Benson Village School

Action based learning with Kinders & 6th graders

2 months ago, Kelley Schultz

Two older students and two younger children sit in a circle on a gymnasium floor. They are working together on "Fast Word Writing" worksheets placed in plastic sleeves, using dry-erase markers and clipboards to practice writing names and words.

A teenage girl in a light blue sweatshirt leans over a cafeteria table, pointing to lettered blocks to help a young girl in a green dress. They are using yellow baseplates and blue/red blocks to build words. An adult man watches the activity from the side. IMG_2944.jpg A side view of the same literacy activity at the cafeteria table. A young girl with a long blonde braid reaches into a clear bin of letter blocks while a teenage mentor stands by to assist. Yellow building plates and word slips are spread across the table.

In a gym, an older student walks past a line of numbered papers taped to the floor. Each paper shows a number and a corresponding ten-frame diagram. A younger child in a red dress kneels to interact with one of the papers while another child stands nearby.

n a gym, an older student walks past a line of numbered papers taped to the floor. Each paper shows a number and a corresponding ten-frame diagram. A younger child in a red dress kneels to interact with one of the papers while another child stands nearby. IMG_2943.jpg A teenage girl in a light blue sweatshirt leans over a cafeteria table, pointing to lettered blocks to help a young girl in a green dress. They are using yellow baseplates and blue/red blocks to build words. An adult man watches the activity from the side.

A young girl in a pink hoodie kneels on a green gym floor mat. She is using a dry-erase marker to practice writing the number 6 on a worksheet that includes a ten-frame and a "number rhyme" poem.

A young girl with a long blonde braid, wearing a red polka-dot dress, kneels on the floor to practice writing the number 5 on a math worksheet. Other numbered stations are visible nearby.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: February 13, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/d1e32e42eac9/district-newsletter-february-13-2026

2 days ago, Slate Valley

Kinder bears are beginning to learn about length and what it means to measure something. They compared lengths to their string to find something longer and shorter than it.

2 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Two young girls focus intently on their task. One girl in the foreground wears a maroon heart-patterned dress, holding a blue string against a small blue plastic cube. Behind her, another girl in a pink shirt holds up her own blue string.

An overhead shot of a young boy in a grey and navy long-sleeve shirt kneeling at a blue table. He is using a pencil to draw an object on his "Comparing Lengths" worksheet, which is clipped to a wooden clipboard. A piece of blue string lies next to him.

: A smiling boy in an orange shirt with a geometric bear design stands at a blue table. He proudly points to the "Longer Than" section of his worksheet. A piece of tan string is coiled on the table in front of him.

A close-up, over-the-shoulder view of a student stretching a tan string along the edge of a grey countertop to measure its length. A worksheet on a clipboard nearby shows a pencil placed in the "Shorter Than" category.

A girl with blonde hair in two French braids and a purple dress stands on a blue alphabet rug. She is leaning over to measure the side of a red sensory table with her string while holding a clipboard and pencil in her other hand. IMG_5430.jpg: A young boy in a teal "Transformers" shirt stands in a classroom kitchen area. He is holding a pencil in one hand and carefully manipulating a piece of tan string with the other, appearing to compare the two lengths.

A young boy in a teal "Transformers" shirt stands in a classroom kitchen area. He is holding a pencil in one hand and carefully manipulating a piece of tan string with the other, appearing to compare the two lengths.

4th, 5th & 6th Grade students wrote about the Olympics

2 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Bulletin Board Overview Context: A blue bulletin board features a large banner at the top with the Olympic rings and the text "GOING FOR GOLD IN 4-5-6!" Layout: Below the banner are several hand-colored paper cutouts shaped like curling stones. Each stone is divided into two sections: "My Strength" and "My Goal." Details: One stone by a student lists a strength in "ELA" and a goal to "get better at math." Next to it is a printed essay and a small photograph of a person competing in barrel racing on a horse.

Project Curling Stone: A pink and purple colored curling stone for a student . Strength: "good at organizing, cleaning." Goal: "get a skill in ELA to write better, slower, but nice at the same time." Essay: A typed response to the prompt "Would you want to be an Olympics Athlete? A student writes that she would not want to be one because the training would take away time from family and friends. However, she notes that if she had to choose, she would pick ice skating so she could do "cool and sometimes scary tricks."

Project Curling Stone: A blue and green colored curling stone for a student named Lauren. Strength: "going to try to get stronger." Goal: "try to ice skate better." Essay: A typed response from Lauren Scott. Unlike Mackenzie, Lauren would want to be an Olympic athlete because it would be "a lot of fun." She expresses interest in being on a track team or doing barrel racing because she loves horses and wants to "explore the world" and make new friends.

