Fair Haven Grade School

📢 Please join us for our next 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 going and our hopes moving forward.

All are Welcome! We look forward to seeing you there! 💙

15 days ago, Slate Valley

Our morning Falcon News has been up and running, streaming into every classroom each morning. During the month of September, our volunteer guest news reporters were from 5th grade. Our weather reporters, sports reporters and birthday reporters have been doing an amazing job each morning. October will bring volunteer reporters from 3rd grade to the news desk!!

17 days ago, Deb Infurna

A computer screen shows two boys and two women in front of a green screen background with illustrations of jungle animals.

A young boy and girl and two adult women are shown on a video screen. The background is a digital starfield with a silhouette of the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek.

A group of people, including two young girls and two adult women, are shown on a video screen. The background is a repeating pattern of cartoon hamburgers.

A boy wearing a grey shirt sits on a chair. He is in front of a blue screen with a digital overlay that says "FHGS WEATHER" next to an image of a falcon

A computer screen displays two students sitting at a table with two adult women. The background shows an array of colorful Play-Doh containers.

A boy with a baseball cap is shown on a video screen. The screen has an autumn-themed background with a heart cut out of a leaf and the words "Hello Fall."

A girl wearing a pink sweatshirt sits on a chair. She is in front of a blue screen with a digital overlay that says "FHGS WEATHER" next to an image of a falcon

A group of people, including two young girls and two adult women, are sitting at a table in front of a green screen with a coffee-themed background. One of the girls and one of the women are looking at the camera and smiling.

A boy wearing a navy shirt and a dark baseball cap sits on a chair. He is in front of a blue screen with a digital overlay that says "FHGS WEATHER" next to an image of a falcon

Here are some more pictures of our wonderful students being recognized at our Falcon Gathering for their work demonstrating our SOAR (Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, Respect) values!!!! Congratulations FHGS students, keep SOARing!!

18 days ago, Deb Infurna

Three students holding certificates stand with art teacher, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students holding bus award certificates stand with a teacher, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two health class students holding certificates stand with a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Three students holding certificates stand with the librarian, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Three students holding certificates stand with the music teacher, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Three students holding certificates stand with the physical education teacher, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

This morning we held our first Falcon Gathering of the 2025-2026 school year, where we celebrated students who have excelled in demonstrating our core values (Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, Respect) for the month of September. Congratulations to all of the students recognized today!! We are so proud of you all!!!

18 days ago, Deb Infurna

Two students gr 1 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students gr 4 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students gr 5 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students gr. 6 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students kindergarteners holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students grade 2 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Two students gr. 3 holding certificates stand with two teachers, a falcon mascot, and a large SOAR sign in a school gymnasium.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: September 26, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/79359f4019ef/slate-valley-district-newsletter-92625

22 days ago, Slate Valley

Yesterday we had a successful bus safety evacuation drill!

Our students did a wonderful job practicing this important safety procedure. A special thank you goes to our older students and leaders who helped guide and support our younger riders during the drill — a true example of teamwork and caring for one another.

And of course, a big thank you to our dedicated bus drivers for keeping safety at the forefront and guiding our students through the process.

23 days ago, Slate Valley

Children exit the back of a yellow school bus during a safety drill, guided by an adult with curly gray hair and a police officer standing nearby.

Young students climb out of the back of a school bus, assisted by two older students, one wearing a pink floral dress.

Children step down from a school bus rear exit while two older students hold their hands for safety.

Students practice exiting a school bus during a drill, with adults and a police officer helping them down.

Children leave the bus one by one, guided by adults standing behind and beside the vehicle.

A police officer and an adult assist a small child stepping out of a school bus during a drill.

A child wearing a blue hoodie is helped off the back of a bus by two adults, one in a coral jumpsuit.

A child in a yellow sweatshirt is helped off the school bus by two adults as classmates wait inside.

We’re excited to kick off the first podcast of the 2025–2026 school year! Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell sat down with Slate Valley Unified’s Board Chair, Julie Finnegan, for an insightful conversation.

