River Rock School
252 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: 802-223-4700
riverrockschool@comcast.net
About River Rock School
Our Mission:
River Rock School will join with families to:
- love and respect children of all ages as unique individuals;
- support children in their journey towards a healthy and successful development;
- help children grow into responsible and active citizens;
- foster a life-long love of learning and creativity in our students;
- strive to serve any child who would benefit by our approach to education, regardless of ability to pay.
Our Teachers/Co-Directors:
Shawn Perry has been working with elementary school aged children since 1992, at Turtle Island Children's Center and River Rock School. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Johnson State College with a specialized focus and certification in reading instruction for grades K-12, with post-graduate course work through Trinity College and St. Michael's College, and intensive seminars at Dartmouth College in the study of Reggio Emilia, focused on emergent curriculum and curriculum design.
Allison Caldwell has been an educator since 1976 and holds a Vermont K-8 teacher's certification. She received a B.A. from Wheaton College and an M.A. in Education from Goddard College, culminating with a thesis entitled: "Drama: A Powerhouse in the Curriculum." She trained, and then taught elementary and middle school for nine years, at the Prospect School in North Bennington; co-founded, co-directed and taught at the Southshire Community School and after-school program in Shraftsbury, VT. She founded and directed a children's theater program in Cambridge, NY for two years; was Program Director at Turtle Island Children's Center for four years; and taught at River Rock School at Turtle Island for three years. She has extensive experience in educational administration and supervision.
Gina Ritscher was educated as a teacher at The Prospect Center where she worked with Allison Caldwell. After teaching in public and private schools for many years, questions led her to further study at Darmouth and Harvard, where she earned an EdD while studying with Eleanor Duckworth and Patricia Carini. She is currently a professor of education at Johnson State College and teaches math and middle school for children at River Rock School.
Board of Directors:
Our board is very active, comprised of dedicated parents, teachers, and friends of River Rock.
Lauren Quinn, Board Chair, is a graduate of Harvard University and Tufts University Veterinary School. Her son and daughter have been happy River Rock students since January of 2009. She co-owns Onion River Animal Hospital, where she is a practicing veterinarian.
Ruth Ann Sullivan, treasurer, is the proud parent of two River Rockers. A Nichols College Cum Laude graduate, she currently is employed by the State of Vermont as the Manager of Telecommunications for the Department of Information and Innovation in Montpelier, VT.
Stacey Murdock, secretary, has a PhD in psychology from UCLA, and is currently the Data Administration Director at the Vermont Department of Education. She is a mother of a RRS student and enjoys reading and cooking.
Les Birnbaum is married to River Rock teacher and co-director Allison Caldwell. Les and Allison are the parents of a founding student. Les has a number of interests. Chief among them--at the moment--is learning how to play the guitar. Les is also our chief falafel chef!
Brenda Lovely is a Customer Service Representative for Pyrofax Energy. She has been employed by National Life in Investment Accounting and Vermont State Housing Authority as Assistant Controller, and as Co-owner of Architectural Antiques. She enjoys architectural antiques and equestrian activities, and has a student at River Rock.
Jen Pia-Needleman, mother of three River Rock students, is a Goddard grad whose training in (and commitment to) alternative education led her to RRS. She is an avid music fan.
Gina Ritscher teaches math and middle school at River Rock School.
Allison Caldwell is a teacher and co-director at the River Rock School.
Shawn Perry is a teacher and co-director at the River Rock School.
Advisory Board:
Katherine Fanelli, Montpelier, VT
Jeanne Haskell, Marshfield, VT.
Families at River Rock
Celebrations and Events are a regular part of the school year. Annually, we gather for a Harvest Meal and Variety Show, Potluck Solstice Celebration and Show, fall and spring all-school campouts, All Species' Day parade, school theater productions, and other events. Parents, siblings, and extended families and friends frequently join in.
In-School Participation brings enrichment to the curriculum. Offerings have included beading, cooking, building electric model cars, singing, building birdhouses, helping with theater productions, organizing and driving on field trips, making crab apple jelly from our trees, and much more.
Caring for our School comes in many forms. Carpentry, cleaning, bookkeeping, website work, laundry, and painting are some of the many ways families help out.
Fundraising provides many opportunities for involvement! Our Annual fundraisers include food vending, auction, plant sale, yard sale, fudge sale, jazz nights, and more. Without fundraising help from families, we could not have our strong Scholarship Program.
Levels and Types of Involvement vary widely. While we hope everyone will participate in the many aspects of our school, we realize families need to tailor their involvement to fit their schedules and lives.