1 day ago, Slate Valley
Banner header graphic for the November 2026 Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter, featuring a Thanksgiving and autumn theme.   Top Header: Dark teal text above the banner reading "Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter".   Main Title Graphic: Large teal text spelling "NEWSLETTER" flanked by green subtext reading "November 2026".   Central Illustration: A cartoon turkey sitting inside a large orange pumpkin decorated with the hexagonal Slate Valley School District seal.   Decorative Accents:Left side features a football, pumpkins, acorns, fall leaves, and the green Slate Valley Vermont logo in the top corner.   Right side features autumn leaves, acorns, and a green ribbon banner in the bottom corner reading "OUR SCHOOL YOUR FUTURE".
🍂 Friday Focus: Gratitude in Action! 🍂

November is the season of thanks, and Slate Valley students are putting gratitude right where it belongs—into action! 💚✨

Students drew secret appreciation prompt slips—like "Bring this to someone who turns hard lessons into fun games" or "Bring this to the person who helped you gain confidence"—and delivered them directly to teachers and staff members across our schools. From joyful high-fives to warm hugs, seeing the smiles on our educators' faces made this activity extra special!

Click the link to see the full video: https://youtube.com/shorts/ioytgH6iTao?feature=share

Thank you to our incredible teachers, staff, and school heroes who go above and beyond for our students every single day. 🌟
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled "FOCUS FRIDAY" on a teal background with paper cutout notes reading, "November is the season of thanks, and Slate Valley schools put gratitude into action." Next to the graphic panel, a student in a purple hoodie reaches into a bright green bucket filled with paper prompt slips. The circular logo for "Slate Valley Vermont: A Unified Focus on Learning" is displayed at the bottom left.
On Tuesday, our 3rd graders at Fair Haven Grade School received dictionaries generously donated by the Whitehall Elks! These dictionaries will serve as a valuable resource for students as they continue to build their vocabulary, strengthen their reading and writing skills, and explore the world of words. We are so grateful to the Whitehall Elks for their generosity and for supporting our students' education and love of learning. Thank you for thinking of our 3rd graders!
2 days ago, Slate Valley
A visiting community volunteer in a grey blazer and blue shirt pulls bookmarks and supplies from a cardboard box in a classroom while a student stands nearby.
A group of elementary students pose together in their classroom holding their new student dictionaries, joined by their teachers and two visiting community volunteers.
A community volunteer shows a booklet while unpacking boxes of student dictionaries at a classroom table in front of elementary students.
FHGS November Newsletter: https://aptg.co/PS_RnV
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Promotional banner header set against a photo of the Fair Haven Grade School exterior building under a cloudy sky.   Left: Blue and white stylized FHGS Falcon mascot logo.   Center: Large bold blue text reading "FAIR HAVEN GRADE SCHOOL" with "NOVEMBER 2026" centered directly below.   Right: Circular Slate Valley Unified Union School District seal featuring a green mountain emblem and text reading "SLATE VALLEY - A UNIFIED FOCUS ON LEARNING".

Throwback Thursday: Class of 2014 Turkey Trot! 🦃🏃‍♂️

Taking it back 13 years to November 2013! Check out these photos from when the Class of 2014 hosted their 1st Annual 5K Turkey Trot as a class fundraiser. It turned out to be a fantastic community event that sparked a fun tradition carried on by subsequent classes for a few years.

The stakes were high (and delicious)—the top overall male and female runners each won a Thanksgiving turkey, and category winners were awarded freshly baked pies! Beyond the fun and competition, participants showed true community spirit by bringing non-perishable food donations to support Slate Valley Cares and help stock the local food shelf.

While the high school no longer holds this annual trot, you can still keep the Thanksgiving morning run tradition alive! The Castleton Recreation Department is holding a Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving morning, so grab your running shoes and gear up for race day.

2 days ago, Slate Valley
A graphic titled "Throwback Thursday - Taking it back 13 Years!" featuring the FHU Slaters logo at the top right and cartoon turkeys on the top left and right. Below the header is a collage of photo panels from the 2013 Class of 2014 Turkey Trot surrounding a central "Slaters 5K" turkey emblem. Photos depict runners at the starting line, participants running across the school fields, a student in a full turkey costume, a smiling runner mid-stride, a race winner holding up a frozen Thanksgiving turkey prize, and boxes overflowing with donated canned food items. The bottom of the graphic includes the text "Class of 2014 Turkey Trot," the Slate Valley Unified Focus on Learning logo, and "FHUHS 2013".
👏 Congratulations to Slate Valley’s Outstanding Educators! 🌟

Tonight, two of our exceptional educators were honored at the 46th Annual Vermont Outstanding Educator Awards, hosted by the University of Vermont's College of Education and Social Services and the Vermont Agency of Education at the Dudley H. Davis Center in Burlington!

