Making the Grade
An annual look at the state of education in
Southern Vermont
A special advertising publication of the Bennington Banner, Brattleboro Reformer and Manchester Journal
Saturday, February 22, 2025
ReadyforLearning, ReadyforLife.
BenningtonCountyHeadStartandEarlyHeadStart
•Ages6weeksto5years
• Developmentallyappropriate,highquality earlyeducation
•Fami ly supportand engagementopportunities
•Health,mentalhealth,anddisabilityservices
•Communityslotsatanyincomelevelavailable
•Nowacceptingapplicationsforallagesfor summer andfall2025
Ourprogramsofferservicesdesignedtomeeteach child’sandfamily’sspeci cneedsinasafesetting.
LocationsinBennington,NorthBennington, Pownal,andManchester.
New Beginnings. Bright Futures.
“With the support and encouragement I received at Kurn Hattin, I believe that I can go anywhere and become something.”
—John H., Class of 2012
Education is more than books and lessons—it is the foundation for opportunity, self-discovery, and hope. For children whose families face challenging circumstances, access to a quality education can be lifechanging. Yet hardship often disrupts learning, leaving children struggling to keep up. At Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, we believe every child deserves the stability, encouragement, and individualized attention they need to succeed.
For over 130 years, Kurn Hattin has provided a safe space where children can
build confidence, regain security, and rediscover the joy of learning. Many students here arrive feeling uncertain, having faced obstacles that made traditional schooling difficult. Our approach demonstrates that young people benefit from teachers who believe in them, mentors who encourage them, and a structured environment that fosters academic and personal growth.
“Kurn
Hattin shaped my values and perspective on the importance of community and helping others.”
—Elizabeth A., Class of 2020
Effective education is holistic, integrating academics with social-emotional learning, creative expression, athletics, and hands-on problem-solving. Through music, sports, and experiential learning, children here build resilience, self-esteem, and the confidence
to navigate challenges. At Kurn Hattin, we don’t just teach subjects—we prepare children to advocate for themselves, pursue their ambitions, and contribute to their communities.
The power of education is transformative, shaping futures and opening doors to opportunity. At Kurn Hattin, we are committed to ensuring every child has the support, structure, and inspiration to thrive. Together, we can create new beginnings and brighter futures.
Local students recognized as Vermont Presidential Scholars
BY DANIELLE M. CROSIER AND CHERISE FORBES Manchester Journal
MONTPELIER — Four local students were recently recognized at the State House as Vermont Presidential Scholars, recognizing exceptional achievements across academic excellence, community service, and leadership roles.
“The 2025 class of Presidential Scholars embodies what makes Vermont’s education system special,” said Secretary of Education, Zoie Saunders. “These students are leaders in their schools, role models for their peers, and important members of their communities. I’m thrilled to congratulate these exceptional students and their families on this exciting achievement.”
Presidential scholars are recognized in three categories: general, arts, and career technical education. Students are selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, and in Vermont’s spirit of student agency, students are also able to nominate themselves, according to a press release from the Department of Education.
Three of the local recipients hail from Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester. Senior Vincy Chan, recognized in the general category, “has made significant contributions through her leadership and advocacy,” according to a press release from BBA. Chan’s leadership extends beyond the classroom, as she is also Governor of Vermont Girls State, a Congressional Campaign Intern for U.S. Representative Becca Balint, and president of the Students of Color Alliance (SOCA).
She is particularly proud of creating a peer tutoring program that has helped over 40 students since its inception, she said.
“Knowing that my actions have a greater purpose—whether locally, state-wide, or nationally— motivates me every day,” said Chan, who plans to major in international relations at the University of Pennsylvania and aspires to study immigration law.
Fellow senior Jackson Kitts is described by BBA as “a driven student, athlete, and innovator.” Kitts is a four-year varsity tennis player, participates in Model UN and Debate Club, and is a captain of the Science Olympiad team and president of the Chess Club. His project reflects this unique blend of creativity and compassion, with a focus on developing a version of chess tailored to individuals with ADHD and memory loss.
His passion for exploration and learning extends to his future ambitions in journalism and social media, where he hopes to leverage AI and data mining to restore trust and honesty in news reporting. Kitts completed an internship at the Manchester Journal in the fall of 2024.
“I’m proud of my work creating a chess version that helps people learn and remember the game’s cognitive benefits,” Kitts said.
Chan and Kitts will be invited to apply to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which will announce its winners in the spring.
Emma Southworth, also a senior at BBA, received an honorable mention in the arts category for her vivid artwork exploring the connection between humans, animals, and the environment.
As the captain of the Burr and Burton Mountain Biking Team, Southworth has also fostered a sense of belonging and camaraderie among her teammates – a role she says she is particularly proud of.
“I’ve loved being part of this amazing team, and I’ll miss them when I graduate,” she said. Southworth plans to pursue environmental sciences and conservation biology, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to preserving the natural world.
Danika Orava of Long Trail
School in Dorset, who was also recognized with an honorable mention in the arts, said they were “shocked” upon receiving news of the award, which they described as “a huge honor.”
“I’m really happy that my art resonated with the people who reviewed my work,” Orava said.
PROVIDED PHOTO Burr & Burton Academy students Jackson Kitts (left), Vincy Chan (center) and Emma Southworth were among the local students recognized as Vermont Presidential Scholars.
“I’m mostly just surprised I was the only one to get a nomination from Long Trail, because I know so many amazing artists I’m friends with.”
“I’m truly grateful to Scott McGrath, who shared the Presidential Award forum with me, and my art teachers, Ian Mosher and Lena Warner, who have been huge pillars of support for me,” they added.
Mosher, visual arts teacher at LTS, said the Orava works “relentlessly” to improve their skills through activities including woodworking, designing bike lockers or a cover for the school yearbook, participating in theatre productions, and more.
