Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Operations Chris Cole are attending an Emergency Operations Planning workshop in Waterbury, VT. Our EOP is a living document and our administrators are diligent in keeping it up to date.
Happy Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day! If you see any of our wonderful IAs, please express a word of gratitude to them for the incredible work they do everyday in Slate Valley!
Dear Slate Valley Families,
We are sending this message on behalf of the Vermont Agency of Education. If your family is currently affiliated with a military branch, please fill out this form provided by the Vermont Agency of Education(AOE).
https://datacollection.education.vermont.gov/Collections/Military-Affiliation/Current-Form/
AOE uses this information to fulfill its federal and public reporting requirements.
If your family is not currently affiliated with a military branch, no action is required.
Further explanation: The Vermont Agency of Education needs to report to the federal government any student attending public school that has an affiliation with a branch of the armed services as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. If this applies to your child please see the form linked here.
The purpose of this form is to collect any affiliation for students attending public schools with the armed services as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
The direct and only purpose of this collection is to fulfill our federal education reporting requirements for this group of students as defined in ESEA section 1111(b)(2).
Again, please consider filling out the form if your family is currently employed by a military branch. Thank you so much for your time.
If you have any questions, please contact AOE.SLDSSupportGroup@vermont.gov
Reminder: Stop the Bleed Training is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM at FHUMHS Library.
Spots are still availabe. This is free and open to the public as part of our School Safety Series. Come to this valuable, life saving training. Click the link to reserve your spot.
https://forms.gle/QNAn9C5pyS3R58aK6
Or call Deborah Williams, RN at 802265-4966 ext. 2509
Reminder: Our new Community Advisory Council is meeting for the first time tonight from 5:15 - 6:15 PM at the District Office in the FHUMHS building. All are welcome! If you are interested in bridging the gap between the community and school, please consider representing your town in our new group.
Throwback Thursday: Tossing it back to 1993! Tag those you know! #tbt
Stop the Bleed Training, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM at FHUMHS Library.
This is free and open to the public as part of our School Safety Series. Come to this valuable, life saving training. Space is limited, please click the link to reserve your spot.
https://forms.gle/QNAn9C5pyS3R58aK6
Or call Deborah Williams, RN at 802265-4966 ext. 2509
Where are they now WEDNESDAY-
Featuring Mark Wright
FHUHS alumnus Mark Wright is a member of the Class of 1990. His upbringing and education began in Castleton, but this small town start never hindered his ambition for worldly success. Immediately after graduating from Fair Haven Union High, Mark spent a year in Hannover, Germany through the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Upon returning to the states, he began studying at the University of Vermont, where he graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in German. The next seven years he worked at Auburn International and MetricVision. Both were small companies that sold high-tech measuring equipment to larger industries, such as petrochemical, automotive, and aerospace. During this time Mark was able to live and work out of Brussels, Belgium for two years and Yokohama, Japan for one year, along with traveling extensively around the world. In 2001 he entered into a full-time MBA program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mark’s focus was international business management. He spent 2002 at an internship in Switzerland, and then graduated in 2003.
Mark credits his parents for his worldly success. He states, “My parents were the biggest influence, enabling opportunities and giving us the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and become responsible citizens. Growing up in Castleton, we hosted 5 exchange students, each for a year - this taught us some great lessons about getting along and solving problems.” When asked if any teachers came to mind in helping him fulfill his dreams, he recalled being challenged and inspired by Mr. Rideout in fifth grade, Mr. Tucker in eighth grade, with Mr. Hier, Mr. Sinclair, and Mr. Everett in grades 11 and 12.
While attending FHUHS, Mark played Baseball in grade 9, but switched to the Golf team for grades 10-12. During his years on the golf team, he helped the Slaters become three time State Champions. Mark also played Basketball and Soccer all four years, two soccer seasons saw State Championship titles. He also was a member of the French Club, Band, Honor Society, and attended Boys State. Outside of school, Mark earned his Eagle Scout.
Upon receiving his MBA, Mark started working for BASF in New Jersey. Through the years, he has worked in various leadership positions within this company. He has been on delegation to Germany twice where he and his family lived from 2009-2012 and again in 2018-2020. It should be no surprise to hear that he speaks German fluently. Currently Mark is the Vice President of Global Marketing for their catalysts division. He continues to enjoy leading people in the business setting and hopes to continue doing it.
Mark is married with three teenage daughters - Lina (17), Lois (15), and Lidia (13). His wife, Bianca, is from Germany, they met during Mark’s time as an exchange student. Mark continues the legacy shown to him by his parents and is a member of the Rotary Club in his hometown of Westfield, NJ. He is working toward establishing the Rotary Youth Exchange Program there as he has seen, and experienced, what a life-changing opportunity this is for young people. Currently he and his family are hosting an exchange student from Brazil.
