🎨✨ A New Way to Share Creativity is Coming to Fair Haven! ✨🎨
Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the Slate Valley Community Mini Art Gallery—a place where art is made to be shared!
Inspired by the Little Free Library concept, this one-of-a-kind gallery invites everyone to leave a tiny piece of original art and take one that inspires you. Whether you paint, draw, collage, or create something completely unique, your artwork can brighten someone's day.
The gallery was imagined by Slate Valley art teachers Darcie Parrot, Alyssa McMahon, and Marcella Ray-Mullikan, and beautifully built by Mr. Stanton's Project Build middle school students.
📅 Thursday, August 13
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 North Entrance of Fair Haven Park
Help us kick off this exciting new community tradition with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, create your own mini masterpiece, browse the gallery, and enjoy a snack. Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome!
Come celebrate creativity, community, and the joy of sharing art. We can't wait to see what you'll create! 🎨



Pre-season practices for Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Golf, Cross Country, and Cheer are just around the corner.
Scan the QR code or view the complete practice schedules here:
https://aptg.co/hq_Pl_
Whether you're a returning athlete or joining a team for the first time, be sure to check your sport's practice dates, times, and locations before the season begins.
Let's get ready for another great season of Slater athletics!

Before the excitement of a new school year begins, Castleton Elementary School Facilities Manager Mark Cassidy made time to relax and recharge with family at Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts.
For two weeks, Mark enjoyed sunny days by the ocean, quality time with loved ones, and a well-deserved break before the hustle and bustle of August and September.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your summer with us, Mark! We hope those beach days left you refreshed and ready for another great year in Slate Valley. 🌊⛱️

Talk about a hands-on summer project! Fair Haven Grade School Special Education Teacher Ms. Jordyn Bessette traded lesson plans for wrenches and spent her summer tackling an impressive mechanical challenge.
When she wasn't working, Ms. Bessette completely rebuilt a Subaru engine from the ground up. It's not every day someone takes on a project like this, and it takes plenty of patience, skill, and determination to bring an engine back to life.
Thank you for sharing your one-of-a-kind summer project with us, Ms. Bessette! We can't wait to see what exciting challenges you'll tackle next.

Join us for the first Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting of the 2026–2027 school year!
🗓️ Tuesday, August 11
🕠 5:45 PM
📍 Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle/High School
Agenda Link: https://aptg.co/CnmQGv
The Community Advisory Council is a great opportunity for families, community members, and stakeholders to stay informed, share ideas, and help shape the future of Slate Valley schools.
We hope you'll join the conversation—we'd love to see you!

🥪☀️ Free Summer Meal Box Program Notification! ☀️🥪
Slate Valley families can pick up FREE multi-day meal boxes for children 18 and under this summer!
Each box includes:
🍎 7 breakfasts
🥪 7 lunches
📍 Pickup Location: Fair Haven Grade School parking lot
🗓️ Pickup Day: Every Tuesday during the summer
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📅 Last Pickup: Tuesday, August 18
Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Meals are for children 18 and under
✔️ The child is not receiving meals from another Free Summer Meal Program
✔️ The person picking up the meal box is the child’s parent or guardian
Help us spread the word so every child in our community has access to nutritious meals throughout the summer! 💚

There’s nothing quite like summer on the Maine coast! FHGS Director of Special Education Ellenor Cox-Hansen spent part of her summer exploring Port Clyde and Monhegan Island, Maine, with her husband.
Her adventures included a ferry ride, beautiful views of Monhegan village from Lighthouse Hill, a visit to the historic island lighthouse, and a glimpse of the Island Inn. She also stopped by Monhegan’s one-room schoolhouse, which is expected to welcome approximately five students when school begins in September!
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your coastal Maine adventures with us, Ellenor! What a beautiful way to spend part of the summer.

