Kurn Hattin Expands Program with Day Students

WESTMINSTER, VT–Westminster area middle school children, along with their families, can choose which local middle school they’d like to attend. At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, then sixth-grader Rebekah Rounds told her mother very clearly that there was only one choice for her–Kurn Hattin. Why? When her brothers played soccer at Kurn Hattin, Rebekah would always have her family stop down at the farm to visit the horses. She loved the horses. Her mother, Terrilee Rounds said she certainly didn’t want that to be the only reason her daughter chose one school over another. Then she knew Kurn Hattin was the best choice for her daughter when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was certain that Kurn Hattin would give Rebekah the support she needed to deal with this new stress in their lives. “Seeing my daughter graduate is very important to me,” Terrilee says with conviction.

After only one month, Rebekah is doing remarkably well at Kurn Hattin. She’s getting As and she’s happy. She and the other children are doing well in their academic courses as well as in their social skills, music, art, physical education and farming classes. They play in the jazz and marching bands. They’ve fully integrated with their residential children classmates.

As a day student, Rebekah has the option to stay on campus after school for sports or other extra –curricular activities. Right now, she is playing field hockey at the Bellows Falls Middle School. Later in the fall, she’ll play basketball with Kurn Hattin. And of course, there are the horses. Rebekah arrives early in the morning so she can meet with her teachers if she needs some one-on-one time. “She’s really bonded with her teachers,” Terrilee smiles. “She works hard and it shows.” After school, Terrilee and several of the other five day students’ parents wait in the school library for their children.

The children show their parents their school work and tell of their day. The residential children wave good-bye and say, “See you tomorrow.” The children, all of them, are flexible and accepting. Without even realizing it, they’re all learning very important life skills. The children are thriving with the support and attention they receive. Come for a tour and see for yourself the many benefits for children and their families at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children.

Photo caption: Terrilee Rounds with her daughter, Rebekah, one of the day students attending Kurn Hattin Homes for Children this year.