Slate Valley Unified School District is seeking temporary part-time Custodians, up to 25 hours per week, during the COVID pandemic to maintain the cleanliness of the school facilities as well as 1 regular part-time Custodian 20 hours per week. Custodial experience preferred.
For additional information, contact Chris Cole, Director of Operations at 265-4905 or email ccole@svuvt.org.
This position will remain open until filled. E O E
Good morning,
Please be aware of the following bus change:
Bus 6 - As of Monday, 1/11/21, Bus 6 will no longer run in Castleton. Those students who currently ride Bus 6 will ride either Bus 7 or Bus 8. We should know which students will be on Bus 7 and which will be on Bus 8 before the end of the week. We will let you know as soon as we know details from the bus company.
Dear Slate Valley Community Member,
On 12-29-20 we learned about 2 individuals with Coronavirus Disease at the Castleton Elementary School. These individuals were not in attendance while contagious and therefore there is no need for contact tracing in our school community. We recognize that this is the third case in the last week at Castleton Elementary School. However, at this time we believe transmission did not occur in the school environment and is community based. We are working closely with the Department of Health and at this time we still plan to return in person on January 4th. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. This is especially true going into the holiday break and knowing the virus is in our communities.
Please read the complete letter from Superintendent Olsen-Farrell here: https://5il.co/o7s3
Slate Valley MS Athletics -Grades 5-8 - Winter Sports Registration Reopened
Please go to Formreleaf.com and register your athlete for winter bball.
Registration will close on Jan 3rd at 6am - This will be the last opportunity to register, it will not be reopened.
Reminder - Yearly sports physicals are required (every 14 months)
Middle School Basketball for Slate Valley can start as early as Jan 11th. Please check the Slate Valley App for practice and game schedules. That is where you will find changes and updates.
Thank you,
Kim Alexander
Dear Slate Valley Community Member,
On 12-24-20 we learned about a person with Coronavirus Disease at the Castleton Elementary School. This person was in attendance while contagious and therefore contact tracing is underway. The School has already reached out to those impacted. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. This is especially true going into the holiday break and knowing the virus is in our communities.
Please read the complete letter from Superintendent Olsen-Farrell: https://5il.co/o6rq
Hello all -
Winter sports practices have been given the go ahead. Practices for Slate Valley 5-8 teams will begin the week of January 11, 2021.
We will be implementing practices with strict guidelines, including the wearing of masks, maintaining 6 foot distancing and no physical contact. At this point intra squad scrimmages and interscholastic competitions are prohibited, but will be revisited.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our athletes. To ensure that we can begin and maintain a winter sports season, I ask you to please remember to follow all safety measures, including travel and multi family guidelines. If your athlete will be traveling or is sick please keep them home and follow the Covid guidelines.
I will be working on a practice schedule over break, which will be uploaded onto the Slate Valley app.
We are still looking to fill some coaching slots.If you are interested or know of anyone, please have them contact me at: kalexander@svuvt.org. The following positions are open: CES/CVS: 5/6 Boys head coach and assistant coach. 5/6 Girls assistant coach, 7/8 Boys assistant coach.
Thank you,
Kim
Dear Slate Valley Community Member,
On 12-22-20 we learned about a person with Coronavirus Disease at the Fair Haven Union High School. This person was not in attendance while contagious and therefore no special actions need to be taken. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. This is especially true going into the holiday break and knowing the virus is in our communities.
Please read the full letter from Superintendent Olsen-Farrell with links to resources here: https://5il.co/o60d
Even in lots of snow, outdoor learning continues at CES!
Reminder! Tonight (December 14, 2020)
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Participation will be VIRTUAL ONLY. Connect by going to http:// meet.google.com/srb-bmfc-qwa OR BY CALLING (US) +1 320-416-1017 PIN: 600 914 747#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/nw73
Substitute Teachers 2020-2021 Vacancies Slate Valley Unified Union School District is seeking Substitute Teachers for the 2020-2021 school year for an hourly rate of $15.00.
