EWSD News
News for EWSD Families and Community Members
December 15, 2020
In This Issue ...
District Updates
Reminder: EWSD Grades K-5 Shifting to a Hybrid Model (4 Days In-Person/1 Remote) in January
NEW - Meals on Wednesdays for Remote Learners
EWSD School/District Cancellation Updates for 2020-21
Resources for Local Youth
Essex CHIPS Teen and Tween Center Virtual Programming
COVID Tips
EHS Winter Warmth Gift Card Fundraiser
Happenings
Upcoming Events
EWSD Board Meeting
Important Links
EWSD Social Media
Reminder: EWSD Grades K-5 Shifting to a Hybrid Model (4 Days In-Person/1 Remote) in January
In efforts to remain open and sustain in-person learning, we are unfortunately finding the need to reduce the number of days of in-person instruction for our K-5 students. EWSD students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be moving to four days a week of in-person instruction and one half-day of remote learning (Wednesdays). Our buildings will be closed to most people on the remote Wednesdays. Due to the lack of staffing, our system will not be able to offer childcare on Wednesdays, as we did at the beginning of the year.
This new model will begin the week of January 4, with the first day of remote learning taking place on Wednesday, January 6. We will reassess this model in mid-February, along with taking into consideration Vermont COVID data, and how COVID is affecting our school district. We do not currently have an end date in mind for this new model. Our need to remain flexible and agile seems to be a theme for the past nine months.
All EWSD grades K-5 will be in-person Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; all operations will run as normal, including meals and buses. On Wednesdays, schools will be closed for most K-5 students, but they will have a half-day of remote learning which will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. Students will take part in a virtual morning meeting and have a mix of live and recorded lessons.
NEW - Meals on Wednesdays for Remote Learners
With the move to Wednesdays being remote for K-5 students, starting on January 6 remote learners will be able to pick up one day worth of meals on Wednesdays at any of the three EWD pick-up locations.
Drive-thrus will be offered at the following locations:
- Albert D. Lawton School, 9-10 a.m on Mondays and Wednesdays
- Essex Elementary School, 9-10 a.m, Mondays and Wednesdays
- Westford School, 9-9:30 a.m, Mondays and Wednesdays
EWSD School/District Cancellation Updates for 2020-21
Recently, we sent out a survey asking all of our parents, staff, and students in grades 6-12 what you would prefer in regards to remote learning if schools were canceled the day of or the night before. We wanted to thank you so much for sharing your voices with us, as we had nearly 4,400 people respond!
Resources for Local Youth
Essex CHIPS Teen and Tween Center Virtual Programming
Essex CHIPS has a variety of free programs for youth and families and here are a few examples below.
- Teen and Tween Center: The Essex Teen Center is currently offering virtual programming. The December calendar of activities can be found on the CHIPS website. This week is their first Chef's Club activity where parents can pick-up supplies provided by CHIPS and then cook along with staff over Zoom. Before youth can participate in Teen Center calls, a parent/guardian must complete this consent form.
TeenLine: The TeenLine program connects youth and their families to information and resources. The TeenLine operators are available Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. Call them at (855) 273-8336 or email them at teenline@essexchips.org if you need help, information, or even just someone to talk to.
- Youth Food Shelf: Their Food Shelf is currently operating by appointment. To schedule a no-contact pick-up or delivery, contact TeenLine or fill out the request form on their website.
COVID Tips
Are you worried about being a close contact?
What constitutes a close contact?
Close contact means being within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, of someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 during their infectious period. The infectious period starts two days before any symptoms begin, or for people who haven't had symptoms, two days before they were tested, and continues until they are recovered.
Close contact does not mean: being more than six feet away in the same indoor environment for a short period of time, walking by, or briefly being in the same room.
Close contact - YES
Here are some examples: You live in the same home, you are intimate partners, you rode in the same car while the person was infectious, you had dinner together while the person was infectious.
Close Contact - NO
Here are some examples: You were their cashier at the grocery store, you are a pharmacist and handed them medication, you were in front of the person in a line at a store, you are a co-worker and walked by them and stopped to ask a question.
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Resist the Urge to Self Diagnose
We receive this common question from staff and parents: “I just have a scratchy throat and a runny nose, I am sure it is just a cold, I can come to work/send my child to school, right?” - Wrong!
Coronavirus is a great masquerader. It can mimic a cold, the real flu, or have no symptoms at all. While it is tempting to do as we have done every year and brush off those minor cold symptoms, during a pandemic we must treat every illness as a potential case of COVID.
Every COVID test contributes to our public health knowledge, understanding of the disease, and helps to keep schools and businesses open.
Contact your doctor even with the most minor symptoms or contact your school nurse for advice. We are working closely with the Vermont Health Department and are happy to guide you on next steps.
EHS Winter Warmth Gift Card Fundraiser
Would you like to share a little warmth with families in need this winter season? Essex High School is holding its annual gift card fundraiser to help support some of our families through the holidays and cold winter months ahead. They understand that these are trying times for everyone, as this unexpected COVID-19 year has impacted so many families on many levels. If it is within your means, they hope you consider purchasing a gift card to donate to this fundraising effort.
Because this fundraiser is intended to support families through the holidays and long Vermont winter months, please consider donating a gift card from a store that offers a variety of goods - from clothing to food. Stores like Walmart and Target are preferred, but a card from any store is welcome and deeply appreciated. To limit traffic inside of the building due to COVID-19, gift cards can be dropped off at the EHS Security Office (located just inside the first door of the main entrance) or can be mailed to the Essex High School Main Office ATTN: Arielle Boutwell, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 from now until the end of the school day on December 18, 2020.
The EHS student assistance staff will then confidentially coordinate assistance to EHS students and families in need. Giving can make this winter brighter and more hopeful for all. We had an outpouring of support last year and donations totaled over $3,000 and helped over 50 families over the course of the holidays and winter months.
We know we can surpass last year’s collection with your help and know there are even more families who could use extra support this year. Let’s work together to share the warmth this winter season. Thank you so very much for considering your extended EHS families throughout the next few weeks!
Happenings
FMS Student to Show Off His Talents on TV
Hour of Code
Debate and Forensics Tournament
Senior Meal
Dinner was prepared by all three classes in the Professional Foods program, Pre-Tech 5, Pro Foods 1, and Pro Foods 2. The sumptuous meal included stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry relish, butternut squash, and, of course, the star of the show, turkey! The students had a great time and did an amazing job helping out some of our seniors.
Local Government
Both classes have been learning about government in social studies. Recently, students learned about the legislative branch and have been busy writing bills. They will simulate Congress to see how many bills will pass during a culminating activity. To tie this in at the local level, students had an opportunity to talk with Dolan and learned how she campaigned and why she wanted to be a state representative.
Bench Builders
EES Took Part in an All-School Celebration!
Kindness Boomerang at Summit!
Upcoming Events
EWSD Board Meeting
Accessing the Zoom Meeting
Register in advance for this meeting here.
More information on the work of the EWSD Board, which includes, agendas, minutes, and meeting takeaways, can be found online.
Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020, 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