🥪☀️ Free Summer Meal Box Program Notification! ☀️🥪
Slate Valley families can pick up FREE multi-day meal boxes for children 18 and under this summer!
Each box includes:
🍎 7 breakfasts
🥪 7 lunches
📍 Pickup Location: Fair Haven Grade School parking lot
🗓️ Pickup Day: Every Tuesday during the summer
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📅 Last Pickup: Tuesday, August 18
Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Meals are for children 18 and under
✔️ The child is not receiving meals from another Free Summer Meal Program
✔️ The person picking up the meal box is the child’s parent or guardian
Help us spread the word so every child in our community has access to nutritious meals throughout the summer! 💚

This summer brought a creative win for Benson Village School and Orwell Village School Nurse Rebecca Stockwell! Rebecca put her artistic talents to work and entered the Castleton Recreation Commission Logo Contest—and her design was selected as the winner! 🎉
Her winning logo beautifully captures the spirit of Castleton Parks & Recreation, highlighting opportunities to explore, play, and connect through the community and the outdoors.
Congratulations, Rebecca, on this wonderful accomplishment! What a fun and creative way to spend part of your summer—and how exciting to know your design will represent recreation in the Castleton community!

Family, fun, and Vermont adventures made this summer one to remember for Castleton Elementary School Instructional Assistant Ms. Allison Irons!
In early July, Ms. Irons hosted a family reunion in Stowe, welcoming nearly 60 relatives from across the country. The weekend was packed with memorable experiences, including visits to the Ben & Jerry's Factory, tours of the Von Trapp Family Lodge, and taking in the colorful sights of the Stowe Hot Air Balloon Festival.
The best part of the reunion, however, was simply being together. From sharing family stories and testing everyone's knowledge with trivia to enjoying a sing-along with cake, the weekend was filled with laughter and cherished memories.
Thank you for sharing your summer with us, Ms. Irons!

Some summer adventures are all about the destination—and for Ms. Monica Alvarez, it was a journey of nearly 1,900 miles to begin an exciting new chapter with Slate Valley!
This summer, Ms. Alvarez, the new school librarian for Castleton Elementary School and Orwell Village School, packed up her car, her U-Haul, and her cats and made the long drive from Texas to Vermont to join the Slate Valley family.
Starting a new job is a big adventure, but moving across the country makes it even more memorable. We are thrilled that Ms. Alvarez chose Slate Valley as her new home and can't wait for our CES and OVS students to get to know her this school year.
Welcome to Vermont, Ms. Alvarez—we're so glad you're here, and we hope your cross-country journey was just the beginning of many wonderful adventures in Slate Valley!

🥪☀️ Free Summer Meal Box Program Notification! ☀️🥪
Slate Valley families can pick up FREE multi-day meal boxes for children 18 and under this summer!
Each box includes:
🍎 7 breakfasts
🥪 7 lunches
📍 Pickup Location: Fair Haven Grade School parking lot
🗓️ Pickup Day: Every Tuesday during the summer
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📅 Last Pickup: Tuesday, August 18
Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Meals are for children 18 and under
✔️ The child is not receiving meals from another Free Summer Meal Program
✔️ The person picking up the meal box is the child’s parent or guardian
Help us spread the word so every child in our community has access to nutritious meals throughout the summer! 💚

Nothing says summer quite like a day at the beach! Fair Haven Grade School Instructional Assistant Ms. Madison Belden recently enjoyed a relaxing getaway to Wells Beach, Maine with her twin sister and friends.
The trip was the perfect opportunity to unwind, spend quality time together, and make lasting summer memories.
Thank you for sharing your summer adventure with us, Ms. Belden! We hope your beach getaway was filled with sunshine, laughter, and plenty of time to recharge before another great school year.

Today's Summer Happenings features Castleton Elementary School 6th Grade Teacher Mr. Tom DeMatties, whose summer has been filled with family, celebration, and hometown pride!
The Fourth of July was especially meaningful this year as the DeMatties family gathered to celebrate Mr. DeMatties' father, Ernie, on his 90th birthday. Family traveled from California, Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Alaska, and across Vermont to celebrate the milestone together. The festivities included a one-of-a-kind nine-hole indoor miniature golf course, games, and plenty of time making memories with loved ones.
The celebration was even more special considering that Mr. DeMatties' father has been alive for more than one-third of our nation's 250-year history—a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration.
Adding to an already memorable Independence Day, Mr. DeMatties and his wife rode in the Poultney Fourth of July Parade in recognition of Mr. DeMatties being named Poultney's Citizen of the Year. The recognition carried special meaning because his father had also received the same honor 20 years earlier, making it a memorable family legacy.
Congratulations, Mr. DeMatties, on a summer filled with milestones, family traditions, and well-deserved recognition. Thank you for sharing your summer with the Slate Valley community!

