The PRIDE PRESS
Essex Elementary School Newsletter
September 2, 2022
Principal's Desk
Greetings EES Families-
It has been such a delight to welcome our students to school this week. Our hallways and classrooms are filled with joy and learning already. It was wonderful to see so many of you in our building during drop off this week. I am hopeful to build more (and strengthen my) connections with families this year now that we can welcome you all inside! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns or just to introduce yourself! Stay tuned for information about “Coffee with the principal” events coming soon.
I wanted to invite all of you to our Hopes and Dreams Night on September 22nd. We are thrilled to be able to host this event that welcomes all families inside and eager for this event after the Ice Cream Social was canceled.
A reminder about Morning Arrival: If your child needs assistance getting out of the vehicle in the morning, please park in our parking lot and walk your child to the front. The drop off loop is reserved for cars where the adults can remain in the driver’s seat and the student can get out on their own. Please DO NOT pass other cars stopped in the loop.
Starting on Tuesday, we will ask that families drop their children off at the front door (after 7:45AM) or at morning recess (7:30-7:45) rather than coming into the building. This supports the smooth and independent start to your child’s day.
I hope you all enjoy the long weekend with your families. I look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday morning.
My Best,
Ashley Gray (EES Principal)
School Counselor's Corner
Hello Families!
We are so excited to get to know your children and to have a great 2022-23 school year! School counselors at EES support all students’ social, emotional, and academic development. We are available to EES students through class lessons, small group work, and short-term individual counseling. We are also available for helping families with identifying community resources, consulting about child/family concerns, referrals to outside agencies, and to address any questions about school. This year we are thrilled to announce that school counselor Brea Heaslip (bheaslip@ewsd.org) will be supporting our kindergarten cohort through small and large group social and emotional teaching!
Your student(s) are assigned to school counselors by classroom teachers. Please note the following school counselor assignments.
Sarah Buhl
(802) 857-2132
Rowley
Synnott
Wolf
Mead
Rinehart
Rotach
Seligman
Gauthier
Patterson
Robbins
Tracy
Carly Davis
(802)-857-2105
Clark
Pariseau
Thayer
Waldo
Ayers
Badore
Little
Acanfora
Meehan
Yandell
Essex Town PTO
The Essex Town PTO has been working hard this summer to prepare for the school year, including our biggest event, the FunRun. Save the date for FunRun22 at EES on October 14th!
Things look a little different this year, we have an updated t-shirt and pledge packets won’t be going out! Instead, we encourage you to visit and share the PTO website where you can explore the FunRun22 page and donate to our non-profit.
We are also looking to partner with local businesses who would like to sponsor the FunRun and the PTO. If you are or know a business owner interested in a tax-free donation to our non-profit organization, please direct them to our website where they can learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
We are always looking for volunteers- please email us if you are interested in volunteering! pto@ewsd.org
We look forward to a great school year together!
-The Essex Town PTO
What's new in Art?!
Things are off to a great start in the art room. Students have been learning and relearning our art routines. We usually start art class with a read aloud. You can ask your artist to tell you about the book and project each week.
It is very helpful if you can send your student with a SMOCK. This can be an old t-shirt (kid's large/xl or adult small work well). We should be getting into some messier materials soon. Feel free to send in some extras for classmates who may not have one.
Yay for Art!
Miss Blain
Library News!
Pick Up Patrol Reminders:
All plan changes should be entered in PickUp Patrol- THANK YOU!
Use the PUP web app for:
ATTENDANCE: Notify the school office when your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving early. Be sure to provide the specific reason for your child’s absence (family, sick, appointment, etc.).
DISMISSAL CHANGES: Submit changes to your child’s regular dismissal plans. For example:
A student normally rides the bus, but is getting picked up today.
A student usually goes to aftercare, but is leaving early for an appointment
Upcoming Events:
9/22- Hopes and Dreams Night
9/27- Picture Day
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
*We take care of ourselves
*We take care of each other
*We take care of our school
C*A*R*E*S
Cooperation Assertion Responsibility Empathy Self-Control