Join us for a festive evening at the FHU Gym as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with delicious food and great music!
⏰Open during the concert. The concert begins at 6:30 pm
🗓 Tuesday, May 5th
📍 FHU Gym
🌮 Featuring Nachos!
Build your perfect plate with your choice of toppings:
Nacho cheese, taco meat, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream
🥤 Plus Grab & Go Options:
Chips, sweets, and drinks available!
Come hungry, bring your friends, and enjoy the celebration! 🎉

We kicked off the week on Monday with a special visit to the incredible faculty and staff at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School! 🎉 Our Central Office team hit the halls bright and early, delivering fresh coffee, tea, and a delicious assortment of breakfast treats to help start the day right. 🍎🥐
From warm smiles to quick hallway chats, it was a wonderful way to say thank you to the educators and staff who make FHU such a special place for students each and every day.
And we’re not done yet! Tomorrow, the team will be visiting additional schools across the district to continue spreading appreciation and gratitude. 💫
It truly takes a village—and we are so lucky to have such a dedicated, caring one. 💙










Yesterday, Sunday, May 3rd, the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band proudly took part in Rutland’s annual Loyalty Parade! 🇺🇸
Our talented musicians filled the streets with music, energy, and school spirit as they marched through downtown, representing our community with pride and excellence. The band delivered a fantastic performance for all in attendance.
👏 Thank you to our students, directors, and supporters for making this such a memorable experience—and for continuing this wonderful tradition!


This week, we celebrate the incredible educators and staff who make Slate Valley such a special place to learn and grow. From classrooms to cafeterias, offices to buses—your dedication, compassion, and hard work shape the lives of our students every single day.
Thank you for the countless ways you support, inspire, and uplift our entire community. 💚
Join us in showing appreciation—leave a comment, send a note, or simply say thank you to the amazing people who make a difference every day!

This month, we’re excited to feature Dan Fitzpatrick, Slate Valley’s Assistant Director of Finance—someone whose experience and perspective reach far beyond our region.
Dan has been part of the Slate Valley team for the past five years, supporting the district’s financial operations and helping ensure our schools run smoothly behind the scenes. Prior to joining Slate Valley, Dan spent six years working at the International School of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, West Africa—bringing a truly global perspective to his role.
His connection to West Africa goes even deeper. From 1997 to 1999, Dan served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, an experience that reflects his commitment to service and community.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time on the golf course, working on landscaping projects, and being active in his church’s Men’s Club. He also values simple, meaningful moments—like playing UNO with his 11-year-old daughter, praying, and connecting with others.
A quote that guides Dan’s outlook comes from the Gospel of Mark: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
We’re grateful for Dan’s dedication, global experiences, and the steady support he brings to Slate Valley each day.

You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Castleton Elementary School Cafeteria.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xcd-vvjm-pvi
Or dial: (US) +1 402-796-1093 PIN: 677 846 861#
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.

https://mailchi.mp/22d792fab09c/slate-valley-district-newsletter-may-1-2026

These students have demonstrated outstanding effort, dedication, and commitment to their learning. Their hard work inside and outside the classroom truly sets them apart—and we are so proud of all they’ve accomplished!
Keep up the amazing work, Slaters!

The visit concluded with a special backstage opportunity to watch a live broadcast of The News at Noon, featuring John McMahon and Allison Finch. Following the broadcast, students engaged in a Q&A session with the journalist and meteorologist, learning about their career paths, how news and weather are gathered, and the unique challenges of delivering live television in an ever-changing environment.
To top it off, students had the chance to step onto the WCAX set themselves—trying out the weather screen and experiencing firsthand the art of broadcasting.




Hey Class of 2026—this is your moment to shine! ✨
We’re putting the spotlight on YOU by featuring seniors on our website and social media—and we don’t want to miss anyone!
📣 Share your plans.
📝 It’s quick and easy—just fill out the form:
🔗 https://bit.ly/FHUClassof2026
📅 Deadline: May 27
You can also scan the QR code on the flyer to get started!
We are so proud of everything you’ve achieved and can’t wait to celebrate your journey.


A boil water advisory has been issued for parts of Fair Haven, including Fair Haven Grade School and Fair Haven Union Middle & High School.
🏫 There will be school tomorrow as scheduled.
💧 Students are encouraged to bring their own drinking water from home if possible.
We will continue to keep our community updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

For the past two years, Tarah Turner has partnered with Mr. Merolle’s horticulture class to plant red tulips during Red Ribbon Week—and now they’re in full bloom!
Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide campaign that promotes healthy, drug-free lifestyles and encourages youth to make positive choices. These vibrant red tulips are more than just a sign of spring—they’re a lasting symbol of that commitment.
Long after Red Ribbon Week has passed, the tulips continue to grow and bloom, serving as a daily reminder of the importance of making safe and healthy choices. 🌱❤️


We are incredibly grateful to the Lion’s Club for their generous donation to the Slate Valley Unified School District.
This support helps ensure our students have what they need, when they need it most. Funds are often used to provide winter essentials like coats, snowpants, and boots. They also help students attend camp with confidence—providing items such as bathing suits, new outfits, and shoes.
Your kindness makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and families. Thank you for helping us take care of our community! 🦁

Fair Haven Union High School students—get ready for an unforgettable night! 💃🕺
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🎓 Grand March: 5:30 PM (FHU Gymnasium)
🎉 Prom: 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 The Wedding Barn, Benson, VT
🎟 Tickets: $25 each
Tickets will be sold during TA and BOTH lunch blocks starting Wednesday, April 29 through May 12.
If those times don’t work, please see or email Mrs. Doran or Mrs. Clement to make arrangements.
Let’s make it a night to remember! ✨

Before heading into Spring Break, FHGS second graders in Ms. Bruno’s class took time to learn about caring for our planet by creating their own Earth Day crafts. We’re always proud to celebrate the ways our learners are thinking about protecting and appreciating the world around them.
Wishing our entire Slate Valley community a joyful and meaningful Earth Day! 🌍💙

Slate Valley is proud to offer the 2026 Summer Food Service Program at the Fair Haven Grade School Cafeteria!
All children and teens 18 and under can enjoy free breakfast and lunch this summer—no registration required.
📅 Dates: June 29 – August 14
⏰ Times:
• Breakfast: 8:30–9:30 AM
• Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Please note: Meals must be eaten on-site in the cafeteria.
Help us spread the word so every child has access to healthy, nutritious meals all summer long!
🔎 Find more locations at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder

On Monday, April 20th, VTSU Upward Bound students visited Yale University and were greeted by FHU Alumni Emmett McKay! Emmett gave a fantastic tour of campus and shared some helpful college advice—along with a reminder that college life comes with a lot of homework! 📚
Thank you, Emmett, for taking the time to inspire our students and give them a glimpse into life at Yale!

🐾🦖 Hungry, Hungry Critter Challenge! 🦇🐾
Fair Haven Middle School 7th graders wrapped up the week with an unforgettable TA showdown! Each team transformed a simple laundry basket into a creative “critter”—from dinosaurs to bats to even a naked mole rat! 🧺✨
Then the action began… One teammate zoomed across the floor on a scooter board while others cheered them on, racing to scoop up as many plastic balls as possible—just like a real-life Hungry, Hungry Hippo!
TAs were judged on creativity, team spirit, and those over-the-top costumes and posters that brought the energy to the next level. After two exciting heats, the top teams faced off in a final round to crown the ultimate champion—based on who collected the most “food”! 🏆
Special awards were also given for Best Team Spirit and Best Overall Basket—and the competition was fierce!
What a fun, high-energy way to head into spring break!
See the video at: https://youtu.be/Ap4f1f6jw24


