Slate Valley Unified School District

Reminder! Tonight (May 10th) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board (virtual) Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Participation will be virtual only. Connect by http://meet.google.com/kbk-umff-mbp or join by phone (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 565 144 524 6127# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/sc46 Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/rril

Vermont Forward Plan Clarifications to School Sports Guidance With changes May 1 in the State’s COVID-19 guidance that included advancing to Step 2 of the Vermont Forward Plan, the transition of recreational sports programs to Universal Guidance, and an updated masking policy that requires masks outdoors when you are in a crowd or with other households where you can’t maintain a 6-foot distance, there have been a number of questions about how these apply to both recreational and school-based sports programs. Please review the following clarifications. For athletes participating in school-based sports: The most recent version of A Strong and Healthy Year Guidance, published by the Agency of Education states the following: All staff and students are required to wear facial coverings while in the building. They must also wear them when outside of the building if adequate physical distancing of at least six (6) feet cannot be maintained. -Consistent with the Strong and Healthy Year guidance, athletes participating in low contact and no contact school-based spring sports (i.e., tennis, track and field, baseball and softball) are no longer required to wear masks so long as six feet of physical distance can be maintained. Baseball and softball players must wear masks while sitting in the dugout -Athletes participating in sports involving moderate contact or close proximity (i.e., boys and girls lacrosse, ultimate frisbee) must continue to wear masks at all times during practice and game play. All athletes must wear masks when being bused to a game or meet, in any indoor setting (i.e., locker room or training room), or participating in team-based meeting with six feet of physical distance cannot be consistently maintained. For spectators at outdoor school-based or recreational sports events: -Consistent with the Vermont Forward Plan, 300 unvaccinated people, plus any number of vaccinated individuals, can attend outdoor sports events as spectators. Spectators are not required to wear masks at outdoor sports events so long as six feet of physical distance can be maintained between households. For spectators at indoor school-based or recreational sports events: -Consistent with the Vermont Forward Plan, one unvaccinated person per 100 square feet up to 150 unvaccinated people (whichever is less), plus any number of vaccinated people, can attend indoor sports events as spectators. Spectators must wear a mask at all times while attending an indoor sports event. If an event has no way of determining if an individual is vaccinated, assume all are unvaccinated for capacity limit.

In honor of Staff Appreciation Week, we would like to express our gratitude for all of our staff, especially during this extraordinarily difficult year. Thank You!

Reminder - This week! Virtual Parent Informational Series - This series is intended to help parents and students make a smooth transition from special education in school to life after high school. For more information and to register: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/fhuhs/page/virtual-parent-informational-series

Save the Date! Virtual Listening Tours with SVUUSD Board Members (Note: You are welcome to attend any of the meetings regardless of what town you reside in.) Join board members for a conversation about Middle School Reorganization prior to their vote on May 24th. May 17th, 6 PM - Fair Haven/West Haven - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/pdu-abre-xnm or by phone (US) +1 585-532-5413 (PIN: 713397202) May 18th, 6 PM - Castleton/Hubbardton - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/gee-acpe-ota or join by phone (US) +1 442-900-4083 (PIN: 398252852) May 19th, 6 PM - Orwell/Benson - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/djm-sekz-bca or join by phone (US) +1 786-563-9119 (PIN: 104762513)

Good afternoon, as of this moment the Agency of Education has not changed their stance on mask wearing outdoors even though it was changed for the general public. Masks are still required for spectators at all Slate Valley athletic events. We will notify families when the Agency of Education changes their guidance. Thank you for your help with this.

Save the Date! Virtual Parent Informational Series This series is intended to help parents and students make a smooth transition from special education in school to life after high school. For more information: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/fhuhs/page/virtual-parent-informational-series

Good Evening, Please read the following letter regarding the special airing of “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety” on Monday, May 3: https://5il.co/ry3u

Save the Date! Virtual Listening Tours with SVUUSD Board Members (Note: You are welcome to attend any of the meetings regardless of what town you reside in.) Join board members for a conversation about Middle School Reorganization prior to their vote on May 24th. May 17th, 6 PM - Fair Haven/West Haven - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/pdu-abre-xnm or by phone (US) +1 585-532-5413 (PIN: 713397202) May 18th, 6 PM - Castleton/Hubbardton - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/gee-acpe-ota or join by phone (US) +1 442-900-4083 (PIN: 398252852) May 19th, 6 PM - Orwell/Benson - Connect by going to https://meet.google.com/djm-sekz-bca or join by phone (US) +1 786-563-9119 (PIN: 104762513)

