🎨 Trivia Tuesday – Did You Know?

Did you know that December 2nd is the birthday of Georges Seurat, the French painter who revolutionized art with a technique made entirely of tiny dots?

Seurat, born December 2, 1859, is best known for developing Pointillism, where thousands of precise dots of pure color blend together in the viewer’s eye to create a full image. His most famous painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” shown here, is one of the best examples of this technique — and one of the most recognizable works in art history.

So today, on December 2nd, we celebrate Seurat’s artistic genius and the colorful impact he left on the world! 🎂🎨✨
about 10 hours ago, Slate Valley
A “Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?” graphic featuring Georges Seurat. On the left is a black-and-white portrait of Seurat wearing a colorful illustrated birthday hat and a badge that reads “166th Birthday.” To the right is his famous pointillist painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte showing people relaxing by a river. Text reads: “December 2nd is the birthday of Georges Seurat! Georges Seurat is the French painter who revolutionized art with a technique made entirely of tiny dots, called Pointillism. His most famous painting, ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ (shown here) is one of the best examples of this technique.”
‼️ School Closure Notice – Tuesday, December 2, 2025 ❄️ Due to the impending weather, all schools in the Slate Valley School District will be closed today, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. All classes and after-school activities are canceled for the day.
about 13 hours ago, Slate Valley
graphic image announcing school is closed due to bad weather
Friendly Reminder: Our next CAC Meeting is tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 2nd at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room. Find the Agenda Here: https://aptg.co/KXGrlg
All are welcome, hope to see you there!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing the next Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting. The Slate Valley logo appears at the center surrounded by green and blue abstract figures forming a circle. Text reads: “Next Meeting: December 2, 2025 – 5:45 PM. Central Office Conference Room – Located in FHUHS.”
🎶 Meet Faculty & Staff Monday! 🎶
This month we are excited to highlight Cynthia Hutchins, a familiar and spirited presence at Fair Haven Grade School.

Cynthia is celebrating her 10th year as part of FHGS. Before stepping into her full-time role, she spent the 2018–2019 school year teaching music at Wells Village School and Middletown Springs Elementary on alternating days with FHGS. From 2019 until its closure in 2022, she also shared her talents with students at Castleton Village School. Today, she teaches general music, band, and chorus, and she leads the school’s drama club, bringing creativity and enthusiasm to every performance and rehearsal.

Before joining Slate Valley, Cynthia gained valuable experience during her first year of teaching as a long-term substitute at Mettawee Community School, Rutland Intermediate School, and Beeman Academy, and later as the music teacher at Grafton Elementary.

Outside of school, Cynthia continues to keep music at the heart of her life. During the summer, she plays bassoon with the Poultney/Granville Town Band and sings with the Granville Area Chorus. When she’s not making music, she enjoys spending time with her three children. Together, they love camping, exploring Vermont’s beauty, and occasionally escaping to the beaches of Maine.

Her favorite quote—“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams”—perfectly captures her passion for sparking imagination, creativity, and joy in her students each day.

We’re grateful to have Cynthia Hutchins inspiring our young musicians and performers across Slate Valley!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
A “Meet Slate Valley Faculty & Staff Monday” graphic featuring Cynthia Hutchins, Fair Haven Grade School music teacher. On the left is a photo of Cynthia smiling while wearing a pink “Fair Haven Falcons” shirt and swim goggles with a snorkel on her head. On the right, bullet points highlight her 10 years at FHGS, previous roles at multiple schools, the subjects and drama club she teaches, her musical involvement in community bands and chorus, her hobbies with her three children, and her favorite quote. Her name and title appear at the bottom.
Thank you, Slate Valley community!

Your generosity helped make our Stuff an Ambulance fundraiser—hosted in partnership with the Fair Haven Rescue Squad—an incredible success!

Together, we collected:
$1,744.05 in cash donations
1,451.15 pounds of food donations

All contributions directly support Slate Valley Cares, helping families right here in our district.

