ESBR February News Update

The students at ESBR continue to take expeditions beyond our normal classes of Social Studies, Math, Science, Art, P.E., and English. As you can see, the students have been quite busy. We made holiday cookies for the array of people who share their expertise about the July flood and its impact on Ludlow and the surrounding area. Our Science teachers wrapped up that study providing a localized water table, which the ESBR students then displayed and explained to Ludlow Elementary School students. We then began our Ludlow History studies visiting Georgia Brehm at the Black River Academy Museum. We are also interviewing several local residents about their own personal Ludlow-centered history. These interviews will also allow our students to learn more about the area, and they will create write ups about these histories to share and teach to others. 

Further expeditions of learning included a trip to the Plymouth Emergency Facility to take CPR training with Sue Poirier. It is important our students recognize these kind of volunteer organizations that allow these programs to be available in small communities. Community member Betty McEnaney also visited ESBR this school year to share experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail. Hearing about her travels provided the perfect anecdote to students about other examples of expeditionary learning. 

We are grateful to have had several interactions with the Ludlow Elementary School thus far, allowing ESBR students to experience teaching roles sharing information with the younger LES students. It is also a great chance to demonstrate to LES students a little of what ESBR is about. We hope to have more in the near future so prospective students will see the opportunities at ESBR. We hope you continue to follow us and support us as we grow.

Thank you to all of the guests as well as the places that have hosted our expeditions this year. Another thank you to all of you who support this cause and these students. This is an amazing community and we will continue to dedicate our time and energy to keeping a unique, viable school here. 

ESBR Students Write and Perform “We are Nature”

Originally Published 4/21/22

LUDLOW, Vt. – On Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m., agents from the fictional organization, “The International Time Navigators Association,” will be live on stage at Ludlow’s Town Hall auditorium.

Written entirely by the Expeditionary School at Black River’s student body, “We Are Nature” is a comedy. The ITNA agents go forward in time to look back and reflect on the ways in which today’s climate challenges could have been different. Resolving the causes of pollution is the script’s overarching theme.

When their time capsule lands in the future, Damian turns to Desmond, and declares: “Where else would we be? We’re in the future! In order to find out how we can fix the past, where’s a better place to go than the future?” The ITNA agents are determined to figure out how to minimize the destruction occurring to the earth’s ecosystem. They find themselves back in a school in 2022, trying to blend in, and trying to understand how to influence changes in human behavior.

Having had to postpone this live performance a number of times due to concerns regarding the spread of Covid, students decided to incorporate that reality into the script’s themes as well. These fictional characters come to the conclusion that developing “informed and integrative thinking skills” is one step toward resolving pollution and saving the planet.

Directed by Susan Haefner, this learning experience was made possible by a Vermont Arts Council grant. Please join the ESBR community on Saturday, May 14, for a live performance of “We Are Nature.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.esblackriver.org/social-fundraisers or at the door.

For additional information, contact Kendra Rickerby, Head of School, at krickerby@esblackriver.org.

ESBR Students Create Promotional Video with BRIC

Originally Published 11/23/21

LUDLOW, Vt. – Through a partnership with Black River Innovation Campus located in Springfield, the students at the Expeditionary School at Black River utilized their public speaking, video, and editing skills to create a new video whose intent is to promote the school’s unique learning environment.

BRIC is focused on helping to develop the next generation of skilled digital workers so “It’s an ideal match for us,” stated Kendra Rickerby, the Head of ESBR.

This partnership enables the school to serve the region’s youth through giving them access to the latest in coding, media, and gaming technology. Rickerby continued, “BRIC’s Youth Coding League, their willingness to help us produce the ‘Through the Eyes of Students’ video, is broadening students’ horizons. It is because of BRIC that we are able to use top-notch technology. Our students enjoy this software and are eager to learn more.”

Junior Wyatt Benoit was able to hone his editing skills during the process and is credited with creating the storyboard and editing the footage with assistance from BRIC staff. The video focuses on some of the ESBR students who want others to know about the Expeditionary style of education.

Damian Foley, an eighth grade student, believes that ESBR has given him the opportunity to show his intelligence that was overlooked in other schools when teachers focused on his ADHD. Fellow eighth grader Azaiah Allen enjoys coming to ESBR because he is allowed a more personalized approach to his education by being able to choose subjects that interest him.

Mackenzie Kennedy, a seventh grader, believes that project-based learning expeditions, where students engage in interdisciplinary, in-depth study of compelling topics in groups and in their community, is a welcome change from the traditional education system. Her sister, ninth grader Kailin, could not agree more. She is a kinesthetic learner so ESBR guides her learning through projects instead of lectures. She has become more self-disciplined and the welcoming community makes her want to achieve academic excellence. It was an incredible experience being at BRIC.

