The Weekly Update #5

Calendar notes:

Wednesday, June 3, 11:20 - Graduation Luncheon Picnic

Wednesday, June 3, 1:30 - Shakespeare Dress Rehearsal

Thursday, June 4, 6:30 - Shakespeare Performance - everyone’s invited!

Friday, June 5, 10:00-2:00 - Branbury picnic - look for information/permission slip sent home today

Monday, June 8, 10:00-2:00 - Rain date for Branbury Picnic

Monday, June 8 - Progress Reports will be sent home (June 9 if this is the picnic day).

Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 - Graduation - all invited!

Wednesday, June 10 - 5th grade to Petra Cliffs

Thursday, June 11 - 7:45-2:45 - Last day of school

• 10:00 - Talent show - all invited

• 2:15 - Closing gathering - all invited

ACSD Board dates - MUHS - 73 Charles Avenue, Middlebury

Monday June 1, 6:00-8:00pm

Monday June 8, 6:00-8:00pm

Monday June 22, 6:00-8:00pm

Dear Families,

Last Friday we had a lovely picnic at the firehouse with several of the volunteer fire fighters. The firehouse is one of our emergency relocation sites so we combine the celebratory picnic with a fire/evacuation drill. The weather was perfect, the meal that Kathleen and the volunteer fire fighters prepared was plentiful and delicious, and the relaxed pace of the event left everyone feeling content, and happy to be part of the school and community. It was a particular treat to have Alex Sinks, who is now a cadet member of the department, and his father, Bill Sinks, former fire chief, join us. Alex inspired several WES students to express interest in becoming a cadet when they come of age at 14.

Rob Gaboriault, current fire chief, led a discussion at the picnic about making sure each family had a planned safe meeting place in case of fire and the importance of practicing what to do in case of an emergency. Several children, during and after the picnic, expressed concern that they weren’t sure what to do if there was a fire in their home. Hopefully, you can make or review safety plans with your children in the near future. Each October, during Fire Safety Week, the volunteer fire fighters come to the school to do training with the students. Next year I am hoping parents will be able to join us.

Concert: The final chorus and band performance of the year this past Wednesday was a testament to the strong music program Sarah Metcalf has developed at WES and the significant growth of the students as vocalists and musicians over the year. Thanks to all - Sarah and the students.

Thursday, June 4, 6:30 - A Midsummer Night’s Dream: I hope you will be able to join us for this performance. The 4/5 class has invested wonderful energy and creativity into the preparation of this play. It is one of the most joyful, humorous casts I have worked with over the years.

Library News: This is a busy and celebratory time of year! In the Library, this looks like returning books and possibly borrowing books for the summer. Students have received a permission slip for summer borrowing. This allows children, with parent permission, to borrow up to 10 books for the summer. If you are interested in this activity, please sign and return the form to school. Students must have returned all other books to be eligible. Thanks, in advance, for helping your children retrieve and return overdue library books! Look for a notice in your email inbox (or spam folder!). Additionally, thanks to FOWE, we will once again have summer library hours on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00. - Thanks, Megan

Lunch help: We need volunteers next week for Wednesday (Graduation Luncheon) and Friday (Branbury picnic). Please sign up directly on the May/June lunch calendar or email me if you are available one of these days. We’ll need extra lunch volunteers to help serve for the Branbury Picnic (June 5/rain date June 8). Any grill masters among you? Thanks so much.

Please email me cjohnston@acsdvt.org or call if you have any questions (802-545-3301).

I hope many of you can join us for the picnic at Branbury. Link to information/picnic permission slip.

Best, Christina

Do you need child care for your 3-5-year-old? Our new Shoreham preschool has openings for children who will be 3-years-old by September 1, 2026! Our Shoreham preschool program will open in Fall 2026. It runs for 35 weeks per year and is free for all participants. The program has 2 licensed teachers and is open to all children. Read more about our ACSD preschool program here and fill out this form to apply. Share this link with friends and neighbors with young children!

Last call for Teacher & Staff Shout-outs & Nominations!

1. Help us celebrate our teachers and staff with a shout-out or appreciation on this form (by May 31, 2026). We’ll share your words with them!

2. Help us nominate the next Teacher or Staff of the Year. Each year in August, we recognize an Elementary and Secondary Teacher with our Annual Outstanding Teacher of the Year, and staff with the Barbara Whittemore Support Staff Award. Fill out this form by May 31st 2026 to nominate someone.

Parent Resources: Multilingual students & Student Services