Slate Valley District Newsletter: February 13, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/d1e32e42eac9/district-newsletter-february-13-2026
3 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter” dated February 13, 2026, with a Presidents Day themed banner showing a patriotic design and an illustration of George Washington. Text states that all Slate Valley schools will be in session on Monday, February 16, 2026 (Presidents Day), and it is a regular school day for students and staff.
🏃‍♀️💜 Girls on the Run is coming to FHGS this spring!

We’re excited to share that Courtney St.Clair, Brianna Norton, and Erin Haley will be leading our next Girls on the Run season. This empowering program helps girls build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop important life skills — all while staying active and having fun.

📅 Registration opens February 18
Right now, families can complete the Participant Interest Form to let us know they’d like to join:

🔗 Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0LExTZFARlFbtriglKuOipqGQNgEZproMhq0OCjaPMYH9XA/viewform

Learn more about the program here:
🌐 https://www.gotrvt.org/

Girls on the Run focuses on confidence, connection, personal growth, and creating a supportive, girl-centered space where every participant’s voice matters. We can’t wait to get started this spring!
3 days ago, Slate Valley
Two adult coaches wearing purple Girls on the Run shirts stand smiling in front of a Girls on the Run Vermont backdrop, holding a pink and gold sign that reads “GOTR Vermont.”
Flyer for Girls on the Run Vermont describing girl-centered programming, trained coaches, confidence-building lessons, and supportive team environments, with contact information, website links, and QR codes for participant and coach interest forms.
Flyer for Girls on the Run Vermont describing girl-centered programming, trained coaches, confidence-building lessons, and supportive team environments, with contact information, website links, and QR codes for participant and coach interest forms.
During the months of January & February FHGS has been learning about and practicing Empathy. The Student Voice group visited classes to read the book "A Little Spot of Empathy" and play "A Little Spot of Feelings Game Show". If you visit FHGS you may see shoe coloring sheets up on the walls to remind everyone to "Stand in someone else's shoes" and practice empathy.
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Student stands at the front of a classroom reading from a picture book beside a large screen showing a close-up image of the moon, while several elementary students sit on the floor listening.
A group of elementary students sit on a colorful rug in a classroom library area while a student reads aloud from a book near a whiteboard and shelves labeled “READ.”
Student sits at a desk coloring a worksheet with a blue marker, with an open supply box of markers and scissors and reading notes visible on the table.
Older students stand at the front of an elementary classroom near an interactive board displaying a feelings-style quiz game, while younger students sit at desks watching.
Large group of kindergarten-aged students and a few older student helpers pose together behind classroom desks, smiling at the camera.
Students gather around desks in a classroom, leaning in and talking together during a group activity, with an interactive board visible in the background.
Students sit around tables facing a classroom screen showing a feelings-themed quiz board, while a student at the front holds a book and presents to the class.
Today's Rutland Herald: Scan the QR Code in the photo or go to https://bit.ly/SVULTA to see the accompanying video.
5 days ago, Slate Valley
Poster for Slate Valley Unified USD promoting the Lifetime Activities program. The graphic includes the district logo and text listing the towns served, with multiple photos of students participating in activities such as woodworking, hiking, ice skating, ice fishing, martial arts training, treadmill fitness, fishing, cooking, and horseback riding. A central text block explains the history and purpose of the Lifetime Activities program and notes winter and late spring sessions. The poster includes a video link and QR code, the slogan “Our School, Your Future,” and district contact information with website and social media icons.
Ms. O’Dell’s 3rd grade class had an exciting 100th day of school! They started the day by writing stories about our 100th birthday, completed a 100 LEGO challenge, made a special snack using 10 pieces from 10 yummy treats, and ended with a 100-word writing challenge. What a fun and memorable day of learning and celebration!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Class photo of students and a teacher in front of a math bulletin board, many wearing decorated “100 days” glasses and posing together for a 100th day of school celebration.
Student wearing bright “100 days” glasses sits at a desk with a worksheet and neatly sorted snacks and candies arranged in groups to total 100 items.
Student smiling at a desk with a “100 days” snack mat, showing grouped treats like pretzels, crackers, marshmallows, and candy arranged for a 100th day math activity.
Student wearing decorated “100 days” glasses sits at a desk with a worksheet and an assortment of snacks sorted into groups for a 100th day counting activity.
Two students standing behind a desk holding completed “100 LEGO Challenge” worksheets, with a colorful LEGO structure displayed in front of them.
Two students standing at desks with their LEGO builds and challenge papers, posing in a classroom with cubbies and school supplies visible behind them.
Two students smiling and holding “100 LEGO Challenge” worksheets while standing beside a tall, multicolored LEGO build on a classroom desk.
Two students standing behind a desk holding completed “100 LEGO Challenge” worksheets, with a colorful LEGO structure displayed in front of them.
Student smiling and holding a worksheet titled “My 100th birthday” with a drawing and writing about what they would do on their 100th birthday.
Group of elementary students standing in a classroom in front of a “Number Corner” math bulletin board, smiling and wearing colorful handmade “100 days” glasses to celebrate the 100th day of school.
🚨 All Slate Valley Afterschool Activities & Athletics Are Cancelled – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 🌨️

