We had a fantastic turnout for our second meeting with local legislators! A big thank you to Bill Canfield, David Weeks, Zachary Harvey, and Terry Williams for sharing the latest updates on the Governor's Education Plan. We also appreciate our community members for attending and engaging in the discussion.
Meeting Minutes Summary:
School Budgets & Legislation: 92% of Vermont districts passed school budgets. Education funding discussions continue in Montpelier. Zoie Saunders was approved as Secretary of Education. Education-related bills have two more weeks for review, with final decisions expected by May.
Education Reform & Cost Concerns: The legislature aims to address high per-student costs, declining test scores, and rising property taxes. The governor is using $77M in one-time funds to mitigate tax increases.
District Restructuring: The Senate wants the House to lead an education bill, with proposals reducing districts from 53 to 5-18. Discussions include district size (3,200-4,000 students), geographical boundaries, and funding per student ($13,200-$14,000).
Financial & Structural Concerns: Act 60 may need repeal for changes to occur. Questions were raised about cost savings, administrative structures, and potential new buildings. Mental health funding, healthcare costs, and aging school buildings were also discussed.
Future Challenges: Low birth rates raise concerns about future student populations. Limited access to alternative education programs and a moratorium on new independent schools were noted.
Our next meeting is scheduled for April 14th from 5:00 to 6:15 PM in the FHUMHS Library, followed by the Budget Information Meeting at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room. We hope to see you there!
Fair Haven Union High School’s Oliver Audet Soars with Rutland Civil Air Patrol
Fair Haven Union High School student Oliver Audet is reaching new heights through his participation in the Rutland Civil Air Patrol (CAP) program! As a cadet, Oliver is gaining hands-on experience in aviation, leadership, and emergency services, all while developing valuable skills that will serve him well in the future.
The Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, provides young cadets like Oliver with opportunities to explore aerospace education, take part in search and rescue training, and build discipline through teamwork. His dedication to the program reflects a commitment to service and a passion for learning beyond the classroom.
We are incredibly proud of Oliver’s achievements and can’t wait to see where his journey in the skies takes him next!
Read more about this program from a recent Rutland Herald Article:
https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/rutland-civil-air-patrol-puts-youth-in-the-pilots-seat/article_97bb7a68-fe84-11ef-a928-8f197864ef06.html
Photos courtesy of the Rutland Herald
🏀 Back-to-Back Champions! 🏆 The Fair Haven Union Girls Basketball team does it again, claiming the Vermont D2 Championship with an electrifying comeback victory! 💪🔥 Congrats, Lady Slaters, Coach Wilson and assistant coaches! 🎉👏 #VTChampions #GoSlaters #SlaterNation
During today’s full-day inservice, Slate Valley educators participated in a variety of professional development workshops. A key focus was reflecting on the district’s newly adopted Teacher Professional Growth & Evaluation Plan, as well as analyzing student academic and behavioral data from Semester I and Trimesters I & II in relation to their professional goals for the year. Educators also met with administrators to review goals and student outcomes.
Guiding their discussions was the central question:
"How is the work on your professional goals impacting student learning?"
Additional sessions included:
Safety Care Training for Instructional Assistants and Social Emotional Interventionists.
Grade Team Meetings to reflect on curriculum, analyze student performance, and plan for the remainder of the school year.
Development of Supervision & Evaluation Tools for School-Based Clinicians and School Counselors.
Training for Academic Interventionists on eduCLIMBER, an interactive data platform.
Social Emotional Interventions Team preparing a presentation on Collaborative and Proactive Solutions for an April 16th meeting with district administrators and engaging in Part I of a book study.
The day provided valuable opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and professional growth, reinforcing Slate Valley’s commitment to continuous improvement and student success.
On March 11, 2025, Ms. LeBrun's Career Exploration class had an exciting opportunity to visit the PEGTV studio in Rutland, VT. Students learned that PEGTV stands for Public, Education, and Government programming and gained firsthand insight into the world of television production.
