Slate Valley Unified School District

Dear Slate Valley Families, I know we are all heartbroken and angry over yet another tragic school shooting. Our hearts and minds are certainly with the grieving families and the community of Uvalde, TX. There have been 27 school shootings in our country so far in 2022. This is unfathomable, and needs to end. Our district, through the good work of our community, staff and law enforcement, averted a significant threat in 2018. No one is immune to this type of violence. If your child is struggling with the news please reach out. We are happy to support your child in any way that we can. The following are resources that discuss ways in which you can talk to your child about school violence: -Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: https://5il.co/1b2dd -Tips for Talking to Children about Violence: https://5il.co/1b2de As you know we are deeply committed to the school safety in Slate Valley. In light of yesterday I want to remind you of everything we have in place in our district. Summary of School Safety Planning Schools are required to have an Emergency Operations Plan. We have developed comprehensive Emergency Operations Plans for the School District as well as for each individual school. These plans take into account the unique infrastructure needs and location of the individual schools. Plans are reviewed and updated annually. We have established good working relationships with our emergency response agencies across the District to ensure they are familiar with our emergency responses plans and have included these agencies in our training and exercise plans. Environmental Design We have committed funding to redesign the entrances to our buildings to allow for catchment areas for visitors upon entering our buildings. In addition, the outside lighting has been enhanced in some areas around the district. We have revised parking procedures, signage and general traffic flow for pick-up and drop off at all of our schools over the last few years. Behavioral Threat Assessment Team The state recommends that every school and school district have a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. We have one in place that consists of school administration, mental health professionals, school counselors, a school nurse and local law enforcement as appropriate. This team is charged with evaluating concerning behaviors, social media posts, verbal or written threats or other actions displayed by students, staff or others that may negatively impact our schools. These Assessments are then reviewed further by the School District Public Safety Team. School Safety Tip Line We know that 74% of all attacks that have been averted have been due to someone coming forward with information. Vermont has a tip line where you can submit tips anonymously. www.safe4vt.org Public Address/Emergency Notification Systems We are continuing to review and enhance our intercom systems. In addition, we have purchased a radio system with enhanced capabilities that allows us to talk across all of the schools within the District. We are continually adding to this system as funding allows. Infrastructure -Locking mechanisms- All classroom doors have been updated to lock from the inside. -Security Cameras- Cameras have been installed throughout the school district with plans to continue to replace older cameras along with additional installations. In addition, the school board has adopted a policy to define how these cameras can be used. -Window Shading- Classroom door windows along with many exterior windows have been covered with window shadings. -Radio Communication- Schools are connected through a new radio system that allows for communication between buildings throughout the school district. Access Control/Visitor Management We continue to work to refine our access control/visitor management policy/procedures throughout the district. We want and encourage the community to visit our schools post COVID of course while at the same time we need to ensure that we know who is in our schools at all times. The school board has also adopted an Access Control Policy for the District. School Crisis Planning Team/School District Public Safety Team The School District has a Public Safety Team that meets monthly. The team includes representatives from the following groups: local first responders, administration, school counseling/nursing, bussing company and building/grounds. School Safety Drills and Exercises We take an all hazards approach to emergency preparedness. As a district we recognize that some of these drills may induce anxiety in some people. As such we always approach it from a trauma informed perspective. Some of the drills we do are: -Bus Evacuation Drills -Lockdown (Options-Based) Drills -Evacuation Drills We can’t do this work alone. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns at any time. In partnership, Brooke Olsen-Farrell

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

Tonight - May 23, 2022 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Orwell Village School. This meeting will be in person or virtually connect by going to https://meet.google.com/fdu-ksmw-yju or by calling (US) +1 510-431-7130 PIN: 397 631 240# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1awxy Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/1ajny Next Board Meeting: Monday June 13, 2022 - 6:30 p.m. at Fair Haven Union High School

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

Today is National School Nurse Day! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our nurses for their tireless efforts throughout the year! In honor of the day, Governor Scott has issued a proclamation declaring today School Nurse Day in Vermont.

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

Tonight - May 9, 2022 You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union High School Library. This meeting will be in person or virtually connect by going to https://meet.google.com/wdf-rbzv-grn or by calling: (US) +1 715-544-8886 PIN: 163 155 016# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/19xjx Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/19ip5 Next Board Meeting: May 23, 2022 - 6:30 p.m. at Orwell Village School

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

"Slate Valley students are sending a sweet message to children in Ukraine. Recently, students across the district have been making care packages containing maple candy to send children living in the war-torn eastern European country." https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/slate-valley-students-send-sweet-notes-to-ukraine/article_f84bb2c2-2845-57f3-b310-7c0325940e94.html

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley hosted a partner table at the First United Way Fun Day at Castleton University on May 1st. The United Way is a huge financial supporter of our Snack Sack Program and are wonderful community partners!

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

Dear Slate Valley Staff and Families, Unfortunately Covid-19 is making a resurgence in our area. If anyone is experiencing symptoms, even if you think it is just allergies or other illness, it is still recommended that you test to be sure. You can request tests from the school if you need them. If you are unable to test, you should stay home if you have symptoms until you feel better. You can also choose to wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, keep your hands away from your nose and mouth, clean surfaces frequently and distance yourself where you feel it is necessary. Please see the Department of Health website for more in depth information. Hopefully by following these strategies, we can keep this resurgence to a minimum. https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19 Please reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions. Best, Brooke Olsen-Farrell Superintendent

almost 2 years ago, Slate Valley

We're hiring! Slate Valley Unified Union School District has a year round full time position opening for an ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST. Responsibilities including processing accounts payable for the district. Bookkeeping experience is required, as well as strong technology and organizational skills. For more information, please contact Cheryl Scarzello, Director of Finance at (802) 265-2561 or email at cscarzello@svuvt.org Please visit https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/page/employment-opportunities for a complete listing of employment opportunities with SVUUSD.