Essex County Public Schools

🚍 Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚍 Thank you to our amazing bus drivers for keeping our students safe and smiling every day. We appreciate all you do! 💛

EHS Newsletter April 2025

🎉 Happy Assistant Principal Week! 🎉 This week, we want to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our Assistant Principals. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our students and school community don't go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do! 💙

🎯 Special Announcements Regarding " Special Education Grant Application and Plan" If the public would like to review and/or give comments to the 2025-2026 Essex County Public School Special Education Grant Application and Plan, they may do so from Monday, April 7-11, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the School Board Office, located at 109 N. Cross Street, Tappahannock, VA 22560. If accommodations are needed, please call Ms. Sharon Saunders at 804-443-4366.

Attention EHS Families! 📢 The Spring 2025 SOL Testing Schedule is here! Please take note of the following important dates: 📅 April 29 – World History I, World History II, & VA/US History 📅 April 30 – Reading 📅 May 7 – Biology & Chemistry 📅 May 8 – Algebra 1, Algebra 2, & Geometry ✅ Make sure students are well-rested, arrive on time, and are prepared for testing! For more information regarding SOLs, please reach out to your student’s teacher. Thank you for supporting our students!

🌟 Happy Employee Appreciation Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate and express our deepest gratitude to the incredible team that makes Essex County Public Schools a place of learning, growth, and support for our students. To our teachers, paraprofessionals, staff members, school counselors, social workers, bus and car drivers, cafeteria workers, administrative assistance, custodians, psychologists, central office staff, school board members, and all other dedicated employees—thank you for your unwavering commitment, passion, and hard work. Your impact goes beyond the classroom, shaping the future of our students and community every day. We appreciate each of you and recognize the difference you make in the lives of our students and families. ECPS is stronger because of YOU! Again, Thank You!

March 3, 2025 Subject: Principal Retirement and Interim Leadership at Essex High School. Dear Essex High School Families, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share important news regarding a leadership transition at Essex High School. Mr. Gross, EHS Principal, has announced his retirement effective immediately. As we navigate this transition, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Scott, the current Assistant Principal, will serve as the Interim Principal of Essex High School. Mr. Scott has been an integral part of our school community, demonstrating a deep understanding of our students’ needs, our school’s values, and the strong partnerships that make Essex High School such a special place. His leadership and familiarity with our school’s mission will ensure a seamless transition and continued support for our students and staff. Additionally, our central office team will be providing daily support to Mr. Scott and the Essex High School community throughout this transition period. We remain committed to ensuring stability and continuity in leadership while we begin the process of selecting a permanent principal. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Sincerely, Dr. Harry Thomas, III Superintendent of Schools

Happy National School Social Work Week! This week, we celebrate and recognize the incredible work of our school social worker, Ms. Rachel Austria! Ms. Austria plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of our students and families, across all of our schools. Whether she’s providing resources, offering guidance, or advocating for students' needs, her dedication makes a lasting impact every single day. Thank you, Ms. Austria, for your compassion, commitment, and the countless ways you uplift and empower our school community. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we are beyond grateful for all that you do! Again, Thank you.

Congratulations, Essex High School Wrestling Team! We are so proud of our EHS Wrestling Team as they travel to Virginia High School in Bristol, VA to compete in the State Championship! Your hard work, dedication, and determination have brought you this far, and we know you'll give it your all on the mat. Best of luck—your Essex family is cheering you on every step of the way!

📢 Happy School Board Clerk Appreciation Week! 🎉 This week, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our School Board Clerk Ms. Sharon Saunders. She goes above and beyond expectations every day, ensuring our school board, superintendent, and schools stay organized and supported. Her years of service, dedication, and countless acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. Thank you, Ms. Sharon Saunders, for your commitment, patience, and hard work! We truly appreciate everything you do to keep things running smoothly.

Good Evening, ECPS Families: Please be advised that the following announcement is a change from the message that was sent earlier this evening: Essex County Public Schools will now be closed for in-person instruction and will operate with a Virtual Asynchronous Learning Day on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, due to updated inclement weather information that will make it unsafe for travel. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Good evening, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well and safe. Please be advised that Essex County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay on Friday, February 14, 2025. Thanks for your attention and enjoy the rest of your evening.

Good Evening, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well. Thursday, February 13, 2025, will be a Virtual Asynchronous Learning Day for students of Essex County Public Schools. Administrators should report by 10:00 a.m. and essential personnel should be on site as soon as possible. Thanks for you attention and please stay safe.

The School Board Meeting will be held on February 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. A Work Session will take place at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., there will be a Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget Calendar. All are welcome to attend.

Good Evening, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well. Due to inclement weather and dangerous road conditions, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, will be an asynchronous virtual learning day for all students and staff.of Essex County Public Schools. Thanks for your attention and please be safe!

Good evening, ECPS Families, We hope this message finds everyone well. Due to the inclement weather forecast, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, will be an asynchronous virtual learning day for all students and staff.of Essex County Public Schools. Thanks for your attention and please be safe.

Empowering Our Paraeducators! Today, Essex County Public Schools had the privilege of welcoming guest speakers from The College of William and Mary TTAC for an engaging and impactful professional development session tailored for our dedicated paraeducators. Through interactive breakout sessions, our paras explored High Leverage Practice : Providing Positive and Constructive Feedback and High Leverage Practice : Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies. These essential skills equip our team with strategies to foster student success, reinforce learning, and create a more supportive classroom environment. We are grateful for the knowledge shared and the commitment of our paraeducators to continuous growth and excellence. Thank you, William and Mary TTAC, for an enriching learning experience!

🎉🏆 Congratulations to our Division Teacher of the Year! 🏆🎉 Essex County Public Schools proudly recognizes Ms. Michelle Dungee as our 2024 - 2025 Teacher of the Year! Ms. Dungee’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to student success make a lasting impact every day. Her extraordinary empathy and passion for education truly inspire both her students and colleagues. We are grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she makes in the lives of our students—thank you, Ms. Dungee!

Good Evening, ECPS Families: We hope this message finds everyone well. Please be reminded that Essex County Public Schools will dismiss students at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Parent conferences will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and you may contact your child's school to schedule an appointment. Thanks for your attention and enjoy the rest of your evening.

🎉 Celebrating Our Incredible School Counselors! 💙✨ This week, we are proud to honor our amazing school counselors during National School Counseling Week! 🎉 Our counselors play a vital role in supporting our students academically, socially, and emotionally every single day. 🌟 Tappahannock Elementary School – Ms. Natalie Mitchell 🌟 James H. Cary Intermediate School – Ms. Anya Robinson 🌟 Essex High School – Ms. Kristin Aitken These dedicated professionals go above and beyond to guide, encourage, and advocate for our students, helping them navigate challenges and achieve success. Thank you for all you do to support, inspire, and uplift our students every day!