Fair Haven Union Middle and High School

🛠️ Engineering in Action!

Students in Mr. VanDerKern’s Design class have been hard at work putting their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test! Using only toothpicks, glue, and careful planning, students designed and constructed model bridges — all with one big question in mind: How much weight can they hold?

Throughout the project, students explored the engineering design process, experimented with structural supports, and collaborated to strengthen their builds. The real excitement comes during testing, when each bridge faces the ultimate challenge!

Great work to these young engineers for their focus, teamwork, and innovative thinking.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Student works at a lab table carefully gluing toothpicks together while building a bridge structure.

Close-up of a toothpick bridge resting on stacks of books between two stools during a weight test setup.

Close-up of a student carefully aligning toothpicks to build a bridge base structure.

Completed toothpick suspension-style bridge sits on a workbench next to a bottle of wood glue.

Three students pose behind their finished toothpick bridge structures on a classroom table.

Laptop displays a bridge design reference while craft sticks and materials are spread across a classroom worktable.

Two students collaborate while cutting and assembling a triangular toothpick bridge frame.

Student concentrates while gluing toothpicks together on a classroom desk.

Two middle school students smile while testing a yellow paper and toothpick bridge supported between two stools with weights hanging below.

“Made in Vermont” Raffle — Support Our Middle School Yearbooks! 📚

Fair Haven Union Middle School is excited to launch our “Made in Vermont” Raffle to help fund the printing of the 2025–2026 Middle School Yearbooks.

Our goal is simple: through raffle ticket sales and our Pampered Chef BINGO Night on Friday, March 27, we hope to fully cover yearbook printing costs so every 7th and 8th grader receives a yearbook at no cost to families. 💙

We’ve gathered an incredible variety of prizes — all proudly Made in Vermont — that are sure to appeal to many!

🎟 Tickets:
• $10 each
• 3 for $25
• Cash or check (payable to SVUUSD)
• Turn in tickets and money to the Middle School Office

🏆 Drawing:
Winners will be drawn at the Pampered Chef BINGO Event on Friday, March 27.
Winners do not need to be present, but we hope you’ll join us for a fun night of Bingo!

📩 Questions or need more tickets? Please reach out to any Middle School student or call the Middle School office— and thank you for supporting our students!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Flyer titled “Made in Vermont FHU Middle School Yearbook Raffle” displaying a grid of 16 Vermont-made raffle prizes, including a Hubbardton Forge table lamp, wooden table, wooden bench and clipboard, Vermont tree ring print, quilts, local food baskets, Vermont jewelry, watercolor paintings, hand-painted wooden sign, Tata Harper skincare products, oil painting of a pig, Lake Monsters tickets, cutting board and soap dispenser set, stained glass mountain scene, barn quilt, and another local food basket. Text explains proceeds support 2025–2026 middle school yearbooks, tickets cost $10 each or three for $25, and winners will be drawn Friday, March 27 at the Pampered Chef Bingo event.

A Hall of Fame Family: David and Mary Heitkamp Honored in 2026

The Heitkamp legacy continues to shine as both David Heitkamp and his daughter Mary Heitkamp earn well-deserved recognition for their extraordinary impact on Fair Haven Union and Vermont track and field.

David Heitkamp, longtime Fair Haven Union coach, is headed to the VPA Hall of Fame Class of 2026. During his 25-year career, he led the Slaters’ indoor and outdoor track programs to an astounding 20 team state titles, plus two girls cross country championships, totaling 22 team titles. His athletes captured a remarkable 216 individual and relay state championships, reflecting the powerhouse program he built.

Beyond the numbers, Dave — alongside his wife Linda — helped elevate track and field across Vermont through their leadership, sportsmanship, and deep commitment to student-athletes. In 2010, Fair Haven honored his impact by dedicating Heitkamp Track & Athletic Field, a tribute to a family that helped define an era of Slater excellence.

