EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
September 18, 2019
In This Issue ...
District Updates
Superintendent Perspective
First Day: 2019-2020!!!
EWSD School Safety Public Forum
Free Summer Meals Program Update
New Initiative Provides Each EHS Student With a Laptop
Three Honored as UVM Teachers of the Year
2019-2020 EWSD Handbook
FriendCHIPS Expands Mentoring to ADL and Fleming
Volunteers Needed for 2019-20 School Year
EWSD In The News
Happenings
Keep Up With the EWSD Board
Upcoming Events
EWSD Job Opportunities
Important Links
District Updates
Superintendent Perspective
I hope the first few weeks back are going well for everyone! I wanted to provide you with a few updates around events our leadership team will be taking part in this fall.
Instructional leadership has been an important focus of the EWSD Leadership Team, and 12 EWSD administrators will be participating in an Instructional Leadership Academy from October 2019 through June 2020. The Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) from the University of Washington will be in Vermont facilitating the Academy. EWSD leaders will join seven other Vermont school districts in this learning.
Support from the CEL will help create a shared vision and language for high-quality instruction, help participants know what to look for in classrooms and how to look for it, and develop participants’ abilities to provide targeted feedback and plan for teachers’ professional learning.
In continuing our support for, and belief in, our Professional Learning Communities (PLC), a team of EWSD administrators will be attending - Culture Keepers: Principal Leadership in a PLC @ Work Institute hosted by Solution Tree in Atlanta from September 23-25.
This institute will help us, as school leaders and a district office, build and cultivate our culture around PLCs and the culture that is needed at the building and district level.
Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
First Day: 2019-2020!!!
Have a great 2019-2020 school year!
EWSD School Safety Public Forum
You are invited to attend an informational forum to learn more about the safety measures and practices that are taking place in the Essex Westford School District on Wednesday, September 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the EHS cafeteria. Light refreshments will be provided.
Free Summer Meals Program Update
The free summer meals program wrapped up near the end of August after serving over 28,500 meals to children 18 years of age and under between June 24 and August 23. That number is 20% higher than the total from last year.
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered in Vermont by child nutrition programs at the Vermont Agency of Education.
"We had a great partnership between the EWSD, Essex Junction Recreation and Parks, and Hunger Free Vermont, fueled by strong community support, that brought this awesome benefit to so many children that really need food while school is out,” said Scott Fay, EWSD Senior Child Nutrition Manager.
New Initiative Provides Each EHS Student With a Laptop
Three Honored as UVM Teachers of the Year
Read more about the teachers and when they will be officially recognized.
2019-2020 EWSD Handbook
You can also view the online copy here.
FriendCHIPS Expands Mentoring to ADL and Fleming
FriendCHIPS Youth Mentoring is a school-based mentoring program that empowers 3rd-8th grade students in the Essex Westford School District to make healthy life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential.
Building a relationship with a child, simply one hour at a time can greatly improve a child’s life and your own! Research has proven that a relationship with a caring adult can help young children make healthy choices, improve self-esteem, and increase resiliency. Adults volunteer to spend one hour per week with a student at school, participating in activities together such as games, arts & crafts, sports, cooking, and conversation.
FriendCHIPS is also still looking to welcome new Mentors to Essex Middle School and Founders Memorial. If you would like to make a difference in the life of a local youth, this is a great opportunity.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please download their new mentor application, fill it out and return it to our Coordinator, Justin Hoy, justin@essexchips.org or drop it off at their office on 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction.
Volunteers Needed for 2019-20 School Year
Essex Westford schools are looking for volunteers for the 2019-20 school year! Volunteering is a GREAT way to get involved, meet other parents, and contribute to your child's educational experience.
Volunteer support makes a real difference to the students and staff at our schools. Volunteer sign-up is done on a yearly basis and you can register now online.
EWSD In the News
Art for awareness: Muralists adorn Milton storm drains (Milton Independent)
Just keep walking: EHS grads conquer Long Trail (Essex Reporter)
Stowe Theatre guild awards scholarships (Stowe Reporter)
Students protest climate change in Montpelier (WPTZ)
Busing finally heading to the village (Essex Reporter)
Vermont school leadership project class of 2020 announced (Vermont Biz)
High school football preview: Essex Hornets (WVNY/WFFF)
Busing expanded for incoming school year (WPTZ)
Bus routes to expand in Essex-Westford school district (WCAX)
District presents new transportation plan (Essex Reporter)
Friday Night Lights Preview: CVU + Essex (MyNBC5)
Officials urge drivers to stay safe with school buses on the road (WVNY/WFFF)
School Bus Etiquette (MyNBC5)
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont announce graduates (VT Digger)
Schools grapple with cellphone use policies (WCAX)
Village busing hits ground running (Essex Reporter)
Bus drivers needed as school year begins (WCAX)
Summer meals program sees 20 percent spike (Essex Reporter)
Happenings
New Playground
Team Building Fun
Business Pitch
Peter Miller (EHS '19) pitched his business in a Shark Tank-like pitch event organized by Lendio on Aug. 20. Miller has been building his entrepreneurship skills over the last four-plus years, developing his idea for humorous logos and apparel that allow consumers to express their unique personality and preferences.
Butterfly
Summer Garden
Marshmallow Towers
EWSD Social Media
Upcoming Events
EWSD Board Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2019, 06:30 PM
Essex High School, Educational Drive, Essex Junction, VT, USA
EWSD Job Opportunities
Important Links
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