Please join us in celebrating:

🍎 Margaret Quinn – Fourth Grade Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School

💙 Michael Lenox – Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

Thank you, Ms. Quinn and Mr. Lenox, for your unwavering dedication, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success every single day. We are so proud to have you on the Slate Valley team!
3 days ago, Slate Valley
Quinn smiling while holding her award certificate on stage alongside presenters at the ceremony.
Presentation slide for the 46th Vermont Outstanding Educator Awards featuring a portrait and text: "Margaret Quinn, Fourth Grade Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School, Slate Valley Unified Union School District."
Special Education Teacher Michael Lenox standing on stage with ceremony presenters in front of dark blue curtains at the Vermont Outstanding Educator Awards.
Presentation slide for the 46th Vermont Outstanding Educator Awards featuring a portrait and text: "Michael Lenox, Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School, Slate Valley Unified Union School District."
Where Are They Now Wednesday - November Feature: Kerrigan Allen (Class of 2023)

For November’s “Where Are They Now Wednesday” feature, Slate Valley is proud to highlight Kerrigan Allen, a 2023 graduate of Fair Haven Union High School.

Since graduating from FHUHS, Kerrigan has earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Sociology from Vermont State University–Castleton. Continuing her education, she is now pursuing an accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University at Albany, with plans to graduate this May.

As part of her graduate studies, Kerrigan serves as a clinical social work intern at Bessey House, a Vanderheyden group home in Troy, New York. In this role, she works with older adolescents in foster care, supporting young people with developmental diagnoses and complex trauma histories.

After earning her master’s degree, Kerrigan plans to return to Vermont to pursue her goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

During her time at FHUHS, Kerrigan was an active member of the Student Council. She credits Mr. Ruby with helping shape her academic interests, sharing that his philosophical approach to teaching continues to influence her work in the social sciences.

Kerrigan’s passion for advocacy and helping others was evident throughout her undergraduate studies. She conducted independent research focused on individuals experiencing homelessness in Rutland County. Through interviews with local service providers, she identified community strengths, areas of need, and opportunities for future funding and research. Her work earned her the opportunity to present her findings at a national social work conference in New Orleans.

Kerrigan finds daily inspiration in a favorite quote from scholar and author Shawn A. Ginwright: “We have to see the humanity in others, even if they refuse to see the same in us.”

Reflecting on her journey, Kerrigan shares that she once questioned whether college was even a possibility for her, much less earning an accelerated master’s degree. Today, she encourages Slate Valley students to believe in themselves and remain open to new opportunities. Her advice is simple: Build strong connections, ask questions, and never sell yourself short.

The Slate Valley community extends its sincere thanks to Kerrigan for sharing her journey and offering such meaningful advice to current students and fellow alumni. We congratulate her on her many accomplishments and wish her continued success as she completes her MSW degree at the University at Albany and prepares to return to Vermont to make a difference in her community!
3 days ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley "Where Are They Now Wednesday" graphic featuring FHUHS Class of 2023 alumna Kerrigan Allen in a graduation cap and gown. The graphic highlights her background as a first-generation college student, her MSW studies at UAlbany, research achievements, and words of wisdom for students.
DO YOU KNOW? Our November TriviaTuesday poses a sky-high question!

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons were never deflated. How did organizers actually get rid of them at the end of the route?

Wait for it...

They were RELEASED! From 1928 to 1932, the balloons were set free into the sky as part of the grand finale. How crazy is that? (The practice ended after too many air traffic hazards.)

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! In the early years, live animals from the Central Park Zoo marched down the streets, but they proved too frightening for many spectators—especially young children. To replace them, organizers introduced the parade's very first balloon in 1927: a giant Felix the Cat filled with regular air and carried like an upside-down puppet on sticks. It wasn't until 1928 that balloons were filled with helium, allowing them to truly float high above the crowds for the first time.
4 days ago, Slate Valley
A combined image graphic for Trivia Tuesday with a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Centennial theme. At the top are overlapping speech bubbles with "Do You Know?", green branding text for "TRIVIA TUESDAY", and a green emblem logo. Center text poses the question: "The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons were never deflated — how did organizers actually get rid of them at the end of the route?". Text down the vertical borders reads "1926 - 2026 CENTENNIAL". The lower half features a vintage black-and-white photograph of an early Macy's parade with crowds lining a city street, featuring a giant balloon float and a prominent Felix the Cat balloon in the foreground.
Meet Monday: Faculty & Staff Spotlight - November

For our November Meet Monday feature, we are honored to celebrate Deb Infurna, Principal of Fair Haven Grade School! As Deb prepares to retire at the end of this school year, we take this opportunity to highlight her incredible career, dedicated leadership, and lifelong connection to Slate Valley.

