Castleton Elementary School

Good afternoon, Due to the close outcome of the SVUUSD budget vote (Yes: 852/No: 861), a recount has been requested to ensure the accuracy of the results. The recount will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8th at Fellowship Bible Church. We will provide an update with the results of the recount when they become available.

The Slate Valley Universal Preschool Program will be conducting developmental screenings for children 0-5 years of age on Tuesday March 8th and Wednesday March 9th at Fair Haven Grade School. Screening involves activities that are both fun for young children and help us learn about a child's motor, cognitive, and language skills. Vision and hearing will also be screened. We encourage any child aged 0-5 years that resides in Benson, Castleton, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Orwell and West Haven who has not previously been screened to be screened. If the Fair Haven Grade School dates are not convenient, we will also be screening at Benson Village School on 3/31. Please choose the date or site that works best with your schedule and give that site a call for an appointment.

Parenting Workshop Series - Change of Dates Please note that the dates have changed for this series. It will now run from March 21st through May 23rd. See the flyer for details. Sign-up forms (https://5il.co/16hdx) are currently being accepted!

When frigid winter days keep you inside, physical education teacher, Ms. Clarke, has to think outside of the box. She did just that by using the VR (virtual reality) Goggles which allowed students to box, climb mountains, run for candy from a piñata, and smash music beats. It was really fun and quite successful. Special thanks to Ms. Cacciatore, Mr. Batschelet and Mrs. Rampone for setting up the equipment and assisting throughout the days. Click on the link to see the students in action: https://youtu.be/IAz93s4Sb-I

Town Meeting Day Results: Benson School Director Rebeckah St. Peter: 1279 Castleton School Director Timothy Smith: 1331 Fair Haven School Director Curtis Hier: 595 Christopher Stanton: 866 Orwell School Director Glen Cousineau: 1250 Hubbardton School Director Christina Ryan: 1130 Treasurer Dawn Custer: 1097 Article 4: Shall the voters approve the following compensation to be paid to Slate Valley Unified Union School District Officers? A. School Directors - $1,200 per person per year B. School Board Chair - $1,500 per year C. Treasurer - $1,200 per year Yes: 1157 No: 534 Article 5: Shall the voters authorize the Slate Valley Unified Union School District to borrow money pending receipt of payments from the State Education Fund or Town Tax Funds by the issuance of its notes or orders payable not later than one year from date provided, however, that the Slate Valley Unified Union School District is authorized by Vermont Statutes to borrow sufficient funds to meet pending obligations? Yes: 1114 No: 563 Article 6: Shall the voters of the School District authorize a transfer from the general fund surplus balance in the amount of $820,000 to the capital improvements and repairs reserve fund? Yes: 1094 No: 604 Article 7: Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend Twenty-Six Million Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Forty-Seven Dollars $26,270,047.00 which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $16,983.43 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 2.94% greater than spending for the current year. Yes: 852 No: 861

March 1st is Dr. Seuss Day. In honor of that, we wore crazy hats at CES today!

Good Morning, Today is Town Meeting Day in Vermont. Please remember to vote! For SVUUSD budget information, please visit the budget page of our website: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/page/budget

The Slate Valley Universal Preschool Program will be conducting developmental screenings for children 0-5 years of age on Friday March 4th and Monday March 7th at Castleton Elementary School. Screening involves activities that are both fun for young children and help us learn about a child's motor, cognitive, and language skills. Vision and hearing will also be screened. We encourage any child aged 0-5 years that resides in Benson, Castleton, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Orwell and West haven who has not previously been screened to be screened. If the Castleton Elementary School dates are not convenient, we will also be screening at Fair Haven Grade School on 3/8 and 3/9 as well as at Benson Village School on 3/31. Please choose the date or site that works best with your schedule and give that site a call for an appointment.

Reminder! The Slate Valley Unified Union School District Annual Meeting is tonight at 5:30 p.m. Please join us in the Fair Haven Union High School Band Room or virtually connect by going to https://meet.google.com/ixc-bfdi-ptv or by calling (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 815 518 313 0854# For budget information, please visit the budget page of our website: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/page/budget

Date and time change for the Quarter-final game at FHUHS: #3 FHUHS vs. #6 Mt Abraham - Varsity Girls Basketball Saturday, February 26, 2022 --- 2pm Tip-Off 12:00 -- Trainer on site 12:40 -- Mt Abe Shoot Around 1:00 -- FHUHS Shoot Around 1:15 -- Ticket Sales 1:30 -- Gym Doors Open 1:30 -- 15 Minute Warm up Begins 1:55 -- Announcement and Introductions 2:00 -- Tip-Off Please come support our Slater Ladies Basketball Team!

