Laraway Teacher Wins Scholarship from the prestigious Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

   

      Laraway School teacher Carla Occaso won a summer scholarship to the prestigious Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Teacher Institute in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Carla attended along with teachers from across the United States.

     The Institute offers teachers:

·         Primary source materials and standards-based content

·         A lens to view people and events that is inclusive

·         Creative teaching strategies to actively engage students in the classroom

·         A truly immersive learning opportunity, on the rich Colonial Williamsburg site

·         Opportunities to share ideas with fellow teachers and staff

·         Access to the Colonial Williamsburg Education Resource Center, offering lesson plans, media, etc.

     “I’m always thinking about what they (Laraway School students) like,” Carla said.  

     Carla recognized that many Laraway students enjoy playing Chess, Dungeons and Dragons, and the card game, Magic.  She also knows our students benefit greatly from hands-on learning.  Carla has been creating Artifact Bags, each containing items associated with a particular member of society during the Medieval Period.  This era, also known as the Middle Ages, covers the 5^th to the 15^th centuries in Europe.

     Students will rummage through the bags, lifting out items offering clues to who the contents might have belong too.  Are they a king, a bishop, a noble, a knight, a cleric or a commoner?  A gilded fork with a faux, plastic “jewel” might belong to a king, poised to thrust it into roasted wild boar. A rough-hewn, wooden spoon might be the sole eating implement for a commoner’s gruel.

      Carla’s excitement is evident as she creates crowns, swords and shields for students to access in this highly tactile approach to teaching history.  Let the learning begin!

(Source:  https://www.history.org/history/teaching/teacherdevelopment/index.cfm)

Change is Coming

     I’ve come to believe one of the most challenging and difficult questions Life asks of us is, “Will you change?” This question has been on my mind quite a bit as I prepare to leave Laraway to pursue new opportunities to provide training and consultation with other organizations in the community and beyond.

     What does it take to make a big change in your life?  Reflecting on the children and youth who have passed through Laraway’s doors, has given me some answers.

     I have learned it’s important to dream. Know your passions and let them run wild.  Imagine a new destination and destiny for yourself.  On the practical side of things, it’s helpful to have a plan for getting through a big change.  A long journey is less daunting when you have a map and compass to help guide you.

     Finally, and I would say most importantly, you’ve got to have a travel buddy when making a change.  The tough times are a little more manageable, the good times are a little more enjoyable when you have someone to walk and talk with you.

Thank you for 20 amazing years of changes!  ~Greg Stefanski

Search Committee Update:

The Search Committee has been busy meeting with staff, reviewing survey results and posting ads for the next Executive Director of Laraway.  If you would like more details or have any suggestions, please send a message to EDSearch@Laraway.org.

Thank you- Anne, Ben, Emma and Rhonda

Student Writing: Meet Math Teacher James Love

By SL, Laraway School Student

 This is about James, a math teacher at Laraway. Before that, he worked at the chocolate factory and still picks up weekend shifts from time to time. I chose to interview James because I enjoy his company. We talked about where he is from, where he has been, and where he is going.

James was born Nov. 10th, 1992 at Stanford Hospital in East Palo Alto, California. He

moved to Vermont with his family because they needed a change of pace. At the time, James was only 16. As he grew up he found out he has a knack for math. “I always liked how concrete math seems. I never liked writing.”

This led him to a career in math and a lifelong interest in games.

In order to get the credentials to use his interest in math as a profession, he needed an education. So he studied math for four years at what was Johnson State College, he also did accounting there for a year before getting a job at Union Bank. He then went to be an employee at a chocolate factory, where at some point a friend referred him to a job at Laraway. Clearly he got the job, that’s how I am able to write this. Interesting, right?

And, as for James, the future isn’t out of his grasp. “I feel like for right now, my plan is to pursue my teaching license, and get a masters in counselling.”  In the future he would like to live in the country or a suburban area because he moved around a lot as a kid. “I would like to have a wife and kids. One maybe two (kids).”

I asked him about his goals:

He said, “Skydiving. I have a crippling fear of heights. I want to tackle that fear…..What is the probability of the parachute not opening?”

To finalize this document, I can tell you that James is a great teacher. He enjoys problem solving and he makes learning fun by integrating games into math. His perseverance helps himself and others. James intends on living his best life; unknowingly he has a huge impact on others.

CLiF Visits Laraway: Books and Stories

   

     "What kinds of book do you like to read?"  Duncan McDougall asked a group of Laraway students.  McDougall, Executive Director of the Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF), called on kids as they raised their hands responding with, "Mysteries."  "Graphic Novels."  "Adventure."  "History."  "I just like to be true," one student said.

