Benson Village School

Indoor recess fun!

Indoor recess fun!

1st Grade learned about natural vs man made structures. They used playdough to form moutains.

1st Grade learned about natural vs man made structuring. They used playdough to form mountains.

Where Are They Now Wednesday? Spotlight on Emily Stockwell This year marks the 20th reunion of the Fair Haven Union High School Class of 2005, and Emily Stockwell’s journey since graduation has been nothing short of inspiring — a testament to passion, creativity, and community spirit. After graduating from FHUHS, Emily attended Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA, where she earned an Associate Degree in Floral Design and Interior Plantscape. She honed her craft working with several florists in Pennsylvania before returning to her Vermont roots. Back home, she joined the teams at Hawley Florist and Everyday Flowers, ultimately purchasing Everyday Flowers — a business she now proudly owns and operates in Poultney, Vermont. Emily’s connection to her alma mater has remained strong. For the past four years, she has generously volunteered her time and supplies to work with some Fair Haven Union High School students, helping them create stunning floral bouquets. Through this initiative, Emily not only shares her expertise but also inspires a new generation to explore their own creative talents. While at FHUHS, Emily played soccer her freshman year but found a more natural path getting involved with 4-H, where she focused on dairy farming. She credits her high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Tracy Gallipo, as a pivotal influence, who encouraged her to stay focused on her dreams. Emily’s dedication and artistry have not gone unnoticed: she has been named “Number 1 Florist” for three consecutive years by The Lake Region FreePress. Beyond her flourishing business, she remains deeply connected to her passions for farming, gardening, and animal care — looking after a lively group of dogs, cats, goats, and donkeys. A proud supporter of our nation’s veterans, Emily embodies a spirit of service, gratitude, and community pride. When asked what advice she would offer current Slate Valley students, Emily shared this heartfelt message: "Don't give up on your dreams. It might take time, but if you keep working toward them, someday they will come true." Congratulations, Emily! Your success, generosity, and spirit are a true inspiration to Slater Nation.

Reminder of Upcoming "Transition to Middle School" Events for Current 6th Graders...

Trivia Tuesday: Do You Know 3rd Grade Math? In Vermont, all students in grades 3 through 9 take the Cognia assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, while students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are also assessed in science. These tests are administered each spring, and although they are untimed, students must complete them within the designated testing window. Assessment results are not available until the fall, after the new school year begins. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about our students' performance on these assessments. To better understand what our students experience during testing, we invite you to try a few questions from the 3rd grade math Cognia practice test. Keep in mind that students complete these tests on their Chromebooks, which means they must navigate the math tools, scroll and move around a small screen, and once they submit an answer, they cannot go back to change it. Want to explore more practice tests? Visit: https://vermont.onlinehelp.cognia.org/practice-test/

Lunch Hero Day!

Thank you to all Slate Valley faculty and staff - You are truly the heart and soul of our district!

MEET Faculty & Staff MONDAY: This month, we’re excited to feature Jared Danyow! Jared is currently in his fifth year working in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District, all at Fair HavenGrade School (FHGS), and has spent ten years in public education overall.  Before joining Slate Valley, Jaredworked in several Vermont schools, including in the Rutland Northeast and Mount Abraham Unified School Districts, serving as a teacher, behavior interventionist, and paraeducator. Starting next school year, Jared will be stepping into a new role as the principal of Castleton ElementarySchool! Outside of school, Jared enjoys a wide variety of activities. He loves listening to music and attending concerts, running and competing in races, playing golf, hiking, reading good books, traveling to new places, and trying new foods. He also enjoys spending time with his golden retriever, Magnolia, and his orange cat, Winston. We wish Jared all the best next year in his new Principal position!

Slate Valley District Newsletter: Week of May 2, 2025 https://mailchi.mp/4b6708e10e6e/slate-valley-newsletter-may-2nd

Pre K Counting Collections with Mrs. Thurston

Starbase Graduates!

ELA Center in tents

Kinders in the sunshine!

Big kid buddies!

Interested? All proceeds benefit the Slate Valley Back to School Clothing Program!