Benson Village School

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Looking for a fun way to stay active this summer?

The Slate Valley Efts Running Group is welcoming youth athletes interested in cross country or cross-training for other sports! No registration, no commitment—just drop in when you can.

Join local USATF SafeSport-certified coaches for age-appropriate workouts and group runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00–7:30 p.m., beginning June 16, at the R&H Rail Trail entrance on South Street in Castleton.

Whether you're training for a sport or simply enjoy running, come check it out!

Questions? Contact Dan Verrington at dan.verrington@svuvt.org

about 18 hours ago, Slate Valley

Flyer for the Slate Valley Efts Running Group featuring a cartoon eft (newt) in the background. The flyer invites youth athletes interested in cross country or cross-training for other sports to join. It notes that there is no registration or commitment required and that age-appropriate workouts and group runs are organized by local USATF SafeSport-certified coaches. Meetings take place at the R&H Rail Trail entrance on South Street in Castleton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00–7:30 p.m. throughout the summer, beginning June 16. The flyer also encourages viewers to follow the Slate Valley Efts Running Group on Facebook.

Where Are They Now Wednesday: June Alumni Feature - Jeffrey Jr. York, FHUHS Class of 2016

From the football field at Fair Haven Union High School to building a career and family-centered life, this month’s alumni spotlight features Jeffrey Jr. York, a proud member of the Class of 2016 whose journey highlights hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

During his time at FHUHS, Jeffrey participated in football and was also involved in the school’s work study program, an experience that helped prepare him for life beyond graduation. Looking back, those experiences helped provide practical skills and a foundation that carried into adulthood.

After graduating Jeffrey entered the workforce and gained experience across several professions. Shortly after high school, he and his family welcomed their first daughter, Piper, while he worked in construction and explored different career opportunities. Today, Jeffrey works at Brown’s Auto Salvage as an Inventory Specialist, a position he says he truly enjoys.

Reflecting on the teachers who made a difference in his life, Jeffrey shared that choosing just one was difficult, but he credits Mr. Blackbird as someone who had a meaningful impact on him. "He never treated anyone differently no matter the reason and always kept it straight with us no matter the situation. He also showed me that no matter what stands in your way, you can achieve what you want."

Outside of work, Jeffrey says his greatest joy comes from being a husband, father, and provider for his family. He is the proud father of three daughters and hopes they will one day enjoy the same experiences and memories at FHUHS that he did.

When asked for a favorite quote, Jeffrey shared words from Tupac Shakur that continue to inspire him:
"Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up... and handle it."

Jeffrey’s advice for today’s Slate Valley students is simple but meaningful:
"Focus — high school isn’t forever. Enjoy your time while you're there and absorb as much knowledge as possible. You’ll be surprised by how much you carry with you into the real world and how much the decisions you make now can impact your future."

We thank Jeffrey for sharing his story and wish him continued success in his career, family life, and future endeavors.

about 23 hours ago, Slate Valley

Where Are They Now Wednesday: June Alumni Feature - Jeffrey Jr. York, FHUHS Class of 2016

From the football field at Fair Haven Union High School to building a career and family-centered life, this month’s alumni spotlight features Jeffrey Jr. York, a proud member of the Class of 2016 whose journey highlights hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

During his time at FHUHS, Jeffrey participated in football and was also involved in the school’s work study program, an experience that helped prepare him for life beyond graduation. Looking back, those experiences helped provide practical skills and a foundation that carried into adulthood.

After graduating Jeffrey entered the workforce and gained experience across several professions. Shortly after high school, he and his family welcomed their first daughter, Piper, while he worked in construction and explored different career opportunities.

Today, Jeffrey works at Doran brothers, and is enrolled in classes earning his CDL. Reflecting on the teachers who made a difference in his life, Jeffrey shared that choosing just one was difficult, but he credits Mr. Blackbird as someone who had a meaningful impact on him.
"He never treated anyone differently no matter the reason and always kept it straight with us no matter the situation. He also showed me that no matter what stands in your way, you can achieve what you want."

Outside of work, Jeffrey says his greatest joy comes from being a husband, father, and provider for his family. He is the proud father of three daughters and hopes they will one day enjoy the same experiences and memories at FHUHS that he did.

When asked for a favorite quote, Jeffrey shared words from Tupac Shakur that continue to inspire him:
"Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up... and handle it."