     Laraway is fortunate to have received a Summer Readers Grant from CLiF again this year. McDougall met with two groups of Laraway children, ranging in age from 7 to 19.  He offered a dramatic reading of a story before inviting each participant to choose two, brand-new books to take home.

    Children and youth in Laraway's programs often come from families experiencing significant socioeconomic challenges.  Transportation to get to the library or, simply, time can be barriers for working families and others.  That's the beauty of CliF...they bring the storytellers and the books to Laraway!

    We are grateful to have been selected, yet again, for CLiF's Summer Readers Program!  

Laraway School Awards Diplomas to Graduating Seniors

     "It is not enough to be busy.  So are the ants.  The question is:  What are you busy about?"

Henry David Thoreau

     Laraway School concluded another successful academic year.  Two seniors graduated, earning their high school diplomas.  Students in our K-12 school advanced to their next grade level with some  with plans to return to their public schools.

    Students and staff celebrated academic and social achievements alike.  Students were recognized for meeting academic requirements in math, literary arts, science, art and the social sciences.  Teachers also recognized students for personal growth in areas of cooperation, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.  James, a math teacher pointed out that a particularly math-savvy pupil kept him "on his toes" during a unit on Budgeting!

     Laraway School is a "busy" place?  What are we busy about?  Academics.  Social Skills.  Employment Skills.  Learning to "be" in the world in a positive way.

Nanci Lepsic Joins Laraway Board of Trustees

     Nanci Lepsic has worked as an educator, administrator, occupational therapist and ski instructor.  She and her husband Tom also raised four children adopted from the Vermont Department for Children, Youth and Families.  The youngest, a ski racer, just graduated from Rice Memorial High School with plans to attend St. Michael’s College.

     Nanci grew up in a Polish-American family in Buffalo, New York.  Her father didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, but he made sure his daughters did.  Nancy earned a degree in Occupational Therapy from SUNY-Buffalo in 1983.  She went on to earn her MBA while working as an administrator in the healthcare industry.  She taught college-level courses in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

     “I started my career working in a program in the Adirondacks for clients with developmental disabilities,” Nanci said.  The experience offered valuable learning experiences and chance encounters with all sorts of wildlife, including a black bear.

    Nanci loves to ski.  She began teaching in an adaptive skiing program at Kissing Bridge when she was 17.   Moving on to positions at Big Tupper and Whiteface, she then realized her dream of being a Ski Bum, teaching at a United States Army Recreation Base in Germany.  An interesting historical fact is that the military’s ski lodge was a farm during the Third Reich frequented by Adolf Hitler and his entourage. 

    Nanci retired at 40 to have more time and energy to address the special needs of her children. One of them was a client of Backpack,---Laraway’s public school based behavioral intervention program---during middle school.  She has helped these promising young people gain a strong foothold in building positive futures for themselves.  They are now 26, 21, 20 and 18 years of age and, as of this month, all have graduated from high school and are employed.

    “I was looking for what to do next when Greg (Stefanski) called,” Nanci said.

     We are so glad Nanci answered the call to join our Board!

     

Rhonda Lehoullier Joins Laraway's Board of Trustees

     

     Rhonda Lehoullier is a new member of Laraway’s Board of Trustees.  Rhonda grew up in

Lamoille County.  She’s held a variety of jobs over the years and takes pride in her skills as a seamstress.  She learned to stitch and sew from her Grandmother Jo.

     “I wanted to serve on Laraway’s Board of Trustees because, to me, it would mean serving the children.  It’s very important to me to be able to help,” said Rhonda.

     Laraway is fortunate to have so many dedicated Board volunteers who are genuinely committed to insuring we provide the best  services available to those we serve. 

     Thank you, Rhonda!

Laraway Goes to Town for Green Up Day...Literally!

By Carla Occaso

Laraway School Teacher

  Laraway School student P.B. coordinated our Green Up Day effort this year. He broke up the school into groups and gave each group a stretch of road in our hometown of Johnson. I went with G.R., E.W., S.L., and L.W. to clean up a section of Hogback Road. We scrambled down muddy hillsides and brooks to

recover six bags full of bottles, cans, cups, and miscellany. G.R. fished a flip flop out of a brook while S.L. found a downed road sign. It was raining most of the time, but we expected it and dressed for the occasion. P.B. supplied us with gloves and bags.

“We filled over 80 bags of trash. I was impressed with the participation, given the rain,” P.B. said.

Awards were given to each school group: Explorers, Most (Trash collected) Overall; Grizzlies, Teamwork; Tetons, Biggest Individual Item; and Dreamscopes, Most Unique Item.

Green Up Day brought lots of excitement to those who participated. It is a hallowed tradition to Vermonters. Vermont's first Green Up Day was held April 18, 1970, during the administration of Governor Deane C. Davis.

