What a successful bottle drive this past Saturday! Thank you to everyone who donated their empties in support of our 5th & 6th grade Boston trip and Field Day. A big shout-out goes to the students who went door-to-door doing the heavy lifting to make it all happen! We appreciate our wonderful community so much!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
A woman and four young boys standing and smiling in front of the back of a flatbed truck filled with bags of donated items for a collection drive.
The interior view of an open cargo trailer packed full of clear and black trash bags filled with recyclable cans and bottles.
For our last Fun Friday, our Kindergarteners and 1st Graders paired up with our 4th Grade buddies for some special reading time! It was amazing to see our older students step up as mentors and our younger readers share their favorite books. Big smiles and great stories all around!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Two students sitting together on the hallway floor leaning against a wall while reading a picture book together.
Two young boys sitting on the floor in a hallway reading an open book with a flashlight.
An adult seated on the hallway floor listening as three young students share and read a book together.
Three students sitting on flexible stools around a small table, using a flashlight to shine light on a picture book as they read together.
A group of elementary students sitting cross-legged on a classroom rug, using small flashlights to read books together.
A teacher sitting in a circle on a large blue rug with a group of elementary students as they hold flashlights and read their books.
Art room unavailable? No problem! Our K/1 class brought the art studio directly to our classroom this week. Watch out world! These young artists can make magic anywhere!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
A group of young elementary students sitting at their classroom desks, happily pasting torn orange paper onto pumpkin outlines for a fall art craft.
Two students sitting side by side working intently on gluing pieces of orange construction paper inside large pumpkin drawings on paper.
A teacher bending down next to a student's desk to assist them with glue and torn paper for their pumpkin craft project.
A smiling boy wearing a Pokémon t-shirt holding a strip of orange paper over his finished paper pumpkin collage.
Two young boys smiling at the camera as they use small paintbrushes to apply liquid glue onto their pumpkin art projects.
Close-up view of a young boy carefully placing orange paper pieces onto a pumpkin outline at his desk.
An overhead shot of a classroom activity table where four young students and an educator sit together working on paper pumpkin crafts.
From the pages to the big screen! Our 2nd graders finished reading The Witches by Roald Dahl and celebrated with a class movie day!
1 day ago, Slate Valley
A teacher sitting in a wooden rocking chair in front of a digital display, reading aloud from Roald Dahl's book The Witches.
Elementary students seated at wooden desks listening attentively while their teacher reads aloud at the front of the classroom.
Wide shot of a brightly lit classroom filled with students sitting at desks facing their teacher as she reads aloud from a book.
Four students sitting cross-legged on the floor facing an interactive screen showing a video presentation during class.
Monday Morning Weekly Annoucements: October 19, 2026
To view, click the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wCxb9boe8knibQ_TByTgcSpo4moJ4DIs/view?usp=sharing
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Two Orwell Village School students presenting weekly announcements in a classroom setting. In the background, a large interactive display screen reads "Orwell Village School News for the week of 10/19" set over a scenic autumn photo of a Vermont farm surrounded by fall foliage. To the left, posters define vocabulary terms such as "Connotation," "Central Idea," "Gist," and "Theme".
Board Meeting - October 19, 2026

You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in 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/zti-ijhg-znw
Or dial: (US) +1 317-961-0434 PIN: 674 207 357#

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.
1 day ago, Slate Valley
Header: Displays "Please Join Us TONIGHT" in green curved text alongside "Slate Valley Unified Union School District - Board Meeting". Center Graphic: A circular arrangement of figures seated around a conference table. The center list details "On the Agenda: Consent Agenda, Pre-K Presentation, District Merger (Act 170) Update, Elementary Reorganization Update, Administrator Goals Presentation, ESA Update, and Committee Reports (Finance, Building & Grounds, Policy)". Meeting Details & Footer: Shows the Slate Valley Vermont district logo in the lower right, with time and location at the bottom: "October 19, 2026 – 6:30 PM, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Band Room".
📢 Mark Your Calendars & Start Collecting Items! 🚑🛒

Upcoming Community Event: Join Slate Valley Unified School District and the Fair Haven Rescue Squad for our annual "Stuff an Ambulance" drive! We are coming together to support Slate Valley Cares, and we need your help to fill an ambulance to the brim!

🗓️ Dates & Locations:
Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Fair Haven Shaw's
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Fair Haven Shaw's

📦 Accepted Items:
Non-perishable foods, household supplies, health and beauty products, pet supplies, gift cards, cash, or checks!

Every donation makes a difference for families right here in our community. Let’s pack that ambulance!

