Dear EWSD Families,

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting. The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

Increase in-person learning for middle and high school students
The new guidance has allowed us to plan for more in-person instruction in grades 6-12. The most impactful change is for grades 7-12 with the switch to three-foot physical distancing when possible. Although this will help us to increase the number of students in classrooms, we will still need to follow six-foot physical distancing when contact tracing, which may impact the need to turn to remote learning more often. We know this is difficult for families and our hope is that we see a decrease in positive cases in our schools and community.

A challenge that the guidance presents to us is lunchtime. The guidance for grades 7-12 is six-foot distancing while eating due to the removal of the face mask. We are working through this, your student may see a change at lunchtime. Each school has its own challenges with this and will be working on the logistics. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could count on great weather through the end of the school year so everyone could eat outside? 

We know social and emotional learning is important and we know many students need a sense of normalcy. We want to provide a time where kids can be together before the summer and coming back in the fall. 

Essex High School choice to attend four days a week
Essex High School will continue to offer the two-day hybrid model with three remote learning days, and fully remote for those families where health concerns and quarantine warrants it. 

Additionally, Essex High School now has an opportunity to welcome those students needing additional academic or social-emotional learning and support to attend in person for four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). 

Wednesdays will continue to be a synchronous remote learning day (except for the accommodations for those students who have been attending all week already).

Four days per week will begin on May 10. Families will receive information soon to confirm if their child(ren) needs to attend in-person learning four days per week. From a preliminary survey, we are not anticipating a large number of families choosing to return to four days per week.

Center for Technology, Essex choice to attend four days per week 
All students will continue to follow a hybrid schedule. Students who choose to attend the two additional days will receive the same lesson twice; once with their original cohort and again on the additional day(s). 

• This ‘double dose’ approach will absolutely benefit students who are falling behind in academic/technical skills attainment but may prove to be frustrating to those students who are making good progress
• The shift is meant to serve both the academic and social/emotional needs of students who will benefit from increased in-person instruction

Four-day a week by choice will begin on May 10. CTE will be reaching out to you soon for confirmation from those wanting to attend four days a week of in-person learning.

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

Be well,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org

Dear EWSD Families,

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting.  The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

Increase in-person learning for middle and high school students:
The new guidance has allowed us to plan for more in-person instruction in grades 6-12. The most impactful change is for grades 7-12 with the switch to three-foot physical distancing when possible. Although this will help us to increase the number of students in classrooms, we will still need to follow six-foot physical distancing when contact tracing, which may impact the need to turn to remote learning more often. We know this is difficult for families and our hope is that we see a decrease in positive cases in our schools and community.

A challenge that the guidance presents to us is lunchtime. The guidance for grades 7-12 is six-foot distancing while eating due to the removal of the face mask. We are working through this, your student may see a change at lunchtime. Each school has its own challenges with this and will be working on the logistics. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could count on great weather through the end of the school year so everyone could eat outside? 

We know social and emotional learning is important and we know many students need a sense of normalcy. We want to provide a time where kids can be together before the summer and coming back in the fall. 

Middle School moving to four days in-person learning
In order to provide more in-person time for middle school students and to accommodate families who are nervous to come back fully in person, we are offering two options:

1. Four days of in-person learning - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday will be remote asynchronous learning.
2. Our middle school Remote Academy is at capacity, but we will find ways to host virtual live instruction with their teachers and provide asynchronous learning.  Wednesdays will be dedicated to these students either virtually or in small group in-person learning.  

Your principal will be reaching out to families to get a confirmation from those wanting to attend four days a week in-person learning.

Schedule for moving to four days a week: We feel it is important to have a staggered start at our larger middle schools.

May 3 - Westford seventh and eighth-graders begins in-person four days a week

May 3 - Sixth graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

May 10 - Seventh graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

May 13 - Eighth graders at ADL and EMS begins in-person four days a week

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

Be well,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

Dear EWSD Families,

Thank you for showing your support by voting ‘yes’ for our District budget. It truly is focused on our students and the common values that we share as a community. It was great to have so many people vote!

As we come to the end of the school year we want to maximize the opportunity for in-person instruction while not forcing any student or family to do something they are not comfortable with. The Essex Westford School District recognizes the importance of in-person learning and is seeking to provide access to it as soon as we are safely able to do so.  

In being transparent, I want to let you know that we have been working on bringing our middle and high schools in for more in-person learning. In March, we had high positive COVID numbers in the community and within the EWSD. The high number of cases in March, unfortunately, lead to more remote learning. This has played into our decision-making, as we know this is not easy for families and staff. 

Below is a graph that represents our positive COVID cases since the start of the school year. It is clear that in March we experienced the highest total. This graph represents a combination of students and staff:

As of today, we have had a total of 27 positive cases in April. The Vermont Department of Health has verified that most of our cases have been community spread although we have traced some back to the school setting.  The majority of cases in this graph represent no school contact. 

On April 8, we received new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. This new guidance has three main goals:

1. End the year strong and safely, following applicable and relevant health and safety guidance 
2. Work to increase in-person instruction for students to the greatest extent possible 
3. Begin Education Recovery planning and activities for our students

REMINDER - All K-5, as well as Westford (only) 6th grade will move to in-person learning five days a week starting on April 26, 2021 - EES, FMS, SUM, HIA, and FLM K-5 students and Westford K-6 will be back in person five days a week. On each Wednesday, there will be a one-hour early release. 

Our K-5 Remote Academy will continue for those who have previously enrolled.

As we plan for more in-person learning, we need to have a decrease in positive cases in the community and in our schools. As more people in the community are vaccinated, Governor Scott is hopeful that we will be on the right trend with fewer cases.

I close this letter by sending gratitude to our principals for working out the logistics in making more in-person learning a priority while still maintaining some level of choice for families. I appreciate the creativity and flexibility of our teachers as they want what is best for all our students. 

Thank you to our families for being nimble as we do our best in this pandemic. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy. Remember, please keep your child home if they have the slightest symptoms, this is helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

As always, it is a pleasure to work with the EWSD team as we strive to do what is best for our students and families.

Be well,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

On April 14, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Center for Technology, Essex community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our CTE community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, April 15. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about eight members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School (2), Founders Memorial (2), Summit Street (2), the Center for Technology, Essex, and Essex Middle School. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12+ months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, April 12, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families and Staff, 

The new Safety and Health Guidance (Spring 2021) has been released from the Agency of Education. As we implement this new guidance, we wanted to inform you of the changes.

• Effective immediately, we will no longer be checking student temperatures at building entrances each day
• Staff and families will be expected to ensure the following is true before entering EWSD buildings each and every day:

• Temperature is monitored each morning, at home. If the temperature is 100.4 or higher, then the student or staff member must stay home.

• If any of the following symptoms are experienced, the individual should remain home and their health care provider or school nurse should be consulted: cough, fever (100.4 or greater), shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle pain or body aches, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (diarrhea is defined as frequent loose or watery stools compared to one’s normal pattern)

• If the individual has been considered a close contact to a person who has tested positive for Covid-19, either a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative Covid-19 PCR test result must take place before returning to work or school. 

• If an individual is not fully vaccinated and has traveled outside of Vermont, a Covid-19 test should be obtained within three days after returning to Vermont. The individual is not required to quarantine. Please note, the CDC is still advising against travel at this time.

• Please continue to communicate the results of any and all Covid-19 tests for any reason to the school nurse for your building. 

• Fully vaccinated means that a full two weeks (14 days) have passed since the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two full weeks (14 days) after the one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. If a vaccinated individual experiences any of the above symptoms, they should stay home from school or work and contact their healthcare provider. 

• Face coverings remain a requirement on EWSD property. This requirement includes parents/guardians and siblings during student drop-off and pick-up times at our buildings. 

The number of positive cases of Covid-19 is still high in both our state and community. Please continue to follow safety guidelines to help keep our school community safe. 

Thank you,

The EWSD Nurses

On April 7, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex Elementary kindergarten community and Essex Middle School sixth-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our EES and EMS communities that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex Elementary School and Essex Middle School will both still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, April 8. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear Families and Staff,

The School Nutrition Association of Vermont (SNA-VT) has been working with Hunger Free Vermont to collect data and evidence on the impact of Universal School Meals (USM), which have been piloted statewide during this past year in response to the pandemic and allow all students to eat school meals for free.

They are seeking to collect stories about the economic, academic, and social-emotional impacts of USM from staff and stakeholders from school districts across the state.

