
Essex Junction Recreation & Parks, Essex Pediatrics, and Essex CHiPS proudly present The Screenagers Project: Growing Up in the Digital Age Community Film Screenings at Essex Cinemas on June 4 & 11! This film screening is a great opportunity to come together with families, friends, and neighbors to learn more about the impact of kids' use of screens, smartphones, and social media on their mental health. Following the 60-minute film, participants are invited to stay for a 30-minute discussion time to talk about collective community action solutions and steps to move this important conversation forward. For more information, and to pre-register: https://forms.gle/ZkKcm3WCYMxzvXgu5

Congratulations to EHS librarian Liz Von Nagy, who has earned the Outstanding Librarian Award (Vermont School Librarian of the Year) for 2025. Liz Von Nagy is also the Professional Development Coordinator for the VSLA and created multiple opportunities for its members this year. 👏🏅

As part of EMS Literacy Day, students from EMS visited FMS to read and play literacy games together! 👏📚😊

The ADL Culture Club wrapped up the year with a celebration full of fun and friendly competition! Students gathered for their final meeting to play geography games and explore new places together. Later, families, siblings, friends, and even some former members joined in for a lively Kids vs. Families Geography Bee!

The EWSD Board Meeting on May 20 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉https://www.mediafactory.org/?modal=77,episode,236197

There will be no school on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. School will resume on Tuesday, May 27.

Congratulations to EHS senior, Nora Austin, for being named a semifinalist in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Nora was one of six semifinalists named in the state of Vermont. The semifinalists were selected from over 6,000 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2025.

The second annual EWSD Potluck & Multicultural Festival took place earlier this month. 🌍✨ Families from across the District came together to share delicious dishes inspired by their cultures, enjoy fun activities, and win exciting prizes. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success!

Bringing your own reusable bags saves the environment and allows the pantry to focus more on food for your family!
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, May 22, from 3-6 p.m. Beginning at 3 p.m., families arriving will be given a number and asked to wait in the sanctuary until their number is called. They will then complete their registration. A volunteer will greet and escort them around the pantry, allowing them to make food selections of their choosing. After the 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. The pantry asks for proof of residence for each household in the form of a current utility bill with a physical address listed.
In lieu of this, families may provide a current correspondence from a government agency or other official mail. Identification for each household member may consist of a driver’s license, hospital card, insurance card, school-issued identification, social security card, or birth certificate. 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.
There will also be shopping carts available for those living within walking distance of the pantry. Families 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 the family, and a 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-either 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, June 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

16 ADL students had fun making food for others during Choice block. Over a few weeks, they prepared food for staff, the front office, and a few teachers who recently had a baby or are expecting! They also delivered food to the local rescue and fire department to thank them for all they do. Some of their creations included peanut butter cookies, lemon muddy buddies, chicken salad, and chicken rice soup.

Congratulations to EHS senior, Eli Chaffee, who was honored at the National Football Hall of Fame - Vermont Chapter at Castleton for his contribution to Essex Hornets Football, academics, and community service.

📢 We're Hiring at Essex Westford School District!
We're currently hiring for several exciting roles, including:
🎨 CTE Design & Creative Media Instructor
🚗 CTE Automotive Technology Instructor
🌟 Special Educator – ExCEL Program at EHS
📚 Library Technical Assistant at EHS
🤝 Mainstream Instructional Assistant at EHS
🧠 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
👉 Explore all current openings and apply at: www.ewsd.org/jobs

EHS senior, Hannah Beaupre, will be attending the nursing program at Southern Connecticut State University after graduation! Do you have a senior graduating this year? We want to celebrate them! 🎓🐝🎉 Share a photo of your senior with communications@ewsd.org.

Summit Street students teamed up with the Essex Tree Advisory Committee to plant one Summit tree at Hiawatha and one Summit tree at Fleming as part of Arbor Day. Like our future communities at Hiawatha and Fleming, these trees will grow strong over time!

Congrats to a pair of Hornet basketball players who were honored for their performances this past season! Senior Alexa Rabidoux was named to the First Team in the highly competitive Metro Division. In addition to this prestigious honor, Alexa was selected to participate in the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association (VBCA) Senior Game - an event that showcases the state’s top senior talent. Sophomore Colleen Sonnick was recognized with Honorable Mention honors in the Metro Division. In addition, she was selected as one of only eight players statewide in Division I to receive the VBCA Outstanding Underclassman Award, a prestigious honor recognizing top-performing young talent.

Summit Street held its first Fun Run Club - students completed laps around the playground!

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. Save the date for this fun event that will take place on May 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Founders Memorial School. There will be dinner, music, active games and quiet activities for kids, and community connections! Please RSVP to this event by Wednesday, May 14.
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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9ik2C6mg344lLH8IoT7FyzCHKbiQh-QujWAOIPUgWO4kMrw/viewform

EMS students Sammy, Paige, and Alice represented Vermont’s Level 6 State Gymnastics team at the Northeast Regionals in Springfield, MA, where the top seven gymnasts from each New England state and New York competed.

Author David Covell visited Hiawatha School to talk to students about writing, reading, and storytelling! Covell is the author and illustrator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award winner, Run Wild.

Please be advised that there may be increased traffic near Essex High School on May 8, 9, and 10, as EHS will be hosting the Vermont All-State Music Festival.