We are so grateful for every donation, every share, and every person who stopped by to lend a hand. This community always shows up—and we appreciate you! 💙🚑🛒

Thank you for making a real difference this holiday season!
7 days ago, Slate Valley
A bold community flyer titled “Stuff an Ambulance – Thank You!” The top features a close-up of an ambulance with its blue emergency lights on and the word “AMBULANCE” in red letters across the front. Below, a large “Thank You!” message appears in white text. The center of the flyer shows the back of an ambulance filled with assorted donated food items, including canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, and cooking oil. On the left is the Slate Valley Unified School District logo, and on the right is a star-of-life EMS symbol. A white box lists total contributions: “Cash Donations = $1744.05” and “Food Donations = 1,451.15 pounds.” The bottom text reads, “Sponsored by Slate Valley Unified USD & Fair Haven Rescue Squad – All to benefit Slate Valley Cares.”
🍁 Happy Thanksgiving, Slate Valley!🦃
We are grateful for our students, families, staff, and community who make this district such a special place to learn and grow. Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and joyful holiday.
7 days ago, Slate Valley
A festive Thanksgiving-themed graphic featuring cartoon characters dressed as a Pilgrim boy on the left and a Pilgrim girl on the right. At the top is the Slate Valley Unified School District logo. Colorful fall leaves and banner decorations frame the image. The text reads: “Thanksgiving Break. School will be closed November 26–28. Wishing all of our Slate Valley families a restful and joyful holiday! School resumes Monday, December 1!” The bottom of the graphic is decorated with sunflowers and autumn foliage.
1st Graders each designed a custom turkey today, gobble gobble!
7 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A group of smiling elementary school children, possibly around kindergarten or first grade, are standing and kneeling in a bright, colorful room that appears to be a library or classroom. Many of them are wearing paper hats that they have decorated. Several children are holding up white boards or pieces of paper with letters or words written on them, while others are holding plain brown clipboards. The room features bookshelves filled with books, large windows, and a colorful rug with handprint patterns. The children are diverse in appearance and are all looking towards the camera with happy expressions.
Kindergarten has learned the entire alphabet and celebrated by going on a Safari adventure!
7 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young girl with a green headband sits on a colorful rug writing on a clipboard, practicing letters of the alphabet from a printed sheet. A small card with a letter 'V' is visible on the floor next to her.
A group of approximately ten young children, all wearing festive paper hats (some green, some light blue/white), pose for a photo in a library. They are holding clipboards with papers that have letters and symbols visible.
A young girl in a white dress with a pumpkin and leaf print stands next to a wooden bookshelf, using the shelf as a surface to write on a paper attached to a clipboard. She is wearing a green paper headband.
A young girl in a white dress with a pumpkin and leaf print stands next to a wooden bookshelf, using the shelf as a surface to write on a paper attached to a clipboard. She is wearing a green paper headband.
A young girl in a red shirt and a decorated paper hat stands next to a tall bookshelf, holding a pencil and pointing at a small card with a picture on it. She has a clipboard with a paper that has letters and symbols.
A young girl in a bright pink and blue star-patterned fleece jacket is seated at a yellow table, concentrating as she writes on a paper attached to a clipboard. A card with a letter 'H' is on the table next to her. IMG_4989.jpg: A young girl in a red shirt and a decorated paper hat stands next to a tall bookshelf, holding a pencil and pointing at a small card with a picture on it. She has a clipboard with a paper that has letters and symbols.
A young girl wearing a red shirt and a green paper headband leans over a bright yellow table, concentrating on writing letters and symbols on a paper attached to a clipboard. A card with the number '5' is on the table next to her.
Slater Nation Pre-season Practice Schedule for Winter Sports 2025-26

Here are the first two weeks of practices for the winter season. Basketball for the ⅚ grades teams will begin the week of December 8th.