Save the date! On Monday, May 3, 2021, Slate Valley will hold a special screening of the documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety," online to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. The event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion, led by Kristin H. Benway, Director of Special Services, with special guests Megan Oldenburger, RMHS School Based Clinician, Michael Kell, School Counselor, and former Slater Cael Christian. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__ElOViTuQDG2QTV7IWdFqA. iNDIEFLIX Education has sparked a global conversation about anxiety through screenings of its documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety.” For more information: https://5il.co/rpnd

Dodge House Donation Drive - A FHUHS Student’s R.E.A.L. Project Please view the flyer here for more information: https://www.smore.com/xpe32 This drive is being held by the Slate Valley Unified School District. We hope to raise awareness of homeless Veterans, and support the Dodge House in Rutland, which "provides shelter, clothing, food, and an individualized program to reintegrate veterans back into the community and help them to achieve self­ sufficiency" (http://www.chcrr.org). Donation boxes will be located in the front offices of all Slate Valley schools from March 29th and April 25th.

Save the date! iNDIEFLIX Shines the Light on Anxiety with Must-See Documentary, “ANGST: RAISING AWARENESS AROUND ANXIETY” ANGST will screen live on: Monday, May 3, 2021 AT 6:00pm Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__ElOViTuQDG2QTV7IWdFqA iNDIEFLIX Education has sparked a global conversation about anxiety through screenings of its documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety”. On Monday, May 3, 2021, Slate Valley will hold a special screening of the documentary online to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. The event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion, led by Kristin H. Benway, Director of Special Services, with special guests Megan Oldenburger, RMHS School Based Clinician, Michael Kell, School Counselor, and former Slater Cael Christian. For more information: https://5il.co/rpnd

Reminder! Tonight (April 19th) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board (virtual) Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Participation will be virtual only. Connect by going to http://meet.google.com/nmr-haqy-umb or join by phone (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 151 630 604 3623# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/rpa2 Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/ranl

Dodge House Donation Drive - A FHUHS Student’s R.E.A.L. Project Please view the flyer here for more information: https://www.smore.com/xpe32 This drive is being held by the Slate Valley Unified School District. We hope to raise awareness of homeless Veterans, and support the Dodge House in Rutland, which "provides shelter, clothing, food, and an individualized program to reintegrate veterans back into the community and help them to achieve self­ sufficiency" (http://www.chcrr.org). Donation boxes will be located in the front offices of all Slate Valley schools from March 29th and April 25th.

Dear Slate Valley Families, I hope this letter finds you well. As we head into April break I would like to update you on new Guidelines released from the Agency of Education yesterday, April 8th. These guidelines are part of Vermont’s Reopening Plan. Starting on April 19th all students will need to be screened at home. We will not be doing temperature checks in schools. We will no longer require the form for entrance to school each day per the state guidelines. We ask that you continue to check temperatures and check for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and keep children home that have even 1 symptom. The Department of Health guidelines remain the same in managing illness. Please call your child’s school nurse with any questions as they can guide you in safe school attendance. Additionally schools are now required to follow ACCD guidelines and Vermont’s Reopening Plan as such there is no quarantine requirement for travel. However, if your unvaccinated child does travel you are required to obtain a COVID test within 72 hours of return. Your child will be able to continue to attend school if symptom free. If you have planned travel, we encourage you to sign up on the Department of Health website for return testing before you leave and as the site allows. Documentation of the negative test may be required if a case of COVID-19 occurs in the school and your child is considered a close contact. Physician offices for the most part will not perform testing unless your child is symptomatic. Please continue practicing the best prevention measures of mask wearing, 6 foot distancing and hand cleansing during your travels to remain healthy and safe. Social distancing has moved to 3 feet for all students with the exception of 7-12 students when eating. That will remain at 6 feet. Contact tracing is still determined based on the 6 foot standard so we will continue to keep all 7-12 students 6 feet apart whenever feasible. Adults will still need to maintain the 6 feet social distancing. Masks continue to be required of students and staff at all times in the buildings regardless of vaccination status. For more information please visit the Department of Health and ACCD.vermont.gov websites for more detailed and specific information on travel, quarantine, and vaccines. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sections are very helpful. I know this has been a hard road this year and your support for the school district has been very much appreciated. I truly hope you have a wonderful week with your children next week. Best, Brooke Olsen-Farrell Superintendent

