The Hiawatha Buzz!
September 2nd, 2022
Growing hearts and minds for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one.
Principal's Message
Dear families and caregivers,
What a great first week! Teachers and students spent the first few days getting to know their classroom community and establishing routines and procedures. This will continue during the first few weeks of school. Today, we celebrated the first few days with popsicles on the playground!
Enjoy the long weekend,
Katherine
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 7th Early Release 1:45
Wednesday, September 7th PTO Meeting 6:00pm -7:00pm in the Music Room
Thursday, September 22nd 6:00pm -7:00pm - Open House
Morning Drop Off Change - iMPORTANT
After some feedback and problem solving, we now will have supervision for all students beginning at 7:35 on the playground. Nancy Corbin and Liz Miller will be the supervising staff members If the weather is bad, the gym door will be open and students can come in to the building there.
We hope this will help with the traffic at drop off.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED IN THE DROP OFF LANE.
Meet Mr. Lester!
Hello Hiawatha Community!
Happy first Friday of the year! It has been so great to be able to meet students this week and begin the year with such great energy! What an amazing school, full of warmth and belonging!
On Wednesday, I was able to meet half of the building's classes for Wellness where we began a unit on Kindness, in addition to sprinkling in some "get to know each other" activities and some interactive games.
I look forward to getting to know each student at Hiawatha, and if we haven't connected yet, I look forward to meeting meeting you as well! If there is anything that I can do to be a support for your child at school, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy the long weekend!!
Jeff Lester
School Counselor
P.S.- My family has a small hobby farm and this is a picture of our cow, Tara, at the Addison County Fair and Field Days earlier this summer.
Message from Ms. Gengras
Dear Students and Family Members,
I am excited to embark on my sixth year of teaching within the EWSD community. I graduated with a BA in Art from Central Connecticut State University and hold a Level II VT Educator's License. I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree through the Art of Education University. This summer, my coursework was focused on Social-Emotional Learning in the Visual Arts.
I strongly believe in social-emotional learning and the facilitation of differentiated instruction, academic choice, and arts integration. I use and adapt Responsive Classroom strategies and approaches to set clear routines and expectations. I look forward to planning meaningful art events and activities inside and outside the classroom. I will celebrate, motivate, and advocate for all students as they grow through the arts and become confident, self-seeking learners.
I will be focused on building relationships while I am in the classroom over the next several months and I hope to connect and work with families and members of our community. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss specific needs for your child, please email me at cgengras@ewsd.org. If you prefer a phone call I am available at Hiawatha on Tuesdays and Fridays, and a half-day on Wednesdays.
Thank you and here’s to another creative year!
Best,
Cassandra Gengras
Art Educator 🎨
802-878-1384 (Extension 4238)
*Please visit my Classroom Website for updates and information and my youtube channel for art lessons and resources!
2022-23 EWSD Handbook
The 2022-23 EWSD Handbook is now online.There will be hard copies at school if needed.
Volunteering at Hiawatha
Reporting an Absence, Late Arrival, or Change in After-school Plan
Please be sure to contact Michelle, our Office Manager, by 8:00 AM if your child is going to miss school.
There are many ways to contact her regarding your student's attendance or change in after-school plan.
1. Call the Attendance line at 802-857-7007 (for Attendance only)
2. Call Michelle at 802-878-1384
3. Email Michelle at mmurphyertle@ewsd.org
4. Go to our website and click on the Report an Absence button.
If you need to make a change to your student's after-school plan, please contact Michelle directly before 2:00 PM (1PM on Wednesdays) on any given day.
If you contact your student's teacher regarding attendance or an early pick-up plan, please make sure to include Michelle in all communications since she is the person who does attendance...Teachers may be absent, or may not get to email in time or not have time to pass your message on to Michelle
Thank you
hiawatha PTO update
The PTO meeting will be next week on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. In the music room.
Everyone is a member of the PTO. There are no fees attached to this. Please feel free to come and learn more about your child's school and how you can be involved as a volunteer in our community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at HiawathaPTO@EWSD.org
Nikki Mayhue
PTO President
Community Events
Playing Fields shows
The Flynn presents free family events on September 6th, 8th, 9th & 10th
This is a Welcome Back to School event that celebrates our schools as centers of our community. These shows bring the joy of performing arts to Vermont schools, inviting the extended community of students, siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, and school staff to come together to dance to live music by Red Baraat and experience a performance of Birdmen by Dutch street theater company Close-Act.
* September 6th’s performance will take place at Champlain Valley High School’s Football field (369 CVU Road, Hinesburg, VT 05461)
* September 8th’s performance will take place at Burlington High School’s Baseball field (60 Institute Road, Burlington, VT 05401)
The other two shows will be taking place during the ArtHop, to celebrate ArtHop’s 30th Anniversary It is called Galmae “C’est pas la, c’est par la” (affectionately referred to as The String Project). This show was created by South Korean Artist, Juhyung Lee who currently lives in Marseilles, France.
* September 9th and 10th’s performance will take place in the Parking Lot located at 128 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington, VT
As all of these performances are free and open to the public!
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Community Scout Night
Learn about and join
Cub Scouts Pack 630!
For boys & girls entering K thru 5th grades
When: Thursday, September 8th at 6:00-7:45pm
What: Pack 630 invites you to Sign-Up Night and our first Pack meeting of the year! Please come to learn about joining Cub Scouts.
Where: First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, Main Street, Essex Junction
Learn More at: www.essexvtcubscouts.org
For more information or questions: Kami Barhight or Carmelle Terborgh at EssexPack630@gmail.com
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Learn to Skate
with
Vermont Skating Academy
Fall 2022 Learn-to-Skate Program at the Essex Junction Skating Facility
Registration is open now! Register early to secure a spot.
Register Before September 6th to save the $10 Late Registration Fee
Group lessons start in September. For More Information and Access to Registration Forms Go To vermontskatingacademy.weebly.com Download the registration form and mail in per instructions.
Contact Us If you have any questions please contact us at vsa@ewsd.org
Hiawatha Elementary School
Email: mmurphyertle@ewsd.org
Website: www.EWSD.org/HIA
Location: 30 Hiawatha Avenue, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-878-1384