Benson Village School

Slate Valley Distict Newsletter: November 21, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/a1cd4fd44227/slate-valley-district-newsletter-november-21-2025

about 1 hour ago, Slate Valley

Students in Mrs. Schuyler's class are building plant and animal cell models out of salt dough. Next week they'll be able to paint and label each part

about 2 hours ago, Kelley Schultz

A smiling girl with long dark hair and a pink headband sits at a round table in a classroom, flattening a large piece of dough on a dark tray. A lump of dough is next to the tray, and an open laptop is also on the table.

Two smiling students, a boy and a girl, stand at a round table in a classroom, each with a flattened piece of dough in front of them, seemingly for a project. They are surrounded by laptops and classroom supplies.

Two students working together to mix ingredients in a large silver bowl on a classroom table. The student on the left is using a whisk, while the student on the right is pouring something from a container. There are various measuring cups and ingredients on the table.

: Close-up of a detailed model made of dough, shaped like a circular cell, with toothpicks and raised dough structures representing different organelles. The dough model rests on a piece of brown paper.

Close-up of a student pouring a white ingredient from a canister into a red mixing bowl containing flour and other ingredients, using a measuring scoop. The student is wearing a red and blue striped shirt, and the counter and shirt are dusted with flour.

6th Graders are learning about equivalent ratios throughout the process of making Kool-aid. Through a taste test, students learned that doubling each ingredient the taste remained the same.

about 6 hours ago, Kelley Schultz

Three students stand around a desk participating in a hands-on activity. The student on the left, wearing a black hoodie, points or gestures toward a white container of powdered drink mix. The student in the middle (maroon shirt) and the student on the right (navy shirt over black shirt) are looking down and handling clear measuring cups labeled 'C' and 'A', which contain red liquid (the drink mixture). An open workbook is visible on the desk.

A clear close-up image of a smartboard displaying the math activity titled "Powdered Drink Mix." The screen shows three diagrams labeled A, B, and C, representing mixtures. The Key is visible: a white square equals "1 teaspoon drink mix," and a blue square equals "1 cup water." Diagram A has 4 drink mix squares and 1 water square. Diagram B has 4 drink mix squares and 1 water square. Diagram C has 8 drink mix squares and 2 water squares.

A boy in a black and camouflage jacket sits at a round table, taking a sip from a paper cup while looking down at a workbook or textbook open on the desk. In the background, another student (the girl from IMG_9209) sits near the smartboard, which displays the "Powdered Drink Mix" activity.

.jpg: A smiling student, a girl with her hair tied back and wearing a black hoodie, holds up a small paper cup containing a drink mixture. Behind her is a smartboard displaying a math activity tick atled "Powdered Drink Mix," which uses diagrams (A, B, C) to represent mixtures of drink mix (white squares) and water (blue squares).

A student with dark hair and wearing a black hoodie is seated at a wooden table, looking off-camera with a wide-open, excited expression while holding a paper cup. A workbook, headphones, and a clear water bottle are on the table in front of them. A colorful poster in the background reads, "WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS."

Kindergarten Literacy stations

1 day ago, Kelley Schultz

Two young boys sitting on a blue rug with an underwater fish theme, focused on a fine motor skill or math activity. They are using small, colorful plastic connecting pieces from an open bin to complete tasks on printed cards.

A young girl with dark hair, wearing a green top and black leggings, sitting on a colorful rug while practicing writing. She is intently tracing letters or numbers on a worksheet secured in a clear yellow sleeve, with a stack of similar worksheets beside her.

Four young girls gathered in a cozy classroom area. One girl is sitting on a chair/bench with a smiling sun pillow, reading aloud from a large book to the other three who are sitting on the floor, looking at books, suggesting a small reading group or story time.

Four young children on a colorful, patterned rug in a classroom, engaged in a literacy activity. Two children are writing on clear sheet protectors with letter tracing worksheets, and two are looking at cards and blank squares on the floor.

🏀❄️ Winter Sports Season Is Almost Here! ❄️🤼‍♂️

The winter sports season will officially begin the week of December 1st!
A few important reminders:

✔️ All athletes must be registered on FormReLeaf
✔️ All athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file at their school

📅 Practice schedules for middle and high school teams will be posted the week of Thanksgiving.
🏀 Grades 5 & 6 basketball practices will begin the week of December 8th.

