EMES School Newsletter

We made it to April break! Having spent all but the first three years of my life living by a school year calendar, the pace of life after returning from the February/March break through the end of the school year always amazes me. It often feels like winter goes on forever and then, before you know it, April break is here and the end of the school year is in sight. This newsletter has a lot of information about end of year events, as well as information about configurations and our school calendar for next year. The board voted earlier this week on the last day of school, which will be Tuesday, June 18th with a 12:30 dismissal.

The last month or so has been FULL of special opportunities for our students, particularly when it comes to the Arts. We wrapped up a very successful artist-in-residency last Thursday evening with our drumming performance at U-32. The very next day, we were entertained by the Teen Jazz performers from Montpelier's Contemporary Dance Studio. And, last night we enjoyed a beautiful 4-6 band and chorus concert at U-32. In addition, Mr. Blanchard's Norwich intern, Colby, wrapped up his year-long student teaching internship with Mr. B today. Our students have had so many opportunities to learn and practice their physical and artistic skills.

Our teaching teams have identified the grade level configurations for next year, which I'll share below. We have not matched teachers up with specific grades/assignments quite yet - this will come after the budget wraps up, hopefully in early May. At that point, I will send home Thoughtful Placement Forms to all families who would like to provide us with input into placement. Next year, we'll have the following classrooms:

(1) Straight Kindergarten

(1) Straight Grade 1

(3) 2/3 Multi-age classrooms

(2) Straight Grade 4

(3) 5/6 Multi-age classrooms

On Tuesday, April 30th, our entire school will practice an off-sight evacuation to U-32. I'll share more information about this below. Mark your calendars so your children get to school on time that day!

I hope you all have a wonderful April break with your littles and we look forward to welcoming them back on Monday, April 29th.

Fondly,

Alicia

April 21 - 26: April break - no school!

Tuesday, April 30th: All-school evacuation practice 9:15am

Friday, May 3: School Lunch Hero Day -

Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10: Staff Appreciation Week

Tuesday, May 7: WCUUSD Budget Revote Day

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day - no school

Thursday, May 30: Talent Show

Friday, May 31: Annual Spring Wellness Day (Wrightsville)

Tuesday, June 11: 6th graders to U-32 for Move Up Day

Thursday, June 13: Celebration of Learning and BBQ night

Friday, June 14: Field Day

Tuesday, June 18: Last day for students - 12:30 dismissal

Public schools have several different types of drills we are required to practice each year: fire drills, options based security drills, and evacuation drills. On Tuesday, April 30th, our school will practice an off-site evacuation drill in the event that we ever need to evacuate our building and move to another location.

On Monday morning during an all-school assembly, I will share this information with your children. I'll explain to them the various reasons why we may need to evacuate off campus (an oil or other hazardous waste spill, etc.).

This type of drill starts off very similar to a fire drill in that students will exit the building with their teacher to a "rally" site outside the building. From there, buses will arrive to take us to a safer location (in this case U-32) until we can reunify students with their families. For the drill on the 30th, we will go to the U-32 Auditorium and then will get back on buses and return to EMES to continue our school day. In the event of a real evacuation, we would contact emergency contacts to come pick students up at the reunification site (U-32). On the 30th, we will NOT practice calling home and reunifying students with families.

We do ask that families make sure their children are at school by 9:00 on the 30th. Our entire school will relocate to U-32, which means that no one will be in the building to welcome your child during the evacuation. We plan on being back at EMES by 10:30 that morning.

If you have any questions about this drill, please don't hesitate to reach out to me: alyford@u32.org or 802-223-7936 x357,

It's time to register for EMES Strong Girls:
https://www.eastmontpelierrecreation.org/strong-girls

Dear Washington Central Community,

The Washington Central Unified Union School District has two vacancies:

Calais Resident Board Vacancy Worcester Resident Board Vacancy

Governed by a 15 member board, our single-budget district consists of five town-based elementary schools and one regional middle and high school, serving the towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, and Worcester. We have 3 Board Members from each town that represent the hopes and dreams of ALL of our kids and residents in ALL of our schools and communities.

If you live in Calais or Worcester and are interested in serving on the School Board please send a letter of interest addressed to the WCUUSD School Board by May 17th to School Board Chair: Flor Diaz Smith at fdiazsmith@u32.org or mail it to 130 Gallison Hill Road, Montpelier VT 05602

The Board intends to conduct interviews and appoint a new Board Member on May 22nd at our regular meeting.. We are hoping to have a full Board at the end of May. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions of what a School Board Member does and what is the time commitment. No expertise needed, just a willingness to learn with us and help with the work. We have a very thoughtful and committed board. Please join us. The commitment to serve on the Board will be from June until next March when you can decide if you want to run for election in 2025.

Thank you,

Flor Diaz Smith WCUUSD Board Chair