Orwell Village School

(April 2, 2025) Today's Rutland Herald School District Highlight: Cookies and Conversation Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O’Meara foster open dialogue with students across Slate Valley through their “Cookies and Conversation” events. They visit students at each of our schools — Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Fair Haven Grade School, Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, and Orwell Village School—creating meaningful opportunities for discussion and connection. These informal gatherings provide a space for students to share their thoughts on school life, from policies like the “10 and 2” rule to their appreciation for supportive teachers and school leaders. Younger students expressed their love for playgrounds, favorite subjects, and caring principals, while older students discussed topics like school meals, cell phone use, and new campus ideas, such as gardens and chickens. Whether chatting with kindergartners or student council representatives, these events highlight the importance of student voices in shaping a positive school environment — one cookie at a time!

New Podcast! Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara, FHGS 5th grade teacher Judy Folmsbee, and Instructional Coach Abigail Wald provide an overview of Cognia State Testing, outlining its purpose, structure, and the expectations for both teachers and students. View or listen at: https://youtu.be/TfWz_ZqgLZg

Engage, Connect, Be Informed! Join us on Monday, April 14, 2025, for an important discussion with our representatives as we continue exploring updates on the Governor's education plan. This is your chance to stay informed, ask questions, and make your voice heard! 📅 Date: Monday, April 14, 2025 📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM We look forward to seeing you there! This meeting precedes the Budget ReVote Information Meeting, which begins at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room.

During library class, students in grades K-4 read Jumper! by Jessica Lanan, a Red Clover book that explores the fascinating life of a jumping spider in a community garden. Through this story, we discovered how jumping spiders catch their prey, use their eight eyes to see in all directions, and sense vibrations through the tiny hairs on their bodies. To bring their learning to life, 2nd-grade students even created their own jumping spiders!

📢 Executive Committee School Board Open Mic 🎤 Join us for an open forum where community members can engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and share their thoughts directly with district school board members. This is a great opportunity to stay informed and have your voice heard on important school-related and FY26 Budget matters! When: Monday, March 31, 2025 Where: Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Attend in person or virtually by joining here: https://meet.google.com/ovx-wura-tpw We look forward to seeing you there! Your input matters.

TONIGHT - Board Meeting - March 24, 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 and High School Band Room This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: Video call link: : https://meet.google.com/qfw-zcgt-qcr Or dial: (US) +1 402-772-0189 PIN: 559 001 155# 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.

March 21st Slate Valley District Newsletter: View at https://mailchi.mp/a36b9cc8a32a/slate-valley-newsletter-march-21-2025

Our 5th and 6th graders put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test today with another exciting STEM challenge! Working in teams of two, students were given unique materials and design challenges—then had just 10 minutes to sketch their ideas and start building their solutions. From engineering feats to innovative designs, these young minds tackled each task with enthusiasm and teamwork. It was an amazing display of critical thinking, collaboration, and hands-on learning in action!

🍪💬 Cookies & Conversation at Orwell Village School! 💬🍪 This afternoon, Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara sat down with Orwell Village School’s Student Council Representatives for a special Cookies and Conversation session! OVS's student leaders came prepared with thoughtful questions and ideas, sparking great discussions about exciting possibilities—like having chickens and a garden on campus! They also addressed important topics such as dietary food concerns in the cafeteria and shared their thoughts on the new playground development. Huge thanks to our student council members for using their voices to make a difference, and to Superintendent Olsen-Farrell and Mr. O’Meara for taking the time to listen and engage. Great things happen when we come together!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the EMS departments in our community for the warm and enthusiastic welcome home for our State Champion Girls Basketball and Bowling teams! Your support in leading our buses and fans along the parade route from Castleton to Fair Haven made these victories even more memorable. A special thank you to the Castleton and Fair Haven Police and Fire Departments for always going above and beyond to celebrate our students and communities. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do. Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these celebrations so special! Sincerely, ~Slater Nation

Vermont Literacy Network (In Bristol) is offering a variety of summer camps for children ages 3-10. For more information go to: https://5il.co/3ayle

