We’re excited to kick off the first podcast of the 2025–2026 school year! Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell sat down with Slate Valley Unified’s Board Chair, Julie Finnegan, for an insightful conversation.

In this episode, Julie shares about:
✔️ The responsibilities of the board chair position
✔️ The school board’s goals and aspirations for the year ahead
✔️ The importance of community involvement
✔️ Thoughts on Act 73 and what it could mean for our community

Tune in to hear directly from district leadership as we continue building transparency and connection with our community. 🎧
Watch or Listen to the full Podcast at https://youtu.be/zus4jJvbsb0
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two women sit across from each other in conversation, both smiling. One wears a white blazer and the other a purple patterned blouse with glasses. They are seated at a table with microphones and a headset in front of them, with a colorful abstract painting and a whiteboard in the background.
🏈🏀⚾️ Spirit Week Thursday: Team Jersey Day! ⚾️🏀🏈

Slater Nation showed their pride today by repping their favorite teams for Team Jersey Day! From pro teams to local favorites, the halls of FHUMHS were filled with sports spirit and team pride.
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
A student stands in a hallway wearing a bright pink “Slaters” jersey with the number 5, smiling at the camera.
Two students stand side by side, one wearing a blue Golden State Warriors Curry basketball jersey and the other wearing a pink “Slaters” jersey with the number 22, smiling against a mural backdrop.
Seven middle school students line up in front of lockers wearing a mix of Slate Valley, Elite, and Vipers sports jerseys, smiling for the photo.
A student with pink hair and glasses smiles while wearing a white Mill River soccer jersey with a Puma logo and soccer ball graphic.
Two students smile and stand arm in arm, one wearing a black Boston Bruins shirt and the other in a white football jersey with pink numbers.
Announcement from Athletic Director, Eric Ramey: Midde School Girls and Boys soccer games are postponed today, as are practices.
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcement with a cartoon soccer ball and colorful border. Text inside reads: “Thursday, September 25th – Middle School Girls and Boys soccer games are postponed today, as are practices.”
🎶✈️ Big News for Our Slater Band Students! ✈️🎶
Check out the excitement as our FHUMHS band students learned they’ve been granted permission to take a field trip to Florida! 🌴☀️ Their reaction says it all—what an incredible opportunity ahead.
To help make this dream a reality, our band will be holding fundraisers throughout the year. The first fundraiser is on November 14th, when they’ll partner with the drama department to host a Dinner Theatre Show. 🍽️🎭 Dinner will be served from 5–7 PM, followed by the show at 7 PM. More details to come soon!
See the video at https://youtu.be/1zjwSCTd2mc
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
A large group of students sits on tiered risers in a music or band room. Many are smiling, some raising their arms in excitement. Musical instruments such as drums and percussion equipment are visible in the background.
🌊☀️ Spirit Week Wednesday: Beach Day! ☀️🌊

Slater Nation brought the sunshine inside yesterday with Beach Day vibes! 🏖️ From Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses to flip-flops and beach towels, students filled the halls with summer spirit—even on a gloomy, rainy September day. 🌴😎
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Student dressed for Beach Day. Wearing a blue shirt, tutu, colorful leis, and sunglasses while standing inside a large inflatable donut float and holding a “Class of 2029” sign.
Student dressed for Beach Day. Wearing blue swim shorts, a gray “Lake Waves” t-shirt, and slide sandals, holding a folded beach towel over one shoulder.
Two students dressed for Beach Day Spirit Week. One wears a purple floral shirt with jeans and stands inside a large inflatable donut float. The other wears a blue floral shirt and holds a paper beach ball prop.
👯‍♀️Twin Day!👬
Tuesday’s Homecoming Spirit Week theme brought out double the fun! From matching outfits to look-alike smiles, our halls were filled with dynamic duos (and a few trios!).
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two school staff members wearing matching black "Front Office Dream Team" shirts with white pants, smiling in a hallway.
Two students wearing navy blue shirts that say "Fair Haven," smiling side by side.
Three students dressed in black shirts, leggings, and pink tutus, smiling together.
Two students with glasses standing arm in arm, wearing red and blue tie-dye shirts.
Two students in black hoodies and leggings standing in a hallway decorated with green streamers.
Two students in bright pink shirts forming heart shapes with their hands.
Two students in black outfits with silver necklaces, smiling and flashing peace signs.
☕️💬 Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!