“Danika has made some of the most beautiful artwork on the Long Trail School campus and beyond,” Mosher said. “Teachers marvel at the dedication and skill Danika puts into their artwork. Danika has the ability to show great depth, personal mean-
ing, and to highlight important causes that makes her not only a great artist, but also an amazing human.”
Additional Vermont students are invited to apply by the U.S. Department of Education based on their SAT and/or ACT scores. Up to 161 students are named as national Presidential Scholars each year— one of the highest national honors for high school students.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, through an executive order by President Lyndon B. Johnson, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
LONGTRAIL
A Place for Every Age to Learn, Play, and Connect
Katy Emond has been a Putney community member for 40 years, and through The Putney Place she has established a community hub for others and their children. This premier facility provides compassionate childcare and afterschool services, home cooked meals, as well as plenty of activities, friendliness, and warmth. The Putney Place welcomes various age demographics through multiple programs- The Pumpkin Patch Childcare Center for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and aftercare program
for school-aged children, and The Putney Clubhouse, a Youth Center for ages 11-15 afterschool on weekdays. Let’s not forget The Sweet Spot Café either, where you will find delicious homemade baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, specials, and more.
Katy, who worked as a high school teacher for over 16 years, has done much to foster an environment that exudes care and kindness, values which are imparted to the fortunate
children who receive care here. “I wanted a place where kids could thrive during the day, and after school” she says. “I wanted them to be able to have access to enriching programs that fostered creativity and curiosity in a nurturing environment… If these challenges resonate with you, then come and join us at the Putney Place, where children thrive as they learn, play and grow.”
All businesses are located at 27 Patel Way in Putney. The Pumpkin
Patch Early Childhood Education Center serves children and families Monday through Friday 8:00am5:00pm. Afterschool care is offered from 2:45pm-5:00pm Monday through Friday and The Putney Clubhouse is open Monday through Friday as well from 3:00pm-5:00pm. Meals and snacks are incorporated into the schedules of these establishments, and The Sweet Spot Café serves from 7:00am-2:00pm Monday through Saturday. The Putney Place is a great place to be!
SaintMichaelSchool:150Yearsof Excellence,Tradition,andFaith
This yearmarks a monumental milestone forSaintMichaelSchool: 150 yearsofdedicatedservicetostudents,families, andthecommunity Founded by SaintMichael Parishin 1874, theschoolhasdeeprootsinthe desire oflocal families, likeyours, for a higherstandard ofeducation and moral formation fortheir children. Fromits verybeginning,the mission ofSaintMichaelSchoolhas been twofold:toprepare students for success inthe classroomandto nurture virtuousindividuals whocan seek truth,beauty, andgoodnessin a worldthat canoftenbe challenging. Our commitmenttoacademicrigoris balanced by anunwavering focuson moral andspiritual growth.
While we celebrateour150th year, we alsolooktothefuture. Overthe decades, SaintMichaelSchoolhas adapted, evolved,andbecome a leader in educationacrossthetri-statearea. We now offer a PreKthrough grade 12 Catholic classicaleducation!Atthe highschoollevel,SMSplaces a strong emphasis onthedevelopmentofcritical thinkingandlogical reasoning skills.Throughthe formalstudy of logic, rhetoric, anddialectic, students learn toconstructcoherentarguments, identifylogical fallacies, and engage inthoughtfuldiscourse.These skills are essential forsuccess, enablingstudentstonavigatecomplexissues with respect, clarity, andwisdom.
EmphasisonTimeless Truths:In an era where contemporaryideologies and fadscanoften overshadow enduring truths,classicalCatholiceducation remainssteadfastinitscommitment tothepursuitoftruth,beauty, and goodness By groundingstudents inthesetimelessprinciples, theSMS
highschooleducationprovides a stable foundationthat helps students navigatetheuncertaintiesofmodern lifewithconfidenceanddiscernment.
Holistic PersonalDevelopment: Beyondacademics, ourschoolcommunityemphasizesthe holistic developmentofstudents.Thisincludesphysical,emotional,andsocial growththroughextracurricular activities, communityservice, and spiritualpractices Students at Saint Michael’sare encouragedtodevelop theirtalentsandpersonalinterests, buildmeaningful relationships, and contributepositively totheirschool communityand greatersociety.
Joinusincelebrating150 yearsof excellence, tradition,and faith at Saint MichaelSchool!As we celebrate this specialanniversary,we inviteallarea familiestoconsidertheeducation we offerwithanopenmind, enthusiasm, and a sharedcommitmenttoexcellence. Wewantto work with youincreating a community whereeverystudentcanexperiencejoy, purpose, andfulfillment in theirlearningand faithjourney
Whether youalready knewwewere righthere inBrattleboro orare just learning aboutus, know thatyou can bepart ofsomethingtruly special. Pleasecalltolearn more andmake an appointmenttovisitour growing school. We areafaith-filled,learning-drivencommunity, stronger than ever, and ready tosupport and challengeyour child whethertheyare in preschool, grammarschool, middle school,orhighschool.If you would like toseeour classroomsin action, pleasevisitour website at www.saintmichaelschoolvt.orgorcall(802) 2546320toschedule a tour.We are eager tomeet your family!
TheancientGreeks believededucation wasanessential componentofa person'sidentity.
Ourclassical, Catholiccurriculum directsstudents towardsapursuitof truth,goodness,and beautythrougha rigorous,yet wonder-filledliberal artscourseofstudy.
