WHERE Are They Now WEDNESDAY: Daniel Hall
Daniel Hall, a proud member of the Fair Haven Union High School Class of 1987, has carved out a remarkable path in both music and technology, despite never attending college. Entirely self-taught, Daniel has cultivated a successful career as a Senior Level Software Engineer for a private firm while maintaining a deep passion for music.
During his time at Fair Haven Union, Daniel excelled in music and computers, finding inspiration and mentorship from his music teacher, Richard Dodd. His high school years were filled with musical achievements, participating in keynotes, district festivals, All-State music festivals, and earning the prestigious honor of being 1st seat, 1st chair in the All New England ensemble. After graduation, his musical talents took him across Europe, performing as the 2nd seat, 1st chair with the All American Winds Concert Band in Italy, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Austria.
Today, Daniel continues his musical journey, overcoming the challenges of dyslexia with the help of AI technology to compose instrumental music reminiscent of legendary composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams. Fans can follow his work on SoundCloud under his alias, Spotapod.
Beyond music and technology, Daniel is the author of the global bestselling book Top 100 List of Lies on Social Media. A free e-book download is available until April 30th. You can redeem this offer by going to: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1646794.
He also finds joy in bowling and, most importantly, in his role as a husband and father to seven foster and adopted children.
Daniel's favorite quote, passed down from his mother, Maggie Hall, is a guiding principle in his life: "Life is not defined by how successful you are, it's defined by your mistakes and how well you learn from them." His advice to current Slate Valley students is simple yet profound: "Take some time to evaluate your life."
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
With the revised FY26 proposed budget, all six of our towns are projected to see a TAX DECREASE! 🙌 This is great news—even with a 3.69% increase from last year.
The updated budget, going to vote on April 15, now totals $31,623,010—that’s $463,256 less than the original proposal after recent cuts. Visit https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/ for more detailed information.
MEET Faculty and Staff MONDAY: Featuring Erin Haley
Erin has been a dedicated member of the Slate Valley School District since 2011. She began her career as the Receptionist at Castleton Elementary School, where she also served as the Athletic Director for two years and pitched in with summer custodial work. After getting married in 2014, Erin and her husband considered moving south, but ultimately chose to stay close to family. She returned to CES as a substitute teacher, then transitioned into the role of Nursing Office Assistant and also worked as an Instructional Assistant for several years.
Erin’s passion for working in the schools led her to Fair Haven Grade School, where she became the Administrative Assistant. After three years there, she moved into her current role as the District Middle School Administrative Assistant in 2022.
Outside of work, Erin loves spending time with her children and attending all of their activities. She makes the most of summer with adventures like hiking, kayaking, and soaking up the sun on beach days—especially when there's a salty ocean breeze involved.
We celebrated National Instructional Assistant Day at FHGS by providing our outstanding Instructional Assistant team with a potluck lunch. We all greatly appreciate the hard work of our Instructional Assistants, who are dedicated to the growth and well-being of the students they serve. Thank you for all you do!
Join us next week for our Continuous Improvement Plan, Parent & Family Engagement, and School Compact Meeting on Wednesday, April 9th, 6:00-6:30 p.m. at the FHGS PTO monthly meeting. We look forward to your participation!
🌿 Need a Hand? Let Slate Valley High School Students Help! 🌿
Spring is here, and that means it’s time to tackle those yard projects, clean-ups, and small home improvement tasks! Luckily, hardworking high school students in the Slate Valley community are ready to lend a hand.
Whether you need leaves raked, a garden bed prepped, a shed organized, or even some firewood stacked, these students are eager to help—and gain valuable experience while giving back to their community!
To have your project added to the list for Green Up Day, contact Jackie Phillips at jphillips@svuvt.org or call her at 802-265-4966.
(April 2, 2025) Today's Rutland Herald School District Highlight: Cookies and Conversation
Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O’Meara foster open dialogue with students across Slate Valley through their “Cookies and Conversation” events. They visit students at each of our schools — Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Fair Haven Grade School, Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, and Orwell Village School—creating meaningful opportunities for discussion and connection. These informal gatherings provide a space for students to share their thoughts on school life, from policies like the “10 and 2” rule to their appreciation for supportive teachers and school leaders. Younger students expressed their love for playgrounds, favorite subjects, and caring principals, while older students discussed topics like school meals, cell phone use, and new campus ideas, such as gardens and chickens. Whether chatting with kindergartners or student council representatives, these events highlight the importance of student voices in shaping a positive school environment — one cookie at a time!
New Podcast! Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara, FHGS 5th grade teacher Judy Folmsbee, and Instructional Coach Abigail Wald provide an overview of Cognia State Testing, outlining its purpose, structure, and the expectations for both teachers and students.
View or listen at: https://youtu.be/TfWz_ZqgLZg
More Falcon Gathering photos! So proud of all our Award winners this month.
Falcon Gathering was held on March 31st to celebrate the SOAR award winners for the month of March. Way to go, Falcons!
Engage, Connect, Be Informed!
Join us on Monday, April 14, 2025, for an important discussion with our representatives as we continue exploring updates on the Governor's education plan. This is your chance to stay informed, ask questions, and make your voice heard!
📅 Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
We look forward to seeing you there! This meeting precedes the Budget ReVote Information Meeting, which begins at 6:30 PM in the FHUMHS Band Room.
Last night, FHGS hosted a fantastic K-2 Pajama Party concert under the direction of Ms. Hutchins! What a wonderful production by our young performers—great job, everyone!
A huge thank you to all who supported Ms. Hutchins and our students in making this event a success. It truly takes a team effort to bring these meaningful learning experiences to life. From our amazing custodial team who set up and cleaned up, to our dedicated teachers and instructional assistants who helped prepare and support our students—your hard work is deeply appreciated!
Thank you for making this a special night for our school community!
📢 Executive Committee School Board Open Mic 🎤
Join us for an open forum where community members can engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and share their thoughts directly with district school board members. This is a great opportunity to stay informed and have your voice heard on important school-related and FY26 Budget matters!
When: Monday, March 31, 2025
Where: Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attend in person or virtually by joining here: https://meet.google.com/ovx-wura-tpw
We look forward to seeing you there! Your input matters.
TONIGHT - Board Meeting - March 24, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Band Room
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: : https://meet.google.com/qfw-zcgt-qcr
Or dial: (US) +1 402-772-0189 PIN: 559 001 155#
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.
March 21st Slate Valley District Newsletter: View at https://mailchi.mp/a36b9cc8a32a/slate-valley-newsletter-march-21-2025
📚✨ Reading Buddies in Action! ✨📚
Today, students from the Fair Haven Union High School National Honor Society visited Ms. Grenier’s Kindergarten class at Fair Haven Grade School for a special Reading Buddies session! These future leaders shared their love of books and learning with our youngest students, creating a fun and engaging experience for all.
A huge thank you to Honor Society Vice President Maddie Charlton for organizing this wonderful event! Reading Buddies is just one of the many ways our Honor Society members give back to the community through service projects throughout the year.
Great job to all involved—the kindergarteners loved it!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the EMS departments in our community for the warm and enthusiastic welcome home for our State Champion Girls Basketball and Bowling teams! Your support in leading our buses and fans along the parade route from Castleton to Fair Haven made these victories even more memorable.
A special thank you to the Castleton and Fair Haven Police and Fire Departments for always going above and beyond to celebrate our students and communities. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do.
Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these celebrations so special!
Sincerely,
~Slater Nation
Vermont Literacy Network (In Bristol) is offering a variety of summer camps for children ages 3-10. For more information go to: https://5il.co/3ayle
