🎶 Slate Valley Teachers Take the Stage! 🎶

Did you know our district’s music teachers share their talents beyond the classroom? This Saturday, Ms. Sam Adams (High School Band Teacher, bass clarinet) and Mrs. Cynthia Hutchins (FHGS Music Teacher, bassoon) will be performing in the New York - Vermont Wind Orchestra—an ensemble made up mostly of teachers and hosted by Castleton University.

📅 Saturday at 2:00 PM
📍 Castleton University
🎟️ Free admission for all students

Come enjoy an afternoon of incredible music and celebrate our teachers sharing their passion with the community!
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Poster for New York–Vermont Wind Orchestra concert at VTSU Castleton, Casella Theater, September 6 at 2 PM. Features works by Bernstein, Day, Fernandez, Jacobo, Llinas, Nishimura, and Yagisawa.
📢 Reminder: Please join us tonight for the first Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting of the school year!

🕔 Time: 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle & High School – Central Office Conference Room

This is a great opportunity to connect with district administration, share community concerns, and hear updates on Act 73 as well as how the school year is starting and our hopes moving forward.

We look forward to seeing you there! 💙
about 2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting announcement for September 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.
📢 Reminder: There will be no school this Monday in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Tuesday!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with text reading ‘No School Monday in Observance of Labor Day.’ Illustrations of various workers, including a farmer, doctor, soldier, teacher, and others, appear below. Slate Valley logo at the bottom.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: August 29, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/a3352b4ace47/slate-valley-back-to-school-newsletter
2 months ago, Slate Valley
First page of Slate Valley Unified USD newsletter, dated August 29, 2025. Banner shows the Slate Valley logo with the title 'The Halls Are Active Again—Welcome Back, Slate Valley!' Below is a photo of a smiling child resting their chin on their hands. The text highlights the start of the 2025–2026 school year, with teacher prep, student activities, and excitement for a new year.
First Day Freeze Frames 📸
See the full video at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19xeZ8KHb8/
Welcome Back to All Slate Valley Students!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot showing young students posing for a photo with their teacher behind them peering through decorative blue streamers.
🌟📚 It was an exciting first day at Fair Haven Grade School! Our students are off to a bright start—finding their classrooms, meeting teachers, and beginning a new year of learning and discovery. 💙🍎
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two smiling boys wearing name tags stand together in a classroom hallway.
Teacher stands at the front of the classroom while students sit at desks listening attentively.
Young students line up inside a classroom as their teacher gives directions.
Teacher leads a morning circle; students sit on a rug decorated with a sun, raising hands to participate.
Student in a pink hoodie raises her hand during classroom instruction.
Students gather around a round table with colorful pencil pouches while a teacher assists in the background.
Student colors a paper strip that says “Meeting you was the highlight of my day!” with a yellow highlighter.
Students sit in a circle on the gym floor while a teacher gives instructions in the center.
Classroom with desks decorated with worksheets and smiley face balloons; teacher addresses students.
Teacher reads from a paper while students sit on a colorful rug, listening attentively.
We’re excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year and invite you to our first Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting on:

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 5:45 PM
Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

The agenda link is below. We’ll review council goals for the year, share key district updates, and set priorities together. Your insights help us strengthen family, school, and community partnerships—thank you in advance for your time and perspective.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Agenda link: https://5il.co/3opgw
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting announcement for September 2, 2025, at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.
Fair Haven Grade School’s Open House was a huge success! ✨
Our halls were full of smiling faces as students and families explored classrooms, connected with teachers, and shared their excitement for the year ahead. 🎒📚

We’re ready to kick off the school year in the morning—together we’ll make it a year of growth, learning, and fun! 🌟
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Teacher bends down to greet two young boys in a classroom while families stand nearby.
Teacher leans over a desk, smiling while talking with two young students.
Teacher in a blue dress speaks with a young student and her family in a decorated classroom.
Teacher in a striped shirt sits at a table, smiling while talking with a young boy in a red shirt.
Families and children gather in a busy classroom filled with books, toys, and activity areas.
Teacher in a black dress chats with a group of students and parents in a classroom lined with books.
Teacher in a turquoise shirt talks with a student wearing a cap in a school hallway.
Group of five staff members stand smiling together in front of a “Welcome Amazing Things” sign.
📢 Join us tonight for the 2025–2026 Annual Title I Meeting!
We’re excited to welcome parents and families to learn more about Title I Schoolwide Programs and how they help address barriers to academic success. 💙

