Fletcher Elementary School

FES 2024/2025 Preschool and Kindergarten registration is now open. If you have not received any paperwork please call the school at 802-849-6251.

March 12, 2023 Last week, the Champlain Valley Superintendents Association (CVSA) met to review our decision to have school in session on April 8th, the solar eclipse day. Since our initial decision to have a half day, we have received more information trying to keep any traffic off the road that day from the state of Vermont and other Public Safety offices. The superintendents determined that each county of superintendents would decide whether the school would be open or closed. Due to the fact that our schools are in the path of the totality and will attract a large number of eclipse observers, the Franklin and Grand Isle Superintendents have determined that on April 8th, we will close schools and make up the day at the end of the year, very similar to a snow day. Thank you for your support and understanding.

With BFA's delay, the following information is for Fletcher high school students who attend BFA . There will be a second route to get you to BFA for the delayed start.

All FWSU Schools will be on a two hour delay due to uncertain road conditions and power outages. Please be safe and stay tuned for updates.

At their meeting Tuesday evening, the Fletcher School Board voted to appoint Denette Locke as the Principal for Fletcher Elementary for the 2024-25 school year (and the rest of this year!). The Board praised Denette's communication with staff, community, and the board as well as her commitment to and passion for the Fletcher school. We are thrilled that Denette will transition from Interim Principal to Principal! Congratulations Denette! John

Out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling all after school and evening activities at any Franklin West school (Fairfax, Fletcher, and Georgia) today. We are monitoring river conditions for potential impact on travel in the morning. We will update you as we have new information.

All Franklin West schools (Fletcher, Fairfax and Georgia) will be closed today due to the morning commute snow rates and continued snow throughout the day. Enjoy the snow day.

Kindness Starts With Me!- On Wednesday, November 29th at 5:30 pm there will be a Parent Assembly with our Guest Speaker Amy Kraus. Please see the attached flier for more information. Our 6th grade students and adults are interested in providing childcare activities for our families so that parents can attend the evening event. Please complete the attached form so that we can gauge interest and number of children that will need childcare. Thursday, November 30th morning we will have 2 assemblies (K-3) and (4-6) with the focus of kindness.

Local Holiday Giving In the past, FOFE has facilitated a program of donating holiday gifts for children and food for families who wish to sign up, including food drives and "mitten trees" community members could use as gift guides. We are discontinuing this practice and instead wish to refer families to these other local resources that provide those services: Operation Happiness is a program of the United Way of Northwest VT. It provides a basket of food and gifts for the children in the family (16 and under) for nearly 1000 families in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties for the Holidays (Christmastime). Fletcher residents may register by calling (802)802-849-6588, 8 am – 5 pm, weekdays, Nov. 6th – Nov. 17th. Please leave a message. Please see attached document for further information on registration in other locations. Northwest Family Foods is a local food shelf where food can be obtained for Thanksgiving or other times. This decision to discontinue the giving and mittens through FOFE was made for three reasons: 1) The resources above are already in place for our community. 2) Issues of confidentiality have presented challenges within our small community. 3) FOFE members/volunteers are few and unable to conduct this intensive work; we instead will focus on work that achieves our mission "to support the children of Fletcher, their families, and FES staff by providing opportunities for social connection and enhancement of education through extracurricular experiences." We hope that families who wish to use these resources will reach out to Operation Happiness during the registration period Nov 6-17th as noted above! Best wishes, Friends of Fletcher Elementary FOFE

Halloween Reminder- On Halloween here during the day we are inviting our students and staff to show their Halloween spirit by dressing in Halloween colors (black, orange, green, etc.), Halloween shirts, leggings, socks, headbands, etc. rather than costumes, masks and such. I also want to give a reminder about keeping your children’s Halloween candy and treats at home and sending healthy snack options here at school. Thanks for your support with this.

We appreciate our principals every day, but particularly during Principal Appreciation month!

FES picture day will be on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Picture forms are being sent home today in backpacks.

No School on Monday, October 9th as it is Indigenous Peoples Day

FES had their first early release day, which started with an All School Morning Meeting. We had Explore Time outside which included; Apple Peeling, Touch Tag, and Nature Walks. Everyone had a wonderful day.

Good afternoon. Please take a minute to read this Welcome Back letter. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ah8QXj6Tjc4VLLBXC-5h9oMKU5rc80f-/view?usp=sharing I am experimenting with using the website to deliver information to you all. I would welcome your feedback

Field Day 2023

Fields full of fun at the Fletcher Field Days

Starting on Friday, June 9, 2023 we will only be able to run 2 buses for the reminder of the year. The schedule will be the same as earlier in the year. We realize this is short notice and apologize for any inconvenience.

On the train back to Fletcher (actually Essex). The final leg of a fantastic journey

Wednesday afternoon adventures in NYC