Action based learning with Kinders & 6th graders
about 1 month ago, Kelley Schultz
Two older students and two younger children sit in a circle on a gymnasium floor. They are working together on "Fast Word Writing" worksheets placed in plastic sleeves, using dry-erase markers and clipboards to practice writing names and words.
A teenage girl in a light blue sweatshirt leans over a cafeteria table, pointing to lettered blocks to help a young girl in a green dress. They are using yellow baseplates and blue/red blocks to build words. An adult man watches the activity from the side. IMG_2944.jpg A side view of the same literacy activity at the cafeteria table. A young girl with a long blonde braid reaches into a clear bin of letter blocks while a teenage mentor stands by to assist. Yellow building plates and word slips are spread across the table.
In a gym, an older student walks past a line of numbered papers taped to the floor. Each paper shows a number and a corresponding ten-frame diagram. A younger child in a red dress kneels to interact with one of the papers while another child stands nearby.
n a gym, an older student walks past a line of numbered papers taped to the floor. Each paper shows a number and a corresponding ten-frame diagram. A younger child in a red dress kneels to interact with one of the papers while another child stands nearby. IMG_2943.jpg A teenage girl in a light blue sweatshirt leans over a cafeteria table, pointing to lettered blocks to help a young girl in a green dress. They are using yellow baseplates and blue/red blocks to build words. An adult man watches the activity from the side.
A teenage girl in a light blue sweatshirt leans over a cafeteria table, pointing to lettered blocks to help a young girl in a green dress. They are using yellow baseplates and blue/red blocks to build words. An adult man watches the activity from the side.
A young girl in a pink hoodie kneels on a green gym floor mat. She is using a dry-erase marker to practice writing the number 6 on a worksheet that includes a ten-frame and a "number rhyme" poem.
A young girl with a long blonde braid, wearing a red polka-dot dress, kneels on the floor to practice writing the number 5 on a math worksheet. Other numbered stations are visible nearby.
Snapshots from Reading Buddies with 1st and 5th Graders!
2 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Two boys are seated cross-legged on a light-colored tile floor, looking down at an open picture book. The book shows a bright red page with a white skeleton of a dog. Behind them are classroom cubbies filled with colorful rolled-up yoga mats in blue, purple, green, and orange. i
A high-angle shot of a classroom reading circle. A girl with long red hair sits on a colorful handprint rug, holding up a picture book featuring a red car to a group of five other children. The children are seated on the floor and a rug, listening intently. The background shows classroom decorations, including a number line and a yellow clock.
Three children are huddled together on a tile floor during a reading session. A boy in a white "Old Navy" t-shirt holds a yellow book featuring a simple illustration of a rocket ship and a planet, pointing to the page. A girl with blonde braids and a boy in a blue shirt watch closely from opposite sides. i
An overhead view of two girls sitting on a classroom floor. One girl, wearing a black hoodie, holds open a picture book titled "Bunny, My Honey," which shows an illustration of a white rabbit. Another girl with long, wavy blonde hair sits with her back to the camera, looking at the pages.
Three children are sitting on a vibrant rug decorated with large, colorful handprints. A girl in a tan sweatshirt holds a large picture book featuring a night sky and a bear. Two other children—a girl in a pink and black hoodie and a boy in a red shirt—lean in to look at the illustrations.
A girl in a pink long-sleeved shirt and a boy in a black "Ninja" t-shirt sit side-by-side on a handprint rug. The girl holds a thin picture book with blue-toned illustrations of a shark. In the background, there is a small wooden stool with cat-shaped cutouts on top.
Three children sit against a white wall on a colorful rug. The girl in the center, wearing a grey "PINK" hoodie and blue cowboy boots, reads a book aloud. To her left, a boy in a bright blue shirt smiles at the camera, and to her right, a girl in a black sweatshirt watches the book.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: January 16, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/409168fc586b/slate-valley-district-newsletter-january-16-13835966
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic header for the Slate Valley Unified Union School District newsletter dated January 16, 2026. The image features a winter illustration with snow-covered trees, mountains, falling snow, and a skier on a snowy hillside, along with the district logo and the text “Our Schools, Your Future.”
NEEDED: Community members interested in serving as Slate Valley School Board Representatives!