Laraway students like to do their part to keep Johnson CLEAN and GREEN!

Laraway Hosts Transition Fair

We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.

~Anonymous

    Youth aging out of foster care...Youth experiencing mental health challenges pursuing continuing education...Youth encountering learning disabilities endeavoring to find a job to support themselves.  In an age of "Helicopter" and "Snowplow" parenting, many of the youth Laraway serves lack traditional family supports.  These young people---with their own hopes and dreams---require extra supports at the stepping off point to adulthood.

     Laraway's Transition Team has been working diligently to research best practices and evidence-based programming to supporting youth in transition.  This intra-agency team represents staff from our foster care, educational, clinical and behavioral intervention programs.  They're working on a laundry list of deliverables to promote positive outcomes for youth leaving our programs.

    Our Transition Team is hosting Laraway's first-ever Transition Fair on Thursday, May 16th from 1:15 p.m.-4:00 p.m.  This event, for Laraway staff, youth, and our youth's caregivers, will offer information on accessing Health, Housing, Education, Employment and Community-Building opportunities.  Representatives from the Vermont Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation and the local federally-designated health center will be among those represented.  We've integrated incentives for youth at approach vendors to ask question to learn information while ALSO practicing social skills.  The event features the debut of our free, online Transition Portal, a resource for Laraway client families and the broader community.

     For more information, please contact Katherine at Kstamper@Laraway.org or (802) 635-2805 x 106.

Jeff Lamkins: A Teacher's View

I can’t wait to find out!

By Jeff Lamkins, Social Studies Teacher, Laraway School Individualized Program

In February 2018, I was new to Vermont and looking for a job similar to what I have done in the past, which was teaching high school and middle school. I came across an ad that seemed to be tailor-made for me. Shortly after applying for the Social Studies position at Laraway Youth and Family Services, I was lucky enough to hear back, and they asked me to come in for a visit to see the campus, and get to meet some students and staff. I was very excited and looking forward to coming in.

My first day at Laraway was quite memorable, as it was the day we were holding Laralympics! The students and staff piled into what seemed like a convoy of vans, and headed to a nearby snow-covered series of hills. Teams sporting different countries’ flags competed in a variety of events such as bobsledding, skiing, and other winter sports. I looked a little out of place wearing my long black leather coat, looking more like a city slicker than an outdoorsman. Regardless, all of the students and staff made me feel like a part of the family. I would be tempted to say that they went out of their way to make me feel welcome, but in fact they were all just being themselves.

“This is who they are,” I thought to myself. They are genuinely warm and loving people who bond together to help the students reach their full potential. Yup, this is the place I need to be!

Fast forward to the present day: I am approaching my first full year here at Laraway, and I can honestly say that this is the most rewarding job I have ever had. I am here to teach students, and I try to do that to the best of my ability, but I learn as much from them (maybe more) then I teach them. The students at Laraway have shown me how to overcome obstacles, pressing on toward their goals of building themselves through academic success, even though they have moments when that may be the last thing they want to do. But they do it anyway, and they do it well!

In the short year I have been here, I have seen tremendous growth in students. Some make unbelievable advances in their social skills and interactions with others. Some serve the local community in charitable work. Some have jobs out in the community, and some have moved on to public school settings using Laraway as the launching pad to the rest of their lives. But ALL, and I mean ALL of the students at Laraway are better today than they were yesterday, and tomorrow that will happen again.

They are strong, very strong, always moving forward toward their personal goals. And although they will have struggles, their struggles will not have them. There is power in that, real personal power. And that lesson that they have taught me is more valuable than anything I could ever teach them. How many schools can say that about their teenagers?

My grandfather once said to me, “If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your whole life.” I know what he means now. Thank you, Laraway. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a member of your family. What wonderful discoveries will I see at this amazing place in my second year? I can’t wait to find out!

Kandi Marlow: Celebrating Professional Social Worker Month

March is National Professional Social Work Month. Please enjoy this blog posting from Kandi Marlow, MSW, a Program Manager at Laraway Youth & Family Services.

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain 

Until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.”

~Jane Addams

I chose this quote because Social Work is the most flexible practice you can choose if you wish to inspire and make change within the world. Jane Addams was an original Pioneer for Social Work.  She remains one of the most famous and decorated female Social Workers. Jane Addams inspired and created the practice in which I get to work. When asked what I value and enjoy about this work, I would reply with the gratitude I feel for all the great work done by strong women before me. They created the path on which I am privileged to walk in this field of Social Work.  

Social Work month is not only about recognizing individual Social Workers but, also, about recognizing the field of practice and the invaluable contributions of the profession. Every day, over 680,000 social workers across the United States, serve some of the most vulnerable in our society by empowering and elevating them. I believe Social Workers are superheroes who use their superpowers to create not only change but, also, to give voice to the voiceless.