SNA-VT has crafted a survey that they would like to share with all Vermont teachers, administrators, school nurses, parent/guardians, and students across the state. The information gathered from this survey will be shared with their Federal delegation and State Legislators to demonstrate the need for the continuation of Universal School Meals in Vermont. Understandably, there is much work left to do to determine funding sources for USM, and SNA-VT looks forward to participating in those conversations as well.

Thank you for helping by completing this survey!

On April 6, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, April 8. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

On April 5, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Westford School fifth-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Westford School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Westford School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Tuesday, April 6. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On April 2, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street first-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Summit Street community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Summit Street School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, April 5. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about 14 members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School (5), Summit Street School (3), Albert D. Lawton (3), Center for Technology, Essex, Essex Middle School, and Thomas Fleming.

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12+ months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, April 5, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby TONIGHT (April 2) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, April 5, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, April 7. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

On April 1, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Hiawatha third-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Hiawatha community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Hiawatha will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Friday, April 2. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

On March 30, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about two members of our school community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and others who were in contact with a positive case who was not in our District. The positive cases were in the second-grade community at Essex Elementary School and the fifth-grade community at Thomas Fleming, while the close contacts to someone outside of the EWSD were members of our EHS community.

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our EES, Fleming, and EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex Elementary School and Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, April 1, while Thomas Fleming is scheduled to resume in-person learning on Monday, April 5. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community,

Dear EWSD Families and Staff,

As warmer temperatures approach and as the Governor announces new guidelines, the EWSD nurses offer the following reminders and new information:

Symptoms and when to return to school:

• With the increase in the number of positive cases in our District, we ask that even if you have minor symptoms, stay home and call your healthcare provider
• Consider keeping children home if you or another family member is experiencing symptoms. This recommendation is a change from our previous message that was based on current VDH guidelines and is being made now due to the high incidence of positive COVID cases in our community.
• If you suffer from seasonal allergies, consult with your healthcare provider to assure you are treating allergies appropriately and not mistaking those allergies for COVID symptoms. 
• Students who test positive for COVID are now required to provide the school with a medical clearance form to return to school. For those in middle and high school, this may include a return to play for sports and physical education class. Healthcare providers are aware of this and have the documentation that they can fax to the school nurse. 

Close contact communication

• If your student is considered an in-school close contact to a positive member of the EWSD school community, you will get a District-generated phone call and email. Please fill out the Google Form in the email as soon as you receive it. This allows the school nurse in your building to know that you received this information and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get the answers as soon as possible. 

Vaccines

• As adults receive the COVID vaccination, Governor Scott continues to provide families with great opportunities to gather with other families. Keep in mind that we still need to wear masks and maintain physical distancing. 
• Students who travel out of state will still need to follow all of the travel restrictions (except those from two-parent households who travel for custodial visits). 

To read the full in-depth update from our nurses, please view this document online. Or, you can also visit the EWSD COVID information page for the latest updates and announcements. 

Hopefully, as more Vermonters are eligible to receive the vaccine, we will see fewer restrictions. In the meantime, never hesitate to get a COVID test if you feel you may have been exposed to the virus or are having symptoms. If we all do what we can now to prevent the spread of the virus, we help keep our community as safe as possible. 

Thank you!

The EWSD Nurses

The Essex High School will be fully remote on Monday, March 29 for all students due to a shortage of staff and substitutes. The Center for Technology, Essex will still be open as scheduled.

EHS teachers will follow up with students with more information.

Due to an increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases over the last two weeks, Albert D. Lawton, Summit Street School, and Thomas Fleming will each transition to fully remote learning starting tomorrow and continuing through Friday, April 2.  

If you or your child(ren) feel even mild symptoms, such as achiness and fatigue, we recommend that you get tested for COVID-19, as Chittenden County is experiencing a high number of positive cases of late. 

If you have been contacted separately in regards to being a close contact for one of the positive cases, your child or you as a staff member will need to continue to quarantine and test as directed.

Your individual school will be reaching out to share more information about remote learning for this week and we will also pass along further information about meal kits for our students who will be learning remotely by tomorrow morning.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your school principal.

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

bcobb@ewsd.org 

On March 28, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street second-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Summit Street School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

On March 27, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Albert D. Lawton sixth-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our ADL community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Albert D. Lawton will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 29. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

On March 26, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Thomas Fleming fifth-grade community, a member of our Albert D. Lawton seventh-grade community, and a member of our Summit Street School kindergarten community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Fleming, ADL, and Summit communities that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Thomas Fleming, Summit Street, and Albert D. Lawton will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 29. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about five members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Summit Street School (2), Essex High School, Center for Technology, Essex, and Essex Middle School.  

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12+ months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 29, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby TONIGHT (March 26) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, March 29, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, March 31. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 25, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Friday, March 26. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 24, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street School second-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as a member of our kindergarten community who is presumed positive. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Summit community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Summit Street School will return to in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, March 25. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure you/your household are washing their hands.
• Make sure you are wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear Summit Street Families and Staff, 

Summit Street School will return for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow (Thursday, March 25). As we work through the various moving pieces, please note that it is possible that we may need to pivot back to fully remote learning at some point. 

We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions that you may have.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work through this together.   

Sincerely, 

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org

On March 22, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Summit Street School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases over the last week, all Summit Street School students and staff will take part in remote learning on Tuesday, March 23, and Wednesday, March 24 as the school will be closed to in-person learning.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear ADL Students and Families, 

I am writing to inform you that ADL will return for in-person learning as scheduled as part of our hybrid model starting again tomorrow (Tuesday, March 23). As we work through the various moving pieces, please note that it is possible that we may need to pivot back to fully remote learning at some point. 

We are managing staffing day-by-day and as long as we are able to support our students effectively, our goal is to continue with our hybrid schedule of in-person learning. 

We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work through this together.   

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Wood
jwood@ewsd.org

On March 21, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about three members of our Albert D. Lawton community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Albert D. Lawton community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Due to three positive COVID-19 cases that we have learned about today, and additional contact tracing that still needs to be completed, all ADL students and staff will take part in remote learning on Monday, March 22 as the school will be closed to in-person learning.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Due to three positive COVID-19 cases that we have learned about today, and additional contact tracing that still needs to be completed, all ADL students and staff will take part in remote learning on Monday, March 22 as the school will be closed to in-person learning.

In regards to Tuesday, March 23 and beyond, the EWSD will provide further information to all ADL families and staff on Monday, March 22. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our ADL community who were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

On March 20, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Center for Technology, Essex community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at CTE. The members of our CTE community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

The Center for Technology, Essex will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 22. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 19, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about two members of our school community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and others who were in contact with a positive case who was not part of our District.

The positive cases were in the seventh-grade community at ADL and kindergarten community at Summit Street School, while the close contacts to someone outside of the EWSD were members of our EHS community. 

We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms.

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the people who had tested positive were not exposed to the virus in school. The members of our three school communities that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 22. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about four members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School (2), Founders, and Westford.  

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 22, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby TONIGHT (March 19) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, March 22, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, March 24. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 18, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a positive COVID-19 case that was outside of our District, but a close contact with members of our Westford School community (grades 5-8). 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Westford School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Westford School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 22. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 18, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street School second-grade community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Summit. The members of our Summit Street community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Summit Street School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 22. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families and Staff, 

As COVID-19 guidelines change, the Essex Westford School District school nurses would like to provide you with reminders and updated information. We greatly appreciate all you do to keep our school community safe and healthy. 

There have been several positive student or staff cases in our District that have not had an impact on the whole school community. These are cases when there is a positive with no school contact during the infectious period. We appreciate it when affected families or staff members let the school nurse, in their building, know when this has occurred. It gives us the opportunity to work with you to ensure that learning can continue and the return to school date is appropriate. Please call or email your school nurse if your family has received a positive COVID-19 test. 

Please remember that when testing is required for school, the test must be a PCR test. Under the direction of the Vermont Department of Health, schools can not accept the result of a rapid test. 

For staff, please know that when surveillance testing from the AOE is offered, having received the vaccine does not mean that you are excluded from testing. The vaccine will not give you a false-positive test result.

When students arrive at school we continue to expect that the following is true:

• Families are asked to screen their child for illness each day. Children must not come to school if they are sick. 
• If your child has any of the following symptoms, they must stay home: Cough, muscle pain or body aches, fever (100.4 or greater), headache, shortness of breath, sore throat, chills, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (diarrhea is defined as frequent loose or watery stools compared to child’s normal pattern).
• In addition, if your child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days, they must stay home. Please contact your school nurse to review the quarantine plan. 

