The Hornet Buzz

• September 23: No Evening Events - Rosh Hashanah
• September 26: Coffee House
• September 27: Blood Drive
• September 28: RALLYTHON 5K
• October 1: No Evening Events - Yom Kippur
• October 2: No School - Yom Kippur
• October 15: Choir Concert (Grades 6-12) at 6:30PM
• October 21: Picture Retake Day
• October 21: Band Concert (Grades 6-12) at 6:30PM
• October 22: Evening Family Conferences
• October 23: No School - Diwali
• October 24: No School - Family Conferences
• October 29: Quarter 1 Ends

Dear Hornet Students, Families, and Caregivers,

Thank you for helping us start the school year on such a positive note. Our students have shown up ready to learn, and it has been wonderful to see their energy and commitment in classrooms, on the fields and courts, preparing for the musical, and participating in so many other activities. Your support makes EHS a vibrant community, and I am grateful to everyone for contributing to this strong beginning.

It was great to see so many of you at our Open House this past Tuesday. This “Back to School Night” gave families a chance to connect with teachers and school counselors and to experience different aspects of the high school journey. For those who attended, we would appreciate your feedback! Please fill out this feedback form. I look forward to continuing our partnership throughout your student’s time as a Hornet.

At EHS, we are committed to being ENGAGED, HONEST, and SAFE. These values guide us not only in classrooms but also on the fields, in our clubs and activities, and in shared spaces such as hallways and cafeterias. One ongoing focus is limiting cell phone use during academic times. Please remind your student to place their phone in the classroom caddy during each class, study hall, advisory, and while in the Library.

We are also dedicated to ensuring that all students and staff learn and work in a safe environment, free from harassment, bullying, and hazing. Please refer to EWSD school board policies for more information. If you ever believe your child may be experiencing harassment, bullying, or hazing, I encourage you to reach out to an administrator right away.

Our newsletters will be shared monthly, typically during the third week of the month. Please watch for them as we continue to highlight important updates and celebrations. Wishing you a wonderful fall season; I look forward to working together throughout the year!

Best,

Donald S. Van Nostrand

Principal

• Yearbook Information
• Senior Privileges
• Student Parking Permits
• Parent Drop Off & Pick Up Parking
• Coffee House
• Community Blood Drive
• RALLYTHON 5K
• Picture Retake Day
• Green Mountain Academy
• Essex Free Parenting Series
• Cell Phone/Airpod/Headphone Expectations
• Monthly Book Recommendation
• Emergency Response Information
• Essex Police Community Advisory Board
• Google Annual Permissions & Agreements Form
• Understanding AI
• STAR Assessments
• 2025 EHS AP Shoutouts
• Updates From the Career Center
• From School Counseling
• From the Attendance Office
• Bell Schedule
• Important Links
• Administrator Assignments

Yearbooks are available for purchase for $72 from August 28th until September 19th. After this date, the yearbook price will increase to $77. Purchase a yearbook online using the "Josten's" link below, or by mailing an order form and a check payable to EWSD with the order form below. * NO CASH PLEASE.

Please visit Josten's to purchase a yearbook or fill out and mail this order form. *(personalization options only available online until 1/30/26)

For printed forms, go to the Main Office.

EHS Address:
Essex High School
Attn: EHS Yearbook
2 Educational Drive
Essex Junction, VT 05452

Please visit the EHS Yearbook website here.

Submit Senior Photo - DEADLINE: Friday, October 24

The Yearbook staff will only accept VERTICAL PHOTOS that are at least 1200x1800 pixels to ensure a clear and high-quality photo.

Submitting a vertical photo will prevent undesirable cropping. Please avoid photos from webcams, taken directly from social media platforms, or screenshots. The digital quality will not be high enough and it will not be used. You will receive a confirmation email from Josten's when you upload your photo.

