💙Slater Pride was out in full force this morning at Fair Haven Union Middle School!

Both 7th and 8th graders, along with all faculty and staff, sported custom-made FH Slater t-shirts and headed out to the football field for a big team-building activity. Together, they formed the letters FHUMS—with staff making not one, but TWO exclamation points (!!). The sun was shining, spirits were high, and the bleachers later held everyone for an awesome group photo.

These shirts were made possible through a VSAC/GEAR UP Grant. Thanks to this program, we’re fortunate to have outreach counselor Rachel Casey (a proud FHU graduate!) in our school four days a week. Rachel supports our middle schoolers with monthly workshops focused on college and career readiness.

Major kudos to Mrs. Erin Haley for organizing this big endeavor, and a huge shoutout as well to Mr. Eugene Fox, one of our incredible custodians, who came in on his time off to capture the day with his drone—thank you for giving us such a memorable view of this special moment! 🙌

To see some video footage, go to: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/173kfUmymV/

13 days ago, Slate Valley
Aerial view of students standing on a grassy field arranged to spell out FHUMS.
A woman bends down on a football field setting up string and markers, with others preparing in the background.
Students in FH shirts walk across the football field, heading toward a gathering area.
A group of students wearing matching FH shirts stands inside a large circle outlined on the grass.
Groups of students and staff in FH shirts begin forming shapes on the field, viewed from the bleachers.
A woman speaks into a microphone while leaning out of a press box window.
A man operates a Drone controller while students and staff gather on the field in FH shirts.
Group in the bleachers raises their hands and waves while smiling for a photo.
Students walk down bleacher steps, one smiling and flashing a peace sign at the camera.
A teacher and students clap and smile while leaving the bleachers after the group photo.
In Mrs. Clement’s fashion design class, students got creative with a sweet twist—using frosting to explore the art of color mixing! 🎨🍰
14 days ago, Slate Valley
A smiling student stands by a counter with cookies arranged and frosted in different colors on a color wheel activity sheet.
A student spreads brightly colored frosting on cookies while using a color wheel activity sheet in a classroom kitchen.
📢 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! 💙
14 days 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!
16 days 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
18 days 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.
NOTICE: Middle School Girls Soccer is cancelled for today, Friday, August 29th.
18 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with a soccer ball and colorful border announcing: Middle School Girls Soccer is cancelled for today, Friday, August 29th.
FHUMS Newsletter: August 29, 2025
https://secure.smore.com/n/jbma9
18 days ago, Slate Valley
First page of Fair Haven Union Middle School newsletter dated August 29, 2025. Includes a note from the principal to families about the start of the school year, upcoming safety drills, the role of class and teacher advisors, and guidance on student support during advisory period.
You never know what cards the first day of school might deal, but these 7th graders stacked the deck in their favor by playing their best hand! 🃏

Mr. VanDerKern and Mr. McKeen teamed up to welcome new students with a mix of design challenges and team-building activities, giving them a glimpse of what to expect in Design and PE at FHUMHS this year.
19 days ago, Slate Valley
A group of boys work together to hold up a tall, vertical tower of playing cards.
Two girls concentrate while stacking playing cards into a tower.
A small house of cards built from red and black playing cards on a wooden table.
A smiling teacher takes a selfie in a clean and organized classroom with tall tables, stools, and workstations.
Happy first day to all of our students and families! FHUMHS will start the year strong with a focus on safety. Within the next week, we will have students practicing bus evacuations, fire evacuations, and ALICE option-based drills. Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like to learn more!
19 days ago, Ben Worthing
School Safety
First Day Freeze Frames 📸
See the full video at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19xeZ8KHb8/
Welcome Back to All Slate Valley Students!
19 days ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot showing young students posing for a photo with their teacher behind them peering through decorative blue streamers.
Today we welcomed our newest Slaters! Fair Haven Union Middle & High School’s 7th and 9th graders had the building all to themselves. It was a special day designed just for them—meeting teachers, exploring classrooms, learning schedules, and getting comfortable before the rest of the grades arrive tomorrow.
20 days ago, Slate Valley
A group of middle school students sit at classroom tables and wave toward the camera, smiling.
Middle school students sit at cafeteria tables in a gymnasium, listening to staff members lined up along the wall. A climbing wall and basketball hoop are visible in the background.
A boy in a blue shirt opens a tall, navy locker in a school hallway.
A male teacher sits at the front of the classroom, speaking to students sitting at desks. Posters and student work decorate the wall behind him.
A Spanish teacher gestures while speaking to students, with a large screen behind him displaying “Bienvenidos al Español I.”
Two boys with backpacks walk down a school stairwell; one holds a paper schedule.
A female teacher stands at the front of a classroom holding a paper, while high school students sit at tables and listen.
Three boys walk down a school hallway together, carrying schedules and chatting.
A male teacher stands and speaks to a group of middle school students seated at cluster desks, listening attentively.
Students walk through a school hallway between classes, chatting and smiling.
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
20 days 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.
✨ Middle School Open House Success! ✨
Thank you to all the families who joined us last night—your support means so much! 💙

📊 Attendance was fantastic:
✔️ 92% of 7th grade families
✔️ 68% of 8th grade families

We’re so excited to welcome our students back:
7th graders only – Tomorrow, August 27
7th & 8th graders – Thursday, August 28

It’s going to be an amazing year!
21 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer introducing Fair Haven Union Middle School 7th- and 8th-grade core teachers with photos, names, subjects, emails, and extensions. Center panel highlights FHUMS Open House on August 25, 2025, and first day dates: 7th grade on 8/27/25, 8th grade on 8/28/25.
Flyer introducing FHUMS admin team and support staff with names, photos, roles, emails, and extensions. Includes principals, assistant principals, special educators, guidance, clinicians, nurses, and student support staff, along with a contact number: 802-265-4966.
Please join us in welcoming our new faculty and staff to Slater Nation!
22 days ago, Slate Valley
Portrait of John Alexander with text: “Welcome John Alexander, Maintenance Tech., Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Portrait of Robert Baxter with text: “Welcome Robert Baxter, Instructional Assistant, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Portrait of Zachary Belden with text: “Welcome Zachary Belden, Study Hall Monitor, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Portrait of Alexander Chirgwin with text: “Welcome Alexander Chirgwin, Middle School Math Teacher, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Portrait of Sarah Mahood-Wormuth with text: “Welcome Sarah Mahood-Wormuth, Special Education Teacher, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.”
Portrait of Gabrielle Whitty with text: “Welcome Gabrielle Whitty, Instructional Assistant, Fair Haven Union Middle & High 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==
23 days 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. 💙
23 days 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. 💙
23 days 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!
24 days 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
24 days 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
24 days 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.