Gemini said This photo features a hand-colored paper cutout of a curling stone from a student project, pinned to a blue background. The stone is colored with purple and light blue crayons, and the name "Hannah" is written in purple marker at the bottom. The cutout is divided into two sections: My Strength: "I am... amazing at reading, writing and math. I Love my famale [family]." My Goal: "Read 50 books over the Summer and and improve am lis [on his] Spelling."

A school project titled "My Curling Stone" by a student named Ava. The Worksheet: A paper cutout shaped like a curling stone. In the "My Strength" section, Ava wrote: "I am a good artist and a good character maker/storymaker." In the "My Goal" section, she wrote: "I am aiming to publish my first book!" The Essay: Below the stone is a typed paper where Ava explains why she would not want to be an Olympic athlete, citing long practice hours and the risk of injury. She notes that if she had to choose, she would pick luge or volleyball. The Graphics: At the bottom, there is a printed image of the Olympic rings with the anime character Hatsune Miku standing in the center.

school project about Olympic dreams by a student named John. The Essay: A typed paragraph where John expresses his desire to be an Olympic skier. He mentions his love for downhill and freestyle skiing and suggests the Olympics be held in Vermont at Killington or Pico because he knows those trails well. The Graphics: A photo of a professional alpine skier in a race is pinned next to the essay. The Worksheet: Below the essay is a "My Curling Stone" cutout. In the "My Strength" section, John wrote: "A good skier." In the "My Goal" section, he wrote: "Be able to go down a bubble black [diamond]."

3rd Graders sprinkling kindness around!

2 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Classroom Bulletin Board Display A wide shot of a bright yellow classroom bulletin board bordered with a colorful rainbow pattern. The board is filled with various "Sprinkle Kindness" donut crafts made by students. Each project is unique, using different colors of frosting and construction paper backgrounds. Next to each project is a small cartoon lightbulb wearing sunglasses, labeled with a student's name,

A Colorful Kindness Donut A close-up of a student's "Sprinkle Kindness" project. The donut has white frosting with several colorful paper sprinkles glued to it, containing words like "Be Kind," "Be Safe," "Be Good," and "Love." Pink paper hearts are scattered around the donut on a red background. The writing on the worksheet above reads: "I will be safe and kind. I will be good and happy. I will be joyful."

"Sprinkle Kindness" Project A child’s craft project on red construction paper featuring a hand-drawn donut with pink frosting and a brown base. Three small paper "sprinkles" are glued on, with "be caring," "be kind," and "be good" written in pencil. Below the donut, a worksheet titled "Sprinkle Kindness" shows a child’s handwriting in pencil and red marker that reads: "I am going to be caring and kind. I will be good.

A close-up of a student project on a brown background. The donut features bright blue and pink frosting with small paper sprinkles. The writing on the "Sprinkle Kindness" sheet below the donut is written in large, clear print: "I will sprinkle kindness by being kind and helpfull to my frians.

Today's Rutland Herald: Scan the QR Code in the photo or go to https://bit.ly/SVULTA to see the accompanying video.

4 days ago, Slate Valley

🚨 All Slate Valley Afterschool Activities & Athletics Are Cancelled – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 🌨️

Due to the impending weather, all afterschool activities and athletics are cancelled today, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This also includes Boys & Girls Club programs.

Please plan for students to go home at regular dismissal time. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.

5 days ago, Slate Valley

4th Grade students worked on animal tracking!

5 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A student’s animal research worksheet about a bison. The "Winter Status" is listed as "awake all winter" and "highly adapted to winter." The "Track Pattern" is described as "heart shaped or oval shape," with a hand-drawn pattern of small cloven hoof prints. The "Print" section shows a blue and brown painted stamp of a bison’s cloven hoof. Under "Three Facts," a child’s handwriting reads: "they are the biggest animal in North America." Large blue hoof stamps are visible on the paper behind the worksheet.

Coyote are highly proficient opportunistic hunters throughout the night, and 3) Coyotes rarely attack humans. The worksheet is pinned to a board with a star-patterned border.

Coyote Worksheet Alt Text: A student’s research worksheet about a coyote. The "Winter Status" is listed as "Active" and the "Track Pattern" is "Walker," with a hand-drawn line of small circles representing paw prints. The "Print" section features a green painted paw print stamp. The "Three Facts" section lists: 1) They can run up to 40 MPH, 2) Coyote are highly proficient opportunistic hunters throughout the night, and 3) Coyotes rarely attack humans. The worksheet is pinned to a board with a star-patterned border. Image 3: White-tailed Deer Worksheet Alt Text: A student’s research worksheet for a white-tailed deer. The "Winter Status" is "active" and the "Track Pattern" is "walker," showing a staggered hand-drawn pattern of hoof prints. The "Print" section has a black painted stamp of a sharp, cloven deer hoof. The "Three Facts" section notes that they are "incredible athletes," can "sprint up to 30 mph," "leap 8-foot-high fences," and "swim long distances." Several black hoof stamps are printed on the larger paper surrounding the worksheet.