Have you traveled outside the State of Vermont in the past 14 days? 

If yes, you must stay home. All travel outside of Vermont requires a 14-day quarantine upon return to Vermont or a seven-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test. Travel that is considered essential, does not require this quarantine. Please see the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and Department of Health for additional details. Please notify your school if your student will be traveling. 

For those who are fully vaccinated, there are no longer travel restrictions. However, to be considered fully vaccinated, you must be a full two weeks past your final vaccination date. Flying is still not recommended no matter your vaccination status. 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 18, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Summit Street School. Through contact tracing, we have found no close contacts for this case.  

Summit Street School is still open for in-person learning as scheduled today, Thursday, March 18. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about six members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School (4), CTE, and Summit Street.  

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 15, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby tonight (March 12) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, March 15, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, March 17. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 9, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EHS/CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, March 11. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 8, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex Middle School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EMS. The members of our EMS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex Middle School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Tuesday, March 9. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families,

With warmer weather approaching, giving us the ability to get outside and open up the windows, as well as the availability for many of our teachers and staff to now receive the COVID vaccine, students in grades K-5 will be returning to in-person learning five days a week (with an early release on Wednesdays) starting on Monday, April 26, 2021. 

We will be able to continue with five days a week of in-person learning for K-5 as long as we have the staff needed to maintain continuous learning, cleaning, delivering of food and transportation, and with the vaccine, this is seemingly possible. 

It is our hope that the vaccine will help reduce the number of missed days of work that have caused our buildings to be short-staffed due to COVID symptoms and/or being a close contact with a positive case. 

Governor Scott and Secretary of Education French are pushing for Vermont to get students K-12 back to fully in-person learning five days a week after April break. I don’t know one person in Vermont who doesn’t want this for our children.

But until the physical distancing guidelines are eliminated for grades 6-12, we struggle to find a way that we can be fully in-person for those grade levels. Not being able to have groups of over 25 people in a single space is also a challenge.  

The physical distance guidelines did change for sixth graders, as they were reduced to three feet, but even then we continue to find this a challenge at ADL and EMS. Class sizes are large and the classrooms don’t have enough space to accommodate all the students and maintain even the shorter physical distancing requirement. Westford, being smaller, has been able to figure out a way to bring sixth-grade students back fully in person and follow the guidelines. 

The Governor has asked school districts across the state to be creative in figuring out ways to bring all students back fully in-person. We will continue to problem-solve and find alternative ways to do this, but at this time, we are bound to the guidelines and struggle to figure out how to bring 1,600 students into EHS/CTE or 300-400 students into ADL or EMS.

We will continue to keep you updated and provide more information as it becomes available.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

On March 8, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Albert D. Lawton community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at ADL. The members of our ADL community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Albert D. Lawton will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Tuesday, March 9. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby tonight (March 5) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, March 8, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, March 10. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

On March 5, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about positive COVID-19 cases that were outside of our District, but close contacts with members of our Essex High School community. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. The members of our Essex High School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EHS will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 8. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about six members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID.

The positive cases were at Albert D. Lawton, Center for Technology, Essex, Essex Elementary, Essex High School (2), and Founders Memorial. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 12 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 8, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 4, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Friday, March 5. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On March 3, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about two members of our Summit Street School community, one in prekindergarten and one in first grade, who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the people who tested positive were not exposed to the virus at Summit Street School. The members of our Summit community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Summit Street School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, March 4. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On February 28, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier tonight, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 1. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about a member of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. This member was not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive case was at Hiawatha. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In this scenario, the positive case had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 11 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

Hiawatha will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 1, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On February 22, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex Elementary pre-kindergarten community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier tonight, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EES. The members of our Essex Elementary community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EES will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 1. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about three members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex Elementary, Summit Street, and the Center for Technology, Essex. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In these scenarios, the positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 10 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, March 1, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On February 17, the Essex Westford School District learned about a probable positive COVID-19 case for a person in our Essex High School community from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has the probable positive was not exposed to the virus at Essex High School. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, February 18. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD K-5 Families,

In December we shared that our K-5 schools would transition to a four-day week of in-person learning starting on January 4 and that we would reassess the model in February. We wanted to share that K-5 schools will continue to take part in remote learning on Wednesdays. 

We understand that remote Wednesdays are a hardship for many families and we are all doing our best to stay open for in-person learning. We are fortunate to live in Vermont, where our COVID cases rank among the lowest in the nation and our safety protocols are working. 

While it’s clear at this point in the school year that everyone, families included, has been doing their part to make this school year safe and healthy for our students, the pandemic is still with us and continues to threaten the continuation of in-person instruction. As we said in December, our goal is to maximize in-person instruction without risking us needing to go fully remote. 

The EWSD believes that in-person instruction is best for our students and we are thankful for every day we have them in our classrooms. We know our system has been able to sustain in-person learning due to our remote Wednesdays. With the four-day week of in-person learning, we have been able to maintain the services and supports that all of our children need, from meal services to custodial coverage.  

We intend to continue to monitor the data and look to reassess again in April if five days a week is possible and sustainable. From our experience in the fall with COVID, the warmer weather may again provide more opportunity with open windows and more outside learning to return to full in-person. While moving to five days a week is not guaranteed, we know it’s preferable and in everyone’s best interest as long as it can be safe and sustainable.

Going forward we ask everyone to remain vigilant. It’s clear that when our families and staff follow the quarantining guidelines from the Vermont Department of Health we all contribute to having low numbers of positive COVID cases in our schools. By following state guidelines and our own protocols, we can continue to slow the spread of the virus and maximize in-person instruction.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On February 17, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Hiawatha community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Hiawatha. The members of our Hiawatha community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Hiawatha will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, February 18. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about one member of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. This member was not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive case was at Essex High School. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In this scenario, the positive case had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last 10 months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

All EWSD schools will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, February 15, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby tonight (February 12) from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, February 15, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, February 17. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

*These will be the last grab & go meal distributions until Monday, March 1.

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263. Also, please read this information in regards to food storage and heating instructions if needed. 

Following the recent updates from the state concerning athletics and competitions now being allowed, we wanted to share that all Essex High School indoor home competitions this winter will be streamed live and for free. Without fans being allowed inside, we hope this can help families, friends, and community members stay connected with the teams that they like to follow. 

You can view, and subscribe so that you don’t miss a game, to the new EHS Events YouTube channel here! 

The live streaming will cover basketball, hockey, and gymnastics. The ice hockey games and gymnastics exhibition meet have been 'preloaded' as separate links on the channel. Since basketball games will be streamed using a different set up in the gym, those events will be posted approximately 30 minutes prior to game time. 

You can view all EHS winter sports schedules online, and we wanted to give a huge thank you to the EHS Media Department for making this possible!

In the latest update from the Vermont Agency of Education and Agency of Natural Resources, released earlier today, additional clarifications were made around the guidance that they had provided on February 3 and February 5.  

The guidance provides direction on school-sponsored winter sports programs for K-12 students on resuming full team-based practices. This guidance is applicable to both public and independent schools. It was developed with input from public health experts and educators. 

A few of the highlights:

• Should data emerge that indicates evidence of COVID-19 transmission or significant disruption to academic instruction because of sports-related activities, additional restrictions may become necessary, including but not limited to the widespread cancelation of games, meets, competitions and practices. Specifically, if a decision is made at the state or local level to significantly restrict or eliminate in-person instruction as a result of confirmed COVID-19 illness in student(s), all school-based athletic activities in the affected schools shall cease until at least such time as academic instruction is resumed. 
• If permitted under “Guidance for Specific Types of Sports,” school-sponsored winter sports programs may initiate interscholastic games, meets, and competitions no earlier than February 12, 2021, as long as the school is operating under Step III of the Agency of Education’s Strong and Healthy Start guidance. 
• Players, coaches, officials, time and scorekeepers, live video stream – will be allowed to attend school-sponsored indoor sports events. This requirement is in effect regardless of whether the venue is owned or controlled by the school.
• The risk associated with different types of sports programs is a function of the degree of contact between participants and the type of setting or venue in which the contest is held.
• Teams must implement measures to ensure six feet of physical distance is maintained between players not actively involved in game play with particular attention given to ensuring sufficient bench space for physical distancing. 

