EMS Newsletter

Hello EMS Families, Caregivers, and Community!

What an incredible two weeks of music we’ve just had here at Edmunds Middle School! In our Chorus Concert last week, led by Mr. Avery Cooper, and our Orchestra and Band Concerts this week led by Mr. Michael Hakim, Mr. Graham Lambert, and Mr. Matt Pelligrino, I was absolutely blown away by the talent, passion, skill, and dedication of your children. The magic of their work was truly something special. Huge thanks to our Performance Music faculty, to our tireless EngageEMS PTO who fundraise and sponsor significant portions of our music programming, and to all of you for the guidance, support, and engagement that you offer your children every day to help them achieve these musical milestones. Wow! So good!! Don’t miss the EMS Jazz Band at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival on Church St. on Thursday, June 6th!

Special thank you to all the 6th graders who stayed for Step Up day today to welcome the 5th graders who will be coming to EMS next year! You all did a great job being ambassadors for our school!

For students, parents, and caregivers, please ask your students’ Core Teachers about End-of-Year Event Contracts. Most teams at EMS are handing out contracts to students so that students know what expectations they need to meet for the next few weeks in order to be eligible for the end of the year Team Field Trips. Some students benefit from helpful reminders from family and caregivers on these. Our goal is for every student to attend End-of-Year trips.

For those of you who have an incoming 5th grader, this Thursday evening, 5/30, we will be hosting an Incoming Parents Night at EMS from 6:00-7:00pm. Bring your questions, concerns, excitements, and build some community with us!

On June 11th, we will be hosting our 8th grade Celebration of Learning at 1:00pm with a reception to follow. Parents of 8th graders, you should receive an invitation this week. Tuesday June 11th will be a half day for all 6th and 7th graders. Unfortunately, due to capacity issues, the Celebration of Learning is only open to 8th graders and their families.

The following day, June 12th, is a half day for the entire school, and is the final day of school for the year! Lots of learning still to occur between now and then. Let’s stay at it!

Thanks,

John

EMS Lincoln Essay Contest Winners Maelyn Slavik, Britta Fitzgerald, Isa Cramer, and Tegan Bushey enjoyed a Luncheon and Awards Presentation at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, VT on Sunday, May 19th. They were then treated to a private tour of the Hildene Estate. Congratulations to all students who submitted essays to this rigorous contest. They should be proud of their efforts.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles cases are rising in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. In the U.S., nearly twice as many measles cases have been reported in the first few months of 2024 compared to all of 2023. Most people diagnosed with measles in the U.S. this year have been children ages 12 months and older who had not been vaccinated against measles. Many cases have been linked to international travel.

While most people in the U.S. and Vermont are vaccinated against measles, communities with lower vaccine coverage are at higher risk for outbreaks. Measles is common in some countries so make sure you’re protected against measles before traveling internationally.

Here’s how you can help keep your family, school, and community healthy:

1. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated against measles—especially if you plan to travel outside the U.S.

Measles is almost entirely preventable with vaccines. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective against measles.

o Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine—the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years.

o Babies 6-11 months old who are traveling internationally should get an early dose of MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel.

Talk to your doctor if you are unsure about your measles protection or to make a vaccine appointment. If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care. Please share updated immunization information with the school nurse or child care administrator.

2. Stay home and call your doctor if your child is sick with symptoms of measles.

Symptoms usually start with a high fever, then a cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes. A rash usually appears three to five days after the first symptoms. Babies, young children, and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk of getting very sick from measles.

Thank you for taking steps to protect the health of our community. For more information on measles and vaccines, please visit healthvermont.gov/measles.