Community members are warmly invited to our next Coffee & Conversation on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Orwell Free Library.

Come share your questions, ideas, and feedback with district leadership in a relaxed, friendly setting. We value your voice and look forward to the conversation!

When: Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 · 9:00 AM
Where: Orwell Free Library
Who: All community members—everyone’s welcome!

Bring a friend, grab a cup, and let’s talk. ☕️
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Slate Valley’s “Coffee & Conversation” on Sept. 26, 2025, 9:00–10:30 AM at Orwell Free Library, inviting the community to join board members and administrators for coffee and discussion on the FY27 Budget, Act 73, and the school year.

Let’s not overlook the awesome decorated hallways in our Middle School! Over the weekend, the amazing Middle School PTO teamed up with students to show off their Slater pride.

The theme—voted on by students themselves—was “Celebrate Slaters” with plenty of blue, white, and sport motifs filling the halls.

Thank you to our PTO and students for bringing the energy and creativity to Homecoming Spirit Week!

2 months ago, Slate Valley
School hallway decorated in blue and white with hanging streamers, stars, and paper fans.
Wall display spelling “Slater Pride” with blue letters on paper plates, decorated with stars, a football, and a soccer ball.
Wall decorations featuring a paper football with attached blue and silver pom-poms, a soccer ball, and small megaphones.
Blue glitter letters on a wall strung together to read “Slaterbration 2025!
Monday's Spirit Week Theme: 🤠Country🚜 vs. ⛳Country Club🎾

From cowboy boots to polos and Peds, today’s theme had Slaters showing off their best Country and Country Club style!

The hallways were full of flannel, hats, and western vibes on one side—and preppy plaid, tennis looks on the other.

It’s all part of the fun as we count down to Homecoming—way to bring the spirit, Slater Nation!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two women dressed for spirit day, one in a plaid shirt and camo hat, the other in a cowboy hat, denim skirt, and purple boots.
Two students smiling, one in sunglasses and a light blue top, the other in a navy long-sleeve shirt.
Two women posing together, one in a plaid shirt and jeans with white boots, the other in a light jacket, tennis skirt, and cap.
Two students standing together, one in a white tank top and jeans, the other in a plaid shirt, graphic tee, jeans, and cowboy hat.
A teacher wearing a cowboy hat and purple plaid shirt, smiling while seated at her desk.
And last, but not least... The freshmen took us straight into Candyland with their colorful, sugary-sweet hallway transformation! From gumdrops to lollipops, their creativity exemplifies Slater spirit!

Way to kick off your first Homecoming Spirit Week, Class of 2029—you’ve set the bar deliciously high!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
A school hallway with lockers decorated in a candy theme, including red and yellow walls covered in candy cutouts and hanging streamers.
A classroom door decorated with large letters spelling “Freshman” in red candy cane stripes, surrounded by oversized lollipop and candy props.
A hallway display with a pink backdrop, rainbow carpet, large candy decorations, and a sign reading “Class of 2029.
A wall decorated with a pink background, multicolored paper cups arranged like a tree, and the words “Gumdrop Mountain.
Ready for a tropical luau? The Sophomore's are! This fun Hawaiian Homecoming Spirit Week Hallway was created by the Class of 2028.
2 months ago, Slate Valley
School hallway decorated with palm tree wall cutouts, pink flamingos, leis, pineapples, and a banner reading “FHUHS Class of 2026 Slaters.
A bamboo tiki snack shack with a grass roof, colorful fruit-patterned backdrop, and tropical decorations.
Lockers decorated with leis, beach balls, and a large “Sophomore Hallway” sign above blue ocean-themed paper.
Hallway lined with lockers decorated with leis, inflatable palm trees, and green streamers hanging from the ceiling like jungle vines.
Welcome to the Jungle!!! Here's our next Homecoming Spirit Week Hallway, brought to you by the Junior Class of 2027!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
A school hallway decorated as a jungle with hanging vines, green streamers, and paper leaves. A wall display reads “Born to Be Wild” with jungle-themed art.
A hallway decoration showing a waterfall made of silver fringe, blue fabric, and brown crumpled paper rocks with white tulle at the base.
A classroom doorway framed in green netting with leaves and vines. A toy monkey hangs upside down from a rope, with a red parrot decoration nearby.
A sign reading “Junior Hallway” above lockers, decorated with jungle leaves and cutouts of monkeys and foliage.
🎉 💙🩶Homecoming Spirit Week is Here!💙🩶 🎉

