Where Are They Now Wednesday: April Spotlight - Marty Vinci, Class of 1970

This month, we’re proud to highlight Fair Haven Union High School alumnus Marty Vinci, a member of the Class of 1970 whose journey reflects dedication, hard work, and a lifelong connection to his roots.

Following graduation, Marty pursued specialized training at Meat Cutting School in Toledo, Ohio—launching a career that would span four decades. He worked as a meat cutter throughout Vermont and upstate New York, building a reputation for skill and consistency in his trade.

In 2007, Marty took his experience to the next level, beginning a new chapter with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a Meat Inspector in Atlanta, Georgia. After three years, he transferred to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he continued his work for an additional 15 years. Marty officially retired on January 1, 2025, concluding an impressive career dedicated to food safety and public service.

Retirement hasn’t slowed him down. Today, Marty enjoys working part-time in the pro shop at a local golf course in the Hilton Head area—staying active and connected within his community.

During his time at Fair Haven, Marty was a two-sport athlete, participating in football, and baseball. He served as captain of the football team his senior year, demonstrating leadership both on and off the field. One of his most memorable moments came on the baseball diamond, when he delivered a game-winning hit in the bottom of the 14th inning to defeat rival Poultney—a moment that still stands out decades later.
Marty also credits Coach Tom LaPlaca as a meaningful influence during his high school years. Their close relationship helped keep him motivated and focused, leaving a lasting impact that extended well beyond graduation.

From standout student-athlete to a long and successful career, Marty Vinci’s story is one of perseverance, pride, and community—qualities that continue to define Slater alumni.
22 minutes ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Where Are They Now Wednesday” featuring FH Union High School Class of 1970 alumnus Marty Vinci, with a photo of him and text highlighting his career as a meat cutter and USDA inspector, his retirement in 2025, and his current work at a golf course, along with a baseball representing a game-winning hit.
Creativity & Imagination runs wild during choice time!
about 17 hours ago, Kelley Schultz
Three children collaborate on a large wooden marble run over a fish-themed rug. One boy stands while two girls sit nearby; they appear to be testing the track with marbles and discussing the construction.
: Overhead view of a girl with colorful butterfly clips in her hair sitting cross-legged on a splatter-patterned rug. She is focused on coloring a picture of Minnie Mouse in a coloring book with a blue colored pencil.
A young boy with brown hair kneels on a blue rug decorated with numbered fish. He is focused on building a tall, intricate marble run using light-colored wooden blocks and tracks.
High-angle shot of a young girl with pigtails standing at a blue table. She is using a yellow pencil to carefully trace or mark a white piece of paper that is layered over colorful cards and craft sticks. A pair of green safety scissors lies nearby.
Three children engage in imaginative play at a yellow table. They are using colorful silicone cupcake liners, plastic pots, pans, and small pom-poms to simulate cooking or sorting.
Due to illness, tonight’s Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting has been cancelled. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting at our next meeting on May 5, 2026. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community!
about 22 hours ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with a red “Canceled” stamp over the Slate Valley Community Advisory Council logo. Text below lists meeting details including date, time, and location at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.
5th Grade reading buddies!
about 24 hours ago, Kelley Schultz
A young boy kneels on a classroom floor, smiling as he looks at a series of long sentence strips laid out. One strip clearly reads, "Three bees in a tree took a pear off your chair, by her new big rig."
A young girl in a floral shirt smiles at the camera while holding up a long white sentence strip that reads, "A dog who jogged fell into the well!" Other children are active in the background of the classroom.
From a high angle, two children are seen sitting on a colorful, paint-splatter patterned rug. They are focused on an open picture book about magic tricks, with other books like The Mitten lying nearby.
Two children sit at a wooden table working together on a word-building activity with small yellow letter tiles on a white board. A third child stands nearby, watching the process.
Four children sit around a grey table playing a matching game with dozens of colorful, bug-shaped circular cards spread across the surface.
: Three children sit at a wooden desk playing a "Pop for Sight Words" game. One child is reaching into the popcorn-themed box while another examines a small white game piece.
: A high-angle shot of three girls sitting in a circle on the floor. One girl holds a "Pop for Sight Words" game box while another holds a small circular word tile.
Three boys sit in a circle on the floor working with a "Silly Sentences" game. They are connecting interlocking word pieces to form long, colorful sentence chains. Image 2: A high-angle shot of three girls sitting in a circle on the floor. One girl holds a "Pop for Sight Words" game box while another holds a small circular word tile. Image 3: Three children sit at a wooden desk playing a "Pop for Sight Words" game. One child is reaching into the popcorn-theme
An older student sits cross-legged on the floor, guiding two younger children through a literacy game involving animal-shaped cards and word fragments in a blue plastic basket.
🇺🇸 Trivia Tuesday 🇺🇸
Question:
How did Mount Independence in Orwell, Vermont, get its name?