❤️📞 Questions? Contact Carrieann Wolcott at 802-265-0676.
4 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer advertising the "Stuff an Ambulance" community donation drive benefiting Slate Valley Cares. Header: Bold title reads "STUFF AN AMBULANCE" next to an outline map of Vermont with a red cross icon. Sponsors: "Sponsored by Slate Valley Unified USD & Fair Haven Rescue Squad". Dates & Times:November 13, 2026: 9:00am - 5:00pm at FAIR HAVEN SHAWS November 14, 2026: 9:00am to 12:00 noon at FAIR HAVEN SHAWS Accepted Items: List includes non-perishable foods, household supplies, health and beauty products, pet supplies, gift cards, cash, or checks. Contact: Carrieann Wolcott, 802-265-0676.
Notice of Upcoming Meeting!

🗓️ The Act 170 Merger Committee Meeting – Group 2 will take place next week on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

This is a hybrid meeting, offering options to participate either in person or virtually:

📍 In Person: Barstow Memorial School, Chittenden, VT

💻 Virtually: Access the Zoom link and view full meeting details on the agenda at https://aptg.co/7j4Pp8

We encourage community members to tune in and stay informed!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Promotional graphic for the Act 170 Merger Committee Meeting – Group 2. Header: Large, stylized typography across the top reading "ACT 170" in green and teal lettering. Event Title & Details: "Merger Committee Meeting–Group 2", scheduled for "Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM". Location: "Barstow Memorial School, Chittenden, VT". Footer Text: "This is a Hybrid Meeting: Attend Virtually or In Person".
Please Join Us! 🤝 The Southwest Vermont CESA (Cooperative Educational Service Areas) is hosting a meeting on Friday, October 16, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.

This hybrid event offers options to attend virtually or in person. The in-person gathering will be held at Mill River Union High School, located at 2321 Middle Road, North Clarendon, VT.

The agenda, which includes the Zoom link to join the meeting virtually, can be found at https://aptg.co/0lBVmQ.

For more information, please visit our website at www.slatevalleyunified.org.

We look forward to seeing you there, either virtually or in person!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
A promotional graphic advertising a Southwest Vermont CESA meeting[cite: 55]. A large yellow tag at the upper-left, overlaid on a map pattern outline of the state of Vermont, reads "PLEASE JOIN US" in bold blue capital letters[cite: 55]. Text to the right features a colorful logo of a tree made of stylized human figures above the text: "SOUTHWEST VERMONT CESA" (Cooperative Educational Service Areas) and "MEETING"[cite: 55]. Key details below read: "FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026", "8:00 AM"[cite: 55]. Location information is provided as: "MILL RIVER UNION HIGH SCHOOL", "2321 MIDDLE ROAD", "NORTH CLARENDON, VERMONT"[cite: 55]. The final text line at the bottom reads: "ATTEND VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON"[cite: 55]. The graphic is framed by stylized plus-sign/star decorative elements and wavy lines
The K-1 class took a trip yesterday to the Rutland County Humane Society. The visit was filled with lots of puppy kisses, kitten cuddles, and information about all the work this organization does to support our local animals!
6 days ago, Slate Valley
Veterinary staff members demonstrating how to examine a small black puppy on an examination table in front of two curious students.
A group of young elementary students sitting on the floor interacting with and gently petting two small puppies.
An animal shelter staff member points to an informational white board while teaching a group of visiting students.
A young boy leaning in closely to observe a white rabbit inside a wire cage.
A line of students waiting outside a shelter building while an instructor speaks to them.
A young girl sitting on the floor smiling while holding a small brown puppy in her lap.
A young girl reaching out her hand toward a friendly brown puppy standing near a black puppy on a blanket.
A boy sitting on the floor laughing joyfully as a black puppy climbs up into his arms.
Two young girls playing with a small gray kitten using feather wand toys.
An instructor speaking with arms outstretched to a group of students during a facility tour.
Monday Morning Weekly Announcements: October 12, 2026
https://youtu.be/81otaaayciU
7 days ago, Slate Valley
October District Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c35eac6fc10f/october-district-newsletter
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Digital banner header for the Slate Valley October 2026 Newsletter. The bold text "NEWS LETTER" frames a central hexagonal district emblem that displays the Vermont logo surrounded by school icons (CES, OVS, FHU Middle School, FHU High School, BVS, and FHGS). The banner features a fall leaf background, the Slate Valley logo in the upper-left corner, and the tagline "Our School Your Future" in the lower-right corner.
🍂 Friday Focus: Fall Foliage District Drive 🚗💨

There is nothing quite like autumn in Slate Valley! Take a scenic ride with us for this week’s Friday Focus as we travel across our beautiful district, taking in the peak fall colors stretching from Orwell down through Benson and Castleton, and finishing up right here in Fair Haven.