Weekly schedules can be seen at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HLdbraAGsBl4Vsajy-NUlWrh3wONrbBsKAi9Vx71gJk/edit?usp=sharing
7 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Slater Nation Pre-Season Practice Schedules” with the Slate Valley logo at the top. Includes illustrated sports icons such as a basketball, pom-poms, wrestling figures, running shoes, and bowling pins. Lists practice times for Indoor Track, Wrestling, Cheer, and Bowling, with dates from December 1–12. A QR code is shown in the bottom left corner for weekly schedules.
Graphic titled “FHU High School Basketball Practices – First Two Weeks.” Includes a two-week practice schedule grid for girls’ and boys’ varsity and JV basketball, with dates from November 30 to December 13. A basketball icon labeled “High School” appears in the bottom right corner, and the FHU Slaters logo is in the bottom left.
Graphic titled “FHU Middle School Basketball Practices – First Two Weeks.” Features a practice schedule grid for 7th and 8th grade boys’ and girls’ basketball from November 30 to December 13. Notes that practices and home games are at Fair Haven Grade School. A basketball icon labeled “Middle School” appears in the lower left, and the FHU Slaters logo is in the lower right.
1st Grade was awarded the "Golden Trashcan" for having the cleanest classroom!
7 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A group of elementary school children, some kneeling and some standing, smile at the camera in a colorful classroom. In the foreground, a tall, golden trash can with a plastic liner sits on a wooden stool. The floor is covered with a whimsical rug featuring irregular splatters of red, blue, green, and orange. On the left, five girls are arranged: two kneeling in front and three standing behind. The girl on the far left wears a black shirt with colorful graphics, while next to her, a girl in a light purple shirt makes a peace sign. Another girl in a pink and white tie-dye shirt kneels with a peace sign, and beside her, a girl in a pink long-sleeved shirt laughs with her hands near her face. Behind them, a girl in a white top smiles. On the right side of the photo, four boys stand in a row. From left to right, they wear a grey t-shirt, a white t-shirt with graphics, a dark green polo shirt, and a blue long-sleeved shirt. The classroom walls are adorned with various educational posters. A large black bulletin board in the center has the title "TALKING about MATH" at the top and features charts and papers, some with a space theme. To the right of the bulletin board, another board displays colorful shapes and text. On the far left, a white board shows illustrations of what appear to be organs. A yellow clock and a stack of colorful bins are visible on a small table on the left.
⚽ Interested in Becoming a Soccer Referee?
Vermont’s 2026 First-Time Soccer Referee Clinic is coming up!

📅 February 28, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Burr and Burton Academy
57 Seminary Ave, Manchester, VT 05254

🔗 Register here:
https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/courses/available/10000006/details/20009346

This clinic is perfect for anyone looking to get started officiating youth or amateur soccer. Participants will learn the Laws of the Game, referee responsibilities, and basic on-field mechanics.

To become certified, attendees must complete both the online coursework and the in-person field session.

👉 Note: Per U.S. Soccer requirements, all referees register through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
Adults (18+) must also complete a background check and SafeSport certification before receiving match assignments.

Get trained. Get certified. Get on the field! ⚽✨
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic flyer for the “2026 Vermont First Time Soccer Referee Clinic.” The top features bold text with “Soccer Referee Clinic” in large white and yellow letters on a dark gray background. Below, the date “February 28, 2026” appears in a red box. On the right side is a cartoon referee blowing a whistle and holding up a red card. On the left is a large illustrated soccer ball with yellow motion streaks. Event details list the time (9:00 AM–1:00 PM) and location (Burr and Burton Academy, 57 Seminary Ave, Manchester, VT). A yellow arrow points to a QR code labeled “Scan Me!” The bottom includes a link for registration.
Mrs. Schuyler's science class completed their cell models today.
8 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A smiling girl holding a colorful, 3D model of a cell made from clay or dough on a brown paper bag base."
"A clearly labeled, 2D paper model of a plant cell, showing organelles such as the Nucleus, Chloroplasts, Vacuole, Cell Wall, and Cell Membrane."
"A composite photo of two students, a girl and a boy, smiling while holding their 3D, brightly colored cell models on brown paper bags.
A composite photo of two students, a girl and a boy, each holding a round, blue 3D cell model labeled with small flags.
"A composite photo of two students, a girl and a boy, smiling while holding their 3D, brightly colored cell models on brown paper bags."
Workplace games on a Monday morning bring smiles to Kinder bears!
8 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young boy wearing a camouflage shirt and jeans sits on a brightly colored rug patterned with large handprints, smiling at the camera. In front of him are two red bins filled with colorful pattern blocks, with a partially completed geometric design visible on the rug.
A young girl with long blonde hair lies on her stomach on a brightly colored rug patterned with large handprints, smiling at the camera. In front of her is a large arrangement of yellow and blue pattern blocks, with a red bin of additional colorful pattern blocks nearby.
A young girl with dark hair sits at a yellow table, looking surprised with her mouth open and hands held up, holding a white marker. On the table are various papers, markers, and a tray of colored pencils.
A young girl with long blonde hair smiles while sitting on a blue rug decorated with colorful fish. She is playing with green and yellow interlocking square blocks, with a red bin full of colorful blocks next to her.
Board Meeting - November 24, 2025