Submit Senior Quote - DEADLINE: Friday, October 24

Senior quotes must be school-appropriate and limited to 200 CHARACTERS (including spaces and punctuations). The yearbook staff reserves the right to deny/edit any quote that we deem is inappropriate or too long.

Submit Recognition Ads - DEADLINE: February 6, 2026

Parents, families, and friends can submit pictures online and create a page to celebrate student achievements and milestones! Pages can be created using baby pictures, family photos, etc. Jostens is managing this portion of the yearbook so please DO NOT send any photos to the yearbook staff directly.

Please email us with questions

This information was sent by email to students and families. If you have questions regarding Senior Privileges, see Maegen Huffstutlar in the Main Office.

Parking permits are required for students to park during regular school hours. Students in Grades 11 and 12 can apply for a permit here.

11th and 12th grade students who have filled out the form, your permit is in the Main Office. Please pick up your permit ASAP and put in your car.

This is a reminder about student pick up and drop off locations. Please follow the mapping directions above as this allows for a smooth flow of traffic. For any questions, please contact the main office at 802-879-7121 or hornets@ewsd.org.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Isabella Nash and I’m proud to be part of RALLYTHON, UVM’s chapter of Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon. 100% of the funds we raise go directly to the UVM Children’s Hospital (aka Vermont Children’s Hospital) — the same hospital that gave me lifesaving care when I spent over 100 days in the NICU.

All of us at RALLYTHON would love for you to join us for our RALLYTHON 5K— the annual kickoff to our fundraising season!

When: Sunday, Sept. 28th

Location: Gutterson Field House, 147 Spear St, Burlington, VT (parking available)

Check in: 8:00 AM | Race Start: 9:00 AM

Registration: $20

(day-of registration available)

The course includes both paved and trail-like terrain, with water stations and volunteers guiding you along the way.

Every step you take helps move mountains and make miracles happen for kids and families right here in Vermont and Upstate New York.

Register here!

This generation fighting for the next,

Isabella

Electronic devices are prevalent in today’s society. However, it is important that these devices be used for educational purposes and not take away from learning taking place in the classroom. As such, the following guidelines apply to Chromebooks, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, AirPods/headphones, etc.:

• Cell phones and other personal electronic devices (including watches) are not to be used in academic classrooms including Advisory (Monday/Wednesday) and Flex (Tuesday/Thursday/Friday).

• Cell phones need to be placed in the cell phone caddy on silent mode when entering a classroom. They are to remain in the caddy until the end of class.

• If a student leaves the room for any reason, their phone needs to remain in the classroom in the caddy. Cell phone use in the bathroom may result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day.

• The use of camera functions is strictly prohibited, including in classrooms (exception: teacher permission for an academic activity), restrooms and/or locker rooms, hallways, and the cafeteria.

• Any electronic device brought to school is the responsibility of the student. EHS is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices. Students are expected to use electronic devices appropriately and respectfully.

• Study Halls and Library: Students are assigned school-issued Chromebook for academic work which may be used during Study Hall and in the Library. During these study halls, the cell phone is kept in the caddy. When students visit the library with passes, their phone will be stored in a caddy at the desk and returned to them upon their leaving. When students visit the library with early release or late start, students are expected to keep cell phones out of sight. If they are seen, they will be stored in the caddy until the student leaves and a community call back will be issued.

• If caregivers need to communicate with their student during the school day, please call the EHS main office at 802-879-7121.

Airpods/Headphones

• Airpods/Headphones are not permitted in academic classrooms unless the teacher has given permission.

• Students may use AirPods/headphones in the library and study halls if they are connected to a Chromebook. Cell phones need to remain away.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl is a mysterious, twisty tale about 17 year old Dia. Dia, who love all things old and works in an antiques store, also loves Darkly games. Darkly is like Jumanji, but more deadly. Dia's life changes when she lands an internship with Darkly. Remember, "You don't own a Darkly game. It owns you."

We held our first run-hide-fight drill on September 4th, which went smoothly!