Along the way, catch snapshots of our students enjoying the crisp fall weather outdoors across each of our schools. We are so proud of our students, staff, and the stunning community we call home.

Grab your coffee, press play, and enjoy the view! Have a wonderful weekend, Slate Valley! 🍁✨

Click here: https://youtube.com/shorts/GC_yC-37ixc?feature=share
11 days ago, Slate Valley
Promotional graphic for "Focus Friday" featuring the text "Fall Foliage District Drive" arched over a central hexagonal Slate Valley district crest. The background shows a winding road surrounded by autumn trees with colorful leaves. The crest at the center displays the Vermont district logo surrounded by individual school emblems, including CES, OVS, FHU Middle School, FHU High School, BVS, and FHGS.
Reminder: Have You Shared Your Feedback Yet? ⏳

Slate Valley parents and community members—don't miss your chance to help shape the future of our district! As part of our Elementary School Reorganization Study, your input is essential in guiding decisions that best serve our students.

How to participate:
💻 Online: Complete the survey at https://bit.ly/SVElementaryReorgSurvey
📄 Paper: Pick up a physical copy at any local Slate Valley school office during regular hours.
⏰ Upcoming Deadlines:
Online Surveys: Submit by Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 PM.
Paper Copies: Return to any school office by 8:00 AM on Monday, October 12th. Thank you for partnering with us to support our schools and children!
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Slate Valley Elementary School Reorganization Public Survey Header: Title reads "Help Us Shape the Future of Our Schools!" alongside the "Slate Valley Elementary Reorganization" seal featuring illustrations of school buildings. Body Text: "As we launch our Elementary School Reorganization Study, community input is essential to building a strong, equitable future for our district. We warmly invite all families, staff and community members to participate in our survey. Scan the QR code below or pick up a paper copy at one of the Slate Valley Schools." QR Code & Link Section: Prominent "SCAN ME!" callout pointing to a QR code and short link: [https://bit.ly/SVElementaryReorgSurvey](https://bit.ly/SVElementaryReorgSurvey). Paper Copy Instructions: "Pick up a paper copy at any Slate Valley school office (Orwell Village, Benson Village, Castleton Elementary, Fair Haven Grade School, or FHUMHS). Please return completed surveys to any office by 8:00 AM, Monday, October 12th." Footer: District website link: [https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization](https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/elementary-reorganization)

Attention Slate Valley Community! 🎒🍎

Do you have, or know someone, with a child turning 5 by September 1, 2027? That means they’ll be ready for kindergarten, and you can sign them up anytime!

Rolling registration is now open for students entering: 🏫 Orwell Village School 🏫 Benson Village School 🏫 Castleton Elementary School 🏫 Fair Haven Grade School

Why register early? Registering ahead of time helps our district plan effectively, determine accurate class sizes, and ensure we have the right number of teachers ready to welcome this incoming class!

How to register:
1️⃣ Visit our website: www.slatevalleyunified.org
2️⃣ Open the Menu, go to the "Students and Families" section, and click on "K-12 Registration Link"
3️⃣ Or simply click directly here: https://aptg.co/Rz15nR

Please help us spread the word by sharing with parents, guardians, or neighbors in the community!

12 days ago, Slate Valley
Flyer for Slate Valley Unified Union School District Kindergarten Rolling Registration Header & Visuals: At the top, a photo shows young children in a classroom raising their hands, alongside the Slate Valley logo ("Slate Valley Vermont – A Unified Focus on Learning"). On the right, a smiling boy gives a thumbs-up next to a wooden toy train. Main Text: "Slate Valley Unified Union School District Kindergarten Rolling Registration. Do you have, or know someone, with a child turning 5 by September 1, 2027? That means they'll be ready for kindergarten, and you can sign them up anytime!" How to Register:Visit our website: www.slatevalleyunified.org Open the Menu, go to the "Students and Families" section, and click on "K-12 Registration Link" Or simply scan the QR code Footer: Displays school logos and names across the bottom banner: Benson Village School (BVS), Castleton Elementary School (CES), Fair Haven Grade School (FHGS), and Orwell Village School (OVS).
Before the rain came in this week, Kindergarten went on a leaf hunt! They turned our findings into beautiful creations inspired by the book “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert.
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Book cover of Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert, featuring a collage of autumn leaves and acorns.
Student artwork of a figure crafted from sticks, leaves, acorns, and lichen on white paper.
Student artwork depicting figures made from a leaf with googly eyes and stick structures glued onto paper.
Student artwork of three figures created using leaves, sticks, acorns with googly eyes, and yellow mesh fabric.
Student artwork titled "Dom," combining thick bark pieces, a yellow leaf, an acorn, and line drawings.
Student artwork displaying three leaf-and-stick figures decorated with googly eyes, yarn, and blue ribbon.
Student artwork showing a central stick-and-leaf figure surrounded by acorns glued on white paper.
Student artwork featuring a single yellow leaf with googly eyes, small twigs, and acorns stuck with white glue.
Student artwork titled "Eli," featuring multiple leaf creatures with googly eyes scattered among scattered acorns.
Student artwork by Charlotte featuring a stick-and-leaf figure with googly eyes surrounded by maple seed pods.
Our 4th graders had an unforgettable outdoor learning adventure at Dead Creek! Students dove into the world of birds, discovering incredible migration patterns, exploring fascinating adaptations, and learning how scientists study wildlife up close.