Trevor Barlow, executive director, is equally as excited about the partnership. “We look forward to continuing to support the ESBR with our programming, digital labs, and media studio that are powered by the speed of VTel’s best in class internet.”

Incidentally, Barlow grew up in Springfield and attended the Park Street School where BRIC is now located.

If you don’t know about Black River Innovation Campus, you should. It is a relatively new nonprofit designed to support entry-level digital and technology entrepreneurs and web-enabled businesses. BRIC provides access to 10-gig internet, classes and events, conference space, and a community of engaged digital and tech professionals. To learn more about BRIC, contact Trevor Barlow at 802-546-1940, innovate@bricvt.org, or visit www.bricvt.org.

Local Student Wins 24th Annual Ghost Story Contest

Originally Published 11/14/21

CAVENDISH, Vt. –  Saugus.net has announced the winners for its 24th annual Halloween ghost story contest. One was from right here in Cavendish.

Lorien Strange has won first place in the high school category with her story “Aos Sì.” This is not her first time winning this contest; she also won last year with her story “They Fly Out In Winter” and the year before with her story “Bayou Fog.” She currently attends the Expeditionary School at Black River.

Competition was fierce. Her story was up against entries not just from most of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces, but also many countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Other winners this year came from England, Georgia, India, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, South Carolina, Iran, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

All the winning stories themselves plus charts showing the distribution of winners can be found online at www.saugus.net/Contests/Halloween.

Taylor Lynn Meyette Graduates Expeditionary School at Black River

Originally Published 6/12/21

LUDLOW, Vt. – Taylor Lynn Meyette is the Expeditionary School at Black River’s first graduate. In a class of her own in so many beautiful ways, Taylor’s work ethic and self-discipline is one of a kind. For the graduating Class of 2021, their senior year has been marked by a global pandemic, and all the changes and unknowns that will now follow suit. Yet for Taylor, as she walks forward and toward her goal of becoming a veterinary technician she does so with grace, kindness, and a sense of humor. These are the characteristics that will be her legacy at Black River.

We are proud to graduate our first student because she embodies why this school came to be and all that it aims to achieve for future generations of graduates. Black River’s mission is to “educate students to be intellectually curious, resourceful, and confident in themselves for a life of personal fulfillment and civic engagement.”

A first-generation college student, Taylor credits her success to having consistent support and guidance from her grandmother, Deb Bixby, and her Uncle Kevin and Aunt Devin. This past fall when we were brainstorming her college essay, Taylor explained that her intellectual curiosity grew from her Aunt Devin encouraging her to “study hard bookworm.”

At an early age, when faced with adversity, Taylor found solace in the presence of animals. She enjoyed caring for her pets and benefited from the affection they gave back to her. Taylor credits those childhood experiences as shaping her goal: to earn a post-secondary credential in veterinary science. “Study hard bookworm” will remain her mantra as she enters the classrooms at the University of Wyoming.

By learning to focus on what is positive, Taylor’s resilience is a beacon. She will graduate Black River Saturday, June 12, wearing on her cap, another quote that Aunt Devin recited to her: “Forget all the reasons why it won’t work, and believe in the one reason why it will.”

Taylor’s resourcefulness and self-confidence is anchored by her grandmother’s respect for the importance of public education. Deb’s commitment to this school, and her consistently thoughtful communication with the me has been a key feature in nurturing ours and Taylor’s potential.

The work ethic Deb has instilled in her grandchildren distinguishes them and will be an exemplar for others who choose to join this learning community. Each day Taylor is the first to arrive for class. She preps her list-to-do and offers to help with everyday tasks. Notetaking and organizing her file folders are one of the many skills that sets Taylor up for success in college and beyond. I will miss the friendly conversation that accompanied each of our start-to-the-day routine during Black River’s pilot year. And, Ludlow will miss seeing Taylor’s smile at the local grocery store, where she works five nights a week.

It is because of Taylor and Deb’s respect for others, as well as their faith in this community, that we are now equipped to sustain the school’s future. Our progress has been in part due to the leadership of this young woman. Congratulations, Taylor! We are proud of you.

And, thank you, Deb Bixby, very much. We are forever grateful for all you do for Black River’s students and staff. Because of your contributions to this learning community, we look forward teaching more students to be as disciplined and hard working as Taylor.

  Written by Kendra Rickerby, Head of School, Expeditionary School at Black River

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