Spring Sports Letter Hello everyone, Welcome to Spring! Thank you all for a supportive Winter Athletic season. I so appreciate your support and flexibility through everything. We have a wonderful opportunity this Spring season for our district athletes. We will (like in the Fall for soccer) be combining our OVS/BVS/FHGS/CVS athletes to make one Slate Valley Baseball and Softball team. The registration numbers do not support having separate teams for FHGS/BVS and CVS/OVS as the total numbers for baseball are 19 and softball 21. I reached out to our Varsity softball coach for advice on this and he felt this would be a wonderful way to bring our athletes together, teach them all skills necessary to move to the next level and have enough players to field a team with substitutes during this COVID season. Also, very exciting news, we will be using Castleton University as our HOME field for most games. Fair Haven Grade School will be our HOME practice field for the first part of the season and we are hoping to be able to utilize the field at CU for some practices near the end. I will keep you posted. Your athletes will start practicing on Monday, April 19th. Our coaches that will be returning to work with our athletes this year are: Will Tyler and Will DiFrancesco for the ⅞ boys baseball team and Peter Baird and Ashley Bruce with Emma Kelly assisting for the ⅞ girls softball team. I am looking forward to an exciting season filled with skill building, game play and team work. The practice and game schedule will be on the Slate Valley App by Friday, April 9, 2021. Registration on Formreleaf.com closes at 6am, Friday, April 9, 2021. Our Spring Track is going to be off to an exciting start as of Monday, April 19th. I would like to welcome our new coach Grace Durfee. She brings background knowledge and experience to us. We have 17 athletes registered for that sport. Practices will be held at FHUHS. The practice and game schedule will be on the Slate Valley App by Friday, April 9, 2021. As in the Fall and Winter for athletics, parents will be responsible for dropping off and picking their athletes up at the HOME Practice and Game sites. A bus will be provided for all AWAY games/meets. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation through our Spring Sports season. I will continue to send out weekly reminder emails with practice/game schedules and COVID requirements. Have a wonderful spring everyone! All my best, Kim Alexander

Congratulations to Sue Cornell and Annie Crumb, who were honored yesterday at the 40th Annual Outstanding Teacher Day! From the program: Susan Cornell Fair Haven Union High School Sue Cornell epitomizes everything that is good and right in the teaching profession. In the 34 years prior to the Covid pandemic, Margaret Susan Cornell enforced creativity, caring, flexibility, and professional dedication. Direct instruction aside, the students in her care know exactly what is expected of them. The personalization, the knowing and understanding of her students creates a hospitable learning environment and relationships which come before content and learning. Among her colleagues she is the complete and competent leader. Department chair, EST director, and union representative are a few earned titles but more than these she has the respect and admiration of her peers. Anna Crumb Castleton Village School Anna (Annie) Crumb is an outstanding middle-school ELA teacher at Castleton Village School in Castleton, Vermont. Mrs. Crumb primarily works with students that are in 6th and 7th grade and her classes are full of fun and opportunity. Mrs. Crumb’s students always have multiple projects going at one time and learn valuable skills in organizing and prioritizing tasks. Mrs. Crumb uses a number of different projects and online activities to allow students to learn reading and writing and to make connections between class and the world outside of school. Castleton Village School is very proud of our outstanding teacher, Annie Crumb! You may view the complete program here: https://5il.co/rbbl

Dodge House Donation Drive - A FHUHS Student’s R.E.A.L. Project Please view the flyer here for more information: https://www.smore.com/xpe32 This drive is being held by the Slate Valley Unified School District. We hope to raise awareness of homeless Veterans, and support the Dodge House in Rutland, which "provides shelter, clothing, food, and an individualized program to reintegrate veterans back into the community and help them to achieve self­ sufficiency" (http://www.chcrr.org). Donation boxes will be located in the front offices of all Slate Valley schools from March 29th and April 25th.

Reminder! Tonight (April 5, 2021) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board (Virtual) Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Participation will be VIRTUAL ONLY. Connect by going to http://meet.google.com/kdn-osig-qsn or join by phone (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 474 306 975 5652#. Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/r4fm Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/qwix

Dear Slate Valley Community Member, On 4-4-21 we learned about an individual with Coronavirus Disease at the Fair Haven Grade School. This individual was in attendance while contagious. Contact tracing has been completed and the school will be open for in-person instruction on Monday April 5th. However, one classroom will be remote all next week. All of the parents and staff of the impacted classroom have been contacted. We are working closely with the Department of Health. We continue to advise our staff and students to stay home when sick. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. This is especially important given that we know the virus is in our community. Please see the full letter from Superintendent Olsen-Farrell: https://5il.co/r7g7