AClassicalEducationforthe21stCentury ANEDUCATIONTHAT BUILDSWISDOM, TEACHESVIRTUE, ANDPREPARESFORLIFE. Enrollingnowfor2025/2026 PreschoolthruHighSchool Visitwww.SaintMichaelSchoolVT.org
LeadershipEducation
Landmark College changed his life
BY GORDON HAYWARD Brattleboro Reformer
Isaac Alam was born Feb 25, 1995 and spent the first four months of his life in an incubator, having been born prematurely. He grew up in public housing – known as The Projects - in Woodside, Queens. Roughly 25 years later, he now has a BA from Landmark College in Putney, an MA from The University of Phoenix, and, having overcome his own learning disabilities, he is now assistant director of Social Coaching within the Department of Programming and Social Coaching at Landmark College. He helps neurodivergent students find their way in the social world of young adulthood and especially their first year of college.
His father, Bob Alam, is Pakistani; his mother Jenny, Puerto Rican. She gave birth to Isaac at age 16. He was born at Elmhurst Hospital on February 25, 1995 at 4:22 a.m., followed by four months of intensive care before going home. And home was a first-floor apartment in one of 12 floors of public housing, five apartments per floor. There were several such buildings, all grouped close to one another, in Woodside, Queens. Their apartment was adjacent to the entry door of their building – they heard the entry buzzer whenever it sounded.
“I walked to PS 151 across the street from where we lived for elementary school and then to middle school at Horace Greeley School, a five-story brick building and a 10-minute walk from our home. Then to the Robert F. Wagner, Jr secondary school for Arts and Technology, graduating with a class of 500 in 2014.
“My own educational journey is deeply inspired by my mom, Jenny Alam, who said about her own path: ‘I knew I wanted to be in the medical field but I didn’t know exactly which, so I got my Associates Degree in science in 2002 at Plaza College. (I had had to drop out of high school to have my son Isaac.) I was fortunate to find a college that offered a G.E.D. and Associate’s degree at the same time.’”
It was in secondary school that things began to change for Isaac thanks to his Mom and his Social Studies teacher: “In a parent-teacher conference, Mom suggested to the teacher that I get tested for a learning disability. They discovered I did in fact need support. Out of that came my Individual Educational Plan. I had a learning disability: memory, language and math difficulties. In classes I was totally motivated yet I would get C’s and D’s even when I had worked so hard to get even to those grades. I simply couldn’t reach a 9th grade standard.
“I was moved into a different branch of school where my classes had two teachers – one taught the subject while the other provided support for those of us who needed it. And my teachers were chill. Brian Carey, my English teacher, loved philosophy, history, Aristotle... We watched the first ‘Star Wars’ movie in class while we followed the whole screenplay in front of us. We carefully followed The Hero’s Journey.
“Brian took us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We walked around Jackson Heights and Manhattan reflecting on what we saw, connecting everything we saw to what we were learning about Aristotle in class. Brian cared. I graduated in 2014.
“I looked into small colleges with small class sizes. I didn’t want to feel like a number. I was afraid to fail. I was full of anxiety. I felt I had Imposter Syndrome having come from such humble beginnings. I had to work my butt off to get a C+. I felt insecure. I didn’t learn until later that I had a lot of strengths.
“Then I learned about Landmark College in Putney and everything changed. I visited the campus. I loved its calm atmosphere. The teachers I met were really nice and welcoming. Everyone was helping everyone else. I applied, but I had no money at all to pay. I asked the admissions people if they could help me. They pointed me to the Vivian and Theodore Johnson Scholarship program. I was granted a full four-year scholarship! It covered all my costs. That utterly changed my life!
“I earned my Associate’s Degree in 2016 in Liberal Studies and my Bachelor’s Degree in 2019 with a minor in Liberal Education. I had succeeded! I moved to Pennsylvania and worked for a non-profit company that opened group homes for people with intellectual problems –people who couldn’t function day to day. I stayed from 2019 to 2021 helping people find housing and jobs, but my heart was still at Landmark. In a way I wanted to go back, maybe to work there.
“Landmark hired me in the summer of 2021 as a social coach/mentor. I work with individual students and their relationship with other people, helping them understand non-verbal cues; the art of conversing; how to maintain friendships, going out into the public. I took them to The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, to The Works for a bagel and coffee in Brattleboro, bowling on Putney Road, going to Keene (N.H.) to see a movie, to Smith College greenhouses, Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mas-
KRISTOPHER RADDER — BRATTLEBORO REFORMER Isaac Alam, assistant director of social coaching at Landmark College in Putney.
sachusetts and nearby MassMoCA in North Adams... No woods, no hiking, no mountain biking – our trips were and are all about being in people-situations. I also teach the do’s and don’ts of dating. I feel I’m making a difference. I highlight what my students are doing well and give them social skills. Everything else will naturally fall into place.”
Of Isaac, Christopher Lenois, vice president of marketing and communications at Landmark, writes: “Isaac’s role is as a Social Coach, especially, but not limited to, freshmen. He is the one who makes sure students have someone to sit with and talk to at lunch; he encourages students to attend events and activities instead of isolating in their rooms. He helps students take the topics discussed each week in group discussions and practice them in real life. I really don’t know anyone who is more ‘boots on the ground’ when you talk about the goals of a Landmark education of what, in today’s parlance, is a group of neurodiverse college age students.”
In Isaac’s own words, “I mostly support those beset by autism and social challenges who are, perhaps for the first time, away from home.
I work directly with a UCLA text: Peers for Young Adults. The book shows students how to navigate social experiences in a college setting. I’m their social coach helping them build bridges from their world to the typical world: What are the characteristics of a good friendship? Conflict resolution? Shared enjoyment? What are the differences between close friends and casual friends?...
“I also coach basketball here with a lot of one-on-one training. We compete with The New School in NYC, Rhode Island School of Design... North County Community College in Lake Placid, NY came here to play us. We have a full 14 game schedule.
“I’ve been doing this for four years, during which I got my Master’s Degree online from The University of Phoenix with an MA in Education/Adult Learning. My goal was also to continue my life as a learner, just as my Mom did.
