As we get closer to the budget vote, we want to explain some of the language you will see on the ballot to help avoid confusion. The proposed budget keeps school spending at the same level as this year, which was a big challenge. To do this, we had to cut $5.6 million. This means that any changes in property taxes will come from the state’s funding rules and rising home values, not from local school spending decisions. 👇👇
In music, Fleming students have been developing their focus, discipline, and perseverance in a fun way by learning to play the ukulele. They end this 6-week unit by choosing a preferred song to perform either solo or with friends. In beginning band, students have been focusing on listening to each other and developing their ability to play in harmony and stay in tune as a group. Chorus students begin each rehearsal with vocal warm-ups that include breathing exercises, stretches, and posture practice, and they always end with singing a fun song together before heading off to class for the day!
🔔 Reminder there is no school on Monday, March 31. School will resume on Tuesday, April 1.
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.
🎉 This week's employee spotlight is Bridget Bellizia 🎉 "Bridget is a great asset to EES students and staff. She always goes above and beyond to help students and colleagues!".... Is there an EWSD employee you'd like to nominate for the spotlight? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Aykx7NNp6bzdLgcB9
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
EHS Senior Aaron Ho participated in the Twin State Senior Bowling Classic in Claremont, NH on March 8. The top 10 high school senior bowlers from Vermont and New Hampshire competed in the tournament. With a score of 4-2, Vermont won for the first time since 2017.
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.
Essex High School junior Holden Friesel will have a world premiere performance at the Music-COMP’s Opus 39 Concert on Monday, March 24. He has been working one-on-one with composers/mentors through Music-COMP, a nonprofit based in Waterbury, for the past few months to compose and finalize his own piece of music. Holden prepared for the premiere of his new music by taking part in rehearsals with professional musicians, attending workshops by special guest presenters, and being interviewed for a documentary compiled by LCATV. The Opus 39 concert is free and open to the public. Special 30th Anniversary Donor Seats can be reserved online. Visit Music-Comp online for more information: https://music-comp.org/opus-39
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 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
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
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? 🌼
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
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 ADL theater will be performing Beetlejuice Jr.! To purchase tickets, visit the ADL front office or call (802) 878-1388. Admission for adults is $7, children/seniors are $5. The first showing will be on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Cameron Stultz, a senior at Essex High School, was named a candidate in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program from the U.S. Department of Education and the Commission on Presidential Scholars.
The 2025 EHS Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 14!
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
