Education

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 […]

Great Opportunity for Grassroots Organizer Training!

Matt Henchen

~ The Vermont Climate Union and the VT Poor People’s Campaign Present ~ Grassroots Organizer Training @ The UU Church ~ 130 Main St, Montpelier Tuesday and Thursday Nights from 7-9 Starting January 16th.   Organizers, Activists, and Volunteers, ages 16-100+, are invited to a series of workshops to develop core organizing skills and increase our capacity to work for Justice in Vermont. All are welcome to come to one or many classes. These workshops offer instruction in a variety of needed skills and services common to grassroots organizing and social change efforts, and our coordinating team will work with participants to apply the skills learned in collaborative organizing environments. We will offer classes on Tuesday and Thursday Nights from 6-8 at The UU, Starting Tuesday January 16th.  Please review our Calendar  as there are number of events at other times and locations. View the CALENDAR Here and take a […]

UPDATE – The Youth Lobby’s Stance on Electric School Busses in Vermont

Matt Henchen

The Vermont Youth Lobby is asking for 85% of the $18.7 million Volkswagen settlement to be spent on electric school busses and charging equipment. We want MAGIC SCHOOL BUSES! Please TAKE ACTION by doing the following things: Sign our Online Petition at change.org!  It only takes a minute of your time! Download our paper petition and get as many signatures as possible at your school and in your local community.  Please scan your completed petitions to youthlobbyvt@gmail.com or mail them to VT Youth Lobby, 141 Wade Road, Moretown VT, 05660. Please scan or email all petitions to us by January 5th, 2018.  A group of Youth Lobby students will hand deliver these petitions to the ANR and Phil Scott’s office during the week of January 8th.  (let us know if you are interested in being part of this crew..) Send a comment to the decision makers at the VT Agency of Natural Resources.  […]

We Need Your Help! Please support the Youth Lobby’s campaign for electric school buses!

Matt Henchen

The Vermont Youth Lobby is asking for 85% of the $18.7 million Volkswagen settlement to be spent on electric school busses and charging equipment. We want MAGIC SCHOOL BUSES! Please TAKE ACTION by doing the following things: Sign our Online Petition at change.org!  It only takes a minute of your time! Download our paper petition and get as many signatures as possible at your school and in your local community.  Please scan your completed petitions to youthlobbyvt@gmail.com or mail them to VT Youth Lobby, 141 Wade Road, Moretown VT, 05660. Please scan or email all petitions to us by January 5th, 2018.  A group of Youth Lobby students will hand deliver these petitions to the ANR and Phil Scott’s office during the week of January 8th.  (let us know if you are interested in being part of this crew..) Send a comment to the decision makers at the VT Agency of Natural Resources.  […]

Last Week to Register for the VT Youth Climate Leaders Academy!!

Matt Henchen

Do you want to take action on climate change? The Climate Leaders Academy is designed to guide and support high school students in planning and implementing a project related to climate change. If your students have climate-related goals reflected in their Personalized Learning Plans, or if you have a club devoted to environmental issues then you can’t miss this opportunity. We’ll help students figure out where to start, how to plan, and how to develop the transferable skills they need to complete a successful project. The academy will start December 7–8 at Lake Morey Resort, where students will have fun, collaborate, get inspired, and build skills to grow as a current and future climate leader. Follow-up meetings will offer additional community and technical support to keep projects moving forward, with a final gathering April 12–13 in Central Vermont. Registration closes November 6, so sign your students up now. Learn more and register now at veep.org/YCLA. The Youth […]

Hands-on Fun! Join Us At The Natural Resources Management Academy!

Matt Henchen

Looking for something to do this summer! Check out the Natural Resources Management Academy at www.uvm.edu/extension/youth – a really fun program for teens entering grades 7-12. Join other teens from all over Vermont for hands-on learning workshops led by Vermont natural resource professionals. All activities are outside, using nature as our learning lab. Free time will be spent swimming, canoeing, fishing and eating s’mores! Registration deadline is June 20 – so act now! Go to www.uvm.edu/extension/youth learn more and sign up! Lauren Traister 4-H Teen & Leadership Program Coordinator University of Vermont Extension (802) 888-4972 x 402

Opportunity to Engage in Leadership Training!

Matt Henchen

Youth Lobby leaders have been invited to attend the 350VT Building Ground Leadership Training. We will spend a full weekend learning, deepening, and building the skills necessary to undertake powerful climate justice work within our communities.  The Building Ground training specifically focuses on sharing fundamental frameworks about climate justice and building the relationships that empower effective leaders.  Register for the program now! At Building Ground, you can expect sessions where you will: Explore the complex definitions of climate justice and the myriad approaches that individuals and groups undertake to achieve this goal, Deepen your own understanding of racial justice and its fundamental connection to the climate crisis, Learn in detail about 350’s specific approach to changemaking and organizing, Begin to articulate your own leadership and changemaking approaches and identify personal goals and next steps for your return home, Learn specific strategies to support your work (frameworks, facilitation techniques, and core […]