Our latest ThoughtExchange is still active. Please participate, review the full FY24 proposed budget presentation, add some thoughts and rate others. Go to
https://tejoin.com/scroll/826931701 or scan the QR code.
School Safety Series, beginning next week! Free and Open to the Public!
In Ms. Sanborn's French Class, students replicated stained glass windows as a summative project for their Middle Ages unit. What a fun way to understand the process and purpose of this art form.
Meet "Castleton Elementary School Custodian, Tammy Davis" Monday
During the months of November and December, the 7th grade students at FHUMHS focused on the value of gratitude. They learned about the positive power of being grateful and sharing that gratitude with others. As a culminating activity, the 7th grade students created children’s books with morals centered around the importance and power of practicing gratitude. On December 21st, the 7th grade students walked to Fair Haven Grade School and spent time with all primary classes, grades Kindergarten through third. The middle school students read their books to the younger students, along with doing a craft highlighting gratitude. Each book created was gifted to one of the primary classrooms to become a part of their personal class library. Great job 7th graders, you were all wonderful role models and mentors for our primary students. Click the link to see a slideshow of photos from this event. https://youtu.be/W7K2z-4LKf0
Congratulations to our senior, David Doran!
FHUHS Boys JV / V Basketball HOME vs. Woodstock tonight 12/22 530/700pm is CANCELLED. No rescheduled date at this point.
A couple days ago, our Middle school students changed their VOAP (Vermont Outdoor Adventure Program) plans to enjoy the newly fallen snow.
Just a few photos from the FIRST home FHUMS basketball game! Go Slaters!
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
Trivia Tuesday: DYK?
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.
Junior's & Senior's Don't Miss Out on this Upcoming College Information Session!
Yale University
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 10:00am
FHUMHS Conference Room
*Please RSVP to the Guidance Office.
On December 3rd, 2022, three of our FHU students traveled to White River Jct. VT to audition for the New England Music Festival. This is one of the most prestigious festivals in our music education system. Students from Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New Hampshire audition for spots in this honored band. Proudly ALL THREE of our students were accepted. Congratulations to Ayame M., Clara Y., and Samuel Y. Not only were they accepted, but Ayame also placed first seat in her entire section and Clara placed 4th.
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
Meet "FHUMHS's Social Studies Teacher, Archie Clark" Monday
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.
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.
Throwback Thursday: Taking it back 60 years! Do you recognize what this building is used for now in Fair Haven?
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