We at Slate Valley, wish everyone a wonderful break. In celebration of the Winter Solstice ("The darkest evening of the year."), Mr. O'Meara, our Director of Curriculum, would like to share Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". Enjoy!
Click the link to see the video: https://youtu.be/ORY5IkRAm5g
Trivia Tuesday: DYK?
Last night, the projected Slate Valley Unified School FY24 budget was presented to the district school board. We have set up a ThoughtExchange for community comments and questions. Both the presentation and board video are included in the exchange. To participate click this link: https://tejoin.com/scroll/826931701 or scan the QR code. This exchange will close on January 4, 2023.
After reading the book "Balloons over Broadway," (A true story about the creator of Macy's Thanksgiving Parade) Mrs. Torrey challenged her 2nd-grade class to design a balloon for the parade. Their balloon needed to have a device to keep their balloon floating in the air. They needed to hold on to one end of their device and attach the other end to the balloon that kept the balloon floating upright. Today, after finishing touches, they tested their designs in a classroom parade.
Tonight - December 19, 2022
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Castleton Elementary School cafeteria. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/nwx-ucxq-mnp
Or dial: (US) +1 662-395-1814 PIN: 895 842 986#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1m35r
Previous Meeting Minutes:https://5il.co/1m0ku
Next Board Meeting: Monday, January 9, 2023 – FHUMHS– 6:30pm
Meet "FHUMHS's Social Studies Teacher, Archie Clark" Monday
OVS Winter Concert 2022
This week’s focus is on art. The three district art teachers have been exposing our students to various materials and techniques. At FHGS and Orwell, Ms. Ray-Mullikan has her students working on elements of line and how it can be used in designing various patterns. They have also experimented with using medium charcoal to draw a simple mountain landscape. Her younger grades are working on their observational drawing skills focusing on farm animals. So far they have mastered the nubian goat and highland cow. At CES and Benson, Mrs. Parrott’s students have been focusing on painting layered abstract art. First they applied their understanding of the color wheel and created some new colors for the project. Next, they worked week to week painting each layer with shapes, lines, and color in mind. They will finish this big project by using their abstract art to make an explosion style origami book. At the Middle and High School, Ms. Partesi has various projects unfolding. Students are using grids to draw a realistic image, taking sections one square at a time. Another class is exploring color theory and depth by making a 3D window box painting. Last week, FHUMHS students also enjoyed a field trip to the Carving Studio in West Rutland, where they were able to experience sculpting from marble. Scan the QR code or click on the link https://youtu.be/6l7H39QlKII to see even more of our wonderful district wide student artwork.
Today Mrs. Farrell was scheduled to read at one of the schools. But yesterday, when it was decided we would have our first snow day, she chose to record the reading and share it with all the Slate Valley students! Enjoy!
Click the link to see our superintendent read, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
https://youtu.be/DuyBe4m7usA
Due to the impending weather, all Slate Valley Unified schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, December 16th. This includes Benson Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Orwell Village School, Fair Haven Grade School and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Stay safe.
Throwback Thursday: Taking it back 60 years! Do you recognize what this building is used for now in Fair Haven?
Dear Slate Valley Families,
With the recent increase in illness we are experiencing staff shortages, this is especially true with bussing. We are doing our very best to continue normal operations but please note that we may have to cancel bus routes from time to time. This issue is not just confined to Slate Valley. While schools are not required by law to provide regular school to home transportation it is something that we in Slate Valley are committed to doing. If a driver is out sick, there are no substitutes at this time, so we may need to cancel runs altogether due to lack of staffing. If your child can’t make it to school, the absence will not count against them and in some cases we may be able to combine runs or find other options. Principals will be notifying families when runs need to be canceled and/or alternative arrangements need to be made.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we try to work through this together. I know the bus company is trying hard to hire additional drivers and come-up with creative solutions. Please feel free to reach out if you have challenges getting your children to school in the absence of a bus. We will do our very best to work with you so your children get safely to school.
All the best,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Tonight - December 12, 2022
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/tbs-xnma-rwz
Or dial: (US) +1 530-618-7125 PIN: 991 413 623#
Tonight’s Agenda: https://5il.co/1lss8
Previous Meeting Minutes: https://5il.co/1lm9d
Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 19, 2022 – CES– 6:30pm
Meet "Benson Village School's Administrative Assistant, Pam Arel" Monday
Today's Focus "on Math around the district" Friday comes from Benson Village School, Fair Haven Grade School, and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Mrs. Thurston's Benson kindergarteners were playing grab bag doubles, where they grab a handful of cubes and determine if the number is a double or not, along with deciding if it is an odd or even number. Her second grade class was working on solving double digit equations using a number line. Over at FHGS, Ms. Poalino's 6th graders were completing their data and statistics lesson, while upstairs in Mrs. McCrea's class, her first graders were proud to show how they add common denominator fractions, along with using coins to write money equations. Jumping to the the high school, Mr. Marchese's 9th grade students were writing equations in point-slope form of the line passing through given points! Looks like Slate Valley is developing some amazing mathematicians!
If interested, apply online at schoolspring.com or contact the Athletics Director, Kim Alexander at kalexander@svuvt.org
Throwback Thursday: 1991
Where are they now WEDNESDAY - Featuring Zachary Harvey
FHUHS Class of 2012 alumnus, Zachary (Zak) Harvey, has successfully climbed the corporate ladder a mere decade after his high school graduation.
Zak’s educational journey began in Castleton. He acknowledges that each primary and secondary educator were incredible, but credits three in particular for playing a critical role in inspiring his love of learning. First mentioned was Castleton Elementary School’s principal, Jean-Marie Oakman. Zak remembers her charismatic personality, and appreciates her fostering an “environment where learning and excelling in the classroom was encouraged, expected and celebrated”. Next he credits Castleton’s school librarian, who at the time was Mrs. Susan Lyman, for instilling a love of reading and recalls her constant encouragement and support. Third, during his time at Fair Haven Union High School, he remembers Mrs. Sandy Kuehn. “Mrs. Kuehn taught me invaluable lessons in the classroom on civics and geography, but perhaps even more important, to do whatever you do with heart and empathy. I have carried these words with me throughout college and career.” said Zak.
Along with recognizing the support received in school, Zak was certain to mention the love and support of his parents, who always encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
While at Fair Haven Union High School, Zak was actively involved in Student Government and participated in both winter and spring Track and Field.
Zak attended Providence College in Rhode Island. He worked toward a major in Political Science and a minor in Economics. During his third year, Zak studied abroad at the University College London in England. He also interned two summers at Nasdaq, a stock exchange based in New York City. Upon receiving his degree, he joined the company full-time and moved to New York. Zak worked at Nasdaq for two years before joining the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2018. While there, Zak worked in a series of positions. As of this September, Zak began working in strategy at the parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, for the President of Fixed Income and Data Services.
Zak currently lives in Manhattan, but claims there is nothing better than coming home to Vermont. He plans to remain in the financial services industry, but would someday like to get involved with politics.
When asked if he had any words of encouragement for our current Slaters, he reflected on a piece of advice received in college which was, “don’t pull strings, yank them.” He wants students to remember that everyone starts somewhere, so reach out to family friends, alumni, and teachers for help. Never be intimidated to reach out to those that came before you because “you never know where a conversation will lead or what doors someone can open.” Zak also referred to a quote, by poet Maya Angelou, on the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Great advice to keep in mind.
Thank you, Zak, for sharing your journey. Slater Nation wishes you continued success, with a bright, happy future.
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
