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Reminder: School will be closed for Thanksgiving break November 22, 23 and 24. We will resume Monday, November 27th!
![Thanksgiving Greetings](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6166899/large_Happy_Thanksgiving.png)
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Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with joy and happiness surrounded by loved ones.
Thank you for being a cherished and valued member of the Orwell Village School community.
We are deeply grateful for your trust and loyalty.
Happy Thanksgiving from the entire staff!
![.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6180734/large_Thanksgiving-day.jpeg)
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Yesterday two of our faculty were celebrated at the University of Vermont's Outstanding Educator Day. Congratulations to Shannan Mead and Nate Morris for their acknowledgement of being UVM Teachers of the Year!
![Vermont Outstanding Educator Day 2023](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6105075/large_IMG_2437.jpeg)
![Vermont Outstanding Educator Day 2023](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6105076/large_IMG_2442.jpeg)
![Vermont Outstanding Educator Day 2023](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6105078/large_IMG_2444.jpeg)
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Tonight - November 13, 2023: You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to:https://meet.google.com/vpe-iafw-stg Or dial: (US) +1 904-580-6324 PIN: 670 027 336#
Reminder: The Finance Committee Meeting before the District Board Meeting will begin at 5:00 PM in the Central Office Conference Room.
![Slate Valley Board Meeting](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6026635/large_l14_mXAhDtLVRofGhbGWAw.jpeg)
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THE UPSTANDERS
THE UPSTANDERS WILL SCREEN LIVE ON
Thursday, November 16, 2023
AT FHUMHS in the gym
Pizza/childcare beginning at 5:30pm
Film starting at 6:00 p.m.
Questions & Answer Session 7:00-7:30 pm
The Upstanders Toolkit Access Link: https://cct.impactful.co/upstanders/watch.html?id=slatevalleyunified
![The Upstander](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/5898505/large_6WdmxZCmOhEEnMVV9G5VxA.png)
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All Slate Valley Schools will be closed today due to the weather. Typically this would have been a delayed start, but because it is a scheduled half day we need to just cancel. Parent teacher conferences will be rescheduled.
![Snow Day](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6022606/large_-9FccMhYG0-uDJlhKCFm4A.png)
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The next Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting will be Monday, November 6th, from 5:45 - 6:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at FHUMHS. If you are interested in helping bridge the gap between the community and school, please join Brooke Olsen-Farrell, our district's superintendent, along with other administrative staff for an hour of conversation. All are welcome! Information and Agenda can be found at https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/page/slate-valley-community-advisory-council.
![CAC Meeting November 6, 2023](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/5957312/large_KZMTTMWY4MSNzonHahnQhg.jpeg)
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THE UPSTANDERS
THE UPSTANDERS WILL SCREEN LIVE ON
Thursday, November 16, 2023
AT FHUMHS in the gym
Pizza/childcare beginning at 5:30pm
Film starting at 6:00 p.m.
Questions & Answer Session 7:00-7:30 pm
The Upstanders Toolkit Access Link: https://cct.impactful.co/upstanders/watch.html?id=slatevalleyunified
![The Upstanders](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/5898061/large_fTw6Wj9hVuUzLiXYnzTY9Q.png)
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During library class students at Orwell Village School read the Red Clover book, Me and the Boss by Michelle Edwards. This story is about a brother and sister who learn how to sew at the public library. Students in grades 3-4 made a design on felt and sewed using needles and floss.
![sewing in library](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/5827153/large_NCVCX9TzmU9RfECMv9xfUQ.png)
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One of our own was the School Superstar Spotlight yesterday morning on MyNBC5! Congratulations to Mrs. Mead!
https://www.mynbc5.com/article/school-superstar-spotlight-shannan-mead/45622887
![Shannan Mead Teacher Spotlight](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/5784131/large_mY4-Hqcu3Cs5HZuKdpNbMg.png)
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Yesterday we held our last of this fall's Coffee & Conversations at Buxton's Store in Orwell. It was a nice turnout with about 10 community members stopping in to chat with district administrators and school board members. We will be sharing dates soon for our Listening Tours that, as in years past, will be held at the district schools during evening hours.
![Coffee and Conversation at Buxton’s Store](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5756095/large_oG1D8_PwfKeRhjU6sA6qAA.png)
![Coffee and Conversation at Buxton’s Store](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5756103/large_FfA-CSIAeCxHZrhZwbvOxQ.png)
![Coffee and Conversation at Buxton’s Store](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5756105/large_D5DkVB8lE_H610UWNZ89dw.png)
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This week throughout Slate Valley, all of our schools took part in some experiential learning. Benson Village School’s fourth graders went to Castleton University and learned about the Hidden History Archaeology Project. Orwell Village School’s grades 4, 5, 6 traveled north to Isle La Motte and visited Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve. Castleton Elementary School’s 3rd graders walked along the main street of Castleton, visiting local sites connected to the traditionally read story, “The Blue Cat of Castle Town”. Fair Haven Grade School enjoyed performances by singer / songwriter Jared Campbell, who through humor and engaging music, shared messages about being a good friend, finding your passion, and making a positive impact in the world. Fair Haven Union Middle & High School’s Theatre Group invited all district elementary students to the high school to see performances of various short skits themed around fairy tales. The younger students had a wonderful time. Just a few of the great things happening in Slate Valley!
