Some additional 2020 labels

Final Day at Kurn Hattin

Good-byes are hard at Kurn Hattin. Many of the children at KH have struggled with relationships in their lives and we want to make our good-byes as healthy as possible. Our final day was one of joyful celebration. After performing the circus play for a second time, NHS students took the lead in teaching a basketball skills clinic as well as a "social" with line-dancing, bracelet making, limbo and more. Over brownies, ice cream, and music we said our good-byes. There was lots of picture-taking, many hugs, and a few tears on both sides. We are all exhausted and grateful for this week with a very special group of children in a very special place.

Circus Time

NHS students have spent the week at Kurn Hattin helping out in classes, tutoring children one-on-one, leading social skills groups, spending time in residential houses, eating meals with students, and joining in for recreational time in the gym.

  




Kurn Hattin has a very impressive music program and the school has been preparing for their circus musical all week. NHS students have jumped right in! Last night was showtime and we have one more performance before we head home today.

We would love to share more photos of our incredible experience, but due to the unique Kurn Hattin student population, we are sensitive to the types of photos we take and post.

Kurn Hattin

Ready to roll to Vermont on Monday. Everyone is excited to meet the kids!

Kurn Hattin - first full day

Kurn Hattin eats breakfast bright and early at 7:15! We join the students for all meals, which is a good way to get to know students and have conversations.

MJ starting the day.

We spent the morning in classrooms helping out. Kurn Hattin children really enjoy personal attention and we are more than happy to oblige!

Kacenka in Art Class

Bri in Art Class

Johnny giving some attention to a little guy who got hurt on the playground.

Melon and Rex were fan favorites at recess after lunch.

Paige and a friend in the sun

NHS has been roped into the musical - stay tuned!

Kurn Hattin 2018

New Hampton students are ready to bring the love to Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster, VT! 

Kurn Hattin is a charitable boarding school for 5-15 year olds affected by tragedy, poverty, homelessness, abuse or other family hardship.

Our Project Week group will stay on the Kurn Hattin campus and participate in all areas of school life, from academic time to sports to meals. Stay tuned!

More info at https://kurnhattin.org

Kurn Hattin: Day 4, Thursday

Even though today was our last full day at Kurn Hattin, it was never dull. Every moment of the day was eventful and fun. 

First we made bracelets with some of the kids in Ms.Tallman's 2nd/3rd grade class

Lala snuggled with one of the kids in Ms. Knight's class

We also read many books to some children 

I also signed autographs on tape for some of the kids

Devin also played toys with some of the kids

And we also played in some intense volleyball games before dinner 

with a great Husky fan section.

Today was a very sad for us being that it was the last full day we had with the kids at Kurn Hattin. This project experience has been both fun, creative, and eye-opening, which made it such a unique experience that we don't want to leave. This project week trip allowed us as students to reflect on our blessings and have empathy for those not as fortunate as us while also realizing they are still kids like we used to be. -Posted by Kaleb Davis '18

Kurn Hattin: Day 3 Wednesday

We started our day with eating breakfast in the cafeteria of Kurn Hattin. Eating the meals with kids is always a great opportunity to bond and talk with them.

Right after breakfast we drove to the local ski resort Okemo since the children were planning to do a flashmob there. We were just told about it the day before and decided spontaneously to come along to watch and maybe even participate. On the bus ride there we read over the song lyrics that the kids were supposed to sing at the mountain to be able to participate. On the mountain it was so much fun to sing and dance with the kids. The teacher kept telling the kids: "This is a great opportunity to give back to Okemo!" It showed me that even though we are just there for a few days we were able to help them by for instance supporting them at the flashmob.

When we came back to the school we ate lunch with the kids and joined them at their afternoon activities. Everybody had the option to go to the afternoon activity they wanted. Some went to art class - I decided to go to a reading class where we talked about raccoons. Every time the teacher was reading a story about the raccoons, the little kids came close and cuddled with me. As soon as I had to leave the class the kids gave me a goodbye hug and I realized I did not want to leave. The other students did not want to leave either so we decided to stay a little longer and then go to the town of Keene, NH. It took us about 30 minutes to go Keene where we spent about an hour to explore the town. After we all went bowling which was a great time to bond and have fun. 

After we went bowling, Ms. Lea and Ms. Shapey had a big surprise for us. We knew that we would go out to eat dinner, but we did not know where we would go. We were positively surprised when we saw that we were about to eat Hibachi, which was extremely exciting since some of us never had it (including myself). 

We ended the day with our daily reflection and concluded that it was one of the best days since we were able to play with the kids, have fun with each other and eat some great food.

- Vanessa Thau

Kurn Hattin: Day 2 Tuesday

Today at Kurn Hattin we got to spend the day helping  out in classes, as well as sugaring.  We got the privilege to see a rehearsal for their flash mob at Okemo Mountain, in which we will participate tomorrow.  We later got to run their baseball and basketball practices and visit children in their cottages.  Overall we had an awesome, eye-opening experience and can't wait for the days ahead!
-Posted by Makayla & Peter

 

Kurn Hattin Day 1: Monday

This morning, our group of 13 students met after breakfast to participate in team bonding and write down any questions we have about Kurn Hattin. With little knowledge about the school, we were excited to finally see it. 

After our 2 hour drive into Westminster, Vermont, we were finally able to unpack into our apartment. Once we were unpacked, we went to the dining hall to eat dinner with the kids. When we entered the cafe, we found it was similar to New Hampton School. Every child attending the school was seated at large tables and each of us split up, sat down, and had a chance to meet the kids.

This was our first chance to talk to the kids and get an idea of what they like about their boarding school. We asked them questions ranging from what their living spaces are like to what they enjoy doing in their free time. The kids were excited to see us and were open to telling us about the school. 

After we were finished, and the students moved to their study blocks, we walked around the campus. 

At night we were able to meet with the Executive Director of the school who was able to answer some of our questions from the morning. We learned that Kurn Hattin is a safe and supportive place for children who come from at risk homes. The students come from a range of families that are struggling with drug/alcohol abuse, physical abuse, homelessness, incarceration or financial issues. This school provides a stable environment with the hope that the institution can break the negative cycles that surround the lives of these young children.  

Tomorrow we will divide up into different classes to help out. We are excited to not only have another chance to see the kids, but to learn more about Kurn Hattin and what is has to offer. 

-Posted by Chloe Davis

Kurn Hattin: Kids Helping Kids

Our trip is going to Kurn Hattin, a boarding school for 1st-8th graders, in Westminster, VT!


Essential Question: What does a nurturing environment for children look like and how does such an environment impact the development of children from at-risk backgrounds?