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This week, families joined their preschoolers for lots of fun gingerbread themed activities!
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After reading "Blizzard" by John Rocco, first grade students created their own sleds to carry weight through a 'floury' plate of 'snow'. What a fun, creative engineering and problem solving lesson. Great job everyone!
#slate (Student Learning Achieved Through Engagement)
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All of us at FHGS wish our students and their families a very happy and restful break! We will see you in 2023!
![happy break](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3534343/large_1671662970000.jpeg)
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We at Slate Valley, wish everyone a wonderful break. In celebration of the Winter Solstice ("The darkest evening of the year."), Mr. O'Meara, our Director of Curriculum, would like to share Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". Enjoy!
Click the link to see the video: https://youtu.be/ORY5IkRAm5g
![Robert Frost: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening book cover](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3533509/large_1515_001.jpg)
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Our FHGS PTO provided our students with ice cream as a thank you for their fall fundraising efforts! We appreciate all that our PTO does for us at FHGS!!
![Ice cream](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3530755/large_1671639234000.jpeg)
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Trivia Tuesday: DYK?
![Did you Know we are in need of substitute teachers, instructional assistants and custodians?](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3526854/large_25DYK.jpg)
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Last night, the projected Slate Valley Unified School FY24 budget was presented to the district school board. We have set up a ThoughtExchange for community comments and questions. Both the presentation and board video are included in the exchange. To participate click this link: https://tejoin.com/scroll/826931701 or scan the QR code. This exchange will close on January 4, 2023.
![Thought Exchange Logo](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3526134/large_ThoughtExchange-Logo.png)
![QR Code to ThoughtExchange](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3526138/large_qr-code__10_.png)
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Tonight - December 19, 2022
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Castleton Elementary School cafeteria. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/nwx-ucxq-mnp
Or dial: (US) +1 662-395-1814 PIN: 895 842 986#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1m35r
Previous Meeting Minutes:https://5il.co/1m0ku
Next Board Meeting: Monday, January 9, 2023 – FHUMHS– 6:30pm
![Board Meeting December 19, 2022 at 6:30 CES](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3497391/large_Board_Meeting_Announcement_12_19.jpg)
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Meet "FHUMHS's Social Studies Teacher, Archie Clark" Monday
![Meet "FHUMHS's Social Studies Teacher, Archie Clark" Monday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3516213/large_05_Meet_SVU_Monday.jpg)
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This week’s focus is on art. The three district art teachers have been exposing our students to various materials and techniques. At FHGS and Orwell, Ms. Ray-Mullikan has her students working on elements of line and how it can be used in designing various patterns. They have also experimented with using medium charcoal to draw a simple mountain landscape. Her younger grades are working on their observational drawing skills focusing on farm animals. So far they have mastered the nubian goat and highland cow. At CES and Benson, Mrs. Parrott’s students have been focusing on painting layered abstract art. First they applied their understanding of the color wheel and created some new colors for the project. Next, they worked week to week painting each layer with shapes, lines, and color in mind. They will finish this big project by using their abstract art to make an explosion style origami book. At the Middle and High School, Ms. Partesi has various projects unfolding. Students are using grids to draw a realistic image, taking sections one square at a time. Another class is exploring color theory and depth by making a 3D window box painting. Last week, FHUMHS students also enjoyed a field trip to the Carving Studio in West Rutland, where they were able to experience sculpting from marble. Scan the QR code or click on the link https://youtu.be/6l7H39QlKII to see even more of our wonderful district wide student artwork.
![Focus On Art Friday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3509935/large_Friday_Focus-ART.jpg)
![scan the qr code to see more artwork](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3509949/large_qr-code__9_.png)
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Today Mrs. Farrell was scheduled to read at one of the schools. But yesterday, when it was decided we would have our first snow day, she chose to record the reading and share it with all the Slate Valley students! Enjoy!
Click the link to see our superintendent read, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
https://youtu.be/DuyBe4m7usA
![Reading of the book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3503229/large_The_Snowy_Day_Read_Aloud.png)
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Due to the impending weather, all Slate Valley Unified schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, December 16th. This includes Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Orwell Village School, Fair Haven Grade School and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Stay safe.
![No School Friday, December 16th](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3498574/large_Snow_Day.jpg)
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Falcon News continues!! We appreciate our Grade 3 meteorologists and 4th grade student participants as well as guest appearances by various faculty members!
![news](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3496452/large_1671128029000.jpeg)
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Throwback Thursday: Taking it back 60 years! Do you recognize what this building is used for now in Fair Haven?
![Fair Haven High School](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3496263/large_Throwback_Thursday_1.jpg)
![Old and New Fair Haven High Schools](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3496265/large_Throwback_Thursday_2.jpg)
![Yearbook dedication page](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3496266/large_Throwback_Thursday_3.jpg)
![Yearbook dedication page 2](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3496268/large_Throwback_Thursday_4.jpg)
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We truly appreciate the relationships our School Resource Officer creates with our students! #rolemodels #connections
![junior officer](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3495951/large_IMG-2939.jpg)
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Mrs. Demasi’s quilting club participants get more and more excited as they get closer to completion! Amazing work everyone!
![quilt](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3484941/large_1671015847000.jpeg)
![quilt](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3484942/large_1671015847000.jpeg)
![quilt](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3484943/large_1671015847000.jpeg)
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Dear Slate Valley Families,
With the recent increase in illness we are experiencing staff shortages, this is especially true with bussing. We are doing our very best to continue normal operations but please note that we may have to cancel bus routes from time to time. This issue is not just confined to Slate Valley. While schools are not required by law to provide regular school to home transportation it is something that we in Slate Valley are committed to doing. If a driver is out sick, there are no substitutes at this time, so we may need to cancel runs altogether due to lack of staffing. If your child can’t make it to school, the absence will not count against them and in some cases we may be able to combine runs or find other options. Principals will be notifying families when runs need to be canceled and/or alternative arrangements need to be made.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we try to work through this together. I know the bus company is trying hard to hire additional drivers and come-up with creative solutions. Please feel free to reach out if you have challenges getting your children to school in the absence of a bus. We will do our very best to work with you so your children get safely to school.
All the best,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
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Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
![School Safety Series at FHUMHS](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3471537/large_24DYK.jpg)
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Tonight - December 12, 2022
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/tbs-xnma-rwz
Or dial: (US) +1 530-618-7125 PIN: 991 413 623#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1lss8
Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/1lm9d
Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 19, 2022 – CES– 6:30pm
![Board Spotlight Announcement](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3461787/large_Board_Meeting_AnnouncementDec1222.jpg)
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Meet "Benson Village School's Administrative Assistant, Pam Arel" Monday
![Meet "Benson Village School's Administrative Assistant, Pam Arel" Monday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3457925/large_04_Meet_SVU_Monday.jpg)