Deb’s journey with our district runs deep, as she is both a former student of Fair Haven Grade School and a proud graduate of Fair Haven Union High School. Her career in education spans nearly 25 years within Slate Valley/ARSU. She began her work in the district in 1995 as a speech-language instructor at FHUHS for five years, following prior speech-language roles in New Hampshire and the Southwest Supervisory Union. After serving as a special educator at Mill River Union High School for seven years, she returned to Slate Valley in 2007 as the Administrator of Special Education at FHGS. She transitioned to Assistant Principal in 2015 before becoming Principal of Fair Haven Grade School in 2018.

Outside of school, Deb leads an active and fulfilling personal life. She enjoys spending time on the water swimming, boating, and fishing, and finds great joy working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She and her husband also love traveling, spending time with their seven grandchildren who live in Vermont and Costa Rica, and cheering on Vermont Green FC at soccer games.

Deb finds daily inspiration in Jane Goodall’s quote, "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." She also strives to live by the core norms developed at FHGS: to assume good intentions, ask questions to seek understanding, and know that what you permit, you promote.

Reflecting on her tenure, Deb shares that serving this community for 25 years as an educator and administrator has been a true honor. She leaves with immense gratitude for the people, relationships, and experiences that have defined her career, and she feels especially grateful for the opportunity to lead and support the extraordinary staff at Fair Haven Grade School as they educate, nurture, and care for students and families. Slate Valley will always hold a special place in her heart. Thank you, Principal Infurna, for your quarter-century of heart, guidance, and unwavering commitment to our community!
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic Title: Meet Monday - Slate Valley Faculty & Staff   Featured Person: Deb Infurna, Principal of FHGS   Image: A photo of Deb Infurna, a woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a dark blue top and a patterned scarf, smiling at the camera.   Text Content:Retiring at the end of this school year   Proud FHGS student alum and FHUHS graduate   Nearly 25 years serving the Slate Valley community   Served as Speech-Language Instructor, Special Ed Administrator, Assistant Principal, and Principal   Enjoys spending time on the water swimming, boating, and fishing   Loves cultivating flower and vegetable gardens   Enjoys traveling with her husband & spending time with their 7 grandchildren (in VT and Costa Rica!)   Avid supporter of Vermont Green FC soccer   Favorite Quote: "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." — Jane Goodall   Logo: Slate Valley - A Unified Focus on Learning
🌟 Soaring high at Fair Haven Grade School! 🦅

Congratulations to our outstanding October SOAR Award recipients! These Falcons were recognized for consistently demonstrating our core values of Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect throughout the month.

We are so proud of the positive leadership, hard work, and kindness these students bring to our school community every single day.
8 days ago, Slate Valley
A first-grade student and a teacher standing next to a large blue and white Fair Haven Grade School SOAR falcon cutout on the gym floor.
Two students holding certificates and award vouchers pose with two teachers around the Fair Haven Grade School SOAR cutout.
Two elementary students proudly holding SOAR certificates pose alongside two staff members in the school gym.
Two boys with blue face paint holding award certificates pose with two teachers beside the FHGS SOAR falcon sign.
Two female students holding SOAR award papers pose with two smiling teachers around the school mascot cutout.
A boy and a girl holding award certificates pose on the gym floor with two teachers next to the SOAR falcon sign.
A student holding an award paper poses with two staff members wearing blue Falcon shirts beside the SOAR cutout.
Three elementary students holding certificates pose in the gym with a male teacher in front of the FHGS SOAR standee.
Three students holding award papers pose with a teacher in a skeleton-patterned outfit next to the SOAR falcon cutout.
Three female students holding award certificates and vouchers pose with a teacher beside the FHGS SOAR sign.
FHGS Staff and Students walked into the building this morning to the sweet smell of popcorn! Ms. Corey and Mrs. St. Clair surprised the whole school with a popcorn party to celebrate the end of a fun Red Ribbon Spirit Week!
8 days ago, Slate Valley
A group of 6th-grade students smiling and posing together in a classroom while holding up individual bags of popcorn.
Two staff members smiling for a selfie in front of a commercial popcorn machine filled with freshly popped popcorn.
🔄 Double take at Fair Haven Grade School today!

Spirit Week continued with one of our favorite traditions: Teacher-Student Swap Day! Students dressed up like their teachers, and teachers traded in their professional wear to dress like students.