You can view the full AOE/ANR guidance update from February 9 online. 

If you would like more information, please review Essex High School’s Winter Athletic COVID-19 Guidelines, Procedures & Protocols, which are also used for our middle schools as well. 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On February 7, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex Middle School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EMS. The members of our EMS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex Middle School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, February 8. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

At Governor Scott’s press conference today it was announced that games for school-based and youth teams can begin starting on Friday, February 12. 

We will have more information to share as soon as it's available after the Vermont Agency of Education, Agency of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Vermont Principals’ Association finalize specific guidelines and precautions that will be taken.

Game schedules for EHS teams can be found online. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, February 5 from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, February 8, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, February 10. See the times and locations listed below: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

*Also, on Saturday, February 6, the Vibrant Church (225 Williston Road, South Burlington) will be hosting a ‘Truck to Trunk’ event from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Vibrant volunteers will help you load a FREE box of food right into your trunk. Learn more here. 

In the latest update from the Vermont Agency of Education, released on February 3, new guidance was shared around winter sports programs that we wanted to bring to your attention. 

The guidance provides direction on school-sponsored winter sports programs for students K-12 on resuming full team-based practices. This guidance is applicable to both public and independent schools. It was developed with input from public health experts and educators. 

Updates:

• Competition: Indoor sports involving no or low contact – bowling, dance, and gymnastics – and cheerleading, consistent with the modifications indicated below, may hold virtual competitions where all participants at any individual facility are members of a single team. Officials and judges for virtual competitions are encouraged to utilize remote participation to the maximum extent practicable. When it is necessary for officials or judges to be on-site: a health check must be completed before arriving; facial coverings are required to be worn at all times; and physical distancing must be strictly observed, both between individual officials and between officials and athletes. Interscholastic scrimmages, games, and competitions by any Vermont school-sponsored hockey or basketball team are currently prohibited, both within and outside of Vermont.
• Facial Coverings: A limited exception is provided for gymnasts engaged in activities that require inversion (i.e., tumbling, vaulting, bars, etc.), as well as for participants in Nordic skiing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding – both practice sessions and competitions – so long as physical distancing is consistently maintained between individuals using staggered starts or other means.

You can view the full AOE guidance document online. 

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we continue to focus on ensuring the safety, security, and well being of all EWSD students and staff. If you would like more information, please review Essex High School’s Winter Athletic COVID-19 Guidelines, Procedures & Protocols, which are also used for our middle schools as well. 

The EWSD nurses are frequently asked questions about COVID-19 from both our families and school staff. Here are a few reminders and some new information based on your questions. This information and much more can be found at vermont.health.gov or www.cdc.gov/covid19. 

*What precautions should we be taking with the new variants of COVID-19?

With the new variants of the COVID-19 virus emerging, we need to be even more vigilant in wearing our masks, performing hand hygiene, and maintaining our physical distancing both at school and in the community. 

With some Vermonters now eligible to receive the vaccine, we need to remember that we continue to follow the current AOE and Vermont Department of Health guidance. There has been no change in guidance for those who have received the vaccine. Our strategies to prevent the spread of the virus can only change when the guidance changes. 

*Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have two doses of the vaccine?

Yes. People who get the vaccine should continue taking steps to prevent COVID-19. It takes time for the vaccine to train your body to fight COVID-19, so you may not be protected by the vaccine until a few weeks after your second dose. While the vaccine protects you from illness, we don’t yet know if you can unknowingly spread the virus after you get vaccinated. Until enough people are vaccinated and we know more, we need to follow all safety guidelines like wearing masks, keeping six feet apart, and washing our hands.

*Can I travel after I have received the vaccine?

Even if you have gotten the vaccine, you must quarantine when you travel or return to Vermont under the current travel guidelines. Also, you are not allowed to gather with people you don’t live with under the current social gathering guidelines.

* Can I travel to Vermont? Are out-of-state visitors allowed? Are social gatherings allowed? 

All travel to and from Vermont now requires quarantine. The only exception is essential travel. The Health Department and the CDC strongly recommend not traveling right now. Additionally, as of November 14, 2020, you are not allowed to gather with people you don’t live with. This includes all inside and outside social and entertainment gatherings, and in public and private spaces. This means that visitors to Vermont can only socialize with the people they live with. They can not gather with Vermonters or with people from another household. Learn more about what this means.

*Should I wear a double mask?

At this time, the CDC  does not recommend double masking. The recommendations continue to state that people should wear masks with two or more layers of washable fabric that cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly on the face.

Going into more detail, the CDC recommends the public wear:

• Non-medical disposable masks
• Masks that fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face
• Masks made with breathable fabric such as cotton
• Masks made with tightly woven fabric
• Masks with two or three layers
• Masks with inner filter pockets

However, the Vermont Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mark Levine said at the January 29, 2021 press conference that you should “just wear a mask.” He echoed the CDC in saying one mask is sufficient. Levine also said that if you feel more secure with a double mask, then that is what you should wear. If the one you now wear is slipping or open at the sides a second mask may give you better protection. 

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact your school nurse or visit www.ewsd.org/2020-2021 for the latest COVID news and updates. 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 31, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about two members of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier tonight, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the people who had tested positive were not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EHS will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, February 1. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two-day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, January 29 from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five-day meal kits on Monday, February 1, and one or three-day kits on Wednesday, February 3. See the times and locations listed below. 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 22, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Center for Technology community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier tonight, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at CTE. The members of our CTE community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, January 25. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about two members of our educational community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) this week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The positive cases were at Essex High School and the Center for Technology. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In this scenario, the two positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last nine months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, January 25, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free two day meal kits for the upcoming weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, January 22 from 4-6 p.m. 

We will also be distributing three or five day meal kits on Monday, January 25, and one or three day kits on Wednesday, January 27. See the times and locations listed below. 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 19, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our Essex High School community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EHS will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, January 21. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has learned about five members of our educational community, spread out over four different schools, who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) last week. These members were not in school to possibly expose others to COVID. The four schools were: Essex Elementary, Essex Middle, Hiawatha, and Summit Street. 

The EWSD only sends out individual communications around a positive COVID-19 case at one of our schools if that student or staff member was in one of our buildings while possibly infectious. In this scenario, the five positive cases had no school contact. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last nine months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also keeping our students and staff safe. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday, January 19, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 14, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Founders Memorial community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Founders. The members of our FMS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Founders Memorial will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Friday, January 15. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free three-day meal kits for the upcoming three-day weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, January 15 from 4-6 p.m. 

We will not be distributing meals on Monday, January 18 as normal. Instead, we will be distributing two-day and four-day meal kits on Tuesday, January 19 at the locations listed below. 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m. 
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m.  
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 13, the Essex Westford School District was informed that a member of our Essex High School community tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Through our work with the Vermont Department of Health, we are confident that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. The members of our EHS  community that were close contacts have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Thursday, January 14, 2021.  

At this point, we have no reason to believe that this incident has any connections to the case that was detected this past weekend. We are confident that by continuing with in-person learning this week we are not putting our students and staff in jeopardy.  

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 10, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Due to this, all EHS students and staff will take part in remote learning on Monday, January 11, and Tuesday, January 12, as the school will be closed to in-person learning. All EHS students who attend CTE (Essex, Islands, Georgia, and Westford) will also be remote. CTE students who do not fall in the previously mentioned category can still attend in-person learning tomorrow (Monday, January 11).

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Essex High School. The members of our EHS community who were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Community, 

On January 8, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Essex High School. The members of our EHS community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

EHS and CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on Monday, January 11. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, January 8 from 4-6 p.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District learned about eight members of our educational community, spread out over six different schools, who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) over December break. The six schools involved were: Albert D. Lawton, Essex Elementary, Essex High School, Essex Middle School, Founders Memorial, and Hiawatha. 

The members of our EWSD community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and are quarantining. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

We would like to thank the families and staff who have kept our schools informed over the last nine months when they may have been a close contact or have had a positive case in their family. Whenever one of our schools is alerted of a possible case or close contact, the District works hard to keep the information provided confidential, while also trying to keep our students and staff safe. 

Each EWSD school will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow, Thursday, January 7, 2021. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleanings and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

For more updates related to COVID and how it has affected this school year, please visit our EWSD 2020-21 COVID Information page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EHS community,

The Essex Westford School District believes strongly that school athletics play an important role in the development of our students. Our priority is to provide our student-athletes the opportunity to play the sports that they love in such a way that also preserves in-person instruction for all students. 