“And my 16-year-old sister Inaaya comes from Queens to visit me often here in Putney. She’s in high school and lives with my Mom in the same apartment I grew up in.”
Isaac adds: “To anyone out there
with a dream that seems unreachable, I hope my story reflects what’s possible for you too. Drive and passion can go a long way, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself exactly
where the universe wants you to be. I hope my journey serves as a hopeful message for any young person trying to figure out how to express themselves and help others.”
KRISTOPHER RADDER — BRATTLEBORO REFORMER
Isaac Alam, assistant director of social coaching at Landmark College in Putney, talks with Gus Zarefsky, program assistant for social pragmatic programs & service.
Sunrise’sLearningTogetherProgram(LTP)isastate-approvedalternative highschoolcompletionprogramforpregnantorparentingteensandyouth,up totheageof24.StudentsearnaSVSUdiplomawhilecompletingtheircourse creditsinasupportivesettingatSunrise.Inadditiontotheirtypical coursework,LTPstudentslearnparentingandlifeskillsandengagein activitiessuchascookingaweeklymealandtakingfieldtrips.Studentswork onindependentlearningplanstailoredtotheirspecificcreditneedsand receiveindividualizedattentionfromtheirteacher.Studentscanenrollindual enrollmentcoursesthroughCCVtosimultaneouslyearnhighschooland collegecredits,ortheycouldenrollinSouthwestTechcoursestoexplorea careerpath.Aflexibleschedule,withclassesfrom9AMuntil3PMonMondays throughThursdaysandfrom9AMuntilnoononFridays,allowsstudentsto balancetheirbusylives.LTPgivesstudents theopportunitytoconnectwith otheryoungparentsandexpandtheirsupportnetworks.LTPstudentshave priorityatSunrise’sNAYCE-accredited5STARSchildcareprogramforinfants andtoddlers,sotheyknowthattheirchildrenarereceivingexcellentcare whiletheyfocusontheirstudies.StudentsalsogainaccesstoSunrise’swide arrayoffamily-centeredprogrammingsuchasparenteducationclasses, playgroups,supportgroups,housingnavigation,andmuchmore!Tolearn moreaboutenrollinginLTP,callSunrise’smainofficeat(802)442-6934.
boardgames,andminiaturesgames.
withtheOccasionalTournament.
Leland & Gray program manages academics, provides life experiences
BY CHRIS MAYS Brattleboro Reformer
TOWNSHEND — A new program at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School has freshmen, sophomores and juniors connecting with fourth and fifth graders in physical education classes at Townshend Elementary School on a weekly basis.
Dana Zazinski, who’s running Managing Academics and Providing Life Experiences or MAPLE, said the program is “really for students who historically struggle with what is a typical high school experience.”
“So what we’re doing is getting the kids out in the community,” she said. “We’re managing their academics to something that’s functional, that makes sense for them.”
Students in MAPLE were playing dodgeball with Townshend Elementary students Thursday. Their leadership and communication skills were on display.
Zazinski called the program “the highlight of the week” and “really successful.”
“At first, they were forced to come to PE with little kids,” she said. “And now it’s what we look forward to. It’s really nice to see kids who never get to teach anything teach little kids how to do PE. And the little
kids adore them and they look forward to the big kids coming to visit them once a week.”
Zazinski said MAPLE also allows students get out of their “own heads because high school is so stressful and it lets them be helpful to other people, and that makes them feel really good.”
Zazinski has created alternate high school programs in different districts in Massachusetts. Prior to L&G, she had worked at Jamaica Village School before it temporarily closed this year.
Carla West, PE teacher at TES, was the first teacher to show an interest in linking up for the program.
“She was just gung ho about bringing the kids together,” Zazinski said. “It’s great because they’re going to be coming across the street at some point to Leland & Gray and they’re going to have all these friendly faces.”
More students currently want in on the MAPLE program than can participate due to other classes they’re taking. A waiting list has been created of “kids who want to be the big helpers,” Zazinski said.
Smiles on the L&G students during MAPLE aren’t normally seen throughout the school day, Zazinski said.
“It is just joyous to see how happy they are here,” she said.
The hope is to expand the program to include spending time on puzzles
with elderly residents at the nearby Valley Village and learning about local government at the neighboring town office.
CHRIS MAYS — BRATTLEBORO REFORMER
Students from Townshend Elementary play dodgeball with some help from Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School students on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.
‘A really great opportunity’ — Machining students earn a paycheck while getting free college
BY BOB AUDETTE Brattleboro Reformer
BRATTLEBORO — At the GSP School of Manufacturing Technology, students not only learn how to operate precision machining tools, they also earn a paycheck, working eight-week rotations in different departments in Brattleboro.
“This is a really great opportunity,” said Jamie Young, 25, who’s been working in the G.S. Precision’s Keene, N.H., facility since November. “I’ve never heard of anybody paying me to come and gain knowledge.”
“It’s completely free to the student,” said Jose Diego Silva, lean and continuous improvement coordinator. “Textbooks, class time, machine time, materials, tools ... everything is completely paid for by GSP.”
Silva, who’s been with the company for six years, said the only requirement is a student must have graduated from high school.
“Typically, we get college-age kids, but there are other people who are starting a new career,” he said.
The students work four eight-hour days followed by two hours of class time and get a three-day weekend, unless they want to work on a Friday, said Silva.
During the course of their training, the students perform their shop rotations, either in Brattleboro or Keene, where they familiarize themselves in different aspects of manufacturing, including operations, machining, quality, finishing, production control, maintenance, and engineering.
“They’re typically new to machining and to our company and at the end of the program they get to choose, and we try to work with them to find the best fit for them,” said Silva.