For the weeks of January 4th - 15th - anyone who substitutes in Slate Valley will be paid $15 per hour plus $30 a day bonus for each day they work.
All applicants must apply on https://www.schoolspring.com/. Positions will remain open until filled. EOE
Dear Slate Valley Families,
We have been fielding questions today about the possibility of Slate Valley going remote after December break as many of our neighboring districts have decided to go remote for a period of time beginning January 4th. While that is something that is always on the table should the data specific to Slate Valley indicate that it is appropriate, we do not have data in Slate Valley that would support that move at this time. As such, our intent is to remain in person as we return on January 4th. I continue to believe that in person learning is what is best for students, staff and our communities.
Our schools are some of the safest places for students and staff to be as we carefully follow the health and safety guidance. Of course student and staff safety is always our priority and we will adjust as the data indicates, but going remote is the very last thing we want to do. We continue to encourage students, staff and families to follow Vermont’s Health and Safety Guidance. If everyone continues to do their part, we will get through this together.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Best,
Brooke Farrell, Superintendent
Students in grades K-4 library class, are learning about recycling, reducing and reusing waste. We have read the Red Clover book Crab Cake by Andrea Tsurumi about waste being dumped in the ocean. Students learned how to make a bag out of an old t-shirt!
Students in Ms. Russell's Kindergarten class read Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss. This book was given to grades K-5 through the CLIF Momentum Grant at Castleton Elementary School. The students listened to the book and created artwork representing Horton's trunk holding a clover with the dust speck containing the Whos. Great job Kindergarten!
Second graders have been learning about adjectives. They created a self portrait, designed a mask, and described themselves using adjectives in “who they are behind the mask.” https://youtu.be/Oeb3FEqrNjs
Hello all -
I just wanted to update you all on MS Athletics in the Slate Valley District. Our afterschool athletic programs have been put on "hold" or "pause" for now, due to the rising cases of COVID around the state. I know that our student athletes are anxious to get started and I am anxious for them to get started. BUT, we have to follow guidelines and make sure everyone stays safe and healthy.
The registration for Winter Sports is OPEN until December 15th. Please sign up your athlete if he or she is interested. The site is Formreleaf.com. The day we get the green light to go, I will have practice schedules and will reschedule games. As of right now, I have taken off all games up until Jan 11th. As I get more information, I will be updating the Slate Valley App.
I am still looking for some Assistant basketball coaches and a 5/6 Head coach. Please if you are interested, go to Schoolsprings.com.
As always our student athletes health and safety are number one. Stay safe, be healthy. I will keep you updated.
All my best,
Kim Alexander
Students in Mrs.Ray's 5th grade read How to Read a Book, by Kwame Alexander provided to classrooms by the CLIF Momentum Grant. The book actually gives tips on how to read a book, with references to Bambi and eating oranges. Sound interesting? You bet! The students read and watched Bambi, while eating clementines. What a wonderful lesson incorporating so many aspects of this inspirational book!
Reminder! Tonight (December 7, 2020)
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Participation will be VIRTUAL ONLY. Connect by going to http://meet.google.com/pcg-apgw-ehr or by calling (US) +1 929-279-3293 PIN: 353 796 419#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/nhqo
Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/ng0u
Upcoming Meetings:
December 14, 2020 - SV Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. (FHUHS)
December 14, 2020 - SV Building & Grounds Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (FHUHS)
December 14, 2020 - SV Policy Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (FHUHS)
Dear Slate Valley Families,
I know that the new Executive Order from the Governor has been confusing to navigate. First, please understand that an Executive Order from the Governor is law and we must as a school district follow it. In the very simplest of terms this order means that "except for school, students should only be having contact with immediate household members and/or caregivers as needed for parents to work. No visiting between friends/families outside of school is currently allowable and will result in quarantine." This will be in effect for the foreseeable future; we are expecting at least through mid-January.
