EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
June 10, 2021
Last day of school for students - Tuesday, June 15!
In This Issue ...
District Updates
Free Summer Meals for Students!
Equity Education Session Recording/EWSD Equity & Inclusion Website
2021-22 School Calendar - Early Release on Wednesdays
Virtual Fine Arts Night
Chromebooks Over the Summer
EWSD News Survey
EWSD COVID Info Site Sunsetting June 30
Meet New Board Member Jack Behlendorf
EWSD in the News
Happenings
Upcoming Events/Resources
Important Links
EWSD Social Media
Free Summer Meals for Students!
EWSD Summer Menu: PDF | Online
The EWSD will continue to provide free meals throughout the summer! Meals are free to all children ages 18 and under, no application or prior approval is needed.
Meals will be served Monday through Friday, rain or shine, starting on June 21 at the following pick-up locations:
- Maple Street Park Pool Concessions 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Albert D Lawton, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Essex Elementary School, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Westford School, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Parents can pick up meals for their students. Children do not need to be present to receive meals.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Scott Fay (sfay@ewsd.org) or call the Child Nutrition Office at 802-857-7333.
Equity Education Session Recording/EWSD Equity & Inclusion Website
On June 8, EWSD Director of Equity & Inclusion Erin Maguire, and Gillian Boudreau, Ph.D. (consultant, speaker, and author) hosted an educational session with community members (students, teachers/staff, school leaders, parents/guardians, etc.). The discussion focused on the history of race, the impacts of fear in difficult conversations, and the foundational nature of equity to EWSD policies, procedures, and practices.
You can view a recording of the session online.
We are also very pleased to announce that the District page for Equity & Inclusion is now live! The page includes details of the 2020-21 Equity Action Plan, resources for families and educators, and a listing of equity-focused events (upcoming and past).
Find the site under the "What We Do" section of the EWSD page or access the site directly here.
2021-22 School Calendar - Early Release on Wednesdays
In April we shared the new calendar for the 2021-22 school year. One piece of information that was not included in the original was that we will return to a one-hour early release every Wednesday for all students (except CTE).
The calendars have been updated to include this note and can be viewed online.
Virtual Fine Arts Night
Chromebooks Over the Summer
Chromebooks are being kept over the summer by students in grades 9, 10, and 11. All other grade-level Chromebooks will remain in the school buildings over the summer. Those students in grades 9, 10, and 11 should maintain their Chromebooks and chargers in good working order over the summer and plan on bringing them back when they return in the fall.
We hope this gives students an added opportunity for summer learning, whether in a summer program at the high school or working independently. If family situations change, and a move or other change occurs where the device is no longer needed, please return it promptly to the high school office. A reminder on the need to return with devices at the start of school will come in August.
The Federal Communications Commission has authorized an Emergency Connect Fund and the EWSD will be exploring how to best implement this effort within our District. The funding is to help families with ‘unmet needs’ – meaning they do not have sufficient Internet access or an Internet access device for either remote learning, homework, or patron access to library Internet facilities.
The key phrase is that, if it were not for this program, they would have an unmet need. Even if schools are going back to in-person learning, it would apply to the ability to do homework remotely. We are developing a survey to send out to families to ascertain the need for this in our community. Stay tuned or contact the HelpDesk (802) 857-7777 to be put on an email list when more information is available.
EWSD News Survey
EWSD COVID Info Site Sunsetting June 30
In June of last year, the EWSD created a website specific to any news related to COVID-19 focusing on the effects that it had on our schools and our District. With more and more Vermonters being vaccinated and fewer and fewer positive COVID cases occurring, we are at a point that the website thankfully is no longer needed.
Starting on July 1, we will be removing links to the website and no longer using it going forward. All of the information will be retained, but important updates from the District will once again be posted on www.ewsd.org.
Meet New Board Member Jack Behlendorf
Jack Behlendorf officially joined the Essex Westford School District Board after being appointed on June 1, 2021. He will fill the previously open Essex Junction seat on the Board until the next regular election in April of 2022.
Get to know Jack a little better in this quick Q&A.
EWSD in the News
- Best friends get crafty for causes (WCAX)
- Class of 2021 to be 50th class to graduate from Essex High building (Essex Reporter)
- Q&A: Essex's Patrick Herrin selected for National Merit Scholarship award (Essex Reporter)
- ADL boys and girls track team reflects on an unusual, yet rewarding season (Essex Reporter)
- ‘We’re making up for memories we lost last year:’ High school seniors prepare for prom (MyChamplainValley)
- Essex students lead discussion on racism; nearby, critics blast ‘dangerous’ ideology (VT Digger)
- Treasurer names winners of Reading is an Investment financial education program (Vermont Biz)
- Essex Westford School Board gets closer to voting on equity policy (WCAX)
- Essex Middle School softball team wraps up undefeated season (Essex Reporter)
- Essex Middle School PE teacher retires after 40 years (Essex Reporter)
- Conservation & Trails Committee will plant two trees at Essex Elementary School in Arbor Day celebration (Essex Reporter)
More than 200 community members attend virtual feedback session on EWSD equity policy (Essex Reporter)
Essex Westford School District’s Proposed Equity Policy Prompts Heated Debate (Seven Days)
Happenings
Never Give Up
Preschool Graduation
Thank you subs!
Upcoming Events/Resources
Free Online Computer Science Summer Camps!
Brownell Library Summer Reading
EWSD Board Meeting
Register in advance for the meeting online.
More information on the work of the EWSD Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, can be found online.
Tuesday, Jun 15, 2021, 06:30 PM
Zoom/Facebook Live
Important Links
EWSD Social Media
About Us
Email: bdickie@ewsd.org
Website: www.ewsd.org
Location: 58 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-878-8168
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essexwestford/
Twitter: @EssexWestford