In accordance with the guidelines from the Agency of Education and the Vermont Principals’ Association, Essex High School will be having the following sports this winter: alpine skiing, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, gymnastics, hockey, and nordic skiing. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and guideline restrictions, there will be no indoor track or wrestling this winter. 

While the approach to student athletics for the various sports allowed may vary from district to district, our District has determined that EHS winter athletic teams will begin a phased-in start the week of January 11. A schedule of start dates and practice locations, by sport and team, will be announced by the end of this week to students and families. 

All teams, including hockey, will be given a day when they may begin coach-led training and practices during the week of January 11. However, the ice surface in the skating facility will not be available until January 18. The preparation of a safe and quality ice surface is a multi-step process that is currently underway.

Prior to the start of any in-person training and practices, the entire coaching staff will be reviewing COVID protocols and safety measures with the District’s COVID Coordinator. COVID preparations will also include the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the athletic department and individual coaches/practice facilities.

At this time, per the Governor’s emergency orders, only coach-led training and practices will be allowed and competitions would begin in late January if the public health data supports the change. 

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we continue to focus on ensuring the safety, security, and well being of all EWSD students and staff. If you would like more information, please review Essex High School’s Winter Athletic COVID-19 Guidelines, Procedures & Protocols.

Dear EWSD Families,

The EWSD Child Nutrition Program will continue to provide FREE meals at each of our schools for the rest of this school year! If you would like to access these free meals and support the EWSD Child Nutrition Program, please encourage your student to eat breakfast and lunch at school. You do not need to pre-order or register in advance. 

Free meals for our remote learners will continue as well. There is no pre-ordering, registration, or sign up necessary, just show up at any of our open sites listed below. The meals are intended for children 18 and under, but the child does not have to be with you to receive them. 

Meal Pick-Up:

• Wednesday remote learners can pick up one day worth of meals on Wednesdays at any of our three pick up locations (see timing and location information below)
• Cohort A (remote learning on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) can pick up three days worth of meals each Wednesday
• Cohort B (remote learning on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) can pick up three days worth of meals each Monday
• Fully remote learners can pick up five days worth of meals each Monday
• Anyone interested in or in need of meals over the weekend can pick up two days worth of meals each Friday at EHS

Drive-Thru Locations/Hours: 

• Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m on Mondays and Wednesdays
• Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m on Mondays and Wednesdays
• Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m on Mondays and Wednesdays
• Essex High School, 4-6 p.m., on Fridays

It’s important to note that our free meals are not only for families in need, and you will not be taking away a meal from someone who is in need. By picking up the meals or accessing meals at school, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that we can feed, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager Scott Fay at sfay@ewsd.org or 857-7263.

Dear Middle School Families, 

At this time, it is important to note that there is no predetermination when or if we will need to close our buildings, or even one or two classrooms within a building, and teach fully remote. I am proud of our leaders for making sure we are prepared and ready so that we don't potentially lose important learning time. Please read a letter from our middle school principals below. 

Thank you for your support regarding your student(s) and our schools.

Warm regards,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

=====

Dear EWSD Middle School Parents and Guardians,

Greetings! As you know, we plan to remain in our present hybrid learning model until the time we are able to safely bring all of our students back to the building together again.

As shared in prior communications, we have been developing contingency plans should we need to pivot to a fully remote model for any reason. In the event we need to do this, our goal will be to provide as much consistency as possible for students by following a schedule that is closely aligned to our current hybrid model, while also setting limits on total screen time. We want both our students and teachers to stay healthy, and this requires maintaining a sustainable schedule.

You can expect our short term, fully remote plan to include:  

• Students in Cohort A will attend live classes through their teachers’ Google Meet links on Mondays and Tuesdays. Students in Cohort B will attend live classes on Thursdays and Fridays.
• Teachers will provide mini-lessons at the beginning of the class period, and guide students to their independent learning activities. Students will not be expected to remain online throughout the entire period unless directed by the teacher. Teachers will remain available throughout the class period to provide support to students as needed.  
• Students will continue to have the opportunity to check in with their teachers at their regularly scheduled remote check-in time for additional support.
• Students working with interventionists or learning specialists will continue to meet with these educators at their regularly scheduled times through Google Meet.
• Teachers will continue to support students in experiencing success on their remote learning days by explicitly teaching the executive functioning skills necessary to support student progress in remote learning.
• Teachers will respond to student and family emails during school hours within a reasonable amount of time.  

Please reach out if you have any questions and thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,

Kevin Briggs, EMS
Marcie Lewis, Westford
Jennifer Wood, ADL

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 28, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Albert D. Lawton community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at ADL. The member of our ADL community who was exposed to COVID has been contacted and will be quarantining. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 25, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex Elementary community and a member of our Founders Memorial community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the two people who had tested positive were not exposed to the virus at EES or FMS. The members of our EES and FMS communities that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

On December 23, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Founders Memorial community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at FMS. The members of our Founders community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining.   

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 22, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Hiawatha community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Hiawatha or was never at Hiawatha while infectious. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 21, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Founders Memorial community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at FMS. The members of our Founders community that were exposed to COVID have been contacted and will be quarantining.  

Founders will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled on December 22.  

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 16, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Essex High School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Essex High School. 

Essex High School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleanings and disinfecting in our buildings.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household is washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. 

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 
bcobb@ewsd.org

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, December 18 from 4-6 p.m. 

This will be the last weekend meal pick up until Friday, January 8.

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

Dear EWSD Community, 

On December 16, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our Summit Street School community who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

Earlier today, our team met with the DOH to plan our response and we are confident that we have shared all the critical information with them. After speaking with the DOH, they assured the District that the person who has tested positive was not exposed to the virus at Summit Street School. 

Summit Street School will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow (Thursday, December 17) for all families who have not heard directly from the school otherwise.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at Summit Street School.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterward.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has been notified of a probable positive COVID-19 case for a member of our Essex High School community. 

It is the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) that identifies those who may have been exposed to the virus. After speaking with them, they assured the District that the person who has the probable positive was not exposed to the virus at EHS. Essex High School has already reached out to identify any close contacts with information about the illness, testing, and staying home.

EHS will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow (Tuesday, December 15). 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at each of our schools.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, December 11 from 4-6 p.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

As we quickly move into the wintry months, we wanted to share with you a few updates around school cancellations and remote learning. 

Recently, we sent out a survey asking all of our parents, staff, and students in grades 6-12 what you would prefer in regards to remote learning if schools were canceled the day of or the night before. We wanted to thank you so much for sharing your voices with us, as we had nearly 4,400 people respond! You can view the tallies broken down by group at the bottom of this document.

Updated Cancellation Information for 2020-2021

COVID Related School Closures

• If there is a school-wide or cohort of students/staff who need to quarantine, there will be remote learning for the impacted school or cohort
• If there is a school closure due to a lack of staff to run a school in a safe and manageable way, remote learning may be possible depending upon the availability of teachers

Weather-Related School Closures/Delays

• If there is a school/District closure due to weather and/or road conditions that morning, there will be no remote learning
• If there is a school/District closure due to weather and/or road conditions the day prior, or if schools could be closed for several days due to a predicted storm and/or storm event, remote learning may take place if we have adequate staff 
• If a school/District needs to close mid-day due to weather and/or road conditions, there will be no remote learning that afternoon 
• NEW: In the case where the weather causes roads/sidewalks to be unsafe to travel on during our normal school commute time, but we are informed by our local public works departments that the roads could be cleared by 8 a.m., the District will operate on a two-hour delay for in-person, hybrid, and fully remote learning.
• Buses would arrive two hours after their normal time (if the bus normally arrives at 7:15 a.m., it will arrive at 9:15 a.m.)
• School would begin two hours later than the normal start time (if the normal start time is 8 a.m. - school will begin at 10 a.m.)

You can also view this information formatted in a table here. 

The Town and Village Public Works Departments wanted to share the following special winter alert message for Essex residents: Maintaining the Essex roads will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The District will be notified by the Public Works Department as to what capacity we are able to clear the roads and sidewalks. It will also be posted on the Town website. 

As always, our partnership with our community public works in both Westford and Essex is important to us and we will be making school closing decisions on their capacity to maintain the roads.   

For school/District closings, the EWSD utilizes an automated emergency notification system which will contact families via email, and primary and secondary phone numbers listed with each school. The message will also be shared via the district’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, mobile app, school websites, and will be shared with local TV and radio.

