Slate Valley Unified School District

You’re invited to join us on March 31st at 6 PM for a Community Connections virtual discussion on District Reorganization. Community Connections virtual chats are an opportunity for community members to have a conversation with Central Office administrators. Join us by going to https://meet.google.com/jxr-qubs-ptw or by phone (US)+1 609-438-1179 (PIN: 408 338 127#)

Dear Slate Valley Families, We have been through a lot this year and over the last four years as a Slate Valley Community. In the past four years we have experienced a threat to school safety and COVID-19. As a result, anxiety has increased for some of our staff, students and community members. The safety, social and emotional wellbeing of students, staff and our community continue to be priorities for Slate Valley as we move towards recovery. As we move forward with recovery from the pandemic, we are also faced with the potential release of a person who threatened staff and students at Fair Haven Union High School. In 2018, the individual who threatened FHU was adjudicated as a youthful offender, a designation for a defendant under the age of 22 and facing charges within the adult criminal justice system. Youthful offender status only follows an individual through their 22nd birthday, which this individual will turn this year. In some cases these individuals are reintegrated into the community or area prior to the regulation of their youthful offender status. When someone is adjudicated as a youthful offender, information about that individual's whereabouts, treatment, or possible consequences cannot be shared. In this case the Department of Corrections and Department of Children/Families have joint oversight of this individual until his 22nd birthday which is in August. I pride myself on being able to accurately communicate when I have knowledge of matters which may impact our community, but in this case I don’t have any additional information. I have repeatedly asked for the information and have been denied access to the information. I have been left to assume there is a likelihood that this individual could return to Vermont in the very near future. If I did have the information, you would have the information as well. Although I know I don’t have specific information on this one individual, I do know that we have been doing great work in terms of school safety and we will continue to be vigilant as a school community. If at any time you have concerns directly related to this individual or any safety concern, please contact local law enforcement. They take these calls very seriously and will promptly look into concerns. I am fully aware of the anxiety that this may cause some of you on top of COVID-19. However, I felt the need to bring it to your attention as I believe you have the right to know as much as possible. Again, the safety, social and emotional wellbeing of students, staff and our community are the priorities for Slate Valley. Below you can find contact information for those agencies or individuals you can contact if you are in need of support: Students can contact their school counselors and other school support by calling the individual schools. To access community based support for mental health issues, please call Rutland Mental Health (for intake appointments) at 775-2381 or the Crisis Line at 775-1000. Families/Community Members may also contact Rutland Mental Health (for intake appointments) at 775-2381 or the Crisis Line at 775-1000. As in the past, we encourage community members to report any suspicious or concerning behaviors that may have a negative impact on schools within the District to your local law enforcement agency: Fair Haven Police Department: 802-265-4531 Castleton Police Department: 802-468-5012 VT State Police Rutland Barracks: 802-773-9101 We are all in this together and we all need to do our part to take care of one another. Sincerely, Brooke Farrell, Superintendent

Slate Valley is pleased to announce that Ben Worthing has been selected as the new Principal of Fair Haven Union High School for the 2021-2022 school year. The Slate Valley Unified Union School Board appointed Worthing to the position at their regular meeting on the evening of March 22, 2021. You may read our full press release here: https://5il.co/qvgg

Reminder! Tonight (March 22, 2021) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board (Virtual) Meeting Fair Haven Union High School, 6:30 p.m. Participation will be VIRTUAL ONLY. Connect by going to http://meet.google.com/yyb-ypeg-juu or join by phone (US)+1 617-675-4444 PIN: 867 675 227 0575# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/qtk1 Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/qgoh

Link Updated: meet.google.com/uew-eubv-gvi Join us this afternoon at 3:30 PM for a virtual meeting to discuss our draft Title I Parent Involvement Policy (E-1). This meeting will be an opportunity for parents to provide feedback on the policy. In an effort to focus our work on Wednesday afternoon, please review a draft Title I Parent Involvement Policy https://5il.co/qm74 and accompanying draft procedures https://5il.co/qm6y. These two drafts will be considered in relation to the Title I Parent/Family Engagement Toolkit https://5il.co/qm6u provided by the Vermont Agency of Education. Meeting ID: http://meet.google.com/uew-eubv-gvi Phone Number: +1 443-671-8799 PIN: 834 838 577#

This Week! The Slate Valley Unified School Board is hosting a week of Virtual Listening Tours beginning on March 16th to continue the discussion on district reorganization. Listening tours are an opportunity to have a conversation with board members. You may attend any of the meetings - regardless of which town you reside in. Please join us at 6 p.m. for a discussion about district reorganization on the following dates: March 16th with Tim, Julie, Toni, Josh, and Christine (Castleton/Hubbardton) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/wyi-oqrg-pnc or join by phone (US) +1 209-850-2378 (PIN: 574504536) March 17th with Pati, Becky, Beckah, Peter, Glen, and John (Benson/Orwell) Join with Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/ifr-ijcb-qdc or join by phone (US) +1 573-343-8213 (PIN: 143009028) March 18th with Mike, Rick, Tara, Tanya, and Angela (Fair Haven/West Haven) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/ust-vwqk-mmx or join by phone join by phone (US) +1 786-592-9982 (PIN: 735144976)

Tonight! (Monday, March 15) Please join us for a virtual community conversation on school safety at 6 PM. This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss in more detail some of our infrastructure upgrades, the threat assessment process, drills as well as our planning process. Join with Google Meet http://meet.google.com/jpc-hjfw-qcu or by phone (US) +1 413-998-6051 PIN: 650 703 945#

