News & Events

Artist in Residence, Kate Long Hodges, came to Rock Point School to collaborate with students on a textile art project. Kate grew up in Vermont and now lives in the Sonoran Desert where she has been learning textile art with members of the Tohono O'odham tribe. Rock Point Students studied plant dyes from the Sonoran Desert and used prickly pear cactus, agave thorns, and earth pigments to create their piece.

On October 15, our whole student body went to the Rock Point Center for our fourth annual participation in Sundog Poetry Center's "Share Your Heart, Share the World" poetry day. We were joined by three other Vermont schools in a day of poetry workshops, writing time, a presentation by local poet and artist Tina Escaja, and a reading of student work.

2019 Ooky Spooky 5k Results The 16th annual Ooky Spooky opened on a crisp fall morning. We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces - alumni, former staff, and parents - wearing costumes and ready to run! Students and staff volunteered to register runners, guide runners on the course, keep time, and take photos. We were thrilled to raise money to support COTS (The Committee on Temporary Shelter Serving Vermont), an awesome organization that helps people who experience homelessness in our community.

This year our students started the year reading the graphic novel March: Book One by civil rights leader and congressman, John Lewis, in collaboration with co-writer Andrew Aydin and award-winning graphic artist Nate Powell. Teachers selected this book, not only because it is an inspiring and compelling historical narrative, but also because it was the Vermont Reads selection for 2019. Vermont Reads invites people across the state to read the same book and participate in a wide variety of community activities related to the book’s themes.

On October 11, we hosted the Daughters of Corn Dance Troupe from Compas De Nicaragua, the organization we collaborate with when we travel to Nicaragua. We shared pizza and conversation with the young people in the dance troupe at the outdoor pizza oven.

Most science classes include instruction in scientific methodology and discussion of the advantages this system of problem solving presents. However, it can be a challenge to keep this topic fresh and relevant. In Chemistry, our class has tackled scientific methodology from the ghoulish and fascinating perspective of toxicology.

On Friday, September 20, Rock Point School students participated in the Global Climate Strike. This international day of protest against climate change and the inaction of global leaders was led by young people around the world and inspired by a 16-year-old Swedish climate activist named Greta Thunberg. Many Rock Point students advocated to be allowed to take the day to participate in Burlington's strike and, as a school, we decided the strike reflected our environmental and social values. The teaching staff made it possible for the entire student body to attend the strike, either as participants or observers.

On Tuesday, September 17, local artist Emily Anderson brought her “Fairies & Demons Workshop” to Rock Point School. All of our students took part in this drawing workshop, which encouraged them to draw their ‘demons’, or challenges they face, as well as their ‘fairies’, or positive energies that they want to call toward them. In addition to giving students a platform to discuss what’s hard in their lives and what helps them through, they got to practice Emily’s signature drawing style, which involved drawing with their non-dominant hand. The technique allowed them to let go of the pressure to make their work perfect, and simply see what comes out when given a channel.

What: Interactive Workshop When: October 17th 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Where: Rock Point School Library Join Rock Point School for an interactive workshop designed to help families and community members increase their fluency with LGBTQ+ inclusive concepts, terminology, and practices. The workshop will be hosted by Mara Iverson, the Director of Education at Outright Vermont. Participants will learn and practice approaches for making home and community environments LGBTQ+ affirming; and will identify specific opportunities for and challenges to inclusivity. We hope those who attend will leave with broader knowledge of LGBTQ+ youth topics, methods for recognizing gaps in inclusivity, and ideas for how to apply affirming practices to fill those gaps.