Family Newsletter
Did you know that on the EWSD budget page, you can find meeting presentations, minutes, frequently asked questions, and more? Don’t miss the latest updates, including the following:
What is Level Programming? Learn more about the District’s priorities and what level programming means as part of the budget process in this video update from Superintendent Holodick
Community Engagements: The EWSD Board and Administration have hosted three community engagement sessions to talk about the budget and answer questions (Session #1 | Session #2 | Session #3). The fourth and final online engagement will take place tonight (Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. - link to join).
School Board Openings: Please consider running for one of the four open seats on the EWSD School Board! Petitions are now available.
Please refrain from walking in the bus lanes during drop-off and dismissal times. For safety, we ask that you use the designated sidewalks when picking up or dropping off your student. Parents and guardians should not use bus lanes for pickup or drop-off. Please use the designated parent pickup and drop-off lanes.
Additionally, please do not block intersections during pickup and drop-off at EMS and FMS. Blocking these areas prevents buses from exiting safely and disrupts the normal flow of traffic. It is illegal to pass a bus with its red lights activated, including when in a bus lane. This violation carries a $249 fine and results in five points being added to your driving record.
According to the National Weather Service, this has been the coldest winter in 17 years. Please make sure students are dressed for the weather. Bus delays may occur due to road conditions; families will receive a robo call if a bus is running at least 15 minutes late.
Any changes to regular drop-off or pick-up locations require written parent permission and school approval. Families are also encouraged to mark mailboxes with reflective address numbers on both sides to help drivers identify stops. Thank you for helping keep students and staff safe this winter.
đź”” Reminder there is no school on Monday, February 23, through Tuesday, March 3 for winter break.
School will resume on Wednesday, March 4. For a full list of planned school closures, visit our school calendars online.
Shadow Play
Visiting the State House
Over 60 members of Essex High School's Student Government visited the Vermont State House in Montpelier. They participated in a tour of the State House facilitated by former State Representative Tim Jerman. They concluded their visit with an informative session with state representatives Lori Houghton, Ray Garofano, Brenda Steady, and the Vermont Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland Hanzas.
French Music Tournament
Students in Mme. Tupaj’s French classes at ADL participated in Francomanie, a worldwide online music tournament featuring students from over 20 countries. Out of more than 13,000 students globally, eight ADL students placed in the top 100, with our top two finishing first and third overall - an incredible achievement!
The Winter One Acts will begin on Thursday and go through Saturday, March 12-14 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 general, $5 student - available for purchase online or at the door.
The show will open with Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, an Ian McWethy comedy about a desperate director with one day to cast the leads for a small town production of Romeo & Juliet. Forced to endure a parade of terrible, eccentric, socially unaware auditioners; doubt begs the question: must the show go on?
The second act is Drop Dead Juliet, by Allison Williams. Spoiler alert: the fed up Juliet refuses to die at the end of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, and instead confronts the playwright about his poor plotting. In this meta takeover of the famed production, Juliet attempts to enlist the rest of the cast in rewriting the story to have less death and more "will they/won't they?".
Feb. 1 – National Freedom Day: Commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States, and honors the ideals of freedom for all people.
Feb. 2-6 – National School Counseling Week: Highlights the essential role school counselors play in supporting students’ academic, emotional, and social success.
Feb. 14 – St. Valentine’s Day: Celebrated globally as a day to express love, appreciation, and kindness toward others.
Feb. 15 – Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day): Observed by Buddhists to commemorate the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana, reflecting on impermanence and compassion.
Feb. 16 – Presidents Day: A U.S. federal holiday recognizing the leadership and service of all U.S. presidents, past and present.
Feb. 17 – National PTA Founders Day: Honors the legacy and ongoing work of the Parent Teacher Association in advocating for children’s education and well-being.
Feb. 17 (begins at sundown) – Ramadan begins: The start of the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday: A Christian observance marking the start of Lent, a period of fasting, repentance, and reflection
Feb. 20 – World Day of Social Justice: Promotes fairness, equality, and the elimination of discrimination in social and economic systems.
Additionally, throughout February, we honor Black History Month, African American Heritage Month, and LGBTQ+ History Month, recognizing the profound impact of these communities on our shared history and culture.
For more information on each of these dates and recognition months, visit the EWSD Calendar. If you’re aware of additional inclusive holidays or recognition days that are not already included on the EWSD calendar, please contact Sarah Warrington.