When asked what advice he would give to our current Slate Valley student body, he replied, “My advice is around the idea that life begins when you step outside of your comfort zone. There is a big world out there and if you want to learn and explore, then start by stepping into an adventure and accepting where it takes you. My adventures were around the exchange program after high school, taking on new jobs/roles, volunteering, and being vulnerable as a leader. These were not always easy or positive, but I learned a ton from these experiences and they fundamentally changed me (and my life) for the better ... and I don't regret them for a second.”
Slater Nation would like to thank Mark for sharing his truly inspiring story. We wish him continued success and happiness.
Trivia Tuesday: DYK?
Our new Community Advisory Council is meeting for the first time next Monday, April 3rd, from 5:15 - 6:15 PM at the District Office in the FHUMHS building. If you are interested in bridging the gap between the community and school, please consider representing your town in our new group. Hope to see you April 3rd!
After a bit of an extended hiatus, the weekly day posts are back! Today we highlight Kathy Moriarity, one of our dedicated instructional assistants at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.
Tonight - March 27, 2023
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Orwell Village School Gymnasium. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/wsa-ictr-qvu
Or dial: (US) +1 405-643-0103 PIN: 725 949 656#
Last Friday, the district counselors and clinicians gathered during their inservice to practice expressive art therapy techniques. They were guided through an expressive arts process and discussed tools and techniques relevant to using expressive arts in the school community.
Stop the Bleed Training, part of the SVUUSD School Safety Series, is happening
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in the library at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Come to this life saving, valuable training which is free and open to the public... but space is limited, so please either click the link below to reserve your spot or call Deborah Williams, RN at 802-265-4966 extension 2509. Thank you.
https://forms.gle/dRaHVHjSrFFsj8F2A
FHUMHS students have work displayed in the "Art from the Schools" exhibit at Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester. The Opening Reception was this past Saturday, March 18th, with work on display through April 23rd. Please consider taking a drive to Manchester and witness this wonderful show in person.
The Slate Valley Universal Preschool Program will be conducting its last developmental screening of the year for children 0-5 years of age living in Benson, Castleton, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Orwell and West Haven. The screening involves activities that are both fun for young children and help us learn about a child's motor, cognitive, and language skills. Vision and hearing will also be screened. This screening will be Thursday, March 23rd at Castleton Elementary School. Call to make an appointment.
Introducing our first Slate Valley District Newsletter. Here you will find news from your District Central Office, along with other District Wide Events. Click the link to see the PDF version: https://5il.co/1qxa6
Congratulations, Sawyer Ramey!
FAIR HAVEN UNION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED
GATORADE VERMONT BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CHICAGO (March 15, 2023) — In its 38th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Sawyer Ramey of Fair Haven Union High School is the 2022-23 Gatorade Vermont Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Ramey is the first Gatorade Vermont Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Fair
Haven Union High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Ramey as Vermont’s best high school boys basketball player. Ramey joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports,
including Chet Holmgren (2020-21, Minnehaha Academy, Minn.), Trae Young (2016-17, Norman North High School, Ok.), Jayson Tatum (2015-16, Chaminade College Preparatory School, Mo.), and Karl-Anthony Towns (2013-14 & 2012-13, St. Joseph High School, N.J.).
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior guard led the Slaters to a 25-1 record and the Vermont Division II state tournament semifinals. Ramey averaged 16.4 points, 7.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game entering the final four and was a nominee for the Vermont Coaches Association Player of the Year. He concluded his prep career with more than 1,200 points and 500 assists. Ramey has volunteered locally on behalf of Fair Haven Concerned, a non-profit providing food, shelter and heating assistance to families in need. He is also a member of Fair Haven’s Athletic Leadership Council and the National Honor Society. “Sawyer is the consummate point guard,” said Fair Haven Union High School coach Bob Prenevost. “He’s a proven and capable scorer, but he’s at his best facilitating for others. When challenges arise, he’s the guy his teammates look to for leadership and direction.” Ramey has maintained a 3.93 weighted GPA in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.
Ramey joins recent Gatorade Vermont Boys Basketball Players of the Year Jonah Cattaneo (2021-22, Montpelier High School), Michel Ndayishimiye (2020-21, Rice Memorial High School), Logan Wendell (2019-20, St. Johnsbury Academy), and Jamison Evans (2018-19, Rutland High School), among the state’s list of former award winners.
Being a Gatorade Player of the Year means paying it forward for the next generation. Through Gatorade’s Play it Forward initiative, every Player of the Year receives a grant to give to one of Gatorade’s social impact partners, supporting Gatorade’s ambition to fuel the future of sport. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners’ grants have
totaled more than $3.5 million across more than 1,300 organizations.
For nearly 40 years, Gatorade has honored high school athletes at the top of their game as teammates, supporting their communities and achieving academic success. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes and community leaders, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport.
Please join tonight's Community Connection meeting with Director of Curriculum, Casey O'Meara, at Castleton Elementary School from 5:30-6:30 PM. If you can't attend in person, consider connecting virtually by going to meet.google.com/pja-jpkv-ejz.
Today, Wednesday, March 15th, all Slate Valley Schools are on a 2 hour delay.
