Family Newsletter
Our team is working hard to ensure kids across our community have access to healthy, delicious meals while school is out. This year, we are proud to sponsor a local meal site, where children 18 and under can enjoy free meals in a welcoming environment starting on Monday, June 22. These meals must be consumed on-site (no grab-and-go). No registration is required - just show up.
Maple Street Park Pool Concessions (Essex Jct.) - Menu
Breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m. (Monday-Friday)
Lunch from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Lunch only from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Weekends)
Some of our bulk sites (seven-day meal boxes) are relatively close to Essex and Westford, so please stop by! No need to sign up, no paperwork, just show up! Help us spread the word - share this information so no child misses out on a good meal this summer!
Vermont is issuing summer EBT benefits starting in June. Most children who are eligible will receive the $120 benefit automatically. Benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and online where EBT cards are accepted.
The Vermont Department for Children and Families will send you a letter if your family will get the benefit automatically. If you already have an EBT card, the benefits will be added to that card. If you need a replacement card, you can call 1-888-354-0012 (Option 7). If you think you qualify, but you do not receive a letter by July, please complete this short application. Summer EBT benefits do not affect your immigration status.
Families with EBT cards can also visit Vermont State Parks for free! Just show your EBT card at the park entrance and you and your household can enter for free. Visit the Vermont Parks website to learn more.
As part of a practice we began two years ago, we collect Chromebooks from graduating seniors. Please remind your senior to return their Chromebook and charging cord to either the HelpDesk or the collection station located in the high school guidance lobby.
Why do we collect these devices? Returned Chromebooks can be repurposed for younger students and serve as valuable loaner devices when needed. With Chromebook prices increasing by nearly 30% since early March, recovering and reusing these devices helps us make the most of our resources. Thank you for your help in ensuring these devices are returned!
Trout in the Classroom
EMS students released brook trout that they raised as part of the Trout in the Classroom program at Mills Riverside Park in Jericho! 🐟💦
Science Egg Drop
EMS held a school-wide science egg drop! Students created safety apparatices to protect their eggs from breaking when dropped. Eggs were dropped from the top of Essex Fire Department's ladder truck! 🥚🚒👏
The Right Biome
EES second graders put on a performance of The Right Biome in front of students, staff, and families on June 4! 👍
Picnic Time
EES students and staff walked over to Sandhill Park to enjoy a picnic together where they were met by parents and family! 🥳
State Championship Title
Congratulations to Hannah Knickerbocker on winning the Vermont Individual State Championship title for tennis this year. She is the first female EHS player to win the individual championship since 2007.
Educational Support Award
FMS educator, Amanda Marino, was awarded the VABVI Outstanding Educational Support Award! This award honors professionals who go above and beyond to ensure local students with vision loss succeed.
2026 Goals & Event Highlights:
- Raise $70,000 for Big Beautiful Life, partner nonprofits and first responder missions
- Collect 2,500 lbs of food for Aunt Dot’s Pantry via the Pounds for a Purpose Challenge
- Race options: 5K Trail Blazer (including the legendary “Gorman’s Gulch” challenge or a gulch-free path), 1.2K Flat & Fast accessible course, First Responder events, and a virtual option
- Family fun: First Responder Touch-A-Truck (8:15 a.m.), Mascot Dance Party, face painting, Sweet Scoops Ice Cream, and nonprofit village
- Featured: Addi’s Engine rolls in at 6:30 a.m. and fires the official race start at 10:00 a.m.
Starting on June 7, you can spend your 3SquaresVT benefits at the Westford Farmers Market! By using your 3SquaresVT benefits, you can double, or even triple your dollar with Crop Cash and Crop Cash PLUS.
Come support your local farmers and put nourishing food on the table, by using your 3SquaresVT benefits at the Westford Farmers Market.