After the two-year training program is complete, students receive college credits from Vermont Technical College and are obligated to spend the next two years of their careers at G.S. Precision.
Calvin Atkins, a 2020 graduate
of Hinsdale, N.H., High School who now lives in Keene, worked as an electrician for a couple of years before signing on with G.S. Precision.
“Free college? You can’t say no to that,” he said. And though he’s basically working a 10-hour day, four days a week, Atkins said getting paid to work while not accruing college debt is an added bonus.
Liam Woods, of Brattleboro, who graduated high school in 2020, had been working at G.S. Precision for about a year-and-a-half before applying to the school.
“My parents both work here, and they kind of talked me into working there,” he said. “And I don’t regret sending in an application [to the school] at all whatsoever.”
“What’s the inhibitor to growth right now is how fast we can get skilled trained folks, machinists, engineers, quality folks, inspectors ... there’s a variety of talent that we
PHOTOS BY KRISTOPHER RADDER — BRATTLEBORO REFORMER
G.S. Precision, in Brattleboro, held an open house for its School of Manufacturing Technology.
need to continue to sustain,” said Matt O’Connell, president and CEO of G.S. Precision.
The school, which has been operating for nine years, has proven incredibly successful, he said.
“We retain about 75 percent of the folks that go through the school.”
McConnell, who described G.S. Precision’s operations as “an ecosystem of talents,” said the company currently employs more than 700 people in its facilities in Brattleboro, Keene and Laconia, N.H., Aldershot, U.K., and Guaymas, Mexico, and could use 100 more just in Brattleboro and Keene.
G.S. Precision’s customers include GE Aviation, Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce, which all make aircraft jet engines.
“We also do a lot of work now with some space folks,” he said. “I don’t want to mention the name specifically, but it’s one of our fastest growing [contracts].”
G.S. Precision was founded by George Schneeburger, a Swiss immigrant, as a one-man, one-machine shop in Wilmington in 1958.
Instructor Sam Duquette, who started with G.S. Precision straight out of Keene High School in 2011,
said he’s excited to be teaching the students, many of whom he knows from working on the shop floor.
“It’s personally rewarding to be helping them with their careers,” he said.
Jeff Higgins is a professor at VTC and the director of the GE-Aviation Apprentice Programs, the GW Plastics Manufacturing Technology Leadership Program, and the GS Precision Advanced Machinist Program.
“We have five of these [classes] at GE in Rutland,” he said. “We have one at Global Foundries. We have one at GW Plastics as well. And so what’s happening, we’re not producing enough traditional graduates. The companies are stepping in and saying we’re going to do it ourselves, but we need your help. So our faculty teaches the program, it’s our curriculum.”
“It’s just so so rare and such a treasure in our own backyard for the community to take advantage of and a great way to get college credit, get a paycheck, learn a trade career in advance,” said Kurt D. Kwader, lean and continuous improvement leader. “We’re very hopeful that that this creates roots and longevity.”
acceptingregistrationforthe 2025/2026schoolyeartoALL residentsfromsendingtown schools.Contactustoday!
Exploreand Imagine outsidewhere AlltheWoods’ aStage
Discover New S kills: Acting•Improv•Writing Designing•Musicmaking withexperienced andkind educator-performers
SummerCamp Weekday Sessions:
Openings available in Bears camp for ages 7-8(June23-27). Other campsare filled - pleasebookmarkus for2026!
Meanwhile, comecheckoutourcamps’ final Friday shows.Freeandopen to thepublic: June 27, July11, August 1
Adult programming
THROUGHOUTTHEYEAR:
•TenMinutePlaysin November
•SpringProduction •Workshops
Coming this spring toWest Rutland Town HallTheater! Faith Healer a play by Brian Friel m Directed by MegBouchard m May 2-4and May 16-18
The magical experience of Theater in the Woods
TINMOUTH — Imagine a camp where children not only perform in an original play – but also work together to write the play themselves. Now imagine these plays happening not on a stage or in a theater – but among the trees and magic of a beautiful Vermont forest. Good news: what you are imagining is real! Welcome to Theater in the Woods Camp in Tinmouth, Vermont!
Since its founding in 2016, Theater in the Woods Vermont Co. has provided unique summer experiences for kids ages 7-16. The philosophy of not only meeting but welcoming children where they are - whether or not they think of themselves as “theater people”allows campers to discover themselves and others, while creating a play rehearsed and performed in the woods.
What do children get at Theater in the Woods Camp? They develop deeper connections to the natural world by interacting imaginatively with it. They are guided by trained counselors to build their personal confidence, collaborating to make memorable live theater, in the process creating a welcoming, inclusive community. They make great friends.
And they have loads of fun!
What some of the campers say:
“I worked on not being as shy, I felt a lot braver. I feel like I got way older doing all the things.”
“The entire environment at Theater in the Woods is like no other. I was able to collaborate with others in a way I didn’t think possible. I was able to harness my inner
actress, artist, musician, student, friend, and most importantly, my role in our performance.”
“I really love that we don’t do baby plays but interesting plays that are actually hard to do.”
“Two weeks isn’t long enough. Camp should be longer.”
This year, Theater in the Woods moves to a new home that offers
the woods, water, a huge barn space, and a view to knock socks off. Hosted by one of the organization’s founders, Rainbow Squier, the space in Tinmouth, Vermont enables Theater in the Woods to expand its programming throughout the year, and to further its work with adults in workshops, and annual fall and spring productions.
ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THEATER IN THE WOODS
NurturingtheFuture: MaeveBald’sJourneyinEarly ChildhoodEducation
AttheWindhamRegionalCareerCenter,ourstudentsgainhands-onexperienceintheirchosen elds,preparingthemforfuturecareers.MaeveBald,ajunioratBrattlboro UnionHighSchool,isinhersecondyearoftheEarlyChildhoodEducationprogram,wheresheisdevelopingtheskillsandknowledgeneededtopursueacareerinteaching. ForMaeve,thedecisiontoenterearlychildhoodeducationwasdeeplypersonal.“I’vealwayskindofgrownuparoundkids.Alotofmyfamilymembershavebeeninvolved inteaching,andIjustreallylovekids,”sheshared.“ eybringmealotofjoy,andbeingabletomakeanimpact—changingtheoutcomeoffuturegenerations—isreally importanttome.We’reraisingthenextgenerationoflearners,activists,andleaders,andIwanttomaketheworldabetterplace. ebestwaytodothatisbystartingwith thekidswhoaregoingtoshapethefuture.”
Aspartofherstudies,Maevehasbeengaining eldexperienceatOakGroveSchool,whichhasplayedapivotalroleinsolidifyinghercareeraspirations.“ isexperiencehas reallycon rmedformethatthisiswhatIwanttodo,”sheexplained.“LastyearwasaboutmakingsureIwasontherightpath. isyear,Iwantedtogainexperienceina di ferentsettingandseehowdi ferentteachersapproachthework.It’sbeenanincredibleopportunityandishelpingmegrowinwaysIdidn’texpect.”
Atypicaldayinher eldplacementisstructuredyetdynamic.“Iusuallycomeina tertheirplayintroduction,andthekidsareatdi ferentstations—engagingindramatic play,buildingwithblocks,drawing,andmore.Wethentransitiontocircletime,wherewegooverthecalendar,countthedaysofthemonth,andsingsongslikethedaysof theweek.Wealsochecktheweather,assignclassroomjobs,andreadabookbeforebreakfast.A terbreakfast,thechildrenengageinreadingactivitiesbasedontheirlevel, followedbysmallgroupworkthatfocusesonliteracy,math,orart.Recently,theyworkedonself-portraits,whichtheydomonthlytotracktheirprogressinwritingtheir namesand nemotorskills.We nishwithoutdoorplayunlesstheweatheristoocold,inwhichcasewehaveindooractivitiesbeforetransitioningtotheirspecials,suchas art,music,orlibrary.”
Workinginaclassroomhasbeenalearningexperience lledwithsurprisesandchallenges.“Oneofthemostinterestingaspectshasbeenworkingwithadiversegroupof learners,”Maevenoted.“Inmyclassroom,wehavemultipledual-languagelearnersandastudentwhorequiresone-on-onesupport.It’sbeenfascinatingtoseehowdi ferentlearningneedsareincorporatedintodailyactivities. isexperiencehassparkedaninterestinlearningmoreaboutinclusiveeducationandhowtocreateasupportive environmentforallstudents.”
AsshenearstheendofhertimeattheWindhamRegionalCareerCenter,Maeveisactivelyplanningforthenextstepsinherjourney.“A terhighschool,Iplantoattenda four-yearuniversityandpursueateachingdegree,”shesaid.“ isprogramhasmademerealizethatIwanttobeinacollegeprogramwhereIcangethands-onexperience fromdayone—whereinternshipsand eldworkareintegratedintothecurriculum.”
WhileshehasenjoyedhertimeinBrattleboro,Maeveisreadytoexplorenewopportunitiesbeyondherhometown.“Idon’tplantostayinBrattleboro.Rightnow,I’minthe processofmakingalistofcollegesandtouringschoolsbeforethingsgetstressfulwithapplications.”
Maeve’spassionforteaching,coupledwithherdedicationtohands-onlearning,setsheronapromisingpathtowardacareerinearlychildhoodeducation.Withaclearvision andacommitmenttoshapingthefuturethroughteaching,sheiswellonherwaytomakingalastingimpactonthenextgeneration.
TheWindhamRegionalCareerCenteris ahands-onlearninghubofferingcareerfocusededucationforhighschoolstudents andadultlearners.Withindustry-aligned programs,dualenrollmentopportunities, andreal-worldexperiencethrough internshipsandwork-basedlearning,WRCC preparesstudentsforcollege,technical training,andtheworkforce.
Stoneleigh-Burnham School: Beyond the classroom Wingspan program launches students toward future-ready careers
GREENFIELD, MA - In the competitive world of college admissions, Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS) knows that good grades are just the beginning. This prestigious all-girls school, nestled in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, goes above and beyond to equip students with the skills and experiences that set them apart and prepare them for future-ready careers. Recognized by Niche.com as a top all-girls school, SBS offers Wingspan, a unique program designed to empower students and give them a competitive edge.
Wingspan is an immersive academic micro-term where students
delve deep into their passions and gain invaluable real-world experience. It’s a chance for them to explore their interests beyond the traditional classroom setting, engaging in hands-on learning that sparks creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Imagine a dance enthusiast learning the intricacies of starting a dance studio, from pricing lessons to marketing strategies. Picture a tech-savvy student gaining practical experience on platforms like Twitch, building their skills and online presence. Envision a language lover embarking on a travel immersive to Quebec, fully immersed in the French lan-
guage and culture. These are just a few examples of the diverse and engaging opportunities that Wingspan provides.
But Wingspan is more than just exciting experiences. It’s about developing crucial skills. Students learn to conduct research, analyze data, and present their findings in a compelling way. They work closely with faculty mentors who provide guidance and support, helping them to refine their ideas and achieve their goals.
Through Wingspan, students not only deepen their knowledge in their chosen field but also develop essential skills that are highly
sought after by colleges and employers. They learn to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively. They gain confidence in their abilities and a sense of ownership over their learning.
Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s Wingspan program demonstrates the school’s commitment to providing a truly engaging educational experience. By empowering students to pursue their passions, gain realworld experience, and develop essential skills, Stoneleigh-Burnham School provides an environment where students are encouraged to bring their big ideas and are given the room to be heard.