From hoodies, cartoon pajama pants, and Crocs in the classrooms to button-down shirts, lanyards, and fake beards on the basketball court—everyone came ready to play the part!
10 days ago, Slate Valley
Six female teachers dressed as students standing together in a classroom, wearing hoodies, graphic pajama pants, Crocs, and a curly wig while holding apples and travel mugs.
A large group of students dressed as teachers posing on the school gym basketball court, wearing button-down shirts, slacks, baseball caps, fake facial hair, and school lanyards.
Two teachers dressed in bright, playful outfits posing in a school doorway, with one wearing floral overalls and colorful socks while holding a clipboard and travel tumbler.
Storybooks came to life at Fair Haven Grade School today! 📚✨

As part of our Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days, students and staff celebrated Book Character Day—and our teachers definitely brought the magic!

Our Kindergarten and 1st-grade team brought the Hundred Acre Wood to life as Winnie the Pooh and friends, while our U Pre-K team showed up in spot-on style as Cruella de Vil and her adorable Dalmatian puppy! 🐾🍯

Thank you to our amazing educators for making learning so much fun and showing off their school spirit!
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Six elementary school teachers dressed in colorful full-body animal onesies representing characters from Winnie the Pooh, including Winnie the Pooh holding a plush "HUNNY" pot, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, and Owl. They are standing together inside a decorated classroom, smiling for the camera.
Two preschool teachers posing in a classroom dressed as 101 Dalmatians characters. One teacher is dressed as Cruella de Vil with a black and white wig, pearl necklace, and spotted cape. Beside her, another teacher is dressed as a Dalmatian puppy wearing a black-and-white spotted shirt, dog ears headband, and face paint, posing playfully.
📢 Join Us for the Next Slate Valley Community Advisory Council Meeting!

We invite all community members, parents, and district partners to attend our upcoming Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting! Your voice and input are essential as we discuss important initiatives shaping our schools.

📅 Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Central Office Conference Room
📋 Meeting Agenda:
Introductions
FY28 Budget
Act 170 District and School Merger / Elementary Reorganization
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
Word on the Street

We hope to see you there! Thank you for partnering with us to support our students and community.
11 days ago, Slate Valley
An announcement graphic for the Slate Valley Community Advisory Council next meeting set against a blue and green watercolor background. Bold white lettering with black outlines reads "NEXT MEETING" across the top and "NOVEMBER 2ND" across the bottom. In the center is a large white circle featuring the circular Slate Valley Community Advisory Council logo with green and blue interlocking human figures surrounding the Slate Valley Vermont emblem.
District Spotlight: Kim Alexander Named Next Principal of Fair Haven Grade School

The Slate Valley Unified Union School District is pleased to announce that Kim Alexander, currently Assistant Principal at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, will become the next Principal of Fair Haven Grade School on July 1, 2027. She will succeed longtime Principal Deb Infurna, who will retire at the end of the school year.

To ensure a smooth transition for students, families, and staff, Ms. Alexander and Ms. Infurna are already working closely together. Throughout the remainder of the school year, Ms. Alexander will participate in school meetings, Professional Learning Communities, and staff training opportunities, allowing her to reconnect with familiar colleagues, build relationships with newer staff members, and prepare for her new role.

Ms. Alexander brings more than three decades of experience in education and deep connections to the Slate Valley community. Her career began in 1991 as an instructional assistant at Fair Haven Grade School under Principal Skip Cook. From 1992 to 2003, she taught physical education and health at several schools, including Orwell Village School, Benson Village School, West Haven, and Castleton Village School.

During her time at Orwell Village School, colleague Chris Stanton helped her develop the classroom management skills that would become an important foundation for her teaching career.

In 2003, Ms. Alexander returned to Fair Haven Grade School as its full-time physical education teacher, a position she held for 18 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she adapted her teaching to provide physical education remotely through Google Classroom before helping students safely transition back to in-person learning.

In the fall of 2021, Ms. Alexander expanded her leadership responsibilities when she became Slate Valley's District Athletic Director, serving in that role until the spring of 2024. She then transitioned to her current position as Assistant Principal at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Her experience as both a teacher and administrator across nearly every school in the district has given her a unique Kindergarten through Grade 12 perspective and a strong understanding of students' academic, social, and emotional development.

Throughout her career, Ms. Alexander has remained committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive school environment where every student feels seen, known, and heard. She believes in meeting students where they are, providing consistent support, and building meaningful relationships, beginning with something as simple as learning every student's name.

