Orwell Village School

Professor Mango from Vermont State University at Castleton gave a presentation on fossils to grades K-4 at Orwell Village School. Students read Dragon Bones about Mary Anning's fossil discoveries in Lyme Regos, England during library class. They learned how fossils are formed as well as what kind of fossils exist in Vermont and where to find them! It was an amazing guest speaker visit.

Educational Insights: A Superintendent's Podcast now has 10 Episodes! Take a look by going to https://bit.ly/EdInsightsSVUUSD

Happy Administrative Assistant Day to an amazing group of people! Your dedication, organization, and hard work keeps everything in Slate Valley running smoothly. Thank you for all you do!

Tonight - April 22, 2024 Two Meetings: You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District- 1) Special Finance Committee Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Benson Village School Gymnasium. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/tns-zjsm-fjp Or dial: (US) +1 218-451-4211 PIN: 365 606 727# 2) Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Benson Village School Gymnasium. This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/rkh-thjq-bwd Or dial: (US) +1 919-525-2175 PIN: 143 925 874# 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.

MEETING NOTICE Slate Valley Unified Union School District Special Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 17, 2024 FHUMHS – 5:00 p.m. PARTICIPATION WILL BE IN PERSON or VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/fmr-vrpv-qix Or dial: (US) +1 484-909-0301 PIN: 252 244 280#

Message from Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell: Dear Slate Valley, We hope you're doing well. We wanted to give you an update on the school budget revote, unfortunately, it didn't pass. The vote count was 544 in favor and 947 against. We understand this news may be disappointing for some, as it is for us, considering there are factors beyond our control. Our main focus remains on providing the best education for our students while being financially responsible. We're actively seeking alternative solutions following this second budget failure. The third budget vote is likely to happen in May. We encourage open dialogue and welcome any suggestions or concerns you may have. We'll soon hold meetings to discuss the failure, gather feedback, and explore options moving forward. Your participation and engagement are vital during this process. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we're eager to work together to tackle this challenge. Sincerely, Brooke Olsen-Farrell, Superintendent

Please VOTE Today!

REMINDER: TONIGHT, APRIL 10, 2024 SVUUSD Revised Budget Revote Information Meeting 6:30 PM - Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO: Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv Or dial: (US) +1 252-662-0070 PIN: 776 860 500# TOMORROW, APRIL 11, 2024: REVISED FY25 BUDGET REVOTE

It was too nice to stay inside, so Ms. Valley brought her class out for a fun phonics activity. Students sorted words that all have the long "e" sound but with different spellings. It was a super creative way to get some fresh air while practicing their phonics!

Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual. VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv April 11 Polling locations and times are: Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49 Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall

Reminder: Virtual Online Parent Information Event - "After High School Opportunities for Students with Disabilities" is this Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Join by going to: https://meet.google.com/yrx-emty-vwc?authuser=0

Please Vote - Thursday, April 11th - On the Ballot: REVISED PROPOSED FY25 BUDGET Please attend the Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room Attendance can be in-person or virtual. VIRTUALLY CONNECT BY GOING TO Video call link:https://meet.google.com/isa-bvcy-yzv April 11 Polling locations and times are: Town of Benson 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Benson Community Hall Town of Castleton 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Castleton Fire Station Town of Fair Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM American Legion Post 49 Town of Hubbardton 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Hubbardton Town Hall Town of Orwell 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Orwell Town Clerk’s Office Town of West Haven 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM West Haven Town Hall

Reminder: Monday, April 8, 2024 is an EARLY RELEASE for all Slate Valley schools!

April Newsletter: Click the link to see the PDF version- https://5il.co/2hukz

Slate Valley Unified USD Feature in Wednesday's Rutland Herald

Slate Valley Unified USD Feature in Wednesday's Rutland Herald

Today, Thursday, April 4th, all Slate Valley Schools will be closed due to the weather.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and join us for another Parent Information Event called: After High School Opportunities for Students with Disabilities This event is Virtual Online Only, Join by going to: https://meet.google.com/yrx-emty-vwc?authuser=0

Good Afternoon, While conditions are improving at Fair Union Middle/High School they have not improved to the level they need to resume occupancy of the building. As a result FHUMHS will be closed through Friday, April 5th. Please be assured we are working as quickly and carefully to address the situation at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School (FHUMHS). We are working closely with experts in the field and state officials. Safety is our number one priority. Remote days are not an option; those went away after the pandemic. Additionally, we still do not have access to the building to get student or staff materials. A lot of the legal flexibility to educate students went away after the pandemic. 51% of our students must physically be in the school building per the law for it to count as a school day. For those who are interested the legal citation is: 16 V.S.A. 1071(a)(1) “For purposes of this section, a majority of students enrolled in a school must be recorded on the school roll as in attendance on any day counted as a student attendance day.” That requirement has not been expanded to include all-school attendance through remote means. I am requesting a waiver for the missed days from the Agency of Education. The state requires students in attendance for 175 days. With the cancellation of school this week it brings our total to 174 student days. We are optimistic that the situation will continue to improve over the next couple of days. If the situation persists into next week we will reassess our plan which would likely add days to the end of the school year. Again, I will keep you updated as I have more information. Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility in this matter. As with the previous days, the Stafford Bus will run as scheduled. Sincerely, Brooke Olsen-Farrell

Happy Instructional Assistant's Day! Today, and everyday, the Slate Valley community is grateful for your contributions to our district! The connections you create while helping our students learn is invalualbe. Your patience promotes progress, you enable confidence and coordinate the chaos around our students to facilitate success. You are most definitely our behind the scene superheros! Thank you!