Hands-on learning reached a whole new level as students got to help catch and band birds before safely releasing them back into the wild. Watching the birds take flight from their hands was definitely the crowd favorite! Another big highlight? Mastering how to use binoculars!!

We are so proud of our young scientists and their curiosity!
12 days ago, Slate Valley
Two smiling children outdoors holding small, colorful cloth bird-banding bags close to a mesh netting enclosure.
Students sitting on the wooden floor of a nature center room, listening attentively to an instructor giving a presentation near a stone fireplace.
A close-up of a young student leaning forward to look through a tripod-mounted Nikon spotting scope held steady by an instructor.
Students standing and kneeling in a grassy field, holding binoculars to their eyes as they observe wildlife alongside an adult supervisor.
Three students sit side-by-side on a wooden bench, viewed from behind, looking out over an open grassy field toward scenic rolling mountains with autumn foliage.
A group of students gathered under an outdoor covered shelter, looking at informational display boards next to a tall cornfield.
An instructor wearing a wide-brimmed bucket hat and binoculars points to a bird anatomy diagram while showing it to students.
An outdoor field station setup where students use binoculars near a folding table, with a spotter scope on a tripod positioned nearby.
A group of students sitting in a circle on the grass in a sunny field, listening to an instructor, with parked vehicles and hills in the background.
Throwback Thursday: 💙Taking it back 20 years!🏈

Check out this throwback spread from the 2006 yearbook, packed with "Spirit Week" and "Slaterbration" memories! From "Dani showing Slater spirit" and "Sam Cummings ready to play," to the fans in the stands, team huddles, and creative signs, the Class of 2006 brought incredible energy to the field and the hallways!

As Fair Haven Union High School gets ready to kick off Slaterbration next week, we’re celebrating our alumni who set the bar high! ⚡To the Class of '06: Happy 20th Reunion year! Tag a classmate you spot in these photos and drop your favorite Slaterbration memory in the comments below! 👇
12 days ago, Slate Valley
A graphic titled "Throwback Thursday - Taking it back 20 Years!" featuring the FHU Slaters logo at the top right. Below the header is a two-page black-and-white yearbook collage titled "Spirit Week" (page 12) and "GO TEAM! / Slaterbration" (page 13) from the Class of 2006. The photos show high school students in spirit wear, face paint, and costumes, along with football game photos, team huddles, fans cheering, and captions like "Dani shows Slater spirit" and "Sam Cummings is readily to play". The bottom of the graphic displays the title "Slaterbration! 2006" alongside the Slate Valley Unified Focus on Learning logo and "Fair Haven Union High School" text.
Huge congratulations to our September Students of the Month! These outstanding students went above and beyond in demonstrating our monthly value of Respect!
13 days ago, Slate Valley
Six young boys standing in a row on a gymnasium floor while a man reads from a clipboard into a microphone during a school assembly.
Leadership, community, and great food! At our PBIS assembly this past Friday, our Student Council proudly presented Chef Heather with the Stewardship Award! Chef Heather goes above and beyond every single day to care for our school, nourish our students, and lead by example. We are so grateful for everything she does for our school family. Congratulations, Chef Heather, this award is so well-deserved!
13 days ago, Slate Valley
A school chef holding a Stewardship Award certificate stands smiling alongside five elementary students on a gymnasium stage.
A woman in an apron handshakes a young boy wearing cowboy boots on stage during a school awards presentation.
Five elementary students, including one in a banana costume, standing together on a gymnasium stage during a school assembly.