The EWSD is pleased to present the updated handbook for the Essex Westford School District. This handbook serves as a guide to our school policies, procedures, and expectations and is a valuable resource for both students and their families. 👉 Visit www.ewsd.org/handbook to review it online.
👏 As we get ready to kick off a new school year, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to our amazing facilities team. You’ve been working hard all summer to get our schools ready, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thanks to your dedication, our students and staff will return to clean, safe, and welcoming spaces. We appreciate everything you do! 👏
Excellent performances last month from the Hiawatha second-graders during their talent show! 🤩
Hiawatha kindergarteners gave a heartfelt send-off to the third graders with their beloved flower ceremony. Each kindergartener gifted a flower, a hug, and a cheerful "see you down the road!" as the third graders get ready to move on to their next school — for many, that’s Fleming School! 💐
Students at FMS got a special treat during Field Day with visits from a local EMS truck and fire truck! They had the chance to tour the EMS vehicle and then cool off as the fire truck sprayed water across the sidewalk. A huge thank you to our first responders for making the day extra memorable! 💦👨🚒
FMS and Westford were honored as gold-level asthma-friendly schools for 2024-25, while Hiawatha earned silver status. Read the full release: https://www.ewsd.org/article/2323389
Fleming held a poetry slam, where students read some of their favorite poems in front of their peers! 🎤✨
The Westford school and community members enjoyed a special evening of art, music, and community celebration during its annual Fine Arts Night.
Thank you to the Special Education Parent Advisory Council for all their work this year in supporting the EWSD. This group comes together to discuss how to improve engagement with families and the District on special education implementation and practices.
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!
During the last few weeks of school, FMS received a special visit from the New York Times best-selling author Kate Messner!
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!