🎉 This week's employee spotlight is Kamala Symula 🎉
"Kam is a true example of an amazing educator. She treats all students with dignity and compassion and goes above and beyond to create inclusive opportunities for all. Kam works well beyond the school day to allow students to participate in extracurricular activities. She also supports their challenges and successes across all settings. In addition, she collaborates and supports all of her colleagues in a similar fashion. Kam makes a positive impact on absolutely everyone who crosses her path and our school is a better place because of her."
.... Is there an EWSD employee you'd like to nominate for the spotlight? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Aykx7NNp6bzdLgcB9
Last night at the EWSD Board meeting, the District provided a budget presentation (https://bit.ly/012125EWSDslides) focused on reimagining a delivery model with affordability in mind. This is in line with the guidance that the Board had provided the District, focusing on maintaining level net education spending for FY26, and requires wide-sweeping changes to the fundamental systems, structures, and strategies of the District.
The Heavenly Pantry at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Essex
Junction will be open to families on Thursday, January 23, from 3-6 p.m. Â
Residents of Essex, Essex Junction, and Westford are welcome to enter the front
door of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction where they will be
given a number and asked to wait in the sanctuary until it is their turn to register.
The pantry asks that those coming to the pantry limit their visits to once a month.
Those needing food but unable to attend can call the church office at 878-5745 Ext.
4 from 9-12 p.m. today through Thursday to arrange a delivery. Return calls to
complete registration will happen on Thursday.
The next pantry will be held on Monday, February 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Center for Technology will be hosting two open house events on February 8 & 13! 🔎 Learn more and register for workshops on our Discover CTE Open House page: www.ewsd.org/o/cte/page/discover-cte
Are you a community member who would like to receive the latest EWSD budget updates through email? Use this form to sign up today: https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgetnews
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
ADL students created paper mache stars that will be donated to a local retirement community. This is one of the community service projects ADL students participate in as part of the school’s CREW work. CREW is a student-designed and student run program that focuses on community, relationships, engagement, and well-being.
Your voice matters! Have a question or feedback about the EWSD budget? Submit those using this anonymous form: https://bit.ly/EWSDFY26BudgetFeedback
We will theme questions/feedback we receive and address them during weekly virtual BudgetTalk conversations (https://bit.ly/EWSDbudgettalk) and post answers on our budget website (www.ewsd.org/budget).
Westford teacher Sarah Lothrop was recognized for her exceptional impact as a FIRST LEGO League mentor at the FIRST LEGO League Northern Qualifier held in Shelburne on December 14, 2024. Lothrop is a first-year FLL mentor, leading a beginner team of 4th-grade students. Her enthusiasm and commitment to student learning were on full display as her team, the PanDucks, practiced poise, kindness, and confidence throughout all components of the competition. The award was presented during the event's closing ceremonies. This recognition goes to the mentor who inspires their team to do their best, both as individuals and together. Her leadership and guidance are evident and exemplify the FIRST Core Values.
đź”” Reminder that there will be no school on Monday, January 20. School will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
🎉 This week's employee spotlight is Katie Hamm 🎉 "She is a very nice teacher and always helps the students who need it" .... Is there an EWSD employee you'd like to nominate for the spotlight? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Aykx7NNp6bzdLgcB9
Westford Elementary School's four FIRST LEGO League teams (serving grades 4-6) have all advanced through regional qualifiers. They will participate in the Vermont State Championships hosted at GlobalFoundries on January 18. Westford teams (Atlantic Pandas, Pacific Pandas, PanDucks, and Prodigy Pandas) have each put in almost 80 hours of work to reach this milestone, developing teamwork, leadership, resilience, and perseverance along the way. For more information on upcoming events, visit firstinvermont.org.
Your voice matters! Learn more about the EWSD budgeting process by viewing the EWSD budget website (www.ewsd.org/budget) for the latest news, frequently asked questions, blog posts, articles, and more!
There are links near the top of the page that allow you to share any budget questions that you may have and also sign up to receive budget communication emails directly from the District.
In 2024, our Facebook stories and celebrations reached over 160,000 people! A huge thank you to all our #EWSD followers for your likes, comments, and shares—and for joining us in celebrating our amazing students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned for even more updates as we continue showcasing the incredible things happening at EWSD in 2025!
Founders Memorial School third-grade teachers, Kaylee Svitak and Julie Guerino, have been nominated for National Life Group’s 2024-25 LifeChanger of the Year award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in students' lives by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership. Seventeen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2024-2025 school year. Winners will receive one of 17 cash prizes up to $10,000 to be shared with their school.
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 Monday, January 13, from 5:30-7:30 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 households who fall below federally mandated guidelines. Visits to the pantry are now limited to one per household per calendar month.
The next food pantry distribution will be Thursday, January 23.
Essex High School students Emma Airoldi, Jonathan McNamara, and Jacob Shevchik received congressional nominations to be members of the Class of 2029 at the United States Service Academies. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch, and Rep. Becca Balint recognized twenty Vermonters during an annual reception at the Vermont State House. Before the ceremony, nominees and current Service Academy students were invited to a roundtable discussion. The five U.S. military academies include the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. As part of the application requirements, applicants to U.S. Service Academies must receive a nomination.
At the December auditions for the New England Music Festival, adjudicators were tasked with nominating only one truly outstanding student performance from all the auditions they heard. Essex High School senior and bassoonist Hailey Messier received this honor and was chosen to perform in the festival's solo concert: https://www.nemfa.org/
🎥 The #EWSD Board Meeting on January 7 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉 https://www.mediafactory.org/?modal=77,episode,234301