![Friday Focus](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5748092/large_E-Zu1gbRE5l53dPIBlScXw.jpeg)
![Friday Focus FHGS](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5748096/large_PLNUN9iBuFYLypgsmcAL7g.jpeg)
![Friday Focus FHUMHS](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5748100/large_66UTwmBlPLGdIICvh0VQbg.jpeg)
![Friday Focus BVS](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5748102/large_UfSu62VwMmV1a0k6o_fC8Q.jpeg)
![Friday Focus CES](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5748106/large_oZnPbBX4QCpxNMgPRqPiKQ.jpeg)
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Throwback Thursday: Going back 50 years to construction of an addition for Fair Haven Union High School.
![Throwback Thursday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5724007/large_NbpBtI-ccOA4dZswBol_jg.jpeg)
![Throwback Thursday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5724009/large_akSq-gCzchZ7d1GHGn73og.jpeg)
![Throwback Thursday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5724012/large_GFPG45Mslxl8gTKm30GLGg.jpeg)
![Throwback Thursday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5724022/large_A3xTEozTrHyjR59cMn4bXA.jpeg)
![Throwback Thursday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5724025/large_5_VlmZzBxjRx3eclrsGCWw.jpeg)
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Where Are They Now Wednesday: Highlighting Adam Kent - Class of 2004
FHUHS Alumnus Adam Kent lives by his favorite quote, "Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise." Since graduating from Fair Haven Union High in 2004, Adam has been off and running developing a trade that led to establishing his own company. In November of 2004, he started working as an apprentice for a mason. In July of 2015, Adam became owner and lead mason of his own sole proprietor company called Kent Masonry, LLC in Montpelier, VT. His business is still going strong today.
While at Fair Haven Union High School, Adam ran cross country for 2 years, played soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and participated in chorus.
When asked if there were any teachers in particular he would like to give credit in helping him toward his success, he replied, “I had a lot of great teachers, but actually had no idea Masonry was even a workman's trade prior to 2004 when I started. I would say Business Math with Mr. Cavacas and Speech and Debate with Mr. Hier have been the most helpful, and useful, classes for me today as a business owner.”
Currently, Adam lives in Washington Country, near Montpelier with his wife Danielle, daughter, son, two dogs and a cat. He still actively participates in sports such as mens league baseball and obstacle course runs like Spartan races. Last year he started coaching some area youth sports teams.
The advice Adam would give to our current Slate Valley student body is, “Whatever life throws in your path, just take a deep breath, stay calm and keep moving forward. Always believe in yourself. There is nothing you can't do if you put in the work and set your mind to it.”
Great words of wisdom Adam, and obviously ones you have taken to heart.
![Where Are They Now Wednesday Adam Kent](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5711623/large_j4NGPJsx7YHrMkYL0tiGog.jpeg)
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Where Are They Now Wednesday: Highlighting Adam Kent
FHUHS lives by his favorite quote, "Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise". Since graduating from Fair Haven Union High, Adam has been off and running developing a trade that led to establishing his own company. In November of 2004, he started working as an apprentice for a mason. In July of 2015, Adam became owner and lead mason of his own sole proprietor company called Kent Masonry, LLC in Montpelier, VT. His business is still going strong today.
While at Fair Haven Union High School, Adam ran cross country for 2 years, played soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and participated in chorus.
When asked if there were any teachers in particular he would like to give credit in helping him toward his success, he replied, “I had a lot of great teachers, but actually had no idea Masonry was even a workman's trade prior to 2004 when I started. I would say Business Math with Mr. Cavacas and Speech and Debate with Mr. Hier have been the most helpful, and useful, classes for me today as a business owner.”
Currently, Adam lives in Washington Country, near Montpelier with his wife Danielle, daughter, son, two dogs and a cat. He still actively participates in sports such as mens league baseball and obstacle course runs like Spartan races. Last year he started coaching some area youth sports teams.
The advice Adam would give to our current Slate Valley student body is, “Whatever life throws in your path, just take a deep breath, stay calm and keep moving forward. Always believe in yourself. There is nothing you can't do if you put in the work and set your mind to it.”
Great words of wisdom Adam, and obviously ones you have lived by.
![Where Are They Now: Adam Kent](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5710975/large_c923wPoPLAsW0CXdtjsYRw.jpeg)
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Please join us this Friday, October 20th at Buxton's Store in Orwell for Coffee & Conversation from 7:30 to 9:00 AM.
![October 20 Coffee and Conversation](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5702500/large_g_8_bZqyH6esWEcpiA5d9w.jpeg)
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Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
![Caring Canines](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5695122/large_FKLAxMco3uPo4fqe9uyayw.jpeg)
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Meet Slate Valley Faculty & Staff Monday: Featuring Teann McCrea
![Meet Faculty and Staff Monday](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5674710/large_sbtMfQgJWblqdCptCW-Y8A.jpeg)