There is a Frequently Asked Questions document from the State of Vermont which should help answer some of your questions and give you more details. Please click on the link to read the document.
Frequently Asked Questions https://5il.co/nkuv
If you have additional questions please contact the Vermont Department of Health. (802)863-7240, option 0
As of this moment we will not be including a question on multi-household gatherings in our screening process as we do not want to put our students in difficult situations. Instead we are asking that parents be honest and keep their children home to access learning remotely if they have violated this Executive Order. Please find the Executive Order linked below:
Executive Order https://5il.co/nkus
We fully recognize this is difficult but need your help to keep our schools open. If we find that students are not following the guidelines and then attending school, it may force us to move to remote learning. We know that is not what is best for our families and students and as such do not want to have to make that decision.
Sincerely,
Brooke Farrell, Superintendent
Reminder - You’re invited!
Slate Valley School Board Members are hosting a week of Virtual Listening Tours beginning tonight (November 30th).
Currently the board is exploring a plan for district reorganization that would include the consolidation of all district middle school students to the high school beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. This would result in the closure or educational repurposing of Castleton Village School. Sixth grade students in Castleton would then attend Castleton Elementary School. To address low enrollment of middle school students in Benson Village School, the board is considering in-district school choice (with transportation) for 7th and 8th grade students for the 2021-2022 school year.
Listening tours are an opportunity to have a conversation with your board members. Please join board members at 6 p.m. to discuss district reorganization on the following dates:
Nov. 30th with Tanya, Angela (West Haven) https://meet.google.com/bsc-wcrm-zbw or join by phone (US) +1 929-287-3647 (PIN: 876141866)
Nov. 30th with Josh, Christine (Hubbardton) https://meet.google.com/piw-sqjk-crt or join by phone (US) +1 470-208-3216 (PIN: 271699166)
Dec. 1st with Tim, Julie, Toni (Castleton) https://meet.google.com/byi-qppv-qgq or join by phone (US) +1 515-518-4964 (PIN: 853077567)
Dec. 2nd with Peter, Glen, John (Orwell) https://meet.google.com/viq-uxim-get?hs=122&authuser=0 or join by phone (US) +1 218-296-8729 (PIN: 318 417 490#)
Dec. 2nd with Mike, Rick Tara (Fair Haven) https://meet.google.com/cjv-qqvq-fhe or join by phone (US) +1 601-909-0134 (PIN: 703665728)
Dec. 3rd with Pati, Becky, Beckah (Benson) https://meet.google.com/ezx-zxdi-zct or join by phone (US) +1 605-777-0574 (PIN: 127269244)
Good Morning Slate Valley Families,
I would like to follow-up on the District letter from yesterday. I know yesterday’s news from the Governor was hard for all of us to digest and left many of us feeling unsettled right before an upcoming holiday. Put simply, schools are compelled to follow the state guidelines and executive orders from the Governor.
Our intent is to return to in-person learning on Monday November 30th, however it is undoubtedly becoming more and more difficult due to the increasing restrictions. Given that, the State has told schools that students who attend multi-house gatherings that are not in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%208%20TO%20AMENDED%20AND%20RESTATED%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20_0.pdf) may not attend in person school without quarantining for 7-14 days. Therefore, we ask that if your child has attended a multi-house gathering that goes against the Executive Order that they NOT attend school in-person on Monday the 30th. Instead it is expected that they observe the 7-14 day quarantine and engage in learning remotely.
We have said time and time again that in-person learning is what is best for our students, staff and community. Schools are some of the safest places in terms of the virus as we follow the health guidance closely. Furthermore, please note that these new rules put our staff in an untenable position that isn’t of the schools’ making. We care deeply about the wellbeing of our students and staff and ask that if you are upset by the current rules that you contact the state and not take it out on our staff. We are simply trying to do our best for all at a very difficult time.
I would ask that you speak with your building principal if you have any questions or know your child needs to attend remotely beginning on the 30th.
All the best,
Brooke Farrell, Superintendent