Winter Sports Offered by Slate Valley / Fair Haven Union MHS
Indoor Track
Bowling
Competition Cheer
Wrestling — Middle & High School
Middle school wrestlers will practice at FHUMHS with the high school team
Girls Basketball — Middle School, JV & Varsity
Boys Basketball — Middle School, JV & Varsity
Middle school basketball practices and home games will be held at FHGS
Slate Valley Basketball for Grades 5 & 6

(Four teams anticipated)
🏀 Practices begin the week of December 8
📍 Practices and home games will take place at Castleton Elementary School

Teams:
Castleton / Orwell Girls
Castleton / Orwell Boys
Fair Haven / Benson Girls
Fair Haven / Benson Boys

2 days ago, Slate Valley

A promotional graphic for Slate Valley’s 2025 Winter Sports Tip-Off Week, starting December 1st. The top features bold blue text reading “Slate Valley 2025 Winter Sports Tip Off Week – December 1st!” Below it, red text says “Not registered yet? Go to: FormReleaf.com.” Small illustrations of wrestlers, pom-poms, running shoes, a bowling ball and pins, and a basketball appear throughout. The flyer lists winter sports offered at Slate Valley/Fair Haven Union Middle & High School: Indoor Track, Bowling, Competition Cheer, Middle & High School Wrestling, Girls Basketball (Middle School, JV, Varsity), Boys Basketball (Middle School, JV, Varsity), and Slate Valley Basketball for Grades 5–6 with practices and games at CES. It also notes Castleton/Orwell and Fair Haven/Benson team groupings. A blue banner at the bottom reads, “All athletes need an updated sports physical on file at school.”

Second grade earned a hot chocolate and stuffie celebration for filling their class honeycomb with Buzz Beads!

2 days ago, Amy Roy

A group of elementary school children pose together in a hallway beside a tall autumn-themed paper tree with colorful leaves and a large paper beehive attached to it. Some children stand behind the tree while others sit or kneel in front, many of them making heart shapes with their hands. One child in the back holds a small craft decorated like a beehive above their head. Student work is displayed on the wall behind them, adding bright colors to the scene.

The 45th Vermont Outstanding Educator Awards were held on October 27th, and we are proud to share that two Slate Valley educators were honored! Mr. Kyle Ruby, FHUHS Social Studies teacher and Ms. Amanda Eddy, Special Educator at Benson Village School.

Although Amanda was unable to attend, FHUMHS Co-Principal Mr. Ben Worthing was there to join Mr. Ruby in representing Slate Valley at the ceremony.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding educators for their dedication, passion, and the positive impact they make every day in our schools!

4 days ago, Slate Valley

Kyle Ruby smiles while holding his Certificate of Recognition, standing beside a colleague at an indoor awards reception with other attendees in the background.

Kyle Ruby stands onstage holding his Certificate of Recognition, posed with three award presenters in formal attire in front of a black curtain.

A framed Vermont Outstanding Educator Award honoring Kyle Ruby, featuring his portrait and a written tribute to his work at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.

A framed Vermont Outstanding Educator Award honoring Amanda Eddy, featuring her portrait and a written tribute to her work at Benson Village School.

A November District Drive Through Slate Valley
It was a spontaneous drive to visit all Slate Valley schools—no special events, just everyday learning on full display. From music and art to math, reading, and a lively P.E. kickball game, students were engaged everywhere I went. Lunchtime smiles, hallway hellos, and even a few photo poses made the day even better.
Fun fact: the only screens seen all day were in the digital arts class—proof that hands-on learning is thriving in Slate Valley!
📽️ Check out the video recap here: https://youtube.com/shorts/g09yDudmgi8?feature=share

7 days ago, Slate Valley

A smiling elementary student sits at a desk writing in a notebook with a pencil. He is wearing a red hoodie and looking up at the camera. A large red play button icon is overlaid in the center, indicating a video preview. A small illustrated car graphic appears at the bottom right corner, and the video duration “2:25” is shown in the lower corner.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: November 14, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/c124059bdba8/slate-valley-district-newsletter-november-14-2025

7 days ago, Slate Valley

Phoenix Books are here! We have a book fair today during our Thanksgiving meal!

7 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A close-up shot of two book covers: the top book is a question-based title asking, "BUT WHY ARE LLAMAS TICKLISH?" The bottom book cover is a sports title titled "SUPERCROSS BUMPS AND JUMPS." Classroom Photos

Four adult women, presumably staff or volunteers, are standing behind a table covered with a red Phoenix Books tablecloth and holding up children's books. They are smiling at the camera, promoting the book fair. A wooden crate sits on the table, which also displays small gift items and a sign indicating payment methods.

A close-up shot of the cover of a non-fiction children's book titled "DIRT BIKES" in large, red and white letters. The cover features an image of a person riding a dirt bike in racing gear.

