Today Mrs. Farrell was scheduled to read at one of the schools. But yesterday, when it was decided we would have our first snow day, she chose to record the reading and share it with all the Slate Valley students! Enjoy!
Click the link to see our superintendent read, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
https://youtu.be/DuyBe4m7usA
Due to the impending weather, all Slate Valley Unified schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, December 16th. This includes Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Orwell Village School, Fair Haven Grade School and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Stay safe.
Throwback Thursday: Taking it back 60 years! Do you recognize what this building is used for now in Fair Haven?
Dear Slate Valley Families,
With the recent increase in illness we are experiencing staff shortages, this is especially true with bussing. We are doing our very best to continue normal operations but please note that we may have to cancel bus routes from time to time. This issue is not just confined to Slate Valley. While schools are not required by law to provide regular school to home transportation it is something that we in Slate Valley are committed to doing. If a driver is out sick, there are no substitutes at this time, so we may need to cancel runs altogether due to lack of staffing. If your child can’t make it to school, the absence will not count against them and in some cases we may be able to combine runs or find other options. Principals will be notifying families when runs need to be canceled and/or alternative arrangements need to be made.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we try to work through this together. I know the bus company is trying hard to hire additional drivers and come-up with creative solutions. Please feel free to reach out if you have challenges getting your children to school in the absence of a bus. We will do our very best to work with you so your children get safely to school.
All the best,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Castleton Elementary School 4th graders spent a day last week with special guest, Ms. Laura MacLachlan, an instructor from the VEEP program (Vermont Energy Education Program). Ms. MacLachlan set up six stations, of hands-on materials, for students to explore the production of electricty. Stations included hand generators, volt meters, and magnets that moved through coils of copper wire. Each station helped students understand how natural resources such as wind and sun transfer energy to electricity used to power items like their chromebooks.
Tonight - December 12, 2022
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/tbs-xnma-rwz
Or dial: (US) +1 530-618-7125 PIN: 991 413 623#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1lss8
Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/1lm9d
Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 19, 2022 – CES– 6:30pm
Meet "Benson Village School's Administrative Assistant, Pam Arel" Monday
Today's Focus "on Math around the district" Friday comes from Benson Village School, Fair Haven Grade School, and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Mrs. Thurston's Benson kindergarteners were playing grab bag doubles, where they grab a handful of cubes and determine if the number is a double or not, along with deciding if it is an odd or even number. Her second grade class was working on solving double digit equations using a number line. Over at FHGS, Ms. Poalino's 6th graders were completing their data and statistics lesson, while upstairs in Mrs. McCrea's class, her first graders were proud to show how they add common denominator fractions, along with using coins to write money equations. Jumping to the the high school, Mr. Marchese's 9th grade students were writing equations in point-slope form of the line passing through given points! Looks like Slate Valley is developing some amazing mathematicians!
If interested, apply online at schoolspring.com or contact the Athletics Director, Kim Alexander at kalexander@svuvt.org
Throwback Thursday - 1991
Each week at FHUMHS, Mr. Chris Stanton, a retired teacher and school board member, meets with a small group of middle school students. The students receive mini-lessons on measurement, trees and different woods. At the end of each lesson, students record their learning by completing a written journal entry. The first group of students completed book cases, and the second group just finished smaller, individual pieces, including beautiful cutting boards. This is yet another wonderful example of Student Learning Achieved Through Engagement! #SLATE
Where are they now WEDNESDAY - Featuring Zachary Harvey
FHUHS Class of 2012 alumnus, Zachary (Zak) Harvey, has successfully climbed the corporate ladder a mere decade after his high school graduation.
Zak’s educational journey began in Castleton. He acknowledges that each primary and secondary educator were incredible, but credits three in particular for playing a critical role in inspiring his love of learning. First mentioned was Castleton Elementary School’s principal, Jean-Marie Oakman. Zak remembers her charismatic personality, and appreciates her fostering an “environment where learning and excelling in the classroom was encouraged, expected and celebrated”. Next he credits Castleton’s school librarian, who at the time was Mrs. Susan Lyman, for instilling a love of reading and recalls her constant encouragement and support. Third, during his time at Fair Haven Union High School, he remembers Mrs. Sandy Kuehn. “Mrs. Kuehn taught me invaluable lessons in the classroom on civics and geography, but perhaps even more important, to do whatever you do with heart and empathy. I have carried these words with me throughout college and career.” said Zak.
Along with recognizing the support received in school, Zak was certain to mention the love and support of his parents, who always encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
While at Fair Haven Union High School, Zak was actively involved in Student Government and participated in both winter and spring Track and Field.
Zak attended Providence College in Rhode Island. He worked toward a major in Political Science and a minor in Economics. During his third year, Zak studied abroad at the University College London in England. He also interned two summers at Nasdaq, a stock exchange based in New York City. Upon receiving his degree, he joined the company full-time and moved to New York. Zak worked at Nasdaq for two years before joining the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2018. While there, Zak worked in a series of positions. As of this September, Zak began working in strategy at the parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, for the President of Fixed Income and Data Services.
Zak currently lives in Manhattan, but claims there is nothing better than coming home to Vermont. He plans to remain in the financial services industry, but would someday like to get involved with politics.
When asked if he had any words of encouragement for our current Slaters, he reflected on a piece of advice received in college which was, “don’t pull strings, yank them.” He wants students to remember that everyone starts somewhere, so reach out to family friends, alumni, and teachers for help. Never be intimidated to reach out to those that came before you because “you never know where a conversation will lead or what doors someone can open.” Zak also referred to a quote, by poet Maya Angelou, on the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Great advice to keep in mind.
Thank you, Zak, for sharing your journey. Slater Nation wishes you continued success, with a bright, happy future.
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Meet "Fair Haven Grade School Physical Education Teacher, Parth Patel" Monday
Who's this trio?
Please join us for our third and final Listening Tour at the Orwell Village School. The forum begins at 6:30 PM and is in person and open to the public. Connect with us, and partake in discussing the planning of the Slate Valley Unified Union 23/24 school budget with administrators and school board members. Your opinions matter!
Tonight, Wednesday, November 30th - 6:30 PM. at Fair Haven Grade School. Come to the second of three Listening Tours! Engage in discussing the planning of the 23/24 school budget with administrators and school board members. Your opinions matter to us! All are welcome!
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Please attend a Listening Tour, happening this week! Three opportunities at three different locations! Attend any or all. Come discuss planning of the 23/24 school budget with administrators and school board members. Your opinion matters to us!
