Orwell Village School

Slate Valley Unified USD Budget DID NOT Pass: 789 yes to 1107 no Dear Slate Valley, I hope this message finds you well. We want to take a moment to update you on the recent school budget vote that, unfortunately, did not pass. The vote was 789 yes to 1107 no. The article transferring money to a reserve account was successful. We understand that this news may be disappointing for some of you, as it is for us. The proposed budget primarily maintained level services, with a reduction in funding for the afterschool program as well as a redistribution of programming throughout the district. We understand this outcome may be disappointing, but we respect the democratic process and appreciate the community’s thoughtful participation. Despite this setback, our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students remains unchanged. We will explore alternative solutions to meet student needs within our financial constraints. We value your input and encourage open dialogue as we navigate this challenge together. In the coming weeks, we will hold board meetings to discuss the budget, gather feedback, and explore next steps. Your participation is essential, and we welcome your ideas and concerns. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we work towards our shared goal of delivering exceptional education to our students. Sincerely, Brooke Olsen-Farrell Superintendent

🔍 Trivia Tuesday! 🔍 Do you know the 5 most common school mascots? 🤔 Do you think any of ours made the list? Drop your best guess in the comments before peeking at the answers! Find out the top mascots here 👉 https://bit.ly/topschoolmascots

🗳️ Reminder: Today is Town Meeting Day! 🗳️ Make your voice heard—please get out and vote! Every vote counts! ✅

After a brief hiatus… WE’RE BACK! Restarting Meet Slate Valley Faculty & Staff Mondays with this week’s feature: Sarah Winters! Stay tuned as we once again spotlight the amazing educators and staff who make Slate Valley great! #WeAreSlateValley #MeetMondays

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's Slate Valley Community Connection event! Director of Curriculum, Mr. Casey O'Meara, and his team of PBL coaches shared valuable insights on instructional strategies, academic and behavioral support systems, assessments, and college and career readiness.

Please vote on March 4th! 🗳️ Not registered? No worries, it’s not too late—and it’s easy! Register now: https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/vermont/

Thank you to everyone who attended the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Annual Meeting last night! It was wonderful to see such strong participation from our community as we reviewed the proposed budget, and discussed important topics. For those who couldn’t join us, we encourage you to stay informed by reviewing the materials from the meeting: 📄 Presentation Link: https://5il.co/38j89 📺 Video Link: https://youtu.be/LW37JLZCxhA We appreciate the engagement and support of our community in shaping the future of Slate Valley schools. If you have any questions or would like further information, feel free to reach out or visit our website budget page: https://www.slatevalleyunified.org/o/svusd/page/budget Please Vote March 4th!

Reminder: Tonight Join us for the Slate Valley Unified USD Annual Meeting at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Bandroom. This meeting is in person. To attend virtually go to: https://meet.google.com/tyh-rjfi-seg Or dial: (US) +1 929-299-3807 PIN: 188 319 510# Anyone who attends virtually will be seen as a "passive participant" meaning they can ask questions and comment but cannot vote from the floor.

We hope our faculty, staff and students have enjoyed their break! Just a reminder that all Slate Valley schools resume classes on Monday, February 24th, 2025. We can't wait to see our schools buzzing with activity again! Also, Here is this week's Slate Valley Newsletter link: https://mailchi.mp/49e1050044fd/catch-up-with-slate-valley-this-weeks-highlights

Come be part of the SVUUSD Annual Meeting on Monday, February 24th, at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School band room. Take part and play a role in shaping the future! And remember to cast your vote on March 4th—every vote counts!

Join Us for a Community Connection Event! 📅 February 25, 2025 ⏰ 5:30 – 6:30 PM 📍 Fair Haven Union Middle & High School Library Engage with Director of Curriculum Casey O'Meara in a discussion on: ✅ Instructional structures & strategies ✅ Academic & behavioral support systems ✅ Assessment, Community Connections & College/Career Readiness Plus, a Parent/Guardian conversation on Title I & Act 1 Policies and Continuous Improvement Planning. Bring your questions and join the conversation!

Join us for the SVUUSD Annual Meeting on Monday, February 24th, at 6:30 PM in the Fair Haven Union Middle & High School band room. Be engaged and make a difference! Then, don’t forget to vote on March 4th! Your participation matters! Watch our video at: https://youtu.be/l3ZEIN10Xnc

Due to road conditions, all Slate Valley Schools will now be closed for today, February 13th.

Today, Thursday, February 13th, all Slate Valley schools will be on a 2 hour delay.

⚾️ Tryouts are now open for the 2025 Green Mountain Elite Baseball Program!⚾️ We are thrilled to announce that tryouts for the Green Mountain Elite (GME) Baseball program are officially underway for the upcoming Baseball season. This program is open to all Slate Valley School District players and is available for all age groups. Whether you're just starting out or already have experience, the GME program is designed to help players of all skill levels grow, develop, and showcase their talent. Pursue your passion and love for the game. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of an elite baseball team!

From today’s Rutland Herald (February 12, 2025): A heartfelt thank you to our incredible faculty and staff—truly the Heart and Soul of Slate Valley!

🏆🥫 Congratulations to Benson Village School for winning the District-Wide Souper Bowl Food Drive! With an incredible total of 641.40 pounds of food collected across the district, their generosity and teamwork made a big impact. As a reward, Benson students will enjoy a special visit from guest speaker Miss Lucy Cannon-Neel, who will share her Abenaki heritage. Way to go, Benson Bears! 💙 Thank you to all the families who donated for this great cause.

Board Meeting - February 10, 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 This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xdo-eqfd-dvr Or dial: (US) +1 240-366-1208 PIN: 741 090 484# 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.

Good evening, Due to the anticipated bad road conditions resulting from snow and ice, ALL Slate Valley Schools (Benson Village School, Orwell Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Fair Haven Grade School, and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School) will be closed on Thursday February 6th.

Good evening, This is Casey O’Meara Director of Curriculum for Slate Valley schools. Due to the anticipated road conditions resulting from the snow and ice, ALL Slate Valley Schools (Benson Village School, Orwell Village School, Castleton Elementary School, Fair Haven Grade School, and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School) will be closed on Thursday February 6th. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe. Casey O'Meara