In this episode, Julie shares about:
✔️ The responsibilities of the board chair position
✔️ The school board’s goals and aspirations for the year ahead
✔️ The importance of community involvement
✔️ Thoughts on Act 73 and what it could mean for our community

Tune in to hear directly from district leadership as we continue building transparency and connection with our community. 🎧
Watch or Listen to the full Podcast at https://youtu.be/zus4jJvbsb0

23 days ago, Slate Valley

Two women sit across from each other in conversation, both smiling. One wears a white blazer and the other a purple patterned blouse with glasses. They are seated at a table with microphones and a headset in front of them, with a colorful abstract painting and a whiteboard in the background.

Our FHGS spirit wear sale has been extended to September 30th. Visit: 1stplace.sale/98901 to place your order now. All proceeds earned support our school store, which is operated by our students. Thank you for your school spirit and support.

24 days ago, Deb Infurna

Rainy days call for indoor recess fun, and our kindergartners are loving every minute of it. Much-needed rain, much-needed smiles!

25 days ago, Slate Valley

Young girl with brown hair in a ponytail smiles while sitting at a table, wearing a black dress with colorful designs. She playfully holds a green magnetic block to her ear like an earring.

Young boy with blond hair stands at a desk, smiling proudly beside a colorful marble run toy he has built.

Group of five young boys sit together on a classroom carpet, building and playing with LEGO bricks.

Young boy with short brown hair sits at a round table, working on a colorful board game or activity mat with small pieces.

Two young girls in a classroom crouch on the floor, stretching long connecting sticks across the carpet while building.

☕️💬 Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!

Community members are warmly invited to our next Coffee & Conversation on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Orwell Free Library.

Come share your questions, ideas, and feedback with district leadership in a relaxed, friendly setting. We value your voice and look forward to the conversation!

When: Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 · 9:00 AM
Where: Orwell Free Library
Who: All community members—everyone’s welcome!

Bring a friend, grab a cup, and let’s talk. ☕️

25 days ago, Slate Valley

Flyer for Slate Valley’s “Coffee & Conversation” on Sept. 26, 2025, 9:00–10:30 AM at Orwell Free Library, inviting the community to join board members and administrators for coffee and discussion on the FY27 Budget, Act 73, and the school year.

🍎✨ Applefest Success! ✨🍎

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing community for coming out to support this year’s 35th Applefest! Because of you, we raised an incredible $4,377.84!

These funds will go directly into our student activities account, shared with the dedicated staff members who volunteered their time to make Applefest possible. Staff who pitched in will be able to use these funds for special projects, classroom materials, activities, and events that bring extra joy and opportunities to their students.

We’re so grateful for the community’s support—it truly takes a village, and Applefest showed once again what an incredible one we have.

26 days ago, Slate Valley

Two boys smile while selling popcorn; one wears an apron and orange cap, the other holds a tray filled with bags of popcorn.

A woman sits above water in a dunk tank, wearing a pink shirt and shorts, waiting for participants to throw a ball at the target.

A woman in a red sweater with white hearts stands behind a table of baked goods wrapped for sale at an outdoor event.

A crowd gathers at a booth where two young women run a spinning prize wheel game on a sunny day.

A man and woman grill hot dogs and sausages at a large barbecue grill during an outdoor community festival.

A young child throws a foam axe at a large inflatable target labeled “Battle Axe” while an adult kneels nearby for guidance.

A man and woman stand behind a table covered with pillowcases painted with apple prints, sold as student artwork at a fair.

A woman sits at a decorated table doing face painting for three children as another adult looks on at an outdoor festival.

Two women smile at an outdoor booth with baskets of colorful toys labeled stress balls, sensory stickers, fidget rings, and stretchy llamas.

Board Meeting - September 22, 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 & High School Band Room.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/asz-bujx-ixw
Or dial: (US) +1 218-301-2538 PIN: 630 332 195#
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.