Jeffrey’s advice for today’s Slate Valley students is simple but meaningful:
"Focus — high school isn’t forever. Enjoy your time while you're there and absorb as much knowledge as possible. You’ll be surprised by how much you carry with you into the real world and how much the decisions you make now can impact your future."

We thank Jeffrey for sharing his story and wish him continued success in his career, family life, and future endeavors.

about 23 hours ago, Slate Valley

🎓 Trivia Tuesday – June Edition! 🎓

School is winding down, graduation celebrations are approaching, and we have an end of year question to test your knowledge!

Do you know?
Approximately how many days does a student spend in school from kindergarten through Grade 12?

Drop your guess in the comments below.

2 days ago, Slate Valley

1st Grade listened to a read aloud about super heroes and dinosaurs. They gave it 5 stars!

2 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A group of about a dozen young elementary school children are gathered in a circle on a colorful, paint-splattered rug inside a classroom. Most of the kids are sitting on small navy blue chairs, while a few sit or lean on the floor. They are all looking toward the camera with energetic expressions—many are smiling widely, pulling funny faces, giving peace signs, or pointing at the camera. The classroom background features bulletin boards with educational posters about math and writing, a window with a beige curtain, and a tiled ceiling with fluorescent lighting.

2nd grade class quilt, and mathematical observations.

3 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A close-up view of the right-center portion of the glittery silver bulletin board, showing the right edge of the paper quilt and several student name tags. Visible names include Khalia and Ari. The handwritten math notes scattered around them read: "60 blue triangles," "60 white triangles," "1 white triangle and 1 blue triangle = 1 square," "60 white rectangles," and the addition equation "5+5+5=15

A close-up view of the "Second Grade Class Quilt" grid pinned to a glittery silver bulletin board background. The quilt consists of 15 paper squares arranged perfectly in 3 rows and 5 columns. Each individual quilt square has a symmetrical geometric layout: a large white square in the exact center, flanked by four purple rectangles forming an inner ring, and corner elements made of alternating bright blue and white right triangles. The uniform repetition of the shapes across the blocks creates secondary geometric patterns and paths across the rows.

: A close-up view of the left side of the silver glitter bulletin board, highlighting student names and their corresponding math notes. Featured names written on boho rainbow cutouts include Noah, Evelyn, Barrett, and Remmington. The accompanying handwritten index cards read: "When we put our quilt together we saw diamonds," "3 rows of 5. 3x5=15," "60 blue/white squares," "60 purple rectangles," "1 white rectangle and 1 purple rectangle = 1 square," and the equation "7+8=15."

close-up view of the "Second Grade Class Quilt" grid pinned to a glittery silver bulletin board background. The quilt consists of 15 paper squares arranged perfectly in 3 rows and 5 columns. Each individual quilt square has a symmetrical geometric layout: a large white square in the exact center, flanked by four purple rectangles forming an inner ring, and corner elements made of alternating bright blue and white right triangles. The uniform repetition of the shapes across the blocks creates secondary geometric patterns and paths across the rows.

A classroom bulletin board with a silver glitter background displays a math and art project titled "Second Grade Class Quilt" on a green paper banner. In the center is a paper quilt made of 15 individual square blocks arranged in a grid of 3 rows and 5 columns. Each block features a geometric pattern made of white, purple, and bright blue paper shapes. Surrounding the quilt are several boho-style rainbow cutouts labeled with students' names (such as Collin, Noah, Evelyn, Barrett, Remmington, Teddy, Felicity, Khalia, Gregory, Vera, Ari, and Thea). Next to each name is a small handwritten note containing math equations summing to 15 or calculations counting the different colored shapes used across the entire quilt.

Students working on identifying perimeter and area and solving multiple strategies.

3 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A student poster titled "BY the PlayGround" written in large, bold black marker across the center. Created by "Allison + Gypsy," the white paper is covered in pencil drawings of wood chips colored with brown and orange crayons. In the top right corner, a drawing of a plastic bag includes the label "Plastic Bag 11cm" and a note reading "came from the trash it Blew out of the trash can." Near the center, a small brown smudge is labeled "piece of toilet paper 5cm came from the Porta Poty it Blew out of there."

A close-up of a yellow sheet of construction paper showing two separate area and perimeter math problems. The top problem features an inverted L-shape made of a purple rectangle (6 by 2 units) on top of a teal rectangle (3 by 4 units). The handwritten work calculates the total area as "12 + 12 = 24 sq. cm" and the perimeter as "24 cm." The bottom problem shows a green rectangle stacked vertically on top of a light blue square. The student calculated the areas as 16 and 8, summing them to a "Total Area" of "16 + 8 = 24 sq. cm," alongside a perimeter calculation that also equals 24 cm.