Our Slate Valley Summer Happenings series continues with Castleton Elementary School Instructional Assistant Ms. Eileen Hurlburt, who spent part of her summer exploring the breathtaking beauty of Alaska!
From towering glaciers and incredible wildlife to unforgettable scenery, Alaska provided an adventure of a lifetime. We hope Ms. Hurlburt returned home with wonderful memories, amazing photos, and plenty of stories to share.
Thank you, Ms. Hurlburt, for sharing your Alaskan adventure with the Slate Valley community! We love seeing where your summer took you. 🏔️💙

Summer is in full swing for Fair Haven Union High School Special Educator Mr. Michael Lenox, and he's making the most of every minute outdoors and on stage!
When he's not in the classroom, you'll likely find Mr. Lenox casting a line in search of the next big catch, exploring the woods for wild mushrooms, or sharing his love of music with the Enerjazz Big Band as a saxophonist.
If you'd like to hear Mr. Lenox perform, be sure to mark your calendar! The Enerjazz Big Band will take the stage during the Fair Haven Concerts in the Park series on Thursday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m. It's sure to be a fantastic evening of live music in the park.
Thanks for sharing your summer adventures with us, Mr. Lenox! We hope the fish keep biting, the mushrooms keep popping up, and the music keeps swinging! 🎶🐟🍄

Calling all future soccer stars! Registration for Slate Valley Grades 5/6 Soccer is now open through the Arbiter Registration platform.
Registration Link:
https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/athletic-registration-sy26-27
📅 Fall Informational Meeting
Thursday, August 27
6:00 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Gym
📋 A current athletic physical must be on file with the school before participation.
🏃 Planning to run cross country instead? Students in grades 5/6 interested in cross country should register under the Middle School Grades 5–8 Cross Country section.
Don't wait—register today and get ready for a great fall season! ⚽💙💚

We're kicking off our 2026 Slate Valley Summer Happenings series with the Fair Haven Grade School Girls on the Run team, who had a fantastic time participating in the Poultney 4th of July Parade! 🇺🇸
The team proudly completed the 2.75-mile parade route while spreading smiles, handing out candy, and sharing plenty of red, white, and blue patriotism with parade-goers along the way. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and community spirit were on full display from start to finish!
Way to represent FHGS and Girls on the Run with pride, and thank you to Mrs. Haley for sending in our first submission!❤️🤍💙
Throughout the summer, we'll be highlighting what our amazing Slate Valley faculty and staff are up to outside the classroom. Here's to a summer full of fun, learning, and making memories! ❤️🤍💙☀️

🥪☀️ Free Summer Meal Box Program Notification! ☀️🥪
Slate Valley families can pick up FREE multi-day meal boxes for children 18 and under this summer!
Each box includes:
🍎 7 breakfasts
🥪 7 lunches
📍 Pickup Location: Fair Haven Grade School parking lot
🗓️ Pickup Day: Every Tuesday during the summer
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📅 First Pickup: Tuesday, June 30
📅 Last Pickup: Tuesday, August 18
Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Meals are for children 18 and under
✔️ The child is not receiving meals from another Free Summer Meal Program
✔️ The person picking up the meal box is the child’s parent or guardian
Help us spread the word so every child in our community has access to nutritious meals throughout the summer! 💚

Slate Valley joins our community in celebrating 250 years of history, freedom, resilience, and the American spirit.
As we honor this milestone, we also celebrate the people, stories, and communities that continue to shape our nation’s future—including right here in Slate Valley.
Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and meaningful celebration! ❤️🤍💙