Answer:
Mount Independence was named in 1776 by American troops stationed there during the Revolutionary War. The name honored the colonies’ declaration of independence from Great Britain, which had just been adopted that summer.

🇺🇸 Did You Know?
As we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, Mount Independence stands as a powerful local reminder of that pivotal moment in 1776. Even more meaningful, it remains a popular field trip destination for many Slate Valley students—giving them the opportunity to walk the very grounds where history was made and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.

🔗 Learn more: https://historicsites.vermont.gov/mount-independence
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Trivia Tuesday” asking how Mount Independence in Orwell, Vermont got its name, featuring an image of the Mount Independence site with two illustrated Revolutionary War soldiers and a Vermont logo.
Night of The Arts-A Celebration of Learning-Wed April 8th
2 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A bright turquoise flyer for "Night of the Arts & Celebration of Learning" at Benson Village School. The text is written in a playful purple font, and the design features simple line drawings of paintbrushes, drama masks, sparkles, and a painter's palette. The flyer lists the following event details: Target Audience: Grades K-6th Date: Wednesday, April 8th Time: 5:00pm–6:30pm Schedule: * 5:00–5:45: Classrooms art exhibits 5:45–6:30: Music performances in the gym
Board Meeting - April 6, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Benson Village School Gym.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: link: https://meet.google.com/tbg-nhei-qjq
Or dial: (US) +1 484-321-6815 PIN: 473 638 758#

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.
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic inviting the public to a Slate Valley Unified Union School District board meeting on April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Benson Village School gym, with agenda items including consent agenda, revote conversation, 5th and 6th grade athletics, Hubbardton board seat interest, and committee reports (finance).
Meet Faculty & Staff Monday — April Spotlight

This month, we’re excited to highlight Becky Hughes, who has been a dedicated Instructional Assistant at CES for the past 5 years!

Becky brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, and her journey began in a meaningful and unexpected way. During a conference for her youngest child, a pre-K teacher encouraged her to consider substitute teaching—and that conversation sparked a career. Within six months, Becky transitioned from subbing to a full-time teaching assistant.

She spent 12 years at Saratoga County Head Start, followed by three years as a paraeducator in an autism classroom at Rutland Intermediate School. Wanting to be closer to home, Becky joined Slate Valley—and we’re so glad she did!

When she’s not at school, Becky enjoys spending time with her family and going camping whenever she can. She also keeps busy working a second job—and has a fun and unique hobby… she collects cows!

Becky lives by a message that reflects both her work and her heart:
“It’s okay to be different, and be kind to others.”