For more information on how the decision is made to close schools, please read this Q&A. 

Like with everything else, we are in this together and we are all working to get our students to school safely!

With gratitude,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, December 4 from 4-6 p.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

Dear EWSD PK-5 Families,

It has been two months since we moved to five days a week in-person for our K-5 students and it has proven to be a great success for our student’s social-emotional well-being as well as their academic growth. We know that in-person instruction is best for our students and we are thankful that we have had this long of a stretch of five days a week for our youngest learners. 

In efforts to remain open and sustain in-person learning, we are unfortunately finding the need to reduce the number of days of in-person instruction for our K-5 students. EWSD students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be moving to four days a week of in-person instruction and one half-day of remote learning (Wednesdays). Our buildings will be closed to most people on the remote Wednesdays. Due to the lack of staffing, our system will not be able to offer childcare on Wednesdays, as we did at the beginning of the year.

This new model will begin the week of  January 4, with the first day of remote learning taking place on Wednesday, January 6. We will reassess this model in mid-February, along with taking into consideration Vermont COVID data, and how COVID is affecting our school district. We do not currently have an end date in mind for this new model. Our need to remain flexible and agile seems to be a theme for the past nine months.  

Implementing this new model in January will give families time to make adjustments and our teachers time to provide the students with supported practice during class so that on Wednesdays, during their remote learning time, they will be more independent and understand the expectations. Many of our classrooms have already been practicing in case we needed to close due to quarantining.

I understand that moving, yet to another educational model, will be stressful for families and this decision does not come lightly. We have seen an increase in staff and student absenteeism, with quarantining or COVID-like symptoms as the main contributors. Daily, staff absenteeism across all positions in the District has put a strain on our system, and now with COVID cases rising and flu season on its way, we anticipate more absenteeism.  

We have set very high expectations to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for our students, but if we are short on staff, that is difficult to uphold. Giving our system one day where there will be fewer people in each of the buildings will be beneficial for many aspects.  

All EWSD grades K-5 will be in-person Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; all operations will run as normal, including meals and buses. On Wednesdays, schools will be closed for most K-5 students, but they will have a half-day of remote learning which will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. Students will take part in a virtual morning meeting and have a mix of live and recorded lessons. Wednesday seems to be the best day to move to remote because it is already an early release for these students and most of our students in grades 6-12 are remote on this day. This time will provide all custodians more time to support each other in cleaning the near-empty buildings during the day and giving all of the buildings relief for 24 hours.

Given the need to move from a five-day in-person educational design into a four-day in-person/half-day remote hybrid model for K-5, we will need to reconsider the special education instructional needs for students who are eligible for IEPs. The current hybrid design contained in IEPs has been developed for a two-day in-person/three-day remote hybrid model. Special educators will be in touch with families to discuss how this four-day in-person/half-day remote hybrid model will impact the hybrid IEP service page design the IEP team has already discussed for your child. It is important to note that Wednesdays will be a half-day of school for these students and special education for those remote days will apply to a half-day and not a whole day of instruction.

We know this will be a hardship on families, but we also know having to turn to fully remote would be even harder. We hope our new model provides the much needed relief on our system so that we can continue in-person learning four days a week. That being said, we will continue to follow the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Agency of Education guidance daily.  

In summary:

• January 4, 2021, our K-5 schools will have four days of in-person instruction - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Wednesday, January 6 will be the first Wednesday of remote learning
• Wednesdays will be a half-day of remote learning (the buildings will be closed all day to most students and staff)
• Special educators will be in touch with families to discuss how this four-day in-person/half-day remote hybrid model will impact the IEP services
• This model does not affect our Pre-school schedules
• This model does not change the current 6-12 hybrid schedules or our CTE hybrid programs 
• Due to the lack of staffing, our system will not be able to offer childcare on Wednesdays, as we did at the beginning of the year
• Relieving the system one day a week will be beneficial regarding the high number of staff absenteeism we have seen
• With colder weather and more time indoors, this allows time mid-week for custodial staff to clean without people in the spaces
• Provides relief for all aspects of the system (including transportation, food service, custodial, and maintenance)

Respectfully,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has been notified of two members of our Essex High School community and one member of our Essex Middle School community who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

It is the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) that identifies those who may have been exposed to the virus. After speaking with them, they assured the District that the three people who tested positive were not exposed to the virus at EHS or EMS and have not returned to their respective schools since their exposure. If needed, contact tracers have already reached out to identify any close contacts with information about the illness, testing, and staying home.

If someone tests positive for COVID-19 but was not in school while they were infectious, the DOH has said that there are no additional steps necessary because others at the school are not at risk for COVID-19 exposure. EHS and EMS will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow (Tuesday, December 1). 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at each of our schools.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear Families and Staff,

We hope you all enjoyed a few days off and were able to spend some quality time with your family.

On November 20, Governor Scott’s Executive Order suspended multi-household social gatherings. The Order prohibits multiple households from participating in the same social gatherings, including group trips, gatherings, related ceremonies, holiday events, parties, celebrations, and sharing accommodations with anyone outside of your household. At a recent press conference, Scott mentioned that 71% of positive COVID-19 cases in Vermont were connected to social gatherings. 

The suspension of multi-household social gatherings acts as an extension of the state’s travel guidance and in turn, the Governor has asked families to quarantine if they attend or host a multi-household gathering. We will not be asking students and staff this question upon their return to school. We do, however, expect families and staff to do the right thing and decide whether or not their student(s) needs to quarantine.  

There have been some questions as to whether or not having grandparents for dinner goes against this order. If the grandparents are in the children’s day-to-day life, such as providing daycare, then quarantining is not necessary. 

If quarantining is necessary, from traveling or attending a multi-household gathering, remember you will need to complete either a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative COVID-19 test.

If your student is quarantining as a result of non-essential travel or as a result of attending a multi-household gathering, there is not an expectation that the teacher(s) will provide work but there may be make-up work upon returning. The student will be marked as an excused absence (this is a change from previous communications when it was said that it would count as an ‘unexcused’ absence).

Traveling or gathering with those outside of your household and not quarantining puts our community at risk and the possibility of having to close our schools and go to all remote learning once again. If your family needs to quarantine, be sure to let the school know what dates your student will be out of school. 

If you have any questions, please contact EWSD COVID Coordinator Diana Smith (dsmith@ewsd.org) or the school nurse at your child’s school. 

With gratitude,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 
bcobb@ewsd.org 

Resources: VT Dept. of Health | EWSD COVID Updates

Dear EWSD Families,

I have the deepest gratitude for our EWSD families. It is our community working together that has allowed us to keep our children safe and engaged in learning. I am sure you share with me when I give thanks to our staff for making sure our buildings are clean, our children are fed and delivered safely to and from their homes, and that they are engaging in learning whether sitting at your kitchen table or in our classrooms. We are EWSD strong!

With travel restrictions and limited gatherings, our Thanksgiving will not be normal. My hope for our children is that we make the best of these days and we are able to create wonderful memories even though it will be very different this year. I hope new traditions will be created and the true meaning of Thanksgiving is cherished.

I wish you and your families a safe and happy break.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Resources: VT Dept. of Health | EWSD COVID Updates 

Dear Families and Staff,

Due to rising COVID-19 case counts across the Northeast, effective on November 10, the State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.

Starting on November 14, Governor Scott’s Executive Order prohibits gatherings with people from other households. This includes both inside and outside gatherings, and in public and private spaces. People who live alone may gather with members of their immediate family living in a different household.

If you travel out of state, there are two quarantine options:

• Quarantine for 14 days or
• Quarantine for seven days and then arrange for a COVID test. The quarantine can end after a negative test result.

Traveling and not quarantining puts our community at risk. If your family needs to quarantine, be sure to let the school know what dates your student will be out of school. 

During the global pandemic, we have worked hard to build capacity to support students in-person, through a hybrid model, or in some cases 100% remote. Creating these options have relied on hard work, creativity, and leveraging additional resources. 

If students are directed to stay home for up to 14 days by the Department of Health and/or the EWSD because they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, reasonable efforts will be made to provide instruction and/or accommodations and supports, so that students can continue to access their education, if healthy enough to do so. 

If due to voluntary travel,* a student needs to quarantine at home and miss in-person instruction, we can not guarantee that we will have the resources and ability to provide instruction and/or accommodations to access missed in-person instruction. 

If you have any questions, please contact EWSD COVID Coordinator Diana Smith (dsmith@ewsd.org) or the school nurse at your child’s school. 