February 24, 2022 Dear Slate Valley Families and Staff, I hope you all are having a wonderful break. As you know, last week I communicated that we will be moving to a mask-optional system on March 7th. For some, the lifting of pandemic restrictions has been an anxious process depending on their personal situation. As we move into a state of personal responsibility I ask that we respect the choices of others. Some staff, students and community members will continue to choose to wear masks, and that is their choice. As of March 1st, all other restrictions that still may be in place in some schools should be coming to an end. Schools need to develop protocols for students eating in the cafeteria/ recess, we are allowing time for this to take place. However, all are expected to operate as close to a pre-pandemic normal as possible by the 1st. Again, I ask for everyone’s patience with this and if you have a question, please ask. Additionally, as a reminder the mask mandate for transportation is still in effect. Due to federal regulations (https://bit.ly/3HgXUnW), masks will still be required on school buses. We still have many COVID testing supplies. If you need any please reach out to the school. To effectively reduce your chances of contracting COVID consider the following: · Make sure you/your child is washing their hands (https://bit.ly/3IjWpa6). · Keep your child home if they are sick. · Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 (https://bit.ly/352Uk3T). Thank you for your patience and continued support. Brooke Olsen-Farrell, Superintendent

Slate Valley is hiring! Here are a few of our employment opportunities. For a complete list, please visit: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/page/employment-opportunities Student Support Coach Anticipated Vacancy 2022-2023 Student Support Coach needed at Fair Haven Middle & High Schools to help manage the In-School Restoration room. For more information, please contact Ben Worthing, Principal at bworthing@svuvt.org 802-265-4966. All applicants must apply on www.SchoolSpring.com. The above position will remain open until filled. EOE Fair Haven Union High School Coaching Vacancy - Spring 2022 JV Baseball Coach Fair Haven Union High School is looking for an experienced, dynamic coach for our JV Baseball program starting Spring of 2022. For additional information, contact Kimberly Alexander, Athletic Director at 802-265-4966 or kalexander@svuvt.org All applicants must apply on www.schoolspring.com Position will remain open until filled. EOE Middle School Coaching Vacancies 2022-2023 SV is looking for experienced coaches to work with our athletes - 7th & 8th Grade Softball – Head Coach - 6th-8th Grade Track and Field – Head Coach For Additional information, contact Kim Alexander, Athletic Director at 802-265-4966 or kalexander@svuvt.org. All applicants must apply on SchoolSpring.com. Position will remain open until filled. EOE

The Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County is seeking Jr. Staff Youth Development Professionals. Please see the flyer for details.

Public Schools Week is February 21-25 Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents, and community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools. The weeklong celebration features free online webinars and other resources that examine best practices and effective strategies to take action during these challenging times. Visit http://www.publicschoolproud.org to learn more.

D-II | GIRLS BASKETBALL | FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS #14 Lamoille at #3 FHUHS February 22, 2022 7:00pm

Dear Slate Valley Community, As a result of significant ice on roads and dropping temperatures, all Slate Valley schools will be closed today, Friday, February 18. This includes Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Castleton Village School, Fair Haven Grade School, Fair Haven Union High School, and Orwell Village School. Thank you, and be safe. Casey O’Meara

***Updated with the location.*** This Sunday at Ice House Bar and Grill. All proceeds benefit the CVS 8th-Grade trip to Boston. Thanks to Ice House Bar and Grill for hosting this event and donating the food!

First graders had a lot of fun celebrating 100 days of learning recently. They made necklaces, crowns and listened to fun stories. Keep up the great work!

Dear Slate Valley Families, Please read the following update on COVID-19 masking requirements from Superintendent Olsen-Farrell here: https://5il.co/15pyi. Also, please note: COVID Test kits are available to all families/staff prior to February break. Please let your school nurse know if you are interested in a testing kit.

Parenting Workshop Series Join us virtually as we explore parenting, build connections with other parents and explore the 5 protective factors of parenting. See the flyer for details.