We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the EMS departments in our community for the warm and enthusiastic welcome home for our State Champion Girls Basketball and Bowling teams! Your support in leading our buses and fans along the parade route from Castleton to Fair Haven made these victories even more memorable.
A special thank you to the Castleton and Fair Haven Police and Fire Departments for always going above and beyond to celebrate our students and communities. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do.
Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these celebrations so special!
Sincerely,
~Slater Nation
Vermont Literacy Network (In Bristol) is offering a variety of summer camps for children ages 3-10. For more information go to: https://5il.co/3ayle
We had a fantastic turnout for our second meeting with local legislators! A big thank you to Bill Canfield, David Weeks, Zachary Harvey, and Terry Williams for sharing the latest updates on the Governor's Education Plan. We also appreciate our community members for attending and engaging in the discussion.
Meeting Minutes Summary:
School Budgets & Legislation: 92% of Vermont districts passed school budgets. Education funding discussions continue in Montpelier. Zoie Saunders was approved as Secretary of Education. Education-related bills have two more weeks for review, with final decisions expected by May.
Education Reform & Cost Concerns: The legislature aims to address high per-student costs, declining test scores, and rising property taxes. The governor is using $77M in one-time funds to mitigate tax increases.
District Restructuring: The Senate wants the House to lead an education bill, with proposals reducing districts from 53 to 5-18. Discussions include district size (3,200-4,000 students), geographical boundaries, and funding per student ($13,200-$14,000).
Financial & Structural Concerns: Act 60 may need repeal for changes to occur. Questions were raised about cost savings, administrative structures, and potential new buildings. Mental health funding, healthcare costs, and aging school buildings were also discussed.
Future Challenges: Low birth rates raise concerns about future student populations. Limited access to alternative education programs and a moratorium on new independent schools were noted.
Our next meeting is scheduled for April 14th from 5:00 to 6:15 PM in the FHUMHS Library, followed by the Budget Information Meeting at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room. We hope to see you there!
Our BVS Library Assistants!
1st Graders worked with 9 patch quilts today
5th & 6th Graders made origami boxes based on the 6th Graders math lesson
5th & 6th Graders made origami boxes based on the 6th graders math lesson
During today’s full-day inservice, Slate Valley educators participated in a variety of professional development workshops. A key focus was reflecting on the district’s newly adopted Teacher Professional Growth & Evaluation Plan, as well as analyzing student academic and behavioral data from Semester I and Trimesters I & II in relation to their professional goals for the year. Educators also met with administrators to review goals and student outcomes.
Guiding their discussions was the central question:
"How is the work on your professional goals impacting student learning?"
Additional sessions included:
Safety Care Training for Instructional Assistants and Social Emotional Interventionists.
Grade Team Meetings to reflect on curriculum, analyze student performance, and plan for the remainder of the school year.
Development of Supervision & Evaluation Tools for School-Based Clinicians and School Counselors.
Training for Academic Interventionists on eduCLIMBER, an interactive data platform.
Social Emotional Interventions Team preparing a presentation on Collaborative and Proactive Solutions for an April 16th meeting with district administrators and engaging in Part I of a book study.
The day provided valuable opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and professional growth, reinforcing Slate Valley’s commitment to continuous improvement and student success.
BVS CIP/Compact Development Process
Benson Village School Partner Meeting
Monday, March 24th
1:30-2:15 PM
BVS Library
Benson Village School invites all school partners-families, staff, and community members-to join us in shaping the future of our school. This collaborative session will focus on:
✓ Establishing a shared understanding of BVS's strengths and areas for growth
Identifying goals that align with our collective vision for student success
✓ Strengthening commitment and engagement in school improvement efforts
RSVP by 3/17 (802)537-2491
amy.roy@svuvt.org
BVS student's art work on display at the Chafee Art Gallery.
4th and 5th Grade Science class. Melting snow and a little stream!
1st and 2nd Grade Students participated in an animal tracks lesson from VINS
Join us next Monday, March 17, 2025, for an important discussion with our representatives, featuring updates on the Governor's education plan. Your voice matters—don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged!
📅 Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library
⏰ Time: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you there!
Board Meeting - March 10, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Benson Village School Gymnasium
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/igi-fbrq-ckm
Or dial: (US) +1 314-730-2201 PIN: 778 295 060#
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.
Vt Institute of Natural Science (VINS) from Quechee, Vt shared a virtual workshop with Grades 3rd through 6th about healthy streams.
Vt Institute of Natural Science (VINS) from Quechee, Vt shared a virtual workshop with Graded 3rd through 6th about healthy streams.
Pre K!
Flaunt it Friday! - Fair Haven Union Bowling Team Wins VPA Championship!
This marks the Slaters' fourth bowling state title since the program’s inception in 2016—the most of any Vermont school!
Congratulations to all bowlers and coaches on another outstanding season!
#ThrowbackThursday: Taking a trip back 57 years to celebrate Fair Haven Union High School’s 1968 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow!
This prestigious award recognized students for their knowledge and skills in homemaking.
Want to learn more about this historic program? Check out the details here: https://www.generalmills.com/news/stories/remembering-betty-crocker-homemakers-of-tomorrow
🐾 Woof Wednesday: Spreading Smiles One Paw at a Time! 🐾
Throughout the week, the halls of Slate Valley Unified Schools are filled with wagging tails and happy hearts thanks to Caring Canines of Southern Vermont! These wonderful therapy dogs make special visits to all our schools, bringing comfort, joy, and stress relief to students and staff alike.
From excited greetings in the hallways to quiet moments of reading with a furry friend, times with the therapy dogs are often the highlight of the week for so many. Research shows that interacting with therapy dogs can reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and create a positive, welcoming school environment—something we see firsthand every week!
A huge thank you to Caring Canines of Southern Vermont for their dedication and to our incredible school community for embracing the pawsitive impact these dogs bring!
