Slate Valley District Newsletter for December 19, 2025:
https://mailchi.mp/fdd31f394700/slate-valley-district-newsletter-dec-19th-edition
about 2 hours ago, Slate Valley
Slate Valley Unified School District newsletter cover dated December 19, 2025, featuring a winter-themed design with a smiling cartoon snowman holding a sign about December break, falling snow, evergreen trees, and the Slate Valley Vermont logo with the headline “Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter.”

Friendly reminder - our December break begins next week!

about 9 hours ago, Slate Valley
Holiday announcement graphic featuring a smiling snowman wearing a red hat and green scarf next to a parchment-style sign. The sign displays the Slate Valley logo and text announcing that Slate Valley Schools will be on December break from December 22, 2025 through January 2, 2026, with a return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026, and wishing students, families, and staff a safe and restful break.
OVS December Newsletter: See the PDF version at https://aptg.co/65X7RG
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot of the Orwell Village School December 2025 Newsletter. The page features the OVS name and logo, a winter-themed introduction paragraph celebrating Trimester 1 and school spirit, and a large photo collage of decorated classroom doors from the schoolwide door decorating contest. A headline reads “OVS Hallways Transformed During Our OVS Door Decorating Contest!!” with a short article describing creativity and collaboration. An “Upcoming Events” section lists Winter Break (12/22/25–1/2/26), First Friday & First Ski Day (1/9/26), Martin Luther King Day—No School (1/19/26), and a half day of school (1/30/26).
Screenshot of a page from the Orwell Village School December 2025 Newsletter. The page highlights student activities with photos and text sections. A section titled “Embracing the Cold: Winter Outdoor Fun!” shows students playing in the snow and describes outdoor winter play and reminders to wear warm clothing. Another section, “A Trip around the World in Second Grade!” features a classroom photo and explains students learning about global holiday traditions. A third section, “Science You Can Snack On!” includes a photo of homemade rock candy and describes a fourth-grade science lesson on minerals and crystal formation. The bottom of the page announces the opening of a new cafeteria after winter break and invites families to find Orwell Village School on Facebook.
The results are in... almost! 🚪✨ Our staff and students have outdone themselves, and the doors are officially complete.

Students are casting their votes today for the 'Best Staff Door,' and we can’t wait to announce the winners at our PBIS Assembly! If you missed them, don’t worry—we’re keeping these masterpieces up through our First Friday back from break so everyone can experience the creativity.

Which one do you think will take home the prize? 🏆
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Photo 1: Classroom door decorated with a “Christmas Vacation” theme, featuring a character falling through snow above a lit fireplace. Photo 2: Classroom door decorated as a handmade Christmas tree with garland, ribbon, ornaments, and student photos.
Photo 3: Classroom door wrapped like a large gift with elf-patterned paper and a green ribbon. Photo 4: Classroom door decorated as a gingerbread house with candy details, gingerbread figures, and lollipop decorations.
Photo 5: Classroom door wrapped like a present with elf-themed paper and a green ribbon and snowflake accent. Photo 6: Classroom door transformed into a holiday fireplace scene with stockings, garland, and a glowing paper fire.
Photo 7: Classroom door with gingerbread characters on a red plaid background, decorated with snowflakes and bows. Photo 8: Classroom door decorated with a large snowman wearing a top hat and scarf against a snowy blue background.
Photo 9: Classroom door designed as Lucy’s “Free Advice” booth from Peanuts, with holiday trim and a 5¢ sign. Photo 10: Classroom door showing Snoopy lying on his doghouse under a starry night sky decorated with holiday lights.
Photo 11: Classroom door collage featuring student artwork, snowflakes, a Christmas tree, and winter-themed drawings. Photo 12: Classroom door with dark blue background reading “It’s Raining Snowmen,” decorated with falling snowman pieces.
Photo 13: Classroom door designed as The Polar Express train front with tickets and lettering. Photo 14: Classroom door displaying student-made snow globe artwork arranged in rows on a blue background.
Photo 15: Classroom door decorated with a layered green paper Christmas tree topped with a star and gift boxes at the base. Photo 16: Classroom door featuring a winter forest scene with paper snowflakes, trees, animals, and a snowman.
Photo 17: Classroom door reading “Chillin’ With My Snowmies,” decorated with snowmen, snowflakes, and sledding scenes. Photo 18: Classroom door reading “Let’s Take a Selfie,” featuring a large elf cutout with a face cutout for photos.
✨ Finding Our Calm ✨
Today in 1st Grade, we brought the A Little Spot of Emotion books to life! 📚 After learning about our "Emotion Spots," we made these mesmerizing Calm Down Bottles.