Slate Valley Unified Union School District is seeking residents who want to make a meaningful impact on our schools and students. Open seats are available in West Haven (3 seats), Hubbardton (1 seat), and Orwell (1 seat). There are also seats in Benson, Fair Haven, and Castleton, where current members are running unopposed.

Serving on the school board is a great way to represent your community, support student success, and help shape the future of Slate Valley schools. Board members receive an annual stipend, and no prior experience is required—just a commitment to serve.
If you’re interested in running, please visit your town office to obtain a petition and learn more about the process and requirements.
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing “School Board Members Needed” for Slate Valley Unified Union School District, with open seats in West Haven, Hubbardton, and Orwell. Text encourages serving the community, supporting students, and participating in school decisions; notes no experience required and to visit the town office for details. Includes the Slate Valley Vermont logo and a photo of adults seated around a table in discussion.
No School – Monday, January 19, 2026

Slate Valley Unified Union School District schools will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

This day honors Dr. King’s legacy of service, equity, and justice, and invites us all to reflect on the values of compassion, courage, and community.

We wish our students, families, and staff a meaningful day of remembrance. ❤️🤍💙
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic shows the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial statue against a blue sky. Text reads, “No School Monday, January 19, 2026, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” with a Vermont school district logo at the bottom.
1st Grade is learning about sound in silence. They made their own "Bee Hummer" to experiment with how vibrations create sound.
2 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young boy with a wide smile, wearing a black t-shirt with a "Frightfully Festive" graphic and blue jeans, holds up a small, rectangular handmade paper craft. He is standing in a gymnasium with wooden bleachers and a stack of colorful gym mats behind him.
A young boy with a blonde bowl cut and an orange henley shirt stands in a gymnasium, holding a small, rectangular handmade paper craft with horizontal yellow and black stripes, resembling a bee, attached to a black string. He has a neutral expression. In the background, there are blue padded mats on a green wall, and a second child is partially visible on the left, holding a similar craft.
1st Grade is learning about sound in silence. They made their own "Bee Hummer" to experiment with how vibrations create sound.
2 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young boy with a blonde bowl cut and an orange henley shirt stands in a gymnasium. He has a neutral expression while holding a paper craft decorated with yellow and black stripes.
A girl in a bright pink sweatshirt stands in a school cafeteria, making a silly, tight-lipped face at the camera. She holds a yellow and black striped paper craft in both hands.
A young boy with messy brown hair and a bright smile wears a light blue t-shirt with a checkered graphic. He proudly holds up a handmade paper craft with yellow and black stripes.
A young girl with long brown hair wearing a teal shirt and floral leggings holds a red paper craft with black dots, designed to look like a ladybug.
A young girl with long brown hair, wearing pink heart-patterned leggings and a white t-shirt, leans toward the camera with a big smile. She holds a handmade paper craft with yellow and black horizontal stripes.
A young boy with light brown hair smiling at the camera, wearing a yellow and white striped shirt, holds up a small, rectangular red craft object with black string. He is standing on a black mat in a gymnasium or multi-purpose room with a grey floor and green and wood-paneled walls in the background.
A young boy with a wide smile, wearing a black t-shirt with a "Frightfully Festive" graphic and blue jeans, holds up a small, rectangular handmade paper craft. He is standing in a gymnasium with wooden bleachers and a stack of colorful gym mats behind him.
A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a white graphic t-shirt and pink heart-patterned leggings, leans forward and smiles at the camera. She is holding a small, handmade paper craft with yellow and black stripes, designed to look like a bee, which is attached to a black string. She stands in front of wooden bleachers and a stack of blue gym mats in a gymnasium.
A young girl in a leopard-print shirt, with her head tilted back and smiling, holds a small white envelope-like paper craft with a string attached in front of her. She is standing on a speckled floor in a gymnasium, with blue padded mats and a basketball court line visible behind her.
A young girl with long light brown hair, wearing a purple fuzzy zip-up jacket over a black glittery top and black pants, smiles at the camera. She is holding a small, rectangular handmade craft with yellow and black horizontal stripes. She stands in a school gymnasium on a light grey tiled floor with black and teal lines, with a doorway and a floor fan visible in the background.
Crazy 8's club created different types of graphs today with our own data. We used a graph to compare the seasons of our Birthdates, a matrix to look at dominant and recessive tracts like right handedness and a Venn diagram to look at many other characteristics!