A yellow piece of construction paper displaying four distinct irregular shapes drawn on grid paper and colored with markers (pink, green, purple, and blue). To the right of the shapes, the student has listed four different addition equations, each summing up to a perimeter of "24 cm." Below the perimeter equations, a section labeled "Area" breaks down the square unit measurements for each shape using color-coded bullet points and multiplication, such as "1 x 8 = 8" and "5 x 4 = 20" to find a "total Area = 20 + 8 = 28 sq cm."

A close-up photograph of a white poster board attached to a purple wall, created by elementary students studying litter found near a school. Taped to the upper portion of the poster are physical objects: a used Band-Aid, a large wood chip, and a small strip of white plastic. Handwritten notes around the objects explain their origins, such as "Band aie: came from someones hand, helps people with cuts" and "wood chip: came from a tree; use for paper." Red marker in the center reads "Dumpster north side of school." Stapled to the bottom of the poster is a grid-lined worksheet titled "Problem String Work Space," filled out with a hand-drawn map labeling where items like trash, rocks, and wood chips were discovered.

A wide shot of a classroom bulletin board covered in bright purple paper. The board displays a collection of student schoolwork organized into columns. The top row features white poster boards where students have taped found outdoor objects (like wrappers, wood chips, and plastic) alongside written explanations and grid-paper maps. Directly beneath each white poster is a corresponding bright yellow sheet of construction paper. These yellow sheets show colorful, hand-drawn geometric shapes made of square units, paired with student calculations for area and perimeter. A white electric fan is partially visible in the bottom right corner.

A close-up of a bright yellow piece of construction paper containing a student's math workspace. At the top, two rectangular shapes cut out of grid paper are glued together to form an asymmetrical, L-like shape; the left rectangle is colored blue and the right is orange. The dimensions are handwritten along the borders: 2, 5, 3, 2, 5, and 7. Below the shape, the student has calculated the perimeter in pencil, writing "perimeter 3 + 5 + 7 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 24." Erased and rewritten multiplication equations for area are visible underneath, concluding with "Total Area 10 + 10 = 20 sq. cm."

5th Grade writing pieces on inspirational and historically significant people who helped make change for black Americans.