A table displaying books for the book fair, categorized as "EARLY READERS". The books are laid out on the table and arranged in white baskets and small wooden shelving units. A purple chart showing time measurements is visible on the wall to the left.

A long wooden table set up in a school hallway with books displayed for a book fair. A tiered metal rack holds numerous titles, and the table displays stacks of books underneath a sign labeled "EARLY READERS". A red fire extinguisher is visible on the wall in the background.

A display table for the book fair is set up beneath a bulletin board titled "Famous Vermonters" which features a map of Vermont. The table is filled with various books arranged on metal tiered racks and laid flat, with a sign indicating the section is for "MIDDLE READERS".

We are preparing to welcome over 200 guests to our Thanksgiving meal. A huge Thank you to our amazing chefs preparing today's food.

7 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Three cafeteria workers (all women wearing matching black shirts and hair coverings) are standing behind a stainless steel counter in a kitchen or food preparation area. The woman in the center is holding a block of cheese over a clear bin of prepped food. In the foreground, there is a stainless steel sink and a sign with instructions for Handwashing.

A close-up photograph of a white marker board in a black frame with a hand-drawn message in brown, orange, and red marker that reads: "Welcome to our BVS Family Thanksgiving Meal". The text is surrounded by decorative squiggly lines.

A high-angle, wide shot of the gymnasium set up for the meal, showing the serving and entrance area. Several tables draped in tan and dark green cloths are set up near an open doorway to the kitchen. Fall decorations, including pumpkins and a sign reading "THE FOREST FEAST," are visible along the wall.

A high-angle view of a gymnasium floor set up for a meal. The room contains rows of tables, some covered with white tablecloths and others with yellow patterned cloths. Long picnic-style tables with benches are visible in the foreground, with time cards (e.g., "11:45") placed on them. The floor is marked with sports lines and a teal blue border.

A high-angle view looking across the gymnasium, showcasing the extensive table setup for the meal. The tables are arranged in sections, with some covered in white cloths and others in yellow. A basketball hoop is visible at the far end of the gym, and a large black structural support column and beige partition dominate the right side of the foreground.

🎙️ Educational Insights: Community Perspectives — Part 2

In this continuation of our Educational Insights podcast series, Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O’Meara continue discussion with active community members Bob Crowley of Castleton and Rose Anne Van Lew of Fair Haven.

In Part 2, the conversation dives deeper into important topics such as school-to-community communication, how Vermont’s education system is funded, and the fiscal challenges surrounding the upcoming FY27 budget. The group also discusses the value and impact of Slate Valley’s Community Advisory Council, highlighting how community voices help guide district priorities and build understanding around education in our region.

Tune in to hear genuine perspectives, thoughtful discussion, and shared ideas about how Slate Valley can continue strengthening its partnership with the community. https://youtu.be/e5JYVkgrUNQ

8 days ago, Slate Valley

Kindergarten ABL lab!

8 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Four young girls are standing side-by-side along a dark green wooden wall, writing with markers on laminated worksheets taped to the wall. The worksheets show large letters (S, T, U) and alphabet tracing activities, indicating a literacy or handwriting exercise.

A wide-angle shot showing a group of children working on the floor of a large room (like a gym). In the foreground, four children are kneeling and writing on worksheets laid out in a row. A few black balls are scattered nearby, and more children are visible working in the distance.

An aerial view of four young children kneeling on the floor, which has a mix of green and tiled sections. They are all bent over, writing with markers on individual worksheets laminated in plastic, which feature number lines or ten frames for counting practice.

An aerial view of four young girls kneeling along a black line on the floor, tracing their names onto personalized worksheets in colorful laminated sleeves

A high-angle close-up of four children gathered around a brown table, using plastic tongs (or scoops) to transfer small, colorful pom-poms between an orange tray and colored plastic cups. They are leaning in intently, focusing on the fine motor skill activity.

Kindergarten and their Veterans' Day Poster!

9 days ago, Amy Roy

Alt text: A group of young students in a colorful classroom smile and pose around a large chart paper that says “Happy Veterans Day!” The chart includes small pictures of flags, birds, and handprints. The children are wearing jackets and backpacks, and some are pointing to the poster. The classroom is decorated with learning charts, a rocking chair, and bright rugs and materials

🇺🇸 “On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent. Today, we honor those who have served and those who continue to serve with courage, commitment, and sacrifice.”

To all veterans—students, staff, families, community members, and alumni—thank you.
Your service protects our freedoms, and your dedication inspires us each day.