For more information and ticket pricing to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, go to: https://vpaonline.org/athletics/vpa-hall-of-fame/

Adding to the family’s historic year, Mary Heitkamp has been selected for induction into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

A high school All-American in the pentathlon and two-time Gatorade Vermont Athlete of the Year (2003, 2004), Mary compiled a then-record 23 individual Vermont state titles in cross country and track at Fair Haven Union. She was a New England champion in both the 600m and 800m and set multiple state records — including her legendary 1:33.39 indoor 600m, which still stands more than three seconds ahead of the next-fastest Vermont time.

Mary helped lead the Slaters to multiple team championships in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track before continuing her career as a Division I scholarship athlete at Boston College, competing in the ACC.

Together, David and Mary Heitkamp represent a family legacy built on excellence, humility, and a genuine love of the sport. Their combined achievements have left a lasting mark on Fair Haven Union, the Slater community, and track and field across Vermont.
Congratulations to the Heitkamp family on this incredible Hall of Fame honor!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling older man with very short gray hair, wearing a dark jacket over a navy shirt against a plain light background.

Student athlete in a Fair Haven track uniform runs on an indoor track during a race, wearing bib number 132, with spectators visible in the background.

VPA Post-Season Ticket Prices & Streaming
As the VPA playoff season nears, we want to inform our fans of the tournament game ticket prices, and the switch to the NFHS Streaming platform, and the subscription rate. Your NFHS subscription will allow you to watch not only any game in Vermont, but also games from every state. Reminder: this subscription will “auto-renew”, so you will need to cancel it when you have finished watching games of interest.
Adults: $10
Students / School-age children / Senior citizens: $5
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/
VPA Basketball tournament games will begin the week of February 23rd for the girls bracket, and the week of March 2nd on the boys side.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Graphic featuring a large basketball with the headline “VPA Post-Season Ticket Prices & Streaming Information.” Text explains that VPA playoff games will be shown on the NFHS Network and notes the subscription auto-renews. Ticket prices are listed as Adults $10 and Students/School-age children/Senior citizens $5. Includes the streaming link (nfhsnetwork.com) and notes that girls’ tournament games begin the week of February 23 and boys’ games the week of March 2.

🎉 Support the Junior Class of 2027! 🎉

The FHU Junior Class is hosting a Calendar Raffle Fundraiser—and you won’t want to miss your chance to win! 📅✨

For just $5 per ticket (or 5 tickets for $20), you’ll be entered for daily prizes throughout March and April, featuring great local favorites and gift cards. 🎁 From Dunkin’ and Starbucks to Amazon, Chipotle, and more—there are LOTS of chances to win!

✅ Multiple chances to win
✅ Winners drawn daily as listed
✅ Support our Junior Class of 2027

📌 All tickets must be turned in by March 13.
💬 See a member of the Class of 2027 to purchase tickets.
Checks payable to SVUUSD.

Grab your tickets and help support our students while having some fun!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Flyer titled “FHU Junior Class Calendar Raffle Fundraiser March/April 2026” with Slaters logos at the top. It lists donation options of one ticket for $5 or five for $20. A calendar grid shows daily prize drawings such as gift cards to Michaels, TJ Maxx, Dunkin, Starbucks, Amazon, Chipotle, and others, plus specialty prizes like a Vermont Comedy Club ticket package and a Fair Haven Fitness membership. The bottom includes rules, ticket form fields for contact information, and a note that tickets are due by March 13 and checks should be made payable to SVUUSD.

🚨 Tonight — SVUUSD Annual Meeting 🚨

Join the Slate Valley Unified Union School District for the Annual Meeting on the FY27 school budget. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the proposed budget, hear important updates, and ask questions about how it supports our students, staff, and schools.

🗓 Tonight — Thursday, February 19, 2026
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room
🕡 6:30 PM

Can’t attend in person? Join virtually:
🎥 Video call link: https://meet.google.com/oiu-geoi-eaj

📞 Or dial (US): +1 816-425-1778
PIN: 657 919 832#

We hope you can join us and be part of the conversation. Your voice matters!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Graphic badge with icon of a presenter pointing to a board in front of an audience. Text reads “SVUUSD Annual Meeting — Thursday, February 19, 2026 — FHUMHS Band Room — 6:30 PM.” Teal border with gray background and light green and blue icons.

