Fair Haven Union Middle School

Dear Families,

As we head into our final week of school, I find myself reflecting on what a wonderful year it has been. The end of the school year always arrives with a mix of excitement, pride, anticipation, and a little bit of disbelief at how quickly the months have passed. Our hallways have been filled with learning, laughter, growth, challenges overcome, and countless moments that remind us why middle school is such a special place.

One of the highlights of our final week is our 8th Grade Celebration on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. under the tent. We ask 8th grade students to arrive by 5:45 p.m. Students will begin the celebration on the stage, and at approximately 5:55 p.m. I will ask all students to join us there so we can begin promptly at 6:00. Families will notice that several rows of chairs are marked "Reserved." During the slideshow portion of the evening, students will leave the stage and sit in these reserved seats. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments, growth, and memories of this remarkable group of students as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey.

We have received several questions regarding attendance after the 8th Grade Celebration. The days following the celebration remain regular school days, and we do expect students to attend. As always, attendance procedures, including home calls, will remain in place. Understanding that some families may choose to keep their soon-to-be high school students home after the celebration, we will have 8th grade students clean out lockers and return Chromebooks on Monday, June 15. Additionally, all middle school students will receive their yearbooks on June 15. A special thank you goes to Erin Haley, our Middle School Yearbook Advisor, whose fundraising efforts have once again made it possible for every middle school student to receive a yearbook at no cost.

For our 7th grade students, locker clean-out and Chromebook collection will take place during Advisory on June 17. Please also remember that our final student day, June 18, is a half-day.

If your family decides to keep your child home during any of these final days, we greatly appreciate a quick phone call or email. It helps us maintain accurate attendance records and prevents unnecessary robocalls and follow-up calls home.

As summer begins, I hope each of you finds time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the people and places that matter most. Whether your plans include travel, camps, family gatherings, time outdoors, or simply a slower pace, I hope the season brings opportunities to recharge and create lasting memories. I will be taking some time at the end of June and beginning of July to travel and spend time with family before returning to the building for much of the summer. If questions arise, please do not hesitate to reach out at jpaquette@svuvt.org.

Thank you for your partnership, support, and trust throughout this school year. It is a privilege to work with your children each day and to be part of such a caring school community. Have a wonderful summer, and remember to savor the moments—they pass more quickly than we realize.

Warmly,

Jennefer Paquette
Middle School Principal

I also want to remind students and families that while the celebrations and excitement of summer are certainly in the air, learning continues through the very last day of school. Teachers are still teaching, assessing, and providing meaningful learning experiences throughout our final week. We know that some students begin to view these last few days as a time to let up, but attendance, effort, and engagement remain important. Final report cards reflect the entirety of the school year and will be mailed home in the days following the end of school. We encourage all students to finish the year with the same commitment and pride they have shown throughout the year

A huge thank you to our Middle School PTO for their support throughout the year! From helping students decorate for Slaterbration, to sponsoring and chaperoning two middle school dances, to providing treats for our 8th Grade Celebration, their impact is felt across our school community. This small but mighty group is always happy to welcome new members. Watch their Facebook page for information about an August meeting, and don't hesitate to reach out to any of the officers listed below with questions or interest in getting involved.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HRWjhhDwp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

PTO Officers for the 25-26 School Year:

President: Amanda Crowningshield, galvin1110@yahoo.com

Vice President: Cailyn Genier, cailynskids802@gmail.com

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

Secretary: Joann Austin, jojoca74@yahoo.com

Please note the new electronic location for our school menus. There is a website and an app you can put on your phone. The directions are below. The link at the end of the newsletter is updated and the monthly March breakfast and lunch menus are also at the end of this newsletter.