EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
November 13, 2019
In This Issue ...
District Updates
Superintendent Perspective
EHS Among the Top STEM Programs in the Nation!
New Translated Languages Added to EWSD Emergency System
Stebbins Named Physical Ed Teacher of the Year
School Photo Survey - Share Your Opinions!
Pie and Pie Charts!
How is the Decision Made to Close Schools Due to Weather?
Looking for a Good Book to Read?
EWSD In The News
Happenings
Keep Up With the EWSD Board
Upcoming Events
EWSD Job Opportunities
Important Links
District Updates
Superintendent Perspective
Dear Families,
As we enter into winter and a season of many celebrations, I find myself wanting to express gratitude. A few months ago I began a new morning ritual. It consists of journaling things in my life that I am grateful for. I fall asleep thinking about my day while I prepare for my morning journal writing and I have come to love this time.
Yesterday morning, my journal entry went like this…
Today I am grateful for:
1) My colleagues who help me determine if we should call a snow day
2) My family who listens to me debate calling a snow day
3) Snow days (occasionally)
4) The Essex Westford community
Did you know there is a growing body of research which proves there are many psychological benefits to being grateful, including feeling happier and lowering stress? This should be reason enough to take time out of our busy lives to be grateful for at least one thing every day.
May your November bring you moments of gratitude and happiness. Thank you for supporting our schools.
Gratefully,
Beth Cobb
EWSD Superintendent
EHS Among the Top STEM Programs in the Nation!
Essex High School has been identified as having one of the top high school STEM programs in the United States according to a Newsweek ranking that was released on November 7. EHS is the only school in Vermont to be ranked in the top 500 overall and comes in at #50 on the national list. The rankings include both public and private schools.
EHS was the ninth-highest ranked school in New England (#4 among public schools in New England), and #34 among all public schools in the nation.
Newsweek partnered with STEM.org to rank America's Best STEM High Schools. As part of National STEM Day (November 8), Newsweek is releasing its ranking of the top 5,000 in the country, and the top 500 STEM high schools will also be listed in the upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine.
Read more about the honor and see the full rankings online.
New Translated Languages Added to EWSD Emergency System
Each year the EWSD sends out an emergency test message sometime in the middle of October once all new students have been officially entered into the system and before we head into the winter months.
With that, each year we also make an effort to increase the number of languages that we have our emergency messages translated in for our ELL families. Over the last few weeks, we have added translated messages for school closing, two-hour delays, and an early cancellation in Bosnian, Swahili, and Vietnamese bringing our total number of languages to 17 (including English).
Stebbins Named Physical Ed Teacher of the Year
ADL's Ashley Stebbins has been named the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Vermont (SHAPE VT) Middle School Teacher of the Year! Stebbins was awarded the honor at the SHAPE VT awards ceremony on Friday, October 25 in Killington, Vt.
The award recognizes outstanding teaching in elementary, middle, or high school physical education. Read more about the honor on the EWSD website!
School Photo Survey - Share Your Opinions!
We would like to hear about your experience with school photos this year, as this was the second year of our contract with Lifetouch. You can access the survey here.
In December, we will share this data about school photography services on our website.
Thank you for taking the time to give feedback!
Pie and Pie Charts!
Don’t miss the first annual EWSD Pie and Pie Charts event! Taste pies with your neighbors and friends while learning about the ‘ingredients’ that go into the District budget and how the ‘pie’ is distributed. This informational event is free and open to the public and will take place on Tuesday, November 19 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Essex High School cafeteria.
Anyone can enter a local pie, everyone will get a chance to taste them, and you will be the judge! Categories will include: best overall pie, most unique pie, best crust, and best filling. Winners will receive a gift certificate to a local business.
All Essex Junction, Essex Town, and Westford residents (and taxpayers), EWSD employees, EWSD legacy district alumni, and bakery owners/employees who fall into any of the above categories are encouraged to enter!
As part of a short budget presentation, EWSD administrators and Board members will look at the factors that go into the planning process including the timeline, parameters, and big-picture revenue/expenditures. There will be time to ask questions after the presentation and Board members will also be available to talk with and ask questions to at the end of the evening.
For more information, you can either visit the EWSD website or contact EWSD Board member Keeley Schell (keeley.schell@board.ewsd.org).
How is the Decision Made to Close Schools Due to Weather?
If you do not receive these messages and you feel you should, please reach out to the school that your child attends to confirm that your contact information is correct.
Looking for a Good Book to Read?
EWSD In the News
EHS introduces multicultural help desk (Essex Reporter)
How multicultural help desk serves youth of color (Burlington Free Press)
Top 500 STEM Programs in America (Newsweek)
STEM program at Essex High School named among best in the nation (MyChamplainValley)
Happenings
Mystery Science
Cross Country Champs
Learning Outdoors
Book Character Day
Shelburne Museum Visit
Strut Your Stuff Day
Zones of Regulation
Helicopter Landing
Community Appreciation Days
EWSD Social Media
Upcoming Events
EWSD Board Meeting - Pie and Pie Charts
Tuesday, Nov 19, 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