More Information for Schools Attending the 2018 Rally for the Planet!

Matt Henchen

  Agenda for the Day (subject to minor changes) 8:30am – 10:00am – Drop-Off and Staging Busses drop students off at Montpelier High School.  There will be a number of activities for students to engage in, such as making signs for the march, face painting, and participating in various art projects. 10:00am – 10:15am – Youth March Vermont youth and their allies march in solidarity to the Statehouse lawn. 10:15am – 11:00am – Sound Check! Social Justice Band Performs Link to Sound Check website – http://www.brianboyes.com/soundcheck-1/ 11:00am – 11:30am – Speak Out! Students will listen to young performers and speakers share their thoughts on climate change. 11:30am- 12:00 pm – Tabling, Preparing to talk to your legislators, Music Learn more about solutions to climate change and proposed legislation, get ready to speak with your lawmakers, and groove to some sweet vibes from Televici, a band of students from Montpelier High […]

Proteins – It’s Not Just For Dinner!

Matt Henchen

DESCRIPTION Saturday, March 31, 2018, 5:00-7:00 pm University of Vermont, Davis Center, Mansfield Dining Room FREE pizza and drinks Open to all youth in grades 7-12 Register by March 28 at: https://vteensciencecafemarch31.eventbrite.com “Like” us @www.facebook.com/VTeen4HScienceCafe Proteins are the building blocks of life. Proteins? You mean that chicken I had last night? What is a protein anyway? At this Teen Science Café, you will unravel the mysteries of proteins and their importance to all life. And, through some hands-on activities, you will demonstrate how simple building blocks can make diverse proteins, and you will also perform an experimental technique used to figure out what these super tiny bundles of molecules actually look like (spoiler alert – it’s not as easy as snapping a colorful picture like this beautiful animation above!). The café speakers will also highlight their own research at UVM focusing on two specific proteins that they study, share their discoveries, and marvel […]

Looking for Teachers to Participate in a PLC on Civics and Sustainability

Matt Henchen

We are looking for a group of educators interested in participating in “No Citizen Left Behind” – a professional learning community (PLC) that will explore new and existing ways in which key elements of Act 77, notably proficiency-based learning (PBL) and flexible pathways, empower teachers interested in integrating civics and sustainability education throughout the curriculum.   Over the course of five meetings throughout the Spring of 2018, teachers will share and discuss ways in which they are incorporating civics and sustainability into their curriculum.  Rubrics for content-based learning expectations as well as transferable skills will be shared and analyzed.  Various models that incorporate community-based learning, service learning, and project-based learning will be considered in addition to new tools such as “micro-credentialing,” which may open the door to more “extended learning opportunities.” Although content topics may be quite diverse, at least some attention will be given to the pressing issues of climate […]

Youth Lobby Updates

Matt Henchen

Updates from the Youth Lobby (03/02/18)   1) Don’t forget to organize a field trip to the Youth Rally on Thursday, April 12th! Has you school organized a field trip to the 3rd Annual Rally for the Planet?  The youth rally will take place from 8:30am – 1:30pm on Thursday, April 12th.  Drop-off will be at Montpelier High School and the march to the Statehouse begins at 10am.  Registration is not required, but it is helpful for planning REGISTER NOW! http://www.youthlobby.org/rallyfortheplanet/   2) Join us at the next planning meeting on March 11th! Join us in the Montpelier High School library from 3pm-6pm for our 3rd Planning Coalition Meeting.  There is still a ton of work to get done, and many important decisions to be made.  One of the most important decisions we need to make is who will be invited to speak and perform this year.  We have a […]

The Youth Lobby Honors Young Racial Justice Activists at MHS and BHS

Matt Henchen

The Vermont Youth Lobby strongly supports the students at Montpelier and Burlington High Schools who lobbied so hard for the ability to fly the Black Lives Matter flag over their schools as part of a concentrated and growing effort to raise awareness of implicit bias, privilege, and the need to build greater equity in our schools and broader communities. We appreciate the clear rejection of any anti-police sentiment or purported violence associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. Congratulations to the young racial justice activists at Montpelier and Burlington High Schools for raising awareness and promoting honest, candid, and civil discourse on the issue of racial justice in Vermont and beyond. Read more here – Mic.com Article

Announcing the 2018 – Youth Rally for the Planet – CLIMATE JUSTICE!