Kindergarten Registration - School Year 2026 -2027
Benson Village School

Kindergarten registration for the 2026 - 2027 school year is taking place at Benson Village School on Friday, March 20th, 9:00 - 3:30 pm. Call 802-537-2491 to set up your appointment.
Please remember to:
Allow 20 minutes for registration
Bring a birth certificate (we will make a copy)
Bring a list of immunizations (we will make a copy)
Proof of residency (we will make a copy)

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call 537-2491 or email kschultz@svuvt.org
We are asking that you arrive a couple of minutes before your time so that we can keep to our schedule- thank you!

6 days ago, Slate Valley

Kindergarten registration announcement for Benson Village School for the 2026–2027 school year, with colorful “Kindergarten” header and text stating registration is Friday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and to call 802-537-2491 to schedule an appointment.

Happy 100th Day of School from 2nd Grade!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A group of twelve young students and their teacher pose in a classroom, celebrating the 100th day of school. All the children wear colorful, handmade paper crowns that say "100" or "100 Days Smarter." Six children are standing in the back row with their teacher, and six are kneeling or sitting on a vibrant rug decorated with colorful handprints. The classroom background features a "MATH" sign, a February 2026 calendar, and a blue pocket chart displaying yellow counting sticks.

More 100th Day activities in Kindergarten!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A group of young children stand around a long white paper strip laid out on a classroom floor, with colorful LEGO trains and blocks arranged in a straight line down the center. Only the children’s legs and shoes are visible as they watch, and a patterned classroom rug borders part of the scene.”

A student at a yellow table uses a green marker to find hidden items on a worksheet. A classroom whiteboard in the background shows the date as Friday, February 6, 2026.

“Two young children sit at a round yellow classroom table working on a ‘Race to 100’ math activity. One child colors in numbers on a hundreds chart with a green marker while the other watches. A large wooden die, a tray of crayons and markers, worksheets, and a water bottle are spread across the table.”

Three young children sit around a blue classroom table working on ‘Race to 100’ math worksheets. One child colors in numbers on a hundreds chart while the others watch and wait their turn. Crayons, markers, papers, and a water bottle are on the table, and a long line of colorful blocks on paper is visible on the classroom floor in the background.”

A group of students sits on a colorful handprint-patterned rug, participating in a snack-sorting activity. They are carefully placing small snacks like pretzels, popcorn, and goldfish crackers into ten printed circles on "100" templates to reach a total of 100 treats.

ATTENTION: Tonight’s School Board meeting has been moved to the Orwell Village School library.

6 days ago, Slate Valley

Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Orwell Village School, with the location updated from Town Hall Gym to Library. Agenda items listed include Consent Agenda, Board Reorganization, and Finance Committee Report, with district and Vermont-style logos displayed.

100th Day activities in Kindergarten!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A young girl in a lavender sweatshirt works on two documents: her school supply "I Spy" sheet and a commemorative certificate. She appears to be signing her name at the bottom of the certificate.

A young boy sits at a yellow table, carefully circling items on his "I Spy" worksheet with a brown marker. Next to him is a certificate that reads "YOU ARE 100 DAYS BRIGHTER!".

A young girl in a black shirt uses a blue dot marker to fill in circles on a "100th Day" activity sheet. Beside her is a large bin overflowing with colorful markers and crayons.

A student in a light green floral dress focuses on coloring small school supply icons on her worksheet. A large wooden die and a container of crayons sit on the blue table in front of her.

A top-down view of a student at a yellow table working on an "I Spy 100 School Supplies!" worksheet. In the background, a long paper number line is being constructed on the floor using colorful plastic interlocking blocks.

A group of young students sits in a circle on a colorful classroom rug, working on a snack-sorting activity. They are placing different treats—like pretzels, popcorn, and crackers—onto paper templates featuring ten circles to count out exactly 100 items.

A boy in a tan t-shirt uses a green marker to find and color items on his 100th-day worksheet. A whiteboard in the background displays the date: "Friday, February 6, 2026".

We ended the day in 1st Grade with 100th day crown craft!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A close-up of a smiling boy wearing a brightly colored crown. He has used markers to color the "100" in pink and green and added star stickers to the points of the crown. A map of the United States is visible in the background.

A young boy in a maroon t-shirt with a motorcycle graphic gives a slight, proud smile. His crown is decorated with blue and green coloring and various stickers, including a red dinosaur and a green patterned ornament.

We ended the day in the 1st Grade with 100th day crown crafts!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A young girl with long brown hair smiles in front of a black cabinet. Her crown is colored entirely in bright yellow marker, making the "100" stand out in bold green, red, and blue. i

A boy wearing a t-shirt with a large bear graphic stands in a classroom. His crown is heavily decorated with red marker and features a soccer ball sticker and a sun sticker on the sides.