3 days ago, Kelley Schultz

IMG_3337.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a student-written research paper titled "The Underground Railroad" by Hannah Parker, stapled to a black bulletin board. The paper features clip art of vintage newspaper clippings in the top left corner and a yellowed historical document in the bottom right corner. The typed text includes paragraphs explaining that the Underground Railroad was not an actual railroad underground, but a network that included steamboats, wagons, and foot travel to help enslaved people escape to free states between 1830 and 1865. It mentions Henry "Box" Brown escaping in a box on March 29, 1849. It lists free states in the 1830s and 1860s, and discusses Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation taking effect on January 1, 1863. It concludes by naming important figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison. IMG_3338.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a section of a black bulletin board featuring two columns of student work. Left Column: A paper titled "Henry Box Brown" by Aubrey. The text describes how Henry was born into slavery, worked in a tobacco factory, and had his wife and children sold away. It explains how he escaped slavery by mailing himself in a box to a place without slavery. Below the text are two printed images: a historical illustration of Henry Box Brown emerging from his shipping crate, and a modern photograph of a historical reenactment showing a woman and child in 19th-century attire. Right Column: A two-page paper titled "What was the Underground Railroad?" by RosaLee. The top sheet lists short, bullet-style facts stating that the Underground Railroad helped slaves escape from the 1830s until 1861, and that safe houses were used to keep people hidden. The bottom sheet features two small images: a historical drawing of men loading a boat, and the book cover for We The People: The Underground Railroad by Yona Zeldis McDonough. IMG_3339.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a student report titled "Ida B. Wells" by Colton King, stapled to a black bulletin board. The text opens with a candid introductory sentence: "The topic I'm writing about is Ida B. Wells and why I am writing this is because I have to for school so yeah." The biography notes that Wells was born in Mississippi in 1862, became a teacher, and raised her siblings after her parents died of yellow fever in 1877. It explains that she wrote about "the brutal reality of lynching in the American south" and died in Chicago in 1931. The conclusion reads: "This is the conclusion, and I learned that Ida B. Wells existed, and I didn't like the topic that much. It wasn't interesting to me." Two tiny, identical black-and-white portrait thumbnails of Ida B. Wells are pasted at the bottom. IMG_3340.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of two vertically stacked student reports about Martin Luther King Jr. on a black bulletin board. Top Report: Titled "Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (MLK)" by Brooklyn. The text highlights facts about his birth in 1929, graduating college at 19, marrying Coretta Scott, and facing violence like bombings and stabbings during the Civil Rights Movement. It notes his "I Have a Dream" speech and his assassination on April 4, 1968. Two black-and-white photographs of MLK speaking are placed below the text. Bottom Report: Titled "Martin Luther King Jr." by an unnamed student. The text includes highly literal interpretations of civil rights struggles, noting that protesters were sprayed with water hoses and chased by police dogs. In the middle, the student writes, "Conclusion, I learned nothing. Because I haven't read the book almost all the way through." At the bottom are two colorful, stylized illustrations of MLK against blue and starry backgrounds. IMG_3341.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of two student reports on a black bulletin board. Left Column: A two-page report titled "The March on Washington" by Savannah. The text answers prompt questions, stating she chose the book because she prefers "thick books over thin books." It covers MLK's speech, the $135,000 cost of the march, and celebrities attending. The second page features a "Thank you for reading my essay!!!" message alongside two color photos: one of a woman riding a white horse through a crowd, and an aerial view of the massive crowd at the National Mall. Right Column: A report titled "Rosa Parks" by Gypsy. The student notes, "I had no choice, I just grabbed it" regarding the topic. The text describes Rosa Parks fighting for fairness, refusing to move for a white man on a bus, and going to jail. A black-and-white historical photograph of Rosa Parks sitting on a bus looking out the window is pasted at the bottom. IMG_3342.jpg Alt Text: A wide, full shot of a classroom bulletin board with a festive border of colorful stars on a white background. The main background of the board is black butcher paper. Seven student research papers on Black history and the Civil Rights Movement are arranged in a horizontal row across the board, with some reports featuring multiple pages or accompanying illustrations stacked vertically. Running horizontally along the lower third of the bulletin board is a long white paper timeline strip. Multiple yellow sticky notes with handwritten dates and historical events (such as "1830," "Born January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr.," and "1963") are pressed onto the timeline beneath the corresponding student reports.

MG_3337.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a student-written research paper titled "The Underground Railroad" by Hannah Parker, stapled to a black bulletin board. The paper features clip art of vintage newspaper clippings in the top left corner and a yellowed historical document in the bottom right corner. The typed text includes paragraphs explaining that the Underground Railroad was not an actual railroad underground, but a network that included steamboats, wagons, and foot travel to help enslaved people escape to free states between 1830 and 1865. It mentions Henry "Box" Brown escaping in a box on March 29, 1849. It lists free states in the 1830s and 1860s, and discusses Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation taking effect on January 1, 1863. It concludes by naming important figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison. IMG_3338.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a section of a black bulletin board featuring two columns of student work. Left Column: A paper titled "Henry Box Brown" by Aubrey. The text describes how Henry was born into slavery, worked in a tobacco factory, and had his wife and children sold away. It explains how he escaped slavery by mailing himself in a box to a place without slavery. Below the text are two printed images: a historical illustration of Henry Box Brown emerging from his shipping crate, and a modern photograph of a historical reenactment showing a woman and child in 19th-century attire. Right Column: A two-page paper titled "What was the Underground Railroad?" by RosaLee. The top sheet lists short, bullet-style facts stating that the Underground Railroad helped slaves escape from the 1830s until 1861, and that safe houses were used to keep people hidden. The bottom sheet features two small images: a historical drawing of men loading a boat, and the book cover for We The People: The Underground Railroad by Yona Zeldis McDonough. IMG_3339.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of a student report titled "Ida B. Wells" by Colton King, stapled to a black bulletin board. The text opens with a candid introductory sentence: "The topic I'm writing about is Ida B. Wells and why I am writing this is because I have to for school so yeah." The biography notes that Wells was born in Mississippi in 1862, became a teacher, and raised her siblings after her parents died of yellow fever in 1877. It explains that she wrote about "the brutal reality of lynching in the American south" and died in Chicago in 1931. The conclusion reads: "This is the conclusion, and I learned that Ida B. Wells existed, and I didn't like the topic that much. It wasn't interesting to me." Two tiny, identical black-and-white portrait thumbnails of Ida B. Wells are pasted at the bottom. IMG_3340.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of two vertically stacked student reports about Martin Luther King Jr. on a black bulletin board. Top Report: Titled "Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (MLK)" by Brooklyn. The text highlights facts about his birth in 1929, graduating college at 19, marrying Coretta Scott, and facing violence like bombings and stabbings during the Civil Rights Movement. It notes his "I Have a Dream" speech and his assassination on April 4, 1968. Two black-and-white photographs of MLK speaking are placed below the text. Bottom Report: Titled "Martin Luther King Jr." by an unnamed student. The text includes highly literal interpretations of civil rights struggles, noting that protesters were sprayed with water hoses and chased by police dogs. In the middle, the student writes, "Conclusion, I learned nothing. Because I haven't read the book almost all the way through." At the bottom are two colorful, stylized illustrations of MLK against blue and starry backgrounds. IMG_3341.jpg Alt Text: A close-up photograph of two student reports on a black bulletin board. Left Column: A two-page report titled "The March on Washington" by Savannah. The text answers prompt questions, stating she chose the book because she prefers "thick books over thin books." It covers MLK's speech, the $135,000 cost of the march, and celebrities attending. The second page features a "Thank you for reading my essay!!!" message alongside two color photos: one of a woman riding a white horse through a crowd, and an aerial view of the massive crowd at the National Mall. Right Column: A report titled "Rosa Parks" by Gypsy. The student notes, "I had no choice, I just grabbed it" regarding the topic. The text describes Rosa Parks fighting for fairness, refusing to move for a white man on a bus, and going to jail. A black-and-white historical photograph of Rosa Parks sitting on a bus looking out the window is pasted at the bottom. IMG_3342.jpg Alt Text: A wide, full shot of a classroom bulletin board with a festive border of colorful stars on a white background. The main background of the board is black butcher paper. Seven student research papers on Black history and the Civil Rights Movement are arranged in a horizontal row across the board, with some reports featuring multiple pages or accompanying illustrations stacked vertically. Running horizontally along the lower third of the bulletin board is a long white paper timeline strip. Multiple yellow sticky notes with handwritten dates and historical events (such as "1830," "Born January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr.," and "1963") are pressed onto the timeline beneath the corresponding student reports.

