Last week's Great Adventure Project (G.A.P.)
Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/zv4pejzrz4M
Introduction taken from the 2025 SVUUSD GAP booklet:
Sixteen students from our school signed up to participate in this year's Great Adventure Project (G.A.P.) which took place at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. We looked at both the natural and human history of the Southern Lake Champlain Drainage Basin. Each morning we began with a team meeting where we discussed the day's plan and important background information pertinent for students to know before we arrived to ensure all students were prepared for our fieldwork. At each location we explored, observed, posed questions, recorded findings and tried to improve the overall health of the environment. Our group spent three days kayaking and two days hiking within the Southern Lake Champlain Drainage Basin, and everyday we collected trash from each area. After our adventures, we returned to our school campus where we conducted research about the organisms and abiotic elements we observed and documented our findings in this book. The funding for this project comes from the Vermont Community Foundation and the South Lake Champlain Fund.
Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/zv4pejzrz4M
Introduction taken from the 2025 SVUUSD GAP booklet:
Sixteen students from our school signed up to participate in this year's Great Adventure Project (G.A.P.) which took place at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. We looked at both the natural and human history of the Southern Lake Champlain Drainage Basin. Each morning we began with a team meeting where we discussed the day's plan and important background information pertinent for students to know before we arrived to ensure all students were prepared for our fieldwork. At each location we explored, observed, posed questions, recorded findings and tried to improve the overall health of the environment. Our group spent three days kayaking and two days hiking within the Southern Lake Champlain Drainage Basin, and everyday we collected trash from each area. After our adventures, we returned to our school campus where we conducted research about the organisms and abiotic elements we observed and documented our findings in this book. The funding for this project comes from the Vermont Community Foundation and the South Lake Champlain Fund.
Dear Castleton Elementary Families,
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well and enjoying a restful summer. As we look ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share our excitement about the year to come.
My name is Jared Danyow, and I’m honored to be joining Castleton Elementary School as the incoming principal. I come to CES after several years of teaching at neighboring Fair Haven Grade School. Through that experience, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many Castleton educators and families and to gain a deep appreciation for the values that define this school community. It is clear that Castleton Elementary is a place where students are known, cared for, and encouraged to grow—both academically and personally.
I’m also thrilled to be joined by Wendy Foran, who will serve as the assistant principal at CES. Wendy previously worked at Castleton Elementary as a special educator and brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a deep commitment to the values that make CES such a special place.
Together, our focus will be on continuing to foster a learning environment that is safe, engaging, and responsive to the needs of every child. We believe that strong relationships between school and home are essential to student success, and we look forward to building partnerships with you that are rooted in trust, communication, and shared purpose.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be reaching out with more information as we prepare for the new school year. In the meantime, we’ve put together a brief and optional survey as a way to begin building connections and gathering your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the Castleton Elementary community. We are truly excited to work together in the year ahead.
Warmly,
Jared Danyow, Principal
Wendy Foran, Assistant Principal
Castleton Elementary School
Survey Link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG7YqFDBiBX_p1l9rkhKmNWaJePSnmC6BwdcoDtb-OGAjs4g/viewform
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well and enjoying a restful summer. As we look ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share our excitement about the year to come.
My name is Jared Danyow, and I’m honored to be joining Castleton Elementary School as the incoming principal. I come to CES after several years of teaching at neighboring Fair Haven Grade School. Through that experience, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many Castleton educators and families and to gain a deep appreciation for the values that define this school community. It is clear that Castleton Elementary is a place where students are known, cared for, and encouraged to grow—both academically and personally.
I’m also thrilled to be joined by Wendy Foran, who will serve as the assistant principal at CES. Wendy previously worked at Castleton Elementary as a special educator and brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a deep commitment to the values that make CES such a special place.
Together, our focus will be on continuing to foster a learning environment that is safe, engaging, and responsive to the needs of every child. We believe that strong relationships between school and home are essential to student success, and we look forward to building partnerships with you that are rooted in trust, communication, and shared purpose.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be reaching out with more information as we prepare for the new school year. In the meantime, we’ve put together a brief and optional survey as a way to begin building connections and gathering your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the Castleton Elementary community. We are truly excited to work together in the year ahead.
