Fair Haven Union Middle School

Dear Families,

1. Student-Led Conferences (SLC)

We’re excited for our first round of Student-Led Conferences! Students have been working hard to prepare for these!

🔹 Signing Up – At this point, you should have received a sign-up link from your child's advisor to sign up for a 20 minute time slot on March 12 or 13. If you have not, please reach out to your child's advisor or myself. If you're unsure who your child’s advisor is, just ask your child—they’ll know!

🔹 Attending the Conference – Your child must attend with you. Conferences will take place in their advisor’s classroom, alongside other families meeting at the same time. The advisor will be present to assist with any technical difficulties, check in on discussions, and answer general questions. If you have specific concerns about a class, the advisor will relay your request to the content teacher, who will follow up within 48 hours.

🔹 Your Child Leads the Way – Students have been working hard to create a slideshow reflecting on their classes, learning experiences, strengths, challenges, and future goals. They will present this to you—this is their moment to share their growth and insights!

🔹 Your Role – We encourage you to engage in the conversation by asking questions and showing support. This is an opportunity to celebrate their progress and help them set meaningful goals.

🔹Why Student Led Conferences?

Student-led conferences empower middle school students by giving them ownership of their learning. Instead of traditional parent-teacher meetings, students take the lead, showcasing their progress, strengths, and goals. This approach builds confidence, encourages accountability, and strengthens communication skills. It also fosters a growth mindset as students reflect on their achievements and areas for improvement. Parents gain valuable insight into their child’s learning process, and teachers serve as guides, promoting meaningful discussions. Ultimately, student-led conferences cultivate responsibility, self-advocacy, and deeper engagement in education.

Some exceptions:

• Samantha Adams will be adjusting her dates/times due to professional obligations that have her double booked on the conference dates. If your child is in her advisory - she will be in touch with you about the different dates.

• The Briggs/Stevens TA will hold conferences in the HS Cafeteria to allow for more space than their classroom can accommodate.

• Advisors who are specialists and shared between 7/8 and 9-12 will hold MS Conferences on the 12th and save the 13th for HS families.

We appreciate your patience as we navigate this new process. There may be a few bumps along the way, but we’re committed to learning and improving each time! Thank you for being a part of this important process. We look forward to seeing you there! 🚀

2. Our Middle School VTCAP (Cognia) Testing Dates are as follows:

ELA~ 3/19 & 3/20 ~ Periods 2 & 3

Math ~ 3/25 & 3/26 ~ Periods 2 & 3

Science ~ 4/1 & 4/2 ~ Periods 2 & 3 (8th grade only)

✅ Rest & Routine – A good night’s sleep is essential for focus and performance. Please encourage a consistent bedtime leading up to test days.

✅ Healthy Start – A nutritious breakfast can boost concentration and energy. If your student eats at school, please remind them to arrive with enough time for breakfast. *We will be providing breakfast for those students that want it.

✅ Arrive On Time – Being present and on time reduces stress and allows students to settle in before testing begins.

✅ Positive Encouragement – A little reassurance goes a long way! Remind your student that their best effort is what truly matters.

Jennefer Paquette

FHUMHS Co-Principal

Get ready for a fun-filled mix-up of specials on Thursday, March 13! On this half-day, during periods six and seven, Fair Haven Union Middle School students will have the chance to try out different activities, including games with Ms. Pike, painting with Ms. McMahon, jewelry making with Mrs. Chang, robotics with Mrs. Crumb, and a special Spanish Day of the Dead celebration with Señora Salinas. If that’s not enough, you can also sing your heart out with karaoke led by Mr. Marcalinas! It’s a unique opportunity to explore something new and enjoy a creative, exciting day with your specials teachers and classmates.