Young artists and writers from SMS, BBA recognized in statewide Scholastic awards
BY DANIELLE M. CROSIER AND CHERISE FORBES Manchester Journal
STRATTON — Out of 157 young Vermonters recognized by the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, an impressive 28 attend schools in the Northshire.
Administered in Vermont by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC), the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize aspiring visual artists and writers. Each year, students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit art and writing in dozens of categories, including ceramics, digital art, painting, photography, poetry, science fiction, personal essay/memoir, and more. Submissions are judged on a statewide level, with the top award winners considered for national awards including college scholarships, museum exhibitions, and publication opportunities.
The awards consist of Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention, with 31 Gold Key winners statewide this year.
Stratton Mountain School led the local list, with 23 total recipients and three Gold Key winners. SMS English Teacher and Middle School Dean Chris Marks attributes that success to widespread support for participation from his fellow teachers and the school’s expectation that students “write a lot, and across a wide variety of genres.”
Marks adds that many students at the ski and snowboard academy have also developed a healthy love for competition. Recognition from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, however, provide an additional level of validation for the burgeoning student athletes.
“I think for some kids, whether they’re going to be a professional artist or not, it’s like an acknowledgement,” he said. “They may not have ever had that component to their identity before. It could open a door for them to let them know that they’re good at something that they never consider they’re good at.”
“Host Father,” an oil on canvas painting by BBA student Willa Seo, is among the local works recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year.
Chelsea Charles of SMS earned an honorable mention as well as a Gold Key for the second year in a row, this time for her short story, “A Continuation of ‘Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?’
“This was actually an assignment that I wrote for school – I had to write a continuation of a short story we read in class,” Charles explained. “I handled this like any other story I write and planned out the plot.”
“I wanted my story to flow more effortlessly from the short story,” she continued. “It was definitely a bit hard to adapt my writing to a slightly different style, but it was a good learning experience for me.”
Her peer Caroline Collins was awarded a Gold Key for the personal essay “Soundtrack of My Life,” which was inspired by a “unique college supplemental essay prompt.”
“After spending all fall writing what felt like 100 ‘why us’ essays, I was honestly just excited to write something different, and that actually felt like it was a reflection of myself,” Collins said. “The prompt asked the applicant to write an essay explaining what song would be the soundtrack of your life and why, and immediately, I thought of one of my favorite songs, Little Dark Age by MGMT.”
Collins says the final essay compared the song’s journey to “one of
the harder lessons” she’s learned at SMS.
“The end result means nothing if you didn’t enjoy the process,” she said. “Being in a results-driven, goal-oriented environment like a ski academy, it can be hard to remember this, but after years of chasing good grades and top race results above all else, I found that everything else can get lost in this push to accomplish the next big ‘thing.’”
Fellow SMS student Piper Cubell was recognized for three works. She received an honorable mention in poetry, a Silver Key in the critical essay category, and a Gold Key for her personal essay, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Ski Racing.”
IMAGE PROVIDED BY BMAC
“People often ask me what I plan to do with ski racing and why I have committed so much time and effort to this sport if I am not going to the Olympics or the World Cup,” Cubell said. “For me, the answer has always been that ski racing has given me so much beyond sport. It has made me who I am. It exposes my weaknesses and vulnerabilities so that I can work on them and it emphasizes my strengths so that I can lean into those.”
Cubell said that the title of her essay is a reference to Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” a book her mother introduced her to at a young age.
“His book inspired my thoughts around what ski racing has taught me and what I will have gotten from this experience long after I take off my skis and cross my last finish,” she said.
Burr and Burton Academy student Willa Seo earned a Gold Key – and was nominated for a National Visions Award in the process – for her oil on canvas painting “Host Father.”
“My prompt was to paint someone doing something that represented
their daily life,” Seo said. “I chose to paint my host father from my student exchange year in Japan. He reminded me to be grateful for the little things in life during the hardships of my exchange.”
“Willa has a powerful way of expressing her experiences as an exchange student in Japan through her outstanding skills as an artist,” added BBA art teacher Anharad Llewelyn. “In Willa’s AP art portfolio she has explored several different mediums to show the discomfort, hesitation, and ultimate growth in her learning while she studied abroad. Willa is a phenomenal artist, detailed illustrator, and a curious learner.”
According to Llewelyn, “Willa is placed in an elite group of high school artists across the United States who are often referred to as the ‘Young Artists To Watch.’”
Seo led a group of five Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners from BBA. A full list of recipients can be found at www.brattleboromuseum. org. The students’ award-winning artwork and writing will be exhibited at BMAC from Feb. 14 to March 8. The exhibit culminates in an awards ceremony at the museum on Saturday, March 8, at 12 p.m.
A Promise of a Free Degree
Launched in 2022, the Free Degree Promise supported by the McClure Foundation offers all Vermont high school students in the classes of 2025 and 2026 a free degree through the state’s Early College program.
“The Free Degree Promise is so important–I was able to graduate and get a degree in behavioral science. It created opportunity and created hope,” said Early College and Free Degree Promise graduate Chelsea Tatro, who plans to become a teacher. “It doesn’t matter your background, Early College and the Free Degree Promise is for anyone. Everyone should do it if they have the opportunity. It opens so many doors.”
The Free Degree Promise is an accelerated pathway to a free CCV degree. The Promise builds on the state’s Early College program, which allows Vermont high school seniors to complete their last year of high school and their first year of college at the same time, earning free college credits that also count toward graduation from high school.
Students who complete the Early College program are then eligible to receive a second year of free college at CCV, giving them the chance to earn an associate degree of their choosing
the year after high school graduation. The Promise covers tuition and fees after federal and state financial aid and offers a living stipend and enhanced advising. Students can choose
from CCV’s 11 associate degree programs, earning credits that transfer easily to four-year programs.