Chamber of Commerce names Laraway Staffer 2019 Employee of the Year

     Rick Aupperlee has worked for Laraway Youth & Family Services for 18 years.  In his present role as School-to-Work Coordinator, he introduces students to the work world.  He helps them understand expectations and supports needed to find success on the job.  He also works with employers to insure they feel well-supported as they help youth find their footing at work.

     Rick is a strong advocate for hunger awareness and action.  Laraway's School-to-Work students often start with volunteer experiences at local food shelves and the Johnson Community Meal.  They develop valuable work readiness skills (e.g., showing up on time, maintaining a positive attitude, completing tasks as requested, etc.).  

     "...Rick always has a smile on his face, everybody knows his name just like 'Norm' on Cheers in this town," wrote Tom Fondakowski, Dining Services Director at Northern Vermont University and Johnson Community Meal partner.  "Rick is a soft spoken, modest man, but his tireless efforts, in my opinion, don't get recognized by our community leaders and I wanted to make sure he gets some recognition for everything he does, not only for his community, but giving our youth opportunity at Laraway, assistance to those in need, and coordinating all of us."

     Congratulations, Rick!  We are fortunate to count you as a colleague.

(PHOTO:  Orah Moore Photography)

  

How do we say thank you?

      

How do we say thank you?  This is a question well worth pondering as we reflect on the many wonderful gifts the children and families we serve received over the holiday season.  Thank you notes have all be sent and, yet, it feels like MORE is required to acknowledge and celebrate the outpouring of generosity. 

Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) wrote, "Love is not about property, diamonds and gifts.  It is about sharing your very self with the world around you."  Here are some examples of people who shared with Laraway during the holiday season.

 G, a staff member at the Lodge at Spruce Peak, noticed a Pennies for Presents canister.  Pennies for Presents is a service project of Laraway School students in which they decorate and deliver canisters to local businesses, inviting folks to drop spare change in.  When collected, the students sort and tally the coins---a hands-on math lesson---and purchase gifts which are donated to the Lamoille Family Center.  G's spotting this initiative hatched a plan to invite her colleagues to purchase gifts for Laraway School students.  A Wish List was quickly compiled, based on students' genuine interests and needs.  Warm hats, a fishing pole and books representing specific genres were purchased, wrapped and tagged with each student's initials---to protect confidentiality. G and her colleagues presented the beautifully wrapped gifts on luggage cart at the resort.  Picking up those presents on a cold December day was deeply gratifying and humbling.

N, a long-ago Backpack staff member at Laraway, recognized that many of our families feel want most greatly during the holiday season.  She, with help from co-workers, launched the Backpack Holiday Project in which each family receives a festively wrapped box containing food, housewares, books and holiday treats to make their holidays a little brighter.  The project, now in its second decade, is fueled by Backpack behavioral interventionists and case managers soliciting donations from the businesses they patronize throughout the year.  Several Backpack staff also made cash and in-kind donations to support the project.  

K, a retired businesswoman and Stowe resident, has a keen eye for quality new and gently-used items left at the "Put and Take" area of her community's trash and recycling transfer station.  She's aware that Laraway School hosts a Holiday Store each year in which students choose presents for family members which they wrap---helped by Laraway Elves (i.e., teachers)---and bring home to their families.  K has dropped off brand new and gently-used games and puzzles and she also purchased warm gloves and socks for the store's offerings.  

M works in Substitute Care, our therapeutic foster care program.  She had a kernel of an idea:  transform our youth recreation room into a magical North Pole.  She needed a tree---which we had donated---and a toy train to circle around the base of that tree.  She enlisted her co-workers to provide cookies; her only caveat was that they be homemade.  The youth room was decorated with twinkly lights.  A fire "blazed" on the Smart TV screen.  Carols played in the background.  Santa (aka Program Director Dave McAllister) was ready with a gift for each youth.  An ornament-making station was set up for youth to make a gift for someone they cared about.  And there was hot chocolate, REAL hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles.  M had a vision to create a warm, wonderful holiday party and recruited her colleagues to help because all kids---including those in foster care---deserve homemade cookies and real hot chocolate.

J works in an administrative role at Laraway.  This year, like last year, she quietly wrote a personal check when she learned of a youth who needed a pair of winter boots.  J was generous enough to cover the cost of a "good" pair of winter boots, the kind that keeps your feet warm and doesn't soak through to your socks.

This post touches the tip of the iceberg when considering the generosity shown towards our children and families during this past holiday season.  Thank you to everyone who shared a bit of themselves with our "world."  Neruda would be pleased.