Students in Mr. VDK’s Design classes have started exploring circuits and soldering. One group is taking this to the next level by completing a real-world design project with NASA as part of the TechRise Challenge. This group has been chosen to work 1:1 with engineers at NASA to create an experiment that will go up 70,000 feet in a high altitude balloon this summer to help us understand how wildfire smoke from Canada impacts the air quality in Vermont. This team of young engineers received a $1,500.00 grant from NASA to create their experiment.

https://youtu.be/juaMmu5bL1M?feature=shared

Middle School students have a packet of Middle School Yearbook Raffle Tickets. We would love to have each middle school student sell at least 6 tickets. Our goal is to cover the cost of the yearbook, so every student can get one this year and we won’t have to charge students individually for them. Sold tickets and money can be turned in to Mrs. Haley in the Middle School office. We will draw for prizes on March 21st at the Yearbook Pampered Chef BINGO! Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Haley, ehaley@svuvt.org.

2025 Youth Sailing Camp sign-up is live

Sign-up: http://app.heygov.com/.../rec-youth-sailing-camp.../send

Learn to sail in just a few days this summer on Lake Bomoseen. For children entering 5th-8th grades July 7-11 or July 14-18

Schedule: M, T, W, Th, F (12-3pm)

Location: Crystal Beach, Lake Bomoseen

Registration Fee: $100 per week

Please note, space is limited! This year, to allow more campers to join in the fun, we are limiting to one week per camper. If space allows, we will extend to two weeks. Priority will be given to those who have little to no experience sailing.

You will be contacted by the program director to complete a final registration.

Contact Joe Mark, Program Director with questions, joe.mark.vt@gmail.com

Students will be completing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) on March 18th. Opt-out letters will come home with Q3 report cards. The Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of a national school-based surveillance system conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The YRBS was developed by the CDC in 1990 to monitor health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease, injury and social problems among youth. These behaviors, often established during childhood and early adolescence, include:

• Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
• Physical activity
• Nutrition
• Weight status
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Sexual behaviors

Vermont collects student health survey responses every two years. Since 1993, the Health Department and the Agency of Education have sponsored the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). In addition, the YRBS is supported by many partners across the state who work to achieve positive outcomes for all youth in Vermont. The survey is part of a larger effort to help communities increase the resiliency of young people by reducing high-risk behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors.

Additional resources:

https://www.upforlearning.org/resource-center/yrbs-and-getting-to-y-resources/

http://www.healthvermont.gov/yrbs

Join us on Facebook or at our next meeting! Thank you all for supporting our Slater Middle School Students! If you have any questions about the Middle School PTO, or their events, please reach out to the individuals listed below.

NEXT MEETING IS March 20th, 6-7 pm in the library.

Officers:

President: Kim Lemois, berlyJay06@comcast.net

Vice President: Ashley Bruce, Abruce86@icloud.com

Treasurer: Nicole Rice, nicole.rice1515@gmail.com

Secretary: Amanda Crowningshield, galvin1110@yahoo.com

Participate virtually through this link: FHMS Monthly Meeting Link

The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) is thrilled to unveil our brand-new Sportsmanship Video, featuring the powerful voices of student-athletes from across the state! Sportsmanship isn’t just about competition—it’s about respect, leadership, and lifting each other up. This inspiring video captures the heart of Vermont athletics, reminding us all that every game is an opportunity to lead by example.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Vermont Community Foundation and the incredible production team at Mount Mansfield Media. Their commitment to Vermont’s youth and positive sports culture made this vision a reality.

Watch the video now and join us in shaping the future of sportsmanship in Vermont!

JUST WATCH VPA - Student Voices - 02.26.2025

DOWNLOAD VPA - Student Voices - 02.26.2025

Let’s make a difference. Let’s be the change.

#BeTheChangeVT

The 2024-2025 Sports Registration (on Formreleaf.com) is open for the Fall 2024, the Winter 2024-2025 and the Spring 2025 athletics for grades 7-12.

Please be aware that all athletes MUST have an UP TO DATE Physical form on file. Slate Valley School District recommends a yearly check up, but the VPA rules are every two years.