3 days ago, Kelley Schultz
The same group of nine students from a different angle, sitting around the floor graph in a classroom. In this version, the students are more spread out and many are making silly faces or poses for the camera. The floor graph with its tape axes and orange sticky note data points remains the central focus of the room.
The same group of nine students from a different angle, sitting around the floor graph in a classroom. In this version, the students are more spread out and many are making silly faces or poses for the camera. The floor graph with its tape axes and orange sticky note data points remains the central focus of the room.
A "Trait Chart" table showing handwritten data for nine children across three categories. Hair Line: 4 kids have a dominant Widow's peak; 5 kids have a recessive straight hairline. Dimples: 1 kid has dominant dimples; 8 kids have no dimples. Eye Color: 1 kid has dominant brown eyes; 8 kids have any other color. IMG_0855.png Nine elementary-age students pose in a classroom around a large, hand-made graph on the floor. The graph uses red tape for axes and orange sticky notes to represent data points. The vertical Y-axis is labeled with numbers 0 through 4, and the horizontal X-axis is labeled "birthday month." The students are sitting and reclining around the graph, looking toward the camera.
Kinders learning how to jump rope!
6 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young girl in a blue and white checkered dress jumps over a green circular floor marker in a gym.
In a wide shot of the gymnasium, a teacher in a grey t-shirt holds a long orange jump rope for a young student in a pink shirt.
A young girl in a tan ruffled sweatshirt and black leggings walks across the gym floor while holding a green jump rope.
A smiling young girl in a light blue shirt featuring a kitten graphic holds a green jump rope behind her shoulders.
A young girl in a teal long-sleeve shirt and grey leggings is captured mid-air while jumping with a red jump rope in a gymnasium
A young boy wearing a horizontal-striped shirt and maroon pants stands in a gym, holding the handles of a green jump rope that rests behind him.
A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a teal floral shirt and black leggings, stands ready with a green jump rope on a blue section of the gym floor.
A young boy in a tan t-shirt and olive cargo pants jumps high into the air with his arms raised while using a red jump rope.
4th Grade natural disaster research papers
6 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A printed report titled "The Great Chicago Fire 1871" . The text summarizes a fictional story about a boy named Oscar from the I Survived book series and includes historical facts about the fire starting in O'Leary's barn.
A printed report titled "Mt. Saint Helens" This report also focuses on the 1980 eruption, noting the 57 casualties and the danger of volcanic gases and magma.
A wide shot of a classroom bulletin board with a black background and a colorful confetti border. The header "Natural Disasters" is written in orange letters. Below it, several printed student reports are stapled in a row, each paired with hand-drawn orange labels for events like "Hurricane," "Tsunami," "Volcano Erupts," "Chicago Fire," "Wild Fire," and "Blizzard."
A printed report titled "The Japanese Tsunami" . The text describes the 2011 disaster, mentioning a book called I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 and facts about evacuation drills and wave heights.
A printed report titled "Mt. St. Helens" The student writes about the 1980 eruption in Washington state, describing the smoke and ash, and mentions reading the book I Survived the Eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
A printed report titled "The 1900 Storm." It includes a digital graphic of the title and text discussing the 1900 Galveston, Texas hurricane, its death toll, and general facts about hurricane categories and seasons.
A printed report titled "CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES 2018" by Matty Bob. The text explains how the fires started due to faulty electrical equipment, the damage caused in acres and homes, and safety tips for evacuations.
Kinders working on double strategies!
6 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Red Ladybug Math Craft A close-up of a student's math project. Five red-colored ladybug cutouts are glued to a large green paper leaf. Each ladybug has a triangle on its back containing an even number: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.
Classroom Bulletin Board A classroom bulletin board with a white wood-grain background and a colorful border of vertical pencils. The board features several green leaf cutouts, each adorned with five red ladybug drawings labeled with the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Decorative elements include large wavy yellow and blue pencils, stars, and text snippets that read "Double double," "This this," and "That that." In the bottom right corner, a large orange eraser cutout says, "Whoops! It’s okay to make mistakes."
A close-up of another student’s project on the bulletin board. This green paper leaf holds five ladybugs colored with pink and red crayons. Like the others, they are labeled with even numbers from 2 to 10. A blue and orange checkered star decoration is pinned to the wall nearby.
Board Meeting - January 12, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Castleton Elementary School Cafeteria.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/epv-sidz-zry
Or dial: (US) +1 406-905-1177 PIN: 663 913 503#

