EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
January 17, 2022
In This Issue ...
District Updates
COVID Update - EWSD to Offer Grab and Go Meals
Progress Report Window Extended
EWSD Benefits from Local Food Purchasing Incentive Grant
CTE Open House is now Discover CTE!
EWSD Equity Monitoring - Board Presentation
Curriculum Connections for Families
District-Wide Social and Emotional Learning Efforts & Assessment - Board Presentation
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities for Home
- January/Early February Inclusive Holidays & Celebrations
Happenings
Upcoming Events/Resources
EWSD Social Media
COVID Update - Grab and Go Meals
Starting this week, the EWSD will offer Grab and Go meals for EWSD students that are unable to attend school in person due to quarantine or school closures.
Orders would have to be placed online by 10 p.m. the night prior and pick up will be located in front of the Essex High School guidance lobby on school days from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Progress Report Window Extended
As you are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an enormous strain on our learning community. I want to thank you for your partnership and understanding as we have all done our best to navigate these unprecedented times.
We have had to respond to the COVID surge in our buildings with understanding and flexibility.
In response to the COVID stressors, we are going to be extending the progress report window by one week for our K-5 schools (K-4 at Westford). This means that instead of student progress reports being sent out on January 21, they will now be sent out to you on January 29.
Please reach out directly to me or to your building principal if you have any questions about this.
Thank you, and please take good care.
Director of Learning and Instructional Impact
EWSD Benefits from Local Food Purchasing Incentive Grant
In 2021, the Vermont Legislature passed and Governor Scott enacted a bill that established a new Local Food Purchasing Incentive Grant for schools. This new program provides a direct financial incentive to school districts and supervisory unions that meet local purchasing targets in their school meal programs, allowing them to serve more fresh Vermont food on their menus.
The new program creates a tiered incentive for schools, allowing schools to ramp up their local purchasing by providing 15¢ per lunch for 15% local food purchased, 20¢ for 20%, and 25¢ for 25%. The program uses the definition of Vermont local, developed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, adopted in Act129 of 2020.
The EWSD Farm to School and Child Nutrition Program advocated actively for the passage of this law, believing strongly that high quality, nutritious food, from local sources make our kids and communities healthier. In anticipating a program such as this and in response to overwhelming family feedback, the EWSD Farm to School and Child Nutrition Program reimagined its operations to emphasize more scratch cooking, fresh baked goods, and of course, more locally sourced foods.
CTE Open House is now Discover CTE!
Students in grades 6-11 can come and explore an area of hands-on learning that they are interested in. They will hear general information on CTE, then visit a program area to meet instructors and participate in a hands-on activity. Parents can also join for more in-depth information in a parent workshop.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott recently mentioned how he is looking to boost the state's career and technical education centers, which he sees as vital contributors to workforce development.
Three different sessions will be held, including one on February 3 (from 6-7 p.m.), and two on February 5 (10-11 a.m. and 11:30-12:30 p.m.). Register now!
EWSD Equity Monitoring - Board Presentation
On December 14, Erin Maguire, Director of Equity & Inclusion and Co-Director of Student Support Services, shared a presentation with the EWSD Board. The presentation included a monitoring report about the District's Equity Policy and reviewed data showing changes in equity across key areas of learning in the District. View the full board meeting here and the slides from the Equity Monitoring portion of the meeting here.
Curriculum Connections for Families
District-Wide Social and Emotional Learning Efforts & Assessment - Board Presentation
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities for Home
As the winter months continue and the pandemic lingers, it can be hard for all of us to be cooped up inside. The Virtual Calming Room, a resource created by counselors from another school district, is a place for students and families to access activities, retreat, and explore. The site includes offerings that focus on guided meditation, coloring and creativity, sounds and music, and much more! The Calming Room also has useful tools and strategies for talking about how we can all manage big emotions and feelings.
Visit the EWSD SEL page for more resources for parents and families.
January/Early February Inclusive Holidays & Celebrations
In 2022, we continue to highlight the inclusive holidays/recognition events on the EWSD Calendar and encourage all EWSD staff and families to consider how to utilize the activities and resources cited with each entry.
On January 17, we recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent resistance against racial segregation. On this day, we celebrate his accomplishments and those of the many African-American civil rights leaders of the 50s-60s. King was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964. Check out these 'Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.'
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held on January 27 and the Chinese New Year takes place on February 1.
Black History Month commences on February 1 as well. Here is a link to an incredible set of resources to celebrate Black excellence and contributions to our nation from the Library of Congress.
EWSD in the News
- Essex Westford School District looks to diversity data to help cut bias (WCAX)
- Test to Stay program allows close contacts to remain in the classroom (VPR)
- Essex Westford school board member draws backlash for Holocaust comparison (VTDigger)
- Parents happy to get Covid-19 tests but feel uncertainty looking ahead (VTDigger)
- COVID-19 concerns rage on after holidays (MyNBC5)
- Back after winter break: School districts brace for high COVID case counts (WCAX)
- Essex High School Partners with Food Connects (Food Connects)
- Could Career, Technical Education Help Reverse Workforce Declines in Vt.? (NECN)
- Essex's Jazmin Munson named Gatorade volleyball player of the year for Vermont (Burlington Free Press)
- Could career, technical education help reverse workforce declines in Vermont? (MyNBC5)
Happenings
Wildlife Art
Spirit Week - Donations
Hour of Code
Upcoming Events/Resources
Translated COVID Messages
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, Jan 18, 2022, 06:30 PM
EHS Library/Zoom/Facebook Live
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