Warmly,
Jared Danyow, Principal
Wendy Foran, Assistant Principal
Castleton Elementary School
Survey Link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG7YqFDBiBX_p1l9rkhKmNWaJePSnmC6BwdcoDtb-OGAjs4g/viewform
Summer EBT Benefits!
Vermont has issued Summer EBT benefits starting on June 2nd.
Most children who are eligible received the $120 benefit automatically. Benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and online where EBT cards are accepted.
The Vermont Department for Children and Families sends you a letter if your family receives the benefit automatically. If you already have an EBT card, the benefits will be added to that card. If you need a replacement card, you can call 1-888-354-0012 (Option 7). If you think you qualify, but you did not receive a letter by July 7th, please visit https://summerebt.vermont.gov/ to submit a short application.
Summer EBT benefits do not affect your immigration status.
In addition to Summer EBT, children 18 and under can receive free meals at Slate Valley Unified Union School District’s open site, Fair Haven Grade School, June 23-August 15, Breakfast 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, Lunch 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Meals must be eaten on site. All children are invited to get summer meals, even if you do not qualify for Summer EBT. Call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder to find sites near you.
New this summer, families with EBT cards can visit Vermont State Parks for free! Just show your EBT card at the park entrance and you and your household can enter for free. Visit https://www.vermontparksforever.org/paf-pilot to learn more.
Vermont has issued Summer EBT benefits starting on June 2nd.
Most children who are eligible received the $120 benefit automatically. Benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and online where EBT cards are accepted.
The Vermont Department for Children and Families sends you a letter if your family receives the benefit automatically. If you already have an EBT card, the benefits will be added to that card. If you need a replacement card, you can call 1-888-354-0012 (Option 7). If you think you qualify, but you did not receive a letter by July 7th, please visit https://summerebt.vermont.gov/ to submit a short application.
Summer EBT benefits do not affect your immigration status.
In addition to Summer EBT, children 18 and under can receive free meals at Slate Valley Unified Union School District’s open site, Fair Haven Grade School, June 23-August 15, Breakfast 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, Lunch 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Meals must be eaten on site. All children are invited to get summer meals, even if you do not qualify for Summer EBT. Call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder to find sites near you.
New this summer, families with EBT cards can visit Vermont State Parks for free! Just show your EBT card at the park entrance and you and your household can enter for free. Visit https://www.vermontparksforever.org/paf-pilot to learn more.
Today, members of our District School Safety Team gathered at the Central Office to review and update all safety assessments and procedures.
Ms. Edmonds, Ms. DeSantis, and Ms. Perry from Castleton Elementary School had the incredible opportunity to attend the national Get Your Teach On conference in Dallas, Texas last week. During the conference, they explored a variety of specialized tracks, including Special Education, Grades 3–6 Math and Science, and Grades 3–6 ELA.
Some of the engaging topics they explored included: Grand Slam Vocabulary Strategies for every classroom, Progression of the Number Line: We Can Skip It, Creating Actionable Data Tracking Systems in the classroom... and much more!
It was an inspiring and energizing experience, and they are excited to bring back a wealth of new tools, strategies, and resources to share with students and staff this fall!
Some of the engaging topics they explored included: Grand Slam Vocabulary Strategies for every classroom, Progression of the Number Line: We Can Skip It, Creating Actionable Data Tracking Systems in the classroom... and much more!
It was an inspiring and energizing experience, and they are excited to bring back a wealth of new tools, strategies, and resources to share with students and staff this fall!
Thank you, Abby Wald, for kicking off our Slate Valley 2025 Summer Happenings!
Message from Athletic Director, Eric Ramey:
Here are the start dates for 2025 fall sports. Practice times and locations will be posted later, as well as communicated through regular communication between the coaches and athletes throughout summer workouts and events.
Just to remind you, all student-athletes must have a Physical Exam on file with the school.
Physicals are valid for two years.