A close-up photograph of a student-written research paper titled "The Underground Railroad" by Hannah Parker, stapled to a black bulletin board. The paper features clip art of vintage newspaper clippings in the top left corner and a yellowed historical document in the bottom right corner. The typed text includes paragraphs explaining that the Underground Railroad was not an actual railroad underground, but a network that included steamboats, wagons, and foot travel to help enslaved people escape to free states between 1830 and 1865. It mentions Henry "Box" Brown escaping in a box on March 29, 1849. It lists free states in the 1830s and 1860s, and discusses Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation taking effect on January 1, 1863. It concludes by naming important figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison.

A wide, full shot of a classroom bulletin board with a festive border of colorful stars on a white background. The main background of the board is black butcher paper. Seven student research papers on Black history and the Civil Rights Movement are arranged in a horizontal row across the board, with some reports featuring multiple pages or accompanying illustrations stacked vertically. Running horizontally along the lower third of the bulletin board is a long white paper timeline strip. Multiple yellow sticky notes with handwritten dates and historical events (such as "1830," "Born January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr.," and "1963") are pressed onto the timeline beneath the corresponding student reports.

Meet Faculty & Staff Monday: June Spotlight

This month, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on someone who truly represents dedication and commitment within Slate Valley—Ann Pelkey, our Payroll Specialist and the district’s longest-serving employee with an incredible 44 years of service!

For more than four decades, Ann has been an essential part of the Slate Valley family, beginning her career shortly after graduating from Castleton State College with a degree in Business Administration. Forty-four years is a remarkable milestone and a reflection of the care, consistency, and heart she brings to her work every day.

While many people may not realize it, Ann’s role impacts every employee across the district. In fact, if you work in Slate Valley and haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting Ann personally, you’ve certainly benefited from her hard work behind the scenes. Every time a paycheck arrives accurately and on time, Ann makes that happen — and that’s definitely something worth being thankful for!

Outside of work, Ann enjoys karaoke, reading, mini golf, and spending time with family and friends. She loves going for walks and rides with her loyal and friendly dog, Belle. She is a volunteer at the Fair Haven American Legion, and also serves as secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary Fair Haven Unit 49.

Ann’s favorite saying perfectly reflects her fun spirit and sense of humor: “It’s never late till midnight — it’s early after that.”
When asked to share anything else, Ann simply said, “I so enjoy working and being a part of the Slate Valley family.” After 44 years of dedication, we can confidently say that the feeling is mutual.

