Monday Morning Weekly Announcements: October 12, 2026
https://youtu.be/81otaaayciU
https://youtu.be/81otaaayciU
🍂 Friday Focus: Fall Foliage District Drive 🚗💨
There is nothing quite like autumn in Slate Valley! Take a scenic ride with us for this week’s Friday Focus as we travel across our beautiful district, taking in the peak fall colors stretching from Orwell down through Benson and Castleton, and finishing up right here in Fair Haven.
Along the way, catch snapshots of our students enjoying the crisp fall weather outdoors across each of our schools. We are so proud of our students, staff, and the stunning community we call home.
Grab your coffee, press play, and enjoy the view! Have a wonderful weekend, Slate Valley! 🍁✨
Click here: https://youtube.com/shorts/GC_yC-37ixc?feature=share
There is nothing quite like autumn in Slate Valley! Take a scenic ride with us for this week’s Friday Focus as we travel across our beautiful district, taking in the peak fall colors stretching from Orwell down through Benson and Castleton, and finishing up right here in Fair Haven.
Along the way, catch snapshots of our students enjoying the crisp fall weather outdoors across each of our schools. We are so proud of our students, staff, and the stunning community we call home.
Grab your coffee, press play, and enjoy the view! Have a wonderful weekend, Slate Valley! 🍁✨
Click here: https://youtube.com/shorts/GC_yC-37ixc?feature=share
Reminder: Have You Shared Your Feedback Yet? ⏳
Slate Valley parents and community members—don't miss your chance to help shape the future of our district! As part of our Elementary School Reorganization Study, your input is essential in guiding decisions that best serve our students.
How to participate:
💻 Online: Complete the survey at https://bit.ly/SVElementaryReorgSurvey
📄 Paper: Pick up a physical copy at any local Slate Valley school office during regular hours.
⏰ Upcoming Deadlines:
Online Surveys: Submit by Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 PM.
Paper Copies: Return to any school office by 8:00 AM on Monday, October 12th. Thank you for partnering with us to support our schools and children!
Slate Valley parents and community members—don't miss your chance to help shape the future of our district! As part of our Elementary School Reorganization Study, your input is essential in guiding decisions that best serve our students.
How to participate:
💻 Online: Complete the survey at https://bit.ly/SVElementaryReorgSurvey
📄 Paper: Pick up a physical copy at any local Slate Valley school office during regular hours.
⏰ Upcoming Deadlines:
Online Surveys: Submit by Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 PM.
Paper Copies: Return to any school office by 8:00 AM on Monday, October 12th. Thank you for partnering with us to support our schools and children!
. Paper Copy Instructions: "Pick up a paper copy at any Slate Valley school office (Orwell Village, Benson Village, Castleton Elementary, Fair Haven Grade School, or FHUMHS). Please return completed surveys to any office by 8:00 AM, Monday, October 12th." Footer: District website link: [https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization](https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization)](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/slate_valley_unified_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/30780828/large_SV_ElemReorgSurvey.jpg)
Attention Slate Valley Community! 🎒🍎
Do you have, or know someone, with a child turning 5 by September 1, 2027? That means they’ll be ready for kindergarten, and you can sign them up anytime!
Rolling registration is now open for students entering: 🏫 Orwell Village School 🏫 Benson Village School 🏫 Castleton Elementary School 🏫 Fair Haven Grade School
Why register early? Registering ahead of time helps our district plan effectively, determine accurate class sizes, and ensure we have the right number of teachers ready to welcome this incoming class!
How to register:
1️⃣ Visit our website: www.slatevalleyunified.org
2️⃣ Open the Menu, go to the "Students and Families" section, and click on "K-12 Registration Link"
3️⃣ Or simply click directly here: https://aptg.co/Rz15nR
Please help us spread the word by sharing with parents, guardians, or neighbors in the community!
Before the rain came in this week, Kindergarten went on a leaf hunt! They turned our findings into beautiful creations inspired by the book “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert.
Our 4th graders had an unforgettable outdoor learning adventure at Dead Creek! Students dove into the world of birds, discovering incredible migration patterns, exploring fascinating adaptations, and learning how scientists study wildlife up close.
Hands-on learning reached a whole new level as students got to help catch and band birds before safely releasing them back into the wild. Watching the birds take flight from their hands was definitely the crowd favorite! Another big highlight? Mastering how to use binoculars!!
We are so proud of our young scientists and their curiosity!
Hands-on learning reached a whole new level as students got to help catch and band birds before safely releasing them back into the wild. Watching the birds take flight from their hands was definitely the crowd favorite! Another big highlight? Mastering how to use binoculars!!
We are so proud of our young scientists and their curiosity!
Throwback Thursday: 💙Taking it back 20 years!🏈
Check out this throwback spread from the 2006 yearbook, packed with "Spirit Week" and "Slaterbration" memories! From "Dani showing Slater spirit" and "Sam Cummings ready to play," to the fans in the stands, team huddles, and creative signs, the Class of 2006 brought incredible energy to the field and the hallways!
As Fair Haven Union High School gets ready to kick off Slaterbration next week, we’re celebrating our alumni who set the bar high! ⚡To the Class of '06: Happy 20th Reunion year! Tag a classmate you spot in these photos and drop your favorite Slaterbration memory in the comments below! 👇
Check out this throwback spread from the 2006 yearbook, packed with "Spirit Week" and "Slaterbration" memories! From "Dani showing Slater spirit" and "Sam Cummings ready to play," to the fans in the stands, team huddles, and creative signs, the Class of 2006 brought incredible energy to the field and the hallways!
As Fair Haven Union High School gets ready to kick off Slaterbration next week, we’re celebrating our alumni who set the bar high! ⚡To the Class of '06: Happy 20th Reunion year! Tag a classmate you spot in these photos and drop your favorite Slaterbration memory in the comments below! 👇
Huge congratulations to our September Students of the Month! These outstanding students went above and beyond in demonstrating our monthly value of Respect!
Leadership, community, and great food! At our PBIS assembly this past Friday, our Student Council proudly presented Chef Heather with the Stewardship Award! Chef Heather goes above and beyond every single day to care for our school, nourish our students, and lead by example. We are so grateful for everything she does for our school family. Congratulations, Chef Heather, this award is so well-deserved!
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!