We had a fantastic turnout for our second meeting with local legislators! A big thank you to Bill Canfield, David Weeks, Zachary Harvey, and Terry Williams for sharing the latest updates on the Governor's Education Plan. We also appreciate our community members for attending and engaging in the discussion. Meeting Minutes Summary: School Budgets & Legislation: 92% of Vermont districts passed school budgets. Education funding discussions continue in Montpelier. Zoie Saunders was approved as Secretary of Education. Education-related bills have two more weeks for review, with final decisions expected by May. Education Reform & Cost Concerns: The legislature aims to address high per-student costs, declining test scores, and rising property taxes. The governor is using $77M in one-time funds to mitigate tax increases. District Restructuring: The Senate wants the House to lead an education bill, with proposals reducing districts from 53 to 5-18. Discussions include district size (3,200-4,000 students), geographical boundaries, and funding per student ($13,200-$14,000). Financial & Structural Concerns: Act 60 may need repeal for changes to occur. Questions were raised about cost savings, administrative structures, and potential new buildings. Mental health funding, healthcare costs, and aging school buildings were also discussed. Future Challenges: Low birth rates raise concerns about future student populations. Limited access to alternative education programs and a moratorium on new independent schools were noted. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 14th from 5:00 to 6:15 PM in the FHUMHS Library, followed by the Budget Information Meeting at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room. We hope to see you there!

During today’s full-day inservice, Slate Valley educators participated in a variety of professional development workshops. A key focus was reflecting on the district’s newly adopted Teacher Professional Growth & Evaluation Plan, as well as analyzing student academic and behavioral data from Semester I and Trimesters I & II in relation to their professional goals for the year. Educators also met with administrators to review goals and student outcomes. Guiding their discussions was the central question: "How is the work on your professional goals impacting student learning?" Additional sessions included: Safety Care Training for Instructional Assistants and Social Emotional Interventionists. Grade Team Meetings to reflect on curriculum, analyze student performance, and plan for the remainder of the school year. Development of Supervision & Evaluation Tools for School-Based Clinicians and School Counselors. Training for Academic Interventionists on eduCLIMBER, an interactive data platform. Social Emotional Interventions Team preparing a presentation on Collaborative and Proactive Solutions for an April 16th meeting with district administrators and engaging in Part I of a book study. The day provided valuable opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and professional growth, reinforcing Slate Valley’s commitment to continuous improvement and student success.

Join us next Monday, March 17, 2025, for an important discussion with our representatives, featuring updates on the Governor's education plan. Your voice matters—don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged! 📅 Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library ⏰ Time: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM We look forward to seeing you there!

Board Meeting - March 10, 2025 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Benson Village School Gymnasium This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/igi-fbrq-ckm Or dial: (US) +1 314-730-2201 PIN: 778 295 060# 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.

Flaunt it Friday! - Fair Haven Union Bowling Team Wins VPA Championship! This marks the Slaters' fourth bowling state title since the program’s inception in 2016—the most of any Vermont school! Congratulations to all bowlers and coaches on another outstanding season!

#ThrowbackThursday: Taking a trip back 57 years to celebrate Fair Haven Union High School’s 1968 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow! This prestigious award recognized students for their knowledge and skills in homemaking. Want to learn more about this historic program? Check out the details here: https://www.generalmills.com/news/stories/remembering-betty-crocker-homemakers-of-tomorrow

🐾 Woof Wednesday: Spreading Smiles One Paw at a Time! 🐾 Throughout the week, the halls of Slate Valley Unified Schools are filled with wagging tails and happy hearts thanks to Caring Canines of Southern Vermont! These wonderful therapy dogs make special visits to all our schools, bringing comfort, joy, and stress relief to students and staff alike. From excited greetings in the hallways to quiet moments of reading with a furry friend, times with the therapy dogs are often the highlight of the week for so many. Research shows that interacting with therapy dogs can reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and create a positive, welcoming school environment—something we see firsthand every week! A huge thank you to Caring Canines of Southern Vermont for their dedication and to our incredible school community for embracing the pawsitive impact these dogs bring!

Slate Valley Unified USD Budget DID NOT Pass: 789 yes to 1107 no Dear Slate Valley, I hope this message finds you well. We want to take a moment to update you on the recent school budget vote that, unfortunately, did not pass. The vote was 789 yes to 1107 no. The article transferring money to a reserve account was successful. We understand that this news may be disappointing for some of you, as it is for us. The proposed budget primarily maintained level services, with a reduction in funding for the afterschool program as well as a redistribution of programming throughout the district. We understand this outcome may be disappointing, but we respect the democratic process and appreciate the community’s thoughtful participation. Despite this setback, our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students remains unchanged. We will explore alternative solutions to meet student needs within our financial constraints. We value your input and encourage open dialogue as we navigate this challenge together. In the coming weeks, we will hold board meetings to discuss the budget, gather feedback, and explore next steps. Your participation is essential, and we welcome your ideas and concerns. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we work towards our shared goal of delivering exceptional education to our students. Sincerely, Brooke Olsen-Farrell Superintendent

🔍 Trivia Tuesday! 🔍 Do you know the 5 most common school mascots? 🤔 Do you think any of ours made the list? Drop your best guess in the comments before peeking at the answers! Find out the top mascots here 👉 https://bit.ly/topschoolmascots