A young boy in a navy blue t-shirt beams at the camera. He has colored his entire crown with a vibrant blue marker, leaving the "100" and the "I am... smarter!" text visible through the ink.

: The back view of the same girl from the previous photo, showing the back of the paper crown. The headband features the printed phrase "You can count on me!" decorated with small heart and dinosaur stickers.

A young girl in a tie-dye "Las Vegas" t-shirt smiles, showing a missing front tooth. Her crown is bright yellow and features a large orange heart sticker and a glittery star on the center peak.

A boy with light blue eyes and a subtle smile wearing a crown colored in vibrant red. He is wearing a dark blue long-sleeve shirt with a basketball graphic.

A girl wearing a pink and black color-blocked "K-POP" hoodie posing in a classroom. Her crown is white with a rainbow sticker in the center.

A girl in a tan "Gallery in the Field" t-shirt wearing a crown decorated with many small star stickers and a large eye sticker on the side.

A boy with glasses wearing a navy blue Champion t-shirt, standing in a classroom and holding a small plastic bag of snacks. His crown features a sticker of a dog wearing sunglasses.

A young girl leans forward with a giant, toothy grin, her face partially framed by a patterned face mask tucked under her chin. She wears a white paper crown decorated with pink balloons and a green glittery tree that says "I am 100 days smarter!"

Board Meeting - February 9, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Orwell Village School – Town Hall/Gym.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fxz-sazi-cds
Or dial: (US) +1 567-234-0136 PIN: 731 443 207#

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.

6 days ago, Slate Valley

Kinders are learning all about penguins!

9 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Penguin Fact Sheet A classroom anchor chart shaped like a large, black-outlined penguin. The title "Penguins..." is written on a colorful striped border at the top. Inside the penguin silhouette, five facts are written in orange ink: eat fish are birds babies are chicks can not fly have webbed feet IMG_3073 & IMG_3074: Classroom Bulletin Board A wide shot and a medium shot of a classroom bulletin board with a light wood-grain background and a pencil-themed border. The board displays several student worksheets about penguins. Decorative paper cutouts of pencils, stars, and flowers are scattered between the student work. The penguin fact anchor chart from the first photo is pinned to the center-right of the board

Classroom Bulletin Board A wide shot and a medium shot of a classroom bulletin board with a light wood-grain background and a pencil-themed border. The board displays several student worksheets about penguins. Decorative paper cutouts of pencils, stars, and flowers are scattered between the student work. The penguin fact anchor chart from the first photo is pinned to the center-right of the board.

Student Work A close-up of a student's It features a drawing of large, circular snowflakes and a small penguin sticker standing on blue-colored ice. Small orange and red fish are drawn in the water. Below the drawing, the student has completed the sentence: "penguins babies are chicks."

Student Work A close-up of a student's worksheet The drawing area contains a few hand-drawn stars and a penguin sticker with a red belly. Below the drawing, the student has completed the sentence: "penguins eat fish."

Slate Valley District Newsletter for February 6, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/1a88fa7ae27d/slate-valley-district-newsletter-262026

9 days ago, Slate Valley

🌟 Friday Focus: Celebrating Our School Board 🌟

Happy Friday, Slate Valley! This month’s Friday Focus is dedicated to a very special group of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. February is School Board Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the members of the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board.

Our board members are more than just policy-makers; they are dedicated volunteers, parents, and neighbors who invest countless hours to ensure every student in our community has the tools they need to succeed. From navigating complex budgets to championing innovative programs, their leadership keeps our district moving forward.

To our Board Members: Thank you for your time, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District. We appreciate everything you do!

9 days ago, Slate Valley

4th Graders are busy charting one million squares! This lesson helps students understand the magnitude of 1,000,000. Students recognized that each square was 10,000 units and then multiplied that by 100 to find out the total area was 1,000,000 square units.

10 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Two young girls kneel on a classroom floor, working together to align and tape two long horizontal rows of white grid paper. They are focused on making sure the edges of the squares meet perfectly. IMG_1740.jpg Two boys in red hoodies sit on a colorful rug featuring a map of the United States. They are assembling several long strips of grid paper side-by-side to create a large rectangular mat on the floor.

A young boy in a red hoodie stands at a wooden classroom table, carefully using a black tape dispenser to join together squares of white grid paper into a long strip. A purple "Bridges in Mathematics" student book lies on the table nearby.

A young girl with her hair in a ponytail sits at a classroom table, focused on folding or aligning a square of white grid paper to add to a growing chain. A leopard-print tape dispenser and a name tag sheet are on the table in front of her.

Two boys in red hoodies sit on a colorful rug featuring a map of the United States. They are assembling several long strips of grid paper side-by-side to create a large rectangular mat on the floor.