District Updates

• 💲EWSD Budget Information
• 📝 Pre-K Registration
• 🔎Superintendent Search Update
• 🗳️ Open School Board Seats
• 🏫 Student Support and Safety
• 🎉 National School Counseling Week
• ☀️ Signing Kids up for Summer Camps
• 📝 Applications for AI and Social Computing Program
• ➡️ VSAC's College & Career Pathways Event
• 📌 Career Pathway Entry Program
• 🗓️ EWSD Calendar of Inclusive Holidays/Recognition Days

Happenings

Upcoming Events

• 🎲Clue Fundraiser Game Night
• 🔍 Walking and Biking in Essex
• 🔔 No School Reminder (Winter Break)

EWSD Social Media

Do you have questions about the proposed EWSD budget? Learn more by visiting the EWSD budget web page for the latest news, frequently asked questions, blog posts, Board meeting materials, and more.

The EWSD Board will meet tonight starting at 6 p.m. You can watch the meeting online thanks to the Media Factory. You can also join the virtual conversation as part of our EWSD BudgetTalk series (Feb. 20) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to ask questions and learn more about the budget.

The EWSD is now accepting registration requests for pre-K enrollment for next school year. Eligible students reside in Essex Junction, Essex Town, or Westford and are at least three years old on 09.01.25.

The District will respond to your registration request via email with either an offer of a classroom slot or notification that your student is on the enrollment waiting list. The offer of a classroom slot will include instructions on how to complete new student registration.

Finalists Mark Holodick, Davion R. Lewis, and Patricia Rodriguez visited the EWSD last week and met with different panels made up of students, staff, families, leadership, and the EWSD Board.

You can watch recordings of the student and parent panels by visiting our superintendent search web page.

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 are now available. Board members to be elected this year include:

• One City of Essex Junction Resident: Three-year term

• Two Essex Town Residents: Three-year terms

Petitions may be picked up at the Village Office for the City of Essex Junction residents and the Essex Town Clerk's Office for Essex Town residents Monday through Friday. Completed petitions (containing at least 1% of the voters in that community or 30 qualified signatures, whichever is less) must be returned to the locations listed above by Monday, March 3, 2025, in order to have a name placed on the ballot.

As emphasized by our School Board Chair and Superintendent in a recent community-wide communication, the EWSD remains committed to upholding students' rights under Vermont law and District policy. It is important for students and families to understand that our teachers and educators recognize students first and foremost as valued members of our learning community, embracing all aspects of their identities, cultures, and lived experiences.

Gender identity is a protected category under Vermont law and EWSD policy regarding discrimination and harassment. In accordance with public accommodation laws, transgender students are ensured access and support to their education and our facilities, alongside protections provided by hazing, harassment, and bullying laws. The EWSD is dedicated to maintaining a discrimination-free environment, fostering visibility, and affirming the value of all gender identities. Furthermore, the EWSD does not collect information about students' citizenship status, and we are committed to educating all students, regardless of their immigration status. Families seeking information on their rights related to immigration status in Vermont can find information on that topic here from the Agency of Education.

Following the Vermont Agency of Education’s recommendations, the EWSD has established protocols to ensure that law enforcement may only access individuals in our schools in cases of an immediate, verifiable emergency or with a judicial warrant. This is not a change in practice. Additionally, requests for student information must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that only guardians have the right to release information about their children to individuals seeking information from outside of the EWSD who do not have an educational need to know. We will continue to review Vermont's expectations as they relate to changes in law, regulations, and court decisions, which is our responsibility as a school district.

This month (February 3-7) we celebrated National School Counseling Week! We thank all of our School Counselors who work tirelessly to support the overall health of students in our District. Take a moment to thank the counselor(s) in your school this month (or anytime!).

While it may not feel like it outside, summer will be here before we know it, and now is the time to explore summer camp options for your students! Registration for local camps open soon. From sports and arts to STEM and outdoor adventures, there’s a camp to suit every interest and spark new passions.

Essex Junction Recreation and Parks and Essex Parks and Recreation both provide camp offerings at our local parks and within our District schools. The Vermont Camp Association, a consortium of summer camps, camp programs, and camp professionals serving youth, has a lengthy list of camp options with a map of locations on their website.

Inspirit AI is a Stanford-alumni led 25-hour summer program that introduces students in grades 6 to 12 to fundamental AI and computing tools to create impactful projects such as creating automated math tutoring platforms and real-time crisis detection systems.

Students collaborate live online with Ivy League graduate students to build AI-powered projects tackling diverse problems across STEM and humanities disciplines. Applications for summer are due March 1.

On Thursday, March 20 the Career Center at Essex High School will be bringing 10th graders to VSAC’s College & Career Pathways event at Saint Michael’s College.

Whether your student is in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, parents/guardians are invited to attend the free event for families on Saturday, March 8 in person at UVM or online over Zoom. To get the full schedule, and to sign up, go to vsac.org/ccp

The Community College of Vermont's Career Pathway Entry Program (CPEP+) combines college classes with industry-recognized credentials and paid job shadows, and leads to an apprenticeship or other earn-and-learn opportunity with businesses across Vermont.

Explore the options and learn more: ccv.edu/cpep

Throughout February, the following awareness months are recognized.

• African American Heritage Month

• Black History Month

• LGBTQIA+ History Month

Visit the EWSD calendar listings to learn about the historical relevance of the months and to utilize resources from reputable sources.

• EWSD school board talks equity and school budget during Tuesday, Jan. 7 meeting (Essex Reporter)
• Gold-medal winning Team USA player returns to hometown team for senior season at Essex (Burlington Free Press)
• School districts wait to hear impacts after student, teacher information accessed in breach (My NBC5)
• EWSD to unveil 'level service' budget tonight; $6 million in cuts included (Essex Reporter)
• Calling all EWSD alumni: Share Your Story! (Essex Reporter)
• EWSD proposes reconfiguring school buildings during budget talks (Essex Reporter)
• Gov. Phil Scott rolls out school district consolidation plan; EWSD board weighs-in (Essex Reporter)
• Proposed changes in Essex Westford school district worries some parents (My NBC5)
• School districts respond to governor’s education finance reform plan (WCAX)
• Essex Middle School 8th grade boys basketball goes undefeated so far (Essex Reporter)
• Essex Westford School District announces superintendent finalists (Essex Reporter)
• The Transfinder Transformation: Efficient Transportation Management (School Transportation News)

• EWSD to keep music budget the same after public feedback (Essex Reporter)

• Meet people working 4 of ‘Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs’ (Essex Reporter)

• Essex goes back-to-back in gymnastics (WCAX)

The EHS theater program is hosting a Clue Fundraiser Game Night on Friday, February 21 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the EHS Library. All are welcome to attend, and it is $5 to play. Snacks and drinks will be available!

Activities include card and board games, puzzles, and music snacks. Play for a chance to win prizes or tickets to a show!

Interested in walking and biking in Essex? Attend the first open house on two Essex plans that are kicking off:

• Keystone Trail Connectivity Project
• Active Transportation Plan

This will take place on February 20 at Essex Middle School, and you can drop in anytime between 6-7:30 p.m.

School will resume on Wednesday, March 5. For a full list of planned school closures, visit our school calendars online.

Email: communications@ewsd.org
Website: www.ewsd.org
Location: 76 Pearl Street, Suite 201, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Phone: 802-878-8168