Thank you, Becky, for the care, compassion, and positivity you bring to CES each day!
2 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic introducing Becky Hughes, CES instructional assistant, highlighting her 5 years with Slate Valley, nearly 20 years in education, prior work at Saratoga County Head Start and Rutland Intermediate School, and her interests in family, camping, and collecting cows, with the quote “It’s okay to be different.”
District Newsletter: April 3, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/ddaacb2d3e1b/district-newsletter-april-3-2026
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Header for Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated April 3, 2026, featuring the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” with illustrations of children holding umbrellas in the rain.
Indoor recess!
6 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A close-up, high-angle shot of a wooden table where children are playing with magnetic building blocks that resemble Minecraft textures. A small structure with stone-patterned walls and a green roof stands on a base of grass and water tiles. Nearby, there is a blue "Memory Match" game tin and a gold metal tray.
Three young girls sit at a table engaged in different activities. Two girls in the foreground are looking at a large array of face-down memory match cards spread across the table. Next to them is a Marvel-themed activity book and more magnetic building blocks. Other children and a cornhole game are visible in the blurred background.
A wide shot of a multi-purpose room where several children are playing. In the foreground, a boy walks past a cornhole board toward the center of the room. To the left, another child sits on the floor playing with wooden blocks. A "The Forest Feast" poster hangs on the wall near a piano and various storage cabinets.
An indoor scene showing a group of young children and an adult seated at a long wooden table. The children are focused on coloring books, including Pokémon and Super Mario themes. A woman in a denim shirt leans over to assist a young girl with her coloring. In the background, a colorful "Building Healthy Habits" poster is visible on the wall.
A young girl stands ready to play a game of cornhole in a gymnasium or community room. She holds a blue beanbag and looks toward the camera. A woman in a brown fleece vest stands behind her, and another child is visible in the background. The cornhole board features a geometric design with teal, red, and black sections.
ABL Stations!
7 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young girl in a denim jacket leans over a table to match colorful 3D foam letters to hand-drawn letters on a large white poster. Several foam letters like 'M', 'F', and 'K' are already placed on their corresponding spots. 📐 Shape & Geometry Stations
A young girl kneels on the gym floor next to a large sheet of paper covered in a grid of red and blue dots. She is holding several colored pencils, and a large blue die sits on the floor nearby.
A young boy in a tan t-shirt smiles as he looks down at a table where he has used several wooden craft sticks to build a large, complex geometric shape resembling a rocket. Various colored shape flashcards are scattered around his project.
Two young girls work at a table with a large pile of wooden craft sticks. One girl has her hand raised excitedly while the other focuses on building a triangle. They are using flashcards with shapes like squares and hexagons as guides.
A young boy in a tan t-shirt smiles as he looks down at a table where he has used several wooden craft sticks to build a large, complex geometric shape resembling a rocket. Various colored shape flashcards are scattered around his project.
A wide shot of a school gymnasium featuring a large paper alphabet poster on a brown folding table in the foreground. In the background, three young children are moving around the gym, which has green and grey walls and blue safety mats along one side.
A young girl in a pink shirt stands proudly behind a table where she has built a house shape using wooden craft sticks. Several pink and white shape cards, including a triangle and a rectangle, are laid out on the table.
A high-energy shot of several children playing in the gymnasium. One boy is jumping through a yellow and black agility ladder laid out on the floor, while two girls run and dance nearby.
Dear Slate Valley,
Thank you for your support in approving the school budget on the revote. I recognize the time, thought, and consideration that went into this decision, particularly in the context of the broader challenges facing education funding.

Your support ensures that we can continue to provide strong learning opportunities, essential services, and stability for our students and staff. It allows us to maintain the core of what we offer while continuing to move our work forward.

We are deeply appreciative of your commitment to our students and our school community. Your support makes a meaningful difference.

With sincere appreciation,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
7 days ago, Slate Valley
A celebratory graphic reading “Budget Passed!” and “Thank You!” surrounds the Slate Valley logo, with icons representing different schools arranged in a hexagon and colorful confetti scattered throughout.
Indoor recess fun!
8 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A girl in a pink butterfly-print shirt looks toward the camera while another girl in a purple "Pretty and Smart" t-shirt focuses on a sticker or craft project at a busy classroom table.
A wide shot of a classroom activity center. A girl in a striped dress is coloring, while another student nearby holds a stack of red plastic cups. Educational posters about color, shape, and line are visible on the wall.
A close-up of a tall engineering project where red plastic cups are stacked vertically, separated by white index cards to create a multi-level tower on a classroom table. IMG_3186.jpg: An adult supervisor assists a young boy with a marble game called "Balance the Marbles: Defy the Wobble." The teacher holds a mesh bag of colorful marbles over a blue perforated game base.
An adult supervisor assists a young boy with a marble game called "Balance the Marbles: Defy the Wobble." The teacher holds a mesh bag of colorful marbles over a blue perforated game base.
: A young girl with long blonde hair sits at a classroom table, smiling at the camera while coloring a drawing with a crayon. In the background, other students and a teacher work at separate tables.
Indoor recess fun!
8 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young girl in a blue t-shirt smiles at the camera next to a tall structure she built using magnetic Minecraft-style blocks on a classroom table
Two young boys standing at a classroom table, looking intently at a blue "Magnetic Chess Game" board. In the background, other children are working on various activities.
A group of elementary school children playing cornhole in a school hallway. Two boys are high-fiving over a wooden cornhole board painted with a teal and red geometric design.
A group of elementary school children playing cornhole in a school hallway.
A young girl in a purple floral shirt works collaboratively with another student to build a small house out of magnetic blocks. A girl in a pink sweater is in the foreground.
Looking for a space to share your thoughts, ask questions, and be part of the conversation in a more relaxed setting?

