Where Are They Now Wednesday: Highlighting Adam Kent
FHUHS lives by his favorite quote, "Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise". Since graduating from Fair Haven Union High, Adam has been off and running developing a trade that led to establishing his own company. In November of 2004, he started working as an apprentice for a mason. In July of 2015, Adam became owner and lead mason of his own sole proprietor company called Kent Masonry, LLC in Montpelier, VT. His business is still going strong today.
While at Fair Haven Union High School, Adam ran cross country for 2 years, played soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and participated in chorus.
When asked if there were any teachers in particular he would like to give credit in helping him toward his success, he replied, “I had a lot of great teachers, but actually had no idea Masonry was even a workman's trade prior to 2004 when I started. I would say Business Math with Mr. Cavacas and Speech and Debate with Mr. Hier have been the most helpful, and useful, classes for me today as a business owner.”
Currently, Adam lives in Washington Country, near Montpelier with his wife Danielle, daughter, son, two dogs and a cat. He still actively participates in sports such as mens league baseball and obstacle course runs like Spartan races. Last year he started coaching some area youth sports teams.
The advice Adam would give to our current Slate Valley student body is, “Whatever life throws in your path, just take a deep breath, stay calm and keep moving forward. Always believe in yourself. There is nothing you can't do if you put in the work and set your mind to it.”
Great words of wisdom Adam, and obviously ones you have lived by.
Students in 3rd and 4th grade read the Red Clover book Berry Song by Michaela Goade in library class. This is a story of a Tlingit Tribe grandmother teaching her granddaughter how to forage for berries in Alaska. The students created origami accordion books and then researched five facts about an Alaskan Berry.
Please join us this Friday, October 20th at Buxton's Store in Orwell for Coffee & Conversation from 7:30 to 9:00 AM.
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Meet Slate Valley Faculty & Staff Monday: Featuring Teann McCrea
Last week, Pre-K students had fun creating Autumn themed salad spinner art.
Tonight - October 16, 2023
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/knx-qncn-pxy
Or dial: (US) +1 484-452-4714 PIN: 869 578 711#
Pre-K students enjoying the beautiful fall weather!
October 9, 2023
Dear Slate Valley Families and Staff,
I hope this message finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to address the recent incident that has occurred in our local community and to reassure you about the safety measures we have in place to protect our school community.
As many of you may be aware, there was a tragic incident near the Castleton University Campus, resulting in a manhunt which has understandably raised concerns in our community. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority, and I want to assure you that we are taking this situation very seriously. We have been in contact with law enforcement on a regular basis. We take our direction from them.
We plan to hold school as normal. However, there are some safety precautions we have implemented or enhanced at Castleton Elementary, Fair Haven Grade School and Fair Haven Union Middle/High School in response to this incident:
Outside Activities: We will determine whether or not to hold outside activities based on advice from law enforcement. This includes sporting events and outside recess at the MS/HS, FHGS and CES. Right now we are proceeding with outside activities and we will have additional supervision as appropriate.
Bus Stops: Please consider waiting with your child at all bus stops or driving them to and from school. Consider walking in pairs/groups to and from school. Of course this decision is up to you as a parent but that is the advice we are being given.
Communication: We will continue to keep you updated with any relevant information about the situation.
Counseling Services: Our school counselors are available to support students who may be feeling anxious or upset due to recent events. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your child needs support.
If you have any concerns or questions about our safety precautions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact our school. We are committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all our students and staff. Your cooperation, understanding, and vigilance are greatly appreciated as we work together to continue to ensure the safety of our school community.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Superintendent
Last night, the Lakes Region FreePress held their Best of the Best 2023 Awards Ceremony, honoring those who were voted into the top of their categories by our community. Slate Valley was well represented with Fair Haven Grade School's Applefest placing second for the Best Annual Event! Slate Valley also had 3 out of the 7 teachers who made it into the finalist voting, they were Castleton Elementary's Amy DeSantis, and Fair Haven Union High School's Ashleigh Sanborn and Jennifer Clement. Ms. Sanborn finished in second place to Mrs. Clement, who was awarded highest honor as the community's favorite teacher! Congratulations everyone!
NOTICE FOR TODAY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023: Due to the concern in our communities, it has been directed to CANCEL all activities HOME and AWAY for our athletes 5th - 12th grade for Fair Haven Union Middle & High School AND all other Slate Valley Schools.
Therefore:
***ALL PRACTICES are CANCELED - 5th - 12th grade
***5/6 Boys and Girls Soccer AWAY at Middlebury - CANCELED
***7/8 Boys and Girls Soccer HOME vs. Barstow -- CANCELED
***VG Soccer HOME vs. Mt Abe 6pm - CANCELED
What happens when it's a beautiful afternoon and we're outside at dismissal? Well, for Mr. Hackett's kindergarteners, what happens is a lot of sidewalk artwork! Check these out!
Dear Slate Valley Families,
I am writing to inform you, yet again, about a concerning incident that recently occurred on our school grounds. The safety and well-being of our students are of the utmost importance to us, and I want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously. On Tuesday, October 3rd, we became aware that two Fair Haven Union Middle/High School students were in fact in possession of a stolen handgun while on the grounds of Fair Haven Grade School. The incident occurred afterschool on Friday September 29th. This has been reported to law enforcement and we are following all of our school safety protocols and policies.
Please rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for our students. We are also cooperating fully with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.
I want to take this opportunity to remind all parents and guardians that bringing any kind of weapon, including firearms, onto school property is strictly prohibited by both our school's policies and state/federal law. In light of this incident, we kindly request your support and cooperation in reinforcing this message with your child(ren). Please have a conversation with them about the severe consequences of possessing or bringing any weapon to school, as well as the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to school staff or law enforcement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building administrator. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to ensure the safety of our school community.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Superintendent
All CES students and siblings are invited to come choose a Halloween or CES Book Parade costume FOR FREE at our 2nd Annual Costume Giveaway Event! The event is this week on Thursday, October 5 and Friday, October 6 from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the CES Cafeteria. First come first serve! Thank you to the CSO and 2nd Grade Team for sponsoring the event! Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Thank you to our incredible custodial and maintenance crew for working behind the scenes to keep Slate Valley Schools safe and clean!
The first annual Slaterbration 5K run is approaching fast! The race will be held on Saturday, October 14th with a 9:00 AM start on the FHUMHS Track. Hope to see you there! To Register go to: https://5il.co/24luo
Today, Mrs. Gorruso's and Miss Burke’s 3rd grade classes spent the afternoon with some of the Castleton University Womens Basketball team! They read stories and answered question about themselves, life on campus, and about being an athlete. Thanks Spartans!
The Coffee & Conversation originally scheduled for Friday, September 29th in Orwell at Buxton's Store has been RESCHEDULED TO OCTOBER 20TH.
Today, we completed the last of three emergency drills for the month of September, a lockdown drill. We now have practiced evacuating the building, evacuating the bus as well as the lockdown. Students did a super job!