You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fuz-fkre-fci Or dial: (US) +1 929-260-4319 PIN: 220 871 860#

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.
8 days ago, Slate Valley
A graphic flyer announces the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting. The design features green and blue text with circular decorative elements. It reads: “Please Join Us TONIGHT,” “Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting,” and lists the agenda items: “Consent Agenda, Cognia Results Presentation, Building & Grounds Committee Report.” The Slate Valley logo is displayed on the right. At the bottom, it states: “November 24, 2025 – 6:30 PM, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School – Band Room.”
Slate Valley Distict Newsletter: November 21, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/a1cd4fd44227/slate-valley-district-newsletter-november-21-2025
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot of the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated November 21, 2025. The top features the Slate Valley logo, followed by a colorful ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ banner with cartoon turkeys, pumpkins, leaves, and fall decorations. Below is a decorative fall-themed border surrounding the heading ‘A Message of Gratitude from the Superintendent,’ with accompanying text expressing appreciation to the Slate Valley community.
Students in Mrs. Schuyler's class are building plant and animal cell models out of salt dough. Next week they'll be able to paint and label each part
11 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A smiling girl with long dark hair and a pink headband sits at a round table in a classroom, flattening a large piece of dough on a dark tray. A lump of dough is next to the tray, and an open laptop is also on the table.
Two smiling students, a boy and a girl, stand at a round table in a classroom, each with a flattened piece of dough in front of them, seemingly for a project. They are surrounded by laptops and classroom supplies.
Two students working together to mix ingredients in a large silver bowl on a classroom table. The student on the left is using a whisk, while the student on the right is pouring something from a container. There are various measuring cups and ingredients on the table.
: Close-up of a detailed model made of dough, shaped like a circular cell, with toothpicks and raised dough structures representing different organelles. The dough model rests on a piece of brown paper.
Close-up of a student pouring a white ingredient from a canister into a red mixing bowl containing flour and other ingredients, using a measuring scoop. The student is wearing a red and blue striped shirt, and the counter and shirt are dusted with flour.
6th Graders are learning about equivalent ratios throughout the process of making Kool-aid. Through a taste test, students learned that doubling each ingredient the taste remained the same.
11 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Three students stand around a desk participating in a hands-on activity. The student on the left, wearing a black hoodie, points or gestures toward a white container of powdered drink mix. The student in the middle (maroon shirt) and the student on the right (navy shirt over black shirt) are looking down and handling clear measuring cups labeled 'C' and 'A', which contain red liquid (the drink mixture). An open workbook is visible on the desk.
A clear close-up image of a smartboard displaying the math activity titled "Powdered Drink Mix." The screen shows three diagrams labeled A, B, and C, representing mixtures. The Key is visible: a white square equals "1 teaspoon drink mix," and a blue square equals "1 cup water." Diagram A has 4 drink mix squares and 1 water square. Diagram B has 4 drink mix squares and 1 water square. Diagram C has 8 drink mix squares and 2 water squares.
A boy in a black and camouflage jacket sits at a round table, taking a sip from a paper cup while looking down at a workbook or textbook open on the desk. In the background, another student (the girl from IMG_9209) sits near the smartboard, which displays the "Powdered Drink Mix" activity.
.jpg: A smiling student, a girl with her hair tied back and wearing a black hoodie, holds up a small paper cup containing a drink mixture. Behind her is a smartboard displaying a math activity tick atled "Powdered Drink Mix," which uses diagrams (A, B, C) to represent mixtures of drink mix (white squares) and water (blue squares).
A student with dark hair and wearing a black hoodie is seated at a wooden table, looking off-camera with a wide-open, excited expression while holding a paper cup. A workbook, headphones, and a clear water bottle are on the table in front of them. A colorful poster in the background reads, "WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS."
Kindergarten Literacy stations
12 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Two young boys sitting on a blue rug with an underwater fish theme, focused on a fine motor skill or math activity. They are using small, colorful plastic connecting pieces from an open bin to complete tasks on printed cards.
A young girl with dark hair, wearing a green top and black leggings, sitting on a colorful rug while practicing writing. She is intently tracing letters or numbers on a worksheet secured in a clear yellow sleeve, with a stack of similar worksheets beside her.
Four young girls gathered in a cozy classroom area. One girl is sitting on a chair/bench with a smiling sun pillow, reading aloud from a large book to the other three who are sitting on the floor, looking at books, suggesting a small reading group or story time.
Four young children on a colorful, patterned rug in a classroom, engaged in a literacy activity. Two children are writing on clear sheet protectors with letter tracing worksheets, and two are looking at cards and blank squares on the floor.
🏀❄️ Winter Sports Season Is Almost Here! ❄️🤼‍♂️