Due to the impending weather, all afterschool activities and athletics are cancelled today, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This also includes Boys & Girls Club programs.

Please plan for students to go home at regular dismissal time. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with a snowy background and the Slate Valley logo that reads: “Tuesday, February 10, 2026 — All Slate Valley After School Activities & Athletics Are Canceled. This includes Boys & Girls Club Programs.”
Mrs. McCrea’s Kindergarten class is celebrating a big milestone — 100 Days of School! 🎉

Students marked the day with creative, hands-on projects and colorful posters to show what 100 looks like. From decorated signs to fun themed artwork, their excitement and pride were on full display. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve learned and grown in just 100 days.

Way to go, kindergarteners — keep shining!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Student standing in a classroom holding a large green monster-themed poster with many googly eyes that says “I survived 100 days of school.”
Young student in a classroom holding a decorated “100 days” project board covered with colorful gems and pom-poms, with bookshelves and bins in the background.
Student sitting at a classroom table holding a handmade poster with a Super Mario theme that reads “I leveled up to 100 days,” decorated with gold dots and green pipes.
ATTENTION: Tonight’s School Board meeting has been moved to the Orwell Village School library.
7 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Orwell Village School, with the location updated from Town Hall Gym to Library. Agenda items listed include Consent Agenda, Board Reorganization, and Finance Committee Report, with district and Vermont-style logos displayed.
Board Meeting - February 9, 2026
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Orwell Village School – Town Hall/Gym.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fxz-sazi-cds
Or dial: (US) +1 567-234-0136 PIN: 731 443 207#

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.
7 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcing a Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting with text “Please Join Us Tonight,” agenda highlights (consent agenda, board reorganization, finance committee report), scheduled for February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Orwell Village School Town Hall/Gym, with district logo and people icons in a circle.
Slate Valley District Newsletter for February 6, 2026
https://mailchi.mp/1a88fa7ae27d/slate-valley-district-newsletter-262026
10 days ago, Slate Valley
Header graphic for the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated February 6, 2026, showing a cartoon groundhog popping out of a snowy burrow with the sun behind it, flanked by two worried-looking cartoon children, with school branding elements in the corners.
In honor of Groundhog Day, Mrs. Mingo’s first graders learned about the furry animal that lives underground. Groundhogs have a chunky body, flat head, short tail, short legs, and curved claws. The curved claws help the groundhog dig in the dirt to make its burrow. A burrow is an underground home with tunnels and rooms. The first graders designed their own burrows and put their artwork on display.
10 days ago, Slate Valley
Wall display with student burrow drawings hanging above a poster that reads “Mrs. Mingo’s 1st graders designed their own burrows,” with groundhog and burrow reference images and facts.
Row of several student burrow drawings clipped to a string on a wall, each showing different underground tunnel and chamber designs.
Child’s drawing of an underground animal burrow with winding tunnels, chambers, and small animals, outlined in pencil and shaded with brown and orange.
Child’s crayon drawing of a burrow cross-section with long curved tunnels and small red and blue shapes marking rooms and features.
Child’s colored drawing of a detailed underground burrow scene with multiple chambers, tunnels, and animals, clipped to a display line.
Child’s drawing of a burrow diagram showing a surface level with grass and a stick figure above connected to tunnels and rooms below ground.
Another row of student burrow illustrations hanging on a string display, featuring colorful maps of tunnels, rooms, and animals.
Mrs. Mingo’s first graders read books, watched videos, and listened to speeches to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. Students used a timeline to explore the important dates and events of his life. They discovered the meaning of important vocabulary words such as: peace, brave, justice, and equality. MLK was an influential leader who used his big words to make change. These first graders plan to continue in the footsteps of MLK, to dream and use their big words to make positive change in our world. (Submitted by Mrs. Mingo)
10 days ago, Slate Valley
Wide hallway bulletin board display with a wood-pattern background featuring multiple student “I Have a Dream” writing pages and black-and-white student portraits, arranged in rows under a class label reading “Mrs. Mingo.”
Black-and-white cutout portrait of a student posed thoughtfully beside an “I Have a Dream” worksheet that reads, “To take care of the environment,” mounted on a wood-pattern bulletin board.
Black-and-white student portrait next to an “I Have a Dream” worksheet that reads, “That everyone has a place to live,” displayed on a wood-style classroom bulletin board.
Black-and-white student portrait next to an “I Have a Dream” worksheet that reads, “To take care of the ocean,” pinned to a wood-pattern bulletin board.
Black-and-white student portrait beside an “I Have a Dream” worksheet that reads, “To take care of animals,” displayed on a wood-style bulletin board.
🌟 Friday Focus: Celebrating Our School Board 🌟