We are grateful. We remember. We honor. 🇺🇸

#VeteransDay #WeAreSlateValley#ThankYouVeterans

10 days ago, Slate Valley

Graphic honoring Veterans Day. The background features a slightly faded American flag. Large white text reads, “THANK YOU, VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR SACRIFICE.” To the right, a small box shows “11 NOV.” Silhouettes of military figures appear at the bottom—one saluting and two soldiers helping each other. Additional text reads: “On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent.”

Slate Valley District Newsletter: November 7, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/735816e9b547/november-7-2025-slate-valley-district-newsletter

14 days ago, Slate Valley

Kinders created wonderful apples!

14 days ago, Kelley Schultz

Three young students are seated around a blue, kidney-shaped table in a classroom, engaged in a craft activity. In the foreground, a girl with blonde hair in a ponytail is wearing a pink shirt and working on a green apple-shaped paper cutout, with small white pom-poms nearby. Another girl, with long brown hair and a green plaid shirt, is on the right, picking small colorful pom-poms from a blue tray. A boy in a dark t-shirt is at the top of the table, looking up and away from his work, which includes a red apple cutout, a small cup of white pom-poms, and a plastic spoon. Craft supplies like crayons and paper are also on the table.

🌟 Friday Focus on our Fabulous, Fantastic First Graders! 🌟

Our first-grade friends are flourishing!
They’re spelling like superstars, writing with wonder, and figuring out equations like future mathematicians.

And when it’s time to move? They’re all about ABL – Action Based Learning!
At ABL stations, our students learn and leap, solve and stretch, think and thrive—because movement makes mighty minds!

We love watching this phenomenal first-grade crew grow, explore, and shine each and every day.
Keep it up, super scholars — your future is brilliant! ✨

Watch the spotlight video at: https://youtu.be/VVfdm8F_D7E

14 days ago, Slate Valley

Young boy sitting at a classroom desk smiles while writing the word “yet” on a small whiteboard.

Girl wearing rainbow-colored glasses smiles at her desk with a whiteboard that has her name written on it.

Boy on the playground hangs from monkey bars with a determined expression.

Girl swings on a playground swing on a sunny day, looking toward the camera.

Girl jumps between circular floor markers during an activity in the school gym.

Two students kneel on the classroom floor and read a book together.

Girl writes the word “they” on large blue paper hanging on a classroom wall.

Student wearing headphones focuses on a laptop during classroom work; another student sits beside her.

Two students work together at a desk on a math worksheet, using a pencil and counting dice.

Students completed a craft, and now they're running an ELA lesson. They've also added in an impromptu dance class. A random PBIS celebration!

14 days ago, Kelley Schultz

A classroom scene where a girl in a purple sweatshirt and glasses is standing by a large, dark interactive display screen, appearing to present or lead an activity. Another student is seated at a table covered in plastic on the left. Classroom shelves filled with art supplies are visible behind them.

A close-up of a finished art project on a wooden tabletop covered in plastic. A black cutout silhouette of a bare tree is glued onto a round coffee filter dyed with red, orange, and yellow colors, giving it the appearance of an autumn sunset or fall foliage.

Four students are standing in a classroom. Three girls are facing a whiteboard with charts (labeled "Mat-Mat," "Stop-Mat"), and two of them appear to be singing or participating in a call-and-response activity, with their hands held near their mouths. The fourth girl is seated at a round table, facing away from the camera.

A smiling girl wearing a dark blue fleece jacket stands in a classroom, holding up a round piece of paper (likely a cniature Earth or tie-dye art. A cale USA are behind her.

A girl with long blonde hair and a tie-dye shirt is seated, holding up two decorated coffee filters. The one on the left has bright rainbow colors, and the one on the right has lighter pastel colors. Another girl is visible seated at a table in the background.

🎙️ New Educational Insights Podcast Episode! 🎧

In this episode, Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O’Meara sit down with two active community members — Mr. Bob Crowley of Castleton and Ms. Rose Anne Van Lew of Fair Haven — for a thoughtful discussion on education in Slate Valley.

This is Part 1 of the conversation, where introductions are made and the group dives into an engaging discussion about Cognia Testing and its role in our schools.
https://youtu.be/SGOcUJeeys0

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we continue gathering valuable community perspectives on Slate Valley and the future of education in our district.

15 days ago, Slate Valley

Four people sit around a table with microphones recording a podcast in a classroom setting. The image is labeled “Educational Insights: Slate Valley Community Perspectives.” The participants appear engaged in conversation, with one person smiling and waving, and another speaking into a microphone. Framed artwork decorates the wall behind them.