Superintendent Dispatch

December 9, 2020

As we creep toward the winter solstice, an instinct emerges: to sleep, hibernate, hide, get under cover, snuggle up, cook, drink tea, lounge, rest, light candles, give gifts, and of course eat. 


The eating for some means busy busy busy cooking before eating! It may be that pot roast, cajun shrimp, cookies, pies, candies.


I accidentally bought some candy molds, and 25 pounds of chocolate, and now I am making a complete mess of my kitchen each night. However, it reminds me that I can lose myself in creating some-sort-of-chocolate-something. 


Today while out in a school I noticed that this is occurring in our schools. Children are creating those somethings. Because of our faculty and staff!


The challenge is we love these moments, yet we are tired from our pandemic- related- thus-and- such-exhaustion. Nobody is really sure when the marathon will end. However if we make lots of chocolate or have our children make tree houses… we can carry on and get our winter solstice hunkering all settled in for a nap.

Academics
STEM Adventures Webpage: 

Check out the district wide remote student opportunities from the Afterschool For All grant with our STEM Adventures Programs by Drew Bush, Sue Winsor & Autumn Walsh on their new webpage. Please share with students & families!

Visit Website
Faculty and Staff
Fingerprinting

Great news, fingerprinting in St. Johnsbury is back. Anyone who needs to have fingerprints must schedule online through this link. Board members, we are looking for substitute teachers in our school — if you are able or know of anyone, reach out to Serena.

Professional Development
Covid Relief Grant

The district was awarded $1.1 million dollars in funds to replace old staff and student devices to ensure the continued learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a truly transformative grant that will provide equitable access to devices for all of our students and staff. The devices will be delivered to KESD by late December and it will take a few weeks to bring the new devices online and distribute. There will be more information coming in the next few weeks on the rollout.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

  • Full Board- initial Budget meeting
    6:00 PM Special Jan 7
  • Policy Committee
    5:00 pm 2nd Tuesday Jan 12 
  • Facilities Committee
    5:00 pm 3rd Tuesday Dec 15
  • Finance Committee
    4:30 pm Special Dec 16
  • Academic Excellence Committee
    6:00 pm 3rd Wednesday Dec 16
  • Negotiations
    3:30 PM Special Dec 17
  • Comm./Strategic Planning
    6:00 pm 3rd Thursday Dec 17
  • Finance Committee
    4:30 PM Special Jan 5

Sharing Options:

More District News

Poster for documentary “Every Day Big and Small,” with photo collage and screening details at Lyndon Institute alumni auditorium.
November 5, 2026
Join Lyndon Institute for a free screening of Bess O’Brien’s documentary Every Day, Big and Small, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.
Paper family figures standing on dollar bills, representing household finances and savings.
November 5, 2026
Complete Vermont's household income form to help KESD secure state funding, support school programs, and reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.
November 3, 2026
Join Kingdom East leaders at Wheelock Town Hall on November 17 for a community conversation about KESD schools, the district budget, and priorities for 2027-28.
November 3, 2026
Join Kingdom East leaders in Newark on November 11 for an open conversation about KESD schools, the district budget, and community priorities for 2027–28.
Show More