Board Meeting Tonight- September 8, 2025
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/hiu-sarz-pgi
Or dial: (US) +1 417-772-3887 PIN: 667 977 361#

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.
10 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting announcement for September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Castleton Elementary School cafeteria. Agenda includes consent agenda, Act 73 discussion, and committee reports from Finance, Building & Grounds, and Executive Committee.
We’re excited to kick off the first Meet Faculty & Staff Monday of the 2025–2026 school year with Mrs. Becky Lanfear! Mrs. Lanfear has been part of the Slate Valley family for an incredible 26 years at Castleton Elementary School, where she has taught Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grade—inspiring countless students along the way.

Before joining CES, Becky worked at VAC in Rutland in their Pre-K program, and her passion for early education has been evident ever since.
Outside of school, Becky enjoys playing board and dice games like Clue, Yahtzee, and Farkle, baking, and cheering on her favorite sports—football, softball, soccer, and basketball.

One of her favorite quotes is from Benjamin Franklin:
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Becky also has strong ties to our community—both of her children attended Castleton Elementary and graduated from Fair Haven Union High School. She and her family are proud to be part of Slater Nation!

We are so grateful to Becky for her 26 years of dedication, passion, and care in teaching Slate Valley students. Thank you for all you do!
10 months ago, Slate Valley
Meet Faculty & Staff Monday graphic featuring Becky Lanfear, CES third grade teacher. Text highlights her 26 years at Castleton Elementary, previous work in early childhood education, hobbies like board games and baking, and her favorite Benjamin Franklin quote. Includes appreciation for her dedication and connection to the Slate Valley community.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: September 5, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/1f6fa26075e3/slate-valley-district-newsletter-september-5-2025
10 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated September 5, 2025, with Slate Valley logo and banner reading ‘Hello September.
📢 Reminder: Please join us tonight for the first Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting of the school year!

🕔 Time: 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle & High School – Central Office Conference Room

This is a great opportunity to connect with district administration, share community concerns, and hear updates on Act 73 as well as how the school year is starting and our hopes moving forward.

We look forward to seeing you there! 💙
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting announcement for September 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.
📢 Reminder: There will be no school this Monday in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Tuesday!
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with text reading ‘No School Monday in Observance of Labor Day.’ Illustrations of various workers, including a farmer, doctor, soldier, teacher, and others, appear below. Slate Valley logo at the bottom.
🎉📚 Miss Burke’s class had triple the fun—celebrating the third day of 3rd grade! ✨
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Third grade class poses with their teacher wearing paper crowns that read ‘3rd Day of Third Grade.’ They are standing and kneeling in front of a bulletin board labeled Reading Strategies.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: August 29, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/a3352b4ace47/slate-valley-back-to-school-newsletter
11 months ago, Slate Valley
First page of Slate Valley Unified USD newsletter, dated August 29, 2025. Banner shows the Slate Valley logo with the title 'The Halls Are Active Again—Welcome Back, Slate Valley!' Below is a photo of a smiling child resting their chin on their hands. The text highlights the start of the 2025–2026 school year, with teacher prep, student activities, and excitement for a new year.
The first days of 5th grade in Mrs. Simpson’s class have included mastering the art of opening lockers and diving into some great books! These students are off to an amazing start to the school year.
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Three boys sit together in a wooden rocking chair, reading books in a classroom.
A teacher helps two students open their lockers while other children practice on nearby lockers in a school hallway.
Several students kneel at lockers practicing combinations, with two adults assisting them in the hallway.
✨🪄 The Sorting is complete, the robes are on, and the magic has begun! 🧙‍♂️🧙‍♀️

Our 4th grade Hogwarts students have officially joined their houses—🏰 Gryffindor, 🐍 Slytherin, 🦡 Hufflepuff, and 🦅 Ravenclaw—and kicked off their wizarding journey with enchanting challenges:
✨ Lighting the floating candles with practice wands
✨ Passing magical rings without hands
✨ Battling it out in Magical Multiplication Bingo

A grand class photo has even been taken for the Hogwarts archives, signed by none other than Headmaster Dumbledore himself! 📜✨
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Group of students in black robes standing outside in front of a brick wall, smiling with a “Platform 9¾” sign.
Teacher placing Sorting Hat on a student sitting on a stool in the classroom.
Student in a robe wearing the Sorting Hat while sitting on a stool inside a classroom.
Student in a robe and Sorting Hat sitting on a stool outside on the grass.
Student in a robe wearing the Sorting Hat while sitting on a stool inside a classroom.
Teacher guiding students as they pass a magic ring during an outdoor activity.
Teacher helping two students with a colorful magic ring activity outside on the grass.
Teacher helping two students with a colorful magic ring activity outside on the grass.
Ceiling view of floating candles hanging above a classroom.
Students seated in groups on the floor of a decorated classroom, participating in an activity.
First Day Freeze Frames 📸
See the full video at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19xeZ8KHb8/
Welcome Back to All Slate Valley Students!
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot showing young students posing for a photo with their teacher behind them peering through decorative blue streamers.
We wanted to send a huge thank you to the Castleton American Legion for supplying our students and staff with 1st day slushie cups to celebrate our return to school! It was a great day. Thank you, Karen Williams and Phillis Blanchard for coming to CES and celbrating with us!
11 months ago, Wendy Foran
CES
CES
CES
CES
CES
CES
CES
✨📚 First day magic at Castleton Elementary! Our students were all smiles as they walked through the doors and settled into their new classrooms, ready for a year full of learning, friendships, and adventures. 🍎
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Family walks a young student toward the school, with a bus in the background.
Two smiling students with backpacks walk into school together on the first day.
Teacher helps a student hang up their backpack in the classroom.
Two students with backpacks walk down a school hallway.
Young student smiles while coloring a picture of an apple at their desk.
Teacher gives a high five to a student entering the classroom as another staff member looks on.
Group of middle school students with backpacks walk down a hallway.
Students sit at desks coloring and writing, with a teacher assisting.
Two students wave while sitting at desks, one eating a pretzel, the other coloring.
Two students sit at a desk smiling, ready to work on an assignment.
We’re excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year and invite you to our first Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting on:

