Action based learning with Kinders & 6th graders
about 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 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.
Today's Rutland Herald: Scan the QR Code in the photo or go to https://bit.ly/SVULTA to see the accompanying video.
about 24 hours ago, Slate Valley
Poster for Slate Valley Unified USD promoting the Lifetime Activities program. The graphic includes the district logo and text listing the towns served, with multiple photos of students participating in activities such as woodworking, hiking, ice skating, ice fishing, martial arts training, treadmill fitness, fishing, cooking, and horseback riding. A central text block explains the history and purpose of the Lifetime Activities program and notes winter and late spring sessions. The poster includes a video link and QR code, the slogan “Our School, Your Future,” and district contact information with website and social media icons.
🚨 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.
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with a snowy background and the Slate Valley logo that reads: “Tuesday, February 10, 2026 — All Slate Valley After School Activities & Athletics Are Canceled. This includes Boys & Girls Club Programs.”
4th Grade students worked on animal tracking!
2 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!
3 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!
3 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!
3 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.
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.
3 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!
3 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!
3 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!
3 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.
3 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting with text “Please Join Us Tonight,” agenda highlights (consent agenda, board reorganization, finance committee report), scheduled for February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Orwell Village School Town Hall/Gym, with district logo and people icons in a circle.
Kinders are learning all about penguins!
6 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.
: 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
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Header graphic for the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated February 6, 2026, showing a cartoon groundhog popping out of a snowy burrow with the sun behind it, flanked by two worried-looking cartoon children, with school branding elements in the corners.
🌟 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!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
A social media graphic for "Friday Focus." The top section is teal with the text "Friday Focus" and a script overlay "February is School Board Appreciation Month." Below this is a photograph of ten people, the Slate Valley Unified Union School Board, seated around a long table with laptops and papers. Below the photo, the text reads, "We extend heartfelt appreciation to the esteemed members of the Slate Valley Unified Union School Board for their dedication and service to our community's students." To the right is a circular green and white logo for "SLATE VALLEY VERMONT - A UNIFIED FOCUS ON LEARNING" with stylized mountains and a figure. In the bottom left corner, in a script font, are the words "Thank You!"
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.
7 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.
Six smiling students stand in a line in their classroom, proudly holding up a large, completed grid made of taped-together paper squares. Each column of the grid is labeled "10,000" at the top in purple marker. In the background, a "Calendar Grid" bulletin board and a February 2026 calendar are visible.
Students in Crazy 8's math club made origami stars and measured the distances that they traveled.
7 days ago, Kelley Schultz
Four young girls sit around a circular wooden table in a classroom, focused on folding colorful sheets of paper. They are in various stages of an origami project, with light blue, purple, yellow, and pink paper visible. One girl in a grey hoodie carefully creases a large blue sheet, while her peers work on smaller sections and pre-folded shapes.
A high-angle, close-up shot shows a student in a light grey hoodie and black pants kneeling on a tiled floor. She is using a blue plastic ruler to measure the distance or position of a completed green and blue origami ninja star. Her hand is outstretched near the star, and she wears white Crocs decorated with colorful charms.
Seven smiling girls stand together in a school hallway, proudly displaying their completed multi-colored origami ninja stars. They are posed in front of two classroom doors labeled "3rd Grade" and "4th Grade." The group shows a range of expressions from broad grins to quiet smiles, with some holding their paper creations high in the air.
🏛️✨ Throwback Thursday — Going Back to 2016! ✨🏛️

This week we’re heading back 10 years to 2016 to celebrate an impressive student achievement from Castleton Village School. Students in Ms. White’s 7th–8th grade JUMP enrichment group — a cross-grade period where middle schoolers collaborated on special projects — competed in the 3D Vermont Olympiad, a statewide, project-based learning competition combining local history, research, design, and engineering.

As part of the Olympiad, students researched historic buildings in their town, studied their historical significance, created multimedia reports, and constructed detailed, to-scale 3D models for judging and presentation.