Having previously worked alongside approximately 85 percent of Fair Haven Grade School's current staff, Ms. Alexander is excited to return to a school community she knows well. She looks forward to building on the school's strong sense of pride, teamwork, and dedication to students. As a lifelong member of the community who raised her two children in the district, she also understands the importance of maintaining strong connections between the school and the families it serves.

Ms. Alexander earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Castleton State University and completed her administrative licensure through Vermont State University–Castleton. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and spending time with her three grandchildren.

The Slate Valley community congratulates Ms. Alexander as she prepares to take on this new leadership role and looks forward to welcoming her back to Fair Haven Grade School. The district also extends its sincere appreciation to Principal Deb Infurna for her years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to the students, staff, and families of Fair Haven Grade School as she approaches her well-deserved retirement.
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Photo of next year's Principal at Fair Haven Grade School, she is standing in front of the school, smiling, wearing a green floral shirt
SURVEY REOPENED! 🏫✨ Share Your Voice on Elementary Reorganization

Did you miss the chance to fill out our survey the first time around? We’ve reopened the Slate Valley Elementary School Reorganization Survey from now through Thursday, October 29th!

We want to hear from as many parents, families, and community members as possible to help guide our district's decisions.

👉 Click here to complete the survey: https://ik12.surveysparrow.com/s/slate-valley-community-survey/tt-QiF9U

⏰ Deadline: Thursday, October 29th
15 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer announcing "Help Us Shape the Future of Our Schools! Public Survey Reopened" for the Slate Valley Elementary School Reorganization. Includes text inviting parents, families, and community members to share feedback through Thursday, October 29th, alongside a QR code to access the survey.
Board Meeting - October 19, 2026

You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in 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/zti-ijhg-znw
Or dial: (US) +1 317-961-0434 PIN: 674 207 357#

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.
19 days ago, Slate Valley
Header: Displays "Please Join Us TONIGHT" in green curved text alongside "Slate Valley Unified Union School District - Board Meeting".   Center Graphic: A circular arrangement of figures seated around a conference table. The center list details "On the Agenda: Consent Agenda, Pre-K Presentation, District Merger (Act 170) Update, Elementary Reorganization Update, Administrator Goals Presentation, ESA Update, and Committee Reports (Finance, Building & Grounds, Policy)".   Meeting Details & Footer: Shows the Slate Valley Vermont district logo in the lower right, with time and location at the bottom: "October 19, 2026 – 6:30 PM, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room".
📢 Mark Your Calendars & Start Collecting Items! 🚑🛒

Upcoming Community Event: Join Slate Valley Unified School District and the Fair Haven Rescue Squad for our annual "Stuff an Ambulance" drive! We are coming together to support Slate Valley Cares, and we need your help to fill an ambulance to the brim!

🗓️ Dates & Locations:
Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Fair Haven Shaw's
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Fair Haven Shaw's

📦 Accepted Items:
Non-perishable foods, household supplies, health and beauty products, pet supplies, gift cards, cash, or checks!

Every donation makes a difference for families right here in our community. Let’s pack that ambulance!

❤️📞 Questions? Contact Carrieann Wolcott at 802-265-0676.
22 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer advertising the "Stuff an Ambulance" community donation drive benefiting Slate Valley Cares.   Header: Bold title reads "STUFF AN AMBULANCE" next to an outline map of Vermont with a red cross icon.   Sponsors: "Sponsored by Slate Valley Unified USD & Fair Haven Rescue Squad".   Dates & Times:November 13, 2026: 9:00am - 5:00pm at FAIR HAVEN SHAWS   November 14, 2026: 9:00am to 12:00 noon at FAIR HAVEN SHAWS   Accepted Items: List includes non-perishable foods, household supplies, health and beauty products, pet supplies, gift cards, cash, or checks.   Contact: Carrieann Wolcott, 802-265-0676.
Notice of Upcoming Meeting!

🗓️ The Act 170 Merger Committee Meeting – Group 2 will take place next week on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

This is a hybrid meeting, offering options to participate either in person or virtually:

📍 In Person: Barstow Memorial School, Chittenden, VT

💻 Virtually: Access the Zoom link and view full meeting details on the agenda at https://aptg.co/7j4Pp8

We encourage community members to tune in and stay informed!
24 days ago, Slate Valley
Promotional graphic for the Act 170 Merger Committee Meeting – Group 2.  Header: Large, stylized typography across the top reading "ACT 170" in green and teal lettering.  Event Title & Details: "Merger Committee Meeting–Group 2", scheduled for "Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM".  Location: "Barstow Memorial School, Chittenden, VT".  Footer Text: "This is a Hybrid Meeting: Attend Virtually or In Person".