The EWSD Nurses 

*Extenuating circumstances (e.g., travel for a funeral/memorial service) will be considered. Based on consideration of these circumstances at the school level, remote instruction and/or accommodations and supports may be provided. 

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under this Friday (November 20) from 4-6 p.m. just outside of the Essex High School guidance lobby.

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone who is in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We will not be distributing meals next Friday, November 27. Our next meal handout will be on Friday, December, 4.

We hope to see you on Friday!

COVID-19 testing was available for all EWSD employees on Monday, November 16 as part of Governor Scott’s testing initiative. As part of this plan, the EWSD will also be selected for another round of testing for those who are interested in December. Superintendent Beth Cobb, COO Brian Donahue, and EWSD Covid Coordinator Diana Smith are seen in one of the photos welcoming the 367 employees who took part, as the testing was held in the ice rink.

As we approach the holiday season and have many families wanting to travel or host guests in their homes, we think it is important that we share information with you in regards to student learning, quarantining, and traveling.

To slow the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise in Vermont and throughout the nation, Governor Scott has implemented several temporary limitations on social gatherings and business operations. This includes suspending the travel map and requiring quarantine for any non-essential interstate travel. These measures became effective Saturday, November 14 at 10 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

To slow the spread, ensure hospitals are not overwhelmed, help schools continue to offer in-person instruction, and keep as many Vermonters working as possible, the State has targeted new mitigation strategies to address the areas that appear to be driving the spread. Since October 1, 71% of the cases associated with an outbreak are associated with an outbreak from a private party or social gathering.

We are hearing of students, all ages, traveling to other areas that are in red or yellow counties to play sports and for leisure activities. This requires the student to quarantine, as we do not want to put our communities and schools at risk.

Dear EWSD Families,

The Essex Westford School District will be distributing free meals for the weekend for all children 18 and under just outside the Essex High School guidance lobby this Friday, November 13 from 4-6 p.m. 

It’s important to note that these free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be taking away a meal from someone in need. By picking up the meals, you will be supporting your community. Funding is based on participation, so the more people that take the free meals, the stronger we can be for those that need us the most. 

We hope to see you on Friday!

Dear EHS Community, 

The Essex High School has been notified of a presumed positive COVID case within our Essex High School community. After speaking with the DOH about this presumptive case, out of an abundance of caution our team decided it was best for some students, who potentially were in close contact, to go remote for the next two days. Those directly affected have been contacted by phone this evening. 

EHS is currently working with the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) and will continue to do so in the coming days.

*EHS will still be open as scheduled, as all students in the Gold Cohort will be at EHS for in-person learning tomorrow and on Friday.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at each of our schools.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the name of the individual with the presumed COVID-19 positive. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Families,

Getting the flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent infection with influenza, a virus that can cause many of the same symptoms as COVID-19, including fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and even death. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to be vaccinated against the flu to help prevent influenza, avoid a mistaken diagnosis of COVID-19, and preserve healthcare resources. There is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases the risk of getting COVID-19.

Getting a flu shot this year is particularly important because, like the flu, COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and we want to do everything we can to minimize having two respiratory outbreaks circulating simultaneously in our populations. 

Vaccination is recommended if you are:

• Age 6 months and older
• At high risk of complications from the flu, or if you are in contact with someone who is at high risk

The flu vaccine is available from your individual healthcare provider. The vaccine is also available at your local pharmacy. It is recommended that you call ahead and check for vaccine availability and to schedule an appointment if needed. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

For more information and updates in regards to COVID-19 and the EWSD, please visit: www.ewsd.org/2020-2021 

The EWSD School Nurses

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has been notified of three positive COVID-19 cases. These cases involved members of the Thomas Fleming and Summit Street communities. 

It is the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) that identifies those who may have been exposed to the virus. After speaking with DOH, they assured the District that the three people who tested positive were not exposed to the virus at either of the schools.  

The DOH has completed its contact tracing and those who could possibly be at risk for COVID-19, have already been notified. 

Fleming and Summit Street will be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow (Monday, November 9). 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at each of our schools.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Beginning this Friday (November 6), the Essex Westford School District will be offering free meals for all children 18 and under over the weekend. This service will be available from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Essex High School guidance lobby (to the right of the main entrance).

This will take place each Friday, through December 18, except for Friday, November 27. Over the next few weeks, the District will look at the number of meals served to determine if there is a need for the program and if it will continue.  

The EWSD asks that traffic enter from Main Street and exit at Old Colchester Road. Pick up will happen at the entranceway to the guidance lobby, and those taking part will then share how many children they are picking up for and if any gluten-free or vegetarian options are needed. Child Nutrition will then place the meals on a table for you. 

The EWSD will not be able to deliver these meals, but families who need them and are unable to attend are encouraged to ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to pick up meals for them. 

Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. We hope to see you starting on Friday!

Dear EWSD Families,

School nurses typically complete hearing and vision screenings for students in the following grades: pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12. 

These screenings will be challenging this year in regards to COVID-19 restrictions concerning physical distancing, cleaning/disinfecting, and inability to screen near vision. Due to these restrictions, the Vermont Department of Health has encouraged the completion of these screenings at your healthcare provider. If your student has had their hearing and vision screened within the last year and you would like the results recorded in their medical file, please send the results to the school nurse.

Given this information, if you would like your student to have these screenings performed at school, please complete this survey. Only families with students in the grades mentioned above should complete the survey if they are interested. You will have to fill out a separate survey for each child in your household that you would like screened. Please disregard this survey if you do not want your student to participate in these screenings at school. 

Thank you!

The EWSD School Nurses

Please also read: 

• Travel, Visitor, and Daily Recommendations for EWSD Staff and Families
• Latest CDC and Vermont Department of Health Guidance

Dear Families,

As we approach the holiday season and have many families wanting to travel or host guests in their homes, we think it is important that we share information with you in regards to student learning, quarantining, and traveling. 

Understandably, questions have come up regarding how to support students who miss their in-person instruction if they stay home when ‘quarantining.’ The purpose of this communication is to clarify our approach to learning when having to quarantine and to share thoughts about travel.

During the global pandemic, we have worked hard to build capacity to support students in-person, through a hybrid model, or in some cases 100% remote. Creating these options have relied on hard work, creativity, and leveraging additional resources. 

If students are directed to stay home for up to 14 days by the Department of Health and/or the EWSD because they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, reasonable efforts will be made to provide instruction and/or accommodations and supports, so that students can continue to access their education, if healthy enough to do so.  Any absence will be considered ‘approved.’

If due to voluntary travel,* a student needs to quarantine at home and miss in-person instruction, we can not guarantee that we will have the resources and ability to provide instruction and/or accommodations to access missed in-person instruction. In these cases, absences will be considered unexcused. 

Traveling to a county or state that is deemed as red or yellow and not quarantining puts our community at risk. We are hearing of students, all ages, traveling to other areas that are in red or yellow counties to play sports and for leisure activities. This requires the student to quarantine, as we do not want to put our communities and schools at risk. In these circumstances, the expectation is that your student will need to make up the missed learning when they are able to safely return to in-person instruction. 

We understand that the holidays are going to be really hard for all of us and at the same time it is important to keep our communities safe and healthy.  Most of my family doesn’t live in Vermont and my mom is in an assisted living facility, it breaks my heart to think about us not being able to spend time with her or my own children. If we aren’t careful, we will be in the same situation as we were last spring and having to go fully remote. 

We need to do our part in preventing that from happening. We have protocols in schools to stop the spread and the state is doing a great job with testing and contact tracing. We are all in this together and we, as a community, need to do all we can to keep our schools open and our students and staff healthy and safe.

Please read the following from Leah Costello, an MD at Timber Lane Pediatrics:

“Parents, it is now our turn to step up and show that same level of commitment to our community. It is our job to keep COVID 19 out of the schools … We have a 3 step process to follow ‘Six foot spaces, Mask on faces, Uncrowded places.’ But parents, I think we can go farther than that. Think about what is truly essential in your day to day activities. If you really need to do an activity, then do it with safety measures in place. If you think about it and realize it is not truly an essential activity, then revise your plans to a safer alternative. The schools are making sacrifices for us and we need to do the same for them.”

If our school staff learn about a student or family who traveled to a red or yellow county, the nurse at that school will reach out to the family to confirm and if true, students will then be required to quarantine.