Happy Friday, Slate Valley! This month’s Friday Focus is dedicated to a very special group of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. February is School Board Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the members of the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board.

Our board members are more than just policy-makers; they are dedicated volunteers, parents, and neighbors who invest countless hours to ensure every student in our community has the tools they need to succeed. From navigating complex budgets to championing innovative programs, their leadership keeps our district moving forward.

To our Board Members: Thank you for your time, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District. We appreciate everything you do!
10 days ago, Slate Valley
A social media graphic for "Friday Focus." The top section is teal with the text "Friday Focus" and a script overlay "February is School Board Appreciation Month." Below this is a photograph of ten people, the Slate Valley Unified Union School Board, seated around a long table with laptops and papers. Below the photo, the text reads, "We extend heartfelt appreciation to the esteemed members of the Slate Valley Unified Union School Board for their dedication and service to our community's students." To the right is a circular green and white logo for "SLATE VALLEY VERMONT - A UNIFIED FOCUS ON LEARNING" with stylized mountains and a figure. In the bottom left corner, in a script font, are the words "Thank You!"
Elly Moriarty, an archaeologist at VTSU Castleton, visited the 3rd grade to share a presentation about what archaeologists study and how they do their research. The students learned about excavating, finding artifacts, and how the artifacts are studied to learn about people in the past. Elly shared 3D printed copies of artifacts from her excavations in Castleton and West Haven, and students made guesses about what they were, and what kinds of information we can learn from them.
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Large group of elementary students and a teacher posing together in a classroom for a group photo, with student artwork displayed on the walls behind them.
Two young students sitting on the floor facing each other and talking while working with a small object during a partner activity.
Three elementary students at a desk examining small white objects and containers while recording notes on clipboards.
Four elementary students gathered around desks working together with small blue containers and tools during a hands-on classroom activity.
Two elementary students sit on a classroom rug using a small hammer and tool to test or assemble a simple object while classmates sit nearby observing.
🏛️✨ Throwback Thursday — Going Back to 2016! ✨🏛️

This week we’re heading back 10 years to 2016 to celebrate an impressive student achievement from Castleton Village School. Students in Ms. White’s 7th–8th grade JUMP enrichment group — a cross-grade period where middle schoolers collaborated on special projects — competed in the 3D Vermont Olympiad, a statewide, project-based learning competition combining local history, research, design, and engineering.

As part of the Olympiad, students researched historic buildings in their town, studied their historical significance, created multimedia reports, and constructed detailed, to-scale 3D models for judging and presentation.

That year, CVS students formed two teams. One group focused on the Federated Church of Castleton, while the other researched the Castleton Medical College Chapel. Both teams performed phenomenally at the state competition, showcasing outstanding research, craftsmanship, and presentation skills. The Medical College Chapel team earned first place statewide — an incredible accomplishment.

Experiences like the 3D Vermont Olympiad highlighted how hands-on, place-based learning helps students connect history, creativity, and problem-solving.

👀 Throwback bonus question: Do you recognize one of our district’s current second grade teachers in this group?

See a video recap of the Olympiad at: https://youtu.be/8lwxrfgUJSI
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Throwback Thursday graphic celebrating Castleton Village School’s 2016 3D Vermont State Champions, showing photos of 7th and 8th grade students and advisors at the 3D VT Olympiad with their display table and two detailed scale building models, plus Slate Valley logo and text noting the competition and year.
On January 29th, FHGS enjoyed a T.I.G.E.R. Theatre Production brought to us by Plymouth State University.

