EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
May 13, 2021
In This Issue ...
District Updates
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at EHS
COVID-19 Town Hall For Families - TONIGHT
AP Courses and Dual Enrollment Updates
School Photography Services - Beltrami & Co Photography
EWSD Equity Policy
Long Range Facilities Planning
Meet the New EWSD Board Members
The Importance of Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
EWSD COVID Recovery Plan Survey - Closes Tomorrow
EWSD in the News
Happenings
Upcoming Events/Resources
Important Links
EWSD Social Media
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at EHS
In coordination with the Vermont Department of Health, Vermont Emergency Management the Agency of Education, the EWSD has scheduled an upcoming vaccination clinic on the Essex High School campus on Thursday, May 27 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. This clinic will serve students ages 12 and up in our District, as well as other students nearby and members of our community – including parents.
There will be 600 doses available for those who are eligible. The best way to reserve a dose of the vaccine for your child is to register online. As part of registering online, you will be asked to provide your consent as their parent/guardian for your child to receive the vaccine. More information on registering online is available on the Health Department website. We expect there to be a limited number of walk-in doses available.
The Health Department and Vermont pediatricians have put together this two-page information sheet on the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and why it is safe and effective for this age group.
Anyone who is unable to make their appointment online needs help, or who wants to speak with someone in a language other than English can call (855) 722-7878 and press 1 for interpretation services, Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This phone line is TTY enabled.
COVID-19 Town Hall For Families - TONIGHT
AP Courses and Dual Enrollment Updates
The second week of AP testing for 2021 is coming to a close. This year over 200 students have engaged in over 350 exams in 21 different AP courses. Congratulations to all of our AP students! We look forward to growing this program in upcoming years and are not considering discontinuing the AP program at EHS.
Our AP Coordination team has been meeting to think about next year and the further development of our AP program. We value our AP courses and flexible pathways, and have been working on how we can increase opportunities such as these, and encourage students to access these rigorous, college preparatory classes.
We are also excited to announce some new dual enrollment offerings for Essex High School students! Learn more about these on the EHS website.
School Photography Services - Beltrami & Co Photography
Recently the District published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for school photography services to provide school pictures and staff/student IDs. We were pleased to receive five responses to our call for proposals representing both local and national providers of school pictures and staff/student IDs.
A collaborative team of stakeholders brought subject-matter expertise to the evaluation of proposals and made its recommendation based on established criteria of value, experience, and service.
The EWSD is proud to partner with Beltrami & Co Photography for the 2021-2022 school year. Beltrami was selected based on their demonstrated capacity to serve the needs of larger school districts by providing high-quality pictures with a fast turnaround. Learn more online.
EWSD Equity Policy
Long Range Facilities Planning
The EWSD is committed to providing excellent educational services without interruption for years to come. To ensure that this is a reality, we must ask what is the condition of the nearly 1 million square feet of buildings and space in the EWSD, and is it likely to be sufficient over the next 10-20 years?
To answer these questions, District Operations recently reignited plans for a comprehensive facility assessment. The goal of this process is to inform long-range facilities planning and consider how best to provide enduring innovative and equitable opportunities for all students.
Following a detailed evaluation process leaning on the shared expertise of District Facilities and Operations staff, the team is pleased to accept the consulting proposal by Freeman French Freeman.
Our consultants will provide professional insight into our buildings, systems, and infrastructure to better understand how well our facilities are meeting the needs of learners today. The assessment will then identify areas of more pressing concern and prepare us to begin to imagine the future of EWSD Facilities. Learn more about the process online.
Meet the New EWSD Board Members
The Importance of Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
The EWSD has identified Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as a critical area of focus as we aim to reach our vision of growing hearts and minds, for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one.
In partnering together to support the social and emotional learning of students, homes and communities experience many benefits, such as improved school climate and staff retention. Learn more about the District's work to strengthen our approach to teaching and supporting all students related to social and emotional wellness.
During the 2021-2022 school year, the District will be using a more structured approach to measuring student SEL skills. This approach will assist our staff to provide more focused support when needed. It will also provide us with additional information as we monitor and communicate student progress to parents/guardians throughout the year.
For more information about how you can reinforce the District’s SEL standards at home, visit our Parent Tips & Resources page.
EWSD COVID Recovery Plan Survey - Closes Tomorrow
The EWSD has been awarded approximately seven million dollars from federal relief funds (CARES Act) to support our students and learning community.
We are asking that you take this short, anonymous survey to share your thoughts on how the District can best use these funds to create a COVID Recovery Plan that supports our students and learning community!
You can view the survey here: EWSD COVID Recovery Plan Survey
EWSD in the News
- This spacious, custom $619,900 Essex home was built by CTE students (Essex Reporter)
- Happy Mother’s Day from Founders Memorial: See 28 portraits students drew of their moms (Essex Reporter)
Essex's Molly Ardren named Gatorade volleyball player of the year for Vermont (Burlington Free Press)
Happenings
Green Up Day!
Phone Down, Head Up
Studying the Weather
Speaking Up
Prepping the Garden
Arbor Day
Upcoming Events/Resources
EHS Presents: The Field Project - LIVE & Outdoors
A collaborative & immersive experience staged live and outdoors during the magic hour. Come gather and engage for a unique participatory event, devised by the EHS Theater Company and directed by Aly Perry on May 19-23.
Seating is limited. In order to maintain strict adherence to COVID safety protocol, this event is advanced credit card ticket sales only. There will be no tickets available for purchase at the door.
All COVID guidelines will be honored and masks are required. **This show is for ages 14+**
Bike Fix & Swap
Don't miss the Essex, Essex Junction, Westford Community Bike Fix & Swap on Sunday, May 30 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Maple Street Park!
Brownell Summer Reading Program
All participants are invited to an end-of-summer party with the No Strings Marionettes, and teen volunteers are invited to a water fight in celebration of their hard work. All ages can earn raffle tickets for program participation as well as reading. There will be a weekly drawing for a $20 gift card to Phoenix Books, and an end-of-summer raffle with prizes from local businesses like Phoenix Books, Sweet Clover, and Essex Cinemas. The full Summer Reading Schedule will be released June 1, and registration opens that same day. For more information, visit the library online.
EWSD Board Meeting
To participate, please register in advance here.
More information on the work of the EWSD Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, can be found online.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 06:30 PM
Zoom/Facebook Live
Important Links
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