📍 Fair Haven Grade School (FHGS)
🕓 4:00 PM – meet.google.com/yim-skxt-frq

📍 Castleton Elementary School (CES)
🕔 5:00 PM – meet.google.com/afe-fpah-mzj
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slide for the 2025–2026 Annual Title I Meeting welcoming parents and families, with staff names and roles listed, plus the Vermont logo.
Say hello to the amazing new faculty and staff joining Fair Haven Grade School!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Portrait of Ellenor Cox-Hansen with text: Welcome, Ellenor Cox-Hansen, Director of Special Education, Fair Haven Grade School.
Portrait of Jordyn Bessette with text: Welcome, Jordyn Bessette, Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School.
Portrait of Austin Bruno with text: Welcome, Austin Bruno, Grade 2 Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School.
Portrait of Jaime Crane with text: Welcome, Jaime Crane, Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School.
Portrait of Olivia Johnson with text: Welcome, Olivia Johnson, Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Grade School.
Portrait of Courtney St. Clair with text: Welcome, Courtney St. Clair, Social Emotional Interventionist, Fair Haven Grade School.
🎶✨ “We Ready!” ✨🎶
Slate Valley faculty & staff are pumped to welcome back our amazing students this week! #WeAreSlateValley #BackToSchool #WeReady
See our video at: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CdPHhQrHx/
or
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNwfSiVYvDY/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Group of Slate Valley faculty and staff smiling in a hallway, holding colorful painted canvases with the letters "R" and "A" as part of a back-to-school celebration.
🎨✨ On Friday, during Inservice, every Slate Valley faculty and staff member came together for a powerful group art project.

Each table received a canvas—some with hidden letters—tasked with one simple rule: cover it completely with color. Every Slate Valley member added at least one brushstroke, symbolizing our shared commitment. The letters were revealed and brought together to spell out the phrase:

“We Are Slate Valley.” 💫

In every splatter of paint, every dab of color, and every stroke of life, our faculty and staff captured a shared truth: no matter the distractions or challenges beyond our control, we will continue to show up fully for the students who show up for us every day.

This art piece is more than just decoration—it’s our collective promise. The completed canvases will be displayed throughout Slate Valley school buildings as a reminder of the strength, unity, and dedication of our Slate Valley family. 💙
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Group of people painting letters on canvases together at a table.
Two women smiling while painting on a paper plate with bright colors.
Group of women painting designs on a canvas at a shared table.
Two women painting a colorful canvas with others around the table.
Group working together on a shared painting, adding colors with brushes.
Two women painting a vibrant canvas with brushes at a table.
Woman smiling and painting with others at a colorful group art activity.
Woman focused on painting colorful designs on a canvas.
Woman peeling tape from a painted canvas while others watch.
Group lined up in the gym holding painted canvases that spell “We are Slate Valley.”
First day vibes! Our Slate Valley faculty & staff officially kicked off the school year on Friday, August 22nd with Opening Day Inservice—full of laughs, hugs, summer stories, and lots of catching up. Here's some photos from a great day with great people. 💙
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two men wearing lanyards sit together at a table in a gymnasium, smiling at the camera.
A young woman and an older man sit at a table in a gymnasium, smiling and talking with others seated around them.
Two women sit at a table smiling, one holding a fork with fruit and the other with colorful tumblers. A laptop with stickers is on the table in front of them.
Three women smile while sitting together at a table in a gymnasium. Two are seated with plates of food, and one stands behind them wearing a yellow shirt with the word "Mentor." The background shows blue gym wall padding with large white letters.
Five people sit together at a long table in a gymnasium during a school event. They are smiling at the camera, with laptops and tumblers in front of them. Other attendees can be seen seated at tables in the background.
Two women smile and stand side by side in a gymnasium, both wearing denim jackets over long floral dresses with Slate Valley lanyards around their necks.
Three women stand at a table looking at Slate Valley Unified School District folders and pens. One woman in a pink shirt reaches for an item, while the others observe and smile.
Four women sit at a table during a school event, smiling at the camera with plates of food, drinks, and bags in front of them. Other attendees are visible in the background.
A group of five women sit and smile at a table during a school event, with notebooks, food, and drinks in front of them, while more people gather in the background.
Man and woman gather Slate Valley materials from a table with pens, folders, and tote bags, smiling and engaged.
At Slate Valley’s Opening Day Inservice, three special awards were presented to individuals who embody the heart of our district and consistently go above and beyond their duties. 🌟

🏆 SVUUSD Executive Board Awards were given to the Orwell Village School PBIS Team and to Mrs. Cynthia Hutchins, Fair Haven Grade School’s dedicated Music Teacher.

