Laraway Leapers brave icy temperatures to raise funds for Lamoille Restorative Center

     Temperatures were slated to dip to -14 degrees Fahrenheit on Valentine's Day.  Frigid air and icy waters did not dissuade the Laraway Leapers team from jumping into Lake Elmore to raise funds for the Lamoille Restorative Center.  Laraway's team included Patty Hannigan, Doug Wiemer, Cornelius Murphy and Greg Stefanski.
     The Morrisville Rotary Lake Elmore Polar Splash has become a tradition in Lamoille County.  Laraway was a beneficiary agency a few years ago.  It was only fair to "step up to the ice" for one of our community partners.  The Lamoille Restorative Center, based in Hyde Park, is a community-based agency established to address unlawful behavior, support victims of crime, and provide healthy families and communities within the Lamoille Valley Region of Vermont.
      As of this writing, an impressive $22,700 has been raised!

Laraway featured on WCAX News on WEDNESDAY, February 18th at 6:00 p.m.

     Eva McKend, Morning Anchor at WCAX News, paid a visit to Laraway last week.  Laraway School was selected to be featured in the news station's "30 Schools in 30 Days" series.  McKend met with students and staff to learn about how Laraway integrates art activities across the curriculum.
     McKend spent time at the Lamoille County Court House in Hyde Park where Laraway student work adorns the walls in an art show.  She also visited with Laraway teachers  Kristen Murphy and Corbin Erwin, art and social studies teachers, respectively, who were helping students create clay depictions of Vermont's counties.  She also chatted it up with some of Laraway's young artists.
     If you missed the broadcast, click on the link below to catch the clip:  http://www.wcax.com/story/28137893/therapeutic-schools-help-kids-help-themselves?clienttype=mobile
     Thank you, WCAX, for visiting Laraway!

Graphic Designer visits Laraway as part of Career Exploration Series

     "Route 15 is dotted with my work," Ray Kania said,  "When I drive to work, I pass signs for Foote Brook Farm, Laraway, How's it Growing and Lovin' Cup Cafe."  Ray is a graphic artist with loads of computer savvy and a fine arts degree.  His signs are functional, cool and artistic.
     Kania visited with Laraway students to read a book with colorful graphics and talk about his career as a graphic designer at Great Big Graphics in Morrisville.  He grew up in Vermont and was always drawing as a child---Ninjas and other creepy things that grabbed his youthful attention.  His mother, who eventually became an art teacher, always encouraged him in his art.  Ray earned his undergraduate degree at Johnson State College and interned with Great Big Graphics before being hired by the locally-owned company.
     "It's cool to see my projects around," Kania said.  His accounts include designing websites, signs and marketing materials for many local businesses and nonprofits.
     "Do you draw robots?" one student asked.
     "Do you work 24/7?" another asked.
     "Do you need to go to college to become a graphic artist?" a staff member asked.
     Kania fielded questions serious and funny, creative and technical, from a grateful audience of students and teachers.
     Thank you, Great Big Graphics, for visiting Laraway!

Firefighters visit Laraway as part of Career Exploration Series

     Laraway School hosted firefighters from the Johnson Fire Department as part of its Career Exploration Series.  Five members of the company visited on Tuesday, February 4th to read to and discuss their experiences with students from our elementary and high school programs.
     Firefighter by Angela Royston was the chosen book.  It addresses a day in the life of typical firefighters, from the quieter moments of maintaining the fleet of trucks to the action-packed efforts of fighting fires, where quick decisions must be made.
     Student questions covered everything from what training is required to become a firefighter to what kind of protective gear a firefighter must wear.
     Thank you, Johnson Fire Department, for teaching our students about a career in firefighting!

Career Fair at Laraway on Wednesday, February 18th, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

     Do you want to make a difference in kids’ lives?  Do you want to join a dynamic organization offering a supportive work environment, great benefits and career advancement opportunities?  If so, Laraway Youth & Family Services may be the place for you.

     Laraway Youth & Family Services is hosting a Walk-in Career Fair on Wednesday, February 18^th from 1:30-5:30.  We’re seeking entry level and experienced staff in a variety of positions, both full and part-time.  All positions will have the opportunity to work with youth in a variety of settings including educational, recreational and therapeutic.  Come learn about great job opportunities available in Lamoille County and beyond!  We’ll be offering on the spot interviews and tours, too.

     Check out our current openings at Laraway.org.  We hope to see you on the 18^th!

Chef visits Laraway as part of career exploration series

     "When I was 14, I took a job at restaurant near my home in New Hampshire," said Debbie Burritt, Chef-Owner of Sweet Crunch Bakeshop and Catering of Hyde Park, Vermont.  "I worked there from when I was 14 until I was 18.  When I graduated from high school, I went to culinary school in Boston to learn to be chef.  She then spent the next decade working at fine dining establishments across the United States.

    Burritt visited Laraway School to read to students and talk about her career as a chef.  She is the first of several guest readers who will visit with students as part of a Career Exploration Series organized by Laraway Behavior Interventionist Cindy Grenier.  Grenier, in her efforts to promote youth literacy, has brought other guest readers to the school.  This series offers students the added twist of teaching them about careers from professionals in the field.

     Burritt read The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philomen Sturges and illustrated by Amy Walrod.  She entertained an array of questions from the students including: "Do you have a famous recipe?"  (Answer:  Maple Cookies,)  "Will you share your famous recipe?" (Answer:  No, it's a secret.) "How old do you have to be to work there?"  (Answer:  Typically 18, although there are sometimes jobs for dishwashers who are younger, but special precautions must be taken because of their age.)

     Burritt held the students' attention during her reading of the story and while talking about her career path and answering their questions.  We are grateful to her for taking time from her busy kitchen to visit our school!

     Next up?  We'll be hosting a graphic artist to about his education and career.