Benson Village School

Reminder: The Budget Re-vote for the district will be on June 9. The Informational Meeting will take place on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. (Please connect virtually by going to meet.google.com/iig-prfw-ngu or by calling (‪US‬) ‪+1 856-485-0395‬ PIN: ‪415 992 197#‬). Please Note: The proposed budget includes ONLY the expenses necessary to address the operational needs of Slate Valley’s schools in their current configuration for the next school year. Warning: https://5il.co/gct2 Budget: https://5il.co/gepr For more information visit: http://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/budget--108

Farmers to Families Food Box Distribution The Vermont National Guard will be at Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport on Monday, 6/1, from 10AM-2PM distributing non-perishable food boxes, along with produce, chicken, and dairy products provided by the Abbey Group while supplies last. Anyone is welcome to go pick up food. They will be distributing Farmers To Families meal kits containing meat, produce, and dairy products. They will also be distributing non-perishable food from FEMA. All food will be distributed while supplies last. Visit: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/event/farmers-to-families-food-box-distribution-rutland for more information.

The Budget Re-vote for the district will be on June 9. The Informational Meeting will take place on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. (Please connect virtually by going to meet.google.com/iig-prfw-ngu or by calling (‪US‬) ‪+1 856-485-0395‬ PIN: ‪415 992 197#‬). Please Note: The proposed budget includes ONLY the expenses necessary to address the operational needs of Slate Valley’s schools in their current configuration for the next school year. Warning: https://5il.co/gct2 Budget: https://5il.co/gepr For more information visit: http://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/budget--108

Distance/Remote Learning Update

Update from Casey O'Meara, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

VPA Press Release: Cancellation of the 2020 Spring Sports Season

Shaw's supermarket in Fair Haven is now a drop off location for our Food Drive.

Slate Valley Food Drive: April 27 - May 8

Reminder: Today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Rutland Southern VT Regional Airport (1002 Airport Road, North Clarendon, VT) The Vermont Foodbank is working with FEMA and the VT National Guard to distribute MREs at five sites around Vermont. Anyone in need of food is welcome and can receive a seven-day supply of Meals Ready-to-Eat for each member of their household.

Here are some additional resources for accessing food during this challenging time:

Dear Parent/Guardian, On March 17, 2020 Slate Valley educators provided students with review and/or enrichment material, and/or information for new learning assuming everyone would return to school on April 6th. As Vermont is experiencing a school closure for the remainder of the year, Slate Valley educators are preparing to move students forward with grade-level expectations in pursuit of Proficiencies and Performance Indicators upon our return from vacation, April 20, 2020. Please read the full letter here: https://5il.co/eqcz

Good morning! This is a reminder that we will be having Spring Break next week, April 13 though 17.

Beginning on Tuesday, April 7th - meal pick-up locations will change due to a change in the Federal/State Guidelines: Meals will be available for pick up on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 10:00 AM until noon at the following locations: -Benson Village School -Castleton Elementary School (no longer Fair Haven Union High School) -Fair Haven Grade School -Orwell Village School

Good evening. Tim Smith, chairman of the Slate Valley School District. I hope everyone is staying home and healthy in these difficult times. Many thanks to our health care providers. While difficult to discuss given the circumstances, I want to remind everyone that our school budget failed on Town Meeting Day by a small margin, 95 votes. The $59.5 million construction bond will be tabled for the foreseeable future, at least until the duration of the virus and its far-reaching impacts are better understood. Nonetheless, we are obligated to re-vote the school budget and hope to have a positive result by June 30th. While we continue to work with VT Govt officials, school administration, and town clerks, it is unclear at this time whether we will be holding an in-person vote by late spring or a mail-in vote. We will keep the public notified of any developments. Public participation is welcome at all of our meetings, however now, the ability of the public to attend is more challenging given the social distancing guidelines. In the past week, Governor Scott amended the open meeting laws whereby a physical location for the public to attend is no longer required. In the same manner that board members participate, the public is invited to attend our meetings in a virtual format. We are scheduled to have a Finance Committee on Monday 4/6 at 5:30pm, the link to attend is: https://meet.google.com/hus-roox-dkq?hs=122, dial in only 1-(502) 947-4166 PIN 781 639 980# We are scheduled to have a regular Board meeting on Monday 4/6 at 6:30pm, the link to attend is: https://meet.google.com/bzx-mcps-foo?hs=122, dial in only 1-(417) 647-1150 PIN 584 195 054# Information can also be found at the Slate Valley website, www.slatevalleyunified.org We appreciate your support and participation. Be well.

Beginning on Tuesday, April 7th - meal pick-up locations will change due to a change in the Federal/State Guidelines: Meals will be available for pick up on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 10:00 AM until noon at the following locations: -Benson Village School -Castleton Elementary School (no longer Fair Haven Union High School) -Fair Haven Grade School -Orwell Village School

Bears with their favorite stuffed animals!

Learning about gardening and landscaping and keeping those reading skills sharp!

I love these pictures! Keep them coming, Benson!

I spied two Bears on a recent bike ride!

Another piece of beautiful painted marble from one of our middle school Bears!