Four Winds blows into BVCS in Westport

WESTPORT | This school year, the classroom walls are coming down — literally. Thanks to a full sponsorship from Chazy & Westport Communications (CWC), Boquet Valley Central School (BVCS) students from Pre-K through 5th grade will step outside and into science with the Four Winds Outdoor STEM Program. "We hope that through the Four Winds program, our students will develop a deep curiosity about the natural world, sharpen their science and observation skills, and discover a true sense of place here in the Adirondacks," said BVCS Lake View Campus Principal Lee Kyler. "Ultimately, we want our students to leave with not only knowledge, but also joy, confidence, and a lifelong desire to keep learning and caring for the world around them." The initiative, run by Vermont-based Four Winds Nature Institute, trains local volunteers to lead monthly, hands-on lessons that include natural science information and a variety of hands-on learning activities in the schoolyard and surrounding community — allowing students to observe, question, and discover the natural world as working scientists do. There will be six session dates throughout the school year, spread evenly, where students will learn about various local critters, such as beavers, spiders, and bees, and the natural habitats in which they reside. "The goal is to be outside and/or in the community as much as possible, when the weather allows," Kyler said. "We live in such a beautiful area, surrounded by pristine wilderness [that] we should be exploring and learning from it whenever possible." While CWC is best known for connecting the region to high-speed internet, the decision to underwrite the program was about balance, said CWC Marketing Director Deirdre MacNerland, regarding the program that cost approximately $3,000 to fund. "We provided [all the necessary] funding because, as the local Internet provider, we also feel it's our ethical responsibility to get kids away from their screens and engaged in meaningful STEM opportunities outdoors." The roster of volunteers is already filling quickly, but there's still room for a few more nature guides-in-training. Each class requires two adults per month, with a commitment of just two to four hours, to help lead the outdoor lessons. No teaching background is required; training and support are provided. All that is needed is a willingness to get outside and share in the wonder of discovery with kids. Parents and community members interested in volunteering are invited to contact Marissa Miller, the program coordinator, at mmiller@cwtel.net. "At Chazy & Westport Communications, we hope that this program shifts the way students experience learning," said MacNerland. "If this program encourages students to think differently about what school can look like, even in small ways, then it's a success."

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Four Winds blows into BVCS in Westport

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