Thank you, Ann, for your years of service, your commitment to the district, and for helping keep everything running behind the scenes. Slate Valley is fortunate to have you!

3 days ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley District Newsletter: May 29, 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/3636bf31d624/slate-valley-district-newsletter-may-15-13836785

6 days ago, Slate Valley

1st grade "If I lived in a Castle" writing and castle creations!

6 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Alt Text: A close-up view of a first-grader's schoolwork on a blue background. The top page shows handwritten text by a studen reading, "If I lived in a castle I would be queen. I would have fancy jewels. Many cats would play on a cat tree." Below the writing is a drawing of a multi-tiered brown sandcastle heavily colored in with crayons. The background is filled with messy, dark blue and black scribbles representing a stormy or night sky, decorated with several cutout paper stars glued around the castle.

A close-up of a student project on a blue bulletin board. The handwritten text reads, "If I lived in a sandcastle I could walk through walls. My bed will be sand and my rug will be sand." Glued below the text is a creative paper collage of a castle. The castle base is vibrantly colored with vertical stripes of blue, orange, red, and purple crayon. A long, curved green and orange paper cutout, topped with a blue star, arches over the right side of the castle like a magical beam or ramp.

A wide shot of a primary school classroom bulletin board with a dark blue background and a scalloped, glittery purple border. Large black cutout letters at the top center spell out "FIRST GRADE." Below the heading, multiple rows of lined student writing papers are displayed, each paired with a colorful, hand-colored drawing or cutout collage of a sandcastle. The writing prompts are titled "If I Lived in a Castle," featuring young children's handwriting and phonetic spelling. IMG_3332.jpg Alt Text: A close-up view of a first-grader's schoolwork on a blue background. The top page shows handwritten text by a student named Kateri, reading, "If I lived in a castle I would be queen. I would have fancy jewels. Many cats would play on a cat tree." Below the writing is a drawing of a multi-tiered brown sandcastle heavily colored in with crayons. The background is filled with messy, dark blue and black scribbles representing a stormy or night sky, decorated with several cutout paper stars glued around the castle.

A close-up of a student's project on a blue bulletin board. The lined paper at the top shows a child's handwriting under the name The text reads, "If I lived in a sandcastle I would have a collection of clams and I would name them Teb, fly, feelie, trist, and tir." Below the writing is a separate sheet of paper with the name written in orange crayon. It features a colorful paper cutout collage of a sandcastle with two red flags, a small orange crab at the bottom, and green seashells on the sides.

Here is the descriptive alt text for each of the uploaded images, tailored to capture the details of the first-grade classroom display. IMG_3331.jpg Alt Text: A wide shot of a primary school classroom bulletin board with a dark blue background and a scalloped, glittery purple border. Large black cutout letters at the top center spell out "FIRST GRADE." Below the heading, multiple rows of lined student writing papers are displayed, each paired with a colorful, hand-colored drawing or cutout collage of a sandcastle. The writing prompts are titled "If I Lived in a Castle," featuring young children's handwriting and phonetic spelling.

A vertical, close-up shot of a student's art project on white paper. The artwork is a paper cutout collage of a yellow sandcastle with various pieces layered on top of each other. A small cutout of a smiling orange crab looks out from a blue arched doorway in the middle tier. Three blue-and-white checkered flags are glued near the top of the towers, a black bucket sits on a ledge, and four yellow stars are glued in the white space above the castle. The bottom of the castle is colored with blue crayon to look like water.

Our 1st graders explored the question "Why do birds have different beaks?" using folded straws as "pointy beaks', and cups as "round beaks" Students tried to pick up pasta without collecting any "rocks". They discovered how different beak shapes are better suited for different types of food, just like birds in the wild.

