EMES School Newsletter

It has been a FULL couple of weeks at EMES! We celebrated our 100th day of school on the 11th with a school-wide competition to find 100 Scouts. We succeeded and the last one was found just before dismissal...phew! It's so fun to see the excitement on students faces, both young and old, when they find a Scout their teacher hid under a water bottle, behind the pencil sharpener, or even on their own back!

Last week, we also had a special guest come to share a presentation about the power of positive mindset: Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. Kids (and adults!) were wowed by the yoyo tricks and shared a lot of laughs together in the gym. This message is so important this time of year when things can feel HARD!

On February 14th, all K-6 students enjoyed lunch with their buddies. We exchanged hearts with positive notes and enjoyed delicious raspberry filled cookies that our kitchen prepared. It was extra special to see our buddies together, both at lunch and on the playground. Activities that bring our school community together are heartwarming for all.

This week, students participated in an all-school writing prompt. I love to get kids opinions about different things and this is one great way for me to learn more about them and what they like. The prompt this week was, "Last week, we had several school-wide events: our 100th-day Scout search, the NED performance, and lunch with our buddies. School-wide events like these are meant to bring our school community together. What are your favorite EMES school-wide events and why? What are some ideas that you have that could be school-wide activities that would bring our school together?" When we return from break, teachers will score the student writing and I will read through and gather new and fun ways to bring our community together. During student led conferences (March 21st), you'll have an opportunity to see the four all-school writing pieces we've done so far this year. I think you'll be impressed with the progression of their writing!

I hope you enjoy the extended winter break with your kiddos next week, whether you're traveling or staying close to home. Winter has been particularly rough this year, both with the weather and with illness. It'll be great to air out our building for some time and welcome everyone back hopefully a little more healthy, and the temps a little less harsh!

Best,

Alicia

February 24 - March 4: Winter Break - No School

March 4: Town Meeting Day at EMES - please come and vote!

March 21: Student Led Conferences - no school for students

As part of our commitment to supporting students’ social and emotional growth, we will be using the DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) SEL screener. This research-based tool helps us understand and nurture key social-emotional skills such as self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship-building.

The screener is strength-based and designed to identify areas where students excel, as well as areas where they may need additional support. Based on the results, our school will provide targeted support through classroom activities, small group interventions, and individualized strategies to help students develop essential life skills. Our goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your partnership in fostering your child’s well-being!

Today is Nurse Lydia's last day at EMES and we wish her the best! We are so lucky to have Nurse Dave Mathies come back to EMES after the break. He's a known face to all EMES students and so enjoys coming back to visit and spend time with our students and staff. As we move through the hiring process for a new nurse, we will keep you informed!

The Washington Central Unified Union School District registration process is available and will open online on Monday, February 3rd, for the 2025-2026 school year.

The online Pre-K and K registration process must be completed for students attending our public school programs and students who are attending private pre-qualified programs through Act 166 in 2025-2026.

Registration for Pre-K 3 is for students who are 3 years old on or before September 1, 2025. Pre-K 4 is for students 4 or 5 years old (5-year-olds not enrolled in Kindergarten) on or before September 1, 2025, from the towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, and Worcester.

Kindergarten is for children who turn age 5 on or before September 1, 2025. If you have not recently moved to our district and your child already attends public Pre-K, they are already registered for Kindergarten in our district.

Please go to our website at www.wcuusd.org and follow the directions after clicking the "Online Registration" icon on the lower right-hand side under the first photograph.

If registering for public Pre-K in your local elementary school, it is strongly suggested that families complete the online registration process by 3/28/2025 if possible. We will begin offering placements to students in the late Spring. For Pre-K placements, 4-year-olds are given priority until the 3/28/25 date, and then students are placed on a first-come-first-served basis; space is limited. If necessary, we will create a waitlist and offer spots in our public Pre-K programs on a first-come, first-served basis as they become available. All registration paperwork must be completed and received before a placement will be offered.

WCUUSD offers childcare options through Community Connections to extend the time offered during the day and increase convenience and access to our public Pre-K programs.

Please contact Kimberly Bolduc, Coordinator of Early Education and Expanded Learning Opportunities, at Kbolduc@u32.org or 223-7936 at ext. 305 if you have any questions regarding Pre-Kindergarten, Act 166, or Community Connections extended care options.

We will be offering Pre-K play-based Introductions and Screening opportunities for each school as follows:

Berlin: Wednesday, May 14th, call 802/223-2796
Calais: Thursday, May 1st, call 802/454-7777
East Montpelier: Tuesday, May 20th, call 802/223-7936
Doty & Rumney (at Rumney Memorial in Middlesex):
Friday, May 9th, call 802/223-5429 (Rumney) or 802/223-5656 (Doty)

Should you have any concerns about your child's development, please contact our Special Education Teachers, Bess Powers at bpowers@u32.org or Dawn Dumas at ddumas@u32.org or call 802/223-2796.

In February, Vermont Public Classical invites families to enjoy classical music curated for young listeners. These thematic one-hour playlists use Spotify to inspire a new generation of classical music listeners. Enjoy compositions with titles inspired by the seasons, listen to world music, or behold music that captures an array of relatable emotions. Choose your own family adventure and playlist at www.vermontpublic.org/classical

Registration for the Spring 2025 Little League Baseball and Softball season is now open

Central Vermont Little League offers programs for boys and girls between the age of 4 and 12.

The league serves the communities of Berlin, Cabot, Calais, East Montpelier, Marshfield,

Middlesex, Montpelier, Plainfield, and Worcester.

On Time Baseball and Softball Registration Closes on March 8, 2025

**For 2025**! Central Vermont Little League (CVTLL) is offering spring clinics for league ages 8

to 12 (please see the league age calculator link below). Your registration for the 2025 spring

season includes winter clinics at Norwich University Jacob Shapiro Fieldhouse. The clinics are

scheduled for Sunday, March 2nd, Sunday March 16th, Sunday March 23rd, and Sunday, March

30th from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Please look for the spring clinic RSVP link in the registration

confirmation email. Clinic spots are limited, please only sign up for the days you plan to attend.

Visit our website at https://www.cvtll.org/ for more information or to register.

Thank you,

Central Vermont Little League

Washington Central allies and caregivers of children exploring and/or identifying LGBTQIA++

(not our official name!)

The SECOND MONDAY every month--- 5-6:30pm.

Beginning February 10th

Location: Room 128 at U-32

We invite all district members with children (preK-12) in their care or in a caring relationship

with kids who are or are exploring their gender expression.

Sometimes the health and well-being of our kids is hampered by the social expectations we have

all been taught-- about what to expect from boys and girls.

As adults we carry our upbringing of such expectations AND we adore our kids who may be

breaking up with those very ideas.

This group welcomes conversations about how our kids are declaring who they are, defying

expectations, how our kids love pink or don't, play with trucks instead of dolls, wear dresses

instead of pants, or both, love everyone and sometimes do not receive such open heartedness

from others.

What do we do about pronouns, bullying, our own 'coming out' as adults who love and adore

kids who tell us they are questioning how they fit in the world? What about LGBTAQ++ and

non-binary? Wondering about gender and as age appropriate, growing into social and emotional

intimate interests?

We want to create a place to share experiences and resources guided by Shelley Vermilya, district

equity scholar and gender studies educator, and parents.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Shelley

Please send questions and RSVP

Shelley Vermilya svermilya@u32.org