The winter sports season will officially begin the week of December 1st!
A few important reminders:

✔️ All athletes must be registered on FormReLeaf
✔️ All athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file at their school

📅 Practice schedules for middle and high school teams will be posted the week of Thanksgiving.
🏀 Grades 5 & 6 basketball practices will begin the week of December 8th.

Winter Sports Offered by Slate Valley / Fair Haven Union MHS
Indoor Track
Bowling
Competition Cheer
Wrestling — Middle & High School
Middle school wrestlers will practice at FHUMHS with the high school team
Girls Basketball — Middle School, JV & Varsity
Boys Basketball — Middle School, JV & Varsity
Middle school basketball practices and home games will be held at FHGS
Slate Valley Basketball for Grades 5 & 6

(Four teams anticipated)
🏀 Practices begin the week of December 8
📍 Practices and home games will take place at Castleton Elementary School

Teams:
Castleton / Orwell Girls
Castleton / Orwell Boys
Fair Haven / Benson Girls
Fair Haven / Benson Boys
13 days ago, Slate Valley
A promotional graphic for Slate Valley’s 2025 Winter Sports Tip-Off Week, starting December 1st. The top features bold blue text reading “Slate Valley 2025 Winter Sports Tip Off Week – December 1st!” Below it, red text says “Not registered yet? Go to: FormReleaf.com.” Small illustrations of wrestlers, pom-poms, running shoes, a bowling ball and pins, and a basketball appear throughout. The flyer lists winter sports offered at Slate Valley/Fair Haven Union Middle & High School: Indoor Track, Bowling, Competition Cheer, Middle & High School Wrestling, Girls Basketball (Middle School, JV, Varsity), Boys Basketball (Middle School, JV, Varsity), and Slate Valley Basketball for Grades 5–6 with practices and games at CES. It also notes Castleton/Orwell and Fair Haven/Benson team groupings. A blue banner at the bottom reads, “All athletes need an updated sports physical on file at school.”
Second grade earned a hot chocolate and stuffie celebration for filling their class honeycomb with Buzz Beads!
13 days ago, Amy Roy
A group of elementary school children pose together in a hallway beside a tall autumn-themed paper tree with colorful leaves and a large paper beehive attached to it. Some children stand behind the tree while others sit or kneel in front, many of them making heart shapes with their hands. One child in the back holds a small craft decorated like a beehive above their head. Student work is displayed on the wall behind them, adding bright colors to the scene.