Happy Administrative Assistant Day to the amazing group of people who keep our district schools operating smoothly! Please extend an extra thank you to them, for all they do, which really is EVERYTHING!
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Meet Slate Valley Faculty and Staff Monday: Featuring Elizabeth Schuyler
Our next Community Advisory Council meeting will be Monday, May 1st, from 5:45 - 6:45 PM in the FHUMHS library. If you are interested in helping to bridge the gap between the community and school, please consider representing your town and join our group.
Click the links below to read the upcoming meeting agenda, and the minutes from the previous, first, meeting:
May 1st Agenda: https://5il.co/1t4h9
April 3rd Minutes: https://5il.co/1sdtk
Attention: Information regarding Spring/Summer P-EBT Benefits for Vermont Households. Please read this letter or view the PDF version at: https://5il.co/1t33v
Tonight - April 24, 2023
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Benson Village School Cafeteria. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/xbw-cmep-kmf
Or dial: (US) +1 484-424-6571 PIN: 744 487 433#
On April 13th, a district wide Mega Arts Festival occurred at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. This spectacular all day event was organized and executed by our teachers of music, art and theatre. Each school sent students from grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 to take part in the Chorus section, while district wide students in grades 6 through 12 participated in the Art and Band sections, with theatre group consisting of students from 7 through 12. Each section worked all day on creating together, which culminated in a grand performance for evening viewers. The doors opened to the public at 5:00 PM. Attendants were treated to a student art show, which followed with performances from the district theatre group, chorus and band. For many, it was the first time students from all the schools worked together on various projects. It was a busy, fun filled event. Please enjoy the slideshow (follow this link https://youtu.be/urvxbMRljf8) featuring photos from the day, and songs sung by the district chorus.
In honor of the Mega Arts Festival happening tonight, we are throwing it back to our Fair Haven Union High School Band of 50 years ago!
Come see the musical tradition continue as our schools perform as one District Band! Also enjoy the chorus from around the district sing together for the first time this year, watch our district students collaborate with some theater productions, and last, but not least, view artwork created by district students. The festivities are happening at the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School. Doors open at 5:00 PM.
On April 3rd, Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell and Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara hosted the first Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting. It was well attended, with engaging conversation. The next meeting is Monday, May 1st beginning at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at FHUMHS. All are welcome! Our serving towns were almost fully represented, absent were participants from Benson and West Haven. If you are at all interested, please consider joining us on May 1st.
Trivia Tuesday: Did You Know?
Meet Slate Valley Faculty & Staff Monday: Featuring Katie Hart
Tonight - April 10, 2023
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Library. This meeting will be in person. You can virtually connect by going to: https://meet.google.com/pin-yagz-ypf
Or dial: (US) +1 240-428-8652 PIN: 683 214 677#
It is the most important meal of the day!
Happy Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day! If you see any of our wonderful IAs, please express a word of gratitude to them for the incredible work they do everyday in Slate Valley!
Dear Slate Valley Families,
We are sending this message on behalf of the Vermont Agency of Education. If your family is currently affiliated with a military branch, please fill out this form provided by the Vermont Agency of Education(AOE).
https://datacollection.education.vermont.gov/Collections/Military-Affiliation/Current-Form/
AOE uses this information to fulfill its federal and public reporting requirements.
If your family is not currently affiliated with a military branch, no action is required.
Further explanation: The Vermont Agency of Education needs to report to the federal government any student attending public school that has an affiliation with a branch of the armed services as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. If this applies to your child please see the form linked here.
The purpose of this form is to collect any affiliation for students attending public schools with the armed services as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
The direct and only purpose of this collection is to fulfill our federal education reporting requirements for this group of students as defined in ESEA section 1111(b)(2).
Again, please consider filling out the form if your family is currently employed by a military branch. Thank you so much for your time.
If you have any questions, please contact AOE.SLDSSupportGroup@vermont.gov
Reminder: Stop the Bleed Training is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM at FHUMHS Library.
Spots are still availabe. This is free and open to the public as part of our School Safety Series. Come to this valuable, life saving training. Click the link to reserve your spot.
https://forms.gle/QNAn9C5pyS3R58aK6
Or call Deborah Williams, RN at 802265-4966 ext. 2509
Reminder: Our new Community Advisory Council is meeting for the first time tonight from 5:15 - 6:15 PM at the District Office in the FHUMHS building. All are welcome! If you are interested in bridging the gap between the community and school, please consider representing your town in our new group.
Throwback Thursday: Tossing it back to 1993! Tag those you know! #tbt
Stop the Bleed Training, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM at FHUMHS Library.
This is free and open to the public as part of our School Safety Series. Come to this valuable, life saving training. Space is limited, please click the link to reserve your spot.
https://forms.gle/QNAn9C5pyS3R58aK6
Or call Deborah Williams, RN at 802265-4966 ext. 2509
Where are they now WEDNESDAY-
Featuring Mark Wright
FHUHS alumnus Mark Wright is a member of the Class of 1990. His upbringing and education began in Castleton, but this small town start never hindered his ambition for worldly success. Immediately after graduating from Fair Haven Union High, Mark spent a year in Hannover, Germany through the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Upon returning to the states, he began studying at the University of Vermont, where he graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in German. The next seven years he worked at Auburn International and MetricVision. Both were small companies that sold high-tech measuring equipment to larger industries, such as petrochemical, automotive, and aerospace. During this time Mark was able to live and work out of Brussels, Belgium for two years and Yokohama, Japan for one year, along with traveling extensively around the world. In 2001 he entered into a full-time MBA program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mark’s focus was international business management. He spent 2002 at an internship in Switzerland, and then graduated in 2003.
Mark credits his parents for his worldly success. He states, “My parents were the biggest influence, enabling opportunities and giving us the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and become responsible citizens. Growing up in Castleton, we hosted 5 exchange students, each for a year - this taught us some great lessons about getting along and solving problems.” When asked if any teachers came to mind in helping him fulfill his dreams, he recalled being challenged and inspired by Mr. Rideout in fifth grade, Mr. Tucker in eighth grade, with Mr. Hier, Mr. Sinclair, and Mr. Everett in grades 11 and 12.
While attending FHUHS, Mark played Baseball in grade 9, but switched to the Golf team for grades 10-12. During his years on the golf team, he helped the Slaters become three time State Champions. Mark also played Basketball and Soccer all four years, two soccer seasons saw State Championship titles. He also was a member of the French Club, Band, Honor Society, and attended Boys State. Outside of school, Mark earned his Eagle Scout.
Upon receiving his MBA, Mark started working for BASF in New Jersey. Through the years, he has worked in various leadership positions within this company. He has been on delegation to Germany twice where he and his family lived from 2009-2012 and again in 2018-2020. It should be no surprise to hear that he speaks German fluently. Currently Mark is the Vice President of Global Marketing for their catalysts division. He continues to enjoy leading people in the business setting and hopes to continue doing it.
Mark is married with three teenage daughters - Lina (17), Lois (15), and Lidia (13). His wife, Bianca, is from Germany, they met during Mark’s time as an exchange student. Mark continues the legacy shown to him by his parents and is a member of the Rotary Club in his hometown of Westfield, NJ. He is working toward establishing the Rotary Youth Exchange Program there as he has seen, and experienced, what a life-changing opportunity this is for young people. Currently he and his family are hosting an exchange student from Brazil.
When asked what advice he would give to our current Slate Valley student body, he replied, “My advice is around the idea that life begins when you step outside of your comfort zone. There is a big world out there and if you want to learn and explore, then start by stepping into an adventure and accepting where it takes you. My adventures were around the exchange program after high school, taking on new jobs/roles, volunteering, and being vulnerable as a leader. These were not always easy or positive, but I learned a ton from these experiences and they fundamentally changed me (and my life) for the better ... and I don't regret them for a second.”
Slater Nation would like to thank Mark for sharing his truly inspiring story. We wish him continued success and happiness.