In "Calm Quest" we followed Ricky on his journey through a typical school day as he embarked on a “quest for calm.” Along the way, he learns helpful tools and calming techniques from his friends, who share how they manage worry, stress, and fear. T: Talk about your worries. I: Imagine a calm space. G: Gratitude is great! E: Empower yourself.
R: Relaxation rewards.
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Group of elementary students and several adult presenters posing in a school gym in front of an orange-and-black backdrop, smiling for a photo; the adults wear bright shirts with large letters that spell a word together.
Larger group of young students and adult presenters gathered in a gym, smiling and posing together in front of the same orange-and-black backdrop, with some presenters giving thumbs-up.
Dozens of elementary students and several adults seated on wooden gym bleachers, watching an assembly or presentation off-camera.
Four presenters in colorful shirts and capes performing coordinated motions at the front of a school gym during a student assembly.
Close view of older elementary and middle school students seated closely together on bleachers, attentively watching a school assembly.

Where Are They Now Wednesday: Derek Eagan, Class of 2018

This month’s Where Are They Now Wednesday spotlight features Fair Haven Union High School alumnus Derek Eagan, Class of 2018, who has turned his early interest in public safety into a meaningful and fast-paced career in emergency services.

While in High School, Derek pursued training through the Stafford Technical Center Public Safety/Criminal Justice program, building the skills that would launch him into the field. Today, he works full time at Community Health Brandon as a Medical Assistant and also serves per diem with Wallingford Rescue Squad, Brandon Area Rescue Squad, and Regional Ambulance Service. His work keeps him actively engaged in caring for and supporting people across the region when they need it most.

While at FHUHS, Derek was a member of the FHUHS Cadets, an experience that helped shape his career direction and commitment to service. He credits several educators with having a lasting influence on his success, including Mrs. Margret Hayward, Mrs. Sheila Nicholes, and Scott Alkinburgh, whose support and guidance helped him along the way.

Outside of his professional life, Derek stays busy with a wide range of interests. During the summer months, he spends time at Pond Hill Ranch and also enjoys fishing, hiking, and just being outdoors. He values time with family and friends—especially his high school best friend, Adam—and is excited to now be a first-time uncle. He has also developed a passion for photography and recently launched his own business, Derek Eagan Photography.

A quote that continues to motivate him is, “Getting back up is the only back up plan you need,” by Bailey Zimmerman.

His advice to today’s Slate Valley students is simple but heartfelt: Don’t rush your four years. Make friends, and take part in the clubs and sports that interest you.

12 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic titled “Where Are They Now Wednesday” from Slate Valley featuring FHUHS Class of 2018 alumnus Derek Eagan. Text highlights that he studied Public Safety/Criminal Justice at Stafford Technical Center, works full time in the Rutland Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, serves per diem with local rescue squads, is a former FHUHS Cadet, owns Derek Eagan Photography, and recently became an uncle. The photo shows an adult man standing in front of an ambulance in uniform.
Last night, Senator David Weeks, Representative William Canfield, and Representative Zachary Harvey joined community members at a Community Advisory Council meeting at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School for a forum focused on Act 73.

We appreciate our legislators taking the time to meet with the community, answer questions, and provide thoughtful, detailed explanations about Act 73 and its potential direction and impact on education in Vermont. Their openness and engagement helped make the discussion informative and productive for all who attended.
13 days ago, Slate Valley
Three local legislators speak at a table during a community forum, with a display screen behind them reading “Legislator Perspectives on Act 73” and listing guiding questions.
Community members and local legislators sit around tables in a school library classroom during a public discussion meeting, with a presentation on a screen about Act 73 and participants taking notes.
FHGS Newsletter: February 2026
https://aptg.co/jgYRXx
13 days ago, Slate Valley
Banner graphic showing the front of Fair Haven Grade School with the text “Fair Haven Grade School” and “February 2026,” featuring the school falcon logo on the left and the Slate Valley Unified Union School District logo on the right.
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know? 📊

All information about Slate Valley’s Proposed FY27 Budget is available in one convenient place on our website. Community members can review the full set of resources, including:

• Proposed FY27 Budget Presentation
• 2025–2026 Annual Report
• Warning for the Annual Meeting
• FY27 Tax Rate Estimates
• Annual Meeting details — February 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room

View everything here:
👉 https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/fy27-budget

🗳️ Don’t forget: Please vote on Town Meeting Day — March 3, 2026 by Australian ballot, or vote early using an absentee ballot.

Stay informed and take part in the process!
13 days ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified School District “Trivia Tuesday” graphic that reads “Did You Know?” and explains that all proposed FY27 budget information — including presentations, reports, and supporting documents — is available on one dedicated website page. Includes images of the FY27 Proposed Budget and 2025–2026 Annual Report covers, a student group photo, a QR code, and the link: slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/fy27-budget.