Join us at the next Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting—an opportunity to connect directly with district leadership and help shape the future of our schools.

💬 Whether you have ideas, feedback, or simply want to stay informed, your voice matters here. This is a welcoming, less formal environment where open dialogue is encouraged and valued.

🗓 Next Meeting: April 7, 2026
🕔 Time: 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

We hope you’ll join the conversation—because strong schools start with strong community connections.
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with the Slate Valley Community Advisory Council logo showing stylized figures surrounding a Vermont emblem. Text reads: “Slate Valley Community Advisory Council. Next Meeting: April 7, 2026 – 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM. Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Today’s the day! 🗳️Please take a few minutes to cast your vote!

Slate Valley community members are encouraged to vote on the Revised FY27 Budget Proposal today, March 31st. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our schools and supporting students across the district.

📍 Polling Locations & Hours:
• Benson: 10 AM – 7 PM, Benson Community Hall
• Castleton: 8 AM – 7 PM, Castleton Fire Station
• Fair Haven: 10 AM – 7 PM, American Legion Post #49
• Hubbardton: 10 AM – 7 PM, Hubbardton Town Hall
• Orwell: 10 AM – 7 PM, Orwell Town Office
• West Haven: 10 AM – 7 PM, West Haven Town Hall
8 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with Slate Valley logo reading “Please Vote Today – March 31st” in large green and red text. Below, polling locations and hours are listed: Benson (10 AM–7 PM, Benson Community Hall), Castleton (8 AM–7 PM, Castleton Fire Station), Fair Haven (10 AM–7 PM, American Legion Post #49), Hubbardton (10 AM–7 PM, Hubbardton Town Hall), Orwell (10 AM–7 PM, Orwell Town Office), and West Haven (10 AM–7 PM, West Haven Town Hall). School logos appear along the bottom.
PBIS celebration kites!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young boy in a long-sleeved navy shirt and black pants stands in a dry, grassy field on a clear day. He holds a thin string connected to a small, homemade white kite with a red streamer tail, which is flying several feet above the ground to his left.
A photograph of two young girls in a dry, grassy field with a line of bare trees in the distance. The girl on the right is looking up and flying a small kite with two long red tails on a string, which is catching the wind. The girl on the left is standing holding her own folded-up red and blue paper kite. Both girls have their shadows cast on the grass. The sky is bright blue with a few light, scattered clouds.
A young boy in a long-sleeved navy shirt and black pants stands in a dry, grassy field on a clear day. He holds a thin string connected to a small, homemade white kite with a red streamer tail, which is flying several feet above the ground to his left.
A young boy in a long-sleeved navy shirt and black pants stands in a dry, grassy field on a clear day. He holds a thin string connected to a small, homemade white kite with a red streamer tail, which is flying several feet above the ground to his left.
PBIS celebration!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A young girl with dark hair and a purple long-sleeved shirt smiles at the camera. She is sitting at a cafeteria table and holding a wooden craft stick covered in a large dollop of white frosting, which she has just scooped from a small plastic cup.
A boy in a grey long-sleeved shirt that says "Take a Hike" stands behind a cafeteria table, smiling proudly. In front of him are two cookies he has decorated: one with white frosting and green sprinkles, and another with white frosting and red and yellow sprinkles. Photo 8: IMG_3170.jpg A close-up of a young boy with light brown hair and freckles wearing a tan "Aeropostale" hoodie. He has a playful, tight-lipped expression as if he's just taken a bite of a treat. Other children and an adult in a patterned dress are visible in the background of the gymnasium.
A smiling girl in a dark grey t-shirt sits at a cafeteria table, holding up a small piece of a cookie decorated with white frosting and colorful sprinkles. Her face shows she is clearly enjoying the snack. In the background, other children are still working on their cookies.
pg A close-up of a young boy with light brown hair and freckles wearing a tan "Aeropostale" hoodie. He has a playful, tight-lipped expression as if he's just taken a bite of a treat. Other children and an adult in a patterned dress are visible in the background of the gymnasium.