High School Football
>First Day-Monday August 11
High School Golf
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Field Hockey
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Cross Country
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Cheer
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Girls & Boys Soccer
>First Day-Thursday August 14
Middle School Cross Country (Grades 5-8)
>First Day-August 27
Middle School Girls & Boys Soccer (Grades 7&8)
>First Day-August 28
5/6 Girls & Boys Soccer
>First Day-September 2nd and/or September 3rd
Here are the start dates for 2025 fall sports. Practice times and locations will be posted later, as well as communicated through regular communication between the coaches and athletes throughout summer workouts and events.
Just to remind you, all student-athletes must have a Physical Exam on file with the school.
Physicals are valid for two years.
High School Football
>First Day-Monday August 11
High School Golf
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Field Hockey
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Cross Country
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Cheer
>First Day-Thursday August 14
High School Girls & Boys Soccer
>First Day-Thursday August 14
Middle School Cross Country (Grades 5-8)
>First Day-August 27
Middle School Girls & Boys Soccer (Grades 7&8)
>First Day-August 28
5/6 Girls & Boys Soccer
>First Day-September 2nd and/or September 3rd
☀️🍦🍉🪁🎣⛵⛱️🕶️🌻
Slate Valley District Newsletter: June 18, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/94fc1ee125d0/june-18th-slate-valley-district-newsletter
🎉💙 Celebrating Our Castleton Elementary Farewell Crew 💙🎉
Yesterday, we gathered as a school community to honor and celebrate some truly special members of our Castleton Elementary family—our incredible faculty and staff who are retiring or setting off on exciting new adventures. 🌟
With heartfelt tributes, laughter, and maybe a few happy tears, we thanked them for the passion, dedication, and love they’ve poured into our school. Whether heading into retirement or taking on a new journey, they leave behind a legacy of learning, kindness, and inspiration that will continue to shape our halls for years to come. 🍎✨
-Thank you to Mrs. Tugas for the wonderful photos-
What a Way to Wrap Up the Year at Castleton Elementary! 🎉🫧🎊
The last day of school was nothing short of magica! Students made unforgettable entrances—some arriving by horseback, others cruising in by boat—turning the morning into a scene straight out of a storybook. 🚤🐎
As the day ended, the smiles were unstoppable. Students and staff celebrated the start of summer with a joyful sendoff full of bubbles, confetti, and pure excitement. ✨🫧
Have a wonderful summer, everyone!
(Thank you to Mrs. Tugas for the fantastic photos!)
Please join us in celebrating Lynn LaClair, one of our incredible District Proficiency-Based Learning Coaches, on her retirement! Lynn’s dedication to student-centered learning and her unwavering support for educators has made a lasting impact across our district. Wishing you all the best in this exciting new chapter—you will be truly missed!
Today we honor the retirement of a truly valued Slate Valley Instructional Assistant, Ms. Helen Reed. Helen, your dedication to student success has been inspiring. Wishing you joy, relaxation, and all the best in the years to come!
After years of helping students learn and grow, our incredible Instructional Assistant, Veronica Lambert, is retiring! Veronica, thank you for all the care and guidance you’ve given the Slate Valley community. Enjoy the adventure ahead!
2025 Summer Food Service Program. To find more locations visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder
We’re celebrating the retirement of one of our dedicated Instructional Assistants, Mary Lou Williams! Mary Lou, your kindness, patience, and commitment to our schools has made a difference every single day. Enjoy the next chapter!
On June 12th, Castleton Elementary School was buzzing with excitement as students and staff came together for our Big Celebration! From games and laughter to smiles and sunshine, it was a day filled with fun, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
📸 So many amazing moments were captured throughout the day — too many to post them all! But don’t worry — we’ve put together a video compilation so you can relive the joy and energy of the celebration.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Tugas, Mrs. Simpson, and Mrs. Winrich for capturing the spirit of the day with their incredible photos!
🎥 https://youtu.be/T97ANWfy6jE
Slate Valley District Newsletter: June 13, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/85e5cf3d8981/june-news-slate-valley-edition