We follow Vermont state guidelines when preparing to respond to emergencies. Information can be found at the EWSD District Safety website, Vermont School Safety Website, or by contacting Garry Scott, Director of Facilities & District Safety, at (802) 857-7043.

Schools are required to hold emergency drills throughout the school year. For the 2025-2026 school year there will be campus fire drills held in September, October, December, February, and April. Run-hide-fight drills will be held in September and January. Families will receive additional information prior to each drill.

Click here for the survey link.

A reminder to guardians: Please complete the Permissions & Agreements form in the annual update for Additional Google Services.

Certain Additional Google services (such as YouTube, Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Translate, etc.) are essential tools used by teachers to support and enhance classroom learning. Google now requires parental consent for students under 18 to access these services. Without consent, your child may not be able to fully participate in curriculum-based activities and assignments.

The fall window for STAR Assessments is September 2nd - October 3rd. All students, grades 9-12 will be testing during this time. If an 11th or 12th grader demonstrates proficiency on this assessment, they will not need to take it again during the winter window. The winter window will be from January 5th - February 13th.

Please check this section for student job opportunities.

Student Job Opportunities

Students can stop in the Career Center in the Library to see Ms. Hemingway to learn more!

Hello 9th Grade Caregivers,

From September 16th - October 3rd, all 9th grade students will meet with their school counselors. These 30-minute meetings are pre-scheduled, will take place during the school day, and are intended for connection between the counselor and the student only. We do our best to schedule these meetings during open study hall blocks in your student's schedule, but they may find that they are scheduled during a class. If so, your student's teacher will know in advance and they will be excused from class for the 30 minute meeting without penalty. Students can find the date & time of their meeting on the counseling lobby windows or in their school email.

If you would like to connect with your student's counselor or if you have any questions about this process, please contact the School Counseling Office by clicking your student's school counselor's name below to email them directly or call 802 857-7111.

We look forward to meeting your 9th grader!

Warmly,

The EHS School Counseling Team

School Counselor / Student Last Name

Ben Skoglund

A

Jon Moore

BA-CO

Maeve Murphy

CR-HOS

Aaron Mason

HOT-LA

Jess Butler

LE-PAP

Nicole Gillis

PAQ-STO

Siobhan Barber

STR-ZZ

Attendance is an important component of student learning and experience at Essex High School.

Please let us know when students will be arriving late, being dismissed early, or will be absent from school.

Reporting absences can be done in the following ways:

Call our attendance line at (802) 879-5507

Fill out the attendance form on our website

E-mail ehs_attendance@ewsd.org.

Attention Students: If you have a planned absence of 3 or more days, please fill out the Extended Absence Form.

To complete this form, students will need to obtain teacher signatures for their blocks. Then return this form to the Attendance Specialist in the Main Office at least 2 days prior to your first absence.

If your child will have, or currently has, a weekly recurring appointment please reach out to the Attendance Specialist so all appointments can be entered into PowerSchool for Semester 1.

Contact Info: ehs_attendance@ewsd.org or 802-879-5507

The EHS building will open at 8:00AM. Students arriving between 8:00AM and 8:30AM are to wait in the cafeteria or the library. The first bell sounds at 8:30AM, at which time students can head to their Block 1/2 class.

Block 1/2 classes begin promptly at 8:40AM. Thank you for making it to class on time!

The last classes of the day, Block 7/8 end at 3:15PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and at 2:15PM on Wednesdays (Early Release Days).

The EHS Events Calendar is a good place to find many of the events at EHS. This is also where students can remember whether it's an A or B day.

The Essex High School website is a good place to find information about our school. Including handbooks, daily schedules and our staff directory.

Click the icons below to find our social pages!

Essex High School's mission is to engage students in learning that is intellectually vital, personally meaningful, and socially valuable.

Email: hornets@ewsd.org
Website: ewsd.org/ehs
Location: 2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: (802)879-7121