted into the society, and 40 juniors and seniors received the Seal of Biliteracy. Well done! 👏👏
Hiawatha students and staff came together to celebrate Principal Grykien as she wrapped up her final year as principal. Several classes performed in her honor, followed by a schoolwide performance of a special song written by the students and staff. In a heartfelt tribute, each student presented her with a flower—a tradition she began at Hiawatha called the Flower Ceremony—making it a meaningful way to say goodbye.
Congratulations to CTE/BFA Fairfax's Eli Tinker for winning the Golden Wrench Award from Vermont Auto Enthusiasts. Eli is one of 16 Vermont technical students chosen for his work ethic and achievement. He is going home with $700 worth of tools, a membership to VAE, a $500 scholarship, and lots of other goodies!
Congratulations to Essex High School's April Still for receiving the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired 2025 Outstanding Educational Support to a Student with a Visual Impairment Award!
EHS Juniors Pankti Desai, Zahrah Muhammad, Holden Friesel, Lucy Noyes, and sophomore Ronin Ferree have been selected for the 2025 Achievement Award in Writing, given by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Desai, Muhammad, and Noyes were all awarded the top distinction of First Class.
Our team is working hard to ensure kids across our community have access to healthy, delicious meals while school is out. This year, we are proud to sponsor two summer meal sites locally, where children 18 and under can enjoy free meals in a welcoming environment. These meals must be consumed on-site (no grab-and-go). No registration is required - just show up.
- Maple Street Park Pool Concessions (Essex Jct.): Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. (Monday-Friday), Lunch from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Monday-Friday), Lunch only from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Weekends)
- Fort Ethan Allen - near the gazebo (Colchester): Lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Families needing food assistance are welcome to visit the pantry! 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, June 26, 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 by the USDA to eligible families who fall below federally mandated guidelines. Families not able to attend the pantry may call the Church office at (802)878-5745 Ext. 4 between 9 a.m. and noon today through Thursday to leave contact information so arrangements
for delivery can be made. Calls will be made to complete registration on Thursday morning, so please be sure to leave a number so that we can reach you at that time.
Visits to the pantry can be made once each calendar month- either on the second Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. or the fourth Thursday of each month from 3-6 p.m. The next food pantry distribution will be on Monday, July 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
More than 75 students gathered to celebrate achievements in Spanish proficiency and leadership. This year, 44 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing their ability to communicate in Spanish at an intermediate level or higher. Twenty-three seniors in the Spanish Honors Society received their cords and helped induct 22 new members. Seniors Isabella Delphia, Alexa Rabidoux, Olivia Spooner, and Sara Sinkewicz led the student pledge. Spanish teachers Jennifer Luck, Laura Williams, Ashley Bry, and Marcela Bronk proudly celebrated their students’ passion for language, connection, and culture with “¡TORTA!” ¡Felicitaciones a todos!
Today is the summer solstice, signaling the official start of summer!
And that's a wrap on the 2024-2025 school year. Have a great summer, EWSD! 🎉😁☀️👏🍦🍉
The June edition of the EWSD Family Newsletter is out now 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/vyh1cu
EMS hosted a parent information night, where parents of rising 6th grade students attending EMS in the fall could learn about the academies, clubs, athletics, and have a tour of the school.
Westford School hosted a 5th-8th grade Field Day Celebration. Students and staff were excited to participate in a rainy yet joyful, active afternoon that celebrated the students and their time at Westford School.
Live stream the 2025 EHS Graduation Ceremony! 🎥 🎓 Thanks to the Media Factory for providing live stream video coverage. To order a DVD or digital file, or to watch online, visit mediafactory.org/ehs. The EHS Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 14.
EES held its annual Field Day celebration with a variety of fun outdoor games and activities for students to enjoy!
🔔 Reminder that the last day of school for the 2024-2025 school year will be next Friday, June 13, and it will be a half-day.
Founders Memorial and Essex Middle School Chorus students sang for family and friends during their Spring Chorus Concert, held at Essex High School.
Award-winning author and illustrator Jason Chin visited Summit Street School to share his love of storytelling with the students. Jason Chin is known for his beautifully illustrated children’s books that bring complex scientific ideas to life. His work has earned some of the highest honors in children's literature, including the Caldecott Medal, a Sibert Honor, and the Orbis Pictus Award.
Congratulations to Essex Middle School teacher Andrew Kasprisin on his designation as the 2025 Vermont finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching.