High fives all around! This past Friday during our PBIS Awards Assembly, our specialist teachers had the pleasure of recognizing entire classes that showed outstanding teamwork, behavior, and effort!
We had a wonderful time celebrating our amazing students at our PBIS Awards Assembly this past Friday! Teachers recognized students across all grade levels for going above and beyond in the classroom, showing outstanding character, and setting a great example for their peers. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication! Keep shining, super stars!
Slate Valley Alumni Feature: Where Are They Now?
For this October’s Fair Haven Union Alumni Feature, the spotlight is on Taylor Goodrich, a member of the FHU Class of 2015 who has remained deeply connected to the local community. Staying close to home, Taylor has embraced local entrepreneurship as the co-owner of Woof Pack, a dog daycare, boarding, and training facility in Fair Haven. With a passion for animals and a dedication to the town, Taylor works continuously toward the ultimate goal of building the company into the best possible place for local pups to be.
Taylor’s path to business ownership was shaped in part by the impactful years spent at Slate Valley. Reflecting on high school, Taylor identifies Mrs. Doran as the most influential teacher from those formative years, sharing that she never gave up on her students and always pushed them to do better. That foundation of perseverance aligns closely with Taylor’s favorite quote by tennis legend Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a privilege. Increased pressure, when viewed as a privilege, can propel individuals toward self-improvement rather than hindering their progress.” For Taylor, viewing daily responsibilities and challenges through this lens serves as a constant motivation for continuous self-improvement.
Behind Taylor’s drive and success is a strong personal foundation, particularly the support of fiancé Shelby. Taylor expresses profound gratitude to Shelby for growing alongside the journey and standing steadfast through every version of life so far, noting that so much of who Taylor is today has been shaped by Shelby's love, patience, and support.
Taylor shared some wonderful advice for the current Slate Valley student body. Reminding students that everyone only gets one shot at life, Taylor encourages them to chase the things that make them happy, stay true to themselves, and treat others with kindness. Taylor also urges students to express love to family and friends whenever possible, take chances, make plenty of mistakes, learn from those experiences, remain unafraid to be different, and always remember that what other people think does not matter.
Slate Valley is grateful to Taylor for sharing these thoughtful insights and inspiring reflections with fellow alumni and current students alike. Congratulations to Taylor on all that has been achieved so far, along with best wishes for the continued growth and success of Woof Pack!
For this October’s Fair Haven Union Alumni Feature, the spotlight is on Taylor Goodrich, a member of the FHU Class of 2015 who has remained deeply connected to the local community. Staying close to home, Taylor has embraced local entrepreneurship as the co-owner of Woof Pack, a dog daycare, boarding, and training facility in Fair Haven. With a passion for animals and a dedication to the town, Taylor works continuously toward the ultimate goal of building the company into the best possible place for local pups to be.
Taylor’s path to business ownership was shaped in part by the impactful years spent at Slate Valley. Reflecting on high school, Taylor identifies Mrs. Doran as the most influential teacher from those formative years, sharing that she never gave up on her students and always pushed them to do better. That foundation of perseverance aligns closely with Taylor’s favorite quote by tennis legend Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a privilege. Increased pressure, when viewed as a privilege, can propel individuals toward self-improvement rather than hindering their progress.” For Taylor, viewing daily responsibilities and challenges through this lens serves as a constant motivation for continuous self-improvement.
Behind Taylor’s drive and success is a strong personal foundation, particularly the support of fiancé Shelby. Taylor expresses profound gratitude to Shelby for growing alongside the journey and standing steadfast through every version of life so far, noting that so much of who Taylor is today has been shaped by Shelby's love, patience, and support.
Taylor shared some wonderful advice for the current Slate Valley student body. Reminding students that everyone only gets one shot at life, Taylor encourages them to chase the things that make them happy, stay true to themselves, and treat others with kindness. Taylor also urges students to express love to family and friends whenever possible, take chances, make plenty of mistakes, learn from those experiences, remain unafraid to be different, and always remember that what other people think does not matter.
Slate Valley is grateful to Taylor for sharing these thoughtful insights and inspiring reflections with fellow alumni and current students alike. Congratulations to Taylor on all that has been achieved so far, along with best wishes for the continued growth and success of Woof Pack!
Your Voice Matters! Help Shape the Future of Our Elementary Schools 🏫✨
Slate Valley parents and community members: We need your input! As we evaluate options for our Elementary School Reorganization, your feedback is crucial in guiding decisions that best serve our students and community.
👉 Take the online survey here: https://ik12.surveysparrow.com/s/Slate-Valley-Community-Survey/tt-QiF9U
Prefer paper? You can pick up a physical copy of the survey at your local school office during regular hours.
⏰ Deadlines:
Online Surveys: Submit by Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 PM.
Paper Copies: Return to your local school office by 8:00 AM on Monday morning, October 12th.
Thank you for partnering with us to support our schools and children! Please share this post to help us reach every corner of our community.
Slate Valley parents and community members: We need your input! As we evaluate options for our Elementary School Reorganization, your feedback is crucial in guiding decisions that best serve our students and community.
👉 Take the online survey here: https://ik12.surveysparrow.com/s/Slate-Valley-Community-Survey/tt-QiF9U
Prefer paper? You can pick up a physical copy of the survey at your local school office during regular hours.
⏰ Deadlines:
Online Surveys: Submit by Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 PM.
Paper Copies: Return to your local school office by 8:00 AM on Monday morning, October 12th.
Thank you for partnering with us to support our schools and children! Please share this post to help us reach every corner of our community.
🍁Trivia Tuesday: Vermont's World-Famous Fall Foliage 🍁
Do You Know Why Vermont Has Such Vibrant Fall Foliage Compared to Other Regions in the World?
⬇️ Scroll down to see why... ⬇️
It isn't just scenic luck—Vermont sits at the exact geographical and biological intersection needed to create the most vivid autumn display on Earth! While many forests across Europe and Asia simply fade into uniform shades of yellow or brown, Vermont bursts into a fiery mosaic of reds, purples, oranges, and golds thanks to a rare "perfect storm" of three key factors:
1. The Sugar Maple Superpower 🍁
Over 75% of Vermont is covered in forest, and its dominant tree is the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). As green chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, it unmasks hidden yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids). But sugar maples go a step further: they actively manufacture anthocyanins—brilliant red and purple pigments produced when late-season sunlight reacts with sugars trapped inside the leaf.
2. The Golden Weather "Recipe" ☀️🌡️
Vermont’s autumn microclimate creates the precise conditions required to maximize color intensity:
Bright, sunny fall days fuel high sugar production in the leaves.
Crisp, cool nights (just above freezing) signal the leaf stems to seal off, trapping those sugars inside and accelerating the chemical reaction that turns leaves vivid crimson.
3. Unmatched Forest Diversity 🌲
Unlike regions dominated by a single tree species, Vermont’s forests are a rich blend of northern hardwoods. Sugar and Red Maples (scarlet and fiery orange), Paper Birch and Aspen (golden yellow), and Red Oak (deep copper) grow side-by-side against a backdrop of dark evergreen pines and spruces, creating an incredible high-contrast canopy across the Green Mountains.
In Short:
While the rest of the world gets standard yellows, Vermont’s high concentration of sugar maples combined with sunny days and chilling nights triggers a unique chemical explosion of deep red anthocyanins—turning the entire state into a living tapestry!
Do You Know Why Vermont Has Such Vibrant Fall Foliage Compared to Other Regions in the World?
⬇️ Scroll down to see why... ⬇️
It isn't just scenic luck—Vermont sits at the exact geographical and biological intersection needed to create the most vivid autumn display on Earth! While many forests across Europe and Asia simply fade into uniform shades of yellow or brown, Vermont bursts into a fiery mosaic of reds, purples, oranges, and golds thanks to a rare "perfect storm" of three key factors:
1. The Sugar Maple Superpower 🍁
Over 75% of Vermont is covered in forest, and its dominant tree is the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). As green chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, it unmasks hidden yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids). But sugar maples go a step further: they actively manufacture anthocyanins—brilliant red and purple pigments produced when late-season sunlight reacts with sugars trapped inside the leaf.
2. The Golden Weather "Recipe" ☀️🌡️
Vermont’s autumn microclimate creates the precise conditions required to maximize color intensity:
Bright, sunny fall days fuel high sugar production in the leaves.
Crisp, cool nights (just above freezing) signal the leaf stems to seal off, trapping those sugars inside and accelerating the chemical reaction that turns leaves vivid crimson.
3. Unmatched Forest Diversity 🌲
Unlike regions dominated by a single tree species, Vermont’s forests are a rich blend of northern hardwoods. Sugar and Red Maples (scarlet and fiery orange), Paper Birch and Aspen (golden yellow), and Red Oak (deep copper) grow side-by-side against a backdrop of dark evergreen pines and spruces, creating an incredible high-contrast canopy across the Green Mountains.
In Short:
While the rest of the world gets standard yellows, Vermont’s high concentration of sugar maples combined with sunny days and chilling nights triggers a unique chemical explosion of deep red anthocyanins—turning the entire state into a living tapestry!
Meet Monday: Faculty & Staff Spotlight 🍎✨
For our October Meet Monday spotlight, we are thrilled to feature Abby Wald!
Abby has been an integral part of the Slate Valley community since 2008, making this her 19th school year with our district. She currently serves in two key leadership roles: Student Support Coordinator at Fair Haven Union Middle High School, now in her second year in the position, and a District Mentor Coach, a role she has held for five years.
Abby’s dedicated career in education spans a rich and varied background both within and outside the district. Before stepping into her current roles, she spent a decade as a 6–8 ELA Teacher at Fair Haven Grade School from 2008 to 2018, followed by seven years as Slate Valley's District-Wide Proficiency Based Learning Coach from 2018 through 2025. Her teaching career began as a middle and high school English teacher at West Rutland School from 1998 to 2008, which was preceded by a foundational year teaching English in South Korea on a prestigious Fulbright Grant.
Outside of school, Abby leads an active and engaging life filled with favorite pastimes. As a dedicated "chicken tender," she raises laying hens and loves spending time in the yard watching "chicken TV." When she isn't outdoors, she is usually immersed in a cozy mystery series—she is currently on the 25th book of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mysteries, has completed all 29 books in The Cat Who... series, and has read over a dozen titles in the Savannah Secrets series. Abby also loves exploring the world with her husband and kids, having visited or lived in a wide array of destinations including South Korea, India, Nepal, Thailand, England, Ireland, France, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, and Canada.
When asked for her favorite quote, she cited Eleanor Roosevelt and said, "You must do the things you think you cannot do." Abby finds this quote especially meaningful in her daily work as she supports students through the challenging and rewarding process of learning.
Abby concluded her interview by expressing, "This is an amazing district to work in, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Thank you, Abby, for your incredible dedication and years of service to our students, staff, and community!
For our October Meet Monday spotlight, we are thrilled to feature Abby Wald!
Abby has been an integral part of the Slate Valley community since 2008, making this her 19th school year with our district. She currently serves in two key leadership roles: Student Support Coordinator at Fair Haven Union Middle High School, now in her second year in the position, and a District Mentor Coach, a role she has held for five years.
Abby’s dedicated career in education spans a rich and varied background both within and outside the district. Before stepping into her current roles, she spent a decade as a 6–8 ELA Teacher at Fair Haven Grade School from 2008 to 2018, followed by seven years as Slate Valley's District-Wide Proficiency Based Learning Coach from 2018 through 2025. Her teaching career began as a middle and high school English teacher at West Rutland School from 1998 to 2008, which was preceded by a foundational year teaching English in South Korea on a prestigious Fulbright Grant.
Outside of school, Abby leads an active and engaging life filled with favorite pastimes. As a dedicated "chicken tender," she raises laying hens and loves spending time in the yard watching "chicken TV." When she isn't outdoors, she is usually immersed in a cozy mystery series—she is currently on the 25th book of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mysteries, has completed all 29 books in The Cat Who... series, and has read over a dozen titles in the Savannah Secrets series. Abby also loves exploring the world with her husband and kids, having visited or lived in a wide array of destinations including South Korea, India, Nepal, Thailand, England, Ireland, France, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, and Canada.
When asked for her favorite quote, she cited Eleanor Roosevelt and said, "You must do the things you think you cannot do." Abby finds this quote especially meaningful in her daily work as she supports students through the challenging and rewarding process of learning.
Abby concluded her interview by expressing, "This is an amazing district to work in, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Thank you, Abby, for your incredible dedication and years of service to our students, staff, and community!
Not only was last Friday a perfect early autumn day, but the Fourth Grade had a fabulous time joining third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from around the state for Kickline, the Flynn Theater's program to kickoff the school year. With the sparkling lake, sailboats, and the distant Adirondacks as a backdrop, and with gifted Flynn teaching artists to guide them, the Fourth Graders jammed to the Macarena, learned a dance to Love Is Not Hard to Find, and ended their day with an exuberant performance. It was a perfect day!
♟️ Unlocking potential, one move at a time! ♟️
Join us for the Orwell Village School Chess Academy! Whether building problem-solving skills, forming new friendships, or boosting confidence, chess is a great way to learn and have fun after school.
📅 When: Starts Monday, Oct. 5 (meets Mondays after school until 4:00 PM)
📍 Details: Students are not required to attend all sessions, but must be picked up promptly at 4:00 PM.
📝 How to Join: Pick up a registration form in the main office. A completed, signed form is required before participating!
Got questions? Reach out to Mr. Hill or Mrs. Holden. See you at the boards!
Join us for the Orwell Village School Chess Academy! Whether building problem-solving skills, forming new friendships, or boosting confidence, chess is a great way to learn and have fun after school.
📅 When: Starts Monday, Oct. 5 (meets Mondays after school until 4:00 PM)
📍 Details: Students are not required to attend all sessions, but must be picked up promptly at 4:00 PM.
📝 How to Join: Pick up a registration form in the main office. A completed, signed form is required before participating!
Got questions? Reach out to Mr. Hill or Mrs. Holden. See you at the boards!
Save your empties for a great cause!
Orwell Village School is hosting a Bottle Drive to support our 5th & 6th grade Boston Trip & Field Day!
🗓️ Drop-off Dates: October 15th – 17th
📍 Drop-off Location: Orwell Village School / Town Hall (494 Main Street, Orwell — look for the designated drop-off sign!)
🚛 Door-to-Door Collection: Students will also be going around town on Saturday, October 17th, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM to collect bottles and cans directly from homes.
For questions or more information, reach out to Marcy at 802-989-8977 or Amy at 802-922-7440.
Turn your empties into something amazing for our OVS students!
Orwell Village School is hosting a Bottle Drive to support our 5th & 6th grade Boston Trip & Field Day!
🗓️ Drop-off Dates: October 15th – 17th
📍 Drop-off Location: Orwell Village School / Town Hall (494 Main Street, Orwell — look for the designated drop-off sign!)
🚛 Door-to-Door Collection: Students will also be going around town on Saturday, October 17th, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM to collect bottles and cans directly from homes.
For questions or more information, reach out to Marcy at 802-989-8977 or Amy at 802-922-7440.
Turn your empties into something amazing for our OVS students!
It’s official! Our student body has voted in our new Student Council members. Students had the chance to cast their ballots and experience the excitement of a real election day!
VIRTUAL MEETING REMINDER
Our upcoming virtual Elementary Reorganization meeting will take place at 7:00 PM this Thursday, October 1st (not 6:30 PM as previously advertised)! 🕒💻
Your perspective matters! Join us online for our Third Public Meeting to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help guide the future of Slate Valley schools.
📅 When: Thursday, October 1st | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
💻 Format: Virtual Meeting
🔗 Join Link: https://bit.ly/SVUElementaryReorg
ℹ️ Learn More: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization
We look forward to seeing you online and hearing your valuable insights!
Our upcoming virtual Elementary Reorganization meeting will take place at 7:00 PM this Thursday, October 1st (not 6:30 PM as previously advertised)! 🕒💻
Your perspective matters! Join us online for our Third Public Meeting to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help guide the future of Slate Valley schools.
📅 When: Thursday, October 1st | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
💻 Format: Virtual Meeting
🔗 Join Link: https://bit.ly/SVUElementaryReorg
ℹ️ Learn More: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization
We look forward to seeing you online and hearing your valuable insights!
To the Slate Valley Community,
I am writing to provide another update regarding the ongoing cybersecurity incident that began on September 3, 2026.
Since the incident was first identified, the District has been working closely with cybersecurity professionals, legal counsel, our insurance carrier, and appropriate law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident, secure and restore our systems, and determine the nature and scope of any information that may have been affected. That work remains ongoing.
As part of this incident, the District received a ransom/extortion demand. At its meeting last night, the Slate Valley School Board considered the matter and took formal action to decline payment. The Board approved the following motion:
“I move that the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board decline to authorize payment of any ransom or extortion demand arising from the District’s current cybersecurity incident and authorize the Superintendent, in consultation with the District's legal counsel, cybersecurity professionals, insurance carrier, and appropriate law enforcement agencies, to continue all necessary response, recovery, investigation, notification, and remediation activities related to the incident.”
With this action, our focus remains on the continued response to and recovery from the September 3rd incident. This includes restoring and securing District systems, continuing the forensic investigation, determining the nature and scope of any affected data, completing any required notifications, and taking appropriate steps to strengthen our systems going forward.
We recognize that the length and complexity of this incident have created challenges and questions for our staff, families, and community. Cybersecurity investigations take time, and there are limits on what we can responsibly share while the investigation remains active. We remain committed to communicating accurate information when it becomes available, and when sharing it, we will not compromise the investigation, the security of our systems, or our recovery efforts.
Throughout this process, our schools have continued their most important work, educating and supporting our students. I want to thank our staff for their patience, flexibility, and professionalism as they have continued to serve students while adapting to the disruptions caused by this incident. I also want to thank our families and community for their continued patience and understanding.
We will continue to provide updates as meaningful developments arise.
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Superintendent of Schools
Slate Valley Unified Union School District
I am writing to provide another update regarding the ongoing cybersecurity incident that began on September 3, 2026.
Since the incident was first identified, the District has been working closely with cybersecurity professionals, legal counsel, our insurance carrier, and appropriate law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident, secure and restore our systems, and determine the nature and scope of any information that may have been affected. That work remains ongoing.
As part of this incident, the District received a ransom/extortion demand. At its meeting last night, the Slate Valley School Board considered the matter and took formal action to decline payment. The Board approved the following motion:
“I move that the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board decline to authorize payment of any ransom or extortion demand arising from the District’s current cybersecurity incident and authorize the Superintendent, in consultation with the District's legal counsel, cybersecurity professionals, insurance carrier, and appropriate law enforcement agencies, to continue all necessary response, recovery, investigation, notification, and remediation activities related to the incident.”
With this action, our focus remains on the continued response to and recovery from the September 3rd incident. This includes restoring and securing District systems, continuing the forensic investigation, determining the nature and scope of any affected data, completing any required notifications, and taking appropriate steps to strengthen our systems going forward.
We recognize that the length and complexity of this incident have created challenges and questions for our staff, families, and community. Cybersecurity investigations take time, and there are limits on what we can responsibly share while the investigation remains active. We remain committed to communicating accurate information when it becomes available, and when sharing it, we will not compromise the investigation, the security of our systems, or our recovery efforts.
Throughout this process, our schools have continued their most important work, educating and supporting our students. I want to thank our staff for their patience, flexibility, and professionalism as they have continued to serve students while adapting to the disruptions caused by this incident. I also want to thank our families and community for their continued patience and understanding.
We will continue to provide updates as meaningful developments arise.
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Superintendent of Schools
Slate Valley Unified Union School District
Lights, camera, action! Big news from OVS! We’re trying something new with our weekly announcements this year! Our incredible 6th-grade students work hard throughout the week to produce and host our Monday Morning Broadcast.
Check out the link below to watch their latest episode and support our student creators!!
https://youtu.be/fRTmkq0Pf4U
Check out the link below to watch their latest episode and support our student creators!!
https://youtu.be/fRTmkq0Pf4U
TONIGHT: Board Meeting - September 28, 2026 -
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in 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/xoc-zrqe-nxc
Or dial: (US) +1 347-363-0354 PIN: 109 715 008#
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.
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in 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/xoc-zrqe-nxc
Or dial: (US) +1 347-363-0354 PIN: 109 715 008#
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.
Calling all K-8 student-athletes! Our High School Slater Field Hockey Program is expanding, and we want to introduce you to the sport we love. We're hosting a Youth Clinic for students K-8 on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
Get basic instruction on the fundamentals from our amazing coaching staff and players in a fun, positive, and supportive environment! To register your child, please email craig.pettis@svuvt.org. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 30th, at 4:00 PM.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn the basics of field hockey!
Get basic instruction on the fundamentals from our amazing coaching staff and players in a fun, positive, and supportive environment! To register your child, please email craig.pettis@svuvt.org. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 30th, at 4:00 PM.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn the basics of field hockey!
Reminder: Tonight (September 23rd) is the OVS Curriculum night!
Hope to see everyone there!
Hope to see everyone there!
Today's Chess Challenge!
Couldn't make it to last night's meeting? Here's a second chance to make your voice heard! 🗣️✨
Join us TONIGHT, Tuesday, September 22nd, for our second public meeting on the Elementary School Reorganization Study. Whether you are a parent, staff member, or community resident, your thoughts and questions are crucial to building a strong, equitable future for our district. Come share your insights and help shape what comes next!
📅 When: Tonight, September 22nd | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Where: Castleton Elementary (In Person Only)
🔗 Learn More: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization
Join us TONIGHT, Tuesday, September 22nd, for our second public meeting on the Elementary School Reorganization Study. Whether you are a parent, staff member, or community resident, your thoughts and questions are crucial to building a strong, equitable future for our district. Come share your insights and help shape what comes next!
📅 When: Tonight, September 22nd | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Where: Castleton Elementary (In Person Only)
🔗 Learn More: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization
Student Council is officially underway for the year, and the energy is incredible! We were thrilled to see so many excited 3rd through 6th graders show up for our first official meeting.
We spent time looking at campaign inspiration and discussing how to bring their ideas to life. Every candidate is working hard to design a poster for the halls and write a campaign speech to share with their peers. Whether they keep things bright and simple or dive deep into their ideas, we loved seeing their creative wheels turning. They are all so ready to jump in and lead.
Stay tuned, because those campaign posters and speeches will be making their debut very soon!
We spent time looking at campaign inspiration and discussing how to bring their ideas to life. Every candidate is working hard to design a poster for the halls and write a campaign speech to share with their peers. Whether they keep things bright and simple or dive deep into their ideas, we loved seeing their creative wheels turning. They are all so ready to jump in and lead.
Stay tuned, because those campaign posters and speeches will be making their debut very soon!