Spring Sports Registration for Slate Valley MS grades 6,7,8 is OPEN from March 9th - April 15th. Please register (http://www.formreleaf.com/) your athlete if they are interested in: CVS/OVS 7/8 Baseball or Softball FHGS/BVS 7/8 Baseball or Softball Slate Valley 6/7/8 Track and Field Reminder - Masks will be worn and yearly physicals are required. Thank you, Kim

The Slate Valley Unified School Board is hosting a week of Virtual Listening Tours beginning on March 16th to continue the discussion on district reorganization. Listening tours are an opportunity to have a conversation with board members. You may attend any of the meetings - regardless of which town you reside in. Please join us at 6 p.m. for a discussion about district reorganization on the following dates: March 16th with Tim, Julie, Toni, Josh, and Christine (Castleton/Hubbardton) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/wyi-oqrg-pnc or join by phone (US) +1 209-850-2378 (PIN: 574504536) March 17th with Pati, Becky, Beckah, Peter, Glen, and John (Benson/Orwell) Join with Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/ifr-ijcb-qdc or join by phone (US) +1 573-343-8213 (PIN: 143009028) March 18th with Mike, Rick, Tara, Tanya, and Angela (Fair Haven/West Haven) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/ust-vwqk-mmx or join by phone join by phone (US) +1 786-592-9982 (PIN: 735144976)

Please join us for a virtual community conversation on school safety on Monday, March 15 at 6 PM. This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss in more detail some of our infrastructure upgrades, the threat assessment process, drills as well as our planning process. Meeting ID http://meet.google.com/jpc-hjfw-qcu Phone Number (US) +1 413-998-6051 PIN: 650 703 945#

Reminder! Tonight (March 8, 2021) You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board (Virtual) Meeting 6:30 PM Participation will be VIRTUAL ONLY. Connect by going to http://meet.google.com/jzz-apgt-bsw Or join by phone (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 849 660 115 6341# Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/q7z6 Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/pibk

An important notice to West Haven families concerning bus transportation today: Due to a bus driver shortage we are currently experiencing this morning the West Haven bus run will not start until 7:55 today. We will update people in regards to the afternoon run as soon as we have more information available.

Thank you to the Slate Valley community for your support! Here are the results from Town Meeting Day: Budget: Yes- 868 No- 810 Transfer of $882,500 to the Reserve: Yes- 1028 No-565 School Board Members elected (all incumbents): Tara Buxton Pati Beaumont-Stannard Peter Stone Rebecca Spears Toni Lobdell Christine Pouliot

Please join us for a virtual community conversation on school safety on Monday, March 15 at 6 PM. This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss in more detail some of our infrastructure upgrades, the threat assessment process, drills as well as our planning process. Meeting ID http://meet.google.com/jpc-hjfw-qcu Phone Number (US) +1 413-998-6051 PIN: 650 703 945#

Save the Date! The Slate Valley Unified School Board is hosting a week of Virtual Listening Tours beginning on March 16th to continue the discussion on district reorganization. Listening tours are an opportunity to have a conversation with board members. You may attend any of the meetings - regardless of which town you reside in. Please join us at 6 p.m. for a discussion about district reorganization on the following dates: March 16th with Tim, Julie, Toni, Josh, and Christine (Castleton/Hubbardton) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/wyi-oqrg-pnc or join by phone (US) +1 209-850-2378 (PIN: 574504536) March 17th with Pati, Becky, Beckah, Peter, Glen, and John (Benson/Orwell) Join with Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/ifr-ijcb-qdc or join by phone (US) +1 573-343-8213 (PIN: 143009028) March 18th with Mike, Rick, Tara, Tanya, and Angela (Fair Haven/West Haven) Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/ust-vwqk-mmx or join by phone join by phone (US) +1 786-592-9982 (PIN: 735144976)

This video was played during the SVUUSD Annual Informational Meeting on February 22, 2021. It features scenes from around the district this school year: http://shorturl.at/rvEVX

Tonight! (February 22, 2021) Slate Valley voters are invited to join us for a virtual informational meeting. Virtually connect by going to http://meet.google.com/yjx-xnzo-dpq or by calling (US) +1 402-337-4387 PIN: 505 127 437# Resources Annual Report: https://5il.co/pc7r Budget PowerPoint (PDF): https://5il.co/pjwn Budget Newsletter: https://5il.co/pgqm

Good Afternoon, The Fair Haven Union High School will be fully remote on Monday, February 22nd. The air exchange that supplies fresh air to many of the classrooms is broken. We are hoping this will only impact in-person learning on Monday and we can return to regular operations on Tuesday the 23rd. Stafford will run as normal as will athletic practices as the gym is not impacted. Meal pick-up will be available between 7:00-8:00 am on Monday morning in front of the high school. For anyone interested in receiving meals and unable to pick-up please contact the school. We will keep you posted if anything should change. Best, Brooke Farrell, Superintendent

Reminder - Slate Valley voters are invited to join us for a virtual informational meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021. Virtually connect by going to http://meet.google.com/yjx-xnzo-dpq or by calling (US) +1 402-337-4387 PIN: 505 127 437# Resources Annual Report: https://5il.co/pc7r Budget PowerPoint (PDF): https://5il.co/pqu5 Budget Newsletter: https://5il.co/pgqm

High School Prep - Registration High School Prep will be held on the weeks of July 12 and July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Families can reach out to Melissa Hoyer at mhoyer@svuvt.org 265-4966, or their school counselor with any questions. High School Prep will be a blending of time at the FHUHS campus and Lake Bomoseen State Park. The focus of Prep is to work on building connections, becoming familiar with the high school and high school staff, work on a project, and possibly earn a half credit towards high school graduation. It will be a fabulous way to kick off the high school career for the class of 2025! Register at https://forms.gle/d7iWvBa82CYrcnhG6