Human Resources

• School vs District Closings and Delays
• Vehicle Idling
• Teacher Retirement Notices Due December 1
  
• Staff Behavior Code of Conduct
  
• EWSD is Hiring!

Learning and Instructional Impact

• AOE Resources
• All Learners Network Math Professional Development
  
• EWSD Multilingual Learner Program Newsletter
  
• Find the Sign!

Communications

• EWSD Libraries Welcome You!
• EWSD Apparel - Store Closes Nov. 21!

Student Support Services

• American Education Week
• EWSD Assistive Technology Newsletter

Equity & Inclusion

• EWSD Calendar of Inclusive Holidays & Recognition Days

Health and Wellness

• Morning Motivation

EWSD in the News

Happenings

Upcoming Events

Important Links

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Deb Anderson

This is a reminder to employees that school closings and delays only impact school-year employees; 12-month employees are expected to work their normal shifts unless appropriate paid leave is used. District closings and/or delays, on the other hand, would apply to all employees including school-year and non-essential 12-month employees. Please click here for more information about school and district closings and delays.

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Deb Anderson

In order to protect our students and employees from unnecessary gas fumes and emissions, employees are expected to practice "no idling" while parked or waiting to pick up passengers. This means that vehicle engines are expected to remain off unless necessary to ensure the safety of our employees and students (e.g. to defrost windows to ensure the adequate vision for safe driving).

Audience: All Teachers Considering Retirement

Contact: Deb Anderson

Teachers resigning at the end of this school year with a minimum of twenty-five (25) years of service within the District (and/or a former member district), who notify the District of their resignation on or before December 1, 2022 shall be eligible for the following benefits:

• Sick Leave Balance Upon Separation (Article 12.3L): A total cash payment of $20 for each day of unused sick leave up to a total of 180 days (up to 120 days for teachers hired on or after 7/1/11).

• Retirement Benefit (Article 13.8): A total cash payment of $3,000.

Payment of these benefits shall be made in one lump sum to the teacher on or before July 1 of the year of resignation. Applicable state and federal taxes shall be withheld from this payment.

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Deb Anderson

EWSD is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students. To help ensure a safe and respectful environment for our students and staff, EWSD has created a Staff Behavior Code of Conduct that all employees are expected to read and follow. The code of conduct is broken down into the following sections:

1. Professional and Ethical Conduct Towards Others

1. Appendix A: Examples of Unacceptable Conduct

2. Professional and Ethical Relationships with Students

1. Appendix B: Unacceptable Relationships with Students

3. Ethical Conduct in the Workplace

4. Conflicts of Interest

5. Staff Fundraising and Solicitations

6. Technology Use

7. Transporting Students

8. Conduct Outside of Work

The Staff Behavior Code of Conduct can be found under the EWSD Connector > Human Resources > Employee Resources > Code of Conduct.

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Jackie Tolman

Agency of Education, Items of Interest:

• Family Engagement Networking Series
• Holocaust Education Week
• Book Study: Designing Authentic Performance Tasks and Projects
• Vermont Public: November Resources to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Audience: All Teachers
Contact: Jackie Tolman
Getting Started with Math Menu is a three-hour workshop offered in person on Nov. 28, 2022, from noon-3 p.m. EST, virtually on Zoom. This workshop focuses on building teacher pedagogical knowledge about effective practices for mathematics teaching and learning using the Math Menu framework as an effective practice for differentiating and enhancing mathematics instruction to meet the needs of all learners. During the Math Menu components, students work in small groups or independently on tasks targeted to their specific needs. This workshop supports teachers in getting started with this framework. Contact: TJ Jemison at communicationsdirector@alllearnersnetwork.com for more information.

According to the most recent November 2022 Assessment Newsletter, the dates for the general and alternate statewide assessments will be:

• Statewide Summative Math/Science/ELA: April 12 – May 26, 2023

• Statewide Summative Alternate Math/Science/ELA: March 13 - April 28, 2023

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Jackie Tolman

Congratulations to Leah Canderan who correctly identified the last sign as being at Summit Street School! This week, the sign is for all of you. Thank you for all that you do and have a well-deserved break next week! I will resume the “where is the sign” in the next edition of the EWSD news.

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Your School Librarian

Did you know that you can check out books for fall break at your school library? Access all of our resources on our library websites. Access our digital audiobooks and ebooks on the Sora app or at soraapp.com. Contact your librarian with any questions.

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Ben Dickie

The EWSD apparel store closes at the end of the day on Monday, November 21. Make sure you get your orders in on time if you would like to buy something! We are working with Sports Central in Essex again this year. Please feel free to share this, and let me know if you have any questions.

Audience: All Teachers

Contact: Sarah Warrington

It’s American Education Week! During this week, we honor all of the people in our public schools who work to provide the best education possible to students. The week includes specific recognition days for Educational Support Professionals and Substitute Educators.

Ask the kids around you, “who helps YOU in your school?” And compliment your fellow teachers today! We thank you.

Audience: All Teachers

Contact: Sarah Warrington

The second edition of the EWSD Assistive Technology Newsletter includes a link to a form to replace the LCI for the Vermont Alternate Assessment (VTAA) for this year, an educator guide to Bookshare.org, and a link to a short video demonstrating Read & Write for Google's Word Prediction feature. Please follow the link to read more!

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Sarah Warrington

As we transition to late fall, we recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. This day, which was started in 1999, honors the many people lost because of anti-transgender bigotry and violence. The day is also meant to bring attention to the transgender community overall and the ongoing issues it faces. Use this resource to talk about gender and the nonbinary with kids.

December dates to note are World Aids Day and Universal Humans Rights Month.

• Police investigating student hit by car in Essex Jct. (WCAX)
• Essex boys and girls volleyball headed to championships this Sunday (Essex Reporter)
• EWSD school board answers questions from the community during first-ever Q&A style engagement meeting (Essex Reporter)
• High school volleyball state champions crowned (WCAX)
• EHS varsity girls volleyball win back to back state champs (Essex Reporter)
• Essex Elementary School's Anna Meehan presented with Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (Essex Reporter)
• Essex High School student spotlight: Boys varsity soccer (Essex Reporter)
• RFP EWSD Hiawatha Elementary Library Renovation Furnishings Project (Seven Days)
  

• Hiawatha Elementary students donate food to the Heavenly Food Pantry (Essex Reporter)

• 77 Questions: An opportunity for Vermont's students to report on their education (VT Digger)

• EWSD Center for Technology students help Essex Parks & Recreation with wetland restoration (Essex Reporter)
  

Audience: All Employees

Contact: Alexis Koch

EHS students will be performing RENT (School Edition) on December 1-3 at 7 p.m. and on December 4 at 2 p.m. This performance is about a group of young East Village New Yorkers who search to "make a connection in an isolated age" during the early 1990s. As they search for who they are and what they stand for, they discover how to build a community together, supporting their differences and celebrating their common ground. Adults and students can purchase their tickets here: ewsd.org/ehstheater!

Please keep those submissions coming! Would you like to share student accomplishments, classroom projects, or any other interesting (learning-centered) happenings in your school/building with your EWSD colleagues? Email Arielle Boutwell with your story and/or photos for possible inclusion in a future edition of the EWSD News!

• EWSD Board
  
• VT Agency of Education Field Memo
• EWSD News Archives

Email: aboutwell@ewsd.org
Website: www.ewsd.org
Location: 58 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-878-8168
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essexwestford/
Twitter: @EssexWestford