We kicked off the week in true Slater style with students arriving to theme-decorated class hallways—transformed over the weekend by our amazing students and class advisors. 👏✨

First up: the Senior Hallway 🎓 … complete with a magical Disney Theme! 🏰🐭 From classic characters to enchanted details, our seniors brought the magic to life and set the tone for a spirited week ahead. 🌟

Stay tuned as we share more creative hallways and all the fun of Homecoming Spirit Week!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Hallway photo: A school hallway decorated with blue streamers, string lights, and cutout Mickey Mouse heads above rows of lockers.
Large balloons of Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse with red “26” number balloons in between, set against a black backdrop with Mickey head cutouts.
A blue hand-painted Disney-style castle on white paper, surrounded by yellow star cutouts with names written on them and string lights.
Colorful painted arrows in a barrel of dirt, pointing in different directions with Disney-themed designs like suns, snowflakes, and the Cheshire Cat.
🏈 A few of our JV Slaters got some playing time under the Friday night lights—gaining experience and showing us the bright future of Slater football! 🌟 The JV team is back in action tonight at 4 PM at home—come out and cheer them on! 📣⚡️

Big thanks to the Slater fan who submitted these shots through our Slater Sport Photo Submission Form! 📸
2 months ago, Slate Valley
A line of football players in navy uniforms and helmets stand on the sideline of a lit field at dusk, facing the field.
A row of football players in navy uniforms stand on the sideline holding helmets during the national anthem, with the school band lined up behind them playing instruments on the field.
A smiling football player in a navy jersey with number 51 is surrounded by teammates and friends after a night game.
Board Meeting - September 22, 2025

You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 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/asz-bujx-ixw
Or dial: (US) +1 218-301-2538 PIN: 630 332 195#
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.
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on September 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Agenda includes consent agenda, guidance team presentation, Act 73 (H.454) discussion, and committee reports on building & grounds and policy.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: September 19, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/4bee6898ba67/slate-valley-district-newsletter-for-september-19-2025
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter cover dated September 19, 2025, featuring the Slate Valley logo, illustrations of apples, and headline announcing that Fair Haven graduate Emmet MacKay’s nomination earned Mr. Nathan Morris the Yale Educator Award.

📸 Slater Nation – We Need Your Photos! 🏈⚽⛳🏑

Have a great shot of your athlete in action at a Fair Haven Union Middle or High School game? We’d love to share it!

It’s easy:
1️⃣ Snap your best sports photos
2️⃣ Scan the QR code or go to: https://forms.gle/VVBaDmx22iDJSozM6
3️⃣ Submit your pictures to be featured on our website and social media!

Your photos help us celebrate our Slater athletes and capture the spirit of every game. Thank you for being part of the team behind the team!