Please also take the time to review the following two important documents: the Latest CDC and Vermont Department of Health Guidance and Travel, Visitor, and Daily Recommendations for EWSD Staff and Families. You can also visit the EWSD’s 2020-2021 webpage for all information, frequently asked questions, and more related to COVID-19. 

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.  

Thank you for helping us keep our communities healthy and safe,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
bcobb@ewsd.org 

*Extenuating circumstances (e.g., travel for a funeral/memorial service) will be considered. Based on consideration of these circumstances at the school level, remote instruction and/or accommodations and supports may be provided. 

The following information is from the Vermont Department of Health ...

The document for COVID-19: Information for Families: Return to Child Care or Out of School Care Program Following Illness has been translated.

These links and many other documents can be found on the COVID-19 Translations page.

Dear EWSD Community, 

The Essex Westford School District has been notified of two members of our Essex High School community who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

It is the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) that identifies those who may have been exposed to the virus. After speaking with them, they assured the District that the two people who tested positive were not exposed to the virus on the EHS campus and have not returned to EHS since their exposure. 

If someone tests positive for COVID-19 but was not in school while they were infectious, the DOH has said that there are no additional steps necessary because others at the school are not at risk for COVID-19 exposure. EHS and CTE will still be open for in-person learning as scheduled tomorrow. 

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at each of our schools.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear EWSD Community, 

On October 12, the Essex Westford School District learned from the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) about a member of our school community who tested positive with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Essex Elementary School. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. 

While we certainly hoped that we would remain COVID-free, we expected this eventuality and we are prepared with a plan to respond to it. Earlier this evening, our team met with the DOH to plan our response. We are confident that we’ve shared all critical information with the DOH and that they are poised to follow up with all potentially close contacts. On Tuesday morning (October 13), they will begin contacting all families whose students are potentially impacted. 

Please answer the phone if the Vermont Department of Health contacts you. A contact tracer may be trying to reach you with important information in regards to contacting tracing.

Contact tracers reach out to identify close contacts with information about the illness, testing, and staying home. Close contact consists of being within six feet, for 15 minutes or more, of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 during their infectious period, whether or not masks were worn.

We are working with the Department of Health to keep our community safe:

• We continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidance for children, youth, and families. 
• We will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health with all of our cleaning and disinfecting at Essex Elementary School.
• Employees and sick children will not return to work/school until they are healthy.
• Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Make sure your child(ren)/household are washing their hands.
• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and then wash hands afterwards.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child have symptoms of COVID-19.

What is COVID-19 and how does it spread? - Learn more here.  

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate updates with you as we receive further information. 

At this time, we ask our community for compassion and understanding for all who may be impacted by this virus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at: bcobb@ewsd.org

Sincerely,

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent 

Dear Families and Staff,

Dear EWSD Families,

With PreK-5 students moving to fully in-person learning starting on the week of October 5, we wanted to provide a few transportation updates: 

• Transportation will automatically extend current transportation patterns to all five days (for example: morning pickups only, or bus five days both to and from home)
• Students who nave non-regular patterns, or who need to make changes in their transportation schedule should submit another request via the transportation survey, found on the EWSD transportation page 
• State guidance still encourages families to transport children via car, bike, or walk rather than utilizing the bus if at all possible
• Wednesdays will operate routes serving K-5 schools (including Westford) and in the afternoons there will be a one-hour early release
• Wednesdays will not operate routes/trips that serve ADL, EMS, or EHS, including Westford EHS routes, Georgia, and the Islands
• Bus routes, stops, and times may see 5-10 minute variance from the current schedules due to higher ridership resulting in:
• Later morning drop-offs at schools for some routes
• Later afternoon pick-ups for ADL and most EMS routes

If you have any additional questions, please contact the EWSD Transportation Department directly at 802-857-7077 or transportation@ewsd.org

Dear EWSD K-5 Families,

Thank you to each of you who took part in the EWSD K-5 Hybrid Learner Family Survey that was sent out last week. Your participation has helped us better understand the number of families who would prefer to have children attend five days a week in-person and those who would like to go fully remote.

As part of the survey, if you had selected the option of ‘If possible, I prefer my child to move from the hybrid model to 100% remote experience,’ please follow up directly with EWSD Superintendent Beth Cobb (bcobb@ewsd.org) for more information. 

We would also like to share that there is a new Zoom link for the PreK-5 parent meeting with the Vermont Health Department on Wednesday, September 30 at 6 p.m. Please disregard the previous link and use this new link instead if you are interested in joining.  

Please reach out if you have any questions!

The EWSD Leadership Team

Hybrid Learner Family Survey | EWSD 2020-2021 Updates 

Dear K-5 Families,

Thank you for all of your continued support in helping us navigate your individual family needs across this time of significant change in our District to ensure safety protocols are met to reduce risk in a pandemic.

As you know, we will be moving from a hybrid model in K-5 to a full-time, five day a week program for students given the state guidance shift to a three-foot distance between students while masked. In this next phase, we will not be offering our current hybrid model as well as full in-person instruction. It would be unmanageable for our teachers.

We are aware that a few families are requesting access to remote learning instead of coming back full time in person for several different reasons that are unique to each family's circumstance. This communication will help us better understand how many people are interested in moving to fully remote. Please know, it does not automatically mean that we will be able to offer fully remote to anyone who requests it. We have some problem solving to do and this survey will help us do that.

It is important for you to know that we have limited capacity to add students to our remote academy at this time and we also prefer to see students together in their schools to address their learning needs if at all possible. That said, we are providing this survey to help us understand the need and to see if we can meet the requests of families to move to fully remote learning for K-5 students.

Please complete this survey to help us better understand the needs of EWSD students and families. It is important that you answer this survey for each of your children.

This survey needs to be completed by Monday, September 28 at 6 p.m. Thank you for understanding the need to receive this information as quickly as possible.

Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent

Dear EWSD Parents, Guardians, and Families,

Dear PreK-5 Families, 

As you know, our schools play a unique and critical role in our communities. This was the reason we made reopening this fall a top priority. We have followed the Vermont Agency for Education and the Vermont Health Department guidance for opening our schools in a safe and healthy manner. The reason we opened using a hybrid model was to decrease the class sizes so that we could meet the six-foot distancing protocol and to practice the other health and safety measures that we implemented in PreK-12. Our staff have worked hard to make our opening a success. 

Before the start of the school year, there was a robust and growing body of evidence strongly indicating that children younger than 10 are far less likely to transmit COVID-19 to other children or adults. Children of all ages are at a lower risk for acquiring infection than adults, and when infected, are also at far lower risk for developing severe illness. For these reasons, the Vermont Agency of Education and the Department of Health recommend full-time in-person learning as soon as practical, especially for children in PreK through grade 5. They decreased the social distancing guidance for this age group from six feet to three feet.  

Following the latest guidance, the Champlain Valley Regional Superintendent Association determined benchmarks that need to be in place for PreK-5 students to be fully in person. The benchmarks are: 

• Adequate staffing
• Well established practices and routines 
• And the Vermont Health Department suggests that our infection rates are safe for us to bring more students back

As superintendents, we know that this next phase for us will look different across districts due to different variables and situations.  

In the EWSD, we feel strongly that we are ready to begin to phase in full in-person instruction, five days a week, for our K-5 beginning the week of October 5.  

K-5 Phasing In Plan for the Week of October 5 (for students NOT taking part in the Virtual Academy):  

• Monday, October 5 - All K-3 students (at Essex Elementary, Hiawatha, Summit, Westford, and Founders) will attend school in person (fourth and fifth graders in Cohort A will also attend school)
• Tuesday, October 6 - All K-4 students will attend school in person (fifth graders in Cohort A will also attend school)
• Wednesday, October 7 - All K-5 students will attend school in person 
• Thursday, October 8 - All K-5 students will attend school in person (Evening parent conferences postponed)
• Friday, October 9 - NO SCHOOL (Parent conferences postponed - teachers will use this day in the transition from hybrid to fully in-person instruction)

On Wednesdays, we will have a one-hour early release for our PK-5 students. Over the past few years, this had taken place on Tuesdays. We are still committed to aligning our work across the District on equity, social and emotional learning, and a viable curriculum. This time that the teachers have together is invaluable.  

Bus schedules will be re-created and sent out to families. If you are capable of doing so during COVID, we will continue to encourage you to transport your children to and from school. The buses will also continue with the protocols that they have established during COVID. Students will be riding with students from different EWSD schools. Contact tracing will be implemented, as social distancing can be difficult to maintain on a bus.