🏅 The SVUUSD Special Service Award was presented to Carrieann Wolcott, Slate Valley’s committed Home–School Coordinator.

👏 Congratulations to all of our honorees—thank you for your passion, service, and unwavering dedication to our students and community!
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Three women smiling and standing next to a man on their left. The woman in the middle holds an award plaque.
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has their arm around her.
Three women smiling and standing together. The one in the middle holds an award plaque, while the other two women have their arms around the middle woman's back.
During our Opening Day Inservice, Slate Valley Unified Union School District proudly celebrated our Instructional Assistants of the Year. 🌟

These outstanding IAs truly represent the heart of our classrooms—offering support, encouragement, and care that help students grow and thrive every single day.

We are deeply grateful for all they do. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 👏💙

Picture are:
Taylor Coloutti - IA at Castleton Elementary School
Annie Bartholomew - IA at Fair Haven Grade School
Alicia Bouzianis - IA at Orwell Village School
Ashley Bruce - IA at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Colleen Howard - IA at Benson Village School
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque while the other has their arm around her.
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque and both have their arms around each other.
A man and woman smile while holding a plaque award together inside a gymnasium.
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque and both have their arms around each other.
Two women stand together smiling holding a plaque award in a gymnasium.
At our Opening Day Inservice, Slate Valley Unified Union School District proudly celebrated this year’s Teachers of the Year, along with two educators honored with the prestigious UVM Outstanding Teacher Awards. 🏆

👏 Congratulations to all recipients! These well-deserved honors reflect the hard work, passion, and dedication to students you demonstrate every day.

Pictured are:

UVM Outstanding Teacher and SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mr. Kyle Ruby - History Teacher at FHUHS

UVM Outstanding Teacher: Ms. Amanda Eddy - Special Education Teacher at BVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Ms. Makayla Ackert - Kindergarten Teacher at BVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Patty-Ann Holden - Grade 5 Teacher at OVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mr. Parth Patel - Physical Education Teacher at FHGS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Andrea Gorruso - Grade 3 Teacher at CES
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Two men stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has his arm around him.
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has their arm around her.
Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has their arm around her.
A man and woman smile while holding a plaque award together inside a gymnasium.
A man holding a plaque stands next to a smiling woman in a gymnasium.
A woman holding a plaque stands next to a smiling man in a gymnasium.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: August 22, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/7cc8c55d6a27/slate-valley-district-newsletter-august-22-2025
2 months ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified USD newsletter dated August 22, 2025, with the district logo at the top. Below is a colorful “Back to School” graphic with stars, a smiley face, and a backpack. The headline reads “It’s That Time!” followed by a welcome message about the start of the school year, excitement from teachers and staff, and thanks to custodians for preparing clean, safe buildings.
🎉✨ Slate Valley is officially back in action! Today marked our Opening Inservice Day with all district faculty and staff filling the high school gym.

The morning was packed with energy — we welcomed new employees, celebrated award recipients, and capped it all off with a special district-wide art project (can’t wait to share more about that soon!).

In the afternoon, teams headed to their buildings for meetings and collaboration to kick off the year strong.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year — stay tuned for more updates! 💙💚
2 months ago, Slate Valley
A large group of teachers and staff sit at tables in a school gymnasium during a district-wide meeting, facing a presentation screen at the front.

Today was Slate Valley's 2025-2026 Fall Special Education Training at Castleton Elementary School.

The district's Special Education staff attended this full-day session which included updates on district initiatives, resources for special educators, Medicaid program changes, mentoring supports, and strategies to improve outcomes for all learners. Educators also explored high-leverage math practices with Glenn Patterson from the VT Agency of Education.

It was a wonderful day of learning and collaboration!

2 months ago, Slate Valley
Educators sit at tables with laptops, listening to a presenter speaking at the front of a school cafeteria.
Educators sit at tables with laptops, listening to a presenter speaking at the front of a school cafeteria.
Slate Valley Kicks Off the Year with their New Teacher Orientation!