Join us for the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Annual Meeting on the FY27 School Budget 📘

🗓 Thursday, February 19, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room

Community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about the proposed budget, ask questions, and better understand how it supports our students and schools. Your participation matters, and we hope to see you there.

For full details and budget information, visit:
https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/fy27-budget

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Hexagon-shaped graphic announcing the SVUUSD Annual Meeting, with an icon of a presenter speaking to an audience beside a safety helmet symbol. Text reads: “SVUUSD Annual Meeting — Thursday, February 19, 2026 — FHUMHS Band Room — 6:30 PM.”

On Friday, February 13, Slate Valley students proudly represented our district at the Green Mountain Music District V Festival. 🎶 Students from multiple schools participated in chorus, band, and jazz, showcasing their talent, preparation, and dedication to music. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the way they represented their schools.

Festival Participants were:

Middle School Chorus

Castleton Elementary School (CES): Madelyn Stygles, Amos Adamski, Erin Taylor, Anital Crowley

Fair Haven Grade School (FHGS): Neva Randell

Fair Haven Union Middle & High School (FHUMHS): Laila New, Azalea Rehm, Grant Parrott, Emerson Robles (selected), Avery Zeitler, Ember Bentley, Izabella West, Hannah Brink

High School Band — FHUMHS

Maya Volpe, Avery Audent, Shira Hertzberg, Hannah Allard, Elaina Allard, Abigail Young, Henry Young, Libby Rockwell, Ollie Benson, Averie Parrott

Middle School Jazz

Orwell Village School (OVS): Will Scarpulla

Congratulations to all of our student musicians for this outstanding accomplishment! 👏🎼

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Seven middle school chorus students stand in a row against a hallway wall wearing black concert attire and holding green music folders, posing before a performance.

A large student chorus stands on risers in a school gym while a conductor faces them at a microphone stand; students wear black concert clothing and hold green folders.

Wide view of a combined student chorus on gym risers with a conductor in front and a pianist at a grand piano to the side during a concert performance.

Close-up of a section of the student chorus on risers, dressed in black and singing while reading from green music folders.

Front view of a student chorus performing in a gym as the conductor leads with raised arm and a grand piano sits nearby.

Student percussionist in black concert attire plays a mallet instrument near the gym floor while an audience watches from the bleachers behind.

Winter Carnival Spirit Week is off to a high-energy start! ❄️🎉 Each morning this week begins with a fun spirit game in the gym, and yesterday’s kickoff event had students laughing, and cheering in a balloon challenge.

Congratulations to Maddy Hayes, who took the top spot as our first Spirit Game Champion of the week! 🏆 We can’t wait to see what the rest of Spirit Week brings!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Three high school students in a gym compete in a spirit game, moving quickly while keeping balloons near their feet as classmates watch from the bleachers.

A small group of students on the gym floor step and pivot around balloons during a Winter Carnival spirit game while spectators look on.

Two students race side by side across the gym floor, each guiding a balloon with their feet during a morning spirit challenge.

Two students laugh and maneuver around balloons at center court while other students sit in the bleachers behind them.

A student wearing a Slaters sweatshirt stands smiling on the gym floor with a balloon at her feet, celebrating after winning the spirit game.

Big hearts made a big impact at the Middle School! ❤️🐾
Through the Hearts for Paws fundraising drive, each TA collected donations for the Rutland County Humane Society—and the results were incredible. In total, students donated 156 items to support local animals in need.

A huge congratulations to Kerry Stevens’ 8th grade TA, who brought in the most donations and earned a special reward: a visit from the Caring Canines of Southern Vermont. Therapy dogs Tony and Cody stopped by to help students kick off their Monday with smiles, calm moments, and plenty of tail wags.

Thank you to Student Voice for organizing this effort and to all of our middle school students and families for their generosity and compassion for animals in our community. 🐶💙

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Group of middle school students and several adults in a classroom posing with two therapy dogs, one large collie-type dog and one small long-haired dog, during a school visit.

