Phasing

Phasing of the EMES Building Project:

The EMES Oversight Committee recently finalized the General Conditions for the Contractors.  We will be sending these out to our six pre-qualified bidders on May 20^th, with a date due back to us on June 10^th.  The EMES Board will accept the final bid at their meeting in June (date to be determined).  Construction is set to begin Monday, June 24^th, and will continue straight through until August, 2014.  The work will be done in three phases.

Phase I-II:  June 24^th – December, 2013

During Phase I, the contractors will complete the expansion of the building, which will include two new classrooms, the art and music room, foreign language office, additional storage, and new bathrooms.  There will be underground storage for grounds equipment and our fire pump in this part of the building as well.  In addition, the existing gym will be renovated in the summer of 2013.

Phase III: January, 2014 – June 23, 2014

A section of the school from the existing pre-k classroom down to K/1 exit near the parent drop off, will be relocated to the new wing.  During Phase III, the contractors will build the new library, the pre-k classroom, and the “admin suite,” which includes guidance, health, occupational therapy, a conference room, staff room, and the principals’ office.  The kitchen and new cafeteria will be built in the latter part of Phase III. This will include asbestos abatement, that will happen in February school Break.  Town Meeting will be at U32 this year.

Phase IV: June, 2014 – August, 2014

During Phase III, the contractors will complete the work started in Phase II and III, as well as all other work in the existing building. That needs to be linked to the entire building.   heating and ventilation, window, insulation, lighting fixtures, etc.  The existing library will become two primary classrooms, and the existing bathrooms will be renovated.  This work will be completed in August, 2014.

Work to the exterior of the building will begin in the summer of 2013, and will conclude the summer of 2014.  Attached is a draft of the final floor plan as it will look in August, 2014. 

If you have any questions on the temporary move of the Pre-school class to Calais Elementary, for the school year 2013-2014; please come to the School Board Meeting on Monday May 20th at 6:30 pm 

A Copy of the letter that was sent to parents is posted bellow.

many thanks,

Flor Diaz Smith

Oversight Committe and School Board Member

_________________________________________________________________________________

East Montpelier Elementary School

665 Vincent Flats Road

East Montpelier, VT 05651

802-223-7936

www.emontpelierschool.org

Marion Anastasia, Ed.D., Principal                                                Alicia Lyford,  M.Ed., Assistant Principal

May 6, 2013

Dear Parents of 2013-2014 EMES Pre-Kindergarten Students;

Welcome to the East Montpelier Elementary School! 

We are excited to have our youngest learners join our community!

EMES Renovations

As you know, we are going to start our renovations this summer, with the construction continuing until the fall of     2014-2015. For those of you who have 3-year olds, that means that they will have a brand new pre-kindergarten classroom for their 2^nd year of pre-kindergarten; and the present 4 -year olds will have a brand new kindergarten classroom!   Naturally, the construction brings challenges for next year.  Given that pre-kindergarten has unique needs, we face barriers for space that is appropriate to ensure licensing regulations.   To address this, we have worked with the Calais school board, principal, and pre-kindergarten teacher to brainstorm an alternate space for one year only.   The Boards are happy to work with one another to accommodate the needs of the EMES pre-kindergarten learners. 

Although the discussion has been at the board level, they are crafting a Memorandum of Understanding for a one- year rental of space for the EMES pre-kindergarten program.  The boards will act on this during their regularly scheduled May Board meetings.  (EMES May 20^th & Calais May 22^nd)

Pre-Kindergarten Schedule

We have crafted the following plan for scheduling pre-kindergarten for the 2013-2014 year.

Ø  4-Year Old (10 hour) Program: Mondays-Tuesdays- Thursdays:  (8:40-12:00) This session will be combining the Calais and East Montpelier pre-kindergarten 4-year olds.  (Students that turn 4 by September 1^st, 2013.)

Ø  3-Year Old (10 hour) Program: Monday-Tuesdays-Thursdays:  (12:15-3:35) This session is for EMES students. (Students that turn 3 by September 1^st 2013.)

Ø  Wednesdays – Fridays: Regularly scheduled Calais 3-year old program; 6 hours/40 minutes a week.

Lunch will be offered during both Monday-Tuesday-Thursday sessions.

Transportation

Transportation is currently provided one-way through the EMES program; we will continue to offer this level of transportation.   

Ø  The 4-year olds can ride their regularly scheduled EMES bus route to EMES in the morning.  When they arrive at EMES, they will be greeted and board a bus to Calais School with the supervision of a paraeducator.  (Afternoon transportation provided by parents.)

Ø  The 3-year olds can ride a bus from Calais School after the pre-kindergarten program to EMES, with supervision.  From EMES, they can ride their regularly scheduled EMES bus route home.  (Morning transportation provided by parents.)

After Care

Ø  After care can be provided through the Community Connections program at Calais School.

                                                                                  Meeting with Pre-Kindergarten Families

Since there are many logistics to be considered at the family and individual levels, we would like to meet with you on Wednesday, May 22^nd at 5:30 at Calais School in the pre-kindergarten classroom.   At this meeting, we can answer any questions you have,  confirm your child’s attendance in either the 3- year old or the 4 -year old program, after care needs, and transportation.  

Ø  Although you have attended the pre-kindergarten screening at EMES, we would like to hear from you to confirm your interest.

Ø  If you cannot attend the meeting on May 22^nd, but plan on having your child attend pre-kindergarten, please call Jane Badger at 223-7936 to confirm the session your child will attend, if your child will access the 1-way transportation and if you are interested in after-care.   To ensure a space for your child, we need this information by May 23, 2013 so that we can appropriately staff the programs!    

Ø  If you do not plan on having your child attend, please call Jane Badger at 223-7936, as well!

I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,

Marion Anastasia, EMES Principal