2 months ago, Slate Valley
Flyer titled “Slater Sport Photo Submissions.” It invites community members to share sporting event photos for the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School website and social media. Large QR code in the center with the FHU Slaters logo inside. Text at the bottom reads: “Just Scan & Submit! Please note, you will need a Gmail account to submit photos.”
🍎✨ From Orchard to Applesauce! ✨🍎

Mr. Merolle’s Horticulture class got a real taste of fall today! After collecting apples straight from the school orchard, students rolled up their sleeves and turned their harvest into fresh, homemade applesauce.
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Apple trees full of red apples stand near a wooden fence beside a brick school building under a bright blue sky.
Students work together in a classroom, stirring apples in a pot as a teacher watches.
Two students pour cooked apples into a strainer over a pot.
A student smiles and gives a thumbs up while classmates press apples through a strainer.
A teacher raises arms in excitement as students press apples through a strainer.
A group of students smile and laugh while straining applesauce; one student sticks out their tongue playfully.
A student uses a strainer to press apples into a pot with classmates and teacher nearby.
A student stirs applesauce in a pot while a teacher watches.
Students and a teacher gather around a table smiling and giving thumbs up while eating applesauce from cups.
A cluster of apple trees with branches full of ripe red apples.
Fair Haven Graduate Emmet MacKay’s Nomination Earns Mr. Nathan Morris Yale Educator Award!

Slate Valley Unified USD and Fair Haven Union High School are proud to announce that math teacher and class of 2025 advisor Mr. Nathan Morris has been named a recipient of the 2025 Yale Educator Award, following a heartfelt nomination by Class of 2025 graduate Emmet MacKay. The Yale Educator Recognition Program honors outstanding teachers and counselors worldwide who inspire and support their students. Of this year’s 302 nominees from 38 states and 22 countries, 61 teachers and 26 counselors were selected for the award.

Emmet’s nomination captured the energy and dedication that set Mr. Morris apart:

“Mr. Morris is not just a teacher or class advisor. He is a force. He is the pulse of our school. He is the reason our class of 2025 had any chance at making senior year feel legendary. He planned our prom(s), found the deals that made our senior trip possible, organized fundraisers, and pushed every one of us to step up. He showed us how to lead by leading harder than anyone else. Every hallway knows his voice. Every classroom knows his presence. The man is said to have two volumes: loud, and louder.

There were days when he would emerge from a smoky room wearing a blue wig while Nirvana played at full blast (for science...). There were rallies where he would charge down the bleachers with a massive homemade hammer that looked like something out of a cartoon. That hammer became a symbol of our class, and so did his self-coined phrase, which he shouted at every rally and event: ‘Be the hammer, not the nail!’

But Mr. Morris is more than school spirit. He is the kind of teacher who shows up beside a desk when students forget to ask for help. He is the kind of advisor who gives you the guidance you did not even know you needed. When I told him I didn't really want to apply to Yale, he looked at me and told me to make my own story. That conversation changed me. I applied. I got in. I would not be here without him.

Mr. Morris is spirited, loyal, and legendary. He went to this school, grew up in this town, and has poured himself into building something better for the students who came after him. I will never forget what he gave us.”

Mr. Morris’ recognition is both a personal honor and a proud moment for SVUUSD and Fair Haven Union High School. His passion, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to students has left a lasting mark, and the entire community celebrates this well-deserved achievement.

Photo shows Nate Morris, pictured kneeling in front, with Emmet MacKay standing behind him holding the class sledgehammer, alongside fellow participants of a Class of 2025 5K fundraiser.
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Runners and supporters gather at the Slater 5K finish line with fall foliage in the background.
Two people at the Slater 5K: one standing and holding a large mallet, the other kneeling in front wearing a Slaters sweatshirt and cap. Background is faded with other participants visible.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: Week of September 12, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/3e7c8316491f/district-newsletter-september-12-2025
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified USD newsletter dated September 12, 2025, featuring a banner of kindergarten students holding posters for the “12th Day of School” celebration with phrases like “12 crayons coloring,” “6 golden stars,” and “1 big smile just for me.” Headline reads: “12 Days In and Our First Full Week Complete!” with a note thanking families and community for their support.