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.
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on January 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Castleton Elementary School cafeteria. Agenda items include the consent agenda, Act 73 discussion, open board seats discussion, and committee finance reports. Includes district logo and “Please Join Us Tonight” text.
WANTED: Community members interested in serving as Slate Valley School Board Representatives!

Slate Valley Unified Union School District is seeking residents who want to make a meaningful impact on our schools and students. Open seats are available in West Haven (3 seats), Hubbardton (1 seat), and Orwell (1 seat). There are also seats in Benson, Fair Haven, and Castleton, where current members are running unopposed.

Serving on the school board is a great way to represent your community, support student success, and help shape the future of Slate Valley schools. Board members receive an annual stipend, and no prior experience is required—just a commitment to serve.

If you’re interested in running, please visit your town office to obtain a petition and learn more about the process and requirements.
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Alt text: A green graphic reading “Wanted: Slate Valley School Board Representatives,” showing three person icons with the Slate Valley logo and text noting open seats in West Haven, Hubbardton, and Orwell, and a $1,200 reward.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: January 9, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/878590be2697/january-9-2026-slate-valley-district-newsletter
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic showing the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter header with the text “Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter,” dated January 9, 2025, above a festive “Happy New Year 2026” design with gold lettering, hanging numbers, and subtle geometric patterns.
3rd Graders getting a Yeti for a New Year!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
The mug is colored light blue with white polka dots and features a brown yeti holding a pencil. Five paper marshmallows are glued to the top of the hot cocoa, with handwritten resolutions including: "be better then my zibling," "be cheeze," "EXPLOD!", "be kind," and "be a good friend.
A close-up of a student’s New Year's craft The paper mug is colored with green, orange, and purple crayons, featuring a red cartoon yeti holding a large pencil. Five paper marshmallows are glued to the top of the mug with handwritten goals: "I like scool," "I like recess," "I like Video games," "Pla the ninten do," and "Sit on the tere."
A close-up of a New Year's craft by Charlotte. The mug is colored light blue with white polka dots and features a brown yeti holding a pencil. Five paper marshmallows are glued to the top of the hot cocoa, with handwritten resolutions including: "be better then my zibling," "be cheeze," "EXPLOD!", "be kind," and "be a good friend."
Classroom Bulletin Board Alt Text: A classroom bulletin board with a bright yellow background and a colorful rainbow-striped border. The board is decorated with numerous student art projects featuring the pun "YETI FOR A NEW YEAR!" Each project consists of a paper mug cutout containing a cartoon yeti holding a pencil. Above each mug is a paper lightbulb featuring a student’s name and a pair of sunglasses. The mugs are colored in various shades, and small paper "marshmallows" with handwritten resolutions are glued to the top of each mug.
1st Grade quilt squares
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A bulletin board displays a grid of children's artwork. It features alternating squares of blue and white woven paper mats and colorful crayon drawings of starfish in various shapes and colors. The display is mounted on a large sheet of white paper against a blue background with a starry border.
1st Grade quilt squares
