June 18, 2024
Dear Slate Valley,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your support in approving the school budget (930 Yes and 794 No) for the upcoming year on the 5th vote. I know this may not have been an easy decision for many, especially due to the funding challenges throughout the state. Your dedication to ensuring the success and growth of our school community is truly commendable, and it is with great appreciation that I extend my thanks to each and every one of you.
As we move forward with implementing the approved budget, I want to assure you that we will continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We are open to feedback and happy to answer questions at any time. We understand the importance of effectively utilizing the resources entrusted to us and remain committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students.
Once again, thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. Together, we can work together to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and contribute to the success of our schools.
Regards,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
The Jimmy Casey Field sign has been replaced! Last Friday, a new sign was dedicated by Cindy Mahoney with our local Lion's Club. In addition to club members speaking, Pat Diercksen also said a few words about Jimmy. She was his aide in the final days he was able to attend school during his illness. Our thanks to the Lion's Club! We are so pleased to keep Jimmy's spirit alive at CES!
Submitted by Principal Kim Prehoda
Please Vote today on the Slate Valley School Budget. Your Vote is Your Voice!
Polling locations and times:
Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall
Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station
Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49
Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall
Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office
West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall
Reminder: FY25 Budget Information Meeting, Monday night, June 17th at 6:30 PM in the band room at FHUMHS. Then Tuesday, June 18th is voting day! Polling locations and times:
Benson: 10 am - 7 pm, Benson Community Hall
Castleton: 8 am - 7 pm, Castleton Fire Station
Fair Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, American Legion Post #49
Hubbardton: 10 am - 7 pm, Hubbardton Town Hall
Orwell: 10 am - 7 pm, Orwell Town Clerk’s Office
West Haven: 10 am - 7 pm, West Haven Town Hall
Last night under spectacular skies, the Slate Valley faculty, staff, families and community gathered to celebrate this year's graduation. Congratulations to the FHUHS Class of 2024! For more photos go to: bit.ly/FHU2024
Happy Summer from Slate Valley! We hope everyone enjoys their time away and we look forward to seeing you again in a couple of months!
Thank you PEGtv for recording our 6th grade Torch Ceremony. To see the video go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMMo91X9eSc
A glimpse of our last day of the 2023-24 school year at CES. Happy Summer everyone!
With the busy happenings that come at the end of a school year, please remember to vote this Tuesday, June 18th. The budget information meeting will be the night before at 6:30 PM in the band room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.
Congratulations to Castleton Elementary School's Carl Cougar for being crowned champion of the first Slate Valley Mascot Madness competition! Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell presented the honors to Carl this morning. The trophy was designed and created by one of our Middle School students, Deshawn Ingram, who used both the 3D printer and Glowforge during his Design Class with Mr. VanDerKern. Carl pulled ahead in the year long competition during the month of April, when in one week he attended 5 family lunch events. This busy week launched him to the front, passing Wally Wildcat of Orwell Village School. Thank you to all of our mascots (Wally Wildcat, Benson Bear, Carl Cougar, FHGS Falcon and FHUMHS Slater) for their fun competitiveness and good sportmanship! Until next year...
Ms. Redding's second grade class with their last day superlatives that students voted on for each of their classmates!
Last day of school arrivals are always fun at CES!
Photo Batch 2: PBiS Big Celebration - Sun shiny day and sun shiny smiles!
Photo Batch 1: PBiS Big Celebration - a beautiful, fun filled day!
Yesterday, CES held their traditional Torch Ceremony, where the 6th graders pass the "torch" to the 5th graders to be next year's school role models. The 6th grade students are also acknowledged for completing their primary grade years, and moving on the the district Middle School. Each year, the event concludes with a celebratory slide show. Congratulations to the 6th grade class of 2024. Have fun in Middle School!
4th grade was the recipient of a number of Tinker Crates donated by former CES, now FHUMS student Keegan Hochberg. Each Tinker Crate, produced by the Kiwi Company, has a project theme, rigorously tested with kids, to ensure that the projects are engaging and fun. Partners spent the afternoon following directions to create their unique, individual projects. What an educational and creative time was had by all thanks to the generosity of Keegan! "Learning Something New Everyday" continues to be the focus of 4th grade.
Submitted by Linda Corliss
End of the year can be a bit wild but Castleton's 5/6th graders found some time to go to the beach for their end of the year celebration. They fished, went swimming, played lots of games for the morning and were able to spend lots of time with their friends. It was a great way to celebrate all their hard work this year. Good luck to our 6th graders who are getting ready to head to middle school!
Submitted by Aliyah Edmonds
After a successful trip to Mount Independence last week, 4th grade concluded their study of Vermont's involvement in the Revolutionary War by visiting the Hubbardton Battlefield. Previous to this final trip, Mrs. Ray guided students in creating detailed maps of locations that had already been visited along, with their final location to the battlefield. Guest teacher,Jan Jones, led the hike around the Hubbardton Battlefield, enlightening all about not only the battle but the beauty of the current tall grass field and its abundance of wild flowers and the Bobolink Bird which returns to the battlefield every year from Argentina to nest and raise its young. Our museum visit featured Mr. Mark Brownell, site interpreter, from the Division of Historic Preservation for the State of Vermont. He shared not only his vast knowledge of the Battle but also a demonstration of some artifacts found on the site. The importance of the "Only Battle Fought on Vermont Soil was highlighted by the marble monument on the grounds.
Slate Valley FY25 5th Budget Vote: June 18, 2024 by Australian and Absentee Ballot. If you want an absentee ballot, contact your town clerk right away.
The information meeting will be Monday, June 17th in the band room at FHUMHS - 6:30 PM
Attend in person or virtually at https://meet.google.com/spo-nuyk-pwv
Or dial: (US) +1 857-529-6624 PIN: 851 037 673#
The 5th grade classes celebrated all their hard work this year with a Glow Day. Students answered multiplication facts using highlighters, played Binglow, glow in the dark Jenga, Connect 4, Tic Tac Toe, and Ring Toss. It was fun to wrap up the end of the year making memories with friends!