That year, CVS students formed two teams. One group focused on the Federated Church of Castleton, while the other researched the Castleton Medical College Chapel. Both teams performed phenomenally at the state competition, showcasing outstanding research, craftsmanship, and presentation skills. The Medical College Chapel team earned first place statewide — an incredible accomplishment.

Experiences like the 3D Vermont Olympiad highlighted how hands-on, place-based learning helps students connect history, creativity, and problem-solving.

👀 Throwback bonus question: Do you recognize one of our district’s current second grade teachers in this group?

See a video recap of the Olympiad at: https://youtu.be/8lwxrfgUJSI
7 days ago, Slate Valley
Throwback Thursday graphic celebrating Castleton Village School’s 2016 3D Vermont State Champions, showing photos of 7th and 8th grade students and advisors at the 3D VT Olympiad with their display table and two detailed scale building models, plus Slate Valley logo and text noting the competition and year.
Kinders and 6th Grade Reading Buddies!
8 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A boy in a brown hoodie reclines on a red mat in a gymnasium, pointing to a page in a book. A young girl in a green shirt sits cross-legged next to him, focused on the story. A pair of pink sneakers sits neatly on the floor beside the mat.
A young girl with blonde braids sits on a red mat, looking toward a teenage boy in a black "Calvin Klein" hoodie. The boy is leaning back and holding a colorful book open for her to see. Her shoes are placed on the tile floor next to the mat.
A teenage girl with long dark hair sits on a gray rug next to a bright green mat, holding open a large picture book. A young boy in a blue Transformer shirt sits on his knees on the mat next to her, looking toward the camera.
A teenage girl with very long brown hair sits on an orange mat, facing two younger girls. One younger girl holds a book titled "Some Smug Slug" while the other lies on her stomach. They are positioned in a large multipurpose room with cafeteria tables folded in the background.
An older boy wearing a black "Mossy Oak" hoodie sits cross-legged on a bright green mat in a school cafeteria, reading a book to two younger boys. The younger boys sit closely, looking at the pages with smiles. Several pairs of shoes are scattered on the floor in front of them.

Where Are They Now Wednesday: Derek Eagan, Class of 2018

This month’s Where Are They Now Wednesday spotlight features Fair Haven Union High School alumnus Derek Eagan, Class of 2018, who has turned his early interest in public safety into a meaningful and fast-paced career in emergency services.

While in High School, Derek pursued training through the Stafford Technical Center Public Safety/Criminal Justice program, building the skills that would launch him into the field. Today, he works full time at Community Health Brandon as a Medical Assistant and also serves per diem with Wallingford Rescue Squad, Brandon Area Rescue Squad, and Regional Ambulance Service. His work keeps him actively engaged in caring for and supporting people across the region when they need it most.

While at FHUHS, Derek was a member of the FHUHS Cadets, an experience that helped shape his career direction and commitment to service. He credits several educators with having a lasting influence on his success, including Mrs. Margret Hayward, Mrs. Sheila Nicholes, and Scott Alkinburgh, whose support and guidance helped him along the way.

Outside of his professional life, Derek stays busy with a wide range of interests. During the summer months, he spends time at Pond Hill Ranch and also enjoys fishing, hiking, and just being outdoors. He values time with family and friends—especially his high school best friend, Adam—and is excited to now be a first-time uncle. He has also developed a passion for photography and recently launched his own business, Derek Eagan Photography.

A quote that continues to motivate him is, “Getting back up is the only back up plan you need,” by Bailey Zimmerman.

His advice to today’s Slate Valley students is simple but heartfelt: Don’t rush your four years. Make friends, and take part in the clubs and sports that interest you.

8 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Where Are They Now Wednesday” from Slate Valley featuring FHUHS Class of 2018 alumnus Derek Eagan. Text highlights that he studied Public Safety/Criminal Justice at Stafford Technical Center, works full time in the Rutland Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, serves per diem with local rescue squads, is a former FHUHS Cadet, owns Derek Eagan Photography, and recently became an uncle. The photo shows an adult man standing in front of an ambulance in uniform.