7 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Three elementary-aged children are working on a colorful, handprint-patterned rug around a long red mat. The mat has small black beans and yellow macaroni pieces scattered across it. One boy lies on his stomach at the top of the mat, a girl sits on the right side manipulating the pieces, and a boy in the bottom left foreground looks at the camera while holding up a small purple paper cup. image

Three young students sit on the floor of a classroom around a long purple mat. The mat is scattered with small objects, like dried beans and macaroni. A boy on the left and a boy in the middle lean over the mat, using small paper cups to gather the pieces. A girl sits on the right side, holding a straw and smiling toward the camera. Activity worksheets on clipboards are placed on the floor nearby. image1 (1).jpeg Three young students sit on the floor of a classroom around a long purple mat. The mat is scattered with small objects, like dried beans and macaroni. A boy on the left and a boy in the middle lean over the mat, using small paper cups to gather the pieces. A girl sits on the right side, holding a straw and smiling toward the camera. Activity worksheets on clipboards are placed on the floor nearby. image2 (1).jpeg Three elementary-aged children are working on a colorful, handprint-patterned rug around a long red mat. The mat has small black beans and yellow macaroni pieces scattered across it. One boy lies on his stomach at the top of the mat, a girl sits on the right side manipulating the pieces, and a boy in the bottom left foreground looks at the camera while holding up a small purple paper cup. image0 (1).jpeg A group of four children are gathered on the classroom floor around a long, bright blue mat scattered with small black and tan pieces. A young girl in the foreground on the right smiles directly at the camera, while another girl on the left leans forward holding a straw like a tool. Behind them, a boy sits cross-legged holding a small cup up to his face, and worksheets with clipboards are scattered around the workspace.

A group of four children are gathered on the classroom floor around a long, bright blue mat scattered with small black and tan pieces. A young girl in the foreground on the right smiles directly at the camera, while another girl on the left leans forward holding a straw like a tool. Behind them, a boy sits cross-legged holding a small cup up to his face, and worksheets with clipboards are scattered around the workspace.

Kindergarten and 1st grade helped plant some flowers in our butterfly garden today. We can't wait to watch the plants grow and attract all of the pollinators. Thank you to our Girl Scout troop for donating the perennials!

7 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A wide, panoramic shot of a group of elementary school children sitting in a long line on colorful yoga mats laid out across a massive, rolling green field. The kids are facing forward on a bright, sunny day with a expansive blue sky filled with white, puffy clouds. In the far background, a house, barn, and tall evergreen trees line the edge of the property.

Two young girls with long hair crouch down to work in a narrow dirt garden bed situated between a building's white siding and a green lawn. Another girl stands nearby on the grass, watching them. A school door with classroom signs is visible in the background.

A group of young children are active outside on a sunny day next to a light-colored school building. Several children are crouched down, working in a long, narrow dirt garden bed that runs parallel to the building's wall. In the background, other children are running across a large, open green lawn under a blue sky with scattered clouds. image2.jpeg A high-angle shot shows five young children focused on gardening in a long dirt patch next to a building. They are crouching and using white plastic spoons as improvised trowels to dig and plant. In the foreground on the grass, a black plastic seed starter tray sits with small seedlings growing inside.

A young girl with light, wavy hair and a joyful expression squats down on a patch of grass next to a dirt garden bed. She is wearing a white t-shirt and floral-patterned shorts, and she holds a small white plastic spoon in both hands, smiling directly up at the camera. image1.jpeg A group of young children are active outside on a sunny day next to a light-colored school building. Several children are crouched down, working in a long, narrow dirt garden bed that runs parallel to the building's wall. In the background, other children are running across a large, open green lawn under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

📣 Community members are invited to attend the next Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting!

The Community Advisory Council provides an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to collaborate, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations that help support and strengthen our Slate Valley schools.

📅 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
🕔 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

This meeting will also serve as the final Community Advisory Council meeting of the 2025–26 school year. Thank you to everyone who has participated and shared ideas throughout the year. Your voices, perspectives, and collaboration help make our Slate Valley community stronger.

We hope you’ll join us as we wrap up another great year together!

8 days ago, Slate Valley

🌿🚣 Celebrating 40 Years of Summer Environmental Projects! 🚣🌿

For four decades, students and community members in Slate Valley have explored, learned, and connected with nature through unforgettable summer environmental programs—from the original East Creek Project, to CARP & CHAMP, and today’s GAP program.

Now it’s time to celebrate this incredible milestone together!

📅 Saturday, May 30
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 Glen Lake

Whether you participated years ago, are involved today, or simply enjoy the outdoors, everyone is invited to join us as we celebrate 40 years of environmental learning, stewardship, and memories.

🚣 Need a kayak? Kayaks may be available to borrow! Contact cstantonvt@gmail.com

Come reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the impact these programs have had across generations. 🌲

9 days ago, Slate Valley

Flyer with a light green background celebrating “40 Years of Summer Environmental Projects.” The flyer includes photos of students and community members kayaking on a lake and exploring nature. Text invites the community to join a celebration at Glen Lake on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. The flyer explains that the event marks the 40th anniversary of the original East Creek Project and celebrates four decades of environmental programs in Slate Valley, including East Creek Project, CARP & CHAMP, and GAP. A note at the bottom says kayaks may be available to borrow and provides the contact email cstantonvt@gmail.com

2nd Grade recess!

