Slate Valley Unified School District

Special School Board Meeting - June 25, 2024 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: link:https://meet.google.com/qnk-trcw-xbq Or dial: (US) +1 401-239-3713 PIN: 907 570 089# 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.

Special School Board Meeting - June 25, 2024 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: link:https://meet.google.com/qnk-trcw-xbq Or dial: (US) +1 401-239-3713 PIN: 907 570 089# 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.

June 18, 2024 Dear Slate Valley, I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your support in approving the school budget (930 Yes and 794 No) for the upcoming year on the 5th vote. I know this may not have been an easy decision for many, especially due to the funding challenges throughout the state. Your dedication to ensuring the success and growth of our school community is truly commendable, and it is with great appreciation that I extend my thanks to each and every one of you. As we move forward with implementing the approved budget, I want to assure you that we will continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We are open to feedback and happy to answer questions at any time. We understand the importance of effectively utilizing the resources entrusted to us and remain committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students. Once again, thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. Together, we can work together to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and contribute to the success of our schools. Regards, Brooke Olsen-Farrell

Please Vote today on the Slate Valley School Budget. Your Vote is Your Voice! Polling locations and times: Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49 Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall

During graduation on Friday evening, Principal Ben Worthing spoke of the many achievements made by the FHUHS Class of 2024. If you were there to hear it, it is worth reading again. If you were not in attendance, then please read the photos, you will be very proud. Congratulations again to all of our graduates. #weareslatevalley

Reminder: FY25 Budget Information Meeting, Monday night, June 17th at 6:30 PM in the band room at FHUMHS. Then Tuesday, June 18th is voting day! Polling locations and times: Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49 Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall

Last night under spectacular skies, the Slate Valley faculty, staff, families and community gathered to celebrate this year's graduation. Congratulations to the FHUHS Class of 2024! For more photos go to: bit.ly/FHU2024

Happy Summer from Slate Valley! We hope everyone enjoys their time away and we look forward to seeing you again in a couple of months!

With the busy happenings that come at the end of a school year, please remember to vote this Tuesday, June 18th. The budget information meeting will be the night before at 6:30 PM in the band room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.

Class of 2024 Graduation - Tonight at 7:00 PM - Under the Tent at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

Congratulations to Castleton Elementary School's Carl Cougar for being crowned champion of the first Slate Valley Mascot Madness competition! Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell presented the honors to Carl this morning. The trophy was designed and created by one of our Middle School students, Deshawn Ingram, who used both the 3D printer and Glowforge during his Design Class with Mr. VanDerKern. Carl pulled ahead in the year long competition during the month of April, when in one week he attended 5 family lunch events. This busy week launched him to the front, passing Wally Wildcat of Orwell Village School. Thank you to all of our mascots (Wally Wildcat, Benson Bear, Carl Cougar, FHGS Falcon and FHUMHS Slater) for their fun competitiveness and good sportmanship! Until next year...

Retirement Spotlight! To round off our week of retiree spotlights, we are celebrating Ruzanne Behrens's 12 years of service in Slate Valley. Congratulations to Ruzanne on your retirement! Ruzanne Behrens has 12 years of dedicated service as an esteemed guidance counselor at Orwell Village School. Ruzanne brought a wealth of experience to Slate Valley, honed during her internship and practicum work with K-12 schools in the rural Adirondacks. Her leadership, empathy, and resilience translated seamlessly into her role at OVS, where she became a trusted confidante and advocate for countless students. Over the years, Ruzanne's impact has touched students, parents, and staff alike. She has championed student success, offering guidance on academics, social challenges, and personal growth. Her ever-open door and calming presence were a beacon for navigating even the stormiest school days. We are incredibly grateful for Ruzanne's unwavering service to OVS. She will be deeply missed, but we wish her all the best in her exciting retirement adventures! By OVS Principal Patrick Walters

FHGS June Newsletter. To view the PDF version go to: https://5il.co/2ooa4

Last night we celebrated the district's 8th grade class, who will be moving from middle school to the high school wing next year. Congratulations to our new FHUHS 9th graders! Click the link to view their slide show: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qb93K46slBYavaH4ZsT1_E2teyfBqQNc/view?usp=drive_link

Retirement Spotlight! Today, we are celebrating Wendy Cameron's 26 years of service in our district. Congratulations on your retirement Wendy! Wendy has been an Instructional Assistant at Fair Haven Union High School since the Spring of 1998 and has supported countless number of students with academic and behavioral challenges. Her commitment to students and her colleagues is well known and her energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed. Thank you, Wendy for your dedication to Slate Valley. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Retirement Spotlight! Congratulations to Dale Coombs, who is retiring from her position as a special education teacher since 2000 and serving the district since 1996. Dale began her career in Slate Valley as an instructional assistant at Castleton Village School, four years later she became a special education teacher, serving in that capacity for the next 24 years. With the closure of the Village School, Dale moved with students and colleagues to the new Middle School at FHUMHS. She is a true champion of all children and her positive attitude, work ethic, and endless drawer of snacks will be missed by many! Best wishes Dale on all your new adventures.

Slate Valley FY25 5th Budget Vote: June 18, 2024 by Australian and Absentee Ballot. If you want an absentee ballot, contact your town clerk right away. The information meeting will be Monday, June 17th in the band room at FHUMHS - 6:30 PM Attend in person or virtually at https://meet.google.com/spo-nuyk-pwv Or dial: ‪(US) +1 857-529-6624‬ PIN: ‪851 037 673‬#

Retirement Spotlight! This week, Slate Valley is celebrating a retiree each day with a special retirement spotlight on social media. We start this week with acknowledgement of Debra Robbins, who will be departing from her position as Special Education/Medicaid Clerk for Slate Valley Unified Union School District. Debra has served in her current position for nearly a decade and within SVUUSD for 29 years. Her previous service at Benson Village School included time as an instructional assistant, a tech assistant, and school secretary. Debra's expertise, knowledge of the district, families and resources will be greatly missed. We wish Debra the very best in her future adventures and are grateful for her many years of service and support to the students, families, staff, and administration of Slate Valley. Thank you, Debra! By Director of Special Services Kris Benway

Tonight - June 10, 2024 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Orwell Village School - Town Hall. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/ezy-kfsg-rer Or dial: (US) +1 518-547-0125 PIN: 730 415 955# 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.

From FHUMHS Band Teacher Mrs. Adams: "I am VERY excited and proud to announce that our middle school band received an Excellent rating and our high school band received a Superior rating for their performance at the High Notes trip! These are the highest scores that can be received by groups. They have all worked incredibly hard and I am so proud of all of their work! If you see any of our band students next week, please give them a huge congratulations!"