The day began with refreshments, a warm welcome from Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell, and introductions to our five schools. Presenters from the Business Office, Educators’ Association, Special Education, Mentoring, MTSS, and more provided key overviews and resources to support our new team members. Teachers also had time for tech setup, curriculum deep-dives, and connecting with mentors over lunch.

We are excited to welcome these new educators to our Slate Valley community and wish them a great start to the school year! 💙🍎

2 months ago, Slate Valley
A group of adults is seated in a school gymnasium, attending a meeting or training session. Tables are arranged in a U-shape, with papers, drinks, and white gift bags placed in front of participants. At the front of the room, a woman in a gray Slate Valley T-shirt speaks to the group while standing near a podium. A large agenda is projected onto the wall behind her, and an American flag hangs nearby. Colorful murals decorate the walls, and attendees are listening attentively.
A large group of adults sits at tables arranged in a U-shape inside a school gymnasium for a meeting or training session. A woman wearing a Slate Valley T-shirt stands at the front, speaking to the group. Attendees are listening attentively, with papers, pens, and white gift bags in front of them on the tables. Some participants are seated in folding chairs, while a few others stand in the back near colorful murals painted on the walls. A basketball hoop and stacked cafeteria tables are visible in the background, indicating a multipurpose school space.
A close-up of a young woman with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a brown polka-dot top and an SVUSD lanyard. She is seated at a table with a white gift bag featuring the Slate Valley logo and a reusable water bottle in front of her. In the background, other bags and a projector are visible on a table, indicating a classroom or meeting setting.
Two women are pictured in a classroom or meeting space. One woman, standing on the left, wears a white poncho over a blue patterned dress and has a lanyard with an ID badge around her neck. She is looking to the side with her hands in her pockets. The woman on the right, seated at a table, is smiling and wearing a colorful rainbow-striped crocheted sweater. On the table in front of them are white gift bags and papers. A “Choking” safety poster is visible on the wall in the background.
A woman in a cream-colored top and lanyard hands a paper to another woman seated at a table, who is wearing glasses and a light blue shirt. Another person with long blonde hair sits beside her, facing forward. In the background, a man in a light blue shirt looks down at a paper while standing at a separate table. The room has school posters on the walls, including a large black poster with yellow eyes, and an American flag is displayed. White bags and papers are spread across the tables where participants are seated.
A group of adults sit at tables listening to a woman standing at the front of the room giving a presentation. The woman, wearing a pink polo shirt and denim shorts with a lanyard around her neck, gestures with both hands while speaking. Participants are seated with papers, pens, and bags on the tables in front of them, paying attention to the presenter. The setting appears to be a classroom or meeting room with beige walls and wooden doors in the background.
Several adults sit at tables in a classroom or meeting space, attentively facing forward during a session. They have papers, pens, water bottles, and white bags with the Slate Valley logo on the table in front of them. A woman in glasses and a ponytail is in the foreground, holding a red pen. Other participants are seated in a row, some leaning forward with hands clasped. In the background, a person wearing a Slate Valley shirt and lanyard stands and smiles near a refreshment table. Posters and signs decorate the walls.
Three adults are standing and talking in a school hallway near a table. The person on the left is wearing a gray Vermont T-shirt and lanyard, the person in the middle is holding a tablet and wearing a green shirt, and the person on the right is holding a closed laptop and wearing a light blue button-down shirt. In the background, two women are conversing near a laptop; one is wearing a colorful striped sweater. The setting includes cream-colored walls, posters, and a hallway extending behind them.
Two adults are engaged in conversation inside a school cafeteria. The person on the left, with long dark hair in a ponytail and wearing a black T-shirt, is listening attentively. The person on the right, wearing a white dress shirt, light blue tie, and khaki pants, is speaking while gesturing with his hands. He has a blue lanyard around his neck. The background shows a beige wall, door, and classroom furnishings.
Three adults are gathered around a table working collaboratively. A woman on the left is smiling while seated at a laptop. In the center, another woman is writing on a sticky note placed on her laptop, with a phone and charger on the table in front of her. A man on the right leans over to observe. The background shows additional people conversing near tables, with an American flag visible on the wall. The setting is in a school cafeteria..