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 5:45 PM
Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

The agenda link is below. We’ll review council goals for the year, share key district updates, and set priorities together. Your insights help us strengthen family, school, and community partnerships—thank you in advance for your time and perspective.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Agenda link: https://5il.co/3opgw
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting announcement for September 2, 2025, at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.
What a fantastic night at Castleton Elementary’s Open House! ✨
The halls were buzzing with excitement as students and families filled the classrooms, met teachers, and shared their enthusiasm for the year ahead. 🎒📚

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back in the morning for the official start of a new school year!
11 months ago, Slate Valley
A teacher talks with a student and two adults in a school hallway near the office.
Bulletin board with colorful “Welcome to Third Grade” banner and student name tags.
Families and children gather in a hallway decorated with red and white balloons.
Bulletin board decorated with rainbows, hearts, and a smiling flower.
Classroom with small tables and colorful chairs set up for students, with families inside.
📢 Join us tonight for the 2025–2026 Annual Title I Meeting!
We’re excited to welcome parents and families to learn more about Title I Schoolwide Programs and how they help address barriers to academic success. 💙

📍 Fair Haven Grade School (FHGS)
🕓 4:00 PM – meet.google.com/yim-skxt-frq

📍 Castleton Elementary School (CES)
🕔 5:00 PM – meet.google.com/afe-fpah-mzj
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Slide for the 2025–2026 Annual Title I Meeting welcoming parents and families, with staff names and roles listed, plus the Vermont logo.
*REMINDER*

Please join us for our Open House event tomorrow evening (August 26th) from 3:30 - 5:00. We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you back to school!
11 months ago, Jared Danyow
CES
Welcome to Castleton Elementary School's new faculty and staff!
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Welcome graphic for Emily Beaulieu, Instructional Assistant at Castleton Elementary School.
Welcome graphic for Mallory McGuiness, Social Emotional Interventionist at Castleton Elementary School.
Welcome graphic for Brian Norton, Instructional Assistant at Castleton Elementary School.
🎶✨ “We Ready!” ✨🎶
Slate Valley faculty & staff are pumped to welcome back our amazing students this week! #WeAreSlateValley #BackToSchool #WeReady
See our video at: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CdPHhQrHx/
or
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNwfSiVYvDY/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Group of Slate Valley faculty and staff smiling in a hallway, holding colorful painted canvases with the letters "R" and "A" as part of a back-to-school celebration.
🎨✨ On Friday, during Inservice, every Slate Valley faculty and staff member came together for a powerful group art project.

Each table received a canvas—some with hidden letters—tasked with one simple rule: cover it completely with color. Every Slate Valley member added at least one brushstroke, symbolizing our shared commitment. The letters were revealed and brought together to spell out the phrase:

“We Are Slate Valley.” 💫

In every splatter of paint, every dab of color, and every stroke of life, our faculty and staff captured a shared truth: no matter the distractions or challenges beyond our control, we will continue to show up fully for the students who show up for us every day.

This art piece is more than just decoration—it’s our collective promise. The completed canvases will be displayed throughout Slate Valley school buildings as a reminder of the strength, unity, and dedication of our Slate Valley family. 💙
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Group of people painting letters on canvases together at a table.
Two women smiling while painting on a paper plate with bright colors.
Group of women painting designs on a canvas at a shared table.
Two women painting a colorful canvas with others around the table.
Group working together on a shared painting, adding colors with brushes.
Two women painting a vibrant canvas with brushes at a table.
Woman smiling and painting with others at a colorful group art activity.
Woman focused on painting colorful designs on a canvas.
Woman peeling tape from a painted canvas while others watch.
Group lined up in the gym holding painted canvases that spell “We are Slate Valley.”
First day vibes! Our Slate Valley faculty & staff officially kicked off the school year on Friday, August 22nd with Opening Day Inservice—full of laughs, hugs, summer stories, and lots of catching up. Here's some photos from a great day with great people. 💙
11 months ago, Slate Valley
Two men wearing lanyards sit together at a table in a gymnasium, smiling at the camera.
A young woman and an older man sit at a table in a gymnasium, smiling and talking with others seated around them.
Two women sit at a table smiling, one holding a fork with fruit and the other with colorful tumblers. A laptop with stickers is on the table in front of them.
Three women smile while sitting together at a table in a gymnasium. Two are seated with plates of food, and one stands behind them wearing a yellow shirt with the word "Mentor." The background shows blue gym wall padding with large white letters.
Five people sit together at a long table in a gymnasium during a school event. They are smiling at the camera, with laptops and tumblers in front of them. Other attendees can be seen seated at tables in the background.
Two women smile and stand side by side in a gymnasium, both wearing denim jackets over long floral dresses with Slate Valley lanyards around their necks.
Three women stand at a table looking at Slate Valley Unified School District folders and pens. One woman in a pink shirt reaches for an item, while the others observe and smile.
Four women sit at a table during a school event, smiling at the camera with plates of food, drinks, and bags in front of them. Other attendees are visible in the background.
A group of five women sit and smile at a table during a school event, with notebooks, food, and drinks in front of them, while more people gather in the background.
Man and woman gather Slate Valley materials from a table with pens, folders, and tote bags, smiling and engaged.