26 days ago, Slate Valley

Flyer for Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on September 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room. Agenda includes consent agenda, guidance team presentation, Act 73 (H.454) discussion, and committee reports on building & grounds and policy.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: September 19, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/4bee6898ba67/slate-valley-district-newsletter-for-september-19-2025

29 days ago, Slate Valley

There's only one week left to order your FHGS spirit wear during the Back-to-School Sale! Everything is 25% off sitewide through September 23rd! Shop Now!

about 1 month ago, Deb Infurna

Back-to-school spirit wear sale advertisement for FHGS showing a woman and boy wearing Falcons shirts, with text promoting 25% off and free shipping on orders over $75.

Kindergarteners are exploring letters, numbers, and shapes—having fun with playdough math, cutting shapes, and practicing writing.

about 1 month ago, Slate Valley

A young girl sits at a table using green Play-Doh on a counting mat.

A young boy works with Play-Doh and a counting mat while seated at a classroom table.

A student uses a marker to trace letters on a worksheet displayed on a bulletin board.

A young boy in a yellow shirt cuts out shapes from paper with scissors at a classroom table.

Grade 6 students having fun during specials this Monday morning. In music, students learn how to move their bodies in rhythm and time to the beat. In PE class, students are "filling their castle" with items they capture from their opponents.

about 1 month ago, Deb Infurna

Students wearing pinnies play a game called fill the castle in a school gymnasium, with a hoop and equipment on the floor nearby. Students need to capture the equipment in the hoop without being tagged.

Students stand and move together, based on the beat and rhythm of the music playing, on a colorful alphabet rug in a classroom.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: Week of September 12, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/3e7c8316491f/district-newsletter-september-12-2025

about 1 month ago, Slate Valley

Focus Friday: Slate Valley is celebrating our newest full-time students — our kindergarteners!

As a fun project, all kindergarteners from Orwell Village School, Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, and Fair Haven Grade School came together to create a joyful video, “On the 12th Day of Kindergarten.”

The video can be seen at https://bit.ly/12thDayofKindergarten

We are so proud of our youngest learners — they’ve jumped right into their Slate Valley journey, and they’re already off to a wonderful start!

about 1 month ago, Slate Valley

☕✨ Coffee & Conversation is back! ✨☕

Join Slate Valley school board members and administrators for a cup of coffee on us and a chance to share your thoughts, questions, and ideas. Topics include the FY27 Budget, Act 73, and the upcoming school year — but all voices and perspectives are welcome!

📍 Upcoming Dates & Locations:
September 19, 2025 | Castleton Free Library | 10:00–11:00 AM
September 26, 2025 | Orwell Free Library | 9:00–10:30 AM
October 7, 2025 | Fair Haven – Wooden Soldier | 8:00–9:30 AM
October 9, 2025 | Benson Town Hall | 8:00–9:30 AM

Come enjoy community, connection, and coffee — we’d love to hear from you!

about 1 month ago, Slate Valley

Throwback Thursday!

Throwing it back to 1967, when a couple of our local one-room schoolhouses in Hubbardton and West Haven were still using outhouses and had no running water!

This Rutland Daily Herald clipping from October 5, 1967 highlights how teachers carried water into classrooms each day, and students relied on outdoor privies instead of indoor bathrooms.

Thankfully, times have changed!

Who remembers stories from parents or grandparents about the “old schoolhouse days”? Share them below—we’d love to hear! 👇

about 1 month ago, Slate Valley

Throwback Thursday graphic featuring a 1967 Rutland Daily Herald article titled ‘OH (for Outhouse) in Hubbardton, West Haven,’ with photos of old schoolhouses and outhouses. Text reads: ‘Back to ’67: When Bathroom Breaks Meant the Outhouse!

1967 Rutland Daily Herald article titled “It’s OH (for Outhouse) in Hubbardton, West Haven” describing schools with outdoor privies and no running water.

Black and white photo of Turnpike School with a small outhouse to the right, surrounded by trees and grass.

Black and white photo of Monument Hill School with a shed that sheltered outhouses attached to the building.

Black and white photo of Turnpike School pupils playing outside during recess, with children running and smiling in a grassy field.