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.
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.
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.
We appreciate our principals every day, but particularly during Principal Appreciation month!
Dear families,
We are communicating with you to let you know that the entire school at GEMS is currently without power. Green Mountain Power was notified immediately and a service truck has been dispatched. We are resuming normal activities (students attending lunch, grade levels at recess, daily schedules, etc.). Buses and student pick-up will be running their normal schedule after school.
Live Y’ers is closed today.
All after-school sports are canceled today, including scheduled games. (grades PK-8).
If you need to report a dismissal change for your child, please email Jen Follensbee at jfollensbee@fwsu.org or Aleta Burns at aburns@fwsu.org as the phone system is currently not working.
Thank you,
The GEMS Administrative Team
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
We are excited to announce that on Thursday, May 11th, the Vermont Army National Guard will be landing two helicopters at the Georgia Elementary & Middle School at 1:00 p.m. Major Jamie Lewandowski will be operating a Black Hawk helicopter and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Adam Truso will be operating a Lakota helicopter.
Students in kindergarten through grade 4 will participate in a presentation presented by Major Lewandowski and Chief Warrant Office Truso. Students will have the opportunity to have an up close look and ask educational and inquisitive questions of the pilots. This presentation is part of an educational STEM opportunity provided by the Vermont Army National Guard.
The helicopters are scheduled to depart independently between 2:00-2:15.
The GEMS phone system is currently down for maintenance. We are anticipating the outage to last until 11:00. If you need to get in touch with the school during the outage, you can email Corrina Favreau at cfavreau@fwsu.org or Jen Follensbee at jfollensbee@fwsu.org.
Some fun with beach balls on a breezy Friday afternoon
Meet one of our Georgia Middle School 5th grade teachers for the 2023-24 school year -- Welcome (back) Taylor!
Join us in welcoming a few of our new teachers for the 2023-24 school year --
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve made some stellar additions to our team and we can't wait to introduce them all to you!
Welcome Krista & Rachel!
Are you interested in serving your school & community? The Georgia School Board is now accepting letters of interest from Georgia residents who would like to fill a one-year vacancy on the school board! Please send your letter of interest by April 10 to gemsboard@fwsu.org.
Preschoolers making potions and mixing colors! They used pipettes, watercolors, salt, oil and soap. Lots of fine motor work and concentration!
Preschoolers making potions and mixing colors! They used pipettes, watercolors, salt, oil and soap. Lots of fine motor work and concentration!
Miss Hendrickson’s class enjoyed learning in Four Winds about the layers inside a tree and the amazing things trees do for us. Check out our class standing to show the actual size of the world’s largest tree!
The FWSU Central Office will be CLOSED Wednesday, Nov. 23rd – Friday, Nov. 25th.
Regular office hours (8am-4pm) will resume Monday, Nov. 28th.
We hope that everyone has a restful Thanksgiving break!
Every day we should thank our Veterans but today, November 11th, is especially important to acknowledge their service. We thank our Veterans for their sacrifices and the privileges we have, for their commitment to our country, and for always keeping us safe. To ALL who have served and continue to serve... We thank you and appreciate you!
This video exhibits our appreciation for you, created by GEMS TV.
https://youtu.be/qJrG54pMWb8
All of our new websites are live!