9 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A boy and a girl smile while sitting next to each other on playground swings on a bright day. The boy on the left wears a colorful short-sleeve button-down shirt with a palm tree pattern, camouflage pants, a beaded necklace, and black sneakers. The girl on the right has long blonde hair and wears a brown graphic t-shirt, dark jeans, and multi-colored shoes. An open green field with basketball hoops is behind them.

Two boys stand in a large, vibrant green field filled with yellow dandelions under a bright blue sky. The boy in the foreground smiles broadly at the camera while holding an orange football under his arm, wearing an orange sleeveless shirt, red athletic shorts, black socks, and patterned clogs. The boy in the background stands with his hands on his hips, wearing a light-colored camouflage long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans. A soccer goal stands further back in the fiel

Two young girls sit side-by-side on green playground swings over woodchips, smiling at the camera. The girl on the left wears a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and purple sneakers, and holds a clipboard and pencil. The girl on the right has long brown hair, wears a light purple shirt with a butterfly graphic, pink patterned leggings, and is holding a red folder and a pencil. A grassy treeline is behind them.

Two young girls are posing playfully together on a sunny playground covered in woodchips. The girl on the left tilts her head smilingly, wearing a light blue lace top and leopard-print pants. The girl on the right makes a goofy, wide-toothed grimace at the camera, sporting a braided ponytail and a light purple ruffled dress with pom-pom textures. Empty swings are visible in the background.

District Newsletter - May 22, 2026: https://mailchi.mp/330cab433461/slate-valley-district-newsletter-may-15-13836741

13 days ago, Slate Valley

Happy Memorial Day!

13 days ago, Kelley Schultz

4th graders are building rectangles with a perimeter of 60 inches and one side length of 24 inches. They determined that the other side must be 6 inches because rectangles have two pairs of congruent opposite sides and four right angles. Since the perimeter is the total distance around the rectangle, the two 24-inch sides account for 48 inches, leaving 12 inches for the remaining two equal sides. Therefore, each of those sides must be 6 inches long.

13 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Two young girls collaborate at a round wooden table, working on a geometry problem. They have used white string and masking tape to construct a perfect rectangle on the table's surface. One girl uses a clear protractor to check the angles, while the other holds a purple ruler. An open math workbook sits in the foreground, showing equations and word problems related to perimeter and area.

A top-down, bird's-eye view of a geometric shape constructed on a wooden classroom table. A long piece of white string has been arranged and secured at four corners with pieces of white masking tape to form a narrow rectangle. Surrounding the shape on the table are a roll of masking tape, a pair of red scissors, a blue ruler, a protractor, and a wooden yardstick.

A close-up shot of a classroom table where a young girl in a gray hoodie is measuring and taping two parallel lengths of white string onto the surface. A boy wearing glasses and a black sweatshirt leans forward, watching her progress attentively. A red pair of scissors, rolls of masking tape, and a clear plastic protractor rest on the wooden tabletop between them.

A boy and a girl work together at a round wooden classroom table during a hands-on math lesson. The boy, wearing a camouflage hoodie, smiles at the camera while holding one end of a long piece of white string. The girl, in a floral sweatshirt, carefully tapes the string down onto the tabletop. Scattered across the table are rulers, a protractor, scissors, masking tape, and a pencil, with classroom shelving and a sink visible in the background.

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum ecology field trip with grades 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th!

14 days ago, Kelley Schultz

An outdoor shot on a sunny wooden dock where an instructor is teaching two young girls how to use a plankton net. The instructor, wearing a blue cap from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, leans forward to guide a white mesh cone-shaped net attached to a rope over the side of the dock into the water. One girl in a teal long-sleeve shirt and jeans holds a wooden handle attached to the line, while another girl in a black graphic t-shirt looks on intently. A green and yellow canoe is tied up to the

An outdoor shot on a wooden dock where a group of children are gathered around an instructor. The instructor, a man with a beard wearing a blue baseball cap, plaid shirt, and brown hoodie, kneels on the deck and holds out a small white collection vial. A young girl standing in a white t-shirt with large blue floral outlines and blue jeans leans forward to inspect it. Several other children sit or stand nearby on the dock under a bright, sunny sky, with green trees lining the distant shore