Two middle school students sitting in a computer lab smiling and petting two therapy dogs on leashes beside their chairs.

Close-up of three people and a large therapy dog wearing a red Caring Canines vest while students gently pet the dog and smile.

A teacher standing behind a rolling cart filled with donated pet supplies and items, including food cans, paper towels, toys, and a large carrot-shaped scratcher, collected for an animal shelter.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: February 13, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/d1e32e42eac9/district-newsletter-february-13-2026

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Middle School Shenanigans... or is it?
Mr. Merrill’s middle school TA started the day with focus and positivity! 🧘 Students took a few minutes to practice yoga and tai chi together, using mindful movement and breathing to get centered and ready to learn. Building calm, balance, and self-awareness is a great way to set the tone for a successful day. 💙

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Middle school students stand beside their desks in a classroom following their teacher’s lead as they practice a tai chi or yoga pose with arms extended, beginning the day with mindful movement.

A teacher and group of middle school students stand in a circle around desks with hands together at their chests, practicing a quiet breathing or centering exercise in the classroom.

Students in a middle school classroom mirror their teacher’s wide, flowing arm movements during a tai chi or yoga warm-up activity between desks.

Today's Rutland Herald: Scan the QR Code in the photo or go to https://bit.ly/SVULTA to see the accompanying video.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

The Slater Theater Company is at it again! Here's a sneak peek during one of their One-Act Play rehearsals.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

High school students stand at the front of a classroom holding scripts and performing a scene, with desks in the foreground and posters and a bulletin board on the wall behind them.

Group of high school students spread across the front of a classroom rehearsing a scene with printed scripts, as sunlight comes through the windows and classroom desks sit empty in the foreground.

🚨 All Slate Valley Afterschool Activities & Athletics Are Cancelled – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 🌨️

Due to the impending weather, all afterschool activities and athletics are cancelled today, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This also includes Boys & Girls Club programs.

Please plan for students to go home at regular dismissal time. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Szabo Breaks Slaters Wrestling All-Time Wins Record

Slater Nation is proud to recognize junior wrestler Anthony Szabo for breaking the school’s all-time record for career victories over the weekend at the Plymouth Invitational in Plymouth, NH. With his first victory of the day, Anthony broke Dylan Lee’s record of 146 wins from 2020.
Congratulations to Anthony and his family on the amazing achievement, and we are excited to see this number climb throughout the remainder of your high school career. Well done Ant! Keep racking up the W’s!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Student wrestler in a navy Fair Haven singlet stands against a cinderblock wall, smiling and holding up one finger with his right hand while holding his wrestling headgear in his left.

ATTENTION: Tonight’s School Board meeting has been moved to the Orwell Village School library.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Orwell Village School, with the location updated from Town Hall Gym to Library. Agenda items listed include Consent Agenda, Board Reorganization, and Finance Committee Report, with district and Vermont-style logos displayed.

Board Meeting - February 9, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Orwell Village School – Town Hall/Gym.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fxz-sazi-cds
Or dial: (US) +1 567-234-0136 PIN: 731 443 207#

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.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley District Newsletter for February 6, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/1a88fa7ae27d/slate-valley-district-newsletter-262026

3 months ago, Slate Valley

💍 Help Us Find a Lost Ring — Please Share 💍

A diamond ring was lost on Tuesday night, February 3 in the hallway outside the gym at Fair Haven Union High School. The ring is extremely sentimental to its owner.

Description:
• Small round diamond
• Six-prong setting
• Yellow gold band

If you happen to find it, please return it to the FHUHS Main Office.

Please help spread the word by sharing this post. Let’s get this special ring back on the finger it has adorned for so long. 🙏

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Graphic of a large gold ring with a diamond and bold text reading “Lost Diamond Ring.” Details state: small round diamond, six-prong setting, yellow gold band, believed dropped in the hallway by the FHUHS gym Tuesday night, February 3rd. Side text says “If found, please return” and “Bring to the FHUHS Main Office,” with “Extremely sentimental!” emphasized at the bottom.