Matt Henchen

Join us at the 2018 Youth Rally for the Planet Climate Justice Thursday, April 12th, 2018 Video Invitation Schedule of Events (subject to minor changes) What will the day look like? 8:30am-10:00am – Drop-Off, Staging, and Activities Busses drop students off at Montpelier High School.  There will be a number of activities for students to engage in, such as making signs for the march, face painting, learning more about climate-related legislation, and participating in various art projects. 10:00am – 10:30am – March! Vermont youth and their allies will march in a parade to the Statehouse lawn. 10:30am – 11:15am  – Youth Speak Out!   Listen to young performers and speakers share their thoughts on climate change and hear the Youth Lobby’s legislative demands. 11:15am – 12:00pm – Tabling, Lobbying Prep, Activities, and Lunch Students will have the opportunity to visit informational booths to learn more about climate-related legislation currently under consideration at […]

We Could Use Your Help to Plan the 3rd Annual Rally for the Planet – Climate Change Rally

Matt Henchen

The Youth Lobby Needs Your Help!!!   The Vermont Youth Lobby is pleased to officially announce the 3rd Annual Rally for the Planet, to be held on Thursday, April 12th.  All permits and funding are in place and we are ready to rally!!!   Our goal this year is to put even more pressure on lawmakers to take greater action on climate change in 2018.  We hope to do this in the following ways: 1) Bring even more young citizens to the rally on April 12th. Our goal is 3,000 strong! 2) Increase the amount and improve the quality of interactions between VT youth and their elected officials 3) Put earlier and more sustained pressure on our elected officials through a widespread letter writing and advocacy campaign. 4) Encourage students in other New England states to rally along with us.   The Youth Lobby is planning on holding four Planning […]

Check out Al Gore’s Latest Film, An Inconvenient Sequel, at the Mountain Top Film Festival

Matt Henchen

Join us this Sunday, January 14th, at the Big Picture Theater for a screening of “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power,” at the MountainTop Film Festival! Here are the details: What: “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power,” at the MountainTop Film Festival Where: Big Picture Theater, 48 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield When: This Sunday, January 14th, 1:00-3:00 PM Ticket information: http://www2.suncommon.com/e/95162/tickets/2w1kst/161870340 This film comes a little more than a decade after “An Inconvenient Truth,” which launched a global movement and inspired thousands to join former Vice President Al Gore in his mission to spread the word about the climate crisis and its solutions. “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” tells us that NOW is the time for all of us to fight like our world depends on it.

Vermont Youth Lobby’s Magic School Bus Campaign in the News!

Matt Henchen

Check out the coverage of our Magic School Bus Campaign  http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/vermonts-youth-lobby-petitioning-for-electric-school-buses/886528096 And don’t forget to let the VT Agency of Natural Resources know that you want electric school buses! We only have two more days to encourage the VT Agency of Natural Resources to spend 85% of the VW settlement on Electric School buses! You’ve signed the petition, now we need you to do one more thing!!! Please fill out the Public Input form located on the ANR website. Feel free to skip any lines you do not have an opinion on and get right to the point – we want electric school buses! FILL OUT THE ANR FORM VPIRG has also provided us with a simpler form we can use to show the ANR we support electric school buses! FILL OUT THE VPIRG QUICK FORM Either one would be great – both would be even better!

Only 3 Days Left to Push for Electric School Buses!

Matt Henchen

We only have three more days to encourage the VT Agency of Natural Resources to spend 85% of the VW settlement on Electric School buses! You’ve signed the petition, now we need you to do one more thing!!! Please fill out the Public Input form located on the ANR website. Feel free to skip any lines you do not have an opinion on and get right to the point – we want electric school buses! FILL OUT THE ANR FORM VPIRG has also provided us with a simpler form we can use to show the ANR we support electric school buses! FILL OUT THE VPIRG QUICK FORM Either one would be great – both would be even better!