Orwell Village School

June 18, 2024 Dear Slate Valley, I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your support in approving the school budget (930 Yes and 794 No) for the upcoming year on the 5th vote. I know this may not have been an easy decision for many, especially due to the funding challenges throughout the state. Your dedication to ensuring the success and growth of our school community is truly commendable, and it is with great appreciation that I extend my thanks to each and every one of you. As we move forward with implementing the approved budget, I want to assure you that we will continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We are open to feedback and happy to answer questions at any time. We understand the importance of effectively utilizing the resources entrusted to us and remain committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students. Once again, thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. Together, we can work together to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and contribute to the success of our schools. Regards, Brooke Olsen-Farrell

Please Vote today on the Slate Valley School Budget. Your Vote is Your Voice! Polling locations and times: Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49 Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall

Reminder: FY25 Budget Information Meeting, Monday night, June 17th at 6:30 PM in the band room at FHUMHS. Then Tuesday, June 18th is voting day! Polling locations and times: Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49 Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall

Last night under spectacular skies, the Slate Valley faculty, staff, families and community gathered to celebrate this year's graduation. Congratulations to the FHUHS Class of 2024! For more photos go to: bit.ly/FHU2024

Happy Summer from Slate Valley! We hope everyone enjoys their time away and we look forward to seeing you again in a couple of months!

With the busy happenings that come at the end of a school year, please remember to vote this Tuesday, June 18th. The budget information meeting will be the night before at 6:30 PM in the band room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.

Retirement Spotlight! To round off our week of retiree spotlights, we are celebrating Ruzanne Behrens's 12 years of service in Slate Valley. Congratulations to Ruzanne on your retirement! Ruzanne Behrens has 12 years of dedicated service as an esteemed guidance counselor at Orwell Village School. Ruzanne brought a wealth of experience to Slate Valley, honed during her internship and practicum work with K-12 schools in the rural Adirondacks. Her leadership, empathy, and resilience translated seamlessly into her role at OVS, where she became a trusted confidante and advocate for countless students. Over the years, Ruzanne's impact has touched students, parents, and staff alike. She has championed student success, offering guidance on academics, social challenges, and personal growth. Her ever-open door and calming presence were a beacon for navigating even the stormiest school days. We are incredibly grateful for Ruzanne's unwavering service to OVS. She will be deeply missed, but we wish her all the best in her exciting retirement adventures! By OVS Principal Patrick Walters

Slate Valley FY25 5th Budget Vote: June 18, 2024 by Australian and Absentee Ballot. If you want an absentee ballot, contact your town clerk right away. The information meeting will be Monday, June 17th in the band room at FHUMHS - 6:30 PM Attend in person or virtually at https://meet.google.com/spo-nuyk-pwv Or dial: ‪(US) +1 857-529-6624‬ PIN: ‪851 037 673‬#

Tonight - June 10, 2024 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Orwell Village School - Town Hall. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/ezy-kfsg-rer Or dial: (US) +1 518-547-0125 PIN: 730 415 955# 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.

Next School Board Meeting - Monday: June 10, 2024 (Notice Earlier Start Time of 5:30 P.M.) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Orwell Village School - Town Hall. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/ezy-kfsg-rer Or dial: (US) +1 518-547-0125 PIN: 730 415 955# 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The Rutland Herald ended today's article with misinformation. The next Budget Vote will once again be by Australian or ABSENTEE BALLOT. Contact your town clerk for your absentee ballots. The new warning will be discussed and voted on at the next school board meeting, Monday, June 10th. Once this is done, ballots will be distributed to the town offices. The Rutland Herald has since updated the online article, and will be issuing a correction in tomorrow's paper. The photo shows the corrected article ending now online. Here is the link to the full article: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/slate-valley-school-board-finance-committee-talks-fifth-budget-recommendation/article_9ba0af52-2362-11ef-be69-7743ff5cfe4d.html

Local youth football program registration is now open, if interested go to: https://www.vermontvipersfootball.com/

Available to every student, every morning!

Please Vote!

Your Vote Counts! Tonight's Budget Information Meeting - 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Join virtually by going to: https://meet.google.com/zpj-eomo-syc or phone dial: (US) +1 443-354-8862‬ PIN: ‪417 347 949‬# Cast your vote tomorrow, May 30th!

Have questions about the budget? Then attend the Budget Information Meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Band Room. Join virtually by going to: https://meet.google.com/zpj-eomo-syc or phone dial: (US) +1 443-354-8862‬ PIN: ‪417 347 949‬#

Are you registered to VOTE? It's not too late, visit: https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/vermont/ and let your voice be heard this Thursday, May 30th. Please attend the Slate Valley Budget Information Meeting the night before on Wednesday, May 29th at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Attendance can be in person or virtual by going to: https://meet.google.com/zpj-eomo-syc. Cast your ballot fully informed, every vote counts!

Slate Valley Unified wishes everyone a safe, enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend! On this Monday we hope you take a moment to honor and remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Chalk Drawing by FHGS First Graders

4th Budget Vote - May 30, 2024 ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE AVAILABLE! Information Meeting - May 29, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Attend in Person or virtually at https://meet.GooGle.com/zpj-eomo-syc By phone dial: (US) +1 443-354-8862‬ PIN: ‪417 347 949‬# To Request an Absentee Ballot, contact your town clerk or go to https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/voters/early-absentee-voting/ For more information, go to https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/budget

Tonight - May 13, 2024 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Castleton Elementary School Cafeteria. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/sys-rwwr-kxq Or dial: (US) +1 443-489-6279 PIN: 672 436 086# 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.