Essex Westford School District

EES students had the opportunity to vote on a new addition to their playground—and they chose a tire swing! The New York Life Insurance Company held a walk-a-thon fundraiser with the goal of raising funds for new playground equipment for EES. Upon completion of the fundraiser, the formal grant request was submitted and accepted in the amount of $10,000!

Thomas Fleming School, which will be serving grades 3-5 next school year, held an open house for current 2nd and 3rd grade families. Families and students were able to tour the school, talk with teachers, and have a sneak peek of what their next school year will look like!

EHS Athletic Leadership Council students visited Summit Street School, Hiawatha School, and Essex Elementary School to share their love of reading! The high school students read their favorite books. It was exciting and nostalgic for some high school students to return to their first classrooms in the EWSD. EHS ALC students and advisors would like to thank the elementary schools for welcoming them. A special thanks to Casey Lee (Summit), Karen Harvey (HIA), and Brooke Robbins (EES) for coordinating this event!

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, April 24, from 3-6 p.m. Families 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 for food. A volunteer will greet and escort them around the pantry, allowing them to make selections of their choosing. 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. 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 878-5745 ext. 4 between 9 a.m. and noon today through Thursday to leave contact information (name, address, number of household members, phone number) so arrangements for delivery can be made. A follow up call to complete registration will take place on Thursday morning. Families are currently able to visit the pantry once each month- either 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. The next food pantry distribution will be on Monday, May 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Hiawatha Parent Teacher Organization sponsored its annual spring dance. This time, students were able to vote on the theme. They chose 'Enchanted Forest'. The parents and volunteers magically turned the gymnasium into a mystical forest with unicorns, fairies, mushrooms, and more! 🧚🦄✨🎉🍄

🌿 The EWSD April Family Newsletter is out now 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/2g4kz

Several students at Hiawatha participated in the Youth Art Month Show: Brushstrokes for Wellness at the Vermont Statehouse. Their artwork was on display for all to see! This art show is an excellent opportunity to celebrate creativity alongside young artists across Vermont.

ADL students showcased their science projects during their science fair in the gym. Each student had the chance to present their project and explain their findings. Teachers and classmates got to explore, ask questions, and celebrate all the hard work that went into these amazing projects! 🔎💡🐾

All Hiawatha students went outside to cheer on the third graders who are taking the Vermont State Assessment for the first time. Students cheered with positive affirmations and signs! 🎉🎉

🔔 Reminder there is no school on Monday, April 21 to Friday, April 25 for Spring Break. School will resume on Monday, April 28.

🎥 The #EWSD Board Meeting on April 15 is now available to watch thanks to the Media Factory 👉 https://www.mediafactory.org/?modal=77,episode,235648

The EWSD is pleased to report that the Commission on Public Schools of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges has granted Essex High School continued accreditation. 🐝👍 Learn more: https://www.ewsd.org/o/ehs/article/2130147

A group of EHS students, known as the Hornet Hibachi Team, entered the Jr. Iron Chef Vermont Competition. 🍽️👏🐝 Their dish, Gochujang Mushroom Tacos with VT Rainbow slaw, pickled onions, and mango salsa, earned them a top contender badge. The team executed the recipe perfectly, adapted as needed, and had a lot of fun working together. As an entirely 9th-grade team, they have a lot of motivation for next year! Congratulations to team members Avery, Claire, Emma, Nina, and Will.

Essex High School Counselor Aaron Mason was honored with the Vermont School Counselor Association Rising Star Award. This award recognizes an individual who has entered the school counseling profession within the last five years. The award winner is a model for new counselors, demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, outstanding contributions to the school community and/or profession, and has demonstrated strong rapport with students, parents/guardians, and school personnel.

Essex High School student Ari Glasser placed second in Sen. Bernie Sanders' fifteenth annual State of the Union Essay Contest, which gives Vermont high school students the opportunity to describe a major issue facing our country and propose what they would do to solve it. Glasser wrote about the influence of billionaires in our political system. EHS student Emilee Brownell was also a contest finalist.

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, April 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Families can visit the pantry once each calendar month- either 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 Thursday, April 24, from 3-6 p.m.

Tonight is the EWSD Fine Arts Night! This event will be held at Essex High School. The evening performance schedule begins at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks, followed by the orchestra, band, chorus, and then a theater performance. For more information, visit www.ewsd.org/fineartsnight 🖌️🎨🎭🥳👏💙🎶🎤🎻🎷

Voting will take place today, Tuesday, April 8, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the following locations: City residents at the Champlain Valley Expo; Essex Town residents outside the City at Essex Middle School; and Westford residents at Westford School.

📚 Today kicks off National Library Week! National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support. Share a memory or shoutout an EWSD librarian 👉 https://bit.ly/42pnXah