Since the program launched, CCV has welcomed a 70% larger cohort of Early College students representing over 80% of Vermont’s high schools. The Promise has resulted in a 150% increase in the number of low-income students enrolled in Early College annually. This year, 38% of students are first-generation college students and 18% of students identify as BIPOC.
“When you remove the financial barrier, students view their future with clarity, hope, and excitement. They can focus on setting goals and planning a pathway to a degree,” said Sarah Kresser, the Early College Degree Program Manager at CCV. “This gives them more agency and motivation.”
To learn more about CCV’s full continuum of free opportunities for middle and high school students, visit gotocollegevt.org.
BMAC’s ‘Junior Museum Guides’ empowers children with art
BRATTLEBORO — When asked what inspired Junior Museum Guides, a new program for children at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC), Kate Milliken, manager of education programs, shared an example of a young child who became empowered to share his knowledge and perspectives about art after visiting the museum on a school field trip.
Last spring, a group of elementary school students visited BMAC, Milliken recalled. “The kids were energetic — even a bit rowdy — but there were one or two shy, quiet students, and I wasn’t certain I’d really had the chance to connect with them,” she said in a release.
A few weeks later, Milliken recognized a boy from the field trip leading his father around BMAC’s galleries, pointing at the artwork and talking about the exhibits. Later, the
father approached Milliken, eager to thank her for helping his child connect with the art. “He was beaming as he told me how much it meant to him that his otherwise shy child spoke so openly and enthusiastically about what he saw at the museum,” Milliken said. “The dad was blown away by his son’s confidence as he moved through the galleries, the thoughtful ways his child spoke about the art, and how excited he was to point out his favorite pieces.”
Milliken continued, “This was incredibly heartwarming, and it reaffirmed my commitment to empowering as many students as possible with a sense of ownership and belonging at BMAC.”
And, thus, the Junior Museum Guides program was born. Launched this fall, the free program gives children up to age 12 the opportunity to learn how to lead tours
of BMAC for their family, friends, or anyone they wish.
Students can become Junior Museum Guides by visiting the museum on a school field trip, for which BMAC receives funding from M&T Bank, or by participating in an individual or small-group session offered by Milliken upon request.
“One way to spark joy and excitement in kids in unfamiliar spaces is to enable them to step into a leadership role,” Milliken said. “It’s wonderful to see how proud they are to become the authority on something and to share that with others.”
Children tour the museum and participate in an art-making activity, often related to a current exhibit. At the end of the field trip, children earn a personalized Junior Museum Guide card, which authorizes them to lead their own tours during regu-
lar museum hours. The next time they visit BMAC, Junior Museum Guides “sign in for duty” and are given a special badge to wear. They also get their Junior Museum Guide card punched to keep track of tours they’ve given and earn special rewards over time.
Junior Museum Guildes is just one of many ways that BMAC serves children. The museum offers Head Start With Art for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers in the Brattleboro area, is the Vermont affiliate of the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for teenagers, hosts annual LEGO and domino-toppling events, and more.
For more information about Junior Museum Guides or other BMAC programs for children, contact Kate Milliken at education@brattleboromuseum.org or 802-257-0124 x111.
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TheVillageSchoolisnowaccepting applications forthe2025-2026school yearforPre-KthroughSixthGrade. Demandoftenexceedsouravailable space;weencourageinterested familiestoinquireearly. Toscheduleavisit,pleasecallusat 802-442-5955. Learnmorebygoingto www.vsnb.org
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the Village School of North Bennington has to
o er your child!
The Village School of North Bennington is an independent Pre-K through Sixth Grade school dedicated to serving the public by providing dynamic educational and cultural opportunities for the North Bennington Graded School District (NBGSD) and the region.
Students living in the NBGSD, including Shaftsbury District 1, can attend grades K-6 tuitionfree. Students living outside of the NBGSD are welcome to apply on a tuition basis. Financial assistance may be available.
Our Pre-K Program serves children ages 3 to 5 years old. Vermonters qualify for 10 free hours per week; and scholarships may be available for additional financial assistance.
The Village School Academic instruction in all core subjects (English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science) is rounded out with enrichment programming in Art, Music, STEM, Foreign Languages, Nature, Physical Education, Health and Wellness, and much more.
Diverse and creative learning opportunities characterize a Village School experience both inside the classroom and in the greater world. From camping overnight in a Vermont State Park to traveling to the Statue of Liberty, from visiting art and science museums to growing food in our local Hiland Hall Gardens, our students are provided with many meaningful ways to connect their learning to the real world and to deepen their understanding.
We care deeply about our children, our community, our envi-
ronment, and each other. It is this caring relationship that forms the foundation for all that we do. It is the Village School’s philosophy that children who feel safe, secure, and nurtured will be successful and joyful learners.
“The close-knit community of the Village School provides such a warm and engaging learning environment for our daughter,” said Mary and John Hultgren. “We love the small class sizes and have found the teachers, administration, and staff to be both professional and kind. Beyond the excellent classroom instruction, our first grader is already learning about how food grows in garden class, being exposed to foreign languages, and participating in assemblies and events that connect the students to the broader North Bennington community. We love the Village School!”
“We consider ourselves so lucky to have found such a nurturing environment for our family in VSNB. We are overjoyed by the quality of education and especially the passionate teachers and administrators. Our school puts kids first!” -VSNB parents Rachel and Dan Costello
“The Village School has been such a great experience and introduction into the school system for our son. We couldn’t be more pleased with his progress, the care and education that he has received and the community at VSNB.” -Rebecca Tooley
For more information about the Village School of North Bennington, please contact 802-442-5955, info@vsnb.org, or visit our website at www.vsnb.org.