A young girl with blonde hair tilts her head back and smiles while holding a piece of a decorated cookie. She has a bit of white frosting on her lip. Behind her, other students are sitting at the long tables, busy decorating or eating their own cookies.
A boy in a blue and white plaid shirt sits at a dark wood table, holding a decorated cookie with green sprinkles that has a large bite taken out of it. Another cookie with red sprinkles sits on a napkin in front of him. He is looking at the camera with a cheerful, mid-snack expression.
A boy in a brown Carhartt hoodie uses a wooden stick to spread thick white frosting onto two cookies sitting on a brown paper napkin. He is looking toward the camera with an open-mouthed, excited expression.
PBIS celebration!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
A wide shot of a school gymnasium or cafeteria where several elementary-aged children are standing at long brown tables. Each child has a workstation featuring two chocolate chip cookies on a napkin, a small cup of white frosting, a wooden spreader, and a plastic palette filled with various colorful sprinkles. In the background, other students and adults are visible near the gym walls.
A close-up of three girls at a decorating station. One girl in a blue shirt points toward a palette of sprinkles in the center of the table. To the right, a girl in denim overalls smiles at the camera, while another girl in a light pink shirt looks on. Each child has their own set of cookies and frosting ready for decorating.
A high-angle, close-up shot of a dark wood-grain table prepared for a cookie decorating activity. Two workstations are visible; each includes two chocolate chip cookies, a brown paper napkin, a small plastic lidded cup of white frosting, and a wooden craft stick. A white plastic palette sits between the stations, containing six compartments filled with vibrant sprinkles in yellow, orange, blue, pink, and red.
A wide shot of a school gymnasium or cafeteria where several elementary-aged children are standing at long brown tables. Each child has a workstation featuring two chocolate chip cookies on a napkin, a small cup of white frosting, a wooden spreader, and a plastic palette filled with various colorful sprinkles. In the background, other students and adults are visible near the gym walls.
Children sit along a long table in a gymnasium, beginning to decorate their cookies. A girl in a blue plaid shirt looks toward the center of the table while a boy in a navy hoodie focuses on his cookies in the background. A palette of colorful sprinkles is shared between students, and several small cups of frosting and wooden sticks are scattered across the table.
PBIS celebration! Cookie decorating!
9 days ago, Kelley Schultz
: Two young boys sit at a long cafeteria table prepared for cookie decorating. Each has a set of chocolate chip cookies, a cup of frosting, and a wooden spreader. A shared palette of bright sprinkles sits between them on the dark wood surface.
A child wearing a green "Happy Gilmore" t-shirt sits at a wooden table, holding a wooden craft stick. In front of them are two chocolate chip cookies on a napkin, a small container of white frosting, and a white palette filled with colorful sprinkles in various shades like blue, orange, and pink. IMG_3155.jpg: Two young boys sit at a long cafeteria table prepared for cookie decorating. Each has a set of chocolate chip cookies, a cup of frosting, and a wooden spreader. A shared palette of bright sprinkles sits between them on the dark wood surface.
: A high-angle shot showing a young boy with glasses beginning to decorate his cookies. Several other cookie-decorating stations are visible along the table, each equipped with napkins, cookies, frosting, and wooden sticks.
A boy in a black hoodie takes a bite of a cookie he just decorated. On the napkin in front of him is a chocolate chip cookie covered in thick white frosting and topped with red and blue sprinkles.
A young girl in a cream-colored "Be Kind" patterned shirt smiles at the camera. She has two chocolate chip cookies and a wooden stick ready on a napkin, with a palette of vibrant sprinkles nearby.
A boy in a black hoodie takes a bite of a cookie he just decorated. On the napkin in front of him is a chocolate chip cookie covered in thick white frosting and topped with red and blue sprinkles.
A high-angle shot showing a young boy with glasses beginning to decorate his cookies. Several other cookie-decorating stations are visible along the table, each equipped with napkins, cookies, frosting, and wooden sticks.