Planting the Seeds of Sustainability...   
 

 
  


           
 Planting Seeds in Fertile Ground                        January 2014

 
At the Hunter School,  we promote teaching 
by learning through doing in alignment with Nature

 

2014 celebrates Seeds of Sustainability at the Hunter School!   From our Permaculture Program, to exploring EcoJustice studies, to the planting of organic seeds in our Biodynamic Garden, to our Living, Giving, Thriving 
Seeds of Sustainability Capital Campaign, all roads in Rumney, New Hampshire point to personal growth, mindful development and school beautification.

 

The primary purpose of EcoJustice Education is to promote reforms at the classroom level that contribute to a more ecologically sustainable future. Global warming, changes in the chemistry of the world's oceans, and the increasing scarcity of potable water and non-contaminated topsoil are among the most challenging and immediate problems that must be taken into consideration in educating the next generation to become environmental and EcoJustice oriented citizens.  Hunter's goal is to prepare teachers who can assume the responsibility for educating young citizens capable of strengthening local democratic and sustainable communities.


30 DAY EMERGENCY RESPITE

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS NEEDED...

Every day thousands of children are suffering with mental health challenges.  Some children are lost in the system and caught in vicious cycles of psychiatric hospitalizations, medication trials and an endless array of behavioral strategies that simply don't work.  One of these children recently was enrolled at the Hunter School on a 30 day emergency scholarship. 

Only four days away from being committed to a state mental institution, the Hunter School opened its doors, hearts and minds to embrace this beautiful little girl who had become lost to pharmaceutical drugs and the overwhelming fear that everyone seemed to have that was dealing with her. 

At the Hunter School, we view these children as highly sensitive, and we are consciously aware of the importance of creating an environment that is peaceful, loving and accepts each individual for who they really are, not for the labels and paperwork that society uses to obtain services.

Enrolled two days after Christmas, this young girl is now off of nearly all of her medications and is thriving in our program.  This is not to minimize the seriousness of her challenges, but to point out that our thoughts and intentions are so powerful that when we embrace these children with true love and not fear, they always rise to the occasion and feel safe to reveal who they really are.  This young girl is an incredibly loving, creative, intelligent and kind child who has so much to offer all of us, if just given the chance.

As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to help us save one child at a time.  But the ripple effect of saving these children goes beyond their immediate families and friends.  It ripples into our society and creates a beautiful body of water that elevates all of us to a better understanding and acceptance of everyone's differences and the positive attributes that each person is capable of bringing to the world.

Thank you for your support, it means the world to us.

       


NESCV and Hunter School are launching a $10 million dollar Living, Giving, Thriving Seeds of Sustainability Capital Campaign to improve/enhance services on campus and to strengthen our infrastructure. We will add new learning cottages, housing, a therapeutic activities center, a training space, interactive classrooms, a suitable site for clinical services and a unique research model in collaboration with local universities. We will replace out-dated structures with a technologically advanced, yet heart-centered treatment facility = High Tech + High Touch.

 

Our goal is to create an inspiring state-of-the-art facility surrounded by nature. 

 

With your help, the Capital Campaign will enable us to respond to growing community needs and increase by at least 50% the number of children and youth we serve annually - both on and off campus. Here's how we plan to phase-in our development:

  • Add two cottages (16 beds) for in residence youth.
  • Replace inadequate clinical space now housed within the school building
  • Expand inadequate therapeutic activities areas with a state-of-the-art specially designed recreational building
    • Multi-Sensory Rooms
    • Music and Performing Arts Rooms
    • Vegetarian-based Seed-to-Table learning gardens and farm
    • Conference and Training Space
    • Energetically supportive Classrooms and living quarters
    • Enhanced Nature-Based therapeutic Learning Center
    • Gymnasium, Movement and Yoga Studio
  • Add classroom space for increasing referrals from school districts
  • Renovate the current school building and off campus "Light House" for more "outpatient" services focusing on health care, EM methodologies, additional hi-tech parent training, transition age youth services, emergency respite treatment and diagnosis center and expanded visitation areas for families of children on our campus.
  • Add a training center focused on space for staff development, community conferencing and certification facilities.
  • Add a new administration building consolidating all business functions and enhancing our ability to support growth in services on and off-campus.

Our vision is to create a transformative

global education network.

 

We're striving to transform learning

and promote sustainability worldwide.

Happy New Year to all of you and your families!  

We thank you for your continuing support.


Sincerely,
  
Jim Kemmerer and Laurie Ferris
Program Directors of The Hunter School 
and New England Salem Children's Village
 
Judy Julin
Development Director of the Hunter School  
and New England Salem Children's Village 
In This Issue
2014 The Year of the Seed
Living, Giving, Thriving
Capital Campaign
                 
Please consider a donation to our

Seeds of Sustainability
Capital Campaign  
 

Among other much needed enhancements, 

our Capital Campaign will replace outdated structures including the Hunter school house, barn and residential structures and add state-of-the-art buildings. These changes and additions will expand our capacity to meet the growing needs of these specially-abled children across the globe and enhance our ability to provide excellent services with care and compassion.


In sharing our own guiding principles with an expanding network of schools in Hunter's global collaborative mix, we're fostering the growth of creative thinkers and problem solvers who are keenly attuned to preserving our planet. We consider every family with a child enrolled at Hunter part of this exciting evolution in education and sustainable thinking.

Hunter School 

Video Productions 

featuring Permaculture Director Nick Heltzel 

playing a 

Fiddler on the Roof

 

One frosty New Hampshire day back in December, Hunter students gathered at Mountain House to film a thank you video for our blessed roof top donor. Umbrellas were spun, Nick fiddled from on high and Santa hats were donned as the frosty kids spoke from their hearts, "Hey, there's a fiddler on our roof!" thanking our special donor for a much needed new top for their home. 

 

Stay tuned for more Hunter School video productions as students find their voice, speak their truth and invite us all to wake up and take action.

   
Won't you please join the list of our treasured donors by making a contribution to our capital campaign today.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY!
 
Personalize your donation and specialize a room, a building, an aspect of  renovation, a plot of land, special services, vehicles or much needed repairs. 
  
Join Our Mailing List

  

Planned Giving

 

Wy not include The Hunter School in your estate planning - whether through a Charitable Remainder Trust, Endowed Gift, or other vehicle.

 

For more information on Planned Giving contact Judy Julin at support@hunterschool.org

  

The Hunter School

P.O. Box 600

Rumney, New Hampshire  03266

Telephone:  (603) 786-9427

Fax:  (603) 786-2221 


 
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Pictured above is Hunter School graduate Zach, now enrolled in the 8th grade at a  public  middle school in New Hampshire. GWENNetwork and CosmiKids TV have asked Zach to be their east coast "Mindful Correspondent" hosting unscripted video segments showcasing his thoughts on Hunter School best practices, Energetic Mindfulness™, EcoJustice and the world order.   Zach will also feature interviews with other exceptional youth. 
 
GWENNetwork TV launches in February 2014.