Urgent Message * With the CORVID-19 spreading rapidly into Vermont, we are shutting down access to our school playgrounds and basketball court. Please do not enter any part of school grounds till further notice. * Thank you
Per Governor Scott's recent directive regarding the requirements of providing child care for specified groups of essential employees as outlined in the following link we are working to collect information regarding those individuals in need of child care for their children. Please complete this form only if you are in need of child care for your children as defined by Governor's Scott directive (https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/governor-phil-scott-orders-implementation-child-care-system-personnel-essential-covid).
Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sSylQhJKYFxlBXGB3Wc_bl9Iei8FZLE8mykhz4HsIMc/edit?ts=5e72490b
Social Distancing: What does it mean?
Starting on Thursday, March 19th the school district will make breakfast and lunch meals available to all children ages 18 years old and younger while school is dismissed. Meals will be available Monday through Friday.
Thursday, March 19th - a breakfast for Thursday, a lunch for Thursday and a breakfast for Friday will be available for pick up.
Friday, March 20th - and each day thereafter a breakfast and a lunch will be available for pick up.
Meals will be available for pick up starting at 10:00 AM until noon at the following locations:
Benson Village School
Castleton Elementary School
Fair Haven Grade School
Orwell Village School
The school district will let you know if the method of distribution is going to change.
At some point in the future, meals may be made available for pick up along the bus routes, but we will let you know in advance if and when this change is made. If we make this change meals will still be available at each of the schools listed above for pick up.
We will be sending out a form with the meals. We ask that you complete the form and return it to the staff member distributing the meals so that we can get a better idea of who needs meals, but is unable to get to one of the schools listed above for pick up. If you are unable to pick up meals, we will make every effort to get the meals to you. This form will also be made available online.
Please note that you can go to any of the schools listed above. You are not restricted to the school that your child attends.
Please notify staff at the pick up location if you will be picking up meals regularly and you have any special dietary needs that have medical implications that must be met.
Due to increased volume nationwide, our alert system is experiencing difficulties. Please check our website regularly for important updates: https://bit.ly/38JVkpl
Good evening,
As a result of increased volume nationwide, our alert system is experiencing difficulties. The following message was sent out this evening:
Due to the issuance of new information by the White House and the rapidly changing situation, all Slate Valley Schools will be closed tomorrow March 17th to both students and non-essential staff. I will follow-up with an update tomorrow.
Thank you again for your patience and stay safe.
Brooke Farrell, Superintendent
THANK YOU * Thank you parents for chaperoning us at the mountain, and helping us learn how to snowboard/ski better. Your support and time did not go unnoticed. Thank you for donating to the booster club and making this experience possible. * Thank you, The Orwell Village Middle Schoolers
After School Activities Canceled * All after school activities are canceled for today and tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday, March 16 & 17.
We know that we are in the midst of uncertain times. Please know that we are doing everything within our power as a district to care for the well-being of staff, students and families. The Governor released a declaration today that stated that all students will be dismissed from school no later than Wednesday, March 18th. However, student attendance on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday March 17th is a family decision. Your child will not be penalized for staying home.
As a district, in accordance with recommendations from the Department of Health, we are no longer allowing non-essential outside visitors into our school such as volunteers, guest speakers, parents, etc. We will be asking parents to pick up and drop off their students at the front door. If you need to pick up your child during the school day please call ahead to the main office and arrangements will be made to meet you at the front door.
If you have a meeting scheduled with school personnel, please call ahead as we are making arrangements to host required meetings by phone or video. This includes Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings and evaluation planning and results meetings that are required by law.
In addition, field trips and all after-school events are canceled from this point through at least April 6th.
We are working on a plan to offer students at-home learning opportunities and access to a school meals program. We will be asking families whether or not you would like to receive meals while school is dismissed. I will be sending out further communication on this topic tomorrow.
Thank you in advance for your support as we progress through these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Good afternoon,
On March 15 at 3:20 p.m., Governor Scott announced that statewide school closure will occur no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The purpose of this message is to provide you an update of the actions the Slate Valley Unified School District will take as it relates to Governor Scott's School Closure announcement.
First and foremost, student attendance at school on Monday and Tuesday is a family decision. For these two days, Slate Valley Unified School District attendance procedures will be waived, and no student will be penalized for not attending.
Your district leadership teams will be working with our employees to plan for the support of our students and families during the closure of school. To be clear, our primary areas of focus include the wellbeing of our students, families and employees. The plan that we are developing will strive to encompass all of the components that Governor Scott has referenced in his statement/press conference.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we move forward. You can expect regular communication from our district so that we are keeping you informed. We are doing all we can to make sure these priorities are taken care of to the best of our abilities.
Sincerely,
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
OVS Quote of the Day
March 13, 1942 * U.S. Army launches K-9 Corps * On March 13, 1942, the Quartermaster Corps (QMC) of the United States Army begins training dogs for the newly established War Dog Program, or “K-9 Corps.”
Skiing is Canceled for today.
OVS Middle School Sports Beat * Tuesday, March 10, 2020 * No practices or games scheduled for today.
March 10, 1876 * First speech transmitted by telephone * The first discernible speech is transmitted over a telephone system when inventor Alexander Graham Bell summons his assistant in another room by saying, “Mr. Watson, come here; I want you.” Bell had received a comprehensive telephone patent just three days before.
OVS Quote of the Day
Spring Sports Registration * The SPRING SPORTS registration for Slate Valley Middle school is open and will be open through March 30, 2020. * CVS/OVS 7/8 Baseball and Softball * FHGS/BVS 7/8 Baseball and Softball * Slate Valley MS grades 6-8 Track and Field.
Thanks
Green Mountain Music District V Festival * Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Green Mountain Music District V Festival! Great job!
March 09, 1862 * U.S.S. Monitor battles C.S.S. Virginia * On March 9, 1862, one of the most famous naval battles in American history occurs as two ironclads, the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia, fight to a draw off Hampton Roads, Virginia. The ships pounded each other all morning but their armor plates easily deflected the cannon shots, signaling a new era of steam-powered iron ships.
OVS Quote of the Day
