EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
April 14, 2022
*Reminder - No School on April 18-22
In This Issue ...
District Updates
EWSD FY'23 Budget Votes Pass!
YouthTruth Family Survey
April 28 - “The Importance of Representation in Media” Workshop
We All Write
Supporting Homeschool Families and Independent Schools in Understanding Special Education
Two EWSD Teachers Honored
Vermont Inclusion Week - May 8-14
National School Nurse Day - May 11
April/May Inclusive Holidays and Celebrations on the EWSD Calendar
Happenings
Upcoming Events/Resources
EWSD Social Media
EWSD FY'23 Budget Votes Pass!
Thank you to all the Essex Westford School District community members who came out to vote on Tuesday!
Voting results:
The EWSD FY’23 Budget (Article 5) Passed: 3,633-2,036
The CTE FY’23 Budget (Article 6) Passed: 4,571-1,056
Article 4 (May EWSD borrow) Passed: 4,305-1,274
Also, Marlon Verasamy (Essex Junction), Laura Taylor (Town of Essex - Outside the Village), and Robert Carpenter (Town of Essex - Outside the Village) were elected to the EWSD Board.
YouthTruth Family Survey
The EWSD is partnering with YouthTruth over the next two years as part of a climate survey project for students, staff, and families!
If you have any questions, please reach out to EWSD Communications Coordinator Ben Dickie.
April 28 - “The Importance of Representation in Media” Workshop
Join the EWSD and Akshata Nayak, Founder of Little Patakha and Nutritionist at Alternative Roots Wellness Center, as she leads this workshop geared toward caregivers about "The Importance of Representation in Media" on April 28 from 5-6 p.m. on Zoom.
Representation can be defined as the ways in which societal aspects such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, and social issues are introduced and made visible. We know that diverse representation is critical in informing how young children build their perspectives on their own ethnic-racial group, gender identity, socioeconomic status, etc. as well as that of others.
Register to attend the workshop. Questions? Contact Sarah Warrington (802.857.2007).
We All Write
Think about all the different ways that you use writing in your daily life. From lists to directions, to journals, and more formal writing there are a variety of ways that people write in their lives. Find topics you like to write about, fun tools to write with, or document what you see in the world around you.
How can you try writing at home? Try this fun connect four board for some engaging ideas, or add in some other creative ideas that you or your child have.
Supporting Homeschool Families and Independent Schools in Understanding Special Education
This opportunity on May 3 (5-6 p.m.) to engage with the Co-Directors of Student Support Services from the Essex Westford School District, Erin Maguire and Dylan McNamara, will allow homeschool families and independent school representatives to learn about the special education evaluation process and how to access funds for services in private and independent settings.
Register for the virtual session. Questions? Contact Sarah Warrington at 802.857.2007.
Two EWSD Teachers Honored
CTE English teacher Kerrin McCadden has been named a finalist for the 2021 Vermont Book Award! McCadden is a finalist in the poetry category for her written piece titled American Wake.
EHS math teacher Eric Langevin was named a 2022 Aspirations in Computing Educator Award Winner by the National Center for Women & Information Technology! The award recognizes formal and informal educators for their efforts to promote gender equity in computing
Vermont Inclusion Week - May 8-14
In May 2021, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, proclaimed this week in May as VT Inclusion Week. "The Governor also established a Proclamation of Inclusion, which makes clear the State of Vermont condemns discrimination in all forms, and welcomes all people who want to live, work and visit Vermont. Both proclamations acknowledge the work of many in state and local government and by community groups across the state, while recognizing there is more work to do to consistently address racism and systemic inequities."
The proclamations were created after nine municipalities in Vermont, including Brandon, Franklin, Middlebury, Moretown, Pittsfield, Pittsford, Waterbury, Woodstock Village, and the City of Rutland, as well as the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and several other organizations, developed and adopted a Declaration of Inclusion.
National School Nurse Day - May 11
Celebrated since 1972, National School Nurse Day recognizes the critical role of school nurses in the educational setting. We have, of course, come to even more fully understand the importance of our EWSD school nurses as we have worked through the COVID-19 pandemic. Find a way to thank your school nurse!
April/May Inclusive Holidays and Celebrations on the EWSD Calendar
Happy Passover (April 15-23) and Happy Easter (April 17)!
Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah is recognized this month on April 27-28. This day is intended for reflection on the afflictions faced by the Jewish people. Of the approximately 11 million people who died at the hands of Hitler and his followers, six million were Jews. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum offers incredible resources for teachers and families to talk about the fundamentals of the Holocaust.
May Awareness and Recognition Months:
EWSD in the News
Vermont Schools Are Feeding All Students. Let’s Make That Permanent. (Seven Days)
Vt. school board races heat up as polarizing political issues fuel debate (WCAX)
Meet the only female master builder (who went to EHS!) at Legoland New York, who spends her days creating everything from mermaids to snowmen (Business Insider)
Board Candidates in Essex Westford School District Differ on Equity Issues (Seven Days)
Happenings
Student Skills
CTE had 62 competitors and earned 11 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and nine bronze medals - wow! View all of the winners here.
Fundraising for Ukraine
STEM Success
Their project was, "Do black-capped chickadees prefer tube or tray feeders?"
Vermont Page
Pages deliver messages to the members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the various legislative offices. Serving as a page offers a unique opportunity to observe the workings of the legislature and to witness firsthand the often historic events in Montpelier.
Little Leaders
They did a wonderful job and families were proud to see how much their children are doing each day and how much they were able to articulate!
Speech and Debate Champ
Upcoming Events/Resources
EWSD Performing Arts Night
Dream Big 5K
The Dream Big 5K/1K race is open to people with and without disabilities and raises funds for EDD Adaptive Sports programs. EDD believes that everyBODY should have access to high-quality sports programs. The Dream Big 5K helps athletes of all abilities to realize their potential and build confidence through sports.
The hybrid race allows you to participate in person in Essex or virtually from anywhere. Learn more and register online.
Listen Up Musical Screening - May 4
On Wednesday, May 4 Essex CHIPS (Community Health Initiatives and Programs for Students) will host a viewing of the musical Listen Up! Listen Up is an original musical inspired, written, and, performed by Vermont teens. More information may be found online.
The screening will take place at 2 Lincoln Street (second floor, enter through the Teen Center ). Dinner will be served from 5:30-6 p.m. and the screening will begin at 6 p.m. There will also be a question and answer session with some of the cast and crew from 7:30-8 p.m.
The film will be shown to some students at Essex High School and CHIPS is hoping that by offering it to the community, they will spark community dialogue about important issues facing teens in our community. Community members 13 and up are invited to attend the dinner and screening. If you have any questions please send an email to: office@essexchips.org
EWSD Board Meeting
The Media Factory will broadcast the meeting on Facebook Live and it will also be available via Zoom Webinar.
More information on the work of the EWSD Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, can be found online.
Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 06:30 PM
EHS Library
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