During the visit, students met PEGTV Executive Director Tom Leypoldt, Public & Education Channel Coordinator Chelsea Vogel, Government Channel Coordinator Rich Elnicki, and Production Support & Marketing Manager Jim Boughton. The class toured the state-of-the-art Kitchen Studio, designed for culinary educational videos, as well as the professional Main Studio.
Students explored industry-standard cameras, lighting, and sound equipment behind the scenes and even got a chance to step in front of the camera. Who knows? You may soon see some Fair Haven Union students making their television debuts on PEGTV—stay tuned!
🏀 D2 Girls Basketball Championship 🏀 March 15th 🏀 #2 Fair Haven vs. #1 North Country – 3:45 PM @ Barre Auditorium 🔗 Get your tickets here: https://gofan.co/event/3274551?schoolId=VPA 📢 Additional Game Info: Ticket purchased is valid for the March 15th Division 2 Championship Game Only Watch Online: NFHS Stream General Seating Prices: Adults: $10 Seniors/Students: $5 Balcony seating available for purchase on site ⚠️ Game Day Reminders: No noisemakers, outside beverages, or platform seating Let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Lady Slaters! 💙
Mark your calendars! The tradition continues!
College Planning for Non-Seniors: March 24th in the FHUHS Cafeteria at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP by March 20th.
Congratulations to our Slater Girls Basketball Team!! They're going to the CHAMPIONSHIP!
Please come support them this coming Saturday at the Bare Auditorium (more details to be shared soon).
Spring Sports Starting Soon in Slater Nation!
Amazing performances at the Green Mountain District Music Festival on Friday, March 7th! Slate Valley students shined in the Middle School Symphonic Band and High School Jazz Band. 🎷🥁🎺 Bravo to these talented musicians!
FHUMHS proudly sent ten talented students to showcase their creativity at The Chaffee’s Annual Student Exhibit in Rutland. Catch their amazing artwork on display until April 4th!
Join us next Monday, March 17, 2025, for an important discussion with our representatives, featuring updates on the Governor's education plan. Your voice matters—don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged!
📅 Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library
⏰ Time: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you there!
Middle School Slaters were featured on WCAX News this past weekend! Check out their story here: https://www.wcax.com/2025/03/09/fair-haven-students-shoot-stars-nasas-techrise-challenge/
Last week, Outdoor Pursuits students made the most of the warm weather, hitting the trails for some cross-country skiing fun!
Last week, Ms. LeBrun's Innovation and Entrepreneurship class had the exciting opportunity to visit Hubbardton Forge, LLC and witness firsthand how ideas transform into finished products. The tour was led by Mr. David Kitts, VP of Design & Product Strategy, and Adam Gebo, Department Leader of Prototype & Tooling. Students gained an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of designers and engineers at Hubbardton Forge, LLC. They also explored the intricate craftsmanship involved in developing the tools that shape the company's distinctive lighting fixtures.
Board Meeting - March 10, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Benson Village School Gymnasium
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/igi-fbrq-ckm
Or dial: (US) +1 314-730-2201 PIN: 778 295 060#
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.
🏀 D2 Girls Basketball Semi-Final 🏀
March 12th
#2 Fair Haven vs. #3 Lamoille – 5:30 PM @ Barre Auditorium
Student Fan Bus Info:
Departs FHU at 3:30 PM (No time to leave after school)
Must have at least 25 students signed up by end of school day Tuesday
To sign up:
Purchase your game ticket (link below)
Show your ticket to Mr. Ramey when signing up
Sign up in Mr. Ramey’s office after purchasing your ticket
🔗 Get your tickets here:
https://gofan.co/event/3274293?schoolId=VPA
Barre Auditorium doors open at 4:30 PM
Additional Game Info:
One ticket is valid for both Division 2 games on March 12th
Watch Online: NFHS Stream
General Seating Prices:
Adults: $10
Seniors/Students: $5
Balcony seating available for purchase on site
⚠️ Game Day Reminders:
No noisemakers, outside beverages, or platform seating
Last 3 minutes of Game 1 – no entry into the gym
Game 2 spectators enter 30 minutes before tip-off
If leaving after Game 1, please exit ASAP for Game 2 crowd
Let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Lady Slaters! 💙 #GoSlaters #RoadToTheShip
