Slate Valley Unified School District

New Episode of the Superintendent's Podcast: Discussion with Fair Haven Grade School Principal, Deborah Infurna. View at https://bit.ly/EdInFHGS Principal Infurna discusses the environment at Fair Haven Grade School, including new initiatives, challenges and future endeavors.

Tonight - April 22, 2024 Two Meetings: You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District- 1) Special Finance Committee Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Benson Village School Gymnasium. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/tns-zjsm-fjp Or dial: (US) +1 218-451-4211 PIN: 365 606 727# 2) Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Benson Village School Gymnasium. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/rkh-thjq-bwd Or dial: (US) +1 919-525-2175 PIN: 143 925 874# Please note: To participate in conversation virtually and/or ask a question virtually, please use the “raise hand” icon in Google Meet. Typing responses or questions in chat is not an option.

Senior Spotlight: Featuring Ruthanne Carlson-Ponto

Often on Fridays, students in the Alt 1 classroom at CES make lunch and then eat together. The “theme” this year has been to cook foods that they would commonly have available at home and can safely make on their own without having to use the stove or oven. Looks like a fun activity enjoyed by all!

MEETING NOTICE Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 17, 2024 FHUMHS – 5:00 p.m. PARTICIPATION WILL BE IN PERSON or VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/fmr-vrpv-qix Or dial: (US) +1 484-909-0301 PIN: 252 244 280#

New Superintendent's Podcast: Discussion with Benson Village School Principal, Amy Roy. View at https://bit.ly/EdInBVS Principal Amy Roy discusses the overall environment at Benson Village School, including new initiatives, challenges and future endeavors.

Yesterday, a highly self-motivative group from the Class of 2025 enjoyed pizza and conversation at lunch with Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara. It was fantastic to hear not only about their future plans but also their concerns and suggestions about items at FHUMHS.

Message from Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell: Dear Slate Valley, We hope you're doing well. We wanted to give you an update on the school budget revote, unfortunately, it didn't pass. The vote count was 544 in favor and 947 against. We understand this news may be disappointing for some, as it is for us, considering there are factors beyond our control. Our main focus remains on providing the best education for our students while being financially responsible. We're actively seeking alternative solutions following this second budget failure. The third budget vote is likely to happen in May. We encourage open dialogue and welcome any suggestions or concerns you may have. We'll soon hold meetings to discuss the failure, gather feedback, and explore options moving forward. Your participation and engagement are vital during this process. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we're eager to work together to tackle this challenge. Sincerely, Brooke Olsen-Farrell, Superintendent

Please VOTE Today!

New Podcast: View at https://bit.ly/EdInCESPrincipal In this episode Castleton Elementary School's Principal, Ms. Kim Prehoda, talks with Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell about CES's school environment, upcoming plans and challenges.

REMINDER: TONIGHT, APRIL 10, 2024 SVUUSD Revised Budget Revote Information Meeting 6:30 PM - Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv Or dial: (US) +1 252-662-0070 PIN: 776 860 500# TOMORROW, APRIL 11, 2024: REVISED FY25 BUDGET REVOTE

Senior Spotlight: Featuring Evan "Ash" Kennett

Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual. VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv April 11 Polling locations and times are: Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49 Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall

Senior Spotlight: Featuring Jaylena Haley

Reminder: Virtual Online Parent Information Event - "After High School Opportunities for Students with Disabilities" is this Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Join by going to: https://meet.google.com/yrx-emty-vwc?authuser=0

ANNOUNCEMENT: PLEASE READ - April 6, 2024 Dear Slate Valley Staff and Families, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide an update regarding the recent incident involving a fuel spill at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School. As you may be aware, on the morning of April 1st, we discovered a failure in a fuel line, which led to the release of approximately 250 to 500 gallons of heating oil into the boiler room and utility tunnels underneath a portion of the first floor of the building. Consequently, for safety reasons, we had to close the school for the day. In response to this incident, we immediately took action by bringing in a Barre corporation that specializes in chemical and oil spills, Absolute Spill Response, who promptly initiated the cleanup and removal process. Their diligent efforts continued until late on April 3rd. A Pittsford company that specializes in hazard cleanup and is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Disaster Recovery Incorporation, provided valuable consultation on the next steps and supplied air scrubbers to help eliminate the odor resulting from the spill. Throughout this challenging period, we maintained close communication with the Agency of Natural Resources and adhered to their guidelines for addressing fuel spills. Furthermore, we prioritized monitoring the air quality within the building to ensure the safety of our staff and students. I am pleased to inform you that following thorough testing conducted by Choice Environmental Consulting Group, on April 5th, which measured volatile organic compound (VOC) levels throughout the premises, we have met the regulatory requirements for initial release cleanup as outlined by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Common VOCs found in fuel oils include chlorinated compounds, phenolic compounds, styrenes, indene, dicyclopentadiene, dihydrodicyclopentadiene, cumene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. All VOC measurements taken fell well below standard acceptable levels. Please review the letter from Choice Environmental, found at https://5il.co/2hzic, for further details. As a result, I am pleased to announce that Fair Haven Union Middle & High School will resume normal operations and reopen its doors on Monday, April 8th. Please be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any necessary further steps to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our school community. I want to express my gratitude for your patience and understanding throughout this process. The cooperation and support of our staff, students, and families have been invaluable, and I am confident that together we will navigate through this situation successfully. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support. Sincerely, Ben Worthing & Jennefer Paquette, FHUMHS Co-Principals Brooke Olsen-Farrell, SVUSD Superintendent

Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual. VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv April 11 Polling locations and times are: Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49 Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall

Reminder: Monday, April 8, 2024 is an EARLY RELEASE for all Slate Valley schools!

Senior Spotlight: Featuring Chase Allen

NOTICE: Benson Village School will be CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, April 5th, due to electrical issues caused by a power surge.