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A bulletin board displays a grid of children's artwork. It features alternating squares of blue and white woven paper mats and colorful crayon drawings of starfish in various shapes and colors. The display is mounted on a large sheet of white paper against a blue background with a starry border.
2nd Graders made "Things I Love" snowflakes!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Classroom Bulletin Board A wide shot of a classroom bulletin board covered in silver glitter paper. It displays several student art projects: paper snowflakes on black backgrounds and rainbow-shaped name tags. Above the bulletin board, a wooden shelf holds a row of monochromatic 3D assemblages made from various objects, each painted a single bright color like gold, blue, purple, red, and teal.
A close-up of a student art project by Thea. It features a snowflake colored with teal, blue, and purple stripes. The center has a cute smiley face and the words "SNOW many things I love." The hearts on the points of the snowflake list: Family, Presents, Hot cocoa, Snow, Reading, and Sledding.
Felicity's Snowflake A close-up of a winter-themed student project by Felicity. A blue and dark blue colored snowflake is centered on black paper. The hearts at the tips of the snowflake list things the student loves: School, I like my teacher, Sledding, Snowman, Reading, and Family. The background is decorated with white scribbles to look like a snowstorm.
) A close-up of a student art project titled "SNOW many things I love" by a student . It features a hand-colored purple and light blue snowflake on black paper. Six paper hearts are attached to the points of the snowflake, each containing a word: School, Family, Crafts, Reading, Hot cocoa, and Snow. White crayon marks on the background represent falling snow.
4th Grade playing "Camouflage" and animal tracking on the nature trail
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A group of children in colorful winter gear run and play through a snowy field with bare trees and bright sunlight in the background.
A boy wearing a blue and black jacket and camouflage gloves smiles brightly while kneeling in the snow beneath frost-covered evergreen branches.
A boy in a black and neon green jacket lies on his back in the snow with his mouth wide open, looking up toward the overhanging pine branches.
A young boy peeking through the thick, green branches of a pine tree in a bright, snowy field.
A smiling girl in a purple jacket and navy beanie hugging the trunk of a large pine tree in a snowy forest.
A smiling girl wearing an oversized camouflage U.S. Army jacket and pink snow pants, standing behind pine tree branches.
A girl in a black winter coat and black Adidas beanie stands in a snowy field under a clear blue sky, looking confidently at the camera.
A boy in a bright blue winter jacket stands in a snowy field, holding a tall, dried plant stalk up to his face.
A group selfie of a smiling adult in a purple jacket and orange scarf with six children following behind her on a narrow, snowy trail.
A boy in a black t-shirt and snow pants kneels on a snowy path, looking up and gesturing with his hands while his blue jacket lies on the snow beside him.

This Friday, we’re focusing on Slate Valley’s Community Advisory Council (CAC)—a group that brings community voices together to support and strengthen our schools. Made up of community members from across the district, CAC meets monthly with the superintendent and district staff to share perspectives, discuss school-related topics, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the communities they serve. Everyone is welcome to attend—join us at the next meeting on February 2, 2026, in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library. We will be joined by our local legislators to discuss updates on Act 73. Come be part of the conversation!

9 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Friday Focus: CAC – Community Advisory Council.” The design features photos of adults seated around tables in meeting settings, engaged in discussion and listening. Text on the graphic includes “All Are Welcome” and “One Meeting Each Month,” along with the Slate Valley Community Advisory Council logo.