Whenever our feelings get a little too "shaken up," we watch the glitter settle to help our minds feel calm and clear. 🧘‍♂️🌈

Which Spot are you feeling today? 🟡🟢🔵🔴
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Student leans over a table observing a clear plastic bottle filled with layered red and yellow liquid during a classroom experiment.
Students and a teacher work together at a table, carefully pouring liquid into plastic bottles as part of a hands-on science activity.
Student wearing glasses smiles while holding up a clear plastic bottle filled with red liquid and colorful materials inside.
Student adds small materials into a clear plastic bottle on a classroom table, focused on a science experiment with liquids and solids.
💐 Celebrating Terri Demasi 💐

After nearly 25 years of dedicated service, we extend our deepest gratitude to Terri Demasi as she prepares for retirement. From being the welcoming voice and friendly face in the Fair Haven Grade School front office to her incredible leadership with Applefest and years of guiding students through Sewing Club, Terri’s professionalism, generosity, and calm presence have touched every corner of our school community.

Thank you, Terri, for the countless hours, care, and heart you’ve given. You will be truly missed, and we wish you all the best in this well-deserved next chapter!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Retirement celebration graphic honoring Terri DeMasi, Fair Haven Grade School administrative assistant, with her portrait, flowers, and text thanking her for 24 years of dedicated service in Slate Valley.
🎄🚪 Our door decorating competition is well underway at OVS, and the creativity is already shining! Stay tuned next week as we reveal all of our fabulous doors—plus a special shoutout to our SROs for joining the fun on the elf door! 🎅✨
4 days ago, Slate Valley
Decorated classroom door with a pink background featuring a large paper elf cutout with a face hole for selfies. The text reads “Let’s Take a Selfie,” with a small penguin graphic and festive holiday decorations.
❄️ Snow much fun! ❄️
Our students make the most of winter weather—digging tunnels, building snow forts, and sharing lots of laughter.
4 days ago, Slate Valley
A group of elementary students sit and lie on a snowy mound outdoors, smiling and laughing together during recess near a school building.
A student crawls through a snow tunnel, smiling at the camera, with parked vehicles and a snowy lot behind them.
A larger group of students gather around a snow tunnel, smiling and posing proudly after building it together in the snow.
Three young students sit in the snow in a parking area, bundled in winter coats and hats, smiling at the camera with trucks and a school building behind them.
A student in a pink winter coat kneels beside a snowbank, carving into the snow with gloved hands and smiling up at the camera.
Four students in winter gear crouch and lie around a snow tunnel they are building, with parked cars in the background.
Board Meeting - December 15, 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/yij-wmxa-hpe
Or dial: (US) +1 218-288-2598 PIN: 302 314 435#

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.
4 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic announcement for the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting. The text reads: ‘Please Join Us TONIGHT. Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting.’ A circular design in the center lists the agenda items: ‘Consent Agenda, Literacy and Math Instruction PreK–6 Presentation, Committee Reports – Finance.’ The Slate Valley logo appears on the right. At the bottom, it states: ‘December 15, 2025 – 6:30 PM, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room.’ The background is white with green and teal design elements.
Slate Valley District Newsletter: December 12, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/1ca25391063e/slate-valley-district-newsletter-december-12-2025
7 days ago, Slate Valley
Screenshot of the Slate Valley Unified USD Newsletter dated December 12, 2025. The top of the page features the Slate Valley logo with the tagline “A Unified Focus on Learning.” Below the title is a winter-themed banner with three smiling snowmen wearing colorful hats and scarves, standing in a snowy forest scene. Further down is a section header on a tablet-shaped graphic titled “An Update on Cell Phone & Communication Policies in Slate Valley,” accompanied by social media reaction icons such as hearts, thumbs-up, and speech bubbles along the sides.
Elks Hoop Shoot: December 21, 2025
7 days ago, Slate Valley
A flyer for the “Elks Hoop Shoot,” sponsored by the Rutland Elks Lodge #345. The top left shows an illustration of a basketball going through a hoop, and the top right features the Elks Lodge emblem with an elk head and clock. The flyer announces that there is no charge to enter the contest, which is open to boys and girls ages 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13, based on age as of April 1, 2026. The event takes place Sunday, December 21, 2025. Registration is at 1:00 p.m. at Fair Haven Union Middle & High School, 33 Mechanic St., Fair Haven, VT. For questions or more information, the flyer lists the Rutland Elks Lodge phone number 802-773-6266.
Due to the inclement weather, all after-school activities are cancelled for today, Wednesday, December 10th. This includes athletics, clubs, and any other school-sponsored events along with Boys and Girls Club.

Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe.
9 days ago, Slate Valley
Graphic with a sparkly snow background and the Slate Valley logo at the top. Large text reads: ‘Wednesday, December 10th. All Slate Valley After School Activities & Athletics Are Cancelled.’
Today was one for the books! Our 5th Grade Super Readers rocked their visit with the preschoolers, making reading time extra exciting!

The giggles were contagious as stories came to life. It’s never too early (or too late!) to enjoy a great book, and seeing these friendships bloom over a shared story is priceless.
10 days ago, Slate Valley
Older student sitting on a rug reading a picture book to a younger child.
Older student on a rug reading to two younger children who sit beside her.
Two older students at a table helping two younger children with blocks and art materials.
Older student sitting on a rug reading a book to two young children leaning in.
Older student sitting on the floor reading a large picture book with a younger child.
Older student sitting on cushions reading to a younger child beside a bin of toys.
Older student kneeling on a rug reading to a younger child who watches the book.
Older student kneeling and reading to a younger child standing beside her.
Older student helping a younger child with a red paper craft at a table.
Student drawing on red construction paper while sitting on a rug with art supplies nearby.
Board Meeting - December 8, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Benson Village School Gym.
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zax-xtsz-dcp
Or dial: (US) +1 413-398-0531 PIN: 998 151 118#

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.
11 days ago, Slate Valley
A graphic announcing the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting on December 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Benson Village School Gym. The design features the Slate Valley logo and a circular agenda box listing: Consent Agenda, Act 73 Discussion, and Committee Reports (Finance and Stafford RAB). The words “Please Join Us TONIGHT” appear prominently on the left.
Our OVS 5th Graders and their families made this morning’s First Friday Gingerbread House Workshop a sweet success!
The creativity and teamwork were through the roof—literally, judging by some of those candy-covered rooftops! We loved seeing all the incredible creations and the joy that filled the room.
14 days ago, Slate Valley
A classroom filled with 5th graders and families sitting at tables, working on gingerbread houses together.
Students and families gathered around tables in a classroom, decorating gingerbread houses.
A student and an adult smiling at a table with a partially built gingerbread house on a paper plate.
Two boys selecting candy decorations from a large assortment spread across a table.
Three people—an adult and two students—working on gingerbread houses at a classroom table.
A family of four smiling at a table with assembled gingerbread houses and candy decorations.
An adult and a student smiling while assembling a gingerbread house at a classroom table.
A smiling student holding graham crackers while building a gingerbread house, with frosting and supplies on the table.
A long classroom table set with plates, graham crackers, frosting, and small milk cartons prepared for gingerbread house building.
A table covered with assorted candy, including lollipops, Smarties, gummies, and sprinkles, for decorating gingerbread houses.
Slate Valley District Newsletter December 5th Edition: https://mailchi.mp/de3f115536de/slate-valley-district-newsletter-december-5th-edition
14 days ago, Slate Valley
Newsletter header for the Slate Valley Unified USD dated December 5, 2025, featuring the district logo and a decorative banner that reads ‘Hello December.’
Friday Focus: Falcon News at Fair Haven Grade School

For this month’s Friday Focus, we’re shining a light on one of Fair Haven Grade School’s most beloved traditions—their lively morning broadcast, Falcon News. This daily newscast is the creative brainchild of Principal Deb Infurna, who, more than four years ago, envisioned a way to bring the entire school community together each morning. Her idea took flight, and today Falcon News is a staple of FHGS culture.

Each morning, once students settle into their classrooms, teachers tune in to the live broadcast on their Smart TVs. Principal Infurna will kick things off, but the true stars of the show are the students themselves. Every month, a classroom teacher can sign up to have their students serve as the lead anchors, taking on important roles such as announcing birthdays, sharing the daily lunch menu, highlighting upcoming activities, delivering general announcements, and giving the local weather forecast. And of course—no episode is complete without the traditional joke of the day, a favorite among students and staff alike.

Falcon News is viewable only within the school, making it a safe, supportive environment for students to practice public speaking, build confidence, and take pride in contributing to their school community. The broadcast has become a point of excitement and accomplishment for students across all grade levels.

Principal Infurna’s vision has also inspired others. Her morning broadcast model has now taken root at two additional Slate Valley schools. Principal Paquette at FHUMS has created her own version of a morning show, and Principal Danyow has brought the tradition with him to Castleton Elementary School. Fittingly, both previously worked at FHGS—proof that great ideas often spread far and wide.

Falcon News is more than a broadcast—it’s a daily reminder of connection, belonging, and student voice. A big thank you to Principal Infurna for sparking an idea that continues to brighten many mornings across Slate Valley.
14 days ago, Slate Valley
Promotional graphic titled “Focus Friday – FHGS’s Falcon News.” The design features several photos of Fair Haven Grade School students participating in the morning broadcast. One large image shows Principal Infurna smiling and working with two students in front of a “Happy Thanksgiving” backdrop. Smaller photos show students at the news desk, including a weather segment labeled “FHGS Weather.” Decorative icons such as a microphone, a falcon, and weather symbols are included. Text reads: “Falcon News brings FHGS together each morning with student-led announcements, joyful traditions, and a shared sense of community sparked by Principal Infurna’s vision.” The Slate Valley Unified School District logo appears in the corner.
The Kindergarten owl unit wrapped up today! Students enjoyed their final story, Owl Moon, before letting their creativity soar by making their own owl puppets during library class. What a fun way to celebrate their learning!
15 days ago, Slate Valley
A group of kindergarten students stand in the library holding up their colorful paper-bag owl puppets and smiling.
A young boy sits at a table gluing pieces onto his brown paper owl puppet.
A girl colors her owl mask template with markers at a classroom table.
A teacher in a red vest talks with students as they work on coloring and assembling owl puppets.
A teacher helps a student glue pieces onto his owl puppet at a classroom table.
A boy smiles while holding up his finished owl puppet made from a paper bag and a colored owl face.
A girl smiles while coloring her owl mask at a classroom table.
A student reaches into a basket of colored pencils while working on an owl coloring sheet.
Two students color owl masks with crayons at a round classroom table.
A classroom of kindergarteners work at tables on coloring and assembling owl puppets during library time.
Our 5th and 6th graders shared their musical talents at the PBIS assembly before break, joined by a special guest drummer—Principal Walters!
15 days ago, Slate Valley
The full 5th–6th grade band performs onstage, playing brass and woodwind instruments, with Principal Walters on drums in the back row.
Students in the 5th–6th grade band play instruments onstage while the band director stands in front conducting.
5th–6th grade band students play woodwinds and brass as the director conducts from the front of the stage.
A group of 5th–6th grade band students play brass and woodwind instruments, with Principal Walters seated behind them on the drums.
Specialist Awards at the PBiS Assembly - Congratulations!
15 days ago, Slate Valley
A smiling young boy stands beside an adult woman holding a golden shoe award during a school assembly.
Two children stand next to an adult woman, holding a small award together in a school gym.
A young boy stands with an adult woman while holding a decorated artist’s palette award during a school assembly.
A young boy stands with a young girl and an adult woman, holding a gold-wrapped award in a school gym.
Two boys stand beside an adult woman as one boy holds a small ukulele award during a school assembly.