EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
February 14, 2023
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In This Issue ...
District Updates
- Learn About the EWSD FY'24 Budget
- Open EWSD Board Seats
- Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Open for 2023-24
- Portrait of a Graduate - Final Meeting
Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Academic Integrity at EWSD
- EWSD Teachers/Staff Featured in SMC Magazine
- EWSD Multilingual Program Newsletter
- Vermont PBS: February Resources to Celebrate Black History Month
- LGBTQ+ History Month Spotlight: Pride Center of Vermont
- February/March Inclusive Holidays and Celebrations on the EWSD Calendar
- The EWSD is Hiring!
EWSD in the News
Happenings
Upcoming Events/Resources
- Essex Has Talent Show
EWSD Social Media
Learn About the EWSD FY'24 Budget
The EWSD recently held three community engagement events to talk about the budget and you can also learn more in this recent story from the Essex Reporter.
Open EWSD Board Seats
Are you interested in playing a role in supporting the work and aspirations of your local schools? Do you care deeply about the success of our public schools - for the children, the taxpayers, and the future of Vermont? Please consider running for an open seat on the EWSD School Board!
Petitions for a seat on the EWSD Board are now available. Board members to be elected this year include:
Two Essex Junction Residents: Three-year terms
Two Essex Town Residents: One three-year term, and one one-year term
One Westford Resident: Three-year term
Petitions may be downloaded online (click on the following links) or picked up in person at the Village Office for Essex Junction residents, the Essex Town Clerk's Office for Essex Town residents, and the Westford Town Office for Westford residents Monday through Friday. Remember to vote on Tuesday, April 11, 2023!
Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Open for 2023-24
EWSD is accepting registration requests for pre-kindergarten enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. Space is limited in our pre-kindergarten classrooms and placement is determined by a lottery drawing. The window to submit a registration request will be open until Tuesday, February 28th.
Use this form to request that your child is entered into the EWSD school-based pre-kindergarten lottery drawing for the 2023-2024 school year. Eligible students reside in Essex Junction, Essex Town, or Westford and are at least 3 years old on 09.01.23.
Questions can be directed to Johanna Simmons at jsimmons@ewsd.org
Portrait of a Graduate - Final Meeting
Join the EWSD in collaborative conversations to determine the skills our students need to be successful in the 21st century.
The fourth of four meetings will take place virtually on Wednesday, February 22 from 6-8 p.m. National non-profit Battelle for Kids has been working with the EWSD and in the end, we will have collaboratively decided upon a number of transferable skills.
The skills that you help us determine are the most important will guide our work as a District in making sure every child will graduate with what they need to be successful in their future.
Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Academic Integrity at EWSD
This technology is both fascinating and frightening with implications for students and teachers in our learning environment. The EWSD Technology Dept. is closely monitoring the technology’s use in our District and, at this point, is not ‘blocking’ access to the application. Read more here.
EWSD Teachers/Staff Featured in SMC Magazine
- Former EWSD teacher Annie O'Shaughnessy (Whole Teacher, Whole Studnet p.3)
- EHS student teacher Grace Erholtz (Can Higher Ed Save Education? p. 8)
- Westford teachers Callie Goss and Makayla Foster (A Legacy of Learning p. 16)
- Summit Street Paraeducator Hannah Bishop (Finding Your Path p. 24)
Vermont PBS: February Resources to Celebrate Black History Month
The Vermont Agency of Education updated its Vermont PBS webpage in February 2022 in celebration of Black History Month. The page includes articles and audio clips about local leaders and history. Plus, check out the research report about how Molly of Denali can help teach children to use and create informational text.
Featured resources are updated regularly and relate to monthly themes that are organized by grade band and subject area. Also, visit the Vermont PBS Kids and Education page to find more online and printable resources.
LGBTQ+ History Month Spotlight: Pride Center of Vermont
The PCVT provides a wide range of programs and events focusing on health and wellness, identity, and anti-violence. The Center also maintains a lengthy list of statewide and regional resources designed to increase awareness and ensure access for the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about the PCVT and other organizations with a focus on LGBTQIA+ inclusivity on the EWSD Equity and Inclusion site.
Feb./March Inclusive Holidays and Celebrations
Lantern Festival/Yuan Xiao Festival (recognized in China and various Asian countries) and Nirvana Day (celebrated within the Buddhist faith) both take place on Wednesday, February 15 this year. Utilize these links with helpful resources to talk about and recognize March awareness months at home:
EWSD in the News
- Essex Westford School District's early Wednesday release: Wasteful or worth it?
- Mittens, mental health and drug use: Senator Bernie Sanders holds a town meeting with EHS and CTE students
- PHOTOS: Rice hosts Essex in H.S. girls basketball
- EWSD first annual operations appreciation week begins Jan. 23
- Girls on the Run seeks volunteer coaches for Founders Memorial and Hiawatha Elementary Schools
- EWSD announces Colleen Birner will continue as Summit Street School principal
- Essex High School student spotlight: Varsity girl basketball team captains
- Burlington neighbors gather to support teen beaten outside home
- EWSD to undergo audit of math programs to improve student scores and success
- Summit Street School hangs the Democratic Republic of the Congo's flag in gymnasium in support of a classmate
- EHS student Aura Upchurch works to educate EWSD community on discrimination students are facing
- Essex boys hockey stays undefeated after comeback against Colchester
- EWSD recommends an FY24 budget of $90.7 million. No, that is not all coming out of your property taxes.
Watch Vermont Youth Chorus Sing Phish’s ‘Turtle In The Clouds’
- Watch Now: Vermont Youth Choir Pays Tribute to Phish with “Turtle In The Clouds” Cover
- Elementary School Chorus Sings “Turtle In The Clouds” By Phish [Watch]
- Essex Westford School District Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award
- Essex Junction High School class of 1983 seeks classmates for 40th reunion
- Hoax threats called into multiple schools across Vermont
Local high school utilizes uncommon safety protocols amid threat hoax (MyNBC5)
Kids get creative for Essex High School’s ‘Anything but a Backpack Day’ (WCAX)
Happenings
Meeting Rossano Galante
The EHS Wind Ensemble was able to virtually meet with famous composer Rossano Galante. Students prepared questions to ask and were able to hear about his creative experiences!
ADL Teacher Nominated for Award
Tina Logan was recently nominated for the 2022-23 National LifeChanger of the Year award. This award recognizes and rewards K-12 educators who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, & leadership. http://bit.ly/3XSOZSn
Westford Robotics News
Four FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from Westford School traveled to Norwich University to compete against a field of 30 other teams in the FLL Vermont State Championships & finished the exciting day by claiming half of the championship’s awards! http://bit.ly/3jbyFOb
GLP Event
School Spirit!
Students Named Vermont’s 2023 Presidential Scholars
The Vermont Agency of Education announced Anthony Rizvanov (EHS/BTC) and Evan Hodgson (CTE/EHS) as Vermont’s Presidential Scholar recipients for the 2022-2023 school year in a recognition ceremony at the Vermont State House. https://bit.ly/3WUau4o
Upcoming Events/Resources
Essex Has Talent Show
EWSD Board Meeting
More information on the work of the EWSD Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, can be found online.
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023, 06:30 PM
EHS Library/Zoom/Facebook Live
Archived EWSD Newsletters
EWSD Social Media
About Us
Email: aboutwell@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