Orwell Village School

Board Meeting Tonight- September 8, 2025
You’re invited to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Castleton Elementary School Cafeteria
This meeting will be in person. Virtually connect by going to:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hiu-sarz-pgi
Or dial: (US) +1 417-772-3887 PIN: 667 977 361#

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.

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley Unified Union School District Board Meeting announcement for September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Castleton Elementary School cafeteria. Agenda includes consent agenda, Act 73 discussion, and committee reports from Finance, Building & Grounds, and Executive Committee.

We’re excited to kick off the first Meet Faculty & Staff Monday of the 2025–2026 school year with Mrs. Becky Lanfear! Mrs. Lanfear has been part of the Slate Valley family for an incredible 26 years at Castleton Elementary School, where she has taught Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grade—inspiring countless students along the way.

Before joining CES, Becky worked at VAC in Rutland in their Pre-K program, and her passion for early education has been evident ever since.
Outside of school, Becky enjoys playing board and dice games like Clue, Yahtzee, and Farkle, baking, and cheering on her favorite sports—football, softball, soccer, and basketball.

One of her favorite quotes is from Benjamin Franklin:
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Becky also has strong ties to our community—both of her children attended Castleton Elementary and graduated from Fair Haven Union High School. She and her family are proud to be part of Slater Nation!

We are so grateful to Becky for her 26 years of dedication, passion, and care in teaching Slate Valley students. Thank you for all you do!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Meet Faculty & Staff Monday graphic featuring Becky Lanfear, CES third grade teacher. Text highlights her 26 years at Castleton Elementary, previous work in early childhood education, hobbies like board games and baking, and her favorite Benjamin Franklin quote. Includes appreciation for her dedication and connection to the Slate Valley community.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: September 5, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/1f6fa26075e3/slate-valley-district-newsletter-september-5-2025

3 months ago, Slate Valley

📢 Reminder: Please join us tonight for the first Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting of the school year!

🕔 Time: 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Fair Haven Union Middle & High School – Central Office Conference Room

This is a great opportunity to connect with district administration, share community concerns, and hear updates on Act 73 as well as how the school year is starting and our hopes moving forward.

We look forward to seeing you there! 💙

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley Community Advisory Council meeting announcement for September 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM in the Central Office Conference Room at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.

Opening PBIS Assembly

3 months ago, Patrick D. Walters

📢 Reminder: There will be no school this Monday in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Tuesday!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Slate Valley District Newsletter: August 29, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/a3352b4ace47/slate-valley-back-to-school-newsletter

3 months ago, Slate Valley

First Day Freeze Frames 📸
See the full video at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19xeZ8KHb8/
Welcome Back to All Slate Valley Students!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Screenshot showing young students posing for a photo with their teacher behind them peering through decorative blue streamers.

🏫✨ The first student day at Orwell Village School was full of excitement and smiles! Students found their classrooms, reconnected with friends, and began a new year of learning and discovery. 💙🍎🐾 Welcome back Wildcats!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

A young girl smiles with her chin resting on her hands in a classroom.

A teacher smiles with a full classroom of students seated at desks, looking toward the camera.

Two young boys smile while building with wooden blocks on a yellow table.

A teacher gestures while speaking to middle grade students seated at desks, another adult assists at a side table.

A student smiles while holding a worksheet at her desk.

Students sit at desks attentively listening during class instruction.

Two students sit side by side at a desk, one with glasses, both looking forward.

A group of young students build colorful magnetic block structures on a classroom rug.

Students sit at a table looking at papers or folders, one student glances toward the camera.

Students line up in a school hallway while three administrators stand nearby smiling.

We’re excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year and invite you to our first Slate Valley Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting on:

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 5:45 PM
Central Office Conference Room
Fair Haven Union Middle & High School

The agenda link is below. We’ll review council goals for the year, share key district updates, and set priorities together. Your insights help us strengthen family, school, and community partnerships—thank you in advance for your time and perspective.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Agenda link: https://5il.co/3opgw

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Let's give a big welcome to Orwell Village School's newest team members!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

🎶✨ “We Ready!” ✨🎶
Slate Valley faculty & staff are pumped to welcome back our amazing students this week! #WeAreSlateValley #BackToSchool #WeReady
See our video at: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CdPHhQrHx/
or
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNwfSiVYvDY/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Group of Slate Valley faculty and staff smiling in a hallway, holding colorful painted canvases with the letters "R" and "A" as part of a back-to-school celebration.

🎨✨ On Friday, during Inservice, every Slate Valley faculty and staff member came together for a powerful group art project.

Each table received a canvas—some with hidden letters—tasked with one simple rule: cover it completely with color. Every Slate Valley member added at least one brushstroke, symbolizing our shared commitment. The letters were revealed and brought together to spell out the phrase:

“We Are Slate Valley.” 💫

In every splatter of paint, every dab of color, and every stroke of life, our faculty and staff captured a shared truth: no matter the distractions or challenges beyond our control, we will continue to show up fully for the students who show up for us every day.

This art piece is more than just decoration—it’s our collective promise. The completed canvases will be displayed throughout Slate Valley school buildings as a reminder of the strength, unity, and dedication of our Slate Valley family. 💙

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Group of people painting letters on canvases together at a table.

Two women smiling while painting on a paper plate with bright colors.

Group of women painting designs on a canvas at a shared table.

Two women painting a colorful canvas with others around the table.

Group working together on a shared painting, adding colors with brushes.

Two women painting a vibrant canvas with brushes at a table.

Woman smiling and painting with others at a colorful group art activity.

Woman focused on painting colorful designs on a canvas.

Woman peeling tape from a painted canvas while others watch.

Group lined up in the gym holding painted canvases that spell “We are Slate Valley.”

First day vibes! Our Slate Valley faculty & staff officially kicked off the school year on Friday, August 22nd with Opening Day Inservice—full of laughs, hugs, summer stories, and lots of catching up. Here's some photos from a great day with great people. 💙

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Two men wearing lanyards sit together at a table in a gymnasium, smiling at the camera.

A young woman and an older man sit at a table in a gymnasium, smiling and talking with others seated around them.

Two women sit at a table smiling, one holding a fork with fruit and the other with colorful tumblers. A laptop with stickers is on the table in front of them.

Three women smile while sitting together at a table in a gymnasium. Two are seated with plates of food, and one stands behind them wearing a yellow shirt with the word "Mentor." The background shows blue gym wall padding with large white letters.

Five people sit together at a long table in a gymnasium during a school event. They are smiling at the camera, with laptops and tumblers in front of them. Other attendees can be seen seated at tables in the background.

Two women smile and stand side by side in a gymnasium, both wearing denim jackets over long floral dresses with Slate Valley lanyards around their necks.

Three women stand at a table looking at Slate Valley Unified School District folders and pens. One woman in a pink shirt reaches for an item, while the others observe and smile.

Four women sit at a table during a school event, smiling at the camera with plates of food, drinks, and bags in front of them. Other attendees are visible in the background.

A group of five women sit and smile at a table during a school event, with notebooks, food, and drinks in front of them, while more people gather in the background.

Man and woman gather Slate Valley materials from a table with pens, folders, and tote bags, smiling and engaged.

At Slate Valley’s Opening Day Inservice, three special awards were presented to individuals who embody the heart of our district and consistently go above and beyond their duties. 🌟

🏆 SVUUSD Executive Board Awards were given to the Orwell Village School PBIS Team and to Mrs. Cynthia Hutchins, Fair Haven Grade School’s dedicated Music Teacher.

🏅 The SVUUSD Special Service Award was presented to Carrieann Wolcott, Slate Valley’s committed Home–School Coordinator.

👏 Congratulations to all of our honorees—thank you for your passion, service, and unwavering dedication to our students and community!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Three women smiling and standing next to a man on their left. The woman in the middle holds an award plaque.

Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has their arm around her.

Three women smiling and standing together. The one in the middle holds an award plaque, while the other two women have their arms around the middle woman's back.

During our Opening Day Inservice, Slate Valley Unified Union School District proudly celebrated our Instructional Assistants of the Year. 🌟

These outstanding IAs truly represent the heart of our classrooms—offering support, encouragement, and care that help students grow and thrive every single day.

We are deeply grateful for all they do. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 👏💙

Picture are:
Taylor Coloutti - IA at Castleton Elementary School
Annie Bartholomew - IA at Fair Haven Grade School
Alicia Bouzianis - IA at Orwell Village School
Ashley Bruce - IA at Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Colleen Howard - IA at Benson Village School

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque while the other has their arm around her.

Two women stand together smiling; one holds a plaque and both have their arms around each other.

A man and woman smile while holding a plaque award together inside a gymnasium.

Two women stand together smiling holding a plaque award in a gymnasium.

At our Opening Day Inservice, Slate Valley Unified Union School District proudly celebrated this year’s Teachers of the Year, along with two educators honored with the prestigious UVM Outstanding Teacher Awards. 🏆

👏 Congratulations to all recipients! These well-deserved honors reflect the hard work, passion, and dedication to students you demonstrate every day.

Pictured are:

UVM Outstanding Teacher and SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mr. Kyle Ruby - History Teacher at FHUHS

UVM Outstanding Teacher: Ms. Amanda Eddy - Special Education Teacher at BVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Ms. Makayla Ackert - Kindergarten Teacher at BVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Patty-Ann Holden - Grade 5 Teacher at OVS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mr. Parth Patel - Physical Education Teacher at FHGS

SVUUSD Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Andrea Gorruso - Grade 3 Teacher at CES

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Two men stand together smiling; one holds a plaque award while the other has his arm around him.

A man holding a plaque stands next to a smiling woman in a gymnasium.

A woman holding a plaque stands next to a smiling man in a gymnasium.

Slate Valley District Newsletter: August 22, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/7cc8c55d6a27/slate-valley-district-newsletter-august-22-2025

3 months ago, Slate Valley

🎉✨ Slate Valley is officially back in action! Today marked our Opening Inservice Day with all district faculty and staff filling the high school gym.

The morning was packed with energy — we welcomed new employees, celebrated award recipients, and capped it all off with a special district-wide art project (can’t wait to share more about that soon!).

In the afternoon, teams headed to their buildings for meetings and collaboration to kick off the year strong.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year — stay tuned for more updates! 💙💚

3 months ago, Slate Valley

A large group of teachers and staff sit at tables in a school gymnasium during a district-wide meeting, facing a presentation screen at the front.

Today was Slate Valley's 2025-2026 Fall Special Education Training at Castleton Elementary School.

The district's Special Education staff attended this full-day session which included updates on district initiatives, resources for special educators, Medicaid program changes, mentoring supports, and strategies to improve outcomes for all learners. Educators also explored high-leverage math practices with Glenn Patterson from the VT Agency of Education.

It was a wonderful day of learning and collaboration!

3 months ago, Slate Valley

Educators sit at tables with laptops, listening to a presenter speaking at the front of a school cafeteria.