🎉💙 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
Please join us in congratulating Deborah Williams, our incredible Fair Haven Union Middle and High School nurse, on her retirement! Thank you for your years of compassionate care and dedication to our students and school community. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter—you will be deeply missed!
Congratulations to Bonnie Lenihan on her retirement! We’re so thankful for the many years of hard work and dedication. We wish Bonnie all the best as she starts this new and exciting journey—you’ll be truly missed!
Please join us in congratulating Kim Prehoda on her retirement! We are grateful for her years of dedication and service. Best wishes, Kim, as you begin this exciting new chapter—you will be missed!
A Castleton Tradition Lives On! 📖🐾
Yesterday, Castleton Elementary School’s third grade class took part in a beloved local tradition—after reading The Blue Cat of Castle Town by Catherine Cate Coblentz, they visited the historic locations featured in the story.
Their literary adventure took them through downtown Castleton, where they explored:
🏠 The Higley House
⛪ The Federated Church
👞 The Cobbler Shop
🏥 The Medical Chapel
🌊 And of course, the Castleton River—where many kept a hopeful eye out for the elusive Blue Cat!
This annual tradition brings literature to life and connects our students to the rich history of their own community. Who knows? Maybe one of them really did catch a glimpse of that mysterious blue feline!
On Monday, June 9th, all current 6th graders from each of our district’s sending schools participated in Step Up Day at Fair Haven Union Middle School.
During their visit, students had the opportunity to:
✅ Meet their future teachers
✅ Practice opening lockers
✅ Learn about the classes they’ll be taking
✅ Receive their supply lists
✅ Hear about Middle School expectations
✅ Participate in fun ice breaker activities
This exciting day is just one of the many ways our district supports students in making a smooth and confident transition from primary school to middle school.
Yesterday, we celebrated a beautiful tradition at Castleton Elementary School — our 6th Grade Torch Ceremony!
We honored our amazing 6th graders as they completed their primary school journey and prepared to take their next big step to the district Middle School. In a heartfelt moment, they passed the symbolic torch to our rising 6th graders—this year’s 5th grade class—who will carry on the responsibility of being leaders and role models next year.
The ceremony concluded with a slideshow, showcasing memories of our 6th graders from infancy to the incredible individuals they are today.
To see the slideshow, go to: https://youtu.be/xGnt8lRtnHY
🎒 New "Go Back to School with Confidence" Campaign! ✨
Every child entering Kindergarten through 6th grade in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District qualifies to receive FREE back-to-school clothing to kick off the new year with confidence!
✅ How to Apply:
Complete the form by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting https://bit.ly/Back2SchoolwithConfidence
📅 Deadline to enter: July 15, 2025
📍 One entry per child
👕 Clothing Pickup:
🗓 Wednesday, August 20, 2025
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School
Questions? Contact Carrieann Wolcott at 📧 cwolcott@svuvt.org or ☎️ 802-265-0676.
Let’s start the 2025-26 school year off right! 💙📚
During Friday’s assembly, we had some technical difficulties and lost our internet connection — which meant we couldn’t share our video. But good news… here it is now! https://youtu.be/L-tQvzfWihY
Board Meeting - June 9, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Haven Grade School
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qiq-sqee-qkq
Or dial: (US) +1 267-358-6351 PIN: 886 884 377#
Please note: To participate in conversation virtually and/or ask a question virtually, please use the “raise hand” icon in Google Meet. Typing responses or questions in chat is not an option.
Slate Valley District